Volume 7, Issue #49 - December 7, 2017  In the name of Christ, we embrace all people to be nourished and empowered by the Holy Spirit to love and serve the world. Visit our website Ascension’s members are awesome, generous stewards of God’s bounty! You may still be here in the area, or a legacy member living far away, but your love and devotion to this congregation is nothing short of remarkable. In October 2013, Ascension's mortgage balance of a $1.2 million dollar debt - incurred in 2000 for historic restoration - stood at $ 769, 000. In July 2017 the balance was $111,080. Today the balance is  $71,051.00!!  You have taken us more than 92% of the way to retiring the debt! Thank you, thank you, and thank you. As of today, we have 23 days to enter 2018 debt free! We humbly request that you keep the debt retirement in your prayers and consider it as a priority in your year-end giving plans. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Ginni Fox Capital Campaign Chair ginnifox@msn.com

If you have any questions or wish to learn more, please contact Susie Oder ( susieoder@gmail.com ) and/or Father Neat ( rector@ascensionfrankfort.org ). 2018 Stewardship Brochure (PDF) 2018 Pledge Form (PDF) ACH Automatic Bank Transfer Setup Form (PDF) We have now received 68% of the total pledges received last year. Final budget planning for 2018 is underway; if you have not yet submitted your pledge, please do so as soon as possible.

SUNDAY MORNINGS: BREAKFAST begins at 8:50 a.m. ADULTS gather at 9:15 a.m. in the library for "The Preacher's Forum."  CHILDREN of all ages meet in the parish hall at 9:15 for Christian Formation/Sunday School.

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM: The first practice for the children’s Christmas Nativity will be THIS SUNDAY, December 10, during Godly Play, from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. The pageant will be held on Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24, at 5:00 p.m., in the main church. Please plan to arrive at 4:15 p.m. to suit up!

THE GREAT O ANTIPHONS OF ADVENT THIS SUNDAY, December 10 - 5:00 p.m. Ascension's Choir and Benedictine Cell invite you to join us for a solemn evensong of the Great O Antiphon liturgy. We will call for God to come among us as we pray, sing, and begin to prepare ourselves for Christmas. "The Great O Antiphons of Advent are antiphons sung before and after the Magnificat at vespers on the seven days before Christmas. The texts are of unknown origin and date at least from the ninth century. Each antiphon begins with the letter "O" and a name or attribute of God from the Hebrew Scriptures: O Sapientia, "O Wisdom"; O Adonai, "O Sacred Lord"; O Radix Jesse, "O Root of Jesse"; O Clavis David, "O Key of David"; O Oriens, "O Rising Sun"; O Rex gentium, "O King of nations"; and O Emmanuel, "O Emmanuel." In the Roman rite the antiphons are sung from Dec. 17-23, but in the medieval Sarum use they began on Dec. 16, adding on Dec. 23, O Virgo virginum (O Virgin of virgins). The Great O Antiphons have been adapted as a popular Advent hymn, "O come, O come, Emmanuel" (Hymn 56), whose verses may be used as antiphons for the Magnificat on the appropriate days." https://www.episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/great-o-antiphons-advent

SIMON HOUSE CHRISTMAS PARTY This year we continue our “angel tree” tradition for the families of Simon House, and CAYA will host a festive Christmas dinner party for them at Ascension on Saturday, December 16. Paper angels are now available on a Christmas tree in the parish hall; each angel lists a child's name/sex/age with gift ideas; a price of around $20 is suggested for one gift per angel. Please take one or more angels from the tree no later than Sunday, December 10, and return it to the parish hall, attached to the outside of the wrapped gift, by WEDNESDAY, December 13. If you have any questions about shopping for gifts or would like to help with the party, please contact Deacon Rebecca Saager ( curate@ascensionfrankfort.org ). If you cannot pick up an angel or don't feel up to shopping for a child, gifts of cash are welcome. Make out your check to "Church of the Ascension" and put "Angel Tree" on the memo line. All cash donated will be spent on Christmas gifts and/or food for the Christmas party, with any remainder donated directly to Simon House. Again, please be sure to pick your angel(s) from the tree no later than this coming Sunday, December 10. After that date, we will use donated funds to shop for any angels that remain. All angels and gifts are due back in the parish hall no later than Wednesday, December 13.  Be an angel – help make this Christmas special for families in need!

Thursday, December 21 - Winter Solstice - late afternoon - Join the "watch" to see the sunbeam travel to the altar in Ascension's sanctuary! Sunday, December 24: 4 Advent Services at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. Christmas Eve Family Service at 5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass - music begins at 10:00, service at 10:30 p.m. Monday, December 25 - Christmas Day Service, 10:00 a.m.

Sunday, January 14 - Annual Meeting (after the 10:30 service) - please plan to attend! Friday, January 26 - Sunday, January 28, 2018 - Annual Vestry Retreat - if you are on the 2018 Vestry, or thinking of running for election to it, mark this weekend on your calendar! Saturday, February 24 - 122nd Convention of the Diocese of Lexington, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 2410 W Lexington Rd, Winchester, Ky.

