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
December 11, 2022
Third Sunday of Advent
Friends in Christ,
Would you be surprised if God actually answered your prayers in big and powerful ways? Zechariah sure was, and rightly so. On this 3rd Sunday in Advent, let’s keep thinking about how we can be people who wait with hope. Know that we’re praying for each of you this busy Advent season.
In gratitude for all the ways you are the hands and feet of Jesus,
CLICK HERE FOR THE
Creation Care tip from the Eco-Worm:
National Soil Day!
One of the biggest concerns for the environment is soil degradation. Degradation is when soil health declines due to improper use or poor management.When soil is lost, it takes years to replace. It takes up to 1,000 years to produce just 2 to 3 cm of soil. It’s believed that up to 90% of the world’s land will be degraded by 2050. The situation is dire, which means there is no time to waste when it comes to saving our soil.
Here are some ways you can participate:
Learn about the importance of soil health and how it affects our future
Watch videos and documentaries about soil, including DIRT! The Movie, Living Soil, Symphony of the Soil, and Soil Erosion: A Historical Perspective
Commit to caring for the soil in your community by composting, planting cover crops, and building terraces to prevent soil erosion.
Share this day on social media with #WorldSoilDay
Gifts of Hope Update
Ascension’s 2022 Gifts of Hope Ministry is moving into its final weeks. And, while the calendar is winding down, your generosity is growing the total of gifts given. Here’s a brief update on the bounty of gifts given so far:
Thanks be to God, as of December 1st, total offerings to Gifts of Hope is $47,360! This past Monday our Women’s Bible Study gave enough for a family farm for God’s Global Barnyard. Last weekend before the Wilker memorial service, Pastor John’s grandchildren were deciding where their GOH gift would go. Gifts have been nicely distributed between our international projects of StARS in Cairo, Egypt, ELCA World Hunger God’s Global Barnyard, and our local projects, Harbor House and Friends of Fieldworkers.
We thank everyone for gifts given. We thank Ascension’s Foundation for the generous gift that will be shared among the four Gifts of Hope Projects this year. We also thank the children, students, families and staff of Ascension’s Sunday School, Early 
Childhood Center and School for selecting those very cute little animals of God’s Global Barnyard as their focus for Gifts of Hope this year. What’s not to love about a piglet or a goat celebrating God’s goodness in a festive finery? Or those very industrious honeybees who not only sweeten our food but share precious pollen to make fruits and vegetables grow. (They move too fast to keep Santa hats on their heads!)
We know barnyard animals help stop hunger!
Gifts of Hope materials including special gift cards and ornaments are available in the Church Office as well as on the Gifts of Hope webpage.
In Matthew 25, Jesus says that we serve him even as we serve those who are hungry, thirsty, without clothes, shelter, in prison or a stranger. Giving the gift of hope and love in Jesus’ name brings them and us joy and life! Thank You for participating again this year.
News Briefs
Cobbler Sign Ups
If you are coming to the Saturday, Dec. 17, Cowboy Christmas service and would like to have some of Nancy Lee’s famous Dutch Oven Cobbler afterwards, please sign up! She needs to know how much to make. CLICK HERE to go to our ALCTO.org Announcements page to Sign Up. If you need help, call the office.
GriefShare
The holidays can be especially tough for those who grieve. Share with others who understand. GriefShare is meeting at 1 PM Thursdays in the chapel. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Brenda Heinrich at (805) 279-4235.
Thrivent Choice Dollars
Thrivent Members, remember: You can direct Choice Dollars to Ascension! If you have any questions about directing Choice Dollars or making a personal donation, contact the Thrivent call center at 1-800-847-4836 and say “Thrivent Choice” at the prompt.
In Need Of Prayer
Ascension’s New Member Class
Would you like to take another step in your spiritual journey with God and Ascension Lutheran Church? If so, we would like to invite you to be a part of our next New Member class at on Sunday, January 22 from 12-2pm. This meeting will focus on the basics of the Christian faith and on the ministry of Ascension. Childcare is available and a complementary lunch will be provided.
To RSVP, please call the church office at (805) 495-0406 or email Janelle Smith at .
Adult Ed This Week
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.
Lefse Making Success!
