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 27, 2022
First Sunday of Advent
Grace and peace to you my family in Christ,
I know the exact date of when Jesus is coming again and if you come to church this weekend, I will let you know…
If you have made it to this second sentence in my blurb, I hope that you are very suspicious. Please know that my first sentence is completely facetious. Because, despite many people claiming to know when the end times are going to happen, Jesus simply tells us that nobody, not even he knows. Only the Father does.
But of course, there is more to it than that. Though we are not given that particular information, we are called to be ready. We are meant to live in such a way that if Jesus were to knock on our door right now, that we would recognize him and go with him where he might take us. In fact, we long and hope for that moment. This is what Advent teaches us.
I look forward to seeing you this weekend.
In the meantime, have a great Thanksgiving!!
Blessings,
Don’t Miss Upcoming Advent & Christmas Events!
CLICK HERE FOR THE ADVENT GAZETTE
Advent Candles for Kids!
Can you believe that Advent starts THIS Sunday?! Kids will want to join us in worship this weekend to get their own advent candle and beautiful base. I invite you to commit your family to lighting the candle each day of Advent, as a chance to pause and remember Jesus’ light.
In addition to the Advent devotional written by members of our congregation, there are also devotionals targeted towards families with kids available in both church entryways. Kids will receive the greenery and berries to decorate the candles when they go to SS, or can come up to Pastor Julie after worship to get those additional decorations.
Candles will also be out after this weekend, if you aren’t able to grab one this weekend.
A huge thank you to Jenni Klemp for making these!
It’s Gonna Snow in TO Next Week!
Sunday December 4!
We’re Making Lefse! Come join us!
The high schoolers will be making Lefse 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 lefse 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 lefse grills, potato ricers, potato peelers, and rolling pins, those are also much appreciated.
In Need Of Prayer
Last Call for Fair Trade Treats This Year…
We thought having a Fair Trade Pop-Up Sale would be a great way to close out what has been another great Fair Trade year at Ascension. We’ll have Fair Trade chocolates, coffee, tea, cheese and snacks to help you fill your pantry for holiday gatherings with family and friends. Small bags of mini chocolates make great stocking-stuffers too! This will be the final opportunity of the year to purchase tasty Fair Trade treats from us. Everyone is invited. We look forward to seeing you.
Fair Trade Pop-Up Sale—Thursday, December 8 – 2:30-4:30 PM — Ascension Back Parking Lot (Gate will open at 2:30 PM)
Thank You Ascension for your support of justice for people and our planet through Fair Trade.
TAIZÉ WORSHIP
When does adding equal subtraction? It is when adding an event to your calendar reduces your stress.
Each Wednesday evening in Advent (November 30, December 7, 14, and 21) we will have a Taizé service in our beautiful sanctuary from 7:00-7:45 PM.
Modeled on the worship style of the Taizé Community in central France, these simple services will take place in a candlelit setting. Seven or eight chants will be sung, a scripture passage will be read, and periods of silence will allow ample time for prayer and meditation.
Advent is a busy time, but adding these services to your schedule will create oases of calm for you amid the hustle and bustle of these days. Whether you want to join in the singing or bask in the singing of your fellow worshippers, please come. You will find yourself more centered and better prepared to experience the fullness of joy that Jesus’ birthday brings.
Pastor Paul On The Unique Benefits of Taizé
Approaching the Holidays:
Creation Care tip from the Eco-Elf
Instead of using store-bought wrapping paper, get creative and make your own!
1. Use white or brown craft paper and have you and your kids decorate it for a personal touch!
2. Use old maps
3. The comics section of your local newspaper
4. A pretty scarf or bandana
5. A useful cloth item that is a gift in and of itself
6. Recycled cloth bags from Amazon or other retailers
Try coming up with your own creative ideas!!
Blood drive:
Donate and Save Lives
You can make a difference–a big difference in someone’s life. Did you know that with just one blood donation, you can help up to 3 hospital patients?
Ascension Lutheran Church is sponsoring our Blood Drive on Sunday, December 18, from 8:00-12:30 in Founders Hall.
Please sign-up by calling Vitalant at 805-542-8500 or online at donors.vitalant.org and use the blood drive code: K8522.
Thank you!
From your Ascension Community Concerns Team
Offerings & Attendance
For valuable insights into the goings-on at Ascension, click here. For more insights, follow THIS LINK to full report.
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:
Next Week:
Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
Romans 15:4-13
Matthew 3:1-12
Best Practices for Submitting Your Newsletter Stories CLICK HERE
Ascension Lutheran’s 2022
Let’s Celebrate Christ’s Birth Together
Ascension will have five services on Christmas Eve, Saturday, Dec. 24, beginning at 3 PM and continuing every two hours through 11 PM. Special family services will be held at 3 and 5 PM. Traditional services are scheduled for 7 and 9 PM, while a candlelight communion service will be held at 11 PM.
