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Sermon Series
Over seven Sundays (Oct 13 – Nov 24), we will be preaching through Ephesians chapters 1-3. The title of this series is True Story: An Alternate Reading of Reality. Read more about it here!
Pray the Daily Office on Election Day: Tuesday, Nov 5
We invite you to join Ascension clergy and staff on Election Day, Tuesday November 5th, to pray the Daily Offices at church in the Gordon Chapel: 9am Morning Prayer, 12pm Noonday Prayer, 4:30pm Evening Prayer, 8pm Compline.
Dig in Deeper
Each fall we post questions on the weekly sermons for Community Groups and Individuals to think more about. You can find the questions here each week.
Clocks Fall Back: November 3
For your calendar! Remember clocks fall back on Sunday, November 3rd. You won’t want to miss worship that Sunday! It’s All Saints Day, a time to celebrate our participation in the Communion of Saints.
Plan to leave early for worship on these two Sundays
On Sundays October 27 and November 3, the church does not have access to the Oakland Catholic parking lot (nor do we have access to Central Catholic on November 3). Please leave early and wear comfortable shoes as you may have to walk a bit from your parking spot to church. There are many streets surrounding the church on which you may park, a parking lot on Clyde, as well as a parking lot on North Dithridge, between Fifth and Forbes.
All Saints Sunday: November 3
We look forward to worshipping with you on All Saints Sunday! This is a Sunday in the church calendar you do not want to miss.
Please sign up to host!
Thanksgiving is a wonderful opportunity for hospitality. Internationals love invitations to American homes to learn, first hand, about American holidays and customs. We hope to pair 100 Internationals with Ascensionites to enjoy a Thanksgiving Meal. The meal could be on Thanksgiving Day itself, or perhaps the weekend before or on the days after – whatever suits your schedule. Let us know how many you can host, where you live, and a few other details by visiting the registration page here.
Thanksgiving Food Barrel
Please donate food items to the Food Barrel. We’ll be giving bags of groceries to the four refugee families we helped to settle in Pittsburgh – 3 families from Syria and 1 family from Venezuela/Ecuador. The Food Barrel is located in the Education Wing hallway. Thank you!
Support CAYG: Purchase a wreath!
It’s that time of year! Each year the middle and high school students of our church work hard to raise money for our summer mission trip. In order to make these trips affordable for our youth/families, we rely on fundraisers like this one done each year. Wreath orders are due Sunday, November 24th and will be available for pickup at Church on Sunday December 1st and Monday December 2nd. We hope you will partner with us by purchasing a lovely Christmas wreath!
Fall Prayer Retreat: Prayer as Pilgrimage
Please join us on November 16 for a morning of teaching and prayer, led by two of our Spiritual Directors, Brian Janaszek and Hannah Halfhill. Throughout the morning, we will hear brief teachings and have time for reflection and prayer individually and in groups. This mini retreat will serve as an important precursor to our spring Ignatian Experience. If you are considering the Ignatian Experience in the Spring or would like a unique opportunity for prayer, teaching, and fellowship, please join us! Register here.
Jon Guerra Concert at Ascension: November 16 at 7pm
Join us for a concert with Jon Guerra on Saturday, November 16. Jon is a beloved singer-songwriter of devotional music that is deeply honest, contemplative and worshipful at the same time. Jon’s music artfully and gently points to the goodness and grace of our Triune God in ways that are earned and arise from a live spent with Jesus. The concert is at 7pm in the nave. Feel free to invite others! Tickets can be purchased here.
Sunday, November 17: Bring a favorite dessert or snack
We invite you to drop off your favorite dessert or snack for hospitality hour on Sunday, November 17. There will be a table set up just inside the Bailey Hall doors for you to use. Thanks!
Sunday, November 17: English speakers welcome!
Join the International Ministry for a fun field trip to tour the Holiday Open House Nationality Rooms at the University of Pittsburgh. Email LuAnn to register. The group will meet at the church at 11am, enjoying hospitality hour in the Bailey Hall prior to leaving for the Nationality Rooms.
CAYG Parent Gathering — Nov 17 from 6-8pm
New this fall to CAYG are our gatherings for parents of youth! Come, drop your teens off and join our youth director, Father Josh Bennett, and discuss the struggles facing our students, ways we can support one another, and spend time praying.
Legacy Seniors Luncheon: Thursday, Nov 21 at 12:30pm
This month we will feature Lauren Scharf on a topic she is passionate about: “Twelve-Step Principles for Discipleship.” Lunch is $15 but first time guests are free. Please feel free to bring a friend. Sign up here, or contact Kate Fisher to sign up. You can also pay in advance or at the door.
Loving your (Muslim) Neighbors: Sunday, Nov 24 at 12:30pm
Join Daniel Behrens with special guests, Dan and Cesiah Omar, in the Hunt Rooms for a light lunch and presentation. Similar to the Behrens, Dan and Cesiah are soon to begin a ministry with refugees in Atlanta. They are support raising through the mission agency, SAMS, and we are delighted to get to know them. Dan has considerable experience with Islam and promises to be an enlightening speaker! It helps to sign up on the app so we can prepare well.
Thanksgiving Eve Service at 7pm
Join others for this service of worship and testimonies. Childcare for those 3 and under will be provided. If you would like to give a testimony, please reach out to Josh Bennett.
In her newest book Broken Waters, poet Amy Bornman navigates the uncharted territory of a first pregnancy and an unfurling crisis of faith by turning to confessional poetry and the text of the Bible in alternating turns. Amy will join Mother Lauren to discuss her poetry and the experiences that led to the creation of this bold and deeply prayerful collection. Please register to join them in the Bailey Parish Hall on December 6 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Light refreshments will be provided.
Saint Nicholas Night Market
Join us for our 4th Annual Saint Nicholas Night Market on Sunday, December 8 from 5pm – 8pm! The St. Nicholas Night Market is a wonderful chance to connect with our neighbors, celebrate our artists, all while enjoying some Christmas shopping. The Revival Chili and BBQ food truck has agreed to join us once again. We will have the usual artisan tables, fun activities for kids, and tours of the nave scheduled throughout the evening. We look forward to seeing you there!