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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, November 29, 2010
Yesterday, Rev. Denise preached on Punching Holes in the Darkness, which can found on this link: http://ascensionroch.blogspot.com/ Please visit this weekly feature to reflect on her words. But it is so much more fulfilling to hear them in person! Please make it a point 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...You will find a warm greeting and become closer to God.
Please keep in your daily prayers all those in need of healing, and those who serve in our military forces. Kindly also pray for the Search Committee 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].
CHRISTIAN ED - LAST CALL - this Tuesday Noon Rev. Denise will lead the final session of the education series, Introduction to Islam, in the Library. Call the Office 458-5423 to reserve an outline - and please bring a bag lunch, to be fed in mind, spirit and body.
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A MOST CORDIAL INVITATION.
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.Next Sunday, December 5, the Choir, under the direction of John Allegar, Organist-Choir Director, will offer Advent Lessons and Carols at the 10 AM service. Please let this annual treat, full of of expectation and prophecy, fill your soul next Sunday morning, as we all await the coming of the Christ Child.
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The Ascension Women's Group annual Christmas Luncheon will be December 9 at Rick's Prime Rib House. Details available from Jan Wills - 621-3900. Spouses and guests welcome. Reservations are needed by Dec 2.
AND ANOTHER INVITATION - The following Sunday, Dec 12, after the 10 AM service, please bring yourself and family and friends to the Annual Deck-the-Halls-Bring-a-Dish Christmas Party! Sign up in the back of the church next Sunday, or call 317-4039. We will celebrate with food and fun and fellowship.
As we share our blessings and break bread together at this party, we remember those in less developed countries who are in need. Will you join hands with the Vestry in giving funds for a farm animal or other needed investment in the future of a community? The program is GIFTS FOR LIFE, through Episcopal Relief and Development. Your offering will be matched a matching Vestry gift from parish Mission Funds of up to $500. Working together, we can make a difference. Here is a link to more information:
http://www.er-d.org/giftsforlife/
If we want to grow and share God's prosperity of faith, we must love God, love our friends and then speak openly to them. A congregation grows starting with each faithful person. God will help us share the Bread of Life.....God will help us live into our Baptismal Covenant of sharing His word and our lives and resources [which is the true Meaning 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.
Next year will be the 125th Anniversary of the founding and of the ministry of Ascension. In preparation, let us draw closer to God - and partake 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.
The Ascension Piecemakers Quilt Group is offering a stunning queen-size quilt. This quilt would be a handsome addition to any decor! Coupons are $2 or 3 for $5. All proceeds will go to the Bell Tower Restoration Project. You can see the quilt and get more details each Sunday at Coffee Hour.
TIME TO MARK CALENDARS! There are memorable dinners and other parties upcoming.
Sunday. December 12th, 2010 CHRISTMAS PARTY after the 10 AM service - see above, too
Saturday. March 5th, 2011 SPAGHETTI DINNER
Saturday. April 30th, 2011 CHICKEN & BISCUIT DINNER
Friday. June 3rd, 2011 LOBSTER DINNER
PLEASE MAKE NOTE!!!
FAMILIES IN OUR AREA OF THE CITY ARE DEPENDING ON US --- as we plan our own holidays, let us remember and support all those served by the MEEK food cupboard, by shopping ahead for our MEEK friends at Christmas - frozen turkeys, stuffing mixes, cranberry sauce, canned fruit, canned vegetables, jello, one-pound canned hams, cake mixes, coffee....Many of these items are on sale now and soon. Please stock up and share! MEEK distributes at least 75 food baskets at Christmas. If you can buy or store a frozen turkey, please call to advise - and receive details. Can you volunteer to help? Jan Wills - 621-3900 or Sally Green - 865-1125.
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. We can invite friends to accompany us to church - and take them out for brunch afterward!
Decorative Poinsettias for Christmas are a visible ministry of beauty and love. Will you take up this ministry to the glory of God and to our spirits? To donate, please contact Laurie Phillips, 865-2802 or email LBP@rochester.rr.com After Advent and Christmas, there are openings for flowers on Sundays upcoming.
If we wish to learn the true Meaning of Life, grow as Christians and share our love of God, we need to know the stories of the Bible. Thursday Bible Study is in the Library at 9 AM. Please 'Come and See'. In this season, the lessons prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ Child. There is food for thought and often refreshments to share. The study is of the Gospel Lesson for next Sunday, found below. No Bible Thumping, just good conversation!!
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!
There is God's work for each of us 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 guiding her/him in the materials, if this is their first time with 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. Here is a video of the hymn Lo, He Comes, With Clouds Descending. We will sing these words next Sunday to a different tune:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08cGl44SWGM
P.P.S. Please see below for this week's recipe - an easy Crockpot Chicken Supreme. Why not make two and share one with a neighbor?
If you have a recipe you would like to share, please send it in!
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The Gospel regularly appointed for next Sunday is:
Matthew 3:1-12
3:1 In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming,
3:2 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."
3:3 This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'"
3:4 Now John wore clothing of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.
3:5 Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan,
3:6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
3:7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
3:8 Bear fruit worthy of repentance.
3:9 Do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
3:10 Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
3:11 "I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
3:12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
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And, now,
CROCKPOT CHICKEN SUPREME
Ingredients
| 4-6 | chicken | breast halves, boneless, skinless, washed and dried | |
| 2 | tablespoons | butter | or margarine, melted [or olive oil] |
| 10 3/4 | ounces | soup, cream of chicken | condensed [OK, old-fashioned, but tasty!] |
| 1/2 | cup | sherry | dry or medium |
| 1 | teaspoon | tarragon | or rosemary |
| 1 | teaspoon | worcestershire sauce | |
| 1/4 | teaspoon | garlic powder | |
| 4 | ounces | mushrooms, canned | can, sliced, drained |
Directions
Rinse chicken breasts and pat dry; place in crockpot. Combine remaining ingredients and pour over chicken breasts. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours or on HIGH 4 to 5 hours.
Makes 4 to 6 servings. Serve over rice - brown, wild, white or combination.
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HAVE A WONDERFUL AND BLESSED WEEK!
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