Here are some photos from the Blessing of the Animals Service, taken by Paul Schwartz.

http://churchoftheascension.shutterfly.com/

Reply with your pictures from Sunday if you would like!

Ascension Happenings Oct 5, 2009

Dear Friends,                                                                                   October 5, 2009

Yesterday, The Rev. John Karl celebrated and assisted in the blessing of the animals, while The Rev. Sharon Karl took the lead role in preaching and the Blessing of the Animals.  There were many happy faces and barks and squeals of delight from the assembled pets and the crowd in attendance!  Under the direction of John Allegar, the Choir sang the John Rutter anthem All Creatures Great and Small, depicting the breadth of creation.  We had the opportunity to welcome some new friends and their pets, which was a joy and honor.

Fix-Up Day is Saturday, October 10.  Come one, come all.  There will be fun and fellowship as we prepare our "campus" for the autumn.  Lunch will be provided!  If you know of a specific job you would care to tackle, please bring the supplies needed or the tools required.

Look at your calendar and sign up for the Magnetic Church seminar @ Trinity, Greece, Fri Oct 26 6:30-10PM and Sat Oct 27 8:30-4PM.  If we want to grow our parish and see it thrive, we need to know how...  Cost is only $35 per person in groups; Sat lunch is included.  Call church office for details 458-5423.  This is a bargain we need!  Please make the time! Please respond ASAP, as space is limited!

Remember our servicemen and women in your prayers. Their names are in the bulletin each week.  Are you participating in an outreach ministry? Speaking of which...

Urban Ministry Fair on October 25th at Ascension. Come and see what you can do to help in our community! Find outreach and ministry opportunities within local organizationsneeding your assistance.

Remember to sign up for the Roast Beef Dinner on Sat, Nov 7.  It will be delicious!  Bring a friend or two, as well!  Cost is $9 for adults. Call 458-5423.

Please visit or call a friend who is not able to get out or whom you've been meaning to call. There are many who would love a phone call and an invitation to church or an inquiry as towhen you might pay a visit. 

Paul Schwartz announced that he was interested in beginning a Tuesday 9 AM Bible Study....So, please join in and pay a visit to either the the Tuesday or the Thursday session at 9 AM, for Bible Study and fellowship. There is no homework, but lots of conversation, and the group is friendly. We look for the meaning of the gospel lessons in our lives and for the parish. This week we will read the passage shown below.

Please call a friend and invite her or him to church next Sunday and also to an upcoming parish event. For many people, all it takes to answer God's call is the voice of a friend. Won't you be that voice? A congregation first grows individually in the heart of each faithful person, and only then can it spread. If we want to grow, we must love God, love our friends and then speak to them. God will help us share the Bread of Life.....

Do you have a pocket card to hand to a friend who asks about Ascension? Cards are available in the back of the church.  Please take a few, and be ready to share.

Blessings, all best, and great peace,.....See you on Sunday!

Dyson

P.S.: If you know of anyone who would like to receive this weekly e-letter, please send me their email address. Thank you.
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Mark 10:17-31
10:17 As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

10:18 Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.

10:19 You know the commandments: 'You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.'"

10:20 He said to him, "Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth."

10:21 Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, "You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."

10:22 When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

10:23 Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!"

10:24 And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!

10:25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."

10:26 They were greatly astounded and said to one another, "Then who can be saved?"

10:27 Jesus looked at them and said, "For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible."

10:28 Peter began to say to him, "Look, we have left everything and followed you."

10:29 Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news,

10:30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age--houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields with persecutions--and in the age to come eternal life.

10:31 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first."