April 5, 2019
From the Rector
The Rev. C. Phillip Craig, Jr.

A Season of Rediscovery
Jennifer and I had the opportunity last week to take the family on a spring break journey to Wilmington, North Carolina. This coastal town was our home early in our marriage - just after my ordination. Although we only lived there two years, it was a very special place for us.

One of my favorite parts of this trip was sharing with all three children (on right) the experience of both friends and places from our time there. It was a blessing to see once familiar things in new ways, through new eyes and perspectives.
We are all of us on the verge of Holy Week, as our Lenten season draws to a close. To be sure, we are traveling down a familiar road, with a story and narrative we have known for quite some time. Perhaps we have an opportunity, then, to consider Christ's road to Jerusalem (and the cross) from different voices or perspectives. How might we share the passion story with someone new? What might we learn from them, as we share it?

I invite you, as we enter into Holy Week, to tell our story. This might be over a cup of coffee, or during a walk. It might even be in the form of an invitation to come to Ascension Parish on Easter Sunday morning. All are welcome!

Blessings on your important conversations, in these days to come. All to the glory of God.
From the Parish Administrator
Sally LeBaron
Sweet Serendipity
I picked up some trash walking on my way home the other day and it turned out to be treasure- it must’ve fallen out of Pope Francis’ pocket as he was on his way to the Hollywood Theater:
Do You Want To Fast This Lent?
In the words of Pope Francis

-Fast from hurting words and say kind words.
-Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.
-Fast from anger and be filled with patience.
-Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.
-Fast from worries and have trust in God.
-Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.
-Fast from pressures and be prayerful.
-Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others.
-Fast from grudges and be reconciled.
-Fast from words and be silent so you can listen.

May your heart and mind continue to grow during these last weeks of Lent.

Take care,
Sally
From the Minister of Music
Emma Mildred Riggle, M.M.
Holy Week
Dear Parish Family,

Holy Week is nearly upon us - the most sacred week in the church calendar, and the most exhausting week in the liturgical musician's calendar. Please remember to keep our choir (and our choir director & organist) in your prayers as we prepare to share the beautiful music of Holy Week with you!

Please also plan to support our choir by attending the services in which they'll be singing. Our choir is offering anthems by Shephard and Fauré on Maundy Thursday, an arrangement of "Were You There?" by Bob Chilcott on Good Friday, and works by Ralph Vaughan Williams and William Harris on Easter Sunday.

May your Holy Week be blessed and a blessing to you.

Soli Deo gloria,
Art Class Resumes
We are delighted that our Artist in Residence, Andrea Rosselle, is feeling better and returning from her sabbatical.

Sunday School Art Classes are scheduled for April 7 and April 28 this month during the 10:00 A.M. Mass. Mark your calendars and bring your young people to learn about God's Word through art!
Easter Flowers
Chapel at Easter
On April 20, our Altar Guild will be arranging the beautiful window baskets that adorn our church on Easter morning. You can help by bringing flower and greens cuttings from your garden that morning to help fill the baskets!

You can also make a donation toward Easter lilies and flowers, as a remembrance to honor a loved one, or to give thanks for the blessings in your life. Forms will be available in Sunday bulletins, or you can download one here . Please include it with your check (put "Easter Flowers" in the memo line) and place in the offering basket, in Sally LeBaron's mailbox in the counting room, or mail to the Parish office. These remembrances and thanksgivings will be listed in the Easter bulletins.
This Month

Sundays at 9:00 A.M. - Choir Rehearsal
April 7, 10:00 A.M. - Youth Art Class
April 7, 11:00 A.M. - Vestry Meeting
April 14, 8 A.M. & 10 A.M. - Palm Sunday Mass
April 18, 7:00 P.M. - Maundy Thursday Mass
April 19, 12:00 P.M. - Good Friday Service
April 21, 8 A.M. & 10 A.M. - Easter Sunday Mass
April 28, 10:00 A.M. - Youth Art Class
This Sunday: April 7, 2019: Lent V
8:00 A.M. LEM & Lector: Jeff Krum
10:00 A.M. LEM: Jim LeBaron
10:00 A.M. Lectors: Xander Dominitz, Jennifer Craig
10:00 A.M. Usher: Becky Dimond
Sacristans: Karen Albaugh, Janet Edwards, Pammie Hummelt
Refreshments: Susan Bodin, Alex Guimaraes
Next Sunday: April 14, 2019: Palm Sunday
8:00 A.M. LEM & Lector: Jim LeBaron
10:00 A.M. LEM: Emily Guimaraes
10:00 A.M. Lectors: Suzan Berry, Brad Mersereau
10:00 A.M. Usher: Terry Horley
Sacristans: Susan Bodin, EllaKathryn Craig, Kat Dominitz, Shirleen Horley, LeBaron Boys
Refreshments: Sally LeBaron, Judy Hecht
Humility
quotes from St. Augustine of Hippo

“Lord, have mercy on me! … I make no effort to conceal my wounds. You are my physician, I your patient. You are merciful; I stand in need of mercy.”

“Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility.”
In Our Prayers
  • Becky Dimond’s sisters Barbara and Katie
  • Becky Dimond’s friends Toni & Toni’s husband John, recovering from heart surgery
  • Fred Friedle
  • Eloise Gibson’s niece Bella
  • Eloise Gibson’s friend Richard
  • Richard Jester
  • the family and loved ones of Marilyn Portwood and Jonathan Lloyd
  • Richard Reinhart
  • Brice Rosen
  • Janet Mersereau
Today in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer
  • Cottage Grove: St. Andrew. Lawrence Crumb, vicar. PRAY that the strength of the Holy Spirit anoints the St. Andrew’s family in its ministry.
  • Dallas: St. Thomas. Fred Heard, vicar
  • Drain: St. David. In response to the call and command of our Lord, we strive to lead people of our community to study the Bible, love Jesus and worship and obey God.
The Collect for the Fifth Sunday in Lent
Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.
Final Smile
Ascension Episcopal Parish | 503-227-7806 | office@ascensionepiscopalparish.org www.ascensionepiscopalparish.org