Volume 9, Issue #45 - November 21, 2019  In the name of Christ, we embrace all people to be nourished and empowered by the Holy Spirit to love and serve the world.

GEOFF PINKERTON April 20, 1966 - November 19, 2019 Celebration of Life at Church of the Ascension Sunday, December 8, 2019 Service at 3:00 p.m. Reception following in the parish hall.

Please know that Fr. Peter will NEVER ask you by email to "do him a favor" by sending money or gift cards to anyone! A number of folks reported receiving SCAM emails that appear to be from Father  Peter Doddema . These emails are using a FAKE address that looks like it could be his, but is NOT.  We have had this "impostor" problem before, with Fr.  William Jessee Neat , and it appeared again last weekend. Please note carefully and remember: Father Peter's VALID EMAIL ADDRESS is fatherpeter@ascensionfrankfort.org . Note that " acensionfrankfort.org " comes AFTER the @ in the GOOD email address... that is the "domain name" and it is truly controlled through Ascension's email account as provided by Microsoft. If "ascensionfrankfort" is BEFORE the @, or if there is any other combination of Peter/Doddema/Ascension names (or other Ascension staff/clergy names) it is NOT a valid Ascension email! One known BAD address being used is rev.peter.ascensionfrankfort@gmail.com - see the difference? DELETE any emails you suspect to be scam. NEVER click on a link inside a suspect email! - that link is a common way for viruses to enter your device. If you have questions, contact Fr. Peter directly or call the church office at (502) 223-0557.

From Peter's Pen by The Rev. Peter Doddema This has been a full week so far. We are in the middle of some very exciting, warm, & wonderful happenings:  A really excellent stewardship season (thank you everyone who has pledged of your time, talent, & treasure so far - your generosity helps Church of the Ascension to thrive!). The annual chili supper on Thursday & Friday (Nov 21 & 22). As I work in my office, I'm blessed to hear the laughter and smell the good food cooking in the kitchen. As you are able, please come out and support this good work, which raises money for our Sunday community breakfasts for the homeless and the parish.  We continue to polish and plan worship, music, and sermons for the next few weeks. Advent and Christmas are two of the busiest times of the Church year, and we are excitedly finishing preparations for this truly beautiful & holy time of year. And, as you know, Geoff Pinkerton passed away peacefully on Tuesday night.  As faithful Christians; as human beings - how do we make sense of these seemingly contradictory realities (celebration / success and the passing of a friend and brother in Christ)? I encourage you to feel what you feel: we live in a culture that busily distracts and insulates itself from anything unpleasant. It is very easy to avoid our own sadness, discomfort, and grief by diving headlong into social media, engaging in "shopping therapy," pouring another drink, or any number of things that are not bad by themselves, but are not designed to help us lead the full and healthy lives to which God calls us. So, please allow your feelings to happen. If you feel joy, please express it - feel the joy in good things! When you feel grief, please feel the grief. Grief has to work its way through us: each of us experiences and lives through it differently (When I feel grief, I tend to get in the car and drive. I have a bunch of songs that I listen to that help me express and live into the intense feelings. After driving for awhile, I can stop and carry on). As I was typing this article, a friend (serendipitously?) gave me a book: "In the Valley of the Shadow." It is one person's attempt to make sense of their life after receiving a terminal health diagnosis. The author (James Kugel) notes, among other things, that it is extremely important to be aware of the blessings that are right in front of us. To know what God has given us, to say a warm 'thank you,' and to enjoy those blessings - here and now.  That was my experience of Geoff as well. Someone who recognized the richness of his life and lived in it to the fullest! In this season of fullness, as we prepare for Thanksgiving, for Advent, and for Geoff's celebration of life, please enter into it as fully as you are able. Reach out to others; experience the especial richness of this time of year; feel and live fully; give thanks for God's many blessings to you each day! Peter+

CHRISTMAS 2019 FOR SIMON HOUSE FAMILIES Again this year, Ascension is sponsoring an ANGEL TREE to collect gifts for the children and families of Simon House . The gifts will be presented at a gala Christmas Dinner & Party for the families on Sunday, December 22, in the Ascension parish hall at 4:00 p.m. ALL TEENS age 15 and up are invited to meet in the parish hall on Saturday, November 23, at 5:00 p.m., to kick off the holiday season by organizing the Angel cards (gift requests) and decorating the Angel Tree. All are welcome to join the fun, and bring a friend! ALL PARISHIONERS are invited to ‘be an Angel’ by December 11. Take an Angel tag from the tree and purchase the item listed for a Simon House child. You may take and shop for as many Angel cards as you wish! Please wrap the gift(s), attach the Angel firmly to the outside of the package, and return it to the Angel Tree NO LATER THAN Wednesday, December 11. Cash donations are needed by December 19 to cover the cost of the holiday meal and any last-minute angel shopping. To donate, please make your check payable to ‘Church of the Ascension’ and write ‘Angel Tree’ in the Memo.) Place your check in the Sunday offering or bring it to the office no later than Thursday, December 19. DINNER & PARTY HELPERS are needed on Sunday, December 22! Cooks and kitchen help, shoppers, decorators, activity leaders, musicians and more will help to make this event a fun highlight of the holiday season for the families of Simon House. Please contact Deacon Rebecca Saager ( curate@ascensionfrankfort.org ) to offer your assistance or ask about details.

