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The Episcopal Church of The Ascension at Fork   183 Fork-Bixby Road  Advance,   NC.   27006
PHONE: 336.998.0857
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We Bring You Glad Tidings

from the people of

The Episcopal Church of The Ascension at Fork 

Steeple Cross


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Schedule of Events

    Sunday School for all ages begins at 10 AM each Sunday and the worship service is at 11 AM every Sunday. 

To parents of young children:  Our nursery is now staffed during the worship service.

Upcoming Events:    Mark your calendars!

Saturday, December 19, - Our Church will be cooking, serving and delivering food (supper) to approximately 60 individuals from within our community and county (elderly and shut-in individuals) NEEDED:  volunteers to cook and serve the food (see Avalon Potts) and volunteers to deliver these meals (see David Joyner) Your help is needed- and appreciated!

Sunday, December 20th we will decorate the church

Thurs., December 24th  at 7:00 we will celebrate the Nativity of the Lord Jesus Christ with our Christmas Eve Eucharist


A Note about Our Service Schedules
 There is a fellowship time beginning at 10:40AM.  If you have children, you are reminded that the worship of the Church is for all ages and your children are welcome to attend the service with you.  A nursery, however, is available for preschool children on Sundays.  Our vacation bible school program will resume this year at our parish.  Our program will have classes for all ages (that includes adults).

To parents of young children:
  Our nursery is now staffed during the worship service.

Bessie Faircloth is now teaching a pre-school age Sun. School class at 10 am every Sunday.


Christian Formation: 
 Normally there are  five classes which meet on Sundays at 10:00 AM.  There are three adult classes and two children's classes.  Two of the adult classes are bible study classes (one is a systematic study of selected book and the other is based on the lectionary readings assigned for each Sunday) and one explores the Episcopal Church and its traditions. 


In the Event of Inclement Weather
  •  In the event of inclement weather the Church will follow the lead of the Davie County Public School System. 
  •  Whenever the public schools are closed, all scheduled activities will be canceled. 
  •  This applies to Sunday School, Centering Prayer, Evening Services, Choir Practice, Vestry meetings or other meetings.
  • There will, however, always be an eleven o’clock  service on Sunday

WANTED! 

 

YOU are needed!  Volunteer today to help with Sunday School!   If you can help, please contact Karen Deadmon, Cori Everhart or Denise Whitaker!  

Help is also needed for Nursery Duty during services to keep our little ones while their parents attend services.

 

Want to know more about Sunday School?  Do you want to attend Sunday School?  Please talk with Rev. Sealy Cross and get involved with our Sunday School program. 


We are THANKFUL for Shirby Eagle and Brenda Beck, our Organists.  They give of their time weekly to serve as our musicians.  We are PROUD of both of these ladies.


5 Things that do not take a lot of effort that you can do for OUR Church….

      TELL ONE (ok, two if you want to.) other person about Ascension! This is the best kept secret in Davie County!
    *
      SUPPORT our Pastor. Sealy has a tough job.... just keeping up with all of us is a full time job!
    *
      GROWTH doesn't come easy and without pain. Be patient as we grow and provide new services and events!
    *
      PRAY for one another and our Church. Never underestimate the power of prayer.
    *
      INVITE! Pick up that phone now and invite someone to go to Church with you this Sunday morning!

10 Facts about

The Church of the Ascension

    1.  There are no strangers at Ascension.  Ascension is a warm, friendly Church.  In fact “we’ll talk you to death before we feed you!”  There has never been a stranger at the Church of the Ascension!

    2. No one leaves Ascension empty handed.  We ALL get more than we give on Sunday!

    3. We care.  We care about each other; we care about our community and the world.  The folks at Ascension are willing to “step up to the plate-“ we’re not benchwarmers!

    4. It doesn’t matter who you are, what you are, what you wear, how you speak or where you are from.  “Those front doors” swing open wide-open to welcome you at Ascension.

    5. There is a sickness at Ascension and it is contagious.  The sickness is characterized by being happy, friendly and forthcoming.  It is a good sickness.

     6. The folks at Ascension are from all walks of life and all ages. The Spirit is evident at Ascension.  It works quietly at most times.  Sometimes it moves and we get to move. 

    7. Accomplishment. Activeness.  Attentiveness.  Able (and willing).

    8. The people at Ascension care about you.  They are there when the going gets rough…. And, they are there in the good times.  We rejoice in the good times!

