RockvilleThe Church Centre, New ofYork The Ascension The Church of The Ascension Rockville Centre, New York

Epiphany January 6th, 2019

A Guide to Mass at The Church of The Ascension

Welcome to The Church of The Ascension, Rockville Centre. We hope that this guide will assist you in following our service and in making prayers and responses. Please maintain silence before the service in order to prayerfully prepare for worship.

All stand as the choir and celebrant enter the sanctuary.

At the Procession

Celebrant: Let us go forth in peace. People: In the name of Christ. Amen.

Processional Hymn (Morning Star) Hymnal 117 Brightest and best of the stars

Station at the Crèche

Celebrant: The Lord hath manifested forth his glory. People: And all the peoples shall bow before him. Celebrant: Let us pray.

O God the Son, highest and holiest, who didst humble thyself to share our birth and our death: Bring us with the shepherds and wise men to kneel before thy lowly cradle, that we may come to sing with thine angels thy glorious praises in heaven; where thou livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.

Entrance Hymn (Puer nobis) Hymnal 124 What star is this

Opening Sentences and Prayers

Celebrant: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. People: And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

The celebrant continues with the collect for purity and summary of the law. Then follows:

Kyrie (Chant) (said or sung)

(at the 10:30 am service) (at the 5pm and 8am services)

Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison. Lord, have mercy upon us Christe eleison. Christe eleison. Christe eleison. Christ, have mercy upon us Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison. Lord, have mercy upon us

Gloria (Powell) (said or sung)

(at the 10:30 am service)

Glory to God in the highest… and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

(at the 8am & 5 pm services)

Glory be to God on high… And on earth peace, good will towards men. We praise thee. We bless thee. We worship thee. We glorify thee. We give thanks to thee for thy great glory. Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father almighty. O Lord, the Only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us. For thou only art holy, thou only art the Lord, thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the Glory of God the Father. Amen.

Celebrant: The Lord be with you. People: And with thy spirit. Celebrant: Let us pray.

Collect of the Day

O God, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only begotten Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know thee now by faith, to thy presence, where we may behold thy glory face to face; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Please be seated for the readings and the Psalm. Please stand for the Sequence Hymn.

The First Reading Isaiah 60:1-6

Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.

Psalm 72:1-7,10-14 Deus, judicium

1 GIVE the King thy judgments, O God, * and thy righteousness unto the King's son.

2 Then shall he judge thy people according unto right, * and defend the poor

3 The mountains also shall bring peace, * and the little hills righteousness unto the people.

4 He shall keep the simple folk by their right, * defend the children of the poor, and punish the wrong doer.

5 They shall fear thee, as long as the sun and moon endureth, * from one generation to another.

6 He shall come down like the rain upon the mown grass, * even as the drops that water the earth.

7 In his time shall the righteous flourish; * yea, and abundance of peace, so long as the moon endureth

10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall give presents; * the kings of Arabia and Saba shall bring gifts.

11 All kings shall fall down before him; * all nations shall do him service.

12 For he shall deliver the poor when he crieth; * the needy also, and him that hath no helper.

13 He shall be favourable to the simple and needy, * and shall preserve the souls of the poor.

14 He shall deliver their souls from falsehood and wrong; * and dear shall their blood be in his sight.

The Second Reading Ephesians 3:1-12

I Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles–assume that you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.

Sequence Hymn (Kings of Orient) Hymnal 128 We three kings

The Gospel may be preceded by an Alleluia verse sung responsively by the cantor and the congregation.

Introduction to the Gospel (standing) Matthew 2:1-12

Deacon: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. People: Glory be to thee, O Lord

Matthew In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Deacon: The Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise be to thee, O Christ.

Please be seated for the sermon.

Sermon The Very Rev. Kevin Morris

Nicene Creed

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible; And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried; and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father; and he shall come again, with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost the Lord, and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spake by the Prophets. And I believe one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church; I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayers of the People (standing) Rite I BCP Page 328

Confession of Sin (standing or kneeling)

Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, maker of all things, judge of all men: We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, which we from time to time most grievously have committed, by thought, word, and deed, against thy divine Majesty, provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; the remembrance of them is grievous unto us, the burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; for thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, forgive us all that is past; and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please thee in newness of life, to the honor and glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Peace (standing)

Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you. People: And with thy spirit

Offertory Anthem Quem Pastores Laudavere Trad. German Melody

The Offering of the Gifts (standing)

Celebrant: All things come of thee O Lord or Praise God from whom all blessings flow People: And of thine own have we given Praise him all creatures here below thee. Praise him above ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

The Eucharistic Prayer Preface (standing) BCP Page 333

Celebrant: The Lord be with you. People: And with thy spirit. Celebrant: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them up unto the Lord. Celebrant: Let us give thanks unto our Lord God. People: It is meet and right so to do.

