Church of the Ascension

Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
ANSWERS
Announcements
  1. WHERE DO I FIND INFORMATION ABOUT THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH?
    Explore the categories listed at the top of the page to find information about upcoming events and ongoing events in the life of the local parish.
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Faith
  1. TO WHOM SHOULD CHRISTIAN CHARITY BE DIRECTED?
    Charity is commonly understood to be the greatest of the theological virtues. The nature and characteristics of charity are perhaps best described by Saint Paul in 1 Corinthians 13. Charity is directed primarily towards God; but it is also owed to ourselves and our neighbors as the objects of God's love, Its natural opposite is hatred, which may also take the negative form of indifference or apathy.
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  2. WHAT DO EPISCOPALIANS BELIEVE ABOUT SAINTS?
    Most Anglican Christians believe that all those who believe in Christ Jesus and attempt to live their lives in accordance with his will and ways are rightly called "saints." We also believe, however, that throughout the course of human history, some men and women have lived their lives in such a way as to be extraordinary examples of Christian faith. These men and women we commemorate with special days throughout the year. The practice of venerating and invoking the saints has long been an element in the Catholic devotion. Its justification rests on the belief that the saints are both close to God (because of their holiness) and accessible to human beings (whose nature they share), and in the efficacy of intercessory prayer. At the time of the Reformation, the practice of veneration of the saints was fiercely repudiated on the ground that it was not explicitly recommended in Scripture. In the 39 Articles of Religion (found in the Historical Documents of the Book of Common Prayer), the practice of veneration was cited as "a Romish Doctrine" and "a fond thing vainly invented." It is debated among modern Anglican theologians whether the Article forbids the invocation of saints altogether, or only condemns exaggerations in the Roman Catholic Church. Anglican doctrine clearly asserts that while prayer through saints may be helpful, it is certainly not necessary. All human beings have direct and full access to the living God through their own prayers. By all accounts, however, most Episcopalians find it helpful to reflect prayerfully upon the lives of the saints and to use elements of the lives of the saints as a basis of imitation for their own lives.
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  3. WHAT IS THE CHURCH ALL ABOUT (PART 1 OF 4)
    Life as Christians can become complicated and in need of prioritizing. There are four Greek words that clarify what Church is all about: kerygma, leitourgia, diakono, and koinonia. Kerygma will be discussed here, but look to further issues of Ascension Q's and A's for an explanation of the other words. Kerygma is the proclamation of the Good News through preaching, renewal aud evangelism. Holy Scripture is the basic source of our salvation history, and every sermon should have good news as a component. Evangelism to the unchurched and lapsed is a Gospel ministry laid on all baptized persons. Our personal and parish renewal and commitment enhances this ministry,
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General
  1. CAN YOU GIVE ME A PRAYER WHICH WILL HELP THROUGH THE DAY?
    The Book of Common Prayer is full of beautiful, time-honored prayers that were composed and may be used to help us as we seek to journey faithfully with Christ in our ordinary lives. The following prayer is one that you may find particularly helpful. "This is another day, 0 Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the.8pirit of Jesus. Amen."
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  2. IS NOT EASTER JUST A DAY?
    Well, yes and no! Easter is the greatest day in the life of the Church for it commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ after three days in the tomb. This is the pivotal salvation event for Christians. Easter, however, is also a whole season in the life of the Church. The season of Easter lasts for 50 days, during which time we celebrate Christ's Passover and our own. This period of rejoicing in the Risen Lord begins with the Easter Vigil and ends with the Day of Pentecost. During this season the Paschal Candle is lighted at all services and "Alleluia" is said or sung on all possible occasions. The church is decorated festively with extra candles and flowers. There is no fasting and traditionally no kneeling. The liturgical color for the season is white, except for the Day of Pentecost, although something can be said for the Sarum rule of using the "best" regardless of color. A fixed feature of the Eastertide scripture readings is that a lesson from the book of Acts is always included. It may replace either the Old Testament reading or the Epistle, but it should not be omitted. You will notice other small changes in our worship that reflect the unique nature of the season of Easter.
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  3. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
    Father Art wishes to thank all who worked so diligently to make the LYRA concert such a wonderful occasion. It was a great deal of work and a splendid gift to many in our community, Charline Huwe, who assiduously coordinated tbe Russian-style dinner, wishes to express her thanks as well. She writes, "Thank you to all the women who supported our dinner by donating the ingredients and saving Ascension the expense. A very special thank you to Ruth Blank, Diana Smith and Bob Haiger, Eli & Emma Hancock, Heidi Isensee, Peg Rusk and Helen Salisbury for all their help in the kitchen and cleaning up. I would have been lost without them. Also, thank you to those who offered help, but there was either nothing to do at the time or no more room in the kitchen. If I have left anyone out, I apologize. Please know that you were appreciated."
