Please check the following websites for regular updates on information related to the COVID 19 pandemic:

• ascensionnl.ca/covid19/
• anglicanenl.net (You will find the most recent weekly letter from our Bishop under our Bishop’s Writings)
• anglicanenl.net/home/covid19/
• mountpearl.ca
• who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/

• Public Worship at the Ascension: Public Worship will commence Sunday, September 20, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. You will need to complete a Covid-19 Screening Questionnaire as part of the registration. You can also forward the completed form via email (office email: [email protected])or you may come in to the office to fill one out Monday to Wednesday each week, between 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  • Preregistration will be required in order to attend services
  • The questionnaires must be returned to the office no later than Wednesday each week.
  • Masks are required upon entering the building.
  • Everyone must enter and exit through the main doors of the church to attend services.

As we progress further into autumn we will be enabling worship to be live-streamed from the parish. Please check the website weekly for updates. If you have any questions, please contact Peggy at [email protected] or 368 – 5693.

• Guidelines For Singing In Church:
  • Singers wear well-fitting masks while singing indoors;
  • Physical distancing is maintained
  • Complete Covid-19 Screening Form
  • Sing facing forward
  • Papers to be removed by each individual participant
  • If you feel faint or overcome, please refrain from singing

• Morning Prayer: Beginning Monday, we will be praying Morning Prayer from the Chapel at 9:00 am. daily, incorporating daily prayer for members of our parish.
• Thursdays in Black: This week we will be returning to noonday prayers incorporating Thursdays in Black, and our guest will be Su McLeod, Youth Coordinator for the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund in Toronto.
• Ride for Refuge: On October 3, I will be joining thousands of other riders, walkers and volunteers across Canada to help raise $2,500,000 for some of the most marginalized people in our world. The RIDE supports hundreds of local charities. I have been cycling the Ride for Refuge every year since 2014, and together, the Anglican East NL team has raised over $25,000 in that time, which has been matched by the federal government. This year, a number of friends and I will be cycling, running, or walking from Cape Spear to the Anglican Cathedral in support of the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (pwrdf.org). The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) is the Anglican Church of Canada's agency for sustainable development, relief, refugees, and global justice. This year PWRDF is supporting the St. Jude Family Project that works with smallholder farmers in rural Uganda.  St. Jude's has an agricultural school that integrates environmental protection, gender empowerment and income generating projects connected to farming. The project will aim to train local families in environmentally friendly fertilizing techniques such as worm composting and manure teas, and do their part to fight climate change by planting 80,000 multi-purpose trees that will benefit the local population.  Click on the link below to visit our Team Page - register and help us fundraise. Or, email me back and we can chat more about the RIDE. Our team page: secure.e2rm.com/registrant/TeamFundraisingPage.aspx?teamID=925018&langPref=en-CA My personal page: secure.e2rm.com/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx?registrationID=4778336&langPref=en-CA Thanks for your support! It will be worth it! David
• Daily Devotionals Books/Prayer Books: The following publications are available for pick up at the side entrance of the church:  Our Daily Bread; Forward Day by Day; and weekly edition of the Chimes (Chimes available each Friday afternoon). Should you wish to stop by to pick these up, please use the buzzer at the side entrance.  Publications will be left on the bench for your convenience. Also, the following books are available to be signed out:  Book of Alternative Services (BAS); Book of Common Prayer; and Common Praise. If you are interested in signing any of these out, please contact the office by email at [email protected] or call 368-5693 from Monday to Friday between 9 and 12.
• Outreach: This is a time for our faith community to come together to uplift each other. Please don’t forget to regularly check on your family, friends and neighbors. If you are in need of pastoral contact, or if you know of anyone who is struggling at this stressful time, please let one of the clergy know.
• Clergy Contact During the COVID-19 Pandemic: As you are well aware, the church building has been closed for several months due to COVID-19. Beginning this week we have opened the office on an as-need basis, for parishioners to drop off or receive items such as prayer books, hymnbooks, chimes or parish envelopes. If you need to come to the parish office, please call ahead. Bring your mask with you, and ring the buzzer at the side entrance. The office will be open between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to noon Monday to Friday. For the past six months the clergy has aimed to make contact with parishioners by way of e-mail or a phone call. Now, if you would like to receive a physically distanced visit from Reverend David or Reverend Lynn, please call the office or contact the clergy via email. Could you please ask them to call the church office to give their contact information as well.
• Transmission Notices: Please check out thetransmission.ca for weekly updates for our online Wednesday worship, ongoing prayers, Bible Study and more! In particular of note this week:
  • After the pandemic shutdown, bible study will be starting up again next Tuesday, September 22. We will still meet on Tuesday mornings from 10:30 – 11:30, but we will be gathering online instead of in person. Rather than our long-run ‘serial’ style bible study that moved sequentially through a book at a time, we will take a thematic approach using The Bible Project’s Church at Home series to explore themes, such as generosity, Sabbath, justice, peace and more. Please contact The Reverend Jonathan Rowe for more information.
  • Beginning this week, on Wednesdays, the Clergy of the Transfiguration Mission invite you to attend weekly Morning Prayer online. Each week we will lead in prayer at 10:00 am on Wednesdays from the Book of Alternative Services. Parishioners from all four parishes are invited to join us on Zoom and participate in the worship, or to watch the online worship through the Youtube channel youtube.com/channel/UCXLtEbY_PpEd_fmNuKuD6sg which can be found on the thetransmission.ca website. If you would like to participate through Zoom for these prayers, please contact your parish priest and they will provide the particular login information.
  • For the next six weeks, until October 28, we will be leading worship as each of our parishes transition from our regular online Sunday streaming worship to live-streaming our public worship in each of our parish churches. During this time we will have weekly reflections, and be exploring how the transmission might provide additional learning and fellowship for the online community further into the fall.