REMINDER: YEAR-END TAX DEADLINE As the end of the calendar year approaches, please be aware that all donations you wish to deduct for tax year 2017 MUST BE RECEIVED no later than Sunday, December 31, 2017. You will receive an itemized statement listing all of your 2017 giving to Ascension no later than January 31, 2018. Thank you! DECEMBER Weekly Income:  $15,076

Schedules & Teams   December 3 - February 11 This schedule (PDF file linked above) includes acolytes, chalice bearers, lectors, altar guild and men's club teams, coffee hour hosts, and vestry lockup duties, plus dedications for altar flowers.   Participants, please check this schedule EVERY WEEK to review your upcoming Sunday duties for the next few weeks. The same schedule is posted on the office window - please write in changes there, as needed, or notify Deacon Rebecca Saager.   To share your time and talent in a new ministry, change your team assignment(s), change your availability for a future Sunday, or change duties assigned for THIS Sunday, please contact Deacon Rebecca Saager (curate@ascensionfrankfort.org).

Second Sunday of Advent Sunday, December 10, 2017 Daily Lectionary: Year Two Week of 2 Advent, Year Two (12/10/17) - BCP 937 Click here for READINGS www.lectionarypage.net

8:00 a.m. - Rite I Subdeacon: Susan E. Kurtz Chalice Bearer: Mac Elliott Lector: Tony Charters Prayers of the People: Candy Charters Acolyte: Peggy Stoner 10:30 a.m. - Rite II    Subdeacon: Sue Kurtz Chalice Bearer: Suzanne Cox Lector: Laura Buffenmyer Acolytes (only 1 Crucifer and no Jubilee Streamers for the remainder of Advent)  C: Reagan Napier T: Peyton Heady & Ian Pinkerton Ushers: Linda & Tori Word Altar Guild: T2 - Faye Thacker, Rose Gayle Hardy, Agnes Parman, Ruth Feindel Men's Club: T4 - Charlie Caudill, Timothy Agne, David Verry VESTRY LOCKUP DUTY:  David Hurt COFFEE HOUR:      David Hurt - Reimbursable Pickup Yes, we are still looking for Coffee Hour hosts and helpers! Vestry members have agreed to pitch in on Sundays when no one else is scheduled, but we encourage everyone to share in this ministry as you are able.   Jan Stevens is our Hospitality Coordinator - contact her by email at jstevens5@aol.com - If you would like to host Coffee Hour, please sign up on the printed sheet on the office window.  If you can bring treats but need a helper, or vice versa, Jan can help you team up! COUNTERS:   TWO  needed Scheduling contact is William Legg, ascensioncounters@gmail.com

Intercessions for the Church: St. Paul’s Church, Newport – The Rev. S. Matthew Young, Rector, & The Rev. Deacon Tom Runge.  Recently in need of prayers:  Collin; Darlene; David C.; Donna; Faye & Steve; Geoff; Isaiah; Jim & Fonda; Jon; Joyce; Leslie M.; Polly. Continuing concern:  Alfred; Ava; David G.; Debbie; Dillard; Doris & Charlie; Gail; Harrison; Isaiah; Jean; Jim & Debbie; Jinks; Julia; Lara; Linda; Luke; Marilyn; Natalie; Risa & her daughter; Scott & Kathy; Shelia; Sherri; Shirley; Tom; Walt & Betsy; Will; and Will & Trish. We also pray for those on active duty in the military: Daniel, Houston, Nick, and Seth; and for Susan Kurtz, Postulant for Holy Orders.  Birthdays:  12/11 – Matt Miller; 12/12 – Nancy Royden; 12/13 – Laura Buffenmyer; 12/15 – Elena Kinnett.   Anniversaries:  12/16 – Jessee & Jenny Neat.

Prelude: - Veni, Emmanuel - Alec Wyton  Introit Psalm: Psalm 80 Kyrie: S 98 Gradual Psalm: Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 Gospel Acclamation: S 49 Offertory: The King shall come - John Brownlie, Philip Doddridge Sanctus: S 124 Agnus Dei: S 161 Communion Hymn Hymn 76 - On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry - Winchester New Closing Hymn: Hymn 59 - Hark! a thrilling voice is singing - Merton There will not be a Postlude during Advent. Ritesong Online Music Library

Clergy and Staff The Rev. William Jessee Neat, Rector The Rev. Dr. William G. Brown, Assisting Priest (Retired)  The Rev. Nancy S. Farley, Assisting Priest (Retired)  The Rev. Deacon Rebecca A. Saager, Curate Mr. John B. Martin, Director of Music & Organist Ms. Mona Landrum Proctor, Parish & Financial Administrator  Mr. David Gierlach, Sexton Click here to see 2017 Vestry and Officers Email: info@ascensionfrankfort.org     Web: www.ascensionfrankfort.org Copyright © 2017 Church of the Ascension. All Rights Reserved.