Volume 10, Issue #11 - March 12, 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

Dear Ascension Family,

With the COVID-19 virus here in Kentucky, there are a number of questions about how churches should respond. On Wednesday, our Governor suggested that all churches temporarily cancel worship services. On Thursday, our Bishop, Mark Van Koevering, strongly urged us to cancel worship services and other church activities for the next two weeks. 

At Ascension, we are blessed to have several experts (doctors and nurse practitioners; emergency management coordinator; etc.) in our church family. In talking with them and reading the available, professional healthcare guidelines, these things seem especially important: 

1) using basic precautions (proper hand washing, etc.);
2) limiting opportunities for the virus to spread by limiting meetings, services, etc.;
3) being especially careful of your health if you have factors that put you at increased risk for contracting the virus.

After prayer and talking with several of our professionals, I have made the following decisions about scheduling at Ascension for the next two weeks (March 13 – March 25: see below). Please take good care of yourselves during this difficult time, and always use caution and your own best judgement for your personal decisions about church attendance.

I hope that we will be back to our normal schedule soon. We have a very full and active life as a parish and it is a delight to share in it with you. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Blessings,
Peter+
Schedule Changes due to COVID-19

There will be ONE service only on the next two Sundays, March 15 and 22.
All other meetings and activities at church are cancelled.

  • 9:30 a.m., Rite II
  • Please enter only through the main front door.
  • Sit in alternate pews, at least 6 feet apart – ushers, please help.
  • Bread only will be offered for communion, but wine may be requested and offered separately just after the service.
  • Please bring your own hand sanitizers or wipes from home if possible, and use them when touching surfaces, using door handles, etc.
  • Please do not touch each other while entering or exiting the church or passing the Peace. Instead, practice waves and bows.

ASCENSION SCHEDULE CHANGES & DETAILS

Also read:
Lent, Centering Prayer,
and letting go of the self-made self...
by Scott Kimbel

Lent is the period preceding Easter that in the Christian tradition is devoted
to fasting, abstinence, and penitence in commemoration of Christ’s fasting in the wilderness. Christ’s going into the desert has always reminded me of his later admonition that when we pray go to your closet, lock the door and and pray in secret, and the Lord will answer in secret. And that secret is “Be still and know that I am God”.

Centering Prayer is a method that leads us to our personal wilderness, teaching us how to let go of what is sometimes called the afflictive emotions. Power and control, affection and esteem, and safety and security, or more commonly called the ego or the false self. It is this false self, or overactive ego, that promotes our self interest rather than opening our heart and mind to God’s will. Our practice of deep silence is the awakening awareness to God’s infinite love, letting go of our agenda for life and letting God fill us with divine presence or our True Christ nature. 

Prayer is not only talking to God, but also listening to God. Centering Prayer moves us into contemplative prayer or deep silence so we can awaken this deep intimate relationship that awaits us.

Let quieting your mind and body during this season of Lent be your secret closet. Let go and let God.
Hold the Date!
ST. GEORGE'S DAY WEEKEND
at Cathedral Domain

Saturday, April 25

Bring your friends and family to St George’s Day weekend at the Cathedral Domain to connect with new and old friends throughout the Diocese. You may choose to participate in many organized activities throughout the weekend, which in the past have included: hikes, Bible studies, music, a talent show, frisbee golf, and more! On Saturday, celebrate the beauty of the mountain and all of God's Creation through worship and song during the Holy Eucharist. Overnight accommodations are available for all or part of the weekend. Online registration is available at https://www.cathedraldomain.org/stgeorgesdayweekend
We are now enrolling for a new EfM class
to begin at Ascension in March-April 2020. 

