Volume 7, Issue #48 - November 30, 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 On November 14, 2017, Linda McCloud, former Assisting Priest at the Church of the Ascension, was released and removed from the Ordained Ministry of the Episcopal Church. This was pursuant to her voluntary request, and this action was NOT taken for any cause affecting her moral character. On Sunday, November 26, Linda was received into Full Communion in the Roman Catholic Church. We wish her well on this next stage of her pilgrimage. -Jessee+

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 64% 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.

PLEASE NOTE: Sunday morning breakfast service will begin no later than 8:50 a.m., in order to allow time for people to eat and make it to other activities. ADULTS - "The Preacher's Forum" gathers every Sunday at  9:15 a.m. Contact Father Neat ( rector@ascensionfrankfort.org ) for more information.  CHRISTIAN FORMATION / SUNDAY SCHOOL is open to children of all ages: participants, leaders and learners will gather in the parish hall at 9:15. Contact Frances Kirchhoff, francesck@bellsouth.net CAYA (Church of the Ascension Young Adults) - Semi-monthly meetings are held on the second and fourth Sundays of each month - upcoming: 11/26 and 12/10. Gather in the library during Coffee Hour (after the 10:30 service ends). All teens and young adults are welcome! Contact Kristi Buffenmyer, kbuffenmyer@yahoo.com CHOIR REHEARSALS continue on Tuesdays at 6:45 p.m. in the choir room. New voices are always welcome! Please offer a special thanks to our Kentucky State University vocal majors!  Contact John Martin, music@ascensionfrankfort.org

THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3: All parties interested in and involved with children in Christian Formation, Godly Play and acolyting (leaders, parents, helpers) are asked to gather in the library after the 10:30 service (during Coffee Hour), to discuss plans for Christmas. If you cannot attend, please discuss your Christmas availability with Frances Kirchhoff or Deacon Rebecca Saager as soon as possible.

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 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 and RETURN EACH ONE, ATTACHED TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE WRAPPED GIFT, no later than Sunday, Dec. 10. Note: There are also paper angels (all orange) indicating food items needed for the Christmas party, to be delivered to church by 1:00 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 15. Be an angel – help make this Christmas special for families in need! Contact Rebecca Saager for details (curate@ascensionfrankfort.org).

Sunday, December 10 - Advent Service: The Great O's, 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

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.

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! November:    Monthly Income, November:     $50,281 (including $17,113 for Capital Campaign and $7,800 for Sewer Project) Monthly Expenses, November: $41,532

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).

First Sunday of Advent Sunday, December 3, 2017 Daily Lectionary: Year Two Week of 1 Advent, Year Two (12/3/17) - BCP 937 Click here for READINGS www.lectionarypage.net

8:00 a.m. - Rite I Subdeacon: Susan E. Kurtz Chalice Bearer, Lector & Prayers of the People: Mac Elliott Acolyte: Angela Goetter 10:30 a.m. - Rite II    Subdeacon: Sue Kurtz Chalice Bearer: Jim Kimbrough Lector: Bobbie Lee Wilson Acolytes:  C: Thomas Bemiss & John Bullock T: Lucy & Charlotte Saunderson JS: Peyton Heady & Hannah Lee Ushers: Mac & Todd Elliott Altar Guild: T1 - Suzanne Cox, Laura & Kristi Buffenmyer Men's Club: T3 - Roy Upshaw, Jack Bates, Fred Kirchhoff VESTRY LOCKUP DUTY:  Todd Elliott COFFEE HOUR:      Todd Elliott - 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: The Church of the Advent, Cynthiana – The Rev. Paul Wanter, Priest-in-Charge. Recently in need of prayers:  Collin; Darlene; David C.; Donna; Faye & Steve; Geoff; Gordon; Isaiah; Jim; Jim & Fonda; Jon; Joyce; Leslie M.; Polly; and Shirley. Continuing concern:  Alfred; David G.; Debbie; Dillard; Doris & Charlie; Gail; Harrison; Jan; Jean; Jim & Debbie; Jinks; Julia; Lara; Linda; Luke; Marilyn; Natalie; Risa & her daughter; Ruth; Scott & Kathy; Shelia; Sherri; Skip; 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:  12/3 – Charlie Caudill; 12/4 – Beverly VanHouten, Marilyn Peck; 12/5 – Eric Oelgoetz; 12/9 – Ava Marie Allison, Jessee Neat, Sally Prince.    Anniversaries:  11/28 – George & Nancy Robertson; 12/2 – Jim & Debbie Kimbrough.

Prelude: - Nun komm der heiden Heiland (Come now Saviour of the nations) - J.S. Bach  Introit: Psalm 25 The Great Litany: S 67 Gradual Psalm: Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18 Gospel Acclamation: S 49 Offertory: The King shall come - James Kirkby Sanctus: S 128 Agnus Dei: S 161 Communion Hymn Hymn 73 - The King shall come when morning dawns - St. Stephen Closing Hymn: Hymn 58 - Lo! He comes with clouds descending - St. Thomas 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.