• Registration for Christmas Services: We are now accepting registration for Christmas services. Christmas services will be on December 23 at 7 p.m. (HE/BCP); December 24 at 2 p.m. (Family Eucharist) and at 7 p.m. (BAS/HE). The seats will be filled on a first come, first served basis so it is important to register as soon as possible. You may register by emailing [email protected] or by calling the office at 368-5693. If this is your first time attending church since we reopened, you will need to complete the Covid screening questionnaire. You can do this on-line at ascensionnl.ca or by dropping by the church. It is important that you indicate for which service you are registering. NOTE:  Services may change as Provincial Covid 19 guidelines evolve. Please regularly refer to the church website for updates.
• Registration for December 27 Sunday Service:  Because the office will be closed during the Christmas break, the deadline for registration for December 27 service will be Wednesday, December 23. NOTE:  Services may change as Provincial Covid 19 guidelines evolve. Please regularly refer to the church website for updates
• Donations/Offerings: In order to have donations/offerings included on your income tax receipt for 2020, they must be received at the Church office by Thursday, December 31, at 12 noon. Donations received after this time will be added to your 2021 tax receipts. Thank you.
• Advent Packages: Your Advent packages including your Advent letter, Lenten folders, and church envelopes for 2021 are available for pick up at the church. They are located in the side foyer. Please feel free to deliver any packages you may be able to deliver belonging to neighbours or friends. Thank you.
• Christmas Memorials: Anyone wishing to give a Christmas memorial is asked to drop off the appropriate information and contribution at the church mailbox (located on the front steps of the church, right hand side), drop it in to the church office, or send in regular mail to 58 Smallwood Drive., Mt. Pearl. NL, A1N 1B1. Please submit names on or before Friday, December 18. All donations will support the ministry of the Parish.
• Parish Office Hours during Christmas: Please note the church office will be closed from December 25 to December 30 inclusive. The office will be open on Thursday, December 31, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and will close again on Friday, January 1 in observance of New Year’s Day. Church office will resume regular office hours on Monday, January 4, 2021.
• Christmas Hamper Gift Cards: Deadline to receive gift cards for Christmas hampers is Friday, December 11. Please be sure to indicate the dollar value on the gift card. Thank you to all who donated thus far.
• Pandemic Appeal:  To date we have raised $4,260. We encourage parishioners to continue to support our Parish in this effort by donating to the Pandemic Appeal. Thank you to all who have donated thus far.
• Wednesday Prayers: If you would like to join us each Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. for prayers, you may do so through our YouTube channel youtu.be/icOu4W8lqYQ.The next Wednesday Prayers will be on Wednesday, December 9.
• Pre-Authorized Givings:  If you would like to set up pre-authorized givings, please take a pamphlet from either entrance of the church or from church office. Simply fill one out, drop it into the office and we will set up your automated givings. Thank you!
• Clergy Contact During the COVID-19 Pandemic: 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.
• Live Streamed Services:  If you are interested in viewing Sunday service, you can do so by logging in to the new church website ascensionnl.ca, and go to the Social Media tab. Once there, click on the Facebook tab (please note you do not have to have a Facebook account to view the service). This will link you directly with the service once it has begun on Sunday.
• Morning Prayer:  We will be praying Morning Prayer from the Chapel at 9:00 a.m. daily, incorporating daily prayer for members of our parish.
• CLB Friday Dinner Take-out/Pick Up: Each Friday, the CLB will be offering dinner take-out (curbside pickup). Order cutoff is 11 a.m. on Thursday. Gluten- free option is available. Please advise of any allergies or dietary restrictions! To preorder, please call 722-1737.
• Services During the Week:
  • Monday – Friday: 9:00am, Morning Prayer in the Chapel
  • Wednesday Prayer: 10:00am, Online (YouTube)
  • Sunday, Dec. 13 (Advent III): 11:00am, Holy Eucharist/BAS

Comfort

This is the word that I focus on today. In it I hear the resounding words of Scripture found in the communion service of the prayer book for the Anglican Church of Canada: the ‘comfortable words.’ These are words of Scripture that are offered to help Make Strong or comfort individuals in their lives of faith.

