Worship:
Saturday 6 PM
Sunday 9 & 11 AM
This Week At Ascension
Called to create opportunities for all people to become devoted followers of Christ
November 13, 2022
Grace and peace to you my family in Christ,
This week is the 1st week of our annual Gifts of Hope emphasis. What an amazing work we have done as a church on this for over 20 years! We have raised so much awareness and aid for people who are in deep need.
It has been good for the people that we have reached out to help. But… and this is incredibly important, it has been good for us as well. This idea will be affirmed by our scripture this weekend as well.
In our gospel lesson for example, Jesus says, “By your endurance, you will gain your soul.” Living in a selfish way, focusing on just our needs shrinks our soul. Helping others, being generous, that expands our soul.
Come to worship this weekend prepared to hear about our wonderful international Gifts of Hope project, but also be prepared for your soul to expand.
Blessings,
This Week in Adult Education:
ST. ANDREWS UNITED CHURCH IN CAIRO, LIVE
November 13, 10:10 AM, Founders Hall
Join Rev. Christie Manisto, pastor of St. Andrews United Church in Cairo, Steve Saari, special education coordinator for St. Andrews Refugee Services (StARS) and other StARS leaders as they join us “live” from Cairo, via Zoom, to share more about StARS – the multifaceted accompaniment ministry in Cairo serving individuals and families who have been forcibly displaced from their homelands.
Great Music Returns With UCLA Brass & Jens Lindemann!
We are so fortunate to once again welcome the UCLA Brass and Jens Lindemann for our first concert of the season since COVID came along.
The pandemic has made it difficult for many musicians and has obviously affected our free concert series offerings.
Invite a friend to share this exceptional musical event with you. CLICK HERE for more information.
Ascension’s Gifts of Hope Ministry 2022
This weekend, Gifts of Hope 2022 opens by lifting up the education, emergency healthcare, hunger and housing ministries of our brothers and sisters in Christ at Saint Andrew’s Refugee Services (StARS) in Cairo, Egypt. Read more about StARS. Or read this article in Living Lutheran.
Ascension’s Gifts of Hope Ministry 2022 continues through the end of December with opportunities to give alternative gifts supporting the ministry of StARS in Cairo as well as gifts in support of the work of Friends of Fieldworkers in Ventura County and Harbor House in Thousand Oaks.
And, of course, there are gift opportunities with God’s Global Barnyard (an ELCA World Hunger Ministry) as we welcome back the honeybees, chickens, piglets and more.
There are several ways you can make your Gifts of Hope selections. Simply click HERE to get started. You will find all the options from the catalog listed on the site.
1. Use the online order form and electronic payment options on Ascension’s website.
2. Complete the order form and mail with a check in payment to Ascension’s church office (mailing address: 1600 E. Hillcrest Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362). Keep the second copy of the form for your records.
3. Bring in your completed form with payment by cash or check to our church office in person during office hours. Keep the second copy of the form for your records.
4. Bring your completed order form and payment to Ascension. Gifts by credit card can be given at this time as well.
The Gifts of Hope Team will be at the Information Desk in the West Narthex:
Sunday November 13 & Sunday, November 20 8:30-9:00 AM, at the close of Adult Ed Class, and 12:00 – 12:30 PM.
No matter how you place your order, you are invited to come by to pick up special gift cards and the God’s Global Barnyard animal ornaments.
In Matthew 25, Jesus says that we serve Him even as we serve those who are hungry, thirsty, without clothes, in prison, or a stranger. Giving the gift of hope and love in Jesus’ name brings them and us joy and life!
Ascension—among the four Gifts of Hope projects so far you have given $11,700! And that’s even before our two big weekends of Nov. 12-13 and 19-20. Thank you!
Support Ascension Lutheran School
We are dedicated to providing academic excellence through our Christ-centered teachings. Donate today and help support expenses for our continued success with our TK-6 program. Visit www.alschool.org/annualfund/ or contact Principal Rich Gregory at or 805.496.2419 for more info.
We’re Making Lefsa! Come join us!
The high schoolers will be making Lefsa on the evening of Friday, December 2 and morning of Saturday, December 3 in Pederson Hall, and we’re inviting everyone to join the fun and come help! The lefsa will be sold, along with cocoa and baked goods at the Hanging of the Green on Sunday, December 4.
If you’d like to help, please join us Friday, December 2 beginning at 5:00 PM or Saturday, December 3, beginning at 10:00 AM. Also, if you have any equipment you would like to donate to the cause, such as lefsa grills, potato ricers, potato peelers, and rolling pins, those are also much appreciated.
Special Advent Gift for High 
Schoolers
Senior Luther League is planning to read through a devotional together this Advent season and we want to invite all high schoolers to join us.
We’re planning on having these devotionals available to all high schoolers beginning the week of November 14. You or a family member can either pick one up between services on Sundays by the doughnut stand on the patio, at youth group beginning Sunday, November 20 (We will meet at Wildwood that day from 3:00-5:30 for a hike and Bible Study), or let us know you want one delivered to you and we will happily bring one to your door.
Please respond by letting us know you’d like to receive this special gift, and we will be sure to order one for you. Have a friend who might like one too? Just let us know how many!
Just a reminder too that high schoolers regularly meet Sundays in the Dugout between 5 and 7. There are NO REQUIREMENTS to come, other than being in high school. Also, don’t worry if you can only come for part of the time, if you come late, or need to leave early. It doesn’t matter, just come! Also don’t worry if you have never been or haven’t been in a while. We love having you! Questions about youth group? Parents or high schoolers please email Dianne Beck at
Offerings & Attendance
Flowers On The Altar
In honor of Marty Bielke, from her loving family.
Don and Marty Bielke
Please Note:
We have a blood drive coming up Sunday, Dec. 18th, in Founders Hall. More details to come.
Memorial Services Set
The memorial service for Marty Bielke will be held November 12 at 1 PM
The memorial service for Pastor John Wilker will be December 3 at 1 PM
Green Faith Tip:
The Gobbler’s wisdom
Even in the run-up to Thanksgiving, minimize trips to the market. Combine several trips into one, or carpool with a neighbor.
When the gravy boat capsizes or the cranberry sauce revolts, remember that you don’t need paper towels to cope. Collect cloth dish towels and napkins at flea markets for pennies, and keep them folded and stacked on the kitchen counter.
If you’re using your green thumb to flip through next year’s seed catalogs, consider going organic (if you haven’t already). Check out specialty vendors that are organic. Even in the chilliest areas, you can raise hardy delicacies in pots near your back door, eight months a year.
An Invitation to a Movie Event:
Emanuel Film and Discussion
Our friends Pastor Emily and Joan Eggert at Holy Trinity are inviting us to join them in viewing the film “Emanuel” and participating in small group discussions about the issues upon which it touches. How can we as Christians help in the sorely needed healing? Click here for more info:
In Need Of Prayer
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
Don’t miss another TWAA
Pericopes
This Week:
Malachi 4:1-2a
Psalm 98
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Luke 21:5-19
Next Week:
Jeremiah 23:1-6
Psalm 46
Colossians 1:11-20
Luke 23:33-43
Some of us at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church have been studying and having conversations about race, justice and how these two concepts play into how we live out our faith. We feel it is important to begin expanding our conversations with other members of our congregation. We have decided to host a screening of the film "Emanuel" with small group discussions afterwards. As you may be aware, the film is about the Emanuel AME Church shooting that killed nine members of their congregation at a bible study meeting. Featuring interviews with survivors and family members, the film examines the history of race relations in Charleston, South Carolina and the effect on the community from the offered forgiveness of the shooter by church members.
