Volume 10, Issue #8 - February 20, 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 We are gradually moving out of the darkness of winter. We are starting to see sunnier days (and more sunlight each day!), and with them begins our Lenten journey. Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the festival that marks the beginning of the 40(ish) days of Lent.  Lent is the season that precedes Easter. Within a couple of centuries of Christ's resurrection, Christians felt the need to spend time preparing for Easter. Since the number "40 days" is significant in the Bible as a time of preparation (e.g. Moses was on Mt. Sinai receiving the law from God for 40 days; Jesus was in the desert fasting and preparing for his ministry for 40 days; etc.), early Christians decided to set aside the 40 days before Easter as a time of reflection and preparation for that holiest of days. Interestingly, the word "Lent" comes from our own tradition. The original Saxon word, "Lencten," simply meant "spring." Over time the word moved from an obscure British tribe into wider use and the general Church adopted the word as the name for this season of preparation. There is a long tradition of engaging in deeper spiritual practices during this time, to help us prepare in body, mind, & spirit for Easter. Some options here at Ascension: 1) There is the ongoing, Sunday morning study of the Gospels from ~9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. You could join in this and learn more about these foundational writings of Christianity. 2) This year's Lenten book study will be led by Todd Elliott, and focuses on the book Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas . This study, too looks at early, foundational Christian literature and is a great way to engage and learn more about the roots of our faith! 3) Fasting. This is an ancient practice, common to a number of faith traditions (not just Christianity) and is often used to help purify the body and clarify one's thinking. It is a practice that several of our members engage in, and while it has to be done carefully and thoughtfully, can be a great help to spiritual growth. If you're interested in this, please check with Fr. Peter and he will connect you with someone who can talk with you about it. 4) Worship. During this time there are a number of extra worship services, beginning with services at 12:15 p.m. and at 7:00 p.m. on Ash Wednesday (February 26). I encourage you to make a little extra time and attend some of these Lenten services, as they are unique (only done once a year), ancient (many of the ceremonies are nearly 2,000 years old), and deeply rooted in the heart of our Christian tradition. Wishing you a blessed Lent! With Joy, Peter+

WEEKLY B IBLE STUDY All are welcome to drop in on our lively group discussion of the Gospels on Sunday mornings (led by me, Peter). We meet at 9:00 a.m. in the parish library; please feel free to pick up breakfast in the kitchen first and bring it along! Through January, February, and March, we are focusing on the Gospel of Mark. For this Sunday (February 23), please read Mark, Chapters 10-11. Bring your questions and insights, and join us for this wonderful discussion!

PANCAKE SUPPER February 25 – 5:00-7:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to join us for an indulgent Pancake Supper with lots of fixin's, prepared by the Ascension Men's Club and served in our historic parish hall. A small donation is welcome, but the meal is free to those in need.   Shrove Tuesday is the day immediately preceding Ash Wednesday (the beginning of Lent). Shrove, derived from shrive, refers to the confession of sins as a preparation for Lent, a usual practice in Europe in the Middle Ages. This day became known as Shrove Tuesday because this was when the eggs, butter and fat were used up to ensure they were all gone for Lenten season... Thus the tradition of celebrating Shrove Tuesday and eating pancakes began because people wanted to use up the tempting food that they were giving up for Lent.

Services with Imposition of Ashes February 26 - 12:15 and 7:00 p.m. Two services with Imposition of Ashes are offered: one from 12:15-12:45 p.m. and one from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend and participate.  Ash Wednesday — officially known as the Day of Ashes — is a day of repentance, when Christians confess their sins and profess their devotion to God. During a Mass, a priest places ashes on a worshiper's forehead in the shape of a cross. The ashes come from palms from the last year's Palm Sunday and are meant to signify penance, mourning and mortality.The day is seen as a way for Christians to remind themselves that they need to repent their sins.

CHORAL EVENSONG AT ST. JOHN'S 210 N. Main Street, Versailles, KY 40383   March 1, 5:00 p.m.   Join Organist/Choir Master Owen Sammons and the St. John’s choir for Evensong on the first Sunday of Lent. An offering will be taken to support their organ fund. All are welcome!

