We Beleive

Jesus teaches the two Great Commandments- Matthew Gospel lesson below

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, October 17, 2011

This year our Stewardship theme is "I Believe", and Rev. Pat taught us yesterday that to foster growth we need to love and nurture one another in God's Spirit. As Moses led his people while caring for them, that is what we shall do to share our time and talents and resources, as we grow in stewardship and in walking together into what is now unknown.

Come and gather 'round, as scripture comes to life..
You will be lifted up and rewarded.
We are off to busy and energetic times with Rev. Pat.
You are personally important to help write our next chapters!
Please make your personal commitment to be present in person on Sunday mornings -
to give Pat your ongoing Welcome and to share in the promise and fulfillment
of the ministries, old and new, that are to be ours and hers.

please make a note - Rev. Pat wants to hear from us - phone number 732-428-2000 ;
e-mail: patcashman2010@gmail.com
mailing address:
The Rev. Patricia Cashman, 185 Bennington Hills Court, West Henrietta, NY 14586

This season of Stewardship is when we decide what we wish to become. God asks each of us to reexamine our response to His work. Please lift up your personal generosity this season, recommit to a greater place for God's work, and invite the risen Christ into your life, home and heart. As we pray after communion, 'Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you...'. The prosperity of God awaits us, for the asking.

Kindly keep in your daily prayers all those in need of healing, those who serve in our military forces and those who travel.
Please also keep in your daily prayers the ministries coming to life and all those who lead them, particularly Rev. Pat.
To assist in our spiritual life, Forward Day by Day booklets are $.85 each in the Tower Room.


Are you important?...YES, YOU ARE!!! .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.
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, to enrich our own life and the life of that person.
Be on the lookout, and ready to share your faith story.

ONGOING REQUEST: the MEEK food cupboard, to feed our brothers and sisters, needs your financial contributions [envelopes in church] and food donations [place items in back of church/Tower Room], and also seeks volunteers to assist in this ministry. Please call Sally Green, 865-1125, if you can assist as a volunteer. Checks, made out to Maplewood Edgerton Emergency Kupboard, may be sent to the Church Office.

CAN YOU ASSIST?? Every Wednesday afternoon, in the Great Hall, volunteers are needed to help with the youth-oriented joint venture with Mary's Place and Nazareth College. Also, drivers needed for children - from and back to Mary's Place on Lexington Ave. Call Rev. Pat to explore this new ministry. This is growing.. Would you like to take a turn preparing a meal for the group? CAN YOU HELP??

YOUTH NEWS AND INFO-please note these dates/opportunities and stay tuned every week:

* CHECK OUT the Youth Group Team. DON'T HESITATE TO JOIN IN! Call Rev. Pat. The Church Community
Youth Partnership (CCYP) can use your help.
* Worship & Children, 10 AM Sundays - If you took Safe Church Training, please call Diane Santiago 254-8782 or email Diane57350@aol.com.
* STAY TUNED!!!

ALL ABOARD!! - CARE CLOSET Our new ministry to the neighborhood is off to a strong start.. Would you like to help? Call Nancy Lennox 663-5805. Next store hours are Sat, Oct 22 for cleaning items.
NEEDED : Laundry detergent [especially], dish soap, household cleaner such as Mr Clean, Lysol, sponges.

To help, please call Nancy Lennox, 663-5805 or Rev. Pat. Give this a try - You won't be sorry! And youth in our neighborhood will thank you!! This is mission with a real purpose, helping real people.

PLEASE MARK THESE DATES:

October 23 - Fun Day at church, organized by Nazareth College Students. 11:30 - 1:30; contributions of snacks, desserts
plates, utensils and nap[kins are welcome. AND - [yes, we can do both...]
October 23 - All are invited 1-3:30 to join Vestry and Rev. Pat for discussion on future of Ascension. YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS THIS.
November 3 - Women's Group, Noon in the Library. Social time and preparation of Christmas cards for nursing homes.
November 7 - All are invited for 7 PM for more 'Future of Ascension' discussion with Rev. Julie Cicora of Diocese.

NEW LOOK! Our Messenger monthly newsletter format is being freshened. Your input of spiritual experiences is needed [pictures are encouraged]!! Check the new feature on page one of a recent edition and please participate. This is part of the New Season of Ascension.

COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS WELCOME!! 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!

