Ascension’s Mission Statement
“DISCIPLES OF CHRIST CALLED TO SERVE NEIGHBORS NEAR AND FAR”

Greetings a warm welcome to all today.
Today we continue to hear readings from John’s Gospel, the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelations. Our sermon message today will focus on the Book of Revelations and its significance and intent for the people and congregation to whom it was written.
I want to remind everyone of a very important day in the life of our diocese and our parish: Saturday, May 22. On that day, at Christ Episcopal Church in Greenville we will consecrate Andrew Waldo as the 8th bishop of our diocese. Upper South Carolina has been a diocese since 1922; and now, with great Episcopal celebration we will install our newest bishop. I encourage you to attend the celebratory Holy Eucharist and to participate in the reception and other activities. Unfortunately, in order to attend the consecration you will need to have a ticket in hand because seating is very limited. There will four venues allotted for seating. The Sanctuary is the primary site, but the seating there is very limited. At each of the other venues than the Sanctuary of the church, you will be able to watch the entire service on a wide screen television, on which you may even get a better view than you would have from many seats in the Sanctuary. The Eucharist that is consecrated at the altar will be brought into each location by the deacons and distributed by them and the Eucharistic Ministers. We have been given a total of 24 tickets for members of our parish, of which only two tickets are seats in the Sanctuary. The other 22 tickets will be in other large seating areas of Christ Church.
So the question is, how will we allocate those 24 tickets to our members who want to attend? In order to ensure that everyone has an equal chance to get a seat, there will be a drawing. If you want to participate, you must notify Sid Bryson, me, or the church office before May 12. Your name will be placed on a list. On May 12 we will place all the tickets in a basket, and all the names in another basket. Two people will simultaneously reach into their baskets and draw out a name and a ticket. That name and that ticket will be paired together for seating. We already have six names on the ticket list, so if you want to go, please let us know as soon as possible and we will put you on the list for the drawing.
Remember it was by the casting of lots that the disciples determined who the 12th disciple would be after the loss of Judas. Our method is actually scriptural and we believe it to be a fair and equitable means by which to give out these treasured tickets to the celebration and consecration of our new bishop.
Regardless of where you may be sitting, you will be able to participate in the opening of a new chapter in the life of our diocese and to share in the gift and the name of the Holy Spirit as we welcome Bishop-elect Andrew Waldo as our bishop.

Ecce quam bonum,
Deedie+