    9. Better friends can be found no where else.  Davie County is unique.  So is Ascension

    10.  You are invited and welcome to become a part of this active, growing congregation!


Parents' Night Before Christmas

The REAL Night Before Christmas
(By Parents)

'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house I searched for the tools to hand to my spouse

Instructions were studied and we were inspired, in hopes we could manage "Some Assembly Required."

The children were quiet (not asleep) in their beds, while Dad and I faced the evening with dread: a kitchen, two bikes, Barbie's townhouse to boot! And now, thanks to Grandpa, a train with a toot!

We opened the boxes, my heart skipped a beat - let no parts be missing or parts incomplete!

Too late for last-minute returns or replacement; if we can't get it right, it goes straight to the basement! When what to my worrying eyes should appear but 50 sheets of directions, concise, but not clear,

With each part numbered and every slot named, so if we failed, only we could be blamed. More rapid than eagles the parts then fell out, all over the carpet they were scattered about.

"Now bolt it! Now twist it! Attach it right there! Slide on the seats, and staple the stair! Hammer the shelves, and nail to the stand." "Honey," said hubby, "you just glued my hand."

And then in a twinkling, I knew for a fact that all the toy dealers had indeed made a pact to keep parents busy all Christmas Eve night with "assembly required" till morning's first light.

We spoke not a word, but kept bent at our work, till our eyes, they went blurry; our fingers all hurt. The coffee went cold and the night, it wore thin before we attached the last rod and last pin.

Then laying the tools away in the chest, we fell into bed for a well-deserved rest. But I said to my husband just before I passed out, "This will be the best Christmas, without any doubt.

Tomorrow we'll cheer, let the holiday ring, and not run to the store for one single thing! We did it! We did it! The toys are all set for the perfect, most magical, Christmas, I bet!"

Then off to dreamland and sweet repose I gratefully went, though I suppose there's something to say for those self-deluded- I'd forgotten that BATTERIES are never included!

Chocolate Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and all round my hips Were Fannie May candies that sneaked past my lips. Fudge brownies were stored in the freezer with care, In hopes that my thighs would forget they were there.

While Mama in her girdle and I in chin straps Had just settled down to sugar-borne naps. When out in the pantry there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the kitchen I flew like a flash, Tore open the icebox then threw up the sash. The marshmallow look of the new-fallen snow Sent thoughts of a binge to my body below.

When what to my wandering eyes should appear: A marzipan Santa with eight chocolate reindeer! That huge chunk of candy so luscious and slick I knew in a second that I'd wind up sick.

The sweet-coated Santa, those sugared reindeer, I closed my eyes tightly but still I could hear; On Pritzker, on Stillman, on weak one, on TOPS A Weight Watcher dropout from sugar detox.

From the top of the scales to the top of the hall Now dash away pounds; now dash away all. Dressed up in Lane Bryant from my head to nightdress My clothes were all bulging from too much excess.

My droll little mouth and my round little belly They shook when I laughed like a bowl full of jelly. I spoke not a word but went straight to my work Ate all of the candy then turned with a jerk.

And laying a finger beside my heartburn Gave a quick nod toward the bedroom I turned. I eased into bed, to the heavens I cry If temptation's removed I'll get thin by and by.

And I mumbled again as I turned for the night "In the morning I'll starve... 'til I take that first bite!"



FROLIC Memo

To: All Employees

From: Management

Subject: Office conduct during the Christmas season

Effective immediately, employees should keep in mind the following guidelines in compliance with FROLIC (the Federal Revelry Office and Leisure Industry Council).

1. Running aluminum foil through the paper shredder to make tinsel is discouraged.

2. Playing Jingle Bells on the push-button phone is forbidden. (It runs up an incredible long distance bill.)

3. Egg nog will NOT be dispensed in vending machines.

4. Company cars are not to be used to go over the river and through the woods to Grandma's house.

5. All fruitcake is to be eaten BEFORE July 25.

6. Work requests are not to be filed under "Bah humbug."

In spite of all this, the staff is encouraged to have a Happy Holiday.



Christmas Treats

'Twas the month after Christmas, and all through the house
Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.
The cookies I'd nibbled, the eggnog I'd taste
At the holiday parties had gone to my waist.
When I got on the scales there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber).
I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,
The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese
And the way I'd not said, "No thank you, please."
As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt---
I said to myself, as I only can
"You can't spend a winter disguised as a man!"
So--away with the last of the sour cream dip,
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip
Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
"Till all the additional ounces have vanished.
I won't have a cookie--not even a lick.
I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.
I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie,
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.
I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore---
But isn't that what January is for?
Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!
 

