Volume 10, Issue #33
August 13, 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.
From Peter's Pen

    How is a sermon created?

The short answer is that a good sermon, like many other things worth doing well, is a lot of work. Each preacher has a slightly different way of crafting the sermon, so I am speaking strictly about my own process.

First, I need a good cup of coffee. My father was a farmer; every morning around 10 a.m., he took a coffee break. One of my earliest memories is my mother taking me out to his workshop for that morning coffee break. I was even given a (small) cup of black coffee of my own. The memory has always stayed with me, and anytime I need to be creative, a cup of coffee comforts me and stimulates that part of my thinking. 🙂

Once I have my coffee, I sit down and select the Scripture passage(s) on which to preach. Episcopal preachers are required to preach from our Sunday lectionary readings, which usually include: 1) a psalm; 2) another reading from the Hebrew Scriptures; 3) a Gospel reading; 4) another, non-Gospel reading from the Christian portion of the Bible. Sometimes these four readings are grouped around a central theme (e.g., Advent readings, Easter readings, etc.), and a savvy preacher might say a little about each in her sermon. The primary purpose of the lectionary is to guide us through a reading of the complete Bible: to read through at least a portion of every nook and cranny. That means that on many weeks, the readings do not have much in common with one another.  

For myself, I pray my way into / through the readings. For any preacher, it is very easy to see a text that speaks to you personally and immediately settle on that as your theme. But, to reach the wider congregation, I feel it is necessary to let God's voice guide me in the text selection. I often hear God speaking through the words of Scripture as I read through them. And also, I often hear God speaking through you: the congregation. What are the hopes, joys, concerns, fears, etc. that you share with me? I pay attention to this. Then, when I'm reading through the week's Scripture choices, I look to see if any of them appropriately address what's on your hearts.  

Preaching well is often about listening well. The times where I feel that I have preached well are also times where I feel like my role is as a "conduit." Sometimes I feel like a water pipe: the clean, clear, refreshing water of God's Word flows through me / my preaching to reach the congregation. It's the water of the Word that nourishes us and helps us to grow into the full potential that God envisions for each of us.

After I have selected the Scripture text, I spend time reading and researching. I sometimes make lists of words from the text for further research, asking myself: What did this word mean in its original Hebrew or Greek? Sometimes words have changed meanings radically when translated from their original context. By putting them back into their original languages, we get a much clearer picture of what God is telling us. I spend time reading commentaries, listening to the insights of scholars who spend their lives immersed in these texts (in their original languages). There are a lot of really great resources out there that help the preacher craft an honest sermon.

Finally, I look for what "plays" in the text. Where is the Holy Spirit active? Where the Holy Spirit moves, there is joy and life. Opening up the sermon and letting the Spirit breathe through it gives a lightness and vitality to the message.

Mix all of that together and you have a sermon, Peter-style. As I often say, it is a joy to walk with you. It's also a joy to laugh together; to preach and to listen. I learn a lot from you and hope that, through my preaching, I am able to bring some of that vital, spiritual nourishment to you!

With Joy,
Peter+

502-661-2742
Join us for Online Worship
on Sunday, August 16

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost:
Proper 15, Year Two - BCP 981

Morning Prayer with Father Peter
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!
Interested in participating in our 30 Days of Prayer beginning August 1st? In addition to the prayer and daily scripture readings, we have prepared a list of daily actions (for both people who identify as white and people that do not).

It is our hope that these activities will help us all gain a greater appreciation for our unconscious biases and our place in the system of white privilege that perpetuates racism in our society.

You will need something in which you can keep daily notes and reflections if you will also be participating in the action component of 30 Days of Prayer.

Follow along daily on social media for the scripture readings and actions, and we hope you will share with us your comments about your experience as you go along.

For more information on the 30 Days of Prayer initiative, why we're doing it, how it works, and the materials you will need, please visit our website:

One way or another, a new school year is about to begin. It will look very different in many ways because of the ongoing pandemic, but students will still be studying, learning, doing activities, and using supplies. Our own Deacon Rebecca Saager is collecting school supplies for needy children of Simon House (and others in Frankfort).

You may contribute funds designated specifically for this project, and Deacon Rebecca will do the shopping. Make your check payable to "Church of the Ascension" and mark "school supplies" on the memo line on the check. Mail it to the church no later than August 15 (or drop it into the locked brass mailbox on the parish hall porch nearest the garden).

OR bring items directly to Deacon Rebecca at Ascension (so they can be sorted and photographed prior to donation). Rebecca will be at church to receive donations of school supplies personally on Tuesdays from 12-3 p.m. for the next four weeks - July 28, August 4, 11 & 18. Please enter the hallway using the front door nearest the library, wearing a mask; a donation bin will be provided so no personal contact need occur. If you have access to the building at another time, you may leave items in the designated bin beside the library door. Or, you may contact Rebecca to make special arrangements to suit your schedule.

Items that have been requested by Simon House are:
  • Pens and pencils
  • Wide ruled paper package
  • 3 ring binder
  • 2 pocket folders with clips
  • Markers- regular and dry erase
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Facial tissues
  • Disinfectant wipes

Thank you for your help with this important project.
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!
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.

If you have questions, concerns, ideas or suggestions to share, or if you have needs that your church family might help to meet, please contact Father Peter to discuss (email fatherpeter@ascensionfrankfort.org, or call 502-661-2742). You may also email Deacon Rebecca Saager (curate@ascensionfrankfort.org) or Deacon Sue Kurtz (deacon@ascensionfrankfort.org).

includes our church building!
MONTHLY RECEIPTS

8/9/2020: $4,140

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:

THE BROTHERHOOD OF ST. ANDREW meetings are currently suspended. (Normally meets every other Saturday, in the parish library at 10:00 a.m.) Contact William Legg (wleggwork@msn.com) for details.
THE DAUGHTERS OF THE KING are meeting online via ZOOM. (Normally meets on the FIRST Sunday of each month, in the parish library after the 10:30 service.) Contact Judith Spencer for details (jspencer254@yahoo.com)
Find the Diocese of Lexington online at www.diolex.org
This web site has an abundance of information and resources - check it out!
Intercessions for the Church: St. Augustine’s Chapel, Lexington - Rob Coulston, Lay Chaplain.

Recently in need of prayers: Adrianna; Barbara; Bill; Bob; Candy; Correll; Daneen; Debbie; Donnie; Edith & Marion; Fran & Doug; Fred; Ginni; Heidi & Ian; Greg; Joe; Jon; Josh; Kay; Leonard; Linda; Madonna; Mae & Frank; Marilyn; Sandy; Scott & Kathy; 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 & Willie; Julia; June; Linda; Mac; Mary; Melissa; Mike & Susie; 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: 8/15 - Anthony Lee, Leah MacSwords, Tori Word; 8/19 - Erika Kaiser; 8/22 - Thomas Bemiss.

Anniversaries: 8/17 - William Legg & Leah MacSwords.

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
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.

Ask in the office or one of the Deacons for a blank form, or download from our web site at: https://www.ascensionfrankfort.org/links
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.