Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost, August 30, 2026

Old Testament Lesson: Jeremiah 15:15-21

Psalm: Psalm 26:1-8

New Testament Lesson/Epistle: Paul's letter to the Romans 12:9-21

Gospel: Matthew 16:21-28

Sermon: "We must do the work of decentering the self so that we can recenter God, of emptying the self so that God has space to fill us up with things that give us life. " The Reverend Emily C. Collette

Click Here for a Transcript of Emily's Sermon

Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost, August 23, 2026

Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 51:1-6

Psalm: Psalm 138

New Testament Lesson/Epistle: Romans 12:1-8

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-20

Sermon: "We don't have to know the whole story. We just need eyes to know Jesus in the other. Lord, give us those eyes." The Reverend Jack Alvey

Click Here for a Transcript of Jack's Sermon

Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost, August 16, 2026

Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 56:1, 6-8

Psalm: Psalm 67

New Testament Lesson/Epistle: Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32

Gospel: Matthew 15:10-28

Sermon: "She didn't come to Jesus with an M.Div or EfM diploma... She came with a need and a cry for mercy. And Jesus called that great." The Reverend Jack Alvey

Click Here for a Transcript of Jack's Sermon

In this episode of our summer podcast series, On the Road Again, Jack is joined by Olivia Hill Sheffield, Church of Ascension's new parish office manager. Jack and Olivia discuss the relationship between doubt and faith: wrestling with the question, "Is doubt faith's mortal enemy or her lifelong dance partner?"

This episode will conclude our summer series. Let us know what you think we should discuss next!

Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost, August 9, 2026

Old Testament Lesson: 1 Kings 19:9-18

Psalm: Psalm 85:8-13

New Testament Lesson/Epistle: Romans 10:5-15

Gospel: Matthew 14:22-33

Sermon: "Jesus has promised to be truly and deeply with us in everything we go through in life. Our job is simply to trust that this will be true." The Reverend Emily C. Collette

Click Here for a Transcript of Emily's Sermon

On the Road Again | Episode 5 | What is Happening at Communion?

What's actually happening when we take communion? Emily sits down with Ashley Monachelli, Director of Family Ministries at Ascension, to unpack the Eucharist — its ancient roots, the meaning behind the words and gestures at the altar, and why Episcopalians hold to the "real presence" of Christ rather than transubstantiation or simple memorial. They also talk through practical questions parents often ask: when kids can start receiving communion, the difference between the common cup and intinction, and what it means to receive a blessing instead.

Intro and outro music: "Fiddle String" by Francie Roy Williams, courtesy of Epidemic Sound.

The Loaves and the Fishes!

"Jesus does not ask us to bring a perfect version of ourselves to the table…The version of you that showed up this morning is the version Jesus wants to bless."

Find Sermon Transcripts Here: http://bit.ly/4w0gSsp

Find Bulletins with Sunday's Lessons & Gospel Here: https://bit.ly/3RG4D6l

"Until we turn on the news and see the world around us mirroring exactly the one we read about in scripture, the one that we pray for every Sunday in the Lord’s Prayer, there is still much work for us to do."