Worship:

Saturday 6 PM

Sunday 9 & 11 AM

Wednesday 9 AM

This Week At Ascension

Called to create opportunities for all people to become devoted followers of Christ

January 16, 2022

God’s grace and peace to you, in Jesus!

This weekend in worship, whether you’ll be worshiping with us in the sanctuary or worshiping with the livestream, our Bible focus will be the delightful story of the wedding in Cana, from John 2:1-11. I’ve enjoyed preparing for the sermon and I hope that you’ll meditate on these eleven verses also.

In the midst of the craziness and sadness of omicron, we hear this first story in John’s gospel of Jesus’ sign of abundance and new life in Him. I believe this story can help our faith and trust in God, and help us think creatively on how we are living out our faith through the pandemic.

As you read this newsletter you’ll see little and big signs of God’s abundance in our lives and ministries. May they all point to Jesus and give God glory!

See you in worship! Thanks for bringing your mask to cover your mouth and nose, as a way to make others comfortable being here, and to keep everyone as safe as possible.

This Sunday, Jan. 16, for our 10:10 class in Founders we welcome Cal Lutheran’s President Lori Varlotta! Next week, Jan. 23, Eric Berg and Pastor Jack will lead a class in the library, on one of the books between the testaments. And on Jan. 30, Pastor Chamie and Kristine Werner will lead a class outside on composting and recycling.

Thank you for your prayers for One Ascension. You and your family are in our prayers.

Love and blessings in Jesus,

Our Prayer

We pray that you may once again meet the Risen Christ through the Word and Sacrament ministry, and through the fellowship of this family of faith.

If you do not have a church home, we would like to invite you to worship with our Ascension family again.

All people who are baptized and believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are welcome to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

May God bless you in your worship!

Pastors Tim Delkeskamp, Steve Herder, & Julie McCain

Gifts of Hope 2021:

Great News: More than $90,000 Raised

Despite being held amid waves of the ongoing pandemic…Despite the necessity of creating new, hybrid ways of doing things…Despite supply chain worries and cancellation necessities…Somehow, thanks be to God, our Gifts of Hope 2021 campaign raised more than $90,000!

These monies will provide educational opportunities, health care, hunger relief and HOPE through the Malagasy Lutheran Church; New City Parish of Los Angeles, Inglewood and Compton; and READ MORE

New City Parish 2

GOH NCP

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News Briefs

Lunch Bunch Cancelled

Lunch Bunch will not be held in January due to the Covid surge and other concerns. Stay tuned for news about February.

Monarch Butterfly Trip Cancelled

Due to our planned trail being closed over concerns involving the danger of diseased trees in the area, Pastor Chamie’s special excursion to see the butterflies has been cancelled. Here’s hoping it can be rescheduled at a later date.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Ventura County’s 36th Annual Event is online this year. FIND OUT MORE HERE.

Commitment Cards

Our 2022 Generosity Commitment Cards have been mailed and some have already been returned. If you haven’t yet received one, please let the office know by emailing or calling (805) 495-0406. Thank you to those who’ve turned in their cards. These commitments are vital to our ability to plan for the church. Please make a point to turn in your card or, if you would prefer, you can fill it out online HERE.

Sunday School

Sunday School has started up again and will continue through June 12. Students from three years of age through sixth grade meet from 10:10-10:50 Sunday mornings at the picnic tables between services. Fun Bible stories and activities! CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

Adult Education

Jan. 16

Dr. Lori Varlotta, California Lutheran University President, and Rev. Melissa Maxwell-Doherty, Vice President for Mission & Identity at CLU, will be leading this class through an experience of reflection upon seven key Lutheran values of the university that have emerged from “Rooted and Open: The Common Calling of the Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities.” Founders Hall, 10:10 AM

Jan. 23

Eric Berg and Pastor Jack Ledbetter will present The Apocryphal Story of Susanna and the Elders, Story-Art-Music. It’s a discussion and reflections on the ancient story of Susanna and the Elders, this book of the Apocrypha is a ‘pre-quel’ to Daniel. Some poetry included. Bring your own coffee (from the patio) to the library, 10:10 AM

Jan. 30

Pastor Chamie Delkeskamp and Kristine Werner lead a class on Wondrous Composting & Wise Recycling, sponsored by The One Ascension Garden Ministry. Trash has been the talk of Thousand Oaks in recent weeks as January marks the change in the city’s trash company. The Church has something to teach us about the wonder of compost (it’s just like God to make beauty come out of ugly things) and wise recycling. Pastor Chamie will share a bit about creation care. Then she and Kristine will help you with the nitty gritty of what to do with your food waste, recyclables, and trash. Learn, too, what Ascension School students are doing with compost right on our campus. 10:10 in the parking lot

In Need Of Prayer

Click here for Ascension Prayer List

Sam’s Tram Rolls Again

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the SAM’s Tram service from Ascension has been pretty quiet. However, now that many of us have vaccines and feel more comfortable being out and about, it’s time to reintroduce the program! SAM’s Tram is Ascension’s Senior Adult Ministries transportation service. We match seniors from our congregation that need rides to local appointments with Ascension volunteers that are willing to drive. READ MORE

New Member Class

Would you like to take another step in your spiritual journey with God and our church? If so, we would like to invite you to be a part of our next New Member class, Wednesday, Jan. 26, from 6-8 PM in the church Library. Childcare and dinner are provided.

