The Ascension of our Lord May 20, 2012

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1 The Ascension of our Lord May 20, 2012 Anglican Church of Canada Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland & Labrador Parish of Bay Roberts Coley s Point St. Matthew, Bay Roberts St. John the Evangelist, Coley s Point P.O. Box 202 Bay Roberts, NL, A0A 1G0 Office: Parish Secretary: Mrs. Frances Hussey Parish Web Site: anglicanrectory@gmail.com revamandataylor@gmail.com Bishop: The Rt. Reverend Cyrus Pitman Rector: The Rev. Amanda Taylor BA.;Mdiv.(Hons). Go and make disciples of all nations, says the Lord; I am with you always, to the close of the age. Matthew 28:19, 20

2 Today s Bulletin is dedicated to the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of DOUGLAS COLLINS & OTHER DEPARTED FAMILY MEMBERS from The Family Services for today 9:30 am St. Matthew s Holy Eucharist 11:00 am St. John the Evangelist Holy Eucharist Commentary of the Readings for Today: First Reading (Acts 1:1-11) Before Jesus ascends into heaven, he twice redirects the disciples from focusing on earthly kingdoms and glory to a spirit empowered mission (and the coming of the same spirit) that lay before them to be witnesses in all the world. When the angels interrupt their wondering gaze, they also (a third time) redirect the disciples to continue in this mission by waiting for the coming of the spirit in Jerusalem. Psalm 93 Second Reading (Ephesians 1:15-23) Paul encourages the churches connected with the congregations at Ephesus to remember the fullness of who they now are because of what God has made them in Jesus Christ, risen, ascended to the right hand of all power and reigning in, through and beyond the church. The Gospel (Luke 24:44-53) We heard this story a few weeks ago focus on repentance. Today we hear it to focus on ascension and mission. Power from on high will come to the apostles to empower a ministry of proclamation of Services for next Sunday May 27 (The Feast of Pentecost - Red) 11:00 am St. John the Evangelist Holy Eucharist 11:00 am St. Matthew Holy Eucharist ST. MATTHEW S DUTY LIST: Reader: Rosalind Olsen Servers: Element Bearers: Debbie & Courtney Mercer Eucharistic Assistants: Barbara Crosbie, Derek Coombs Sidespersons: Mac Russell, Jack Bannister ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST DUTY LIST: Reader: Edward Kelly Server:

3 Elements Bearers: Jack & Patricia Saunders Eucharistic Assistants: Edward Kelly, Paul Lawrence Sidespersons: John & Maxine Dawe, Pam Lush Events this Week: Wednesday, May 23 10:30 am ACW at St. John the Evangelist Hall Thursday, May 24 2:00 pm - Bay Roberts Ministerial Meeting - 7:30 pm- CLB Banquet at St. John the Evangelist Hall Friday, May 25 Card Game at St. John the Evangelist Hall. The Parish of Bay Roberts Coley s Point extends a sincere thank you to those who planned the reception following the Confirmation service and to all those who brought food. A great time of food and fellowship was enjoyed by all! A note from the Helping Hand: Our community food bank is currently in need of the following items: meatballs and gravy; stew; tinned pasta; tinned sandwich meat; pasta & sauce; tinned milk; and tinned fruit. We thank you in advance for your support of those who are less fortunate. The Archdeaconry of Trinity-Conception is planning a mission to Belize in the fall of The Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador is in a companionship relationship with the Diocese of Belize and this mission will enable us to grow that relationship. As we prepare for this ministry please hold it in prayer: Loving God, you have called us to share in the gifts of your Kingdom. Strengthen and enlighten us as we strive to assist our companions in Belize, as they nurture education and development within their people. Enable us to bring forth our hearts, minds, and hands in your service; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. At a recent meeting of St. Matthew s Vestry it was decided that we would once again try Coffee Hour at our Church. Once this is up and running, immediately following every 9:30 am or 7 pm service, there would be a time of fellowship and refreshments. Fellowship is a significant part of living the Christian life and it is important that we gather at times other than just at worship. We are hoping to have enough volunteers to do a monthly schedule and we would like to start this ministry as soon as possible. If you would like to help provide refreshments for this time of fellowship, there is a sign-up list at the back of the church. Thank you for your support! St. Matthew s Congregation is reminded that we are still taking names for electronic giving. The forms and information sheets are available at the back of the Church. It is important that you get these sheets back to the office or in the