The mission of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension at Fork is to serve God, his church and his people as a loving and caring Episcopal family.


*All who seek God and are drawn to Christ are welcome at our table to receive Holy Communion.

The Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry, Bishop of NC
The Rt. Rev. Chip Marble, Assisting Bishop
The Rt. Rev. William O. Gregg, Assistant Bishop
The Rev. E. Sealy Cross, Vicar
The Rev. Kermit Bailey, Deacon
Organists:  Brenda Beck & Shirby Eagle

www.ascension-fork.org

*About Communion: All who seek God and are drawn to Christ are welcome at this table to receive Holy Communion.  You may stand or kneel at the Altar rail.  Please eat the bread when placed in your hand, then drink the wine from the chalice when it is brought to you.  If you wish to intinct (dip), please hold onto the wafer (bread) until the chalice is brought to you and then touch the wafer to the wine.

Welcome! The Church of the Ascension extends a warm welcome to all who  join us in worship.  If you are a guest, please sign our register and fill out a guest card.  These are located on the table in the Narthex (entry hall).


Welcome to the Episcopal Church:

Episcopalians welcome all Christians to participate fully and express their faith through a unique blend of biblical text, the Catholic tradition and one's individual conscience.

It is a church in which we are free to entertain the notions that no theological proposition is beyond challenge and that doctrine is theology in cement, yet it is where we can celebrate the eucharist in all its liturgical manifestations to transcend such notions.

The Book of Common Prayer reminds us that our `sins of omission' are equally as serious and require as much attention as our `sins of commission.'

QUESTIONs?

  • Are you interested in joining the Church of the Ascension? 

  • Do you want to transfer your membership to our Church from another Church? 

  • It is an easy process!  Contact Rev. Sealy Cross!  Everyone is welcome at Ascension! 


Did you hear about the fellow looking for a good Church?

Well, he searched around and found a little fellowship where the preacher and the congregation were reading out loud.

"We have left undone those things which we ought to have done and we have done those things which we ought not to have done."

The fellow dropped into the pew and with a big sigh of relief said,

"Hallelujah! I’ve found my crowd at last!"

Roan Ridge Committee Meets

     Our Church recently received a $12,000.00 grant from the Roan Ridge Foundation to study possible future uses for our Parish House.  Our goal is for this building to be used on a regular basis for a variety of reasons and needs.  Rev. Kermit Bailey submitted the grant and is an adviser to the committee.  Committee members include:  Rev. Sealy Cross, George Peterson (chairman), Kim Brown, David Joyner, Karen Deadmon and Monte Taylor.  


A look back in history:  Source: Diocesan Journal 1910, pg. 71;
Bishop Cheshire writes in his journal:  “Oct. 15, 1909, being the sixteenth anniversary of my consecration, I had the pleasure of consecrating the Chapel of the Ascension, near Fork Village, Davie County, built by the faithful labors of the Misses Hairston of that county.  The petition of consecration was read by the Rev. Thomas L. Trott, priest in charge, and the sentence of consecration by Archdeacon Osborne.  The sermon was preached by the Rev. Henry Teller Cocke.  The Rev. Simeon J. M. Brown also assisted in the service.”

Per David Joyner’s History of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, the sermon came from Luke 19:46.  “It is written, my house is the house of prayer.”
A look back in history:  Source: History of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension: “My earliest memory of the Church of the Ascension is serving as acolyte when Mr. C.E.B. Robinson was there.  I remember we knocked on the front door with a wood crucifix at the beginning of the service…Mr C.E.B. Robinson was Uncle CEB to some…but, we were taught to say Mr. and Mrs. to everyone.”  Memories of Kermit Bailey when he was a young boy growing up at The Church of the Ascension.

Note:  The Rev. C.E.B. Robinson served as Vicar at Ascension from 1931-1945 and is the longest serving priest in Ascension’s 100 year history.