The class focuses on the basics of the Christian faith and on the ministry of Ascension. There will be an opportunity to ask any questions that you might have and to get to know others. To RSVP or with questions, please call the church office at (805) 495-0406 or email .

Baptism This Weekend

Theodore (Teddy) Patrick Meddaugh

Born: June 29, 2020

Baptism of Our Lord Sunday: Welcome to the newly baptized Elodie, Beau, and Remington!

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Pericopes

This Week:

Isaiah 62:1-5
Psalm 36:5-10 (8)
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
John 2:1-11

Next Week:

Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Psalm 19
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Luke 4:14-21

Best Practices for Submitting Your Newsletter Stories CLICK HERE

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Gifts of Hope 2021:

Great News: More than $90,000 Raised

Despite being held amid waves of the ongoing pandemic...Despite the necessity of creating new, hybrid ways of doing things...Despite supply chain worries and cancellation necessities...Somehow, thanks be to God, our Gifts of Hope 2021 campaign raised more than $90,000!

These monies will provide educational opportunities, health care, hunger relief and HOPE through the Malagasy Lutheran Church; New City Parish of Los Angeles, Inglewood and Compton; and ELCA World Hunger (through God’s Global Barnyard).

Thank you to our Ascension congregation, School and Foundation and to Thrivent for all your donations. Our gratitude and appreciation also goes out to New City Parish and leaders Jennifer Echols, Willa Glover and Phil Allen. Pastor Robin Brown and Sharon Magnuson of the ELCA – thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support and dedication, including traveling cross country and speaking here, on behalf of Gifts of Hope. Pastor Themba in Madagascar – thank you for your sermon and for bringing us closer to your world.

We recognize the good works and partnership of SERRV International and Fair Anita; because of SERRV, we are able to contribute $214 to Lutheran Disaster Response through GOH 2021, and because of Fair Anita, another $129.

And finally, for the bottomless generosity of giving your time, talent and treasure all Gifts of Hope season long, we are grateful to our GOH Team: Carol Bjelland, Eloise Cohen, Dave Harkins, Tamara Nowlin, and Mary Wennes, plus church staff Stacy Bosco and Pastor Steve Herder.

goat boy

St. Mark's middle school gathering

New City Parish 2

GOH NCP

Pastor Robin

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Pastor Themba

Barnyard Quilt 1

gods global barnyard

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IN NEED OF PRAYER

A name is added to this list only with the permission of the person or the person's family

Link to printable prayer page

PRAYERS OF COMFORT FOR:

Mary Wennes and family, on the death of her brother, Bill.

PRAYERS OF HEALING FOR:

Nancy Coffman, for God's guidance as doctors plan her treatment

Harry Delkeskamp, Pastor Tim's father, who was hospitalized with a kidney infection

Diana Doerfler, for complete healing and strength, and for her mother, who has started hospice care in Texas

Micky Johnson, Jeanne Hengst's mom, as she and her family deal with post-hospitalization care

Cheryll Swiontkowski, for healing of blood pressure

CONTINUING PRAYERS FOR:

Lara Abounayan

Kyle Ayers

Karen Barrows

Maria Bartush

The Bauer Family

Addie Behm

Gloria Benfatto

Teri Bettum

Carl Bohning

Debi Bing

Skip Brenner

Mary Cartrett

Dominic Cavaliere

Mandy Coffman

David Corra

Helen Cox

Linda Crabill

Carl Dietrich

John Ernst

Becky and Al France

Jane Ganske

Dennis Gillette

Kimberly Harner

Malia Hassenbein

Penny Hunter

Bob Kielhorn

Jack Koenig

Dr. Allen Leland

Henry Leland

Grace Lugo

Judy Marshall

Sandi Meyer

Shirley Meyer

Verlon Meyer

Bill Munn

Angela Naginey

Helen Nenne

Sue May

Michele McDonald

Paul and Betty Olson

Carol O’Gorman

Orlando Orozco

Brandt Stephen Oschner

Laurie Peyton

Gary Phillips

Lois Phillips

Mike Ricci

Dave Rosinbum

Pastor David Palma-Ruwe

Tom Saldin

Shari Saucerman

Dorothy Scholz

Barb Schornstein

Arnold Schwarz

Margaret Skinner

Frances Thorsen

Jan Timmons

Taty Valladares

Todd Wallace

PRAYERS FOR SAFEKEEPING:

