Fun on the Lawn Last Sunday!

The youth had been doing a lesson on what it means to be a rock — for yourself, a family member or a friend. To continue the lesson, we painted rocks and hid them on the church lawn for the congregation. Then it was time for games on the lawn and a waterslide.

"I am grateful to God for

Church of the Ascension because . . ."

God has blessed our church through its people and its ministries, bringing us to a place our hearts can call home!

Post your praise on a Gratitude Card in the narthex this Sunday!

Stewardship: Our Season of Gratitude

There's so much to love about our church and this is the time of year that we look to support it financially. Your giving intention helps Ascension develop a strategic plan for the year ahead and informs our decisions on how to best direct our resources to achieve our vision for the future.

Check your mail for the letter from Father Jim or click here.

All things come from you,

O Lord, and of your own

have we given you!

— 1st Chronicles 29:14

"Why Ascension?" Click here to see Testimonials by parishioners

Meet Chad Hilker!

Rector's Forum

Now Also on Zoom

9am Sundays thru Oct. 15 

Also Oct. 29, Nov. 12 - Nov. 26, & Dec. 10 

Paul: His Letters and His Theology

As the most prolific writer in the New Testament, Paul’s name is attached to 14 pastoral letters. His conversion from being one of the most highly regarded Pharisees during the time of Jesus to being one of the most devoted Apostles gives us insight into the work of the Holy Spirit and the effect of the Gospel in ancient times. Father Jim will lead you on an 8-week adventure of the person, letters, and theology of Paul. Join us during the Rector’s Forum and see where the Holy Spirit will lead you! 

Zoom Meeting ID: 841 6790 4396

The story involves a California doctor (Martin Sheen), whose son (Emilio Estavez) dies while attempting to complete the Camino de Santiago (The Way of St. James), a centuries-old pilgrimage over Spanish mountain country to the Cathedral de Santiago. The son was religious. The father definitely not. He flies to Spain to identify his son's body, oversees its cremation and decides to scatter the ashes along The Way that his son planned to trek, walking the journey in the company of other pilgrims.

Dinner & a Movie: The Way

6pm Wednesdays

Sept. 20-Nov. 8

Sign up now on your

phone’s Ascension App!

Go to the Events tab at the bottom of the screen, select Calendar, and

scroll down to the date(s).

You can register at one time for as many dates as you like! 

Or call 727-447-3469, or email office@churchofascension.org

One reviewer says:

“It does what the best of cinema can:

It moves us, and reminds us that life is a journey full of chance encounters

and that it’s not all serendipity, but

we can walk on too.”  

Christian Yoga

10:30am Tuesdays in the church -- new additional class

10am Wednesdays in the church

Sabrina Amaro leads Yoga Faith, a Christ-centered program using Scripture and prayer. $5 per class. Come with your mat or contact samaro0401@gmail.com

ahead of time.

Attention Newcomers!

· Are you new to Ascension (within the past few years)?

· Do you want to learn more about the Episcopal faith?

· Would you like to get to know other parishioners?

Ascension 101

11:15am Sundays

Oct. 1 - Oct. 15                

This 3-week lunch/teaching series welcomes and educates newcomers about what we believe and who we are at Church of the Ascension. 

Participants not only learn more about our faith and our church, but also meet and get to know other newcomers over lunch.

Please register (so we know how many lunches to prepare) at office@churchofascension.org

or call (727) 447-3469.

OUTREACH MINISTRIES

Feeding the Homeless

Thursday Sept. 28

As a community of faith, we are serving our homeless brothers and sisters in partnership with 3 area churches that organize regular weekly meals (1st Methodist, Mt. Zion Methodist and Peace Presbyterian). On 4th Thursdays, Ascension provides the fresh fruit and dessert. Would you like to help serve? Contact Ruthanne Schlarbaum at ministries@churchofascension.org

Check the Box!