A look back in history:  Source:1919 Diocesan Journal:: Chapel of the Ascension: Priest Salary $120; Pension $9; Baptisms-Infants: 6; Adults: 1:: Baptized Persons: 29; Communicants: 12:: Services; Sunday’s: 12; Holy Days; 2::Students in S. School: 35:: Receipts: $187.05::Value of Church; $1,300:: Sittings; 150:: Treasurer: Mr. Sanford Kimmer

Eva Deadmon
 wrote “A Journey to Bethlehem” in 2006.  She also hand painted several of the figurines used in the nativity set.  The glass nativity figurines were given in honor of Judge Hairston three years ago.

A Dozen Reasons for Becoming an Episcopalian,
or At Least for Checking Us Out

God loves you, and there is not a thing you can do to change that!  
  1. It's one of the few denominations that allow alcoholic beverages to be served on the grounds.
  2. The options: Rite One or Rite Two; back-to-congregation or facing  congregation; traditional or contemporary music; all are allowed and welcome!
  3. We use cool words like 'verger', 'thurifer', 'amice', 'warden', 'aumbry' and  'columbarium'
  4. Otherwise, I'd be unchurched. 
  5. I ask too many annoying questions.
  6. One is expected ask all irritating questions and to use their brain.
  7. It has a beautiful Liturgy.
  8. I do not have to understand; I only have to believe.
  9. Here laughter and fun are appropriate. 
  10. The 'fashion police' don't come to our church; the Holy Spirit does.
  11. The clergy are not only smart, gifted, and spiritual -- they are fun!
  12. Episcopalians spend less time beating on the Bible and more time actually reading it.

I became an Episcopalian because of the Prayer of Humble Access (Book of  Common Prayer, p.337). At a time when I, as an ordained Presbyterian Minister,  was burdened with particular guilt, this prayer let me admit the seriousness of my failure, but confronted me with the 'property' of God 'always to have mercy.' -- The Rev. Jim Workman jworkman@desertsaints.org


Gracious and Loving God, Be with us this day as we begin a new season, a new century of growth. 

Breathe life into the seed of our endeavor to build a new fellowship hall, through which, like a vine from the budding cross, we may reach out in increasing fellowship and service to all within our growing community. 

Give us the grace, wherever we may pass, to make strangers welcome among us, speaking to them through words and deeds of Christian love, and greeting them with joy and blessings. 

Grant that, in our nurture of each other, we shall find that most ancient joy of humankind, working in the fields of God’s great dream for us.  Through this work, may we reap harvests of peace and understanding that reflect your love for all your children. 

Lord, be the beginning, the increase, and the consummation of this work, this growth, to the glory of your name and the fulfillment of your dream.  Amen.


Merry Christmas Quotations
From: The Sermon Fodder http://www.sermonfodder.com
The Sermon Fodder list shares a regular dose of Christian humor and modern-day parables for personal enjoyment.  Their material is often used as sermon illustration material by pastors and Sunday School Teachers. 
 Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.  ~Norman Vincent Peale

Christmas is a time when you get homesick - even when you're home.  ~Carol Nelson

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.  ~Roy L. Smith

Christmas, children, is not a date.  It is a state of mind.  ~Mary Ellen Chase

Christmas is the gentlest, loveliest festival of the revolving year - and yet, for all that, when it speaks, its voice has strong authority.  ~W.J. Cameron

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree:  the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.  ~Burton Hillis

There has been only one Christmas - the rest are anniversaries.  ~W.J. Cameron

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.  ~Laura Ingalls Wilder

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.  ~Charles Dickens

Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree.  In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall.  ~Larry Wilde, The Merry Book of Christmas

Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.  ~Washington Irving

Isn't it funny that at Christmas something in you gets so lonely for - I don't know what exactly, but it's something that you don't mind so much not having at other times.  ~Kate L. Bosher

Instead of being a time of unusual behavior, Christmas is perhaps the only time in the year when people can obey their natural impulses and express their true sentiments without feeling self-conscious and, perhaps, foolish.  Christmas, in short, is about the only chance a man has to be himself.  ~Francis C. Farley

It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.  ~W.T. Ellis

Even as an adult I find it difficult to sleep on Christmas Eve.  Yuletide excitement is a potent caffeine, no matter your age.  ~Carrie Latet

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love!  ~Hamilton Wright Mabie

Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.  ~Author unknown, attributed to a 7-year-old named Bobby

Christmas is forever, not for just one day,
for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away
like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others is good you do yourself...
~Norman Wesley Brooks, "Let Every Day Be Christmas," 1976

Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts.  ~Janice Maeditere

Only in souls the Christ is brought to birth,
And there He lives and dies.
~Alfred Noyes

When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time.  Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?  ~G.K. Chesterton

For the spirit of Christmas fulfils the greatest hunger of mankind.  ~Loring A. Schuler

I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month.  ~Harlan Miller

Keep your Christmas-heart open all the year round.  ~Jessica Archmint

Tradition: sit with husband in a room lit only by tree lights and remember that our blessings outnumber the lights.  Happy Christmas to all.  ~Betsy Cañas Garmon, www.wildthymecreative.com

From http://www.quotegarden.com/christmas.html
====

A Special Christmas Eve

I can remember it as if it were yesterday. It was Christmas Eve, 1968 and I was an eleven year old boy – yes, I am 51 – and I was captivated by the Apollo 8 team, whose dangerous and courageous mission was to orbit the moon in what was really a tin can in space. I can remember the daily reports about the mission, which usually coincided around dinner time in Scotland.

That evening, there was a special report late at night because the astronauts were making a special broadcast. Although I didn't get to see it until the next day, it was in all the news. The Apollo 8 astronauts had made Christmas that year very special because each of them read from the Bible.

William Anders began the broadcast with a special introduction:

"We are now approaching lunar sunrise and, for all the people back on Earth, the crew of Apollo 8 has a message that we would like to send to you.

He then started to read from the first chapter of the Book of Genesis: In the beginning, God made the heavens and the earth….

Jim Lovell took over and read more verse from the first chapter, and then Frank Borman quoted some more of Genesis and finished the broadcast with this message:

And from the crew of Apollo 8, we close with good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas – and God bless all of you, all of you on the good Earth."

It was an astonishing moment in history and it had a profound affect on me. It made me link God with the creation of the universe and I have never forgotten the wonder of it all.

Days later, Madelyn Murray O'Hair, an atheist, responded by suing the United States government, alleging violations of the First Amendment. The suit was dismissed by the Supreme Court due to lack of jurisdiction, after all, how could the Supreme Justices enforce anything that took place off the planet?

Less than a year later, on the historic Apollo 11 mission, Buzz Aldrin took communion on the lunar surface shortly after landing. He kept his actions secret for many years, but it was also an amazing event. It was the first time that a Christian had ever taken communion on the surface of another world.

Every Christmas, the wonder of what God did way back 2000 years ago, always hits me on Christmas Eve. In all of the billions of galaxies that this universe contains, why did He choose this one? Amongst the zillions of stars, why did He choose ours? And amongst the planets, why did He choose ours upon which to bestow life?

And then, amongst all of the great empires, kingdom, and nations on earth, why did God choose one of its smallest ones, Judea, to bring His Son into the world. And out of all of the cities and towns of that small kingdom, why was little insignificant Bethlehem chosen as the birthplace of the Messiah? And why not in the house of a rich, powerful, and successful person? Why does God allow His Son to be born and laid to rest in the feeding trough of a stable?

Because that's how God, great and almighty, omnipotent and eternal, works.

God does what He wills, in ways and for reasons that remain a mystery to us. He makes promises and keeps them, so that we will benefit from His goodness, mercy, and grace.

He promises never again to destroy the world, even though the wickedness of humanity deserves it.

He promises to heal us, revive us, and restore us to His favor, even although we have deeply offended Him.

He promises to forgive us of our sins, our past mistakes, and deepest regrets, and make our contaminated souls clean before His eyes.

He promises to keep us when we listen to His Son, and never lose us.

He promises to bring His Son, Jesus, back into our world, so that we may seek His Coming and know that we are never alone.

And His promises begin with God's choice to bring His Holy Son into the world, in a stable, in a tiny town, in a small kingdom, on a tiny planet orbiting a weak yellow sun, on the edge of the Milky Way, amongst gazillions of galaxies, in this almighty universe, which is contained and sustained by God's thoughts alone.

Let us pray: Lord God, You have called all of us to be here because You want us to know that we are never alone in the universe. You want us to experience the freedom that faith brings when we give our hearts and lives to Jesus. Liberate us from the past; rejoice with us at this present time, and prepare us for that wonderful day when Christ shall return to this planet, to claim and keep us for His own. Both now and forever. Amen.

CenturyThe Episcopal Church of The Ascension at Fork
 
183 Fork-Bixby Road  Advance,   NC.   27006
PHONE: 336.998.0857
Get Directions to our church

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