Thanks to all who worked on and attended the Spaghetti Dinner. It was great !! This week at Ascension: E. Swarts reported on a record number of Blanket for the Church World Service Drive. Ascension again rises to the occasion and over 275 blankets were donated/sponsored. Also the Peace-maker quilting group provided a quilt for Rev. Page and Rev. Harter both of whom were supply priests in the recent past and are recouperating. Also this week was the first Planning meeting for CROP walk, Lenten discussion group, Bible Study, think Spring ! Upcoming is a spring Fix-up Day. The wardens and vestry have been working on the long-range plan to submit to the Diocese. It will contain the elements of mission and partnership with the neighborhood, building use and church programs to help Ascension grow. Palm Sunday and Easter are soon upon us. In these remaining weeks of Lent, consider who you'd like to invite to church this spring. Easter service promises to have a great music from the organ and choir.
This week at the Lenten discussion, we discussed the many ways we are stewards of God's creation on Earth. Recently that has taken the popular form of being a 'green consumer'. What do you think about how we as a church could contribute to the preservation of the environment? Are there things around here that we can tend to? A special prayer for this week
Dear Lord, as we look at each other in the pews, in the neighborhoods and in
our families, in our day-to-day lives, we fall into old habits. We look on each
other from a human point of view. We judge, we envy, we fear, we despair.
Make us new through our faith, so that we can accept each other, rejoice in
others’ joys and face our fears to overcome them. Help us to Hope, Lord.
We pray this week for the volunteers who go into the jails and prisons from
Rochester Interfaith Jail Ministry, Cephas, AA, NA, Adult Children of Addiction,
and the many religious Bible Study groups.
Here is this week's Gospel:
Luke 15:11-32
Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands."' So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe--the best one--and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' And they began to celebrate.
"Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.' Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, 'Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!' Then the father said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.'"
Blessings and Peace, See you on Sunday !As usual, if you have ideas, special prayer requests or interest in contributing to upcoming Ascension Happenings, please let us know, and we'll work them in.
Church of the Ascension
2 Riverside St.
Rochester, NY 14613
585-458-5423
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