The celebrant continues with the Eucharistic prayer. The following parts of the prayer may be sung or said in unison:

The Sanctus (Proulx)

(at the 10:30 am service) (at the 8am & 5 pm services)

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts; heaven and earth are full of your glory. Heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Hosanna in the highest. Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord Hosanna in the highest Hosanna in the highest.

The congregation may kneel or stand (as they are able) during the Eucharistic prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen

The celebrant breaks the consecrated bread. Then is said or sung:

Agnus Dei (Hurd)

(at the 10:30 am service) (at the 8am & 5pm services)

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the have mercy on us. world, have mercy upon us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the have mercy on us. world, have mercy upon us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the grant us peace. world, grant us thy peace.

The Prayer of Humble Access (kneeling or standing)

We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.

The Invitation to Communion (kneeling or standing)

The Gifts of God for the People of God.

All baptized Christians are invited to receive communion. Please come forward as the ushers direct you. If you are unable to come forward, please notify an usher and communion can be brought to you. We have gluten free wafers upon request.

Communion Anthem Puer Natus Harm. by J. S. Bach

Communion Hymn (Wie schön leuchtet) Hymnal 497 How bright appears the Morning Star

The Post Communion Prayer (kneeling or standing)

Almighty and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee for that thou dost feed us, in these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and dost assure us thereby of thy favor and goodness towards us; and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs, through hope, of thy everlasting kingdom. And we humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen.

The Blessing of Chalk

V. Our help is in the Name of the Lord. R. Who made heaven and earth. V. The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit. V. Let Us Pray.

O Lord God, bless + this chalk which Thou hast created, that it may be helpful to mankind; and grant that through the invocation of Thy most holy Name all those who use this chalk or with it write over the doors of their houses the names of Thy Saints, Casper, Melchior, and Balthazar, may by their merits and intercession receive health of body and protection of soul. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Recessional Hymn (Dix) Hymnal 119 As with gladness

Dismissal (standing)

Celebrant: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

Participants in Today’s Service:

Saturday: Eucharistic Minister 5:00 pm M. Weisenreder Sunday: Eucharistic Minister: 8:00 am M. Weisenreder Usher: E. Alden Eucharistic Ministers: 10:30 am M. Weisenreder & L. Paulsen Ushers: C. Challice & J. Challice Counters: R. Moen & A. Casella

The Prayer of Humble Access

Announcements We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up Welcome to Ascension! the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord whose The Church of The Ascension would like to cordially welcome all of our visitors and newcomers property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious today. We are so glad that you have chosen to worship with us. Please visit our website at: Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to ascensionrvc.org to learn more about our parish. If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his email our parish administrator at: [email protected]. Follow us on Facebook as well! body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen. Twelfth Night Party th Father Kevin will be hosting his annual Twelfth Night Party at the rectory today, January 6 at 5:00p.m. Everyone is invited to attend! Guests are asked not to bring gifts or food, but instead to bring gift cards to local grocery stores. These cards are used to assist families and individuals in need throughout the year.

Pledge Envelopes Pledge envelopes are available in the back of the church.

‘Walk in Love’ Book Discussion Want to strengthen your understanding of your faith and what the Episcopal Church believes? Join us as we read and reflect on Walk In Love: Episcopal Beliefs and Practices by Scott Gunn and Melody Wilson Shobe. We will be meeting at 9am on Sundays: Jan 13th and Feb 10th.

Children’s Prayer Breakfast Our next Children’s Prayer Breakfast will be held on Sunday, January 27th at 9:30am.

Vestry Openings Next year there will be 4 vestry vacancies and 1 open position for Warden. If you would like to nominate yourself, or someone else, to run for office please speak with either John Challice or Lisa Chiara to submit your nomination or to inquire about vestry expectations and duties. Please note: to run for vestry you must be an adult baptized member of this congregation in good standing (meaning that you have been regular in attendance and have a pledge recorded in the past 12 months). You must also be free on Tuesday evenings. Candidates for Warden, must be confirmed or received in the Episcopal Church. All candidates should be prepared to attend a vestry retreat on February 23rd should they be elected.

Giving by Text Forgot your checkbook or pledge envelope? No Worries! It is now possible to make donations by text message using your smart phone. Simply text "ascensionrvc $25 (or whatever amount you wish to give)" to 73256 to give to The Church of The Ascension using your text messaging. Standard text message rates do apply. First time users will be prompted for their giving information and the gifts will be recorded in your online Realm account.

Other Ways to Contribute Making a financial commitment to the church is just one way to make your commitment to God’s work at the church. There are a few different ways to give your donation to the church: contributing to the plate, direct contribution from your checking account, or donation of stock. (Keep in mind transferring stock can help offset your capital gains and losses for the year). All donations are tax deductible. For more information, about transferring or if you have any questions about donations, please speak with Father Kevin or Bill Cooper.

Parish Office Hours The parish office will be staffed on Monday and Wednesday from 9 am to 2 pm. At other times please leave a voice mail message which will be returned. Or you may send an email to [email protected]. Material for the Sunday bulletin is due by Monday at noon.

Birthdays

Angie Casella, Virginia Stanton, Robert Brancato, Robin Lewis-Jackson

Book of Remembrance

Leo Kelly, George Alexander Jr., Ella Foy, Winston Denham, Wallace Livermore, W. Edwin Taeffner, Peter Holfelder, Rev. Cornelius Greenway, Virginia Ioli, Jacob Baker, Fenton De Silva, Blanche Monds, Walter Wallingford, Charles Machovec, William P. Challice, Albert Occhiuzzo, Louise Davenport, Marie De Mott, Samuel Dell, Morris Fried, Ronald Campbell, Isabella Raymond, Thomas Brown Sr., Mildred Grady, Donald Vanderwarken, Dorothy Garbarino, Dora Galluzzo, Robert Hamlet, Florence Bowen, Marguerite Branch, Betty Koopman, Eileen Mc Ateer Tolbert

EPIPHANY BLESSING OF CHALK

It has been a tradition in the Church to bless chalk at the Masses for Epiphany, and then use the blessed chalk as part of blessing one’s home in the New Year.

The home blessing can be done as follows: Use the blessed chalk to write:

20+C+M+B+19 above the doorways: 2019 for the year; C, M, B for the 3 Magi – Casper, Melchior, and Balthasar – and for Christus Mansionem Benedicat, Latin for “May Christ Bless this House.”

As you are writing, pray one of the following prayers:

May all who come to our home this year rejoice to find Christ living among us; and may we seek and serve, in everyone we meet, that same Jesus who is Lord, forever and ever. Amen.

Lord God of heaven and earth, you revealed your only-begotten Son to every nation by the guidance of a star. Bless this house and all who inhabit it. Fill us with the light of Christ, that our concern for others may reflect your love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lord our God, bless this household. May we be blessed with health, goodness of heart, gentleness, and the keeping of your law. We give thanks to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

Remember, Christian soul, that thou hast this day, and every day of thy life:

God to glorify, Jesus to imitate, The Blessed Virgin and the Saints to venerate, The Angels to invoke, A soul to save, A body to mortify, Sins to expiate, Virtues to acquire, Hell to avoid, Heaven to gain, Eternity to prepare for, Time to profit by, Neighbors to edify, The world to despise, Devils to combat, Passions to subdue, Death perhaps to suffer, And Judgment to undergo.

The Church of The Ascension

The Episcopal Parish of Rockville Centre 71 North Village Ave, Rockville Centre, NY 11570

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VISIT US ON LINE AT WWW.ASCENSIONRVC.ORG

The Very Rev. Kevin Morris, Rector [email protected] (516) 766-0693 Nathan Allen, Churchwarden [email protected] (516) 766-2105 Margery Clayton, Churchwarden [email protected] William Cooper, Treasurer [email protected] (516) 223-5745

Kim Young, Asst. Treasurer [email protected]

Vestry Members: Ellie Alden, Geoff Broadhurst, Peter Carbonaro, Angela Casella, John Challice, Lisa Chiara, Ruth Dubas, Aileen Evans, Pamela Heywood, Sarah Hughes, Rebecca Posteraro, Kim Young.

Kenneth Dyer, Jr., Organist & Choirmaster (516) 763-1031 Parish Office (Open 9-2 Monday & Wednesday excluding holidays) (516) 766-0693 Margaret Bianchi, Parish Office [email protected]