Volume 11, Issue #11
March 18, 2021

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

This Sunday (March 21) is the 5th Sunday in Lent. The collect (prayer for the day) for this day is:
 
"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."
 
This prayer is approximately 1,300 years old. It amazes me how something this ancient, written in the midst of the chaos, warfare, and general upheaval of 8th-century Europe, still speaks to the heart in our 21st-century world.
 
The prayer calls for God to hold us close and, in the middle of "the swift and varied changes of the world" (e.g., life in a pandemic) to keep us focused on what will provide us with true, soul-deep joy and contentment. 
 
The prayer asks God to direct our attention away from temporary distractions, sometimes so hard to ignore, and to draw us ever deeper into God's reality. A reality in which we are known, loved, and where we each have specific purpose. A reality in which there is vastly satisfying, deeply personal work for each of us.
 
As we continue this Lenten journey, my prayer for you is that you feel God's love for you and God's presence in your life, directing you toward the things that will truly nurture, heal, and satisfy your soul!

With Joy,
Peter+

Cell: 502-661-2742

P.S. Reliable sources report that Deacon Rebecca is leading another special package delivery to parishioners for Holy Week. Stay on the lookout!
Fifth Sunday
in Lent

March 21, 9:30 a.m.

Holy Eucharist,
Rite II
Pre-recorded inside the church with Ascension clergy and organist

Posted on YouTube,
with links on Facebook



**********
Ascension has TWO addresses on Facebook:

(1) THE PAGE: Find Father Peter's Morning Prayer, links to recorded services and Father Peter 'live,' and more on our Facebook "Page" (public) at https://www.facebook.com/ascensionfrankfort

(2) THE GROUP: Find Evening Prayer, Compline, shared photos, links to recorded services and various lay/clergy 'live,' and more on our Facebook "Group" (public, with restricted commenting) at https://www.facebook.com/groups/ascensionfrankfort
IN-PERSON SERVICES
RETURN TO ASCENSION FOR 2021

As infection rates slow and new vaccines spread
we are delighted to invite you to join us in person,
indoors at Ascension, for Palm Sunday and Easter services
(with all wearing masks and social distancing observed).

If you are not yet comfortable with returning to church in person, we will still offer most services online (filmed in advance or presented via Facebook LIVE). We are still working on technology and personnel needed to broadcast fully live services from inside the church (rather than pre-recorded), so please note carefully which services will be available in person and which will be available online.

Walk through Holy Week and celebrate Easter with us!

Palm Sunday, March 28
9:30 AM Solemn Eucharist with Passion
* * * IN PERSON, INSIDE THE CHURCH * * *
and available online

Wednesday, March 31
7:00 PM Candlelit Tenebrae
* * * IN PERSON, INSIDE THE CHURCH * * *
and available online

Maundy Thursday, April 1
7:00 PM Solemn Eucharist
* * * IN PERSON, INSIDE THE CHURCH * * *
and available online

Good Friday, April 2
7:00 PM Veneration of the Cross
* * * IN PERSON, INSIDE THE CHURCH ONLY * * *

Holy Saturday, April 3
8:00 PM Easter Vigil
* * * IN PERSON, BEGINNING OUTDOORS
AND PROCESSING INTO THE CHURCH * * *
and available online

Easter Sunday, April 4
9:30 AM Holy Eucharist, Rite II
 * * * IN PERSON, INSIDE THE CHURCH ONLY * * *

AND all are invited to experience Holy Week with members of the Franklin County Ministerial Association:

All Services begin at Noon
LIVESTREAM ONLY
(no congregation in attendance)
 
Watch at
 
Monday, March 29
Rev. Dr. Marian Taylor, South Frankfort Presbyterian Church
Roland Herzel, organ, South Frankfort Presbyterian Church
               
Tuesday, March 30
Rev. Stephen Fincher, St. Paul United Methodist Church
Glenna Metcalf, organ, FUMC, Lexington
 
Wednesday, March 31
Rev. Dr. John Opsata, First Christian Church
Dr. James Humlong, Southern Hill UM Church, Lexington
 
Thursday, April 1
*Rev. Peter Doddema, Church of the Ascension*
Dr. Patricia Barnes Griffith, KSU (retired), piano

Friday, April 2 Good Friday
Rev. Tonya Kenner, First United Methodist Church
Grant Holcomb, organ, Central Christian, Lexington
 
Would you like to feel God’s presence more deeply? The Diocese of Lexington will offer a Zoom-based course that will introduce five ancient spiritual exercises that have helped Christians cultivate a more joyful and life-giving relationship with God and neighbor. The class will meet for five Monday nights in Lent, February 22-March 22, 7-8 p.m. Join us by registering with the link below! 


Walk in Love: Episcopal Beliefs and Practices
course to be offered again
March 9 - April 6
7:00-8:30 p.m. via Zoom

"Walk in Love" is an exciting opportunity to learn more about our Episcopalian way of life. Leading theologians will teach us about the liturgical year, habits of daily prayer, Anglican spirituality, and how prayer shapes our beliefs. We will follow these short teaching sessions with small group discussions designed to help us see our faith in new ways and live more fully into it. We will meet on Zoom, Tuesday nights from 7-8:30pm March 9 - April 6. We hope you will join us!
COVID-19 PANDEMIC
REMINDER:

The Church Building Remains
CLOSED
NO ENTRY
unless pre-approved by Father Doddema
(502-661-2742)
If you have any questions about donations or pledges, please contact Mona Proctor in the parish office: call 502-223-0557 or email info@ascensionfrankfort.org.

Click here to learn how to give online, and to see a letter from our Treasurer regarding the ongoing pandemic: https://www.ascensionfrankfort.org/donations

THANK YOU
for continuing to support Ascension w
ith your time, treasure, and talents!
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: Diocese of Haiti and the Diocese of Guatemala, Historic Companion Dioceses - The Right Rev. Jean-Zache Duracin, Bishop of Haiti; The Most Rev. Armando Guerra Soria, Bishop of Guatemala; Small Church Ministry Consortium.
 
Recently in need of prayers: Adrianna; Bill; Brenda, Joan & Jim; Correll; Debbie; Deborah; Donnie; Faye & Steve; George; Jennifer & Ronnie; Joe; Josh; Julia; Linda; Lynda; Marilyn; Marilyn; Matt; Michele and family; Mildred; Noreen; Ruth; Scott & Kathy; Shannon; Stella; Tori; and the students and staff of Stewart Home School. Also the victims of recent flooding in our city and state.
 
Continuing concern: Barbara; Betty; Bobbie Lee; Collin; Dan; Darlene; David; Debbie; Dillard; the Duncan Family; Edith & Marion; Fran & Doug; Gillian; Ginni; Isaiah; Jean; Jinks; Mac; Mae & Frank; Mary; Melissa; Mike & Susie; and Polly. We also pray for those affected by the COVID pandemic, and for those on active duty in the military: Daniel, Houston, Nick, Seth, Tanner, and Walter.
 
Thanksgivings: for the return of spring: for more sunlight and warmer weather; for a wonderful church family, loving and caring for one another.
 
Birthdays: 3/22 - Karen Cisler, Roy Stivers; 3/25 - Rena Bartlett, Carlee VanHouten, 3/27 - Scott Mello, Lisa Perkinson.

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



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