• The Coffee Table Returns:  The Coffee Table is a ministry of St. Michael’s Church, growing out of the Lenten discipline of prayerful reflection on scripture. The reflection is more interactive than a traditional sermon and more engaging than a bible study; it’s an opportunity to engage far more deeply with the scriptures and make room in our lives for them to build a more compassionate, more generous world. During pandemic isolation, this ministry has been shared between the parishes of the Transfiguration Mission online via Zoom technology. The Coffee Table is founded on a couple of principles. First, we recognize that anyone who thinks or talks about God is doing theology and that the Christian community needs to make space to hear from and celebrate all theologians. Second, we have found that theology should not be a solo sport, but something best practiced in community. Finally, we can not help but notice that everyone reflects better when they have got a hot cup of something in their hands! Our method of reflection draws from ancient and modern Christian practices, from the Benedictine practice of Lectio Divina to the Gospel-based Discipleship practiced by First Nations Canadian Anglicans. By gathering to share our insights into the gospels, and to hear the insights of others, we are making reflection and spiritual growth somethings that does not happen in the church, but in public places and home – anywhere you can find a coffee table! Now that we are coming back into more like a regular routine, we are bringing back our gatherings on a monthly basis, gathering online on the first Wednesday of the month, beginning October 7. Some folks have been interested in the Coffee Table, but would rather simply listen than contribute. This is perfectly reasonable. If you would rather not have to speak, just turn your camera off and you will not be called on. If you do want to contribute, but need to turn your camera off for other reasons (privacy or bandwidth concerns), you will be given a chance to speak up before the conversations end. We welcome people from all walks of life: from different faiths or no faith, those with a strong sense of faith or powerful questions. All we ask is a willingness to listen to the Scripture and each other. Each time we meet, we listen for three things:

  1. What is attractive to me in this passage?
  2. What is challenging to me in this passage?
  3. What in this passage invites me to be more generous or more compassionate?

  Pour yourself a social beverage and gather with a group of the most fascinating theologians – ordinary ones like you and me! In our first gathering, we'll be reflecting on the Parable of the Wicked Tenants in Matthew 21.33-45

• Food First NL: Food First NL works with communities in Newfoundland & Labrador to ensure everyone has access to affordable, healthy, and culturally appropriate food. Please visit their website at foodfirstnl.ca/covid19 to find updates to NL Community Food Programs.

• CLB Friday Dinner Take-out: The C.L.B. are offering Friday Dinner Take-outs. Each Friday from 12:00-1:30 you can enjoy one of our delicious meals for just $12.00. There will be two options available each Friday. On Friday September 25th we will be having Stuffed Chicken or Roast Beef. To pre-order you can call 722-1737.Curbside pick from CLB Armoury, 82 Harvey Road. Order cutoff is 4:00 pm Wednesdays. Gluten-Free option available. Please advise us of any Allergies or Dietary Restrictions.