CAN YOU SING!! THE CHOIR WANTS TO WELCOME YOU!!! Do you like to sing? Can you be available Wednesdays 7:30 - 9 PM and on Sundays 9:15 - 11:30? Please contact John Allegar to discuss. 816-560-2726 or email at John.Allegar@gmail.com

NEW - PASTORAL CARE TEAM to begin. Rev. Pat's is putting together a team to visit those who can no longer come to church. You will be trained to bring communion to those at home. Please pray on this and, if called to answer, phone Rev. Pat to volunteer. In this way, many will be reached.

In addition, there are many who would love a call and an invitation to church. We can invite friends to accompany us to church - and take them out for brunch afterward!

To beautify our worship and lift everyone's spirits, in weeks ahead there are opportunities for altar flowers. Will you take up this ministry to the glory of God and to our spirits? To explore this, 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 and be able to share the stories of the Bible. Thursday Bible Study is in the Library at 9 AM. Please 'Come and See'. This is a time for 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! Many Thanks! Please include this ministry in your daily devotions:
Brother Jesus, You said to render to Caesar, but we ask for the grace to see
Caesar’s coin in all aspects of our lives; we want control when it is not ours, we want respect we do not need, we want approval when it is not necessary. Help us to resist the World in our own selves, and make ourselves more like You. We pray today for those whose ministry is unknown to the rest of us. We pray for the person who goes into the jails and prisons alone to answer Your call. We also pray for the Judicial Process Commission, that they may find the funding they need to continue their work.


WISH LIST Can you help? Do you know someone who might help? Call Rev. Pat., please.

* Small grand piano or high quality upright or studio piano for the church, to assist in worship.

* Household items/furnishings in good condition to assist in our 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 Coffee Hour is a
great icebreaker. So is sitting with a new person and guiding her/him in the service, if this is a first or second time with us. We never know when we may entertain angels unaware.



Do you have a pocket card to hand to a friend who asks where you go to church? These cards are on the table in the back of the church. Please take a few and be ready to share. We have some pocket crosses, also, in the drawer for anyone who answers the call to "Come and See".

This is all part of the Growing Season of God.

Every season offers beautiful music to lift our hearts . Here is a version of Ubi Caritas - where there is love, God is also there. This in reference to the Gospel lesson on the Two Great Commandments.


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. If you would like other kinds of information, or have any suggestions
for this e-letter, please give me a shout. Thanks!

With autumn providing a bounty of produce, here is a recipe for Jessica's Ham & Beans
and Cornbread. Healthy and nutritious, as the beans and cornbread , even without ham,
offer a complete protein.

[We can also make extra for someone in need of our kindness.]

Blessings and all good wishes,
Dyson
D. Dyson Gay
585-671-0364
dysongy@aol.com
*****************************
Jessica's Ham & Beans and Cornbread
The ham and beans recipe is:

1 pound dry great Northern beans

1/2 pound cooked ham, diced [or omit ham]

1 small onion, diced

1/2 cup brown sugar

salt and pepper to taste

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 tablespoon dried parsley
Rinse beans in a large pot; discard shriveled beans and any small stones. Add 8 cups of cold water. Let stand overnight or at least 8 hours. Drain and rinse beans.

Return beans to pot and add ham, onion, brown sugar, salt, pepper, cayenne and parsley and water to cover. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until beans are tender. Add more water if necessary during cooking time.

As Alternative, put the beans etc. in slow cooker on low for 8-12 hours.

The cornbread recipe is:

Sweet Cornbread

1 c. flour

1 c. yellow cornmeal

2/3 c. sugar [or less]

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. baking powder

2 eggs

1 cup milk

1/3 c. plus 2 tsp. vegetable oil

1 tsp. vanilla
Preparation:

In a small bowl, soak 1 c. cornmeal in 1 c. milk for 15 minutes without stirring. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cooking-spray a 9 to 12 inch round pan (use cast iron, if available, for even heating). In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt and baking powder with whisk. Stir in eggs, cornmeal and milk mixture, vegetable oil, and vanilla. Batter will be slightly lumpy. Pour into prepared pan and bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into center of cornbread comes out clean.

This week's Gospel Lesson from

Matthew 22:34-46
When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "`You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: `You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: "What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?" They said to him, "The son of David." He said to them, "How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying,

`The Lord said to my Lord,
"Sit at my right hand,
until I put your enemies under your feet"'?
If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?" No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.