I offer the word comfort today, as we light the candle for peace in the liturgy this Sunday.

I offer the word comfort today, because I am observing the #ADVENTWORD resource from adventword.org from Virginia Theological Seminary. Each day of Advent through social media, a word is offered to help Christians from all over the globe to focus on the Advent journey to the incarnation. This has been going on for the last seven years, and this year it seems so important to connect with others in prayer at this time.

I invite you at this time to consider the different nuances, reflections, images, and feelings that are associated with each word as we journey through Advent. Share your thoughts with friends and family. Look to social media posts, Facebook, Instagram, and twitter, to see what others from around the world are considering as together we pray.

Advent is a time in which the Christian community takes specific measured time to prepare and await the celebration of the Incarnation. It is a way in which we mark days and recall the work of prophets, communities of faith, and the Holy Spirit in our midst.

This past week I have heard so many powerful words that have invited me to ponder more deeply the relation between the Holy One and the world, between me and the Holy One. Hear these words: tender, deliver, strengthen, earth, rebuild, fellowship, glory, and speak. Perhaps these words resonate on some level with you at this time. Maybe they offer you hope and peace, in a time of uncertainty. Perhaps they open to you a conversation with yourself, and with the Holy One, so that you enter more deeply into the care and compassion of those around you, of creation, and of the Creator.

Peace,

Watchful at all times, let us pray for strength to stand with confidence before our Maker and Redeemer especially Sam, Bishop elect, for the Western Newfoundland Synod Office Staff, and for those worshipping in The Reformed Episcopal Church in Spain, let us pray to the Lord:
Lord, have mercy.

That God may bring in God’s kingdom with justice and mercy, let us pray to the Lord:
Lord, have mercy.

That God may establish among the nations a scepter of righteousness, let us pray to the Lord:
Lord, have mercy.

That we may seek Christ in the Scriptures and recognize him in the breaking of the bread, let us pray to the Lord:
Lord, have mercy.

That God may bind up the broken hearted, restore the sick, especially those on the Ascension Prayer Cycle, and raise up all who have fallen, let us pray to the Lord:
Lord, have mercy.

That the light of God’s coming may dawn on all who live in darkness and the shadow of death, let us pray to the Lord:
Lord, have mercy.

That, with all the saints in light, we may shine forth as lights for the world, let us pray to the Lord:
Lord, have mercy.

We commend ourselves and all for whom we pray to the mercy and protection of our heavenly Father:
Lord, have mercy.

Almighty God,
as your blessed Son Jesus Christ
first came to seek and to save the lost;
so may he come again to find in us
the completion of his redeeming work;
for he is now alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

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

• December 13: 11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Advent III
• December 20:
  • 11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Advent IV
  • 6:30 p.m. Tree Lighting/Carol Sing Along (see pledge sheet here)
• December 23: 7:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist/BCP
• December 24:
  • 2:00 p.m. Family Eucharist Christmas Eve
  • 7:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist
• December 27: 11:00 a.m. BAS/HE/HB

Public Worship at the Ascension:  Church of the Ascension has commenced public worship. The service will be at 11 a.m. each Sunday. You will need to complete a Covid-19 screening questionnaire as part of the registration. Questionnaires are available on our website under Covid-19 Updates. 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.
• Please have your own hand sanitizer in the event you feel the need to sanitize your hands after you have been seated.
• If you would like to use a cushion in your seat, please bring along your own as we are not able to supply one at this time.
• Due to Covid 19 guidelines, doors and windows may be open during service so you are reminded to wear warm clothes.

Guidelines for Singing in Church:

• Singing is not permitted during the full service with an exception for the final hymn;
• Congregation members may hum during the hymns;
• Hymns may be sung by one single singer or a small group of singers physically distanced from the congregation;
• Singers must wear well-fitting masks while singing indoors and face forward;
• Physical distancing is maintained;
• Papers are to be removed by each individual participant when leaving the church.
• If you feel faint or overcome, please refrain from singing.