The parish office will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 28-29. Regular office hours will resume on Monday, December 2.

24th ANNUAL THANKSGIVING WALK OF AWARENESS Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 28, 7:30-10:00 AM This walk to benefit the ACCESS Men’s Soup Kitchen started at Ascension years ago;  it is now part of the Frankfort Striders Run/Walk Series. Sign-in begins at 7:30 a.m. inside the First United Methodist Church building at 211 Washington Street. For more information see https://www.facebook.com/events/683042982189171/, contact Access at admin@accesssoupkitchen.com or call 502-223-5179. 

Join in the Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting Service on Sunday, December 8, at 6:30 p.m., at First Baptist Church on St. Clair Street (park and enter from the back, to the social hall). The Frankfort Compassionate Friends chapter is one of over 700 groups that offers support for grieving parents, grandparents & siblings. No matter the age or circumstances of a child's death, we are here to help you along the road. We have meetings on the first Thursday and third Monday each month. For more information see Debbie Kimbrough or call 502-695-7039.

CHOIR REHEARSALS Every Sunday Meet at 9:30 a.m. in the downstairs choir room. More singers are needed – come join us!

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.

PREACHER’S FORUM Adults are invited to meet in the parish library at 9:15 a.m. every Sunday to discuss topics related to the sermon and readings of the day.

NOVEMBER RECEIPTS 11/3: $8,322 11/10: $2,786 11/17: $6,807

THE BROTHERHOOD OF ST. ANDREW will meet next on November 30, 2019 (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, December 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: November 10 - January 26 as of 11/07/19 * Click here to view schedule

November 24, 2019 Daily Office Lectionary Last Sunday after Pentecost: Christ the King Week of Proper 29, Year One – BCP 992  Click here for Proper 29 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: Pauline Van Horn Lector: Mike Oder PoP: Julia Tyson Acolyte: Angela Goetter 10:30 a.m. - Rite II    Chalice Bearer & Lector: Shannon Lancaster Acolytes:   C: Josh Roll T: Jordan Masters & Tori Word Jubilee Streamers as available Ushers: Laura & Kristi Buffenmyer Altar Guild: T1 - Suzanne Cox 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: 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: St. Patrick’s Church, Somerset. Recently in need of prayers: Adriane; Bill; Bob & Angela; Candy & Tony; Dan; Daneen; David; Debbie; Don; the Duncan Family; Faye & Steve; Fred; Heidi & Ian; Greg; Janice; John; Josh; June; Lara; Shawn. Continuing concern: Betty; Collin; Darlene; David; Dillard; Doris; Holly; Isaiah; James & Stella; Janet; Jean; Jim & Debbie; Jinks; John; Julia; Lee; Mac; Marilyn; Mary; Melissa; Natalie; Polly; Rebecca; Scott & Kathy; Sherri; and Tom. We also pray for those on active duty in the military: Daniel, Houston, Mary Jo, Nick, Seth, and Tanner. Birthdays: 11/25 – Jenny Lyle; 11/27 – Thomas Pilling; 11/28 – Sam Agne; 11/29 – David Hurt, Micah Kinnett.   Recently Deceased: Geoff Pinkerton. 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.

10:30 AM RITE II - John Martin, Pianist Prelude: Entrata festiva  - Flor Peeters Hymn in Procession: Hymnal 494 - Crown him with many crowns Gloria: S 278 - Glory to God in the highest Gradual Psalm: Canticle 16 - The Song of Zechariah - Luke 1: 68-79 - Benedictus Dominus Deus Gospel Acclamation Offertory Sanctus: S 128 - Holy, holy, holy Fraction Anthem: S 165 - Jesus, Lamb of God Communion Hymn: Hymnal 324 - Let all mortal flesh keep silence Hymn in Procession: Hymnal 397 - Now thank you we all our God - Nun danket alle Gott Postlude - Symphonie II: Finale - Charles-Marie Widor   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 2019 Vestry and Officers Email: info@ascensionfrankfort.org     Web: www.ascensionfrankfort.org Copyright © 2019 Church of the Ascension. All Rights Reserved.

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