• 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 $6,225. 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.
• Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: As a result of Covid 19 restrictions, we will not hold a joint service this year. Our parish will observe the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on January 24 at the 11 a.m. service The international resources for 2021 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity have been prepared by the Monastic Community of Grandchamp in Switzerland, a group of religious sisters from different church traditions brought together by a common vocation of prayer, community life and hospitality and by their commitment to Christian unity. The 2021 theme – Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit. (John 15:1-17)
• Cancellation of Service/Storm Notice: If Sunday services are cancelled due to inclement weather, there will be an announcement on VOCM and VOWR. You may also check the message on the church answering machine.
• Birthday Sundays: We are once again designating one Sunday of each month as family Sunday. The worship for that Sunday will include the celebration of birthdays for that given month. Please send us a picture of yourself to include during the Birthday Sunday celebration portion of the liturgy. You can send your photos to [email protected]. We request that you submit your photos by the end of the first week each month to ensure they are included.
• Donations: A donation was made to the Giving Thanks Fund in memory of Violet Randell from M. Mate.
• Services During the Week:
  • Sunday, January 17 @ 11:00 am, Epiphany ll, Holy Communion/BCP

This first word of 2021 is a word of powerful beginnings and striking images. It is a new year, and with it, we in the Christian community observe the Baptism of Jesus. Scriptural reflection offers the image of light and the narrative of the creation of the entire cosmos through the words in Genesis. There the contrasts are offered: light and darkness, day and night. Chaos and formlessness are swept away by the wind, or ru’ah of the Holy One as it moves across the waters of the new creation.

In the pithy account from the Gospel of Mark, John Baptizer appears offering a cleansing through repentance and forgiveness in the wilderness. John is a striking image, proclaiming loudly the impending arrival of one who is greater than he, one who comes as anointed, with the gift of the Holy Spirit, to provide sanctuary and salvation for the community.

Into this steps Jesus, and Jesus is blessed with the words of the psalmist, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

These spiritual and scriptural offerings seem so distant from the day to day reality of the world around us. Yet, there are many current images of the contrast between light and darkness, day and night. The striking differences between those in society that respond well to the pandemic guidelines, versus those that ignore science and promote anti-masking come to mind. The current chaos in the transfer of power in the United States comes to mind as well. It seems so easy for us within society to be caught up in the fear and anxiety that is offered through the instability of health and economy and governance.

Fear and anxiety are not what we are called to engender as followers of the Holy One. We are called to sweep into the world with the blessing of new life, new possibility. We are called to offer generosity, care, repentance, and a new way of living – in short, salvation – through the Holy One.

This is the message that I hear in the Baptism of Jesus this week. This is the message I have also heard in the courage and generosity, determination and love of so many as they combat fear and anxiety each moment.

This is the message that I have also heard in the ministry and witness of Roland and Ruby Clarke, long-time faithful parishioners here at the Ascension. Through their vision of their baptismal ministry, through their love and generosity they have enabled the resources of the new audio-visual streaming equipment that brings Christ’s message of hope and love into peoples’ homes, to their computers, to their phones, so that fear and anxiety may be quelled through the love and covenant of the Holy One.

‘You are my children, Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’

Let us strive to walk with Jesus, with Roland and Ruby, and with all who choose love courage and hope.

In the waters of baptism, we were called to be God’s children and to minister to one another. Let us therefore pray for ourselves, for one another, and for all those in need of our prayers, saying: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Let us pray for the church, that it may stand fast in the one faith to which it has been called. We pray for Sam our Bishop, for the  Anglican Military Ordinariate, for LCol Shawn Samson - Division Chaplain and Deputy Army Command Chaplain, for the Parish of the Ascension and our clergy both active and retired,  for Badger’s Quay/Pool’s Island and for those worshipping in The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia.  Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Let us pray for the world, that our conflicts may cease and that peace may reign in this New Year.  Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Let us pray for all Christians who have been baptized into the one family of faith, that our lives may reflect the forgiveness and love which were first shown to us. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Let us pray for all those who are blind to the injustices of the world, that their eyes may be opened, and that they may work for an end to oppression and injustice. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Let us pray for the sick, for those on the Ascension Prayer Cycle, that their sickness may be turned to health, and that they may once again join us in our work and worship. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Let us pray for the faithful who have gone before us that we may follow the example of their lives and be reunited with them in the joy of everlasting life, especially Derrick Martin. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Let us pray for Ruby and Roland Clarke, for their ministry at the parish of the Ascension, especially their roles within the Altar Guild, Anglican Church Women, Godly Play, Men’s Service Club, Vacation Bible School and Vestry. For their commitment in life and witness, and for their vision and generosity upon their deaths. We give thanks that their generosity has enabled the purchase and installation of the online streaming audio visual equipment so that those that are affected by pandemic isolation, and those that are shut in, may experience the worship and blessing of the faith community as we worship together.

Omniscient God, you know our thoughts and needs better than we ourselves do.  Accept the prayers which we now offer, and strengthen us to do your will, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Ascension Prayer Cycle:  Aden, Ann, Aubrey, Audrey, Barbara, Baxter, Bill, Bob, Brenda, Brian, Brittany, Brandon, Carl, Cathy, Christina, Cindy, Claire, 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, Marion,  Maurice, Maxine, Maxwell, Melissa, Melvin, Michelle, Nancy, Pam, Phyllis, Rachel, Randell, Rodney, Roland, Ruby, Ruth, Rita, Scott, Sean, Shirley, Stephen, Susan, Tina, Todd, Tom, Valerie, Vera, Victoria and Wayne.