We are now enrolling for a new EfM class to begin at Ascension in March-April 2020.  The annual enrollment fee is $375.00. There are limited partial scholarships available for those who need assistance. If you are interested, please contact the Ascension office to obtain an enrollment package  (email  info@ascensionfrankfort.org  or call 502-223-0557).  Education for Ministry (EfM) is a unique four-year distance learning certificate program in theological education based upon small-group study and practice. The program was developed by, and is offered through, the  School of Theology, University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee.   EfM helps the faithful encounter the breadth and depth of the Christian tradition and bring it into conversation with their experiences of the world as they study, worship, and engage in theological reflection together. Since its founding in 1975, this international program has assisted more than 80,000 participants in discovering and nurturing their call to Christian service. Every baptized person is called to ministry. EfM provides people with the education to carry out that ministry. Lay persons face the difficult and often subtle task of interpreting the richness of the church's faith in a complex and confusing world. They need a theological education which supports their faith and also teaches them to express that faith in day-to-day events. As the emphasis on lay ministry has grown, EfM has come to play an important role by providing a program that develops an informed and knowledgeable laity. EfM provides college level study spread over four years. The first-year participants study the Hebrew scriptures, to include how, when, where and why those books were written, edited and preserved. Second-year students focus on very similar questions concerning Jesus and the canonical books of the New Testament. Third-year students read and consider Christian history and tradition over the last 3,000 years. Fourth-year students engage the world of theology and ethics. While the study of canonical Christian scriptures, Church history and tradition and theology is challenging, by far the most dynamic part of EfM is the development for each participant in the skill of Theological Reflection (TR). With almost forty years of experience, EfM, through the systems developed in the program and through Sewanee’s School of Theology, has provided a powerful tool for individual insight.

SAVE THE DATE: June 22-26, 2020

Sunday School / Christian Formation Classes with Godly Play Every Sunday led by Laura Buffenmyer. All school-age youth are invited; gather in the parish hall at 9:15 a.m.

MONTHLY RECEIPTS 2/2: $4,224 2/9: $3,833 2/16: $7,353

THE BROTHERHOOD OF ST. ANDREW will meet next on February 29, 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, March 1 (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: February 2 - April 26 as of 2/05/2020 Click here to view schedule

February 23, 2020 Daily Office Lectionary Last Week of Epiphany, Year Two - BCP 951 Click here for Last Epiphany READINGS 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 "The Preacher's Forum."  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.

8:00 a.m. - Rite I Chalice Bearer, Lector & PoP: Will McKee Acolyte: Peggy Stoner 10:30 a.m. - Rite II    Chalice Bearer: Jim Kimbrough Lector: Bobbie Lee Wilson Acolytes:   C: Natalie Agne T: Lucy Saunderson, Peyton Heady Jubilee Streamers as available Ushers: Scott & Kathy Kimbrough Altar Guild: T3 -  Michal Smith-Mello, Scott & Kathy Kimbel Men's Club: T4: Tim & Misty Agne, Charlie Caudill COUNTERS:   TWO needed Scheduling contact is William Legg, wleggwork@msn.com VESTRY LOCKUP DUTY & Coffee Hour Coordinator this week: JULIA TYSON 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: Christ Church, Harlan – The Ven. Bryant C. Kibler, Priest-in-Partnership . Recently in need of prayers: Barbara; Bill; Bob & Angela; Candy & Tony; Daneen; Donnie; Edith & Marion; 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: 2/24 – Julia Frost; 2/26 – Conrad Gutermuth; 2/27 – Jane Firth; 2/28 – Josh Roll.  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 10:30 Voluntary: Houston: Chorale prelude - Rebecca Groom te Velde Hymn in Procession: Hymnal 490 - I want to walk as a child of the light - Houston The Gloria: Hymnal S 280 Gradual Psalm: Psalm 99 Gospel Acclamation: S 49 Offertory Sanctus: S 129 - Holy, holy, holy Fraction Anthem: S 154 Communion Hymn: Hymnal 513 - Like the murmur of the dove’s song -Bridegroom  Hymn in Procession: Hymnal 137 - O wondrous type! O vision fair - Wareham         Voluntary - Wareham - Charles Callahan The prelude, offertory and postlude are three different settings of the German chorale (or hymn) setting of the Lord’s Prayer – Vater unser im Himmelreich. These settings demonstrate Johann Sebastian Bach’s compositional brilliance. The BWV numbers are from the thematic catalog of all of Bach’s compositions (Bach Werke Verzeichnis).    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 2020 Vestry and Officers Email: info@ascensionfrankfort.org     Web: www.ascensionfrankfort.org Copyright © 2020 Church of the Ascension. All Rights Reserved.

‌