Volume 12, Issue #25
June 23, 2022

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

Our midweek service included a reading from Psalm 119. The poet's choice of words here is intensely personal. Let's spend a few minutes listening and hearing a new way of thinking about God.
 
In verse 41, the poet calls out, "Let your loving-kindness come to me, O Lord...." Loving-kindness (chesed in Hebrew) has a wide range of very expressive meanings such as goodness, instruction of others in kindness, kindly instruction, kindness extended to those in need, paying a ransom for someone to get them away from enemies or out of trouble, and genuine loving kindness. Also, the Psalmist understands chesed to be an essential piece of God's DNA. This is who God is in the very fiber of God's being.

In verse 48, the poet writes, "I will meditate on your statutes." Statutes here can mean fixed rules, a fixed order, something set in place like a boundary or fence, or something prescribed or owed.'

Meditate can mean to muse or reflect. However, it also has the very resonant and earthy meanings of sing about, sigh about, or even complain about!
 
Like the rest of Hebrew scripture, the Psalms are living, breathing works. Though many of them were written around 3,000 years ago, they still powerfully express deep emotions, the language of our struggles in life, and ultimately a robust faith in God.

With Joy,
Peter +

The Rev. Peter Doddema
502-661-2742

During its June 2022 meeting, the Ascension Vestry appointed David Bemiss to fill the remainder of the vestry term previously held by Fred Kirchhoff (ending 2023). 
BIBLE STUDY
Sundays at 12:00 PM
For our meeting on June 26, please read
1 Peter, Chapter 2.
SUMMER BOOK STUDY:
BAHA’I FAITH 101
Classes remaining: June 29 and July 6, 2022
5:30 – 6:30 PM via ZOOM
Presented by Julia and David Rome

The Baha'i Faith:
The Emerging Global Religion
2002 edition
by William S. Hatcher and J. Douglas Martin
The book may be downloaded free of charge in ePub (e-book), Mobi (Kindle) and PDF formats at https://bahaiebooks.org/publications/bahaifaithemergingglobalreligion/

Reading Assignment for Discussion in June 29 Class:

To answer the question about the afterlife, go to https://www.bahai.org/beliefs/life-spirit/human-soul and read the Introduction and the pages on The Rational Soul, Life and Death, and Heaven and Hell (links to the pages after the Introduction).
To answer the question about the inevitability of peace, go to https://www.bahai.org/beliefs/universal-peace/promise-world-peace and read the Opening and Section IV. You are encouraged to also read the remaining sections, but they are not assigned.

Please read the second half of Chapter 8 of Hatcher and Martin, Administration and Laws, beginning with the section Baha’i Law: Spiritual Liberty Through Discipline.

Meeting ID: 886 223 0557
Passcode: catfish

Same for all meetings unless otherwise announced.
Come worship with us!
Third Sunday After Pentecost:
Proper 8

Sunday, June 26
with HOLY EUCHARIST, Rite I

OPEN for live, in-person worship inside the church.
Masking is optional for those who are vaccinated.

Breakfast is available starting at 9:00.
Choir rehearsal begins at 9:30.
Nursery for children ages 0-5 opens at 10:15.
Live worship service and online Morning Prayer start at 10:30.
Bible Study class begins at 12:00.

"Listen EVERYWHERE" is available inside the church with a provided personal speaker or using an app on your cell phone with your own hearing aid or earphones - ask an usher for assistance.
LECTIONARY READINGS:

for a bulletin to help you follow along with this service (PDF).
Check our Online Calendar

Contact the church office for calendar reservations and details
(phone 502-223-0557 or email info@ascensionfrankfort.org).
MINISTRY TEAMS will rotate weekly. Individual and late changes may not be reflected in bulletins due to composing and printing deadlines.

To notify of absence and request a substitute for the upcoming Sunday, please contact the Verger, Leah MacSwords, 502-545-0437 or lcmacs@aol.com (substitutes may include Suzanne Cox, Bryan Hendricks, Shannon Lancaster, Julia Tyson, Pauline Van Horn, Candy Charters, Jason Harrod).
Your participation is important!
To inquire about serving as a lector, crucifer, chalice bearer, or usher, please contact Deacon Rebecca Saager
(email curate@ascensionfrankfort.org or call 502-316-8899).
Find the Diocese of Lexington online at
This web site has an abundance of information and resources -
check it out!
Intercessions for the Church: Holy Trinity Church, Georgetown - The Rev. Karen Workman Booth, Rector.

Seminarians: Izak, Carter, Melanie, Thomas.

Recently in need of prayers: Barbara, Bill, Frances, George, Ida, Madonna, Martha, Nicole, and Pauline.

Continuing concern: Agnes, Anissa, Bill, Dan, David, Debbie, Donnie, Faye, Jan, Jesse, Jinks, John, Laia, Linda, Lynda, Marilyn, Mike & Susie, Polly, Rena, Richard, Shannon, Susan, and Will. We also pray for those affected by the COVID pandemic, for those affected by the western Kentucky tornadoes in December 2021, and for those on active duty in the military: Daniel, Houston, Josh, Nick, and Tanner.

Thanksgiving: for a wonderful Reading Camp and everyone who is participating!

Birthdays: 7/1 - John Martin.

Anniversaries: 7/1 - Claudia and Ernest Duffee Jr.

NOTICE:
Part of the strength of this congregation is our care and concern for each other. Please help us to do this by letting us 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! 

Please put ALL prayer requests in writing to Deacon Sue Kurtz 
(email deacon@ascensionfrankfort.org or text 502-330-5358). Prayer requests must be received by end-of-day on Sunday to ensure publication in the next upcoming weekly newsletter and Sunday bulletin. ‘Recently in Need’ prayers will remain for ONE month only, unless requested again.
“For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink…”
Matthew 25:35

Your immediate support will help Episcopal Relief & Development and other Anglican partners provide humanitarian assistance to people fleeing the violence in Ukraine. CLICK HERE to learn more and to donate.
 CLICK HERE to support other parts of our world
in conflict and great need.
A PRAYER FOR UKRAINE
God of peace and justice,
We pray for the people of Ukraine today.
We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons.
We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow,
That your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.
We pray for those with power over war or peace,
For wisdom, discernment and compassion
To guide their decisions.
Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear,
That you would hold and protect them.
We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
Amen.
Archbishop Justin Welby – Archbishop Stephen Cottrell

Clergy and Staff

  • The Rev. Peter Doddema, Priest
  • The Rev. Dr. William G. Brown, Assisting 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 Administrator 
  • Mr. David Gierlach, Sexton


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