Worship:
Saturday 6 PM
Sunday 9 & 11 AM
Wednesday 9 AM
This Week At Ascension
Called to create opportunities for all people to become devoted followers of Christ
February 13, 2022
Dear Ascension disciples of Jesus,
As the world prepares for the Super Bowl and for Valentine’s, God’s call to us is to prepare for worship together, either in person or online!
This Sunday we look forward to one of two classes at 10:10 am. Pastor Tim is teaching in Founders Hall and Pastor Julie is teaching in the library.
For the three services I’ll be preaching on the opening words of Jesus’ sermon on the plain, in Luke 6:17-26.
Thank you for your prayers for the many people listed in our newsletter, including something new to you, the two new missionaries in Africa that we are supporting. (I just learned the happy news that my father will go home from the hospital tonight – Wednesday night!)
Thank you too for your generous response to our food pantry drive. You are welcome to bring groceries for it anytime.
You and yours are in our prayers, and we thank you for your prayers.
Love and blessings in Jesus,
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
Adult Education
Feb 13:
Who knew that podcasts would become such a big thing? Did you know that Pastor Tim and his friend and fellow Ascension member Troy Schulze produce a podcast together called Where There’s A Story? The podcast explores good stories in movies, books, and various other media in connection with the story of God. Come and hear and discuss the experiences they’ve had with creating this podcast. 10:10 AM, Founder’s Hall
Feb. 27 Pastor Jack will lead a class on the poetry of Emily Dickenson and Walt Whitman.
March 13 International Women Leaders from California Lutheran UniversityMarch 20 Eric Berg and Pastor Jack will teach on the apocrypha book “Bel and the Dragon.”
March 27 Ed Klodt will teach on the artwork related to the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15.
Don’t Miss This:
CONCORDIA CHOIR IN CONCERT AT ASCENSION!
The world-renowned Concordia Choir of Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, under the direction of Dr. Michael Culloton, will perform at Ascension Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks, CA, on Monday, February 28, at 7 PM.
From the music of J. S. Bach to familiar hymn arrangements, The Concordia Choir will amaze you with their technical mastery and incredible sound.
The tour marks Michael Culloton’s first tour as conductor of the renowned ensemble.
Tickets are now on sale! This is a direct link for more information and the ticketing page for the concert.
Lenten Journey
Is an impostor robbing you of God’s love?
If you have been with us at Ascension for very long then you know that every year at Lent, we study a book together as a congregation. This year will be no exception; our book will be Abba’s Child: The Cry of the Heart for Intimate Belonging by Brennan Manning.
News Briefs
Thrivent Choice Dollars
Thrivent Members, remember: If you haven’t already, you can still direct 2021 Choice Dollars before they expire on March 31! 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.
Many Mansions’ Bowls of Hope 2022
If you have yet to join in a Bowls of Hope event, good news! The soup celebration is back on this year. It will be Sunday, March 20, 11 AM- 2 PM in Kingsmen Park at Cal Lutheran University. Bowls of Hope raises funