Welcome Friends, This week at Ascension, we begin Lenten Study Groups and continue our observances of the season of Holy Lent. Rev. Lumbard gave perspectives of Lent in the church calendar as a time to repent or turn around and come closer to God. It is often a time of fasting or 'giving up something', mostly so that a clearer path to God can be opened. Think about how busy we all are and how our busy-ness can limit the opportunities to understand the needs of God's people and to hear God through prayer. Also Lent can offer a time of reflection, if we take the time for it. Remember too, it's all God's Time, we've just been given the choice on using it !!

As we slog through the end of Rochester's winter, please continue to pray for those who are ill or in special need and those serving in the military. To keep the list current, contact the church office if you would like to add or drop someone's name from the 'Prayers of the People' on Sundays. Also please keep the work of our wardens and other parish leaders in your prayers as the search for a new Rector of Ascension progresses. E. Swarts is again leading our Church World Service Blanket & Tools of Hope Drive and would love to hear that you are able to contribute to this effort. Upcoming, in March Spaghetti Dinner on March 6, (featuring the super sauce that Stuart and his gang will make and also looking at an optional offering of a Vegan sauce,) and a Fix-up Day later in March. We had a go-around on working through the web communication the other day and we're happy to have L. Phillips offer her help in getting us going on Facebook. Don't fret, you don't have to go or learn social media or but that has become one of the ways today's young (and not-so-young) people connect with each other and connect with causes and organizations. We'll look into it and keep you posted.

Next Sunday's Gospel, another from Luke (second Sunday in Lent)
Luke 13:31-35

SSome Pharisees came and said to Jesus, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you." He said to them, "Go and tell that fox for me, 'Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.' Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'"

Blessings and Peace, See you on Sunday !

As usual, if you have ideas or interest in contributing to upcoming Ascension Happenings, please let me know, and we'll work them in.

Church of the Ascension
2 Riverside St.
Rochester, NY 14613
585-458-5423

Jesus is Tempted

This evening, Tuesday, February 16 is our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner, 5:30PM.
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, services at 9AM and 7PM.
Ascension Communications on the Web, Meeting Monday, February 22, 7PM in the Library.

Rev. Lumbard will lead a (brown bag) Lenten Reflection Series 11:30 - 1:00 on Tuesdays based on the work of Joan Chitester. The morning Bible Study groups continue to meet. Feel free to join either the Tuesday 9AM or the Thursday 9AM group. You are especially invited to attend during Lent. The colors during lent are purple.

This week's Gospel lesson. Jesus is tempted and yet stands strong.

Luke 4:1-13

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'"

Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, "To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'"

Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'" Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

Blessings, (but hold the alleluiahs)

Church of the Ascension
2 Riverside St.
Rochester, NY
585-458-5423
www.ascensionroch.org

Dear Friends of Ascension,

How's everyone doing? Glad the Super Bowl is over? Happy with the Outcome? I was thinking about the Great Catches made during the game and couldn't help thinking of Peter and his team out there at the Sea of Galilee hauling in their catchwhen they were tired after a long night work. Rev. Lumbard's sermon last Sunday emphasized the aspects of discipleship that Luke portrays in the Fisher's of People story. We're not asked to drop everything and go somewhere and be disciples, but simply to go about our living our lives as disciples mindful of God and serving God's people as Christ taught us.

Calendar Events

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper February 16 at 5:30 to 7:00PM

Ash Wednesday Services, February 17 at 9AM and at 7PM

Upcoming During Lent

Rev. Lumbard will lead a (brown bag) Lenten Reflection Series 11:30 - 1:00 on Tuesdays based on the work of Joan Chitester. The morning Bible Study groups continue to meet. Feel free to join either the Tuesday 9AM or the Thursday 9AM group. You are especially invited to attend during Lent.

We've has a request to outline the 2010 Church Dinner Schedule

Spaghetti Dinner, March 6 [helpers needed, give P. Frasca a call]

Chicken & Biscuit Dinner, May 1

Lobster Dinner, June 4

This week's Gospel according to Luke

Transfiguration of Christ, by Bellini (1480)

Luke 9:28-36, [37-43a]

About eight days after Peter had acknowledged Jesus as the Christ of God, Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah"--not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.[On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. Just then a man from the crowd shouted, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not." Jesus answered, "You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here." While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And all were astounded at the greatness of God.]

Have a great week !!

If you have ideas or interest in contributing to upcoming Ascension Happenings, let us know, and we'll work them in.

Church of the Ascension

2 Riverside St.

Rochester, NY 14613

585-458-5423

Friends,
This week at Ascension: Bible Study Tuesday and Thursday at 9:00 AM. Also on Saturday, February 6 at 5:00 PM is a 'Quiet Eucharist'. Consider attending, especially if you're not going to make it to church on Super Bowl Sunday. Rev. Lumbard announced too that there will be a Lenten Series of Reflections on Tuesdays at noontime. Also, this Sunday is a MEEK, (Maplewood-Edgerton Emergency Food Kupboard) collection of canned or dry food. Ascension has supported this local outreach effort for decades. If you'd like to learn more about it and help with the day-to-day work, contact the church office and we'll get you connected with the people who'll find a place for you in this important work. Also, we will get a working-group together in early February to discuss the content and format of some of the web-communications so that we make better connection with more people. Contact Rob Phillips or Paul Schwartz if you're interested to help with that work. Here is the this week's Gospel Lesson

Trust Jesus
Luke 5:1-11

Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets." When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people." When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

If you have ideas or interest in contributing to upcoming
Ascension Happenings, let us know, and we'll work them in.
In fact, there is a free ticket to the upcoming Spaghetti Dinner for the first idea on the topic of 'How can we at Ascension 'catch people' better or at least open our doors to people in the community' posted to this blog.

Church of the Ascension
2 Riverside St.
Rochester, NY 14613
585-458-5423