Worship:
Saturday 6 PM
Sunday 9 and 10:30 AM
This Week At Ascension
Called to create opportunities for all people to become devoted followers of Christ
October 15, 2023
Grace and peace to you my family in Christ,
What horrible images we’ve seen on our screens this week. Our hearts break at the violence that is going on in Israel and Palestine.
So come to church so that we can pray together as a community, so that we can seek answers together and so that we can figure out how we can make a difference together.
Or how about just come so that we can be together? Your presence for others makes a difference in these difficult times.
Thank you for being the church. See you this weekend.
Blessings,
New Adult Education Series Continues
Our new program of stimulating and informative Adult Education classes continues at 10:30 on Sunday in the Library. The theme for October is: Vocation: Living a Purposeful Life.
October 15
Presenter: Colleen Windham-Hughes, PhD, MDiv, Associate Vice President for Mission and Identity, California Lutheran University
Topic: Discerning Vocation at Cal Lutheran
More info about Rev. Dr. Windham-Hughes HERE.
October 22
Presenter: Carol Bjelland and Fair Trade Chocolatier, Chef Ben Taylor
Topic: Fair Trade, Ethically Sourced, Changing Lives & Really Good
More about chocolate class HERE.
October 29
Presenter: Rev. Paul Gravrock
Topic: Martin Luther’s Understanding of Vocation
Kits and Quilts Dedication
This week we will dedicate all the kits and quilts made for Lutheran World Relief this year. These quilts and kits bring warmth and comfort both in practical ways and as a tangible expression of God’s love and our care.
These photos show women from the Monday Morning Bible Study group assembling kits – 220 in one day, wrapping gifts of love!
The beautiful quilts adorning the sanctuary have T.L.C. stitched into them all year.
Next week, the kits and quilts will be shipped.
Thank you to everyone who participated in these ministries. The quilts coordinator is Anita Cohen and the kits coordinator is Louise Evenson. (Thank you, Louise, for the photos!)
These are great volunteer opportunities!
Grant Request Deadline is Sunday
Our Ascension Foundation meets quarterly (February, May, August, and November) on the first Saturday of the month specified. Requests for grants must be submitted before the 15th of the month preceding the next quarterly meeting. For more information and to apply, CLICK HERE.
It’s Fair Trade Month!
We love that October is Fair Trade Month. Thirty-one days & so many fun ways to celebrate Fair Trade!
Everyone’s Invited to Everything!
October 19 (2:30 – 4 PM): Fair Trade Lane Is Open! You’ll find your Fair Trade favorites on the shelves just waiting for you! This is the only day Fair Trade Lane will be open in October. If you can’t make it to Fair Trade Lane on October 19, no worries. Just send us a note (our email is ) with the items on your shopping list & we’ll get your favorites to you as quickly as possible. We’ll resume the regular ordering process in November & Fair Trade Lane will be open November 16 & November 18.
Oct 22 – 10:30 AM. Ascension’s Library. Chef Ben Taylor, Chocolatier/Mama Ganache Artisan Chocolates in San Luis Obispo joins us, via Zoom, for Adult Ed Class to talk chocolate — Fair Trade, Ethically Sourced, Changing Lives & Really Good! We’ll be tasting some Mama Ganache chocolate too!
October 1 to October 27. Mama Ganache Artisan Chocolates made with Fair Trade, organic and ethically-sourced ingredients are available for ordering! There are 6 boxed sets of chocolates to select from including milk chocolate, dark chocolate and vegan chocolate. Here’s the order form. Paper copies will be available in the church office and in the special folder at the Information Desk in the Narthex. Orders can be placed until October 27 and will be ready for pick-up before Thanksgiving. Chocolates make a great gift to share – chocolates that care for people and planet make an extra special gift.
We’ve been on the road (literally & virtually) celebrating Fair Trade Month already. On October 11, we shared our Fair Trade program ideas with Equal Exchange’s Interfaith group of Fair Traders from all over the country in a fun Zoom meeting. We thank Equal Exchange for inviting us to be a part of their special Interfaith series. On October 12, we traveled to the CLU campus to connect with students, staff & faculty at the Global Café for fun and Fair Trade. We thank the Center for Global Engagement for inviting us to join everyone at the Global Café.
Baptism this Weekend
Luke Christopher Theiss
Born: April 17, 2023
Rose on the Altar
In honor of the baptism of
Luke Christopher Theiss
Beautiful Christmas Greenery — Sales Support Carillons
The Carillons are selling Christmas greenery on the patio between Sunday services. There are many items to choose from for your home and as gifts for your family and friends. If you have a business, these make wonderful client gifts. You can preorder greenery until November 3. Please come by and take a look at our table on the patio. If you prefer to shop at home, check out our website. Orders will be ready for pick up on the church patio in early December. If you have any questions, please call Matt Cahill. Thank you for your support!
Westlake Village Symphony Here Sunday
Join the Westlake Village Symphony in celebrating Hispanic Heritage with guitar soloist Alex Park on Sunday, October 15, 4 PM at Ascension Lutheran Church!
Save the date:
First communion classes
For those first grade and up
Oct 29, Nov 5 1-2:30
Adults attend with their child
Celebrate First communion Nov 12 in 9 am worship
Pastor Steve Represents for Jubilee and Ascension at Unity Gathering
From Pastor Steve:
“Grateful to be at the National Council of Churches Christian Unity Gathering with our partners, spreading the word about Jubilee and our work to build an economy that serves, protects and promotes participation of the most vulnerable.
Jubilee’s Executive Director Eric LeCompte gave a video address to the gathering in Nashville. He could not be here in person because he is attending the World Bank and International Monetary Fund meetings in Morocco this week.
(He asked Pastor Steve to represent Jubilee at this NCC event, as a former member of the board and because Ascension is a Jubilee Congregation.)
ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton was on hand to start our day with a devotion on Ephesians 4:1-6. ‘I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.”
Offerings & Attendance
In Need of Prayer
Pericopes
This Week:
Isaiah 25:1-9
Psalm 23
Philippians 4:1-9
Matthew 22:1-4
Next Week:
Isaiah 45:1-7
Psalm 96:1-9 [10-13]
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Matthew 22:15-22
SIGN UP HERE
Click Links for information:
Substitute Teacher Position Available
Instructional Assistant Position Available
Book Club Notes
The Ascension Book Club meets the 3rd Thursday of the month at 1:30 in the Bethlehem Room, in the office building. The group chooses books based on members’ interest and discussion is led by one of the members. Books vary from popular novels to nonfiction. Please feel free to join us–we are a friendly group.
Upcoming books
Oct 19 “The Great Alone” by Kristen Hannah
Nov 16 “A City of Promise” by Beverly Swerling
Dec 15. “Christmas by the Book” by Anne Marie Ryan
In November we will choose books for the next few months. We are open to suggestions. Books should be available by Libby, local library, Amazon or thriftbooks.
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, Julie McCain, and Steve Herder