Connor Braaten, USMC

Scott Clark, U.S. Navy

LCpL. Alexander Daley

Cody Davidson, US Army

Tim David, US Army

Jack Ingles, USMC

ET1 Patrick Maccarone, USN

Jake Marshall, USMC

Scott Mochatel, USCG

LCJG Caroline Truesdell, USCG

Prayers For Our Congregations In The ELCA, Southwest Synod

ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and staff

SWCA Synod Bishop Brenda Bos and staff

Our Channel Islands Conference:

New Hope, Agoura Hills

Mt. Cross, Camarillo

Christ, Goleta

King of Glory, Newbury Park

Holy Cross, Ojai

Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Oxnard

Our Savior’s, Oxnard

Trinity, Santa Barbara

Emanuel, Santa Paula

Shepherd of the Valley, Simi Valley

Holy Trinity, Thousand Oaks

Trinity, Ventura

(To learn more, ask one of the pastors)

PRAYER FOCUS:

For the well-being of all those impacted by the omicron variant of COVID, near and far, and for church and government leadership in discerning right courses of action and support as we continue to deal with this pandemic.

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Sam's Tram Rolls Again

by Brian Festerling, SAM’s Tram Coordinator

RIDERS

If you’re a senior that needs a ride (or a caregiver for one), please contact me with the ride details. My contact info is at the end of the article. The more lead time you can give me -- at least a week or two is best -- the more likely I can find a driver for you. I’ll let you know either way. The service is free! If you feel compelled to give something, you can give your driver a dollar to go to Ascension’s Caring Ones to help the needy in our area.

DRIVERS

We’re always looking for more volunteer drivers to add to our roster. There is NO long-term commitment. I blast out detailed ride requests via e-mail to all of our drivers. You need only say “yes” to a ride that works for your schedule, and your only commitment is for that one ride. Many of us work and can only drive occasionally. That’s OK! The more drivers we have on our roster, the more likely we can fulfill a given request, and the workload gets spread around. This is a simple and effective ministry and we’d love to have you join us! Please call or e-mail me if you’re interested.

TESTIMONIAL

“[SAM’s Tram was] a blessing to my mom when she could not drive anymore. The friendly drivers got her to her weekly hair appointments, and occasional other doctor/dentist appointments. The social interaction with the drivers gave her a lift and became a bright spot in her declining life quality. I was pleasantly surprised and pleased when two drivers who were more frequent came to my mom’s celebration of life service. What a dedicated group of people, making a difference in the lives of our elders!” — Excerpt from a thank you note written by the daughter of one of our riders

FAST FACTS

- Pastor Steve started SAM’s Tram in 2011.

- Since 2017 we have had 287 ride requests and fulfilled 220 of them (77%)

- 69% of our requests are for doctor appointments, 9% for worship services, 8% for beauty/barber, and 14% “other”

Please pray for our SAM’s Tram riders and drivers, and contact me anytime if we can be of service to you, or if you you’d like to join us as a driver.

Sincerely,

Brian Festerling SAM’s Tram Coordinator

805-558-8076 (cell)

ps - we've had an uptick in requests and could always use new drivers.

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A recap of the Youth Gathering

High School Youth Group Enjoys Farm Fun, Service, Sunsets, Mountain Tops, and mostly, Lots of Laughter and God’s Hand in it All.

by Dianne Beck

“Sometimes the best way to see God is by looking backwards.”

This was something a speaker at the recent Youth Gathering at Luther Glen said on our last day of camp, and as I look back on our week, I definitely see the hand of God in everything we did.

At Bible Study this past Sunday, as we shared Highs and Lows, each youth who went on the trip, along with myself, listed our trip as a high for the week, recounting the fun times, and admitted that one low was simply the adjustment of coming back home, even though we were all glad to be home and get some rest! I know that in my mind I’ve continued to hear our jokes, sometimes even saying them out loud when no one near me would get it, and have songs like “One Name Under Heaven,” “Reckless Love,” and “Knee, Knee, Clap, Clap” on repeat in my head as well. The week is one that will stay embedded positively in our memories and continue to bring us joy as we think back on it.

Each day was packed with activity and opportunities to connect with each other as well as people from all over California and places as far as North Dakota, Minnesota, Washington, and Hawaii. In this one week, we were able to enjoy farm animals and a new puppy, beautiful sunrises and sunsets, great praise music and speakers, games and conversation, Disneyland, The Palm Springs Tramway, a service day at Helping Hands in San Bernadino, and the local fun of Oak Glen with apple turnovers and axe throwing.
Looking back, I think I saw God most in the way we all connected and got to know one another more and more each day. It’s not easy to hide behind your real self when spending a week together, which I believe is the beauty of going away together. We all see that it’s okay to be who we are and when we are, that’s when God and his love best shine through.

I am truly thankful for every person who went on the trip, every person we met, both near and far, and all the lasting connections and memories made.

If you or a high schooler you know would like to be part of another trip, stay tuned for our plans for an upcoming weekend retreat to Pismo Beach September 23-25th. If interested, contact Dianne Beck at .

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