• Sunday Worship at the Ascension (Reminders):
  • Please refrain from congregating on the steps of the church prior to and after services.
  • Cancellation of Service/Storm Notice and Office Closures: If Sunday services are canceled due to inclement weather, there will be an announcement on VOCM and VOWR.  You may also check the message on the church answering machine. Also, please check the church office answering machine to determine if the office is closed for any reason.
  • 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.
• Rector’s Absence:  The Rector, Rev.'d David Burrows is away this Sunday in contemplative learning/retreat as he prepares for the Lenten and Easter seasons that will be upon us. In the last weeks of the Epiphany season, as we move through these winter months, be sure to be kind and gentle, caring and compassionate to all whom you meet. This season can be challenging for so many. The Rector will be back on Monday, February 1, 2021, to continue pastoral, liturgical, outreach, and administrative responsibilities.
• Birthday/Anniversary 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 or anniversaries 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.
• Christmas Memorial Booklets:  Christmas Memorial booklets for 2020 are available on our website, www.ascensionnl.ca.  There are a small number available for pick up at the front of the church.
• Lent in a Bag:  This year the Transfiguration group has partnered to create a project called Lent in a Bag to be completed by you and your family. Beginning Ash Wednesday, February 17, up to Easter Day, April 4, you and your family can gather in a particular space and place to have a conversation as you work on the daily/weekly activity provided. Enclosed in the bag is an instruction booklet outlining all the activities. For those interested in participating, the bags will be distributed on Sunday, February 24. Upon completion of this project, we ask that you fill the bag with items for Emmaus House. More details to follow regarding the necessary items.
• Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas):  Candlemas is celebrated as a winter festival of birth and light. It is also a story of living, ageing, and learning. The wisdom of age, the years of struggling and hurting and loving, the presenting of themselves regularly in the communal round of worship, the prayers of a lifetime – these are the experiences that enable Simeon and Anna to recognize God in Jesus and to have confidence in the safety and vulnerability of God’s love.

  Living and dying, striving for holiness and justice, accepting forgiveness and affirmation, living with the questions and the mystery, trusting in hope of home and the glory and the light of resurrection – these are the elements of life and loving that dance and burn in the candles of Candlemas. And these are the candles that are offered to us so that, lit by God’s bright fire, we may be light and warmth for God’s world.  (From: Hay and Stardust, Ruth Burgess © Iona Community)

  This year, on February 7, we celebrate our Candlemas celebrations, we invite families to bring a pillar candle from home, to be blessed during the worship, and then taken back to your homes for use throughout the rest of the season of Epiphany. In addition, those participating online may gather with their candles, and may send photos of their candles from home. Together let us celebrate the light of Christ within and among us.

• Services During the Week:
  • Sunday, Feb. 7 (Candeleas): 11:00am, Holy Eucharist/BAS

This week, the Fourth Sunday of Epiphany, we continue our celebrations as the community of faith in prayer and song, and the reading and reflection upon Scripture. This week in particular, as we observe the prayers according to the Celtic tradition of Iona, Scotland, we begin a journey of reflection upon images and themes. Each of these times of worship, usually at the end of each month, we call ‘Family Services.’ They are an opportunity for the family of the faith community of the Parish of the Ascension to come together in prayer and thanksgiving, and to celebrate what and how the family of the faith community is for them. During these times, a layperson (member of the community who is not an ordained clergyperson) will be offering a reflection upon a theme. This week we have Mrs. Dana Dawe, who will be reflecting on the symbol/image of the Epiphany Star, and how it relates to the Light of the Holy One in her life. These are personal reflections that give opportunity for others to reflect, not only on the individuals’ faith journey, but also their own.

Take time this month, as we move further through winter and epiphany, to see how the light of the Holy One may be shining within you and all around you. Take time to reflect upon this light in others. Take time, in gentleness and love, in care and openness, to walk with others within your family, and within the faith community.

May we always journey with the light, and within the light.

Peace,

As the people gathered in Capernaum to hear Jesus’ words, so too have we come together to hear God’s word. Let us boldly offer our prayers to God, saying: Lord, have mercy.

For the world in which we live and to which we are called, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For the nations of the world, and for world peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For the church of Christ, zealous in mission and compassionate in service, for Sam our Bishop, for the parishes of Belleoram, Bay St. George, Bell Island and for those who worship in Brazil, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For this congregation and for hearing the word, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all who labor in the world and in the church, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For those who are sick, those on our Ascension Prayer Cycle, and for those who care for them, and for those in various parts of the world who are struggling with climate change, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For the homeless and the refugees, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For those with whom we rejoice, and for those whose joy is known only in the secrets of their hearts, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For those who have died and for those who mourn, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

O God, we commend to your care all for whom we pray, in the confidence that your love for them is greater than anything we can know or imagine. Hear us, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Ascension Prayer Cycle:  Aden, Ann, Aubrey, Audrey, Barbara, Baxter, 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, Moana, Nancy, Pam, Phyllis, Rachel, Randell, Rodney, Roland, Ruby, Ruth, Rita, Sean, Shirley, Stephen, Susan, Tina, Todd, Tom, Valerie, Vera, Victoria and Wayne.

• Christmas Memorials (2020)
• Family Service - Wee Worship Book (January 21, 2021)
• Key Messages from Vestry (January, 2021)