If you are interested, please contact the Ascension office to obtain an enrollment package (email  info@ascensionfrankfort.org  or call 502-223-0557).
SAVE THE DATE: June 22-26, 2020
MONTHLY RECEIPTS
3/1/2020: $4,886
3/8/2020: $2,721
THE BROTHERHOOD OF ST. ANDREW will meet next on March 28, 2020 (every other Saturday), in the parish library at 10:00 a.m. This group endeavors to bring men and youth to Christ through the three-fold disciplines of Prayer, Study and Service. Contact William Legg ( wleggwork@msn.com ) for details.
CENTERING PRAYER group meets every Saturday morning, 10:00 - 10:30. All are invited and welcome to come and explore this ancient technique, meeting in the main church. For more information, contact Scott Kimbel, kskimbel@yahoo.com
THE DAUGHTERS OF THE KING will meet on Sunday, April 5 (FIRST Sunday of each month), in the parish library after the 10:30 service. Contact Judith Spencer for details ( jspencer254@yahoo.com )
Check out public service and activity schedules on the online church calendar at www.ascensionfrankfort.org/calendar

Find the Diocese of Lexington online at www.diolex.org 
Schedules & Teams
* UPDATED: March 1 - April 26 as of 2/27/2020
March 15, 2020
Daily Office Lectionary
Week of 3 Lent, Year Two - BCP 955
OR go to www.lectionarypage.net and choose by calendar date
  • BREAKFAST begins at 8:50 a.m. - free of charge to those in need; others may pay a small amount as able.

  • ADULTS gather at 9:15 a.m. in the library for study of the Gospels.

  • CHILDREN & YOUTH: Christian Formation/Sunday School - All ages please gather in the parish hall to go upstairs together as a group. Latecomers must be escorted by a parent to the upstairs classroom. Children of all ages are welcome and encouraged to attend all church services; a nursery is available for younger children starting at 9:15 a.m.
9:30 a.m. - Rite II   
  • Chalice Bearer: Pauline Van Horn
  • Lector: Lara Heady
  • Acolytes:  
  • C: Josh Roll
  • T: Jordan Masters & Tori Word
  • Jubilee Streamers as available
  • Ushers: Jim King & Joyce Taylor
  • Altar Guild: T1 - Suzanne Cox
  • Men's Club: T2 - Jim Kimbrough, Jim King, Starla Yount
COUNTERS:   TWO needed

VESTRY LOCKUP DUTY this week: LAURA BUFFENMYER
  • Vestry member responsible for lockup will also coordinate or supply snacks for Coffee Hour (reimbursable expense) and ensure kitchen cleanup is complete.

  • Jan Stevens is our Hospitality Coordinator - contact her by email at jstevens5@aol.com to discuss Coffee Hour questions, needs and procedures. If you can bring treats but need a helper, or vice versa, Jan can help you team up!
Intercessions for the Church: Grace Church, Florence.
Recently in need of prayers: Barbara; Bill; Bob & Angela; Candy & Tony; Daneen; Donnie; Edith & Marion; Gus; Heidi & Ian; Greg; Jon; Josh; Linda; Marie.
Continuing concern: Betty; Carrie & Shawn; Collin; Dan; Darlene; David; Debbie; Dillard; Doris; the Duncan Family; Erika; Faye & Steve; Gillian; Ginni & Vic; Holly; Isaiah; James & Stella; Janet; Janice; Jean; Jinks; John; Julia; June; Lara; Linda; Mac; Marilyn; Mary; Melissa; Mike & Susie; Natalie; Polly; Scott & Kathy; Sherri; and Tom. We also pray for those on active duty in the military: Daniel, Houston, Mary Jo, Nick, Seth, Tanner, and Walter.
Birthdays: 3/18 – Melissa Hoover; 3/19 – Iris Skidmore, Maureen Davis; 3/20 – Shelley Davis. 
Anniversaries: 3/20 – Scott & Kathy Kimbel. 

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 Tuesday thru Friday), 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.

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

Return the completed form(s) to Deacon Rebecca, Deacon Sue, or to the parish office.
John B. Martin, Organist

9:30 a.m.
  • Voluntary: Amazing Grace - Frederick Swann
  • Hymn in Procession: Hymn 658 - As longs the deer for cooling streams - Martyrdom
  • The Trisagion: S 102
  • Gradual Psalm: Psalm 95 - Veniti, exultemus
  • Gospel Acclamation
  • Offertory: LEVAS 29 - Jesus, keep me near the cross
  • Sanctus: S 124 - Holy, holy, holy
  • Fraction Anthem: S 161
  • Communion Hymn: Hymnal 671 - Amazing grace - New Britain
  • Hymn in Procession: Hymnal 685 - Rock of ages, cleft for me - Toplady

There will be no postlude during Lent.
 Ritesong Online Music Library
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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