On Sunday morning, Christmas Day, join the Delkeskamp Family for one of their favorite traditions — Christmas Morning Worship with Holy Communion at 9:30 AM.
Poinsettia Dedications
Would you like to dedicate a poinsettia plant for the sanctuary in honor of, or in memory of family members or other loved ones? Please use a flower envelope from the pew rack and write what you want to say. Place in the offering box or return to the office by Dec.16. Dedications will be published online and in print. Donations are $10 this year.
Good News of Great Joy!
THOUSAND OAKS—Jesus, God’s love in person, is coming! In the spirit of Advent—preparation for the birthday of this Holy Child— Ascension is planning special events throughout the season. Please plan to join us!
November 27 – First Sunday in Advent
November 30 (Wednesday) – Taize Advent service, 7 PM
December 2 (Friday) at 5 PM and 3 (Saturday) at 10 AM – Lefse making, Pederson Hall
December 4 (Sunday) — Family Fun Snow Time, 4-5 PM; 5-5:15 PM Lighting of the Tree and Carols; 5:15-6 PM Hanging of the Green
December 7 (Wednesday) — Taize Advent service, 7 PM
December 9 (Friday) – School Christmas Program, 6 PM
December 11 (Sunday) — Compassionate Friends memorial service, 6 PM
December 14 (Wednesday) – Taize Advent service, 7 PM
December 16 (Friday) – Christmas Chapel, 11:15
December 17 (Saturday) – Caroling – Meet at the Bus in the big parking lot!, 12:30 PM (will be finished before 3 PM); Cowboy Christmas Worship Service 6 PM
December 21 (Wednesday) — Taize Advent service, 7 PM
December 24 (Saturday, Christmas Eve) – Christmas Eve services, 3 PM, 5 PM, 7 PM, 9 PM, 11 PM
December 25 (Sunday, Christmas Day) – Christmas morning service with Holy Communion 9:30 AM
Family Snow Fun & Hanging of the Green
On Sunday, Dec. 4, there’ll be snow play fun right here in our parking lot, from 4-5 PM. Even better, our youth will be serving lefse, hot off the grill, with a selection of favorite toppings! What a tasty fundraiser!
At 5 PM, we’ll head into the sanctuary for lighting of the Christmas Tree and carols. Families with kids who might wish to head home after the first 15 minutes are welcome to do so, while the rest of us enjoy Christmas music together until 6 PM.
All are welcome! Bring your friends for the fun!
Dec. 4, 4-5 PM It’s Snow Time!
5-6 PM Hanging of the Green
Celebrating Advent in Word, Deed, and Song
Advent is the beginning of a New Church Year. It a season of preparation, reflection, and renewal that is celebrated by Christians throughout the world. How do we celebrate this season in our church and in our homes? How do you mark the season in your own families? Does the season become lost in the busyness of Christmas preparations? How can we make this season more meaningful? Join Pastor Chamie Delkeskamp and Carol Bartell as we share our Advent journey together in our Adult Education classes on December 4, 11, and 18.
Caroling!
Get the blessing, be the blessing as you bring Christmas joy! Meet at the bus in the big parking lot at 12:30 PM, Saturday, December 17. We’ll finish before 3.
School Christmas Program
One Ascension families, mark your calendars for December 9 at 6 PM!
Get Inspired with Our Advent Devotional
Need some special reading material for Christmas? Check out our Advent Devotional. Each year, members and the pastors of our congregation volunteer to write a devotional for the Advent season, and students from our school provide special artwork.
The booklet, which is a project of our Library Committee under the direction of Dan Lareva, is a wonderful vehicle for spending a little time each day thinking about Jesus and what His birth means. There will be printed copies available soon in the Narthex. You’ll also be able to find the writings on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
Cowboy Christmas
You won’t want to miss this favorite Yuletide event. Special cowboy Christmas music and surprises from Country Spirit & friends that’ll make you feel like you’re out on the range, under a blanket of stars, feeling mighty close to God. Wear your Western clothes if you like. Afterward, enjoy Nancy Lee’s legendary Dutch oven cobbler.
Dec. 17 at 6 PM
TAIZÉ ADVENT SERVICES
This year, Ascension is offering Wednesday Evening Taize services through Advent.
Taize services center on distinctive and repeated prayer chants, usually lines from the Psalms or other pieces of scripture, repeated or sung in canon. The repetition is designed to help meditation and prayer. There is scripture, and there is silence.
It is a special way to take time away from the bustle and stress of the outside world at this time of year, for awhile, and tune into what Advent is all about: a time of quiet waiting, a time of contemplation of the wonders and mysteries of God, and of course, of the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Nov. 30; Dec. 7, 14 and 21 in the Sanctuary – all at 7:00 PM
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