August 9

WE WELCOME ALL VISITORS AND SEEKERS OF GOD.

ALL BAPTIZED CHRISTIANS ARE INVITED TO RECEIVE THE HOLY COMMUNION.

LORD, LET US PRAY AND WORK TO HEAR YOUR WORD, CHANGE OUR HEARTS
AND GO FORTH TO DO YOUR WILL, EMPOWERED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT


Dear Friends,
Yesterday, we enjoyed a visit from the Rev. Sid Symington, as Rev. Ginny had a week off. Sid summarized the Gospel lesson on the coming of God's Kingdom: the question that used to be "What's in it for me?" has become "How can I help?" Indeed, words to live by.

Please keep in your prayers all those in need of healing, and those who serve in our military forces. Please pray that we may have a successful clergy search. Kindly also pray for the Wardens and their work in this time of search.

As we approach the arrival of The Rev. Denise Yarbrough in September, your prayers and all of our prayers will be the more powerful when offered with others' on Sunday morning or at other services. We seek a new and strong clergy leader, and our strength in numbers at worship speaks volumes of our true intentions. Please see yourself in community with others and prepared to greet and share. All are needed, all are important! If you are a pledging/giving supporter of the church, please remember to send in your contributions this summer, as our bills do not take a holiday!!

The Church has received a kind thank-you note from the St. Boniface, Siesta Key, FL overnight visitors whom we hosted on August 24-25. They also included an unexpected donation to the Church. We were blessed by their visit and acknowledge their gift with thanks.

Next year will be the 125th Anniversary of the founding and of the ministry of Ascension. In preparation, let us draw closer to God's Spirit in the Season of Pentecost - to remind us of the power and blessing of the Holy Spirit to counsel, energize and sustain us all.. We honor our long history, but it is our future that must command our attention and energy.

This Wednesday, August 11 at 7 PM, there will be a Memorial Service in the church for Dolores Stolte. The Stoltes were wed at Ascension in November of 1938 and were married 71 years. All are invited to attend. Frank Stolte found us on Sunday, July 11, at our Picnic and has been attending ever since. Please join him and others to honor his wife's memory at this service.

Note - Ascension Women's Group will meet in the library on the second floor on September 2 at Noon, featuring Midge Crittenden speaking on the Honor Flight to Washington, DC to visit the World War II Memorial.

Please save the date of September 18, when Ascension will be the home base fore the Annual Maplewood Home Tour

There is a new Christian TV Ministry - Local Chanel 15 Sundays 1:30-2:30 and Weds 9 - 10 AM. Program is IS IT TIME?
Call 392-0309 for information - and prayers for the ministry are sought.

Coffee Hour is a wonderful opportunity to greet friends, old and new, and catch up on news. There are opportunities to host Coffee Hour in the weeks ahead. Won't you help this ministry of fellowship and fun? If not sure how to host the Coffee Hour, you may call Nancy Lennox at 663-5805 or Stu or Gene Denison at 663-0988. To sign up - see list in the back of the church or call 458-5423.

Please visit or call a friend who is not able to get out or whom you've been meaning to contact. There are many who would love a call and an invitation to church or an inquiry as to when you might pay a visit. With good weather, we can invite friends to accompany us to church - and take them out for brunch afterward!

Altar flowers are a ministry of beauty and love. Will you take up this ministry to the glory of God and to our spirits? To donate altar flowers, please contact Laurie Phillips, 865-2802 or email LBP@rochester.rr.com There are openings on several Sundays upcoming.

Thursday Bible Study is in the Library at 9 AM. Please 'Come and See'. In this season, the lessons confirm the unity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the glory of Jesus, the power of The Holy Spirit and what we are to do as disciples. There is food for thought and often refreshments to share. The study is of the Gospel Lesson for next Sunday, found below. If we wish to share our love of God, we need to know the stories of the Bible. Here is a good way to begin.

The Rochester Interfaith Jail Ministry asks your ongoing help - by donating through United Way or directly by check to R I J M, 2 Riverside St., Rochester, NY 14613. This will bring books of healing and group sessions to those needing to start lives anew. Remember the Good Samaritan... Please answer this call. To volunteer, call 254-6790. The invitation to help is ongoing, so you are not late to the party!

A congregation grows like a seed, starting in the heart of each faithful person. If we want to grow, we must love God, love our friends and then speak openly to them. God will help us share the Bread of Life.....We never know how ready a friend may be to hear a word of encouragement in faith. We never know when God will bring someone to speak to us, and enrich our own life. Yesterday, a man visited us and told his story of being married in the Church in November, 1938, nearly 72 years ago. Several parishioners greeted him and he enjoyed the fellowship of our Picnic.

When we see new people on Sunday or at an event, let's introduce ourselves and make them welcome. An invitation to chat at Coffee Hour is a great ice-breaker. So is sitting with a new person and even inviting them to brunch after church. This is a part of God's work for each and every one of us.

Do you have a pocket card to hand to a friend who asks about Ascension? Cards are on the table in the back of the church. Please take a few, and be ready to share. We have pocket crosses in the table drawer to hand to those who answer the call to "Come and See"..

If you have a new or better email address for yourself, or know someone who might like to receive this weekly e-letter, please email me that information.

Blessings and see you in church on Sunday having completed trip to western states,

Dyson
D. Dyson Gay
585-317-4039

P.S. Next Sunday, we will sing the great hymn "Holy God, we praise Thy Name". Here is a stirring organ version from St. Patrick's Cathedral: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXwpNBlpJsE&feature=related
P.P.S. Here in New York, we are blessed with much fresh garden produce... Here is an easy recipe for fresh corn fritters. Please see below...
If you have a recipe you would like to share, please send it in!
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The Gospel for next Sunday is:
Luke 12:49-56
12:49 "I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!

12:50 I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed!

12:51 Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!

12:52 From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three;

12:53 they will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."

12:54 He also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, 'It is going to rain'; and so it happens.

12:55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, 'There will be scorching heat'; and it happens.

12:56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?.


And, now,
This easy sweet corn fritter recipe is a great way to enjoy summer's bounty of fresh corn. These corn fritters can be a snack, or a tasty side dish for barbecued meats.

Makes 4 Servings of Sweet Corn Fritters
Ingredients:
• 2 large ears fresh sweet corn (or 1 packed cup of thawed, drained, frozen corn)
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons yellow cornmeal
• 1 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• peanut oil for frying (may substitute canola)
Preparation:
Over a large bowl, using a sharp knife, carefully shave the corn kernels off the cob. With the back of the knife, scrap the milky juice from the cob into the bowl. Whisk the eggs and milk into the corn until thoroughly combined. In another bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Pour into the bowl of the corn mixture, and stir with a spatula to form a thick batter.

Pour oil about 3/4-inch deep into a heavy-duty skillet. Over med-high heat bring oil to 375°F. When oil is hot, drop rounded tablespoons of batter carefully into the oil. Don’t crowd, the fritters should not touch each other. Best done in two batches. Cook about 3 minutes on each side, until the corn fritters are golden brown. Drain on paper towels or wire rack. Salt if desired, and serve corn fritters immediately.