• Readers needed for June, July and August: If you are interested in reading at the 11 a.m. services on any of the following dates, please contact the office at [email protected] or call 368-5693:
  • July 18
  • August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
  • September 5, 12
• Cemetery Commemoration Service:  You may want to mark your calendars for Sunday, July 11, at 7 p.m. as the Anglican Cemetery Committee will offer an online Commemoration Service from the Anglican Cathedral.  The service will not be open to the public, but it may be viewed via Diocesan and Cathedral Facebook sites.  Reverend Nancy March will officiate at the service.
• Prayers for Life:  Thank you Lord, for our marriage. Like a wedding band, our love encircles but doesn’t bend.  Like a vow, is words but sustains because of what they mean. In your grace our love has permanence of rock, not of walls, but of a bridge to moments ahead as special and bridge as when we first met. Amen.
• On-Line Auction: Our Online Auction has come to an end. It was a fun event to lead us into summer. We raised almost $1,500. Thanks so much to those who donated beautiful items, those who participated in the bidding and to our successful bidders who purchased and picked up their items. We look forward to more fundraising activity this fall to help us continue to fund the various ministries here at the parish.
• One Week Left - Gathering Place ‘Welcome Home’ Gift Card Project: This week is the final week to donate gift cards to The Gathering Place ‘Welcome Home’ project. Any financial donation of either gift cards or money is gratefully accepted; however, gift suggestions are $30-1 person, $50-2/3 people, $75 4/up. You may drop your donations in the church mailbox (located on the front steps of the church). Thank you very much.
• Pandemic Appeal:  Since January 1, 2021, we have raised $1,630 for our Pandemic Appeal. The funds raised for this Appeal will be used to supplement the ministry of the Parish. We encourage parishioners to continue to support our parish in this effort throughout the summer month. Thank you to all who have donated thus far.
• Memorial Gospel /Hymn Sing: Memorial Gospel/Hymn Sing will be held on Sunday July 18, at 6:30 p.m. from the church steps and parking lot.  We invite you to join us and if you would like to make a donation in memorial or thanksgiving, please complete the form in the Chimes and return by July 4. No need to pre-register for this service. Thank you.
• Prayers of the People:  Please note, that from July 4 to September 15, Prayers of the People will not be printed. You may still submit names to include on the Ascension Prayer Cycle or be remembered with the deceased at any time by contacting the church office.
• Long Term Rental:  Effective Monday, June 28 up to Friday, September 3, our auditorium will be in use by Max Athletics. As a result, the bathroom facilities downstairs will be unavailable for use during Sunday services. Our washroom upstairs will be available for use during services as usual.
• Duties of Church Wardens and Vestry Members:  If you are considering becoming active in either of these positions and would like to have more information regarding the duties involved, please refer to the Parish website at ascensionnl.ca under Ministries – Vestry and Wardens. There will also be a limited number of paper copies available for pick up at the 11 a.m. service on Sunday.
• Live-Streamed Services:  To view our Sunday service, please go to the Parish website ascensionnl.ca and go to the Social Media tab. Once there, click on the Facebook tab (you do not have to have a Facebook account to view the service). You can also view the service live on the Parish YouTube channel. Go to YouTube and search on Parish of the Ascension NL to view the service live.
• Pre-Authorized Givings:  If you would like to set up pre-authorized givings, please contact the church office at 368-5693 for direction. Thank you.
• CLB Lunch Take-Out:  Each week the CLB offers take out lunch specials on Friday. If you are interested in purchasing for your home or office group, please call 722-1737 to pre-order. Orders must be received by Thursday at 11 a.m.  Free delivery for orders of five or more dinners.
• Services During the Week: Sunday, June 27 (Pentecost V): 11:00am, Welsh Eucharist ascensionnl.ca

In peace let us pray to the Lord. Holy Creator, in whom all things in heaven and earth have their being, Have mercy on us.

We give our thanks, Creator God, for the fathers in our lives. Fatherhood does not come with a manual, and reality teaches us that some fathers excel while others fail. We ask for Your blessings for them all and forgiveness where it is needed. This Father's Day we remember the many sacrifices fathers make for their children and families, and the ways--both big and small--they lift children to achieve dreams thought beyond reach. So too, we remember all those who have helped fill the void when fathers pass early or are absent; grandfathers and uncles, brothers and cousins, teachers, pastors and coaches and the women of our families. For those who are fathers, we ask for wisdom and humility in the face of the task of parenting. Give them the strength to do well by their children and by You. Have mercy on us.