 Sunday Oct. 1

Ascension’s Check the Box campaign helps meet the increasing needs of hungry families as we “check the box” by writing a check on the first of the month for Hope Villages of America. Please make checks payable Church of Ascension (memo line: HOVA). Cash also gratefully accepted! $35 can fill a box with enough food to feed a small family for 2-3 days. Please deposit your check in the little wooden church in the narthex -- modeled on the original church of 100 years ago!

Laundry Love                 

Wednesday Oct. 18

Respect, Dignity, Detergent! 

This program offers homeless/ displaced people a chance to wash their clothes for free at Happy Bubbles Laundromat, 412 South

Missouri Avenue, Clearwater, 3:30–7pm, on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. Sign-in participants, assign and provide supplies for washers and dryers, offer fellowship & conversation.Contact Talma Pilato thru ministries@churchofascension.org

St. Teresa’s Guild

1:00pm Tuesday Oct. 3

St. Teresa’s Guild ministers to the homebound members of Ascension in various ways: phone calls, greeting cards, flowers, visitation, healing prayer, and holy eucharist. For those who can no longer come to church, St. Teresa’s keeps them connected to their church family! Contact Anne Jones thru ministries@churchofascension.org

Nursing Home Visits

Highland Pines Rehab Center, at 1111 S. Highland Ave., Clearwater. Visit with residents who do not receive visitors, any day 9-11am. Participate in a Devotions Service led by a layperson; read Scripture, and perhaps play or perform relevant musical pieces, Thursdays 3-4pm. Contact Talma Pilato at ministries@churchofascension.org

Entered Into Eternal Life

Larry Simoneau: Aug. 24, 1936 - Aug. 26, 2023

Funeral with livestream on Saturday, Sept. 30 at 11am

Reception to follow in the Lambert Room

May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

Father Leo’s Bible Study:

The Book of Revelation

10am Tuesdays 

Father Leo continues his Tuesday morning Bible teaching in the Lambert Room and also on Zoom. These prophetic visions in 95 A.D. of a man named John speak of God's sovereignty over human history. A letter of encouragement written to 7 churches facing Roman persecution, it’s an example of "apocalyptic" writing, using visions and symbolic imagery to offer a glimpse of God's plan for a renewed earth and a peace-filled creation.

Weekday Healing Service

& Holy Eucharist 

Our weekly Healing service offers a mid-week Eucharist and the opportunity to bring our own concerns before God and to lift up the needs of loved ones, community, church and world.

12 noon

Wednesdays 

Parish Pictorial Directory:

Gathering Photos Now!

Fraidy Cat says "They promise it won't hurt!"

Especially if you take one yourself!

A new parish directory will be published in January and we're starting to collect pictures now. In the coming months, there will be numerous opportunities to have your photo taken at church. However, you can also email your favorite (and recent ! ) portrait to maggiet@churchofascension.org or bring it to the office or mail it.

Faith’s Promise

 Into the dark night of trial I walked.

Cold wind of adversity blowing.

The sense of God’s peace,

Wonderful joy it seemed I no longer knew.

For a moment I trembled,

Which path should I take?

I didn’t know the way through the night,

Then the Word of the Lord came gently commanding.

Child of mine,

Walk by faith not by sight.

The answers I give only come through believing,

Directions and help are from Me.

Faith is receiving and acting upon

What your natural eyes cannot see.

Lord now, in this moment, anxiety fades,

Help me live by the words that You say.

For faith in Your promise confirms in my heart,

You never, never will walk away.

 ---Sharon Chenoweth

Assistance with Church Technology

When it doesn't seem to work, or you can't figure it out, our help desk is ready at techhelp@churchofascension.org to solve technical problems, Website errors/omissions, phone App confusion, social media woes, and technical troubles in the church or on the campus.  

Little Lambs Sunday Nursery

God put the wiggle in the wee ones! We welcome them in church; our church chapel is ready, with room for a stroller or two (ramp available next to the chapel). Also, our Little Lambs Nursery is provided for infants through 6 years. They'll enjoy videos, songs and a craft!

Nursery available at 10am Sunday service only.