Volume 10, Issue #29
July 16, 2020
In the name of Christ, we embrace all people to be nourished and empowered by the Holy Spirit to love and serve the world.
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From Peter's Pen
In the next few "From Peter's Pen" articles, I'm going to talk a bit about preaching. Many of the worship services that we attend include a sermon (or a homily - a shorter version of a sermon). However, though preachers often receive training
to
preach, congregations usually do
not
receive training in how to listen to a sermon - to hear what is going on.
So this week, let's look briefly at putting the message together: how does the preacher make sure that her or his sermon will impact everyone who hears it?
The short answer, of course, is that we do not. Congregations are incredibly diverse groups of people and online congregations are even more so. Each of us is crafted
uniquely
in God's image: God made some of us to be parents, some to be teachers, some to be welders, some to be attorneys. God made some of us independents, some of us conservative, some of us liberal. God also implanted unique
calls
within you and me: unique reasons for being here, now and with skills, personalities, etc. to do the work that God has for each of us.
With that in mind, the preacher has a distinctive personality, unique skills, & a unique call. And, when the preacher begins to reflect on the specific Scripture for the week, navigates through their day-to-day life, and when the preacher prays - listens to God's voice in the middle of all of these other voices - the sermon that develops is going to be a very unique creation.
As you listen to the sermon, it may or may not have a message for you. The sermon that the preacher finally delivers is designed to be what God is calling that person to say: sometimes there will be a Word for you. If that is the case: make note of it, write it down, reflect back on it over the next few hours and days. Part of your work is to tease out God's meaning for you. Like Jesus' parable of the sower, the preacher's work is to
scatter the seed
. If God is speaking to you in the sermon, your work is to be the good soil that receives and nurtures the Word. That involves making the time to reflect on it privately.
However, there will certainly be plenty of times where the sermon may have little or nothing to say to you. It may even be that you do not agree with things that are said. All of this is normal and perfectly OK. I encourage you, in those times, to take some time to reflect on the Scripture of the day, listen to what God
is
saying to you (even if it is not through the sermon), and make some notes of how you can nurture and grow the seed being given to you.
As a parish, Ascension is blessed to have a variety of talented, hard-working, and prayerful preachers. Smaller congregations are often limited to a single preacher (the priest or deacon in charge), which, if the preacher's "voice" doesn't connect with you, can make the sermon time especially difficult! Having a diversity of preachers at our church is something to celebrate and give thanks for. There is always another voice, another perspective, to take in and reflect on.
Finally, I encourage you to pray for our preachers. Preaching is very important work. It is also very delicate work: to listen to the many voices that confront us each day and, in the midst of all of that noise, to hear God's call and turn that into a message for the congregation. Please pray that we who preach will hear God's voice clearly, follow where God leads us bravely, thoughtfully, and with that agape love to which Jesus calls us.
With Joy,
Peter+
502-661-2742
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Join us for Online Worship
on Sunday, July 19
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost:
Proper 11, Year Two -
BCP 977
Morning Prayer with Father Peter
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Reminder:
All Ascension videos - and several organ and piano performances by John Martin - are now available on our FREE "YouTube Channel." You may subscribe, get notifications, view playlists...
click here for more information
... or go directly to the
Ascension YouTube Channel Page
. This means you can conveniently find all Ascension videos all in one place, without having to scroll and sift through all of our other Facebook group postings. Kudos to Taylor Lunsford for creating and managing our videos!
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PARISH DIRECTORY -
Have YOU submitted your Directory Response Form? You may just type the requested details in an email, if that is easier for you (
info@ascensionfrankfort.org), or leave a message to request a phone call (502-223-0557).
Please click on the link to print the response form, OR call the parish office (502-223-0557) and leave a message asking for a personal call to review your details. Remember that
only
those who do respond and give permission will be included in the directory!
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COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no worship services or any group meetings in the church building until further notice. Father Peter and the Vestry are working with our diocesan leaders to plan for re-opening safely when the time is right.
Regular office hours remain suspended until further notice; clergy and staff are working (mostly) from home. Access to the building is limited to those with specific permission, and "
Healthy at Work
" guidelines apply to everyone who enters the building.
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includes our church building!
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MONTHLY RECEIPTS
7/3/2020: $5,513
7/10-15/2020: $4,957
Thank you for your continuing support. We are working to minimize expenses but still need to pay for upkeep, maintenance, insurance, payroll, etc. Click here to see a letter from our Treasurer regarding the pandemic:
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This web site has an abundance of information and resources - check it out!
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Intercessions for the Church:
Trinity Church, Covington - The Rev. Peter D’Angio,
Rector;
The Rev. Justin E. Gabbard,
Assistant Rector;
The Rev. Dcn. Joe Obrochta.
Recently in need of prayers:
Adrianna; Barbara; Bill; Candy; Daneen; Debbie; Donnie; Edith & Marion; Fran & Doug; Ginni; Gus; Heidi & Ian; Greg; Joe; Jon; Josh; Lara; Linda; Madonna; Mae & Frank; Marie; Rodney;
Sandy;
Scott & Kathy; Shirley; Sidney, Suzanne, Tod, Blair & Grant.
Continuing concern:
Betty; Carrie & Shawn; Collin; Dan; Darlene; David; Debbie; Dillard; Doris; the Duncan Family; Erika; Faye & Steve; Gillian; Holly; Isaiah; James & Stella; Janet; Janice; Jean; Jinks; John; Julia; June; Linda; Mac; Marilyn; Mary; Melissa; Mike & Susie; Natalie; Polly; Sherri; and Tom. We also pray for those on active duty in the military: Daniel, Houston, Mary Jo, Nick, Seth, Tanner, and Walter.
Birthdays:
7/19 - Betsy Moore; 7/21 - Jack Bates; 7/22 - William Legg; 7/24 - Tracy Lamb.
NOTICE:
Part of the strength of this congregation is our care and concern for each other. Please help us to do this by letting the church office know when you are ill, hospitalized, or otherwise in need of prayer and/or visitation. We especially want to serve you during these times.
Also, if we don’t have your birthday or anniversary on file, or if it appears incorrectly, please let us know!
Call the office at
502-223-0557
(messages are checked periodically), or email
curate@ascensionfrankfort.org
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Pre-Planning for End of Life
Rite I or Rite II? Eucharist or no? Burial service in the church, or only a graveside committal? Special music, songs, readings, people? Please consider writing your preferences on a “Funeral Information and Burial Instructions” form, for secure long-term storage in the parish office. This confidential information will serve as a guide to the church and your family after your death. A 'Kentucky Living Will Directive and Health Care Surrogate Designation' Form is also available. Return the completed form(s) to Deacon Rebecca, Deacon Sue, or to the parish office.
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Clergy and Staff
- The Rev. Peter Doddema, Priest
- The Rev. Dr. William G. Brown, Associate Priest Emeritus
- The Rev. Deacon Rebecca A. Saager, Curate
- The Rev. Deacon Susan E. Kurtz, Deacon
- Mr. John B. Martin, Director of Music & Organist
- Ms. Mona Landrum Proctor, Parish & Financial Administrator
- Mr. David Gierlach, Sexton
Copyright © 2020 Church of the Ascension. All Rights Reserved.
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