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, February 14, 2011

During the 10 AM service yesterday, Rev. Denise preached on "Sacred Choices". Her message focused on the teachings of both Moses and Jesus regarding living in a community. Her final statement was from the words of Moses, "Choose life … Loving the Lord your God." Rev. Denise's full sermon is available in the Blog Archive.

During the 10 AM service yesterday we had the pleasure of being part of the baptism of Madison Renee McKinley.

Marcial left for Africa on Saturday. I had hoped to include his itinerary in this Happenings. However my computer is not cooperating today and I was unable to open the copy that Diane sent me. I will be working in the Church office tomorrow and hope to access it there. I will send an addendum out when I can acquire the information. However, we know that these young people are going into a troubled part of the world to do mission work. Please keep them in your prayers for safety and health.

Please keep in your daily prayers all those in need of healing, and those who serve in our military forces. 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.

WOMEN'S GROUP: Our next meeting will take place on Thursday, March 3rd in the library. At that time Nancy Lennox will present the "State of the Church". This will include an update on the plans for Church repair and renovation, the new outreach programs and the status of the clergy search. Please bring a sandwich and dessert and beverages will be provided.

BLANKET DRIVE: February is the month for the annual Church World Services Blanket Drive. Church of the Ascension has been exceedingly generous in their support of this annual drive which provides such needed services to areas of the world in need of food, shelter and training to become self-supporting. To quote from the information sheet: "$200 can provide a struggling farm family with a draft animal to significantly increase their food production and carry their produce to market. $250 can provide a sewing machine to a young mother who needs to support her family." Please consider making a personal commitment to this drive. Checks can be made out to Ellie Swarts, chairman of the drive.

SPAGHETTI DINNER: We are only two weeks away from our first dinner for the year, the Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, March 5th. As always, Patty Frasca is in need of individuals to assist in food preparation, serving and clean-up. If you are able to help out in any capacity, please contact Patty. Also don't forget to make your reservations for this wonderful dinner and bring your friends.

CHURCH OFFICE: Mary will be on vacation the weeks of Feb. 14th and Feb. 21st. There will be coverage in the office each day. However, if you have information for the weekly bulletin or Messenger, please submit these in a timely fashion as there will not be clerical staff in the office each day. If you are unable to reach someone in the Church office and are in need of pastoral care, please contact Don Taylor at 746-2455.

DIOCESAN SUBSCRIPTION UPDATES: A reminder: If you have not completed the individual and family information updates for the diocese, please go on the Diocese web site and update your information or get a form from Mary in the office to complete.

Next Sunday we will celebrate the Dedication of the Church. This is a particularly important year as it is 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 his teachings. 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 RIJM, 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 RIJM. 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 keeping with the theme for the coming week of Dedication of the Church, the choir will be performing the classic anthem, "Locus iste a Deo factus est" by Anton Bruckner. The English translation is "This place was made by God a priceless mystery; it is without reproof." To hear a beautiful presentation of this anthem by the Cologne Cathedral Boys Choir go to the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmMkHqhe45YOne

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

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Matthew 5:38-48
5:38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'

5:39 But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also;

5:40 and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well;

5:41 and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile.

5:42 Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.

5:43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'

5:44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

5:45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.

5:46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

5:47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?

5:48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

RECIPE: For Valentine's Day I couldn't resist giving you a deliciously overindulgent dessert.

CHOCOLATE BREAD PUDDING

4 TO 5 cups bread - cut into cubes

4 cups milk

3/4 cup sugar

2 squares unsweetened chocolate

1 tsp. vanilla

1/4 tsp salt

2 eggs (beaten)

butter (for pan)

Cut up bread and let soak in milk for 30 minutes.

In double boiler cook chocolate and milk on low until chocolate is melted, stirring occasionally. (Note: You can buy chocolate in pouches that is already melted. In that case combine the chocolate and milk and just heat on low until well blended).

Whisk into the milk and chocolate mixture the eggs, sugar, vanilla and salt.

Coat an 8x8x2 pan well with butter. Place bread in the pan. Pour the chocolate mixture over the bread. Let stand 2 minutes. Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Remember Lent is coming up soon. We have to get in some rich desserts and chocolate before we give them all up for the six weeks of Lent. Starting next week I will give you some good seafood and healthy eating recipes to use during the Lenten season.

HAVE A WONDERFUL AND BLESSED WEEK!