Advent and Christmas at Ascension
Advent, the beginning of a new church year and the season of preparation for and expectation of both the coming celebration of the birth of Jesus and the final coming of Christ. Here are some of the ways that you can participate:
Bible and Book Studies
Advent Gospel Bible Study, Sundays December 8, 15 and 22 at 9 a.m. Join Fr. Garry Horle for an inquiring exploration of the gospel stories that prepare us for the birth of Jesus and the final coming of Christ.
Advent Book Study with the Rector. Watch for the Light, Readings for Advent and Christmas. You are invited to read an anthology of wisdom featuring exquisite essays from theologians across the ages. Click here to order your book. The Rev. Dr. Cheryl McFadden will facilitate the class at 9 am on December 8, 15, and 22 in Classroom B. . Come for any or all of these discussions and be enlightened during Advent and Christmas.
Advent Suggested Readings
Advent in Narnia by Heidi Haverkamp
Advent: The Once & Future Coming of Jesus Christ by Fleming Rutledge
Celebrating Abundance: Devotions for Advent by Walter Brueggemann
Light of the World by Amy-Jill Levine
Opportunities
Wednesday Holy Eucharist, Rite II, Preach and Teach Service. We have a weekly Holy Eucharist with healing at 11:30 a.m. in the Chapel. This service will be a time of discussion, healing and eucharist.
Advent Wreath-making. Join us next Sunday, December 1, at 9 a.m. as we learn about and make Advent wreaths. This is a wonderful activity for all. Ascension will provide a wreath ring, floral wire, greens, candles, and prayers for each week in Advent. We ask that each household pays $25 to participate. To sign-up to make a wreath, click here code. To pay, go to https://onrealm.org/ascensiondenver/-/form/give/online, enter $25 in the amount, and click “Advent wreath making” on the drop-down menu. You can also pay by check and note “Advent wreath” in the memo.
St. Nicholas Party. Join us on Sunday, December 8 at 11:15 a.m. in the Parish Hall for a St. Nicholas party. There will be a surprise guest!
Luminaria Making. On Sunday, December 22, after the 10 a.m. service, drop by to help make the luminaria to line the sidewalk on Christmas Eve! This is a great family activity.
Christmas poinsettias Honor or remember loved ones with one of the Christmas poinsettias that will decorate the church throughout the season of Christmas. There are two ways to give:
Envelopes for poinsettias are located at the back of the Church and in the Parish Office. Please return them in the offering plate or to the Parish Office by December 15.
Make an online donation by clicking the button below. Once there, click the GIVE button and a giving form will populate. After deciding your amount, make sure to select ‘Christmas Flowers’ from the Fund drop down menu. Remember to list the names of those to be honored or remembered in the memo line. You can also email the names to parish administrator, Sarah Dougherty. Names are needed by December 15.
Advent Outreach Activities
Giving Tree. The Advent Giving Tree will be set up in the Parish Hall on November 24, 2024. There will be three opportunities for parishioners to take one or more ornament tags and purchase the specified gift on the tag to help others this Advent.
Unwrapped small household goods and clothing for refugees through the African Community Center.
Unwrapped toys for Ronald McDonald House Children’s Charities as part of Caroling at Ronald McDonald House on December 18 at 6 p.m.
Donations in support of Locally Haiti.
Gifts will need to be new, unwrapped and placed under the tree by Sunday, December 15.
Christmas Caroling at Ronald McDonald House. Please join us on December 18 at 6 p.m. for caroling to spread some Christmas cheer at the Denver Ronald McDonald House. We will be accompanied on the piano by Cindy Lindeen-Martin. Families are welcome! Meet us there at 1300 E. 21st Ave., Denver, CO 80205, or reach out to Lucy Antrim at lucy.antrim@gmail.com to arrange a carpool.
Serving Dinner at Urban Peak on Sunday, December 10 – 4:30 PM to 7:00 p.m. Urban Peak provides a full range of programs and services that help youth experiencing homelessness in the Denver metro area and put them on a path toward self-sufficiency. Please join us for serving the teens at Urban Peak's new state of the art facility. Look for the sign-up link in the bulletin and newsletter.
Lunch Making for Urban Peak. Once a month, Ascension parishioners make lunches that are distributed to Urban Peak in partnership with our outreach partner Women’s Homelessness Initiative. Our Advent lunch making will be Tuesday, December 17, at 3:45 p.m. This is a great opportunity for children to help their neighbors! If you are unable to volunteer, please consider helping by donating the following items. There is a collection basket at the back of the church: bottled water (8 ounces or less, please), loaves of whole wheat sandwich bread, jelly, paper napkins, bread.
Services - Holy Eucharist Rite II
Please join us in person or watch 10 a.m. and special services via livestream
on our website homepage, and YouTube.
Advent Services
First Sunday of Advent December 1, 2024 at 8 and 10 a.m. *
Second Sunday of Advent December 8, 2024 at 8 and 10 a.m. *
Third Sunday of Advent December 15, 2023 at 8 and 10 a.m. *
Fourth Sunday of Advent December 22, 2024 at 8 a.m.
Fourth Sunday of Advent Lessons & Carols December 22, 2024 at 10 a.m. *
Christmas Services
December 15, 2024 Christmas Pageant at 4 p.m. *
December 24, 2024 Christmas Eve at 4 p.m. *
December 24, 2024 Christmas Eve at 7 p.m. *
December 25, 2024 Christmas Day at 9 a.m.
December 29, 2024 First Sunday after Christmas at 9 a.m. *
Services with * will be livestreamed