4 box at the back of the church as soon as possible. Please spread the word about this exciting new option for supporting the work of your church! St. John the Evangelist Vestry will be holding a breakfast on Saturday, May 26 from 8 am 11 am at the hall. All are welcome! Mission to Nicaragua Presentation will take place at St. Matthew s on June 17. Two retired teachers from our area will be travelling there in July to help with education initiatives. St. John the Evangelist Vestry invites tenders for mowing the grass on its property. The job is to mow the grass and rake up the trimmings in both cemeteries. The successful candidate will be responsible for supplying their own equipment and fuel. Expressions of interest should be made, in writing, to Mr. Roy Jones ( ) or to Mr. Walter Perrault ( ) no later than Friday, May 25. Congratulations to Captain Brian Crane, Commanding Officer of H Company CLB on receiving his promotion to Captain. It was announced at the Spring Parade in Port Rexton April 29 th. Late Mother s Day Donation: A donation to St. John the Evangelist Altar Guild has been received in loving memory of EFFIE TAYLOR from daughters Effie Taylor & Ivy Anthony. Gospel Concert: There will be a Gospel Concert held at 7:30 pm, May 24 th at St. Luke s Church, Port de Grave, with performances by local individuals and groups. There won t be any admission fee, but a free will offering will be accepted in aid of St. Luke s Church. Refreshments will be served afterwards. Come and bring a friend, Everyone is welcome. For further information call Wayne Morgan at or The Guatemala Mission Team are preparing to head to Guatemala on June 1 st. Pam Norman, Eric Norman and Lorne Kirby will be going from our Parish. This year the Commissioning Service will be held at St. Matthew s Church on May 27 th at 11 am. Please come along as we assure this group of our prayers and support. Christ s ascension into heaven is, for the church, the symbol of what she is and is to be in him. As Christ, having endured the ordeal of suffering, death, and resurrection, is vindicated as the true Son of Man (Luke s account of the ascension is Acts 1:1-11 is replete with the imagery Daniel , including Jesus being taken up to heaven in a cloud), so the church, having endured the same, will be united with Christ in everlasting glory.

5 There are two ways in which we are not to anticipate this final, glorious consummation of the union of Christ and the church. First, we are not to concern ourselves with the times or periods the Father has set by his own authority. Rather, we are to be Christ s witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Luke s account of the ascension roughly corresponds with the conclusion of Matthew s Gospel, in which Jesus commands his disciples to Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. Second, we are not to waste our time staring off into space, waiting for Jesus to drop out of the sky, Jesus, the disciples are told, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven. Here is where it becomes very important for the church to understand the nature of her union with Christ and how that union is consummated. How the disciples saw Jesus go into heaven must be understood in the much wider context of the ordeal of suffering, death, and resurrection which preceded this particular episode. The account of Acts is only the culmination of a series of events which began with Jesus setting his face to go to Jerusalem (Luke 9.51). Thus, for Jesus to come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven must involve the ordeal of suffering, death, and resurrection. This does not mean that Jesus himself must literally go through that ordeal again. Rather, it means the church, the Bride of Christ, must continually remember that singular event which brought her into existence. It is through worship that the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ is kept constantly at the forefront of the church s memory as she prays and longs for her Bridegroom to come and make their union complete. anglicandailyprayer.com Collect Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven that he might rule over all things as Lord. Keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of his peace, and bring the whole of creation to worship at his feet,

6 who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AMEN. Prayer over the Gifts Eternal God, our Saviour Jesus Christ has promised to be with us until the end of time. Accept all we offer you this day, and renew us in his transfigured life; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN. Prayer after Communion Eternal Giver of love and power, your Son Jesus Christ has sent us into all the world to preach the gospel of his kingdom. Confirm us in this mission, and help us to live the good news we proclaim; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN. Prayer Intentions for this week: Anglican Cycle of Prayer: Pray for Sheffield (York, England) The Rt. Reverend Steven Croft, Sheffield Doncaster (York, England) vacant. Tri-Diocesan Intercessions: Pray for Parish of New Hope, Rector The Reverend Lynn Courage ; Parish of Meadows Rector The Reverend Malcolm Palmer, Hon. Assistant The Reverend Edward House. Those who are ill: Mark Marsh, Sharon Greenland, Fred Russell, Ellie Lynch, Jim Pitts, Ernie Singleton, Cecil Smith, Jeanette Wilkins. Our Congregational Offerings for: St. Matthew St. John May13, 2012 $ 1, $1,003.00