Ascension Day: Christ Enthroned and the Church Sent Forth

This past Thursday, May 14, the Church celebrated one of the great feasts of the Christian year: Ascension Day. Forty days after Easter, we commemorate our Lord’s bodily ascension into Heaven, where He now reigns at the right hand of the Father.

As the Book of Acts records, Christ did not quietly disappear from His followers, leaving them uncertain of what had happened. Rather, He ascended visibly before them, and angels testified that “this same Jesus” would one day return in glory.

Yet the Ascension is also much more than a departure. It is the completion of Christ’s earthly ministry and the beginning of the Church’s mission to the world.

The Old Testament had long foreshadowed this mystery. Enoch being taken by God, Elijah ascending in the fiery chariot, the exaltation of Joseph after suffering, and the royal Psalms all point toward the triumph and enthronement of the Messiah. Christ Himself repeatedly foretold His return to the Father, speaking of the glory He shared “before the world was.”

The Ascension was necessary for the fulfillment of Christ’s threefold office as Prophet, Priest, and King.

As our Prophet, He sends the Holy Ghost to guide His Church into all truth.
As our Priest, He intercedes for us before the Father, presenting the once-for-all sacrifice of His Passion.
As our King, He reigns in glory over all creation.

The Feast also reminds us that Christianity is not merely about remembering what Christ once did, but participating in what He continues to do. Before ascending, our Lord commissioned His Apostles to preach the Gospel to all nations and to baptize in His Name. The departure of the Master became the beginning of the Church’s worldwide mission.

The Collect for Ascension Day beautifully applies this mystery to our own spiritual lives. We pray not only to believe that Christ ascended into Heaven, but that “we may also in heart and mind thither ascend.” The Christian life is therefore one of spiritual ascent; a lifting of the heart toward heavenly things. Faith in the Ascension draws us upward, teaching us that our true citizenship is in Heaven, where Christ reigns.

In a world often consumed with the immediate and the earthly, Ascension Day calls us to lift our eyes higher. Christ is risen. Christ is ascended. Christ reigns. And where the Head has gone before, the members of His Body are called to follow.

--- Father Chris Fish+

All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own have we given thee
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Services & Events

This Saturday, May 16, 8:30 AM, Men's Breakfast, cooked by the one and only breakfast chef extraordinaire Claude Crump, and an always inspirational Bible study and discussion with Father Bragg; good food, good fellowship, and great Bible study

Sunday Services,  9:00 AM and 11:15 AM Services, for online participation go to
https://www.facebook.com/saintsofscotland or to 
https://www.youtube.com/@StAndrewandStMargaret/streams

Nursery during both services

Sunday School, 10:30 AM, Rectory, Lower level

Wednesday at Noon – Holy Communion and anointing for healing, for online participation go to https://www.facebook.com/saintsofscotland or to 
https://www.youtube.com/@StAndrewandStMargaret/streams

 Wednesday, 7:30 PM, undercroft, Discussion on the Saints, with Fr. Bragg, all are invited even if you have not been to prior discussions. Fr. Bragg’s class takes a chronological approach to the study of the saints, placing them in the context of their times and places in church history.  For online participation go to https://www.facebook.com/saintsofscotland or to
 https://www.youtube.com/@StAndrewandStMargaret/streams

Thursday, 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM, undercroft, Inquirers class (everyone invited): Since Bishop Johnson will visit the Parish on Sunday, June 14 to offer the rites of Confirmation and Reception. Father Chris is offering an Inquirers’ Class leading up to the Bishop's visit. This class introduces and explores the life, faith, and practice of the Anglican tradition using Archbishop Haverland's primer, Anglican Catholic Faith and Practice. Together we look at the foundations of the Christian faith, the meaning of the sacraments, the structure of the Church, and the distinctive spirituality of Anglican worship shaped by the Book of Common Prayer. It is also an opportunity to ask questions, reflect on one’s own faith journey, and grow in understanding of what it means to live the Christian life within our Church. While the class  prepares those who wish to be confirmed and received into the Anglican Catholic Church, anyone who wants to learn more about Anglican faith and practice is warmly invited. If you are new to the parish, exploring Anglicanism for the first time, or attending for years and like a deeper understanding of the Church’s life and teaching, this class is for you. 

Monday, May 25, Memorial Day Service, noon, for online participation go to https://www.facebook.com/saintsofscotland or to
 https://www.youtube.com/@StAndrewandStMargaret/streams

Monday, June 1, 7:30 PM,  Vestry Meeting  in the undercroft
 
MaRiH Crisis Pregnancy Center: Just Updated
Critical Needs & More
 

Below are 2 updated lists: the critical needs list and the needs list. Both have been updated:

Critical Needs:
Diapers, sizes 5 and 6
Spring/Summer clothing (Boys & Girls), size 0-3 months, size 2T 
Baby Wipes
Baby Blankets
Baby formula: Similac Advance Formula
Bibs: toddler
Car seat: infant
Other needs:
Diapers, newborn, 1, 2, 3, 4
Spring/Summer Clothing, 3-6 month, 9-12 month, 18-24 month, 
Bibs, infant
Maternity clothes (Spring/Summer)
Wash cloths
Hooded towels
Diaper rash ointment
There are two options for helping the Center with these needs:
Option 1 
Amazon has all the specific items needed. You can order the specific item(s) and have them delivered directly to the Center.  

The MaRiH Center
3230B Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-4521
703-370-4774

Option 2 
Go to your local store, purchase the items requested and drop them off at church on Sunday. We will deliver them to the MaRIH Center.
 
Food Bank Needs
 
The food bank continues to need our assistance to feed the hungry. Please help this month with a food donation if you are able. Those we help feed are very thankful for the food we provide to them each month. Please also buy low sugar cereals (and not the kid's types that have lots of sugar). Also lower sodium products are better and more healthy.

Current needs include the following:
canned meats (chicken, corned beef, spam)
peanut butter
jelly
tuna
canned vegetables (corn, green beans - (regular and low sodium)
individual fruit cups (low sugar)
canned fruit (low sugar)
canola or vegetable oil (48 oz)
boxed cereal (low sugar) and instant or old fashioned oatmeal (18 oz or 42 oz)
pasta (regular and gluten-free):
instant potatoes
single serving fruit juice
macaroni & cheese
soups: Chunky or Progresso,noodle soup; chicken broth, cream of mushroom
coffee, cooking oil, flour, sugar
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St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland
1607 Dewitt Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22301-1625