Ascension Happeninings, May 1

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, May 1, 2011 Yesterday Rev. Denise preached on the words of Christ to his disciples after the Resurrection, Peace Be with You. There is much to learn in these weeks after the Resurrection. Lessons for our lives and for our Christian Mission.Please visit the blog archive soon to reflect on the entire text of her remarks. The Chicken & Biscuit Dinner was a great success. Thanks go to Stuart Denison, to all the Chefs, to Patty Frasca the lead organizer and to everyone who assisted. You are the BEST!! Superb Dinner!!!Kindly keep in your daily prayers all those in need of healing, and those who serve in our military forces. And our Vestry and prospective clergy. 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.

LAST CALL: WOMEN'S GROUP: May 5th meeting at noon, a presentation by the Wende Clinic on Women's Breast Health. This is the second presentation in their series on Women's Health. For this interesting program, the Group has invited the women of the Cathedral Community to participate. Also - bring a friend or relative for this event. Salad and dessert luncheon will be provided before the presentation. Those willing to contribute a salad or dessert should let Jan Wills know, 621-3900.

DON'T FORGET - Our 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. The drawing and award will be to a lucky coupon mid June.As we celebrate this season of the Resurrection, please remember those in need of our help. The MEEK food cupboard asks your continuing donations of food [put items in back of church/Tower Room], and also seeks volunteers to assist in this ministry. Please call Jan Wills 621-3900 if you can assist as a volunteer.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE SEAFOOD SEASON & TIME TO MARK CALENDARS for
Friday, June 3rd, 2011 and the Annual Ascension LOBSTER DINNER.
PLEASE MAKE NOTE, and tell friends!!! 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!

As our beautiful spring begins, 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 Lenten season is a time for careful reflection on Jesus’ teachings and how we model our faith to family, friends and all whom we meet. God’s Word guides such a process. Much food for thought and often refreshments to share. The study is of the Gospel Lesson for next Sunday, found below.

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! We recently began doing visits to the young men ages 16-19 in the Downtown Jail. Many Thanks! Please include this ministry in your daily devotions:Dear God, even in the face of miracles, our human hearts have doubt and fear. As
the Apostles hid in fear, so, we too, are held hostage by our fears, and as
Thomas doubted, so do we. Our faith is strong, but our convictions and courage
are weak, and so we ask for you to give us strength and fill us with your grace.
We pray this week for the ACOA men at Monroe County facility who meet with Dick
Laidlaw on Fridays: Clifford, Ernesto, Miguel, Angel, Lester, Oliver, Alan,
Edward, Nick, Victor, Gary, and Joshua. Please be with them as they work to
change themselves and be with Dick in his ministry.

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".. This is all part of "The Growing Season at Ascension" The Season of Easter has especially beautiful music. Here is a vigorous Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76RrdwElnTU

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.With Mothers' Day next Sunday, men - here is a recipe for a treat for yourself, friends and loved ones, especially for Mothers or a lovely lady in your life. Please see the recipe below for Lemon Chicken and Pasta, with asparagus. [We can also make extra for someone in need of our kindness.]Blessings and all good wishes,DysonD. Dyson Gay585-671-0364dysongy@aol.com

Lemon Chicken and Pasta is a simple and flavorful spring recipe that is quick and delicious.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:
1 (12-ounce) box bowtie [also known as farfalle] pasta
1 pound fresh asparagus spears
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
3 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
1 teaspoon dried dill weed
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup heavy cream
1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen baby peas
1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

Preparation:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cut the asparagus into 1" pieces. While water is heating, cut chicken into 1" cubes. Toss with flour, salt, pepper, and dill on a shallow plate.
In large saucepan, combine butter with olive oil and garlic; heat over medium-high heat. When garlic sizzles, add the chicken mixture. Cook and stir until chicken is browned and almost cooked, about 4-5 minutes. After the chicken has been in the pan for a few minutes, add the pasta to the boiling water.

Cook the pasta according to package directions. Add asparagus to the pasta during the last 3 minutes of cooking time.
In small bowl, combine wine, chicken broth, lemon juice and cream and mix well. Add to chicken mixture and stir; bring to a simmer; simmer for 3-4 minutes.
When pasta and asparagus are cooked, drain, reserving 1/4 cup pasta cooking water. Add peas to chicken mixture; cook and stir for 30 seconds. Then add pasta and asparagus to pan with chicken; bring to a simmer. Stir until slightly thickened, adding pasta cooking water if necessary. Top with lemon zest and serve. Serves 4-6

GOSPEL FOR NEXT SUNDAY
Luke 24:13-35
That very day, the first day of the week, two of the disciples were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?" They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?" He asked them, "What things?" They replied, "The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him." Then he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?" Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?" That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.