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Ongoing
  1. CARPENTER'S WORKSHOP
    The Carpenter's Workshop will be each Wednesday morning From 6:00-9:00am, men of the church will come together to create items that will show the love of Christ to people in need. A simple workshop is being set up in the basement of the Peabody House with donated equipment. Free coffee, doughnuts and power tools - what more could a guy ask for?
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  2. GARDEN ON THE CORNER
    Ascension Church purchased the corner lot at the end of California Avenue several years ago for future development if and when the need arises. Since that time, however, the lot has remained unused and undeveloped. This spring and Summer, however, Mo Wood will be heading up a group that will be planting a garden in this lot. If you have annual or perennial plants that you would be willing to donate to the cause, please speak with Mo.
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  3. MEALS ON WHEELS
    The, Hayward Senior Resource Center which provides meals for elderly people is in need of drivers for their Meals On Wheels ministry. Our church has a small team of people who are serving on Fridays as drivers. The commitment is no more than about two hours of service per month. If you have an interest in serving on the Meals on Wheels Team, please contact our Meals on Wheels team leader, Jean Jonjak at 634.3979.
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  4. MEN'S GROUP
    It's tough at times to be a Christian man! That is, to take seriously the call and commission of Christ while at the same time being "one of the guys". Well, each Tuesday evening at 5:00 pm, a group of men gather to think about their lives of faith, to encourage each other and to hold each other accountable on the great adventure of the Christian faith. If you are interested in being part of this "band Of brothers," please speak with Dave Peterson.
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  5. MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES AT ASCENSION
    The church is the, Body of Christ in this world with each of us posessing gifts and talents that are critical to our common life. As such, we encourage all members to take an active role in the life and ministry of the church. There are numerous opportunities for ministry at Ascension. One may become a member of the Sunday worship team, a Church School teacher, or a member of the Vestry (our primary leadership team). We have an active women's group and developing small groups. In addition there are opportunities to serve in periodic outreach projects and to serve the larger church at the diocesan or even national level. Please speak with Father Hancock if you feel called to serve. By the way...we're all called to serve!
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  6. MOTORBIKE RIDES IN SUMMER AND FALL
    Each Sunday throughout the summer and fall a group of motorbike enthusiasts from our parish gather for a group ride. The rides begin at 1:00 pm at the church. The route differs from week to week but the same opportunity for great fun and fantastic fellowship remain constant. Of course you must bring your own equipment and everyone must wear a helmet. Please join us as we enjoy the beauty of Northland, roads on two wheels!
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Practice
  1. KNEELING AND SITTING AND STANDING, OH MY!
    The Book of Common Prayer is often confusing with regard to the posture one assumes during the course of our worship. The three positions routinely used are sitting standing, and kneeling. If one is wondering when to do what, the general rule is that one sits for listening to the lessons and sermon; one stands to sing or pray, and one kneels to pray. These, however, are only suggestions. If you are uncomfortable standing or kneeling, by all means, please remain seated. The whole purpose of posture in worship is to aid you in your devotions. Furthermore, if you find that you become out of sync with the rest of the congregation, please don't fret. ...they will catch on soon enough!
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  2. THE ALMS BOX
    There is a small box at the back of the church by the organ. This box has "Alms" printed on its face. This box is used to collect money designated solely for the poor and needy, and has been a fixture in Anglican churches for many years. The money placed in this box is collected am deposited in the discretionary fund of Father Hancock. Accordingly, Father Hancock uses these funds when situations of great need or hardship arise. Traditionally, people often place money in the Alms Box in celebration of their birthday or anniversary.
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  3. THE RINGING OF THE BELL
    In the Western Church, the ringing of the church bell accompanies a series of prayers referred to as the Angelus. This devotion is traditionally repeated three times during the day (early morning, noon and evening) and includes the saying of three Ave Marias with versicles and a collect. The bell is rung three times for each Ave and nine times for the collect. The Angelus and the accompanying ringing of the bell is conducted as a memorial of the Incarnation. During the season of Easter, the Regina Coeli is substituted for the Angelus and the bell rings in a different pattern in accordance with this different prayer. The morning Angelus accompanied by the ringing of the bell first appears in the 14th century. The devotion did not come into general use until the 1ih century. In Italy, the evening Angelus bell is commonly referred to as the Ave Maria.
