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About Us
We are Sierra Madre's village church, where all are welcome - from "town" and beyond. We are a place to meet God and your neighbors, serving Christ today for those who will know and serve Christ tomorrow. |
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We offer praise and thanksgiving to God through a variety of ministries, including worship, fellowship, formation, pastoral care, outreach, and by being present in the larger church and our community. |
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Making an offering of your resources - time, talent, and treasure - is an integral part of what it means to be a Christian. There are many ways you can support our church. |
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Upcoming Events and Services The Fifth Sunday of Lent March 26, 2023 8:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. “Out of the depths have I called to you, O LORD; LORD, hear my voice; let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication." (Psalm 130:1) Click HERE to view on Facebook LIVE (A Facebook account is not required to view the link.) See QUICK LINKS at right for the service bulletins and lessons. Ascension has returned to receiving Communion in both kinds. Our parishioners have choices. One option is to continue to receive in one kind. A second option is to receive from the common cup. (Please keep in mind that our chalices are made of precious metals which have an anti-microbial quality. Also, we use sacramental wine which is higher in alcohol content. After each person receives, the chalice is turned and wiped with the linen called a purificator.) A third option will be for individuals and households to receive in a small chalice, which will have a small amount of consecrated wine poured into it from the common cruet. Folks may choose to bring from home a glass or cup that holds special significance or to use a small glass which we will have available. Please note – the practice of Intinction (where a parishioner dips the bread in the wine) is not permitted under the diocesan guidelines. With the current surge still underway, we are closely following the direction of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Currently, masks are strongly recommended. We also encourage those who have been traveling to test before returning to church. Episcopal Relief and Development is mobilizing with Anglican agencies and other partners in order to provide humanitarian assistance to people fleeing the violence in Ukraine. Working through the Action by Churches Together Alliance (ACT Alliance), Episcopal Relief & Development will provide cash, blankets, hygiene supplies and other needed assistance. “Ecumenical and orthodox faith networks are on the ground in the border areas of Poland and Hungary,” said Abagail Nelson, executive vice president, Episcopal Relief & Development. “We will continue to coordinate with these networks, in order to meet the needs of people who have been displaced. ”Please pray for all those affected. Donations to Episcopal Relief & Development’s International Disaster Response Fund will provide humanitarian assistance for the crisis in Ukraine.
Responding to Turkey and Syria: Many people have inquired about how to respond to the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. We all know that the recovery will take years, if not decades. One option is to contribute through Episcopal Relief and Development. They are working in concert with the Anglican Alliance and other European partners. Here is the link to their website: https://www.episcopalrelief.org Also, Vestry member Matt Gorman offers this consideration: “Acts 11:26 mentions Barnabas and Saul teaching in Antioch (aka, Antakya) which is where followers were first called “Christians” … according to Galatians 2:11, it was in Antioch where Paul confronted Peter “to his face”. It is sad to now see the tragedy in this birthplace of Christianity where the people have kept the faith alive for centuries, often in the face of persecution." The link for donations to the Antiochian diocese is HERE. A couple of other recent articles are below:
A Prayer for Ukraine: God of peace and justice, we pray for the people of Ukraine today. We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons. We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow, that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them. We pray for those with power over war or peace, for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions. Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear, that you would hold and protect them. We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen (Archbishops Justin Welby & Stephen Cottrell) |
QUICK LINKS
WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS:
THIS SUNDAY, Father Michael will be celebrating and preaching at both services. At the 10:15 service, we look forward to the choir and Robert Williamson offering the anthem "Agnus Dei". The organ voluntaries will be Herzliebster Jesu by Johann Sebastian Bach and Postlude on Old Hundredth by Russell Schulz-Widmar. LENTEN COMPLINE: During Lent, our Diocesan Discerner, J.D. Neal, will conduct an online Compline service on Wednesdays at 7pm. Compline is a wonderful and quiet way to end the day. The Compline bulletin and flyer are listed in the links above, and the Zoom link is HERE. MARCH SPIRE NEWSLETTER: Printed copies can be found at the back of the church and on the reception table in Hawks Hall. You may also read it HERE. COFFEE HOUR: Please join us for coffee and fellowship in Hawks Hall after each service. BETWEEN THE MASSES, an adult discussion group, will meet between the 8:00 am and 10:15 services in Hawks Hall. The TUESDAY NIGHT DINNER GROUP will meet at 6 p.m. this Tuesday, March 28th at Corfu Restaurant, located at 48 West Sierra Madre Blvd. Please RSVP to Ray Smith at ray@madre.net or Ray's cell phone # 626-233-1035. All are welcome. THURSDAY MORNING MASS will be held on March 30th at 8:15 a.m. in the chapel. RECTOR'S FORUM will be held on Thursday, March 30th at 9:00 a.m. in the Rector's office or via the Zoom link HERE. LENTEN GOAT DRIVE: This year for Lent, we are raising money for Goats for Episcopal Relief & Development. Please bring donations in by Sunday, April 2. ST. ANNE'S ALTAR GUILD IS COLLECTING FOR EASTER FLOWERS: Envelopes are available at the back of the church and in the parish hall. Please make checks payable to Church of the Ascension and turn them in by April 2 so donations may be noted in the Easter bulletin. SIMILARLY, OUR MUSIC MINISTRY IS ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT: Envelopes are available at the back of the church and in the parish hall. Please make checks payable to Church of the Ascension (with the notation “Music Fund”) and turn them in by April 2 so donations may be noted in the Easter bulletin. EASTER BRUNCH: We are looking for volunteers to coordinate the Easter brunch. There will only be ONE brunch held between the services. Please contact Father Michael if you can help out. EASTER EGG HUNTS: We are seeking donations for our Easter Egg hunts on Easter Sunday. We kindly request supplies to be PRE-FILLED & SEALED Easter Eggs. These specific eggs can be found in most stores with an Easter aisle. OPPORTUNITY TO WELCOME REFUGEES: We have a new opportunity to help refugees who have just arrived in America and are settling in the Los Angeles basin. The volunteer coordinator at the Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Service (IRIS) is looking for donations of welcome bags containing essential paper products and cleaning supplies that we could give to families when they get an apartment. Details can be found in this month's NEWSLETTER. ALTAR FLOWERS, SANCTUARY CANDLES, AND COFFEE HOUR SIGN-UP SHEETS are on the bulletin board outside Hawks Hall. You can also sign up for flowers and sanctuary candle online by using these links: Altar Flowers Sanctuary Candle Pick up a copy of the new Forward Movement Day by Day Daily Devotion Booklet at the back of the church or on the reception table in Hawks Hall. A $2 donation is requested. WEEKLY PRAYER: Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promised; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there by fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Amen. |
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The Episcopal Church of the Ascension
25 East Laurel Ave Sierra Madre, CA 91024 Phone: 626-355-1133 Email: parish@ascension-sierramadre.com Sunday Schedule 8:00 a.m. - The Holy Eucharist (Rite I) 10:15 a.m. - The Holy Eucharist (Rite II, with music) Childcare is available at both services |