Take 100 pounds of potatoes mixed with more than 100 cups of flour, some sugar, butter, and salt, and you have the makings of lefse, the traditional Norwegian treat many of us have come to know and love when warm and covered with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
This past Friday and Saturday, the Senior Luther League youth, parents, siblings, and several church members gathered to peel potatoes, mix all the ingredients, roll out the dough, and grill, with the end result hours later being approximately 630 individual lefse. After selling at church and Hanging of the Green this past Sunday, we actually had to tell some people we had no more left to sell. We were sold out!
Thank you to everyone who helped prepare the lefse, as well as to all who generously supported the youth by buying the items for sale at Hanging of the Green. It was a lot of work, but also a lot of fun, worth every minute.
The youth also sold hot cocoa and loaves of banana bread, generously made by Ruth Teufel. (You can still get some of the banana bread at the donut stand this Sunday! Hurry before it’s gone! It’s delicious!)
We look forward to doing this again next year, and we wish everyone a very merry Christmas!
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
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.
Calendaring Retreat:
Setting 2023 to Life-Giving Rhythms
Saturday, January 7, 2023, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
$50, Lunch Provided
Poet Mary Oliver wrote, “What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” As we begin a new year, you are invited to bring your calendar and join Pastor Chamie for a half day retreat where we will explore Christian rhythms of work and rest, of prayer and service. You will have time to ponder where and to what and to who God might be calling you in this next year.
Do you long to live less busy and more full? Do you want to intentionally make time for certain endeavors? How might organizing your calendar bring you closer to God? On retreat, you will have time for individual reflection as well as community time around the table.
Registration opens next week. CLICK HERE to register. For more information, CLICK HERE or contact Pastor Chamie at .
Offerings & Attendance
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:
Isaiah 35:1-10
Psalm 146:5-10
James 5:7-10
Luke 1:5-25
Next Week:
Isaiah 7:10-16
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
Romans 1:1-7
Matthew 1:18-25
Best Practices for Submitting Your Newsletter Stories CLICK HERE
News Brief
Lefse Making
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. Contact Dianne Beck, Youth Director, at .
Cobbler Sign Ups
If you are coming to the Saturday, Dec. 17, Cowboy Christmas service and would like to have some of Nancy Lee’s famous Dutch Oven Cobbler afterwards, please sign up! She needs to know how much to make. CLICK HERE to go to our ALCTO.org Announcements page to Sign Up. If you need help, call the office.
GriefShare
The holidays can be especially tough for those who grieve. Share with others who understand. GriefShare is meeting at 1 PM Thursdays in the chapel. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Brenda Heinrich at (805) 279-4235.
Thrivent Choice Dollars
Thrivent Members, remember: You can direct Choice Dollars to Ascension! If you have any questions about directing Choice Dollars or making a personal donation, contact the Thrivent call center at 1-800-847-4836 and say “Thrivent Choice” at the prompt.
Baptism This Weekend
Dersidero Simon Martinez
Born: 10-11-2021
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News Brief
Lefse Making
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. Contact Dianne Beck, Youth Director, at .
Cobbler Sign Ups
If you are coming to the Saturday, Dec. 17, Cowboy Christmas service and would like to have some of Nancy Lee’s famous Dutch Oven Cobbler afterwards, please sign up! She needs to know how much to make. CLICK HERE to go to our ALCTO.org Announcements page to Sign Up. If you need help, call the office.
GriefShare
The holidays can be especially tough for those who grieve. Share with others who understand. GriefShare is meeting at 1 PM Thursdays in the chapel. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Brenda Heinrich at (805) 279-4235.
Thrivent Choice Dollars
Thrivent Members, remember: You can direct Choice Dollars to Ascension! If you have any questions about directing Choice Dollars or making a personal donation, contact the Thrivent call center at 1-800-847-4836 and say “Thrivent Choice” at the prompt.
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Ascension Lutheran’s 2022
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!
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
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.
Family Snow Fun & 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
If you are coming to the Saturday, Dec. 17, Cowboy Christmas service and would like to have some of Nancy Lee’s famous Dutch Oven Cobbler afterwards, please sign up! She needs to know how much to make. CLICK HERE to go to our ALCTO.org Announcements page to Sign Up. If you need help, call the office.
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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