Welcome to the Parish of the Ascension!
We are a diverse worshipping community, rooted in the
Anglican tradition, in a covenant with God, called to address the
needs of persons living in the Mount Pearl area. If you do not yet have a faith
community, or if you are visiting the Mount Pearl area of Newfoundland and Labrador, we
invite you to come and meet God in Jesus through the ministry of
this faith community.
Word from our Rector for February 5 - 11, 2012
Today we celebrate the feast of the presentation of Jesus in the Temple, or Candlemas. In the Scriptures, the light of God is revealed to faithful seniors, Simeon and Anna, as they witness to the glory of God in the infant Jesus.
Candlemas is about beginning and endings. It was near the beginning of Jesus’ journey, and the journey of Mary and Joseph, as parents. There must have been lots of unknowing and uncertainty about the future, who Jesus would become, what he would do. It was also about endings; Simeon and Anna were nearer the end of their journey, after living lives of service and holiness.
The two intersect: new and old, begin and end. In this we see the ending of the waiting for the messiah, and the beginning of the journey in faith with the incarnate God.
Baptism for us as Christians is also about beginning and ending. It is about the ending of a life apart from God’s way, and beginning a new life, in the family of faith, with all the benefits and responsibilities that it entails.
Today we celebrate Baptism, the welcoming of children into God’s family. Parents and sponsors are making promises to God on behalf of these children. The whole parish is making promises as well. We promise to affirm, support, pray, and engage in the lives of these children all our days.
May we as the family of God continue to celebrate the Glory of God; may we continue to welcome and support all those who would want to enter into the community of Jesus; May we see God in our beginnings and in our endings.
David
Like Simeon, may I grow old in hope and in wonder.
Like Anna, may I be in love with you all my days.
May I be open to truth, open to surprises.
May I let your Spirit into my life?
May I let your justice change my behaviour.
May I live in the brightness of your joy.
Ruth Burgess, 2005
Scripture Passage for This Week
“This is a light to reveal God to the nations and the glory of his people Israel.” Luke 2.32
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