The Episcopal Church of the Ascension

Being called “down-to-earth” is high praise where I’m from. But when James, Jesus’ brother uses the term “earthly,” it’s not a compliment. “Wisdom that does not come from above” he says is “…earthly, unspiritual and devilish.” The most provable Christian teaching is the doctrine of sin. Sin: the good we ought to do but don’t do or the bad we know we shouldn’t do but do anyway. Christian Nationalism is an example of earthly wisdom and sin. Christian Nationalism seeks to use Jesus’ positive name recognition to achieve the power Jesus never wanted by a means Jesus never endorsed. Any public policy, or Sunday preaching that tells you it’s based on the values of Jesus and doesn’t address poverty, inequity, human dignity, and is unrepentant for previous missed marks is “earthly.”

James 3:13-4:3,7-8

Many at The Episcopal Church of the Ascension will remember our nursery worker Marilyn Benham, and her son, Sammy. Sadly, Marilyn passed away this morning. Please include Sam Steward & his family in your prayers.

STEVE SHINALL TO PERFORM AT ASCENSION COFFEE HOUSE SEPTEMBER 13TH

The community is invited to attend the next Ascension Coffee House on Friday, September 13th, which takes place in Tonsmeire Hall at The Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Cartersville. This local listening room for original music gives songwriters an opportunity to share their creative work with an appreciative audience. Steve Shinall will be the featured songwriter this month.

When asked to describe his musical influences, Shinall states, "I've always been drawn to songs with a story to tell. Artists such as John Hiatt, Joni Mitchell, Bruce Cockburn, Jason Isbell, Lyle Lovett, Merle Haggard, and John Prine, just to name a few, have been a major influence, musically. Guy Clark once described a good song as three chords and the truth. I like to always begin with that."

Rick McKee will continue to serve as host and offer his original songs at the coffee house. McKee is a singer/songwriter, composer, music educator, and multi-instrumentalist from Cartersville. He has released three albums on the Cosmic Possum label. His new album SPIN is available on your favorite streaming platform.

Admission is free to the community, but all voluntary donations collected will benefit the Clergy Discretionary Fund or The Red Door Food Pantry. Bring a toiletry item to donate to the food pantry, if you can. Please join us from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on September 13th, in the Tonsmeire Hall at The Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 205 West Cherokee Avenue, Cartersville. Enjoy some great, live music and help a worthy cause. For more information, visit Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/ascensioncoffeehouse/, go to the church’s website at https://ascensioncartersville.org/coffee-house/ or call 770-382-2626. All are welcome!

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Gracious God, our strength and consolation, be present with our children and their families at Apalachee High School. Dispatch your angels to those families who have lost children and loved ones; help them to feel your love and care even at this dark hour. Heal those who have been hospitalized through the care of skilled professionals and restore them to health. Bless the first responders and law enforcement officers who run towards danger on our behalf. And finally, we pray for the one who committed this violence that they would repent and live the rest of their days as your healing instrument, this we pray in the name of Jesus, Lord and friend.

Today the Church celebrates the Rt. Rev. Paul Jones.

The Rt Rev Paul Jones

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Loving God, the source of all wisdom and purpose, and the blessing of those who labor; be with us in our work to guide and govern our world. Give to all people work that enhances human dignity and bonds us to one another. Give us pride in our work, a fair return for our labor, and joy in knowing that our work finds its source in you; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

TryTank Explainer Video Series: The Episcopal Church TryTank Explainer Video Series: The Episcopal Church Explaining what is the Episcopal Church in a fun and informative way.Learn more: https://www.trytank.org...

Newcomers Gathering

Today the Church remembers Jonathan Myrick Daniels who was shot in 1965 stood in front of a shotgun blast to protect the life of young black girl.

Read about his life and witness here https://www.splcenter.org/jonathan-daniels

O God of justice and compassion, who puts down the proud and mighty from their place, and lifts up the poor and the afflicted: We give you thanks for your faithful witness Jonathan Myrick Daniels, who, in the midst of injustice and violence, risked and gave his life for another; and we pray that we, following his example, may make no peace with oppression; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Our joint VBS with First Presbyterian Church, Cartersville

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Almighty God, whose wisdom and whose love are over all, accept the prayers we offer for our nation. Give integrity to its citizens and wisdom to those in authority, that harmony and justice may be secured in obedience to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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How Does Episcopal Relief & Development Partner for Lasting Change? For over 80 years, Episcopal Relief & Development has walked alongside communities to create lasting change. Together through locally-led initiatives, Episco...

Happy Birthday to our rector.

Today we remember Mechtchild of Magdeburg

Draw the souls of your people into your love, O God, that like your servant Mechthild, we may yearn to be fully yours, for you know us better than we can know ourselves; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and for ever. Amen.

Mechthild of Magdeburg (c. 1207 – c. 1282/1294), a Beguine, was a Christian medieval mystic, whose book Das fließende Licht der Gottheit (The Flowing Light of Divinity) described her visions of God. She was the first mystic to write in German, as she did not know how to write in Latin.

Definite biographical information about Mechthild is scarce; what is known of her life comes largely from scattered hints in her work. In 1230 she left her home and “renounced worldly honour and worldly riches”to become a Beguine at Magdeburg. There, like Hadewijch of Antwerp, she seems to have exercised a position of authority in a Beguine community. In Magdeburg she became acquainted with the Dominicans and became a Dominican tertiary. It was her Dominican confessor, Henry of Halle, who encouraged and helped Mechthild to compose The Flowing Light.

Her criticism of church dignitaries, religious laxity and claims to theological insight aroused so much opposition that some called for the burning of her writings. With advancing age, she was not only alone, and the object of much criticism but she also became blind. Around 1272, she joined the Cistercian nunnery at Helfta, who offered her protection and support in the final years of her life, and where she finished writing down the contents of the many divine revelations she had experienced.

Mechthild’s writings are formed of the seven books that constitute Das fließende Licht der Gottheit (The Flowing Light of Divinity), which was composed between 1250 and 1280.

What is unusual about her writings is that she composed her work in middle low German at a time when most wisdom literature was composed in Latin. Thus she is remembered as an early proponent and popularizer of German as a language worthy of the divine and holy. Mechthild’s writing is exuberant and emotional: her descriptions of her visions are filled with passion.

While her work was translated into Latin during her lifetime, her work was largely forgotten by the 15th century, but was rediscovered in the late 19th century. Her work has been increasingly studied, both for its academic interest and as a work of devotional literature.

It is unclear when Mechthild died. 1282 is a commonly cited date, but some scholars believe she lived into the 1290s.