Dear Friends, January 31, 2011

During the 10 AM service yesterday, Church of the Ascension took part in the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" by hosting an Inter-Faith Event. We joined with Lake Avenue Baptist Church in inviting a representative from the Jewish and Muslim Faiths to join us in worship. We therefore were honored to have Mr. Neil Jaschik, a member of the board of the Interfaith Alliance of Rochester and a member of Temple Beth El with us representing his Jewish faith. We also were honored by the presence of Dr. Abdurrauf Bawany, a Muslim chapain at RIT, member of the executive board of the Islamic Center of Rochester and a member of the Commission on Christian Muslim Relations. Mr. Jaschik presented the Old Testament reading from the Torah in Hebrew and English and Dr. Bawany presented a reading from the Qur'an in Arabic and in English. Rev. Denise represented our Christian faith through the reading of the Gospel lesson. Rev. Denise, Mr. Jaschik and Dr. Bawany each presented a portion of the sermon which pointed out the commonality of ideals of humanity, brotherly love and peace which are taught in all three religions. We were blessed with several guests who were present for this experience. Individual discussions continued as fellowship was shared at the coffee hour. Rev. Denise's full sermon will be available early in the week at: http://ascensionroch.blogspot.com/
Please visit this weekly feature to reflect on her words.

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.

The Ascension Women's Group will meet 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.

BLANKET DRIVE: Next Sunday will be the first Sunday in February and the kick off Sunday 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.

Marcial Santiago will be leaving on February 13th with several of his classmates to travel to East Africa to install a water collection system to provide a means for water to reach the people of East Africa. These young people are making a huge commitment of service and outreach. We will be giving Marcial a personal send-off during the 10 AM service next Sunday. Please try to join us in supporting this humanitarian undertaking and wishing Marcial a safe and productive trip.

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 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 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 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"..

One of the hymns for next Sunday is a favorite of many, "Be Thou My Vision". You might like to relax and listen to a beautiful rendition of this familiar hymn by the Irish Tenors. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy6hST_Ysz0

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 send in that information.

Blessings,

Jan Wills

585-621-3900

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Matthew 5:13-20
5:13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.

5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.

5:15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.

5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

5:17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.

5:18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.

5:19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

5:20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

RECIPE: Next Sunday after we all attend services and wish Marcial a successful trip, many of us will be gathering with friends and relatives to share in the annual Super Bowl game. I will be making the following recipe to take to the party I will be attending. It is easy and highly successful for parties. I hope you enjoy it.

BBQ SAUSAGE

3 LBS. sausage of your choice

(I will use a lb. each of Turkey Italian Sausage, Polish Kielbasa and Feta Cheese stuffed fully cooked sausage)

2 bottles honey bbq sauce

2 cans chunk pineapple

Cut all sausage in chunks. For the uncooked sausage (like the Italian) brown in a little olive oil then place in a crockpot. For the fully cooked sausage (like the kielbasa, polish sausage, or fully cooked gourmet sausage of your choice) it is not necessary to brown or pre-cook. Put these sausage chunks directly in the crockpot. Add a full bottle of honey bbq sauce. Cook on low for about 8 hours or over night. Drain off the sauce and grease. Return the sausage to the crockpot and add about half a bottle of fresh bbq sauce. Add 2 cans of pineapple chunks (use one drained and one undrained). When ready to serve, heat on high for about half an hour.

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HAVE A WONDERFUL AND BLESSED WEEK!