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
November 5, 2023
All Saints
Friends in Christ,
Living as citizens in the kingdom of God changes everything. It changes how we think about our loved ones who are no longer with us. It changes how we think about who is blessed and how we get that blessing. It even changes how we live out our lives as saints of God.
As we celebrate All Saints’ Sunday this weekend, I’m grateful that we’ve got the gift of each other as we try to figure out how to live as the saints God has called us to be.
In gratitude for all the ways you are the hands and feet of Jesus,
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.
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.
Ascension Lutheran School’s 60th Birthday Celebration!
We are going to celebrate Ascension Lutheran School’s 60th birthday on November 5th!
– Square dancing– 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!
A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD:
A powerful, memorable weekend of Reformation services included our Chancel Choir at its best, with trumpet playing by Wyant Morton; second graders and two-year-olds receiving Bibles of their very own; special music by Country Spirit and Praise Alive; excellent children’s chats and sermons by Pastor Julie and Pastor Tim; Pastor Paul’s class on Martin Luther and vocation, and our mighty congregation! Thank you, Pastor Steve and Mark Foreman and our tech team talents, for the photos!
Congratulations, Timothy Hengst!
We share the delight in the recognition of our long-time member Timothy Hengst – Dean of the College of Arts and Science at California Lutheran University. He was made recipient of CLU’s prestigious William Hamm Outstanding Service Award Oct. 25. The honor “reflects his unwavering commitment to making a difference in our community,” notes the University. The presentation took place at the Mathews Leadership Forum VIP reception.
Baptisms this Weekend
Stevie Alanna Jones
Born: 1-17-2020
Jessica Lynn Jones
Born 7-25-1987
News Briefs
YOUR REMINDER TO FALL BEHIND: Nobody likes it, but here we are – changing our clocks back an hour to standard time this Saturday night. At least we get to sleep in!
SWAVELY MEALS: An account has been set up on behalf of Peter Swavely (recently in a car accident) at takethemameal.com so people can sign up to bring him meals. His code is 6540.
LAST CALL: TWAA readers: November 3 is the deadline for preordering Christmas Greenery to support the Carillons! Here is the link.
TIME TO WRITE: Advent Devotion writers – if you have not already turned in your devotions, here is a gentle reminder that they are due by Friday, November 10.
A HELPING PLACE FOR THOSE MOURNING: Our GriefShare group meets from 1 – 2:30 PM Thursdays, except for holy days and holidays. It is a good resource for those who are grieving, and people are welcome to start it any Thursday, something good to remember this All Saints weekend. Find out more HERE
Let Us Help You Stock Your Pantry for Holiday Celebrations
Ascension Fair Trade looks forward to helping you fill your pantry with Fair Trade goodness for holiday celebrations. You can order in advance until Wednesday, November 15. Here is the November 2023 Order Form. The Form is also available in the Narthex and the Church Office. A note to us at with the items you wish to order will work just fine too. If you prefer to browse the shelves for your favorites, or maybe something new, Fair Trade Lane will be open on Thursday, Nov 16 from 2:30-4 PM and Saturday Nov 18th from 4-6 PM. The shelves are filled with wonderful things for baking & cooking (baking cocoa, chocolate chips, olive oil & more), tasty treats for snacking (dried mango, nuts & chocolates), and of course coffee, tea & hot cocoa to enjoy in your favorite holiday mug.
If you ordered boxed sets of Chef Ben’s delectable Mama Ganache chocolate delights, your orders will be ready for pick-up as follows: Fair Trade Lane on Thursday, Nov 16 from 2:30-4 PM & Saturday Nov 18 from 4-6 PM; Information Desk/West Narthex, Sunday, November 19 from 10-10:30 AM. Those who ordered chocolates will be notified by email. We thank everyone for welcoming Chef Ben via Zoom for Adult Ed Class on October 22 and for joining in this special Fair Trade opportunity. There are some serious chocolate lovers in our Ascension Community – 74 boxed sets were ordered.