For Samuel our bishop, Linda our primate, Mark our national indigenous archbishop, Leopold bishop and all bishops and the parishes of Isle aux Morts/Fox Roost/Margaree and Pasadena/Cormack. Lord, have mercy.

For Elizabeth our Queen, for the leaders of the nations, and for all in authority, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

From our failure to recognize and respect the revelation of your truth and love in the First Peoples of this land, Saviour, forgive and heal us.

From our participation in the systematic oppression of indigenous sovereignty, language, culture and spirituality, Saviour, forgive and heal us.

From our role in the Indian Residential Schools designed to eliminate the unique society, wisdom and beauty of the indigenous peoples of this land, Saviour, forgive and heal us.

From our complicit tolerance of the decimation of Indigenous family structures leaving children vulnerable to abuses of every kind, Saviour, forgive and heal us.

From our continued acceptance of unjust legal, educational, health and social structures that continue to oppress and destroy the lives of many indigenous people, Saviour, forgive and heal us.

O God, we pray for the gifts of your grace and your love which never gives up on us and is forever faithful. Inspire our minds with a vision of the reconciliation of your kingdom in this time and place. Hear us, O Christ.

Touch our eyes, that we may see the sacredness in all creation. Hear us, O Christ.

Touch our ears, that we may hear from every mouth of every peoples the hunger for hope and stories of refreshment. Hear us, O Christ.

Touch our lips, that we may speak of the beauty of every tongue and dialect proclaiming the wonderful works of God. Hear us, O Christ.

Touch our hearts, that we may discern your mission in which you call us to be immersed, particularly in partnership with the First Peoples of this land. Hear us, O Christ.

Touch our minds that we may witness to your Good News in our neighbourhoods, communities, and all parts of the world. Hear us, O Christ.

Touch our hands, that we may forever shun violence and embrace the work you give us to do. Hear us, O Christ.

Touch all who are in need of healing, we remember all those on the Ascension Prayer Cycle. We pray for those who are dying and those who have died. May their family and friends fine peace and comfort in your word and your presence. Hear us, O Christ.

Draw your Church together, O Lord, into one great company of disciples, together following our Lord Jesus Christ into every walk of life, together serving you in your mission in the world, and together witnessing to your love on every continent and island of your creation. We ask this in the name of the Risen Christ in whom we are one. Amen.

Collect

Creator God, from you every family in heaven and earth takes its name. You have rooted and grounded us in your covenant love, and empowered us by your Spirit to speak the truth in love, and to walk in your way towards justice and wholeness. Mercifully grant that your people, journeying together in partnership, may be strengthened and guided to help one another to grow into the full stature of Christ, who is our light and our life. AMEN

A Reading from the First Book of Isaiah

To whom then will you compare me, or who is my equal? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these? He who brings out their host and numbers them, calling them all by name;
because he is great in strength, mighty in power, not one is missing.

Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God’? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:25-31

Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God

Psalm

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the firmament shows his handiwork.

One day tells its tale to another,
and one night imparts knowledge to another.

Although they have no words or language,
and their voices are not heard,

Their sound has gone out into all lands,
and their message to the ends of the world.

In the deep has he set a pavilion for the sun;
it comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber;

it rejoices like a champion to run its course.
It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens and runs about to the end of it again; *
nothing is hidden from its burning heat.

The law of the Lord is perfect and revives the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure and gives wisdom to the innocent.

The statutes of the Lord are just and rejoice the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear and gives light to the eyes 

The fear of the Lord is clean and endures forever;
the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, more than much fine gold,
sweeter far than honey, than honey in the comb.

By them also is your servant enlightened,
and in keeping them there is great reward.

Who can tell how often he offends?
cleanse me from my secret faults.

Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins;
let them not get dominion over me;
then shall I be whole and sound, and innocent of a great offense.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.

Gracious creator of heaven and earth, your Word has come among us as the true Sun of righteousness, and the good news of his birth has gone out to the ends of the world. Open our eyes to the light of your law, that we may be purified from sin and serve you without reproach for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Light and our Life. PSALM 19

Reader:  The Lord be with you
People:   And also with you

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John

People: Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” ’) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known. John 1:1-18

Reader:  The Gospel of Christ
People:  Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

Prayer over the Gifts

God of reconciliation and forgiveness,
the saving work of Christ has made our peace with you.
May that work grow toward its perfection
in all we offer you this day.
We ask this in his name.   AMEN

Prayer after Communion

Holy and blessed God,
as you give us the body and blood of your Son,
guide us with your Holy Spirit,
that we may honour you not only with our lips
but also in our lives.
This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN

• Liturgy