I love this photo that my daughter Phoebe took for me a few years ago. For me it emanates feelings of movement, reflection, beauty and contemplation. It harnesses the struggle that I experience as a human, both of striving forward and looking backward.

This image came to mind this week, as in Scripture we are confronted with two narratives: the story of the Israelites receiving manna and quail from the Holy One while complaining in the wilderness, and the parable of the labourers in the vineyard.

In each of these stories, a group of persons is complaining about what has happened in the past, with the hope that their complaining will elicit a change, and give preferential treatment.

The nature of the persons’ changes, as they become discontent with their lot that they have been offered, either the starkness of the wilderness journey for the exodus Israelites, or the perceived unjust actions of the landowner to the labourers. In other words, even as they move forward with more to be thankful for, they look back longing for change in the past.

I wonder how many of us may be caught in perpetual states of looking forward and reflecting backwards? Have the challenges of this year caused any regret, second guessing, anxiety, anger or grief? These pieces are all a part of the uncertainty of the moments we are living within. Plans, goals and patterns are unpredictable, and constantly changing, forcing increased stress and anxiety, much like the Israelites forty-year sojourn in the wilderness. It seems we may be as those persons of the exodus so long ago, filled with pain, sadness, despair, and uncertainty.

In both of these passages from Scripture, there is hope and life. The Exodus reminds me of the infinite patience and generosity of the Holy One, providing for the sojourners’ every need, even as they despair of the future and lament of things lost past. The actions of the landowner in the parable of the labourers remind me of the generosity and faithfulness that the Holy One offers to all – no matter the circumstance, place, time, or disposition of individuals.

But how, one may ask, do the generosity, patience and faithfulness of the Holy One translate into this time and place? For many, the pandemic isolation has created feelings of apathy, unbelief, and indifference. As I have interacted with others in this past six months, conversations about faith and the nature of God have lessened, even amid the anxiety and chaos. People are focusing on self and immediate needs, and for much of the world, the Holy One is not in that equation. Yet, as I move and live and experience humanity and creation, it is indeed in the conversations and the interactions that the love, generosity patience and faithfulness of the Holy One are experienced.

Peace,

• Donations to Ministry: If you are interested in continuing to donate to the parish ministry during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are a variety of ways for you to do so.
  • Church Envelopes: You may still use your envelopes during this time. You may drop them in the mailbox at the main entrance of the church or you can put your givings in the mail.
  • Pre-authorized Givings: You can have your givings automatically deducted on a schedule that works for you. If you are interested in setting up pre-authorized givings, please contact the church office at 368-5693.
  • Canada Helps: You can sign up to make donations to Canada Helps through our parish website.
  • Food Bank Donations: The need for food donations is still great. If you are able to donate to the food bank, we ask that you drop your donation directly to St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank at either St. Peter’s Parish Hall on Ashford Drive or Mary Queen of the World on Topsail Road. All donations are gratefully appreciated.

God’s word tells us that those who love their neighbours have fulfilled the law. Out of love and compassion for a broken world, let us pray to the Lord, saying: Lord have mercy.

For all Christians who have more than they need, that taking the Lord’s word to heart, they may be content with what is necessary and generously share their surplus with the poor. We pray for Bishop Geoffrey, for our Parish, as we celebrate and give thanks for our re-opening . We pray for the Parish of St. Augustine’s Stephenville and St. John’s and for the Diocese of Sodor and Man (York, England). Let us pray to the Lord: Lord have mercy.

Remembering the children of our own country caught in the cycle of poverty, ignorance, disease, and despair. We remember all foodbanks and furniture banks and all those affected by violence. Let us pray to the Lord: Lord have mercy.

For those who are sick and for those who care for them, especially those on the Ascension Prayer Cycle: let us pray to the Lord: Lord have mercy.

For those who have died, that they might be brought beyond their trouble into the Spirit’s peace: let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

Redeeming Sustainer, visit us and pour out your strength and courage upon us, that we may hurry to make you welcome not only in our concern for others but by serving them generously and faithfully in your name. Amen.