Justice Never Tasted So Good!
Join Us As We Hit the Road!
No need to pack a bag – Just join us!
We’re taking Fair Trade on the road to the Global Café @Jack’s Corner, CLU — Thursday, November 9, 2-4 PM. Join us as we meet & greet CLU students, faculty & staff and share some Ascension Fair Trade Hospitality. We had a wonderful time at the Global Café in October. We thank the Center for Global Engagement for inviting us to join them and the CLU Community again.
Instead of taking Fair Trade on the road, we’re taking the road to support Fair Trade artisans around the globe by way of Pasadena. We’re planning a little trip to the Ten Thousand Villages Fair Trade Store & the John August Swanson Studio in Pasadena on December 1. We’ll learn about Fair Trade artisans & their wonderful Fair Trade handcrafts at Ten Thousand Villages. Of course, we’ll do some Fair Trade shopping too! We’ll also pay a visit to the John August Swanson Studio in Pasadena. As both locations are small, space is limited to 12. Sign-ups on a first -response basis. Send an email to us at if you are interested in joining us on this road trip and/or if you have questions. We’re pursuing funding to cover transportation costs. However, there may be a $10-15 per person charge to help cover transportation costs if our other funding opportunity doesn’t work out. More details including an update on transportation costs will be shared in the coming weeks.
Thanks to You, We Are Making a Difference!
The following are excerpts of a letter from Lutheran World Relief Senior Director DeWayne Cook, sent to Louise Evenson, who shepherds our LWR kits and quilts ministry:
Thank you for the support you give to Lutheran World Relief and for responding to support our humanitarian work around the world. Your thoughtful gifts are being put to good use. LWR works in some of the most remote places in the world, providing humanitarian relief, livelihoods development, urgent health care access and education in places where other organizations don’t go.
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”
– Romans 8:28 (NRSV)
Amid unrelenting wars and natural disasters, I think of you as “peacemakers” Jesus calls “blessed.” …
As you review our 2023 Humanitarian Action Impact Report, please note you do more than ease suffering. By providing water, shelter, basic hygiene and health services, you help individuals, families and communities retain their dignity and build resilience.
You can access the report HERE.
Thank you for sharing your blessings with Lutheran World Relief and our hardworking global sisters and brothers.
Gratefully,
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 ().
Coming Next Week: Gifts of Hope
This year, 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.
Special guests from Tanzania and New York will join us via Zoom for the special Adult Ed Class Sunday, November 19 at 10:30 AM.
Gifts of Hope is shining its light in the Meru Diocese in more ways, too. Ascension’s Early Childhood Center lifts up gifts of clinic visits and vaccinations for babies and children through the Nkoaranga Lutheran Hospital.
For those who enjoy coffee, there will be the opportunity to taste and learn more about the Mt. Meru Coffee Project and the Fair Trade coffee produced by small coffee farmers in the Mt. Meru region.
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. In 2022, ELCA World Hunger awarded 436 grants to partners in 67 countries (including the US) and 57 ELCA Synods. In total, over 3.3 million people were served through ELCA World Hunger partnerships worldwide.
Our local outreach extends across Ventura County. In 2023, Gifts of Hope is directing attention to the ministries of Harbor House in Thousand Oaks and Friends of Fieldworkers in Ventura County.
Leaders of these two special organizations will join us in the Library on Sunday November 12 at 10:30 AM.
They will share more about how our Gifts of Hope help them in their missions to serve those in need.
Offerings & Attendance
Upcoming Memorial Services
Robin Buell
November 4, 11 AM
Tom Vandenberg
November 11, 11 AM
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.
In Need of Prayer
Pericopes
This Week:
Micah 3:5-12
Psalm 43
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Matthew 23:1-12
Next Week:
Amos 5:18-24
Psalm 70
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Matthew 25:1-13
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.
“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.
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
