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 29, 2023
Reformation Sunday
Don’t forget to wear red
Grace and Peace to you my family in Christ,
Wrath. Yuck! What a heavy word. And yet, it has so often been used when people have described God: “The wrath of God.”
Does this mean that God is angry at us? The answer is no, according to the Apostle Paul. This goes against what people believed in Paul’s day. It goes against what people believed in Luther’s day. It goes against what many people believe in our day. It even goes against what Paul believed… up until the moment he met Jesus.
Then Paul, the apostle of the Good News of Jesus Christ, realized that it wasn’t people that God wanted to get rid of, it was sin and its effects. Understanding this changed him. Or should I say it reformed him. It also reformed Luther. This knowledge has the power to reform us. Let’s talk more about this as we celebrate the Reformation this weekend! See you in church!
Blessings,
Pumpkin Patch Fun!
The high school youth group had a fun jaunt to the pumpkin patch and In-N-Out this past Sunday, with Elijah Lomeli as their bus driver — his first official trip in that role!
All high schoolers are welcome this coming Sunday from 5-7 PM for our pumpkin carving and costume party. Bring a pumpkin and carving supplies if you have them.
This Week
October 29
Presenter: Rev. Dr. Paul Gravrock
Topic: Martin Luther’s Understanding of Vocation
Ascension Lutheran School’s 60th Birthday Celebration!
We are going to celebrate Ascension Lutheran School’s 60th birthday on November 5th!
– Bounce houses
– Crafts
– Photo booth
We are in need of cakes, cookies and treats for our cake walk. If you’re able to buy or make anything we’d greatly appreciate it. Please drop off any desserts on Sunday, Nov. 5th before, between or after church services. Thank you! Any questions, please email Sara Wallace,
Please see the flyer below, and invite any alumni, church members, or friends who you think should be a part of the Ascension family!
For All the Sainted Sinners:
Adult Education Class for All Saints Sunday
The Ascension Lutheran Church Foundation is offering an engaging adult education class on Sunday, Nov. 5, 10:30 AM, in the Library.
November 5 is “All Saints Sunday” and each year Lutherans worldwide celebrate the Saints who have gone before us, in gratitude for their wonderful gifts and impact on our lives.
Led by Ascension member, Paul Evenson, our class will focus on four snapshots of faith:
• How is Ephesians 2:4-10 our “true north”?
• Why does “All Saints Day” have special meaning for Lutherans?
• How big is the “communion of saints” as we confess in our Creeds?
• Who are the “Saints” in our lives, and what difference do they make?
Who do you remember on this day? Each of us are invited to bring a photo of those special “saints.” We will remember with gratitude the gifts they have been to us, our community, our church, and our world. And we will consider how their witness of faith lives on in our hearts and impacts our world today through the lives we live.
You are invited to join our Global Ministries Team as we welcome two guests to our campus Nov. 8 at 4 PM in the Bethlehem Room.
Karla Leitzman from Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) will talk about what LIRS is currently doing nationally as they welcome and resettle new refugees to the US. LIRS is also a strong advocate and influencer of US Policy on immigration and refugees.
Susan Brecht is a semi-retired United Church of Christ minister and works with the Conejo Interfaith Refugee Team. She and Eloise Cohen worked closely with the Aqa family, an Afghani refugee family Ascension has supported. Susan will share specific ways that we can support their efforts to resettle refugees in our area.
Anyone is welcome to attend this meeting to learn more about this important ministry of Ascension Lutheran Church.
For more information, contact Pastor Steve Herder () or Louise Evenson ().
Maxwell-Dohertys Honored with 2023 Christus Award
Congratulations to Reverend Scott Maxwell-Doherty and Reverend Melissa Maxwell-Doherty, who are being honored with this year’s Christus Award at California Lutheran University.
The award is given in recognition of individuals’ contributions to “strengthen the bridge between the church and the university and/or who have made significant contributions to higher education in the ELCA,” per a CLU announcement. The award presentation is scheduled for 10:30 AM October 27 at the campus’ Samuelson Chapel.
The announcement continues: the Maxwell-Dohertys, “during their illustrious careers at California Lutheran University, walked alongside students, staff and faculty in discernment, compassion and humility. Both served as loving pastors and steadfast mentors to so many throughout the Thousand Oaks campus and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and beyond.
“California Lutheran University is proud to honor Scott and Melissa for their dedication not just to the institution, but to the ELCA mission of educating the whole person in body, mind and spirit, as they are called and empowered to serve the neighbor so that all may flourish.”
Ascension is highly represented when it comes to Christus Award recipients. Others include Dr. Louise Evenson, Rev. Paul Evenson, Karsten Lundring, Dr. Ray and Helen Olson, Rev. Dr. Howie Wennes and Jack Wise.
Crush the Crisis: Prescription Drug Take Back Day
Saturday, Oct. 28, from 10 AM to 1 PM
Los Robles Regional Medical Center is partnering with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department in this Saturday’s Crush the Crisis event, with a drive-through medication drop-off located on the hospital campus (see map). Crush the Crisis events aim to educate our communities on the risk of medication misuse while providing a safe and anonymous way to dispose of medications that may be left over from previous procedures or other medical visits.
Upcoming Memorial Services
Robin Buell
November 4, 11 AM
Tom Vandenberg
November 11, 11 AM
Offerings & Attendance
Support Ascension Lutheran School
For 60 years, we have been dedicated to providing academic excellence through our Christ-centered teachings. Donate today and help support expenses for our continued success with our TK-8 program.
Visit our Annual Fund page or contact Principal Rich Gregory at or 805.496.2419 for more info.
Bring Pictures in Remembrance of All the Saints
The first Sunday of November is always All Saints Sunday. On this day we give special thanks to God for all those who have been God’s instruments to lead us to Christ. We also celebrate the good news that, for Jesus’ sake, we are all numbered among God’s saints.
It is our tradition at Ascension Lutheran Church to read the names of those who have died in the past twelve months and to ring a bell as each name is read. We then read the names of those who have been baptized in the past year and ring a higher bell as those names are read. There is also the opportunity to light a votive candle in memory of loved ones who are now with the Lord in paradise.
We invite you to bring to worship a picture – framed or not – of one or more of the people who have been especially important in the shaping of your faith. Throughout the service you will have the pictures with you in the pews.
When you come to receive Holy Communion, you will be invited to bring the pictures of these saints along with you. Those who have died in the Lord are now at the heavenly banquet; so each time we commune, we are privileged to join them in this foretaste of the feast to come.
Our worship on All Saints Sunday will be enhanced by the pictures we will all bring of the saints who have gone before us. Thank God for faithful witnesses.
Save the Dates
Gifts of Hope is Coming
Save the dates to join our Adult Ed. Classes on Sunday, Nov. 12, and Sunday, Nov. 19, at 10:30 AM in the Ascension Library and learn more about our Local and International focuses for Gifts of Hope 2023.
This year, Gifts of Hope is directing attention to the local ministries of Harbor House in Thousand Oaks and Friends of Fieldworkers in Ventura County.
Internationally, Gifts of Hope is spotlighting the Meru Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania. They’re dedicated to supporting widows in their community by providing assistance with housing, food, and job skill training. This ministry was brought to our attention by our friend, Cal Lutheran graduate Naomi Mbise (she is now an ELCA intern at the United Nations) and her mother, Ndeningwambora (meaning “Blessing”). Blessing is a lay evangelist. As a widow herself, she knows the severe challenges facing widows in Tanzania.
God’s Global Barnyard, a part of our ELCA World Hunger Ministry, also returns with a selection of alternative gifts, including honeybees, chickens, and goats.
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!
In Need of Prayer
Pericopes
This Week:
Psalm 46
Romans 3:19-28
John 8:31-36
Next Week:
Micah 3:5-12
Psalm 43
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Matthew 23:1-12
“Come to the Waters” Advent Retreat
Saturday, December 2, 8:30 to 11:30 AM @ North Hollywood First United Methodist Church — Led by Pastor Chamie
The theme for this mini retreat is “Keep It Simple.” This is a perfect way to center yourself early in the season. In the hustle and bustle of the holidays, we can too often get overwhelmed. So on this mini retreat, you will find time to breathe deep and find some quiet space. We will explore practices that help us simplify life, simplify the season, simplify our minds, and simplify our expectations. When we keep it simple, we find that we can make more room for Jesus.
Note that this is the next mini retreat offered at NoHo First UMC with Pastor Chamie. Several others are coming in 2024.
Click here for more information.
Click Links for information:
Substitute Teacher Position Available
Instructional Assistant Position Available
Part-time Extended Care Aide – Contact School Office
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
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
