Chimes (December 27, 2020)

AdminChimes

Christmas


“I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day a Saviour, Christ the Lord” Luke 2.10-11

 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts; let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” Colossians 3.15


Table of Contents

Ministry & Mission at the Ascension

  • Christmas Chimes:  Christmas Chimes will include notices up to and including January 3, 2021.
  • 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.
  • Contributions Through Canada Helps: If you would like contribute to either Advent Folder or the Pandemic Appeal funds, you can now do so through CanadaHelps. Please go to our website, ascensionnl.ca, and select the donate button to go to CanadaHelps.org. Once there you can select the option for either of the two new categories. If you choose to, you may still donate using your envelopes or folder. Thank you!
  • 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].
  • Pandemic Appeal:  To date we have raised $5,790. 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.
  • 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.
  • 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!

        Weekly Word

        It is in this time we hear the words of prophets and angels.

        It is in this time we see stars and dream dreams.

        It is at this time we light lights and witness sheep and camels, barnyard animals, shepherds, innkeepers, and magi surrounding an infant and new parents.

        It is at this time that families and communities come together. Carols are sung, prayers are offered; we re-examine our lives and offer thankfulness for God coming among us.

        It is at this time we show gratitude and thanksgiving to our family and friends, as also to strangers and those struggling, and those alone.

        It is into this time that we are invited to be agents of change. We worship a homeless infant born to insignificant parents surrounded by undesirable witnesses, who offers change in humanity such that individuals and communities receive the gift of redemption, reconciliation, and deep abiding love.

        It is into this time, that we make our response in the world in which we live. We are invited to hold the gifts of redemption, reconciliation, and deep abiding love, and to offer them in turn to all whom we encounter. We bring not only wrapped gifts and welcome meals for others, but we also bring gifts of peace, reconciliation, forgiveness, and love.

        Into this year that has been like none other in recorded history, let us love. Let us forgive. Let us reconcile and complete the work to bring wholeness and healing within us and within this world which the Holy One so deeply loves.

        This is the time.

        Happy Christmas.

        Prayers of the People

        My sisters and brothers in the peace of God, all the gifts we shall give and receive in these days are but small tokens of the gift that shines forth in God’s word made flesh this night. With grateful hearts let us intercede for all who find themselves longing for this deepest, truest gift, saying:
        Lord, hear our prayer.

        That the peace proclaimed by angels in the shepherds’ field might be realized on every field of war and on every street of violence, let us pray to the Lord:
        Lord, hear our prayer.

        That the child born to us might find in our hearts warm welcome by our openness to the needs of the homeless and the hungry, let us pray to the Lord:
        Lord, hear our prayer. 

        That in this time of gift-giving we might become more responsive to the abandoned and despairing, let us pray to the Lord:
        Lord, hear our prayer.

        That the rejoicing of this season might be a bond leading us to true communion of life and worship, let us pray to the Lord:
        Lord, hear our prayer.

        That the joy and consolation of the Wonderful Counsellor might enliven all who are struck down by disease and illness, we pray for those on the Ascension Prayer Cycle, and those struggling this time of year due to the pandemic, let us pray to the Lord:
        Lord, hear our prayer.

        That the blessed hope we celebrate this season might be the fulfillment of all who have gone before us in faith. We remember all who have died and pray for families and friends who mourn their death, let us pray to the Lord:
        Lord, hear our prayer.

        God of darkness and silence, you have pierced the quiet of this night by the utterance of your word in our flesh. May our words of praise and petition be strong echoes of your Christmas word, so that all might come to the peace you promise in Jesus, who is Lord and God this night and forever.

        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, Hilda, Ike, Ina, Ingrid, Ira, Jack, Jason, Jenny, Jim, John, Josephine, Judy, Junior, Kent, Kevin, Kim, Laura, Leo, Leonie,  Lindsay, Lori, Louise, 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.

        Documents

        Anglian Church of Canada One Licence #733242-A Book of Alternative Services The Taizé Community Book of Common Praise GIA Publications Wee Worship Book The Iona Community CCLI License # 1733318Resources for Chimes from the above sources