E-News for Dec. 19, 2008

Ascension E-News
December 19, 2008

*Christmas Eve Worship*
Wednesday, December 24th
@ 4PM (child-friendly) and
9:45 carols and music
10PM (solemn mass).
(Please note the time changes.)
Do invite your family, friends, and neighbors.

Reflection
My dear brothers and sisters who wait for the Christ,
This time of year, with all of it’s craziness and hectic pace, we end our worship this coming Sunday with the final three verses of “Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel” as a way to slow ourselves down and watch for the coming of Christ. I wonder how often we miss the Christ standing right before us because we are too busy, too consumed with the task at-hand. I know I do, probably everyday.
As we quickly approach the coming of the Christ-child December 24th let us pause and reflect on the One who came, comes, and will come again. We might miss Him if we don’t look up and see.
Even if it snows, we will gather to wait and watch for Jesus who is breaking forth every day of our lives.
In peace and stillness, Greg

Staff Changes
Dear People of Ascension,
Venus Tavares, after three devoted years as our Parish Administrator, will be transitioning to our cleaning (sexton) position. She has been serving our parish through thick and thin, with a spirit of commitment to ministry at Ascension. Thank you, Venus!!!!
Jean Field, who joined Ascension back in April, has been called and hired as our Parish Administrator. Jean joins us from St. Peter’s and St. Andrew’s in Providence, having recently retired as an administrator with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families in downtown Providence. She holds a BA in sociology from SUNY and an MSW from RIC. Welcome, Jean!!!
I am thrilled that Venus will continue to work with us, and Jean who joins us on January 6th. The addition of Jean to my staff of Nancy, our director of music, and Venus makes for a wonderfully qualified and devoted group to help move Ascension into new ministries.
In hope,
The Rev. Greg Lisby
Rector

Lessons and Carols
Next Sunday, December 28th, we will have Lessons and Carols, with Communion, at the 10AM worship service. This is a great way to celebrate the Christmas season.

Epiphany Pageant
On January 11th at the 10AM liturgy, our children and adults will participate in a “pick-up” pageant. This is not to be missed. All children are strongly encouraged to meet in the church at 9AM. Thanks, Greg

Giving Back to our Troops for the Holidays
I have contacted the Cranston Military office to see what we could do for the troops serving our country this year. They told us that the troops are doing okay, but their families are the ones that are having difficulties.
They have asked if we could supply Gift Cards so the families can buy what is really needed. They suggested gift cards from places like Wal-Mart or Target - places where mostly anything can be bought. Gift cards in any amount would be greatly appreciated.
We will start collecting gift cards December14th through December 23rd. Please see Venus Tavares, Carol Newberry or Catherine Shepherd with any questions.
Help brighten the holidays for those families whose loved ones are away serving our country.

All I Want for Christmas is a couple of Goats and a Goose!
Please see Mark Deland after the 10AM worship service if you would like to help purchase a pair of goats and now a goose from Gifts for Life. They are being purchased for families and villages in Africa.

Christmas Craft and Snack
This Sunday, December 21st snow or sun, we will gather immediately following the 10AM for our a Christmas craft and refreshment for those children not participating in the children’s choir. We will meet in Geisser Hall.

Children Invited to Sing at the 4PM Christmas Service
Nancy Nicholson, Director of Music, invites children of elementary school age and older to sing during the afternoon Christmas service on Dec. 24.
• Rehearsals: on the next three Sundays, Dec. 7, 14, and 21, beginning this Sunday after the 10 a.m. service.
• Who should come: Interested children should attend along with a parent.
• When? We will start promptly at 11:15.
• Where? Gather near the piano at the back of the sanctuary.
If you would like your child to participate, they must be in attendance on Sunday for rehearsal. Thanks, Greg

Bible Study
Join us for Bible Study on Wednesdays January 7th @ 10:30AM in the Education Wing. Coffee and tea are provided. Our readings for that Wednesday are:
Isaiah 60:1-6
Ephesians 3:1-12
Matthew 2:1-12
Psalm 72:1-7,10-14

Going Green
Help us help Mother Earth!
Every week we use many bulletins to look on during service and guide us through our worship. Do the right thing and please recycle. In our efforts to conserve we have placed Green Recycling Boxes in the hall by the side entrance to the Church and in Geisser Hall. Help us in our efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Because the smaller the impact we have on our environment the better.
Thank you! Sophia Wright

Adult Education @ 9AM (held in the education wing)
This Sunday, we will continue discuss the incarnation through the eyes of Mary and Gabriel. We will be using images from art to spark our conversation. Please join us!

Children’s Education Sunday @ 9AM (held in the education wing)
Join us at 9:00am as we hear the story on Advent IV. I you have any questions please see lead teachers Catherine Shepherd or Carol Newberry.

Infant Room has moved
Great news! Sue Paugh opens the infant room from 9AM till 10AM, during the education hour. The infant room is for infants to toddlers, and is now found upstairs in the education wing. Thank you Sue for taking on this important ministry!

The Ascension Café
Coffee, tea, and breakfast foods are available in the Ascension Café—education wing @ 9AM.

Nametags!
On Sunday pick up your new nametag at entrance you have indicated. If you do not have a nametag, please write your name on the list that will be at the nametag holder. Please return the nametags to the basket underneath the nametag holder.

Coffee Hour
The Sibielski family is hosting coffee hour this week. Thank you, Sibielski’s. We have many open slots for 11AM coffee hour on Sundays. Please see the board in Geisser Hall to sign-up. This is an important hospitality ministry.

Outreach Opportunities (meeting Jesus in our neighbor)

• Join Greg at St. Elizabeth’s Court this Sunday, December 21 @ 1:45PM for a wonderful outreach Mass to the people of that community. 109 Melrose St. Providence, RI 02907 (401) 490-4646

• Food Pantry collection. Consider volunteering at the Cranston food pantry. Sign-up sheet is located on the bulletin board in Geisser Hall. Please remember that the food basket is located in the hallway outside the church for donated food to go to the Cranston Food Bank. If you have any questions please contact Shirley Sibielski.

• Arnold House Shelter Toiletry Items: Please bring in travel size toiletry items and place them in the bin in the back of the church (Narthex). This will go to help those who are in need.

Readings for this Sunday:
(click here for online version)
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Canticle 15
Romans 16: 25-27
Luke 1: 26-38