Volume 12, Issue #9
March 3, 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

Welcome to Lent! Lent is the church season that comes right before Easter. Early Christians realized how sacred Easter is and set aside several weeks to reflect, reorder our lives, and prepare for it.  

Our word Lent comes from the ancient Anglo-Saxon word lencten, which simply means spring season. Other languages (e.g., Greek and Latin) use words that mean fortieth to highlight that Lent is 40 weekdays long.  
Historically, Lent seems to have been practiced early in the Church's history. Writers by the early 300s speak of it as being practiced worldwide (i.e., across the Roman Empire).  

Lent is designed as a time for us to let go of things that hold us back including our failings, sins, and inadequacies. It is a time for us to pull them out, realize that we do not need to carry them around anymore, and offer them up to God. God then removes them from us as Psalm 103.12 notes "...as far as sunrise is from sunset, he has separated us from our sins."  

Lent, then, is a process of healing and new life. I encourage you to take full advantage of it! Spend a few minutes each evening reflecting on your day. What went well that you can celebrate? What do you need to surrender? Do you need to seek someone's forgiveness? Then act accordingly.  

Please also join us at worship, in person if possible. We continue to offer online worship, but in this process of letting go and being renewed, there is nothing more powerful than doing it in community with your sisters and brothers in Christ. 

 I wish you a blessed Lent!

With Joy,
Peter +

Father Peter Doddema
Cell: 502-661-2742
Changes to Pandemic Precautions
Effective immediately, Ascension's pandemic precautions are being eased in line with recommendations from the CDC and state authorities:
 
  • Masking indoors is optional for those who are vaccinated. Please continue social distancing as you feel comfortable.
 
  • Taking temperatures and keeping lists of names for gatherings is no longer necessary.
 
Coffee Hour and Sunday morning breakfasts are still on hold at the present time. If you are not yet comfortable attending worship inside the church, we continue to offer worship activities online through Facebook.
 
If you have any questions or concerns, please discuss with Father Peter or a member of the Ascension Vestry.
ENQUIRER'S CLASS
Saturday, March 5, 2022, 01:00 PM
This class meets twice monthly, both in-person and via Zoom (see link below). For our next class, we will be sharing our spiritual journeys with one another.  
LETTERS OF ST. PAUL BIBLE STUDY
Sundays at 11:00 AM
This group meets on Sundays following the worship service, in-person and via Zoom (see link below). For Sunday, March 6, please read Romans, Chapter 12, and the final section of What St. Paul Really Said ("From Jesus to Paul - and Beyond").
LENTEN BOOK STUDY
Wednesdays at 5:30 PM
March 9 - April 6
Father Peter Doddema is leading this study of The Desert: An Anthology for Lent, via Zoom (see link below). It is readily available from Amazon and other booksellers. Please read through page 43 for our first meeting on March 9.
BOOK STUDY:
COMPARATIVE CHRISTIANITY
This class in on break through Lent. The Synopsis and Class Notes are posted HERE on Ascension's web site in PDF format for you to view or download.
SAVE THE DATE!

June 20-24, 2022

Meeting ID: 886 223 0557
Passcode: catfish

Same for all meetings unless otherwise announced.
Come worship with us!
First Sunday in Lent
Sunday, March 6
9:30 a.m.
with HOLY EUCHARIST, Rite II

OPEN for live, in-person worship inside the church. Also, Morning Prayer with Ascension clergy online is on Facebook at 9:30 a.m.
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 in order, weekly, as shown above. 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!
THE DAUGHTERS OF THE KING normally meet on the FIRST Sunday of each month after the last service, and after Bible study. Contact Judith Spencer for details (jspencer254@yahoo.com).
Intercessions for the Church: The Spouses and Widows of the Clergy of the Diocese of Lexington.

Seminarians: Izak, Carter, Thomas.

Recently in need of prayers: John B., John M., Martha, Mildred, Rena, Susan, and Will.

Continuing concern: Anissa, Bill, Dan, David, Debbie, Donnie, Faye, Frances, Jesse, Jim, Jinks, Laia, Linda, Lynda, Mac, Marilyn, Mike & Susie, Polly, Richard, and Shannon. We also pray for those affected by the COVID pandemic, and for those on active duty in the military: Daniel, Houston, Josh, Nick, and Tanner.

Thanksgiving: for this Lenten season of reflection, preparation, and renewal.

Birthdays: 3/7 – Richard William Kurtz. 

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.

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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