Volume 11, Issue #12
March 25, 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.
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FROM PETER'S PEN
We are nearing the end of our Lenten journey. Sunday is Palm Sunday and begins our pilgrimage through Holy Week. As Christians have done for nearly 1,800 years, we will follow Christ through his triumphal entry into holy Jerusalem, his teaching and praying during this week, as well as the Last Supper, his agony in the garden, and his death on our behalf.
Then, on Saturday evening, we celebrate his rising again - the reality that death is only part of the story, not the final chapter. Where Jesus journeyed, we too will journey in God's time. Through death and on into the fuller, perfected life of triumph that awaits each of us! A story of hope and of God's great love for you, which we are blessed to re-enact each year!
On Palm Sunday, Ascension reopens for in-person worship. As always, masks and social distancing are required. For Sunday worship (Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday), we are holding one service instead of the normal two. It will be at 9.30 am (about halfway between the normal, two service times) and will probably be our "normal" until most of us are vaccinated and comfortable gathering together again. Once a good number of us are regularly worshiping together in person, we will go back to our normal two Sunday services (8 am and 10.30 am).
We will continue to offer online worship as well, and I ask that you keep all of us who are responsible for planning worship in your thoughts and prayers. We are in a very weird, in-between place right now: holding in-person and online worship at the same time. It takes a lot of extra time and thought to do this well, and we very much want to continue doing this as well as possible.
Please participate in the worship that is best for you. If you are comfortable returning to the church for in-person worship, by all means do so. If you need more time, need to get vaccinated or let your new vaccine settle into your system, etc., please do that. My prayer for each of you is that you get the worship experience that you need while staying healthy and safe.
Please know that you are in my prayers during this beautiful, blessed, and somewhat unusual Holy Week! It is a delight to worship, walk, and work with you.
With Joy,
Peter+
Cell: 502-661-2742
P.S. Watch your front porch for a special Holy Week gift to parishioners, to be delivered in person by our Deacons and Daughters of the King before Palm Sunday.
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Palm Sunday
March 28, 9:30 a.m.
Holy Eucharist, Rite II
OPEN for live, in-person service inside the church.
Also available online as a pre-recorded service with Ascension clergy and organist. Posted on YouTube with links on Facebook
As we return to physically attending services inside the church, no advance registration is needed. But please remember that the pandemic is slowed, not gone, and everyone has not been vaccinated. Masks, signing in at the door, and social distancing are still required. Please check in personally with an usher when you arrive before taking a seat in the marked areas. Only the church itself will be open; there will be no meetings or gatherings in other parts of the building.
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Ascension has TWO addresses on Facebook:
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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 * * *
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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
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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!
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A NOTE FROM BISHOP MARK VAN KOEVERING
I pray this spring weather has lifted your spirits and given you some much needed vitamin D. I would like to draw your attention to this request for volunteers from Archdeacon Bryant Kibler [following below].
He has been faithfully responding to the need of our neighbors, in our name, since the damaging floods of two weeks ago, but could really use some boots on the ground volunteers. There is the work, but perhaps more importantly, there is the spending of time with people who have suffered, sharing some kindness, being present. Simple but powerful stuff.
It sounds like there is a quite a bit of flexibility on dates and times if Bryant has advance knowledge and sufficient numbers. Please get in touch with him if you are able to help.
Many thanks,
+Mark
You give them something to eat.
The people of Estill, Lee, and Perry counties have been blessed by the financial outpouring of our faith communities throughout the Diocese of Lexington. Already several thousand dollars of cleaning supplies have been purchased and distributed. $1,500 was donated by St. Raphael’s. We have also received significant donations from the Church of the Good Shepherd, the Diocesan ECW, and even the Newport Professional Firefighters, not to mention many of our other faith communities and individuals.
By the end the month, $10,000 worth of $100 gift cards will have been purchased and distributed within these three counties, $5,000 of which will be provided by the U.S. Disaster Program of Episcopal Relief and Development. Soon to follow will be more cleaning supplies and building materials for repairing damaged homes. We are working through local officials to ensure that what you have donated will go to those truly in need.
St. Timothy’s has been able to provide pillows and bedding normally used for mission trips, and the quilters' guild of the Church of the Good Shepherd has donated several beautiful quilts for the people of Lee County. What is absolutely NOT needed is clothing. While individual items are welcome, please realize that when purchased in bulk, better prices can often be gotten and there is less labor for those having to sort and disburse aid.
Recovery from disasters is a lengthy process which can, in some cases, take years. If you have been watching the news, you have probably seen the many churches and organizations who have come into these communities to help. Unlike some coming into the areas who have trailers proudly showing their names, many others come in quietly for a day or two, cleaning up and repairing what they can, and return to their homes unsung. While carpentry skills are helpful, any type of assistance can be used.
When the tornados outbreak struck southeastern Kentucky back in 2012, a group of high school students, who had scheduled a visit months before at St. Timothy’s, arrived two days after the storms. A few of those teens might have helped a relative do a little renovation or repairs around their homes, but only a few. Monday found them in Salyersville demolishing what was left of a food and clothing pantry of the Catholic church, and Thursday they were in West Liberty installing drywall in a warehouse being turned into the elementary school. The rest of the week they were replacing a roof. All were greatly needed and despite their inexperience they made a huge difference.
While it may not have been giving food to the hungry, but it was building walls for those children needing an education. It may not have been filling the stomachs of those who were empty, but it was closing the hole in the roof.
If you think you might be able to help our neighbors, regardless of ability or the day of the week you can help, please contact Bryant Kibler, bkibler@diolex.org, and we will find a way we can put you to work inside our own diocese where we can be the church, be the change.
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REMINDER:
Outside of Scheduled Services in the Church,
the Building Remains
CLOSED
NO ENTRY
unless pre-approved by Father Doddema
(502-661-2742)
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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.
THANK YOU
for continuing to support Ascension w
ith your time, treasure, and talents!
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This web site has an abundance of information and resources - check it out!
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Intercessions for the Church: Church of the Resurrection, Jessamine County (Nicholasville) - The Rev. Margaret Shanks, Rector.
Recently in need of prayers: Adrianna; Allen; Bill; Brenda, Joan & Jim; Correll; Debbie; Deborah; Donnie; Faye & Steve; George; Jennifer & Ronnie; Joe; Josh; Julia; Linda; Lynda; Marie; 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 Christ's Holy Week journey on our behalf; for the opportunity to journey with him through this week; for vaccines and for the ability to resume worshiping together in person.
Birthdays: 3/31 - Peyton Heady, Dan Walton; 4/1 - Stuart Brown; 4/2 - Alex Bullock; 4/3 Bert VanHouten.
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
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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.
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Clergy and Staff
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The Rev. Peter Doddema, Priest
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The Rev. Dr. William G. Brown, Associate Priest Emeritus
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The Rev. Deacon Rebecca A. Saager, Curate
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The Rev. Deacon Susan E. Kurtz, Deacon
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Mr. John B. Martin, Director of Music & Organist
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Ms. Mona Landrum Proctor, Parish & Financial Administrator
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Mr. David Gierlach, Sexton
Copyright © 2021 Church of the Ascension. All Rights Reserved.
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