Ascension Prayer Cycle: Andrea, Aubrey, Audrey, Barbara, Baxter, Bill, Brenda, Brian, Brittany, Brandon, Carl, Christina, Cindy, Clarence, Claude, David, Debra, Delilah, Dennis, Don, Donna, Doreen, Dot, Dulcie, Edgar, Edith, Elaine, Erin, Ethel, Finnley, Frederick, Fred, Frank, Flo, George, Gerry,  Gilbert, Gordon, Harry, Herb, Ike, Ina, Ingrid, Jack, Jason, Jenny, John, Josephine, Junior, Kevin, Kim, Laura, Leo, Leonie,  Lindsay, Lori, Madeline, Marina,  Marion,  Maurice, Maxine, Maxwell, Melissa, Melvin, Nancy, Pam, Phyllis, Randell, Rodney, Roland, Ruby, Ruth, Rita, Scott, Sean, Stephen, Tina, Todd, Tom, Valerie, Verna and Wayne.

Collect

Almighty God,
you have created the heavens and the earth,
and ourselves in your image.
Teach us to discern your hand in all your works
and to serve you with reverence and thanksgiving;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. AMEN

A Reading from the Book of Exodus

The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, "If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger." Then the Lord said to Moses, "I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days." So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, "In the evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your complaining against the Lord. For what are we, that you complain against us?" And Moses said, "When the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning, because the Lord has heard the complaining that you utter against him - what are we? Your complaining is not against us but against the Lord." Then Moses said to Aaron, "Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, 'Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.'" And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked toward the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. The Lord spoke to Moses and said, "I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, 'At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.'" In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, "It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat."  Exodus 16:2-15

Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God

Psalm

REFRAIN The Lord has always been mindful of his covenant.

Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples. R

Sing to him, sing praises to him, and speak of all his marvellous works. 

Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

Search for the Lord and his strength; continually seek his face. R

Remember the marvels he has done, his wonders and the judgements of his mouth, O offspring of Abraham his servant, O children of Jacob his chosen. R

He led out his people with silver and gold; in all their tribes there was not one that stumbled. Egypt was glad of their going, because they were afraid of them. He spread out a cloud for a covering and a fire to give light in the night season. R

They asked, and quails appeared, and he satisfied them with bread from heaven. He opened the rock, and water flowed, so the river ran in the dry places. For God remembered his holy word and Abraham his servant. R

So he led forth his people with gladness, his chosen with shouts of joy.

He gave his people the lands of the nations, and they took the fruit of others' toil, That they might keep his statutes and observe his laws. Hallelujah! R  Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45

Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew

People: Glory to You, Lord Jesus Christ

Jesus said, "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o'clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and he said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o'clock, he did the same. And about five o'clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, 'Why are you standing here idle all day?' They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard.' When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, 'Call the labourers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.' When those hired about five o'clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, 'These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.' But he replied to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?' So the last will be first, and the first will be last."  Matthew 20:1-16

Reader: The Gospel of Christ
People: Praise to you Lord, Jesus Christ.

Prayer over the Gifts

God of power,
the glory of your works fills us with wonder and awe.
Accept our offering this day,
and help us to live in peace and harmony
with all your creation,
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN

Prayer after Communion

Ruler of the universe,
all creation yearns for its fulfilment in your Son.
May we who have shared in holy things
grow into maturity in him.
This we ask in the name of the same Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN

O GOD OF BETHEL, BY WHOSE HAND

O God of Bethel, by whose hand
thy people still are fed,
who through this weary pilgrimage
thy multitudes hast led.

Oh spread thy covering wings around
till all our wanderings cease,
and in the city of our God
our souls arrive in peace.

A SPENDTHRIFT LOVER IS THE LORD

A spendthrift lover is the Lord who never counts the cost
Or asks if heaven can afford to woo a world that’s lost.
Our lover tosses coins of gold across the midnight skies
And stokes the sun against the cold to warm us when we rise.

How shall we love this heart-strong God who gives us everything,
Whose ways to us are strange and odd, what can we give or bring?
Acceptance of the matchless gift is gift enough to give.
The very act will shake and shift the way we love and live.

LORD, WHOSE LOVE IN HUMBLE SERVICE 

Lord, whose love in humble service 
bore the weight of human need, 
Who upon the cross, forsaken, 
worked your mercy’s perfect deed:
We, your servants, bring the worship 
not of voice alone, but heart;
Consecrating to your purpose 
Every gift which you impart.

As we worship, grant us vision 
till your love’s revealing light 
in its height and depth and greatness 
dawns upon our quickened sight, 
Making known the needs and burdens 
your compassion bids us bear, 
Stirring us to ardent service, 
your abundant life to share.

IMMORTAL, INVISIBLE, GOD ONLY WISE

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes;
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.

To all life Thou givest, to both great and small;
In all life Thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish, but nought changeth Thee.