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  4. WHAT IS THE "BLESSED SACRAMENT"?
    The term, "Blessed Sacrament" is used to refer to the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist and is applied both to the service itself and, more especially, to the consecrated elements of bread and wine.
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  5. WHY DO THE MINISTERS OF WORSHIP WEAR FUNNY CLOTHES?
    The distinctive (or some say "funny") clothes worn by the clergy and other worship leaders when performing liturgical services of the Church are most often referred to as vestments. Vestments did not derive from the special clothes worn by the Aaronic priesthood, but rather originated in the ordinary secular costume of the world of antiquity in which the early Church grew up. During the first centuries, a better kind of dress was probably set aside for sacred functions, but that which was worn in worship reflected the secular dress of the day. Between the 4th and 9th centuries, the style of dress had changed in the world, but the church retained the former style, specifically, long tunics and mantles. By the 10th century, the principal liturgical vestments and their use had been established in the west, while further minor additions and alterations were made between the 10th and 13th centuries. Since the 13th century, the style has changed little but there has been some variance in form and material, the general tendency being towards reducing their size for the sake of convenience. In the Middle Ages the several Eucharistic vestments were endowed with symbolic meaning, being variously interpreted as signifying the Passion of Christ or the priestly virtues. Until 1969 special prayers were provided for recitation while they were put on.
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  6. WHY DO WE HAVE A SPECIAL ALTAR DEDICATED TO MARY?
    Mary, the mother of Jesus holds a special place in the life- of the church. She is accounted pre-eminent among the saints. Mary figures prominently in the birth stories in the Bible. While she is mentioned several times during Christ's public ministry, she remains mainly in the background. She does reappear prominently, however, as she appears at the foot of the Cross. She is also present in the Upper Room at Jerusalem where she witnessed the growth of the early church (Acts 1:14). The development of Marian doctrine received considerable emphasis at the Council of Ephesus (431AD) which upheld the title theotokos, or God-bearer. In the West she was especially associated with the Church. Indeed, Saint Ambrose held her to be a type of the Church, in that in giving birth to Christ, she also brought forth Christians who were formed in her womb with her. Because of her elevated status among the saints of the Church, a special altar has been set aside to commemorate and celebrate her obedience to God and her sacrificial life.
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Upcoming Events
  1. CAMP HORSTICK
    The dates for Camp Horstick this year are June 28-July 3. All young people from rising 3rd graders to graduating seniors may attend. Friends are welcome. More information will be forthcoming.
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  2. WORSHIP PLANNING TEAM
    Father Art would like to gather a small group of dedicated people to talk about our life of worship at Ascension. This group will take a careful look at our present worship, and ways in wHich we may consider improving it. In addition we will be exploring new ways ·of drawing our people into our worship of God. We will discuss the theological reasons for, doing what we do and hopefully come up with some very practical recommendations. For more information, please speak with Father Art.
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Worship & Study
  1. ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
    UNDERSTANDING THE FAITH OF THE CHURCH: Topics discussed will be: (1) human identity and the question of God; (2) the God of Scriptural revelation; (3) creation, redemption and sanctification; and (4) God in three persons. This series will be held in the Peabody House and will begin at 11:lOam. Please join us.
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  2. EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AT ASCENSION
    Part of the Christian journey incorporates seeking to love God with our minds. To that end, our parish offers numerous educational opportunities. During the school year, an adult Christian education class is held after coffee hour (about 11:05 am) in the Peabody House. The topics range from personal spiritual growth to church history to Christian ethics. While Father Art teaches many of these classes, other instructors are also used. During the summer, adult Christian education is offered before the service of worship at 8:00 am. In addition to these classes, there is a weekly "Verger's Bible Study" each Monday, After Noonday Prayer at 12:00 noon, we are led by our Verger, Steven Burns, in an exploration of the Bible. This is followed by a simple but excellent lunch of soup and bread. Please do take the opportunity to grow in your faith by participating in one or more of these classes.
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  3. VERGER'S BIBLE STUDY (VBS)
    Each Monday we gather in the Peabody House at 12:00 noon for a time of prayer, study and fellowship. Our Verger, Steven Burns is teaching our study on the book of Colossians. Our Bible study, of course, is followed by a simple lunch of bread and soup from Sublime Subs. Please put it on your calendar and plan to be with us for the VBS on Mondays!
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