Ascension Update

Yesterday, Rev. Denise preached on the ways we are to manage our resources without becoming possessed by them, all the while helping those whom Jesus favored, the poor and the oppressed. We are called to invest in what is eternal. That also means our time and associations, working in community with others.

For those who want to serve God, every Sunday is Homecoming Sunday. Please make it a point this fall to be in church regularly; or if you are weighing whether to make God's community important in your life, try coming for several Sundays in a row...

This past Saturday, September 18, was a big day for the church neighborhood, when Ascension was home base for the Annual Maplewood Home Tour. It was a great success. Thanks to Don Taylor for organizing our part, to the volunteers who assisted, and to John Allegar and Ryan Enright for playing our EM Skinner organ for visitors.

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. To assist in your spiritual life, Forward Day by Day booklets are $.85 each in the back of the Church [Tower Room].

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.

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!

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.

To prepare our beautiful church for the future, the Wardens and Vestry have plans to point the masonry of the Bell Tower. To help get this under way, the Ascension Piecemakers Quilt Group is offering chances on a gorgeous queen-size quilt - a chance for every donation to the Bell Tower Restoration Project. The quilt would be a handsome addition to any decor! All proceeds will go to the BTRP. You can see the quilt and get more details each Sunday at Coffee Hour..

Want to help a child stay warm this winter? The Salvation Army seeks volunteers for Sat, Oct 2, 7:30-9:30 AM to shop with a child at a JC Penney store, seeking a winter coat for the child, paid for by a Salvation Army Fund. If you can help, call Sherry Andrus, 987-9500 ext 2324 or Tracy Dalykas, 987-9540 ext 2231. As Christians, we are called to help clothe those in need. Please call ASAP.

The Ascension Women's Group
*is invited to the Sacred Heart Cathedral Community on Oct 5 at 6 PM for vespers and dinner, to discuss a tutoring program for the neighborhood - Mary's Place, and
*On Oct 7, asks you to save time for an Ascension lunch program on Women's Bone Health
All women and friends are always most welcome - call Jan Wills 621-3900 for details.

Thanks to our teams of Chefs and Planners, we have several dinners and other parties to look forward to. The first scheduled parish dinner with be the Roast Beef Dinner on November 6th. Please mark your diary!!

Here is how to recycle all those calendars! - calendars are needed, and also Christmas cards, for our friends at Aaron Manor. Give them to Ellie Swarts or leave in Office. Thanks!

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? 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 an outstanding 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 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 grow as Christians and 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! Someone recently made and ongoing United Way designation for R I J M. Many Thanks!

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"..

In the next day or two, Paul Schwartz will post this e-letter on our blogspot. http://ascensionroch.blogspot.com/

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,

Dyson
D. Dyson Gay
585-317-4039

P.S. Next Sunday, we will sing "Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise". Here is a music video from the City of York, England, with views of memorable local landmarks that accompany the singing:

P.P.S. Please see below for this week's recipe - delicious and healthy Baked Eggplant, ready to be topped with your favorite sauce [or try the 5-Minute Sauce below]! Don't forget to feed a friend, too!
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 16:19-31
16:19 "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.

16:20 And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,

16:21 who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores.

16:22 The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried.

16:23 In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side.

16:24 He called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.'

16:25 But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony.

16:26 Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.'

16:27 He said, 'Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father's house--

16:28 for I have five brothers--that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.'

16:29 Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.'

16:30 He said, 'No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.'

16:31 He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'"
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