Annual Meeting - Epiphany 2

WE WELCOME ALL VISITORS AND SEEKERS OF GOD

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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, ary 17, 2011

Yesterday, Rev. Denise preached on the talents that the Lord has blessed us with. Her focus was on whether we use these talents to the glory of the Lord or only to glorify ourselves. Her full sermons are in the blog archives http://ascensionroch.blogspot.com/
Please visit this weekly feature to reflect on her words.

This week we will look at the beginnings of Jesus' ministry as he calls his first disciples. As our newly elected vestry members begin their ministry at Ascension we all could examine where our talents can be put to use for the glory of our Lord. During this time of transition at Ascension there are many areas of ministry that we can be called to fill.

The annual meeting of Church of the Ascension took place yesterday during and after the 10 AM service. At that time the following members of the congregation were elected: Nancy Lennox was elected Junior Warden. Henry (Hank) Eisemann, Patty Frasca and Diane Santiago were elected to serve three year vestry terms. Alice Eddy, Janice Nash and Linda VanAllen were elected to serve as Delegates to the Convention. Congratulations to all and thank you for your willingness to serve.

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 candidates that have agreed to run for seats on the Vestry. We are blessed to have individuals willing to commit to the future growth of the Church of Ascension. To assist in our spiritual life, Forward Day by Day booklets are $.85 each in the back of the Church [Tower Room].

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.

Thank you to those who gave of their time on Saturday morning to put the Christmas decorations in storage. With many helping hands, the job was done quickly and with good fellowship.

MAPLEWOOD CLERGY ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP EVENT: The second in a series of leadership workshops sponsored by the Maplewood Clergy Association has been scheduled. Jan Wills attended the first workshop and found it very helpful. It would be nice if we could have a few others in attendance for this one. If you can attend, please let Jan Wills know 621-3900.

"Outreach Through Relationships: This workshop will help congregations initiate new ministries which touch the lives of persons in the community and touch the hearts of those involved. Such ministries are possible with a shoestring budget."

Ecumenical Leadership Training Event on Saturday, January 22nd, from 9:30a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Snow Date: Saturday, February 5th, 9:30-12:30) Wesley United Methodist Church,2009 Dewey Avenue (north of Ridge Road). Leader: Rev. Alan Newton, Executive Minister of American Baptist Churches of the Rochester Genesee Region. Rev. Newton is a gifted trainer with a deep commitment to the ministry of lay persons and developing missional churches. The opportunity to join with other leaders from sister Maplewood Edgerton Churches will make this even better!

The Ascension Women's Group will meet again on Thursday, February 3rd. Michael from Kittleberger's Florist will be demonstrating several different live and artificial floral arrangements to brighten our homes in anticipation of Spring. Lunch will be provided. The arrangements will be given away by drawing at the conclusion of the program. Please feel free to invite a friend.

CABIN FEVER: Stu and Gene Dennison announced their 4th annual Cabin Fever Party will take place on Saturday, February 5th at 4 PM. This is always a wonderful event and great fun. If you are planning to attend, please let Stu and Gene know or put your name on the sign-up sheet in the Narthex.

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.

DON'T FORGET - 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 upcoming.

Saturday. March 5th, 2011 SPAGHETTI DINNER
Saturday. April 30th, 2011 CHICKEN & BISCUIT DINNER
Friday. June 3rd, 2011 LOBSTER DINNER

PLEASE MAKE NOTE!!!

Coffee Hour after the 10 AM Sunday service 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, 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. Thanks!

Please phone or visit 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!

To beautify our worship, in upcoming weeks there are opportunities for altar flowers. 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

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'. The season of Epiphany presents us with an exploration of the life of Christ and h

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"..

I am not including a musical reference this week as John had to cancel the choir rehearsal on Wed. due to the bad weather. I am therefore unsure of the musical offerings for next week. I am sure the music chosen will be well worth your attendance in the congregation next Sunday.

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

Blessings,

Jan Wills

585-621-3900

Matthew 4:12-23
4:12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.

4:13 He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali,

4:14 so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

4:15 "Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles

4:16 the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned."

4:17 From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."

4:18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea for they were fishermen.

4:19 And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people."

4:20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

4:21 As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them.

4:22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.4:23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

RECIPE: If you have a favorite recipe you would like to share, please forward it to me and I will see that it is included in a future issue. This recipe makes a great Sunday dinner. Leftovers can be used to make hot pork sandwiches with gravy.

BARBECUED PORK ROAST

1 - 3 lb. lion of pork

1 envelope onion soup mix

1/2 c. Casino or Catalina Salad Dressing

1 Tbsp. prepared mustard (I prefer Webbers Horseradish Mustard)

1 cup hot water.

Place the pork roast in a Dutch Oven or deep roasting pan. Mix last 4 ingredients and pour over the roast. Roast at 325 degrees for 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until internal temperature of roast is 160 to 170 degrees. Check during roasting and add additional water if needed to keep at least an inch of drippings in the pan. Remove roast from pan. Add 2 cups of water to drippings. Mix 2 heaping tablespoons of flour with water. Bring drippings to a boil and add the flour mixture and wisk until smooth and thickened. Serve with boiled potatoes or noodles. This gravy is especially flavorful. An excellent side dish is cinnamon applesauce (homemade if available).

HAVE A WONDERFUL AND BLESSED WEEK!