• 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 and January 3 Services:  Because the office will be closed during the Christmas break, the deadline for registration for December 27 service will be Wednesday, December 23. If you are interested in registering for the January 3 service, please forward your request by email ([email protected]) or leave a message at 368-5693 on or before December 29. NOTE:  Services may change as Provincial Covid 19 guidelines evolve. Please regularly refer to the church website for updates.
• 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!
• Pandemic Appeal:  To date we have raised $5,195. 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/awIXEV8waVY. The next Wednesday Prayers will be on Wednesday, December 16.
• 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.
• Services During the Week:
  • Monday – Friday: 9:00am, Morning Prayer in the Chapel
  • Wednesday Prayer: 10:00am, Online (YouTube)
  • Sunday, Dec. 13 (Advent IV): 11:00am, Holy Eucharist/BAS
• Staying Connected: As we continue to practice safe social distancing in Church, we are expanding our weekly on-line Worship experience. Keep connected to your Parish Family by emailing us some pictures of activities you are doing with your family. They could include preparing for Christmas, baking with the grandchildren or taking a stroll with your family pet. These pictures will be shown on Sundays just before the start of the service, so be sure to tune in early. Pictures and a short caption can be emailed to the audio/visual team at [email protected].
• Christmas Tree Lighting and Carol Sing:  Sunday, December 20 at 6:30 p.m., we will be observing the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting with a Carol Sing. Due to Covid19 restrictions, this will not be the regular Church service that we have always had.   Instead, it will be an OUTSIDE EVENT, and all are encouraged to attend, either in their vehicles, or suitably physically distanced in the front parking lot. A receptacle will be available to drop off envelopes, donations, and Advent cards. The event will consist of a welcome and short prayer, the singing of carols with the assistance of our organist and a couple of choir members, and the lighting of the lights on the two main trees at the entrance to the Church. NO REGISTRATION IS NECESSARY for this event.
• 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.

In Scripture this week we hear words that share joy and wonder, as good news is offered, and hope is generated in the words of the prophet Isaiah and in the words and actions of John the Baptizer. It is the third Sunday of Advent – Gaudete Sunday, where the candle is pink, or rose in colour, as we remember and recall the joy of both Mary and Elizabeth at the announcement of the coming of two infants who would announce, and offer joy and redemption to the world.

This Sunday we hear the voice of Zachary as he shares with me his understandings of the word Joy.

We light this third candle, and the world gets brighter. We hear from children like Zachary, and our lives reflect joy and wonder.

Consider the words of Scripture today. Isaiah, the Psalms, and John, all offering perspectives on joy and wonder for us.

It is so easy for humanity to become consumed in the here and now, in the concerns and challenges, that we do not free ourselves up. We become so immersed in our realities that we fail to look around, see the light, see the joy.

In this Advent let us recall and remember the joy that is present in the Holy One, and in ourselves. Let us share this joy all around us. Let us offer joy and illuminate joy in each interaction, each moment, each place we travel.

This is the time and place for joy. Open our lives, our hearts, our hands, so that joy may be received, and joy may be given to all.

In joyful expectation of his coming to our aid, we pray to Jesus. Come to your Church as Lord and judge. We pray for Sam, Bishop elect, for the Central Newfoundland Synod Office Staff, and for those worshipping in The Falkland Islands.  Help us to live in the light of your coming and give us a longing for your kingdom. Let us pray to the Lord,
Lord Jesus, come in glory.

Come to your world as Sovereign of the nations. We pray for all those in administrative and leadership roles in our cities, towns, and municipalities throughout the province and the country. Before you, rulers will stand in silence. Let us pray to the Lord,
Lord Jesus, come in glory.

Come to the suffering as Saviour and comforter. We pray for those on the Ascension Prayer Cycle, for those in hospitals and long term care facilities, and for those caring for loved ones at home. Break into our lives, where we struggle with sickness and distress, and set us free to serve you for ever. Let us pray to the Lord,
Lord Jesus, come in glory.

Come to us as shepherd and guardian of our souls. We remember those who have died this week.  Give us with all the faithful departed a share in your victory over evil and death. Let us pray to the Lord,
Lord Jesus, come in glory.

Come from heaven, Lord Jesus, with power and great glory. Lift us up to meet you, that with all your saints and angels we may live and reign with you in your new creation. Let us pray to the Lord,
Lord Jesus, come in glory.

Come, Lord Jesus, do not delay; give new courage to your people, who trust in your love.

By your coming, raise us to share in the joy of your kingdom on earth as in heaven, where you live and reign with the Father and the Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

Ascension Prayer Cycle:  Aden, Ann, Aubrey, Audrey, Barbara, Baxter, Bill, Bob, Brenda, Brian, Brittany, Brandon, Carl, Cathy, Christina, Cindy, Clarence, David, Debra, Delilah, Dennis, Don, Donna, Doreen, Dot, Doug, 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.

People, Look East! The Time Is Near  91 vs. 1, 2, 5
Where Jordan Cuts the Wilderness 105 vs. 1 & 5
On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry 103 vs. 1, 2, 4, 5
I Come With Joy, A Child of God 60 vs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Hail To The Lord's Anointed 101 Vs. 1, 2, 4

Hail to the Lord's anointed, great David's greater Son!
Hail in the time appointed, his reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression, to set the captive free,
To take away transgression, and rule in equity.

He shall come down like showers upon the fruitful earth,
and love, joy, and hope, like flowers, spring in his path to birth.
Before him on the mountains shall peace the herald go,
And righteousness in fountains from hill to valley flow.

O’er every foe victorious, he on his throne shall rest,
From age to age more glorious, all blessing and all blest.
The tide of time shall never his covenant remove.
His name shall stand forever: the name to us is Love.

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The Consecration and Installation of the Venerable Samuel Rose as the 6^th Bishop of the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland & Labrador will be taking place on December 15 at 7:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.  We will be keeping the Commemoration of the Rev. Simon Gibbons, the First Inuit Priest in Canada.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Liturgy will be by invitation only.  The Rt. Rev. John Watton, Bishop of Central Newfoundland, will be the Ordaining Bishop and the Co-Consecrator will be the Rt. Rev. John Organ, the Bishop of Western Newfoundland, and a limited number of assisting bishops have been invited.  The clergy of the Diocese will be represented by the three Territorial Archdeacons, the Chair of the College of Deacons, and the President of the Retired Clergy Association.  The laity of the Diocese will be represented by the Bishop-Elect’s presenters and others who represent the various ministries, partnerships, and committees of the Diocese, as well as Ecumenical representatives.

While many have expressed a desire to attend this special worship in person, only those who are contacted directly can attend.  The Bishop-Elect is hoping after the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted to have a Diocesan-wide Celebration of Thanksgiving.

The Liturgy will be Livestreamed on the following sites:

• youtube.com/channel/UCPn0-iS_T0pdmdfY3hJDbJA (Cathedral YouTube)
• facebook.com/anglcathstj/ (Cathedral Facebook)
• facebook.com/AnglicanEastNL (Diocesan Facebook)