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. |
Get Involved
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. |
Give
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. |
Upcoming Services
March 17, 2024 The Fifth Sunday in Lent Services at 8:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. "Blessed are you, O LORD; instruct me in your statutes." (Psalm 119:12) 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. Based upon updated guidelines from the Los Angeles County Health Department, and State authorities, we encourage those with heightened vulnerabilities to continue wearing masks. During this season of an uptick in Covid cases, we are closely monitoring the best practices put forward by the Los Angeles County Health Department. Ascension has returned to offering Communion at the rail, either kneeling or standing facing east. We continue to provide the small glasses that will be filled from the common cruet. Please note that the practice of intinction (where a parishioner dips the bread in the wine) is not permitted under the diocesan guidelines. A PRAYER FOR PEACE IN THE HOLY LAND: Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer (page 815)
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
THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 17: Father Mark Hallahan will preach and celebrate at both services (Father Michael is still recovering from Covid.) At the 10:15 service, the choir and Robert Williamson will offer the anthem "Lord Jesus Think On Me" and the organ voluntaries will be "Vaster Unser Im Himmelreich" by Johann Sebastian Bach and "Verset" by Leon Boellmann. THE WISTARIA FESTIVAL is today; access to the church will be limited as certain parts of Baldwin Avenue and Sierra Madre Boulevard will be closed.
BETWEEN THE MASSES: The adult discussion group meets between the 8:00 a.m. service and the 10:15 a.m. service in Hawks Hall. MONTHLY "SPIRE" NEWSLETTER: Printed copies of the March Spire can be found at the back of the church and on the reception table in Hawks Hall, or read the newsletter HERE. TUESDAY NIGHT DINNER GROUP will gather at 6:00 pm on WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20 at Nano Cafe, 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre (626) 325-3334. Please RSVP to Ray Smith at ray@madre.net or 626-233-1035. All are welcome. THURSDAY MORNING MASS will be held on March 21st at 8:15 a.m. in the chapel. RECTOR'S FORUM will be held on March 21st at 9:00 a.m. in the rector's office. LENTEN GOAT DRIVE: This Lent we are raising money for Goats for Episcopal Relief and Development. Please turn in donations by Palm Sunday, March 24th. EASTER SUNDAY BRUNCH: We will have ONE BRUNCH in between the services. Please sign up for the POTLUCK on the bulletin board in Hawks Hall. The church will provide (2) spiral-cut hams. We also need VOLUNTEERS for the following tasks: - On Saturday, March 30: Set-up Hawks Hall with an Easter Theme; Hospitality will reimburse you. - Easter Sunday: Accept food contributions following the 6:00 am service. - Easter Sunday: Clean-up Hawks Hall after the brunch. Please sign-up for volunteer opportunities on the potluck sign-up sheet in Hawks Hall. ST. ANNE’S ALTAR GUILD IS COLLECTING FOR EASTER FLOWERS: Envelopes are available at the back of the church and in the parish hall. Checks should be made out to the Church of the Ascension and turned in by March 24th for donations to 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. Checks should be made out to The Church of the Ascension (with the notation “Music Fund”) and turned in by March 24th for donations to be noted in the Easter bulletin. FRIENDS IN DEED is lower than ever on food. Please join in Ascension's monthly collection of specific "Gold Items" which include canned tuna and chicken, hearty soups, stew, chili, pasta and pasta sauce, peanut butter, cereal, rice, oil, sugar, flour, fruit juice, and vegetable juice (V8). Please leave your donations at the back of the church or on the bench in Hawks Hall. 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 the links below. Please note that due to increased costs, flowers are now $50 instead of $40. Altar Flowers Sanctuary Candle 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 promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lod, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. |
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 |