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 8, 2023
Grace and peace to you my family in Christ,
Our gospel lesson for this weekend is a parable. In fact, it is one of the most befuddling of all Jesus’ parables. It’s Jesus’ story of the wicked tenants, where a landowner very carefully builds a vineyard and then rents it to some tenant farmers who refuse to share the harvest with the landowner, beating his servants and killing his son.
But just as it befuddled (can you tell I like this word?) the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, it has been befuddling people for thousands of years. So, I am inviting you to church this weekend so that we can all get un-fuddled and back on the path toward Jesus and the kingdom of God.
If you want to read this scripture a few times before you come, that would be great! It’s Matthew 21:33-46.
Looking forward to seeing you in church!
Blessings,
New Adult Education Series Starts Sunday
We will kick off our new program of stimulating and informative Adult Education classes October 8. The classes will be held beginning at 10:30 on Sundays in the Library. The theme for October is: Vocation: Living a Purposeful Life.
October 8
Presenter: Rev. Paul Gravrock
Topic: Vocation and the Christian 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
October 22
Presenter: Carol Bjelland and Fair Trade Chocolatier, Chef Ben Taylor
Topic: Fair Trade, Ethically Sourced, Changing Lives & Really Good
October 29
Presenter: Rev. Paul Gravrock
Topic: Martin Luther’s Understanding of Vocation
BLESSING THE ANIMALS:
Our 17th Annual Blessing of Our Pets had a wonderful turnout. Here are photos from last Sunday’s pawsome event from Pastor Steve.
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 October 8 – 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!
It’s Fair Trade Month! Hooray!!
Everyone’s invited to Everything!
October 12 (2-4 PM): Global Café @ Jack’s Corner on the California Lutheran University campus. We’re hittin’ the road to share Ascension Fair Trade Hospitality with students, staff & faculty at CLU. We’ll “pop-up” with some Fair Trade favorites too.
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 the 19th, no worries. Just send us a note (our email is ) with the items on your shopping list and we’ll get your favorites to you as quickly as we can. We’ll resume the regular ordering process in November and 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! There’ll be tasting too!
October 1st to October 27th. Let’s keep the Fair Trade celebration going into November! 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 27th. Orders 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.
A TIME FOR REMEMBRANCE:
Last Sunday’s gathering to remember Eloise Cohen was a wonderful time of remembrance for the hundreds of friends, colleagues and family at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza’s Fred Kavli Theater. Eloise is missed by many as her imprint in this church and community was enormous, but her memory will continue to inspire others. We rejoice in her faith and the knowledge Eloise had of the love of Jesus Christ awaiting in her heavenly home. Thanks to all for your continued prayers for Chuck and the family.
Offerings & Attendance
In Need of Prayer
Pericopes
This Week:
Isaiah 5:1-7
Psalm 80:7-15
Philippians 3:4b-14
Matthew 21:33-46
Next Week:
Isaiah 25:1-9
Psalm 23
Philippians 4:1-9
Matthew 22:1-4
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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.
‘Come to the Waters’ Mini Retreats With Pastor Chamie
This September, Pastor Chamie is launching a new weekly podcast called “Come to the Waters” that will have a new episode posted each Monday about a spiritual practice for the week.
In addition, there are several “Come to the Waters” half-day mini retreats on the beautiful campus of North Hollywood First United Methodist Church, where she is senior pastor.
Come to one or come to them all. The first “Come to the Waters” mini retreat is Saturday, October 14, 8:30 to 11:45 AM. The theme is: “First… Quiet.”
In a world that is so loud and so busy, we will explore practices that might help us to turn down all the external and internal noise so that we can discover a holy stillness and draw strength from that well. Fee is $40; scholarships available. Sign up here.
Anxiety Workshop for Congregational Leaders
Do you know how to help folks work well together? Want to have some tools? This workshop is for you!
This workshop will be offered twice:
From 9 to noon on October 7 at Holy Trinity, Thousand Oaks
And 9 to noon on October 14 at First Lutheran in Torrance.
Pick one, bring some friends and learn!
This free workshop is brought to you through a partnership between California Lutheran Homes and Living the Resurrection.
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
