Volume 9, Issue #46 - November 27, 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.

The parish office will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 28-29. Regular office hours will resume on Monday, December 2. Wishing a happy and safe holiday to one and all.

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.

From Peter's Pen by The Rev. Peter Doddema Advent is a time of preparation for Christmas - for Christ's coming into the world. Advent is a great time to try out new spiritual practices. Over the next few weeks, we will have articles by some of our members in which they talk about practices that enhance and deepen their faith experience. This week, Cynthia Campbell tells us about her work with essential oils and healing. Peter+

by Cynthia Campbell I have been using essential oils for 15 years in my personal life and as a massage therapist. I love incorporating them into a session with a client to help boost their immune system and calm their stress. At home, I diffuse essential oils to help our household of people and pets smell better. But my favorite way is aromatherapy during meditation. Several years ago, I began researching biblical oils and their healing properties. Knowing that Frankincense was a resin from the Boswallia tree native to Africa and has many healing components brought more meaning to Matthew 2:11. Inhaling the earthy smell of Spikenard while reading John 12:3 put me right beside Mary Magdalene as she washed Jesus' feet with the expensive oil. It was the missing element to experiencing the story! Our nose brings us back to our childhood Thanksgiving when we smell a turkey roasting or Christmas when we smell Scotch tape and wrapping paper. Adding an extra sensory component, like essential oils, can deepen your spiritual experience with scripture, making your experience more personal and fulfilling.

This Sunday, December 1, marks the First Sunday of Advent, which starts the first season of the church year, beginning with the fourth Sunday before Christmas and continuing through the day before Christmas. The name is derived from adventus, Latin for “coming.” The season is a time of preparation and expectation for the coming celebration of our Lord’s nativity, and for the final coming of Christ “in power and glory.”                            - https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/advent To Postlude or Not To Postlude? Preludes and postludes are not part of the liturgical experience; in the Book of Common Prayer, there is no rubric for them. Over time, they have evolved into the church service. “Postlude” is a mid-nineteenth century term that derives from the Latin post, meaning after. The term “prelude” comes from sixteenth century French prélude , which comes from the medieval Latin praeludium, which comes from the Latin verb praeludere – to play before . Advent is a preparatory season. With preparation, there is no ending until the event. The event for which Advent prepares us is Christmas. We do not need a postlude during the four Sundays of Advent, since we are in continual preparation for the miracle of Christmas.                                                                                                         – John B. Martin

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.

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. 

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.

FLOWER CALL: CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS It is time to purchase poinsettias for this year’s Christmas celebration at Ascension. You may designate your flowers to be in honor of, in memory of, or in thanksgiving for, any person(s) you choose. Please use the Poinsettia Order Form (located on tables in the church and hallway). The cost is $13.00 per plant. Make your check payable to Church of the Ascension and write “Poinsettias” on the Memo line. Put completed forms in the collection plate or return them to the church office no later than Wednesday, December 18 . After the Christmas services you are welcome to claim your poinsettia(s) to take home or share with others. Many thanks for your kind gift as Ascension prepares for the season of our Lord’s nativity.

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 11/24: $3,551

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: December 1 - January 26 as of 11/27/19 * Click here to view schedule

December 1, 2019 Daily Office Lectionary First Sunday of Advent Week of 1 Advent, Year Two – BCP 937  Click here for 1 Advent 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: Chris Smith Lector: Tony Charters PoP: Candy Charters Acolyte: Peggy Stoner 10:30 a.m. - Rite II    Chalice Bearer: Jim King Lector: Bobbie Lee Wilson Acolytes:   C: Julia Tyson T: Charlotte Saunderson & Natalie Agne Jubilee Streamers as available Ushers: Linda & Tori Word Altar Guild: T1 - Suzanne Cox Men's Club: T2 - Jim Kimbrough, Jim King, Starla Yount COUNTERS:   TWO needed Scheduling contact is William Legg, wleggwork@msn.com VESTRY LOCKUP DUTY & Coffee Hour Coordinator this week: Shannon Lancaster 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: The Church of the Advent, Cynthiana – The Rev. Paul Wanter, Priest-in-Charge. 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; Shelley & Cody. 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: 12/1 – Julia Bookout; 12/3 – Charles Caudill; 12/4 – Beverly VanHouten, Marilyn Peck; 12/5 – Eric Oelgoetz. 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 - Matthew West, Guest Organist Prelude: Awake, the voice is calling us - Johann Sebastian Bach Hymn in Procession: Hymnal 61 - Sleepers, wake! A voice astounds us - Wachet auf Gospel Acclamation: S 49 Offertory: Rondeau in d minor - Henry Purcell   Sanctus: S 124 - Holy, holy, holy Agnus Dei: S 161 - Lamb of God Communion Hymn: WLP 721 - Signs of endings all around us Hymn in Procession: Hymnal 58 - Lo! He comes, with clouds descending  - St. Thomas There will not be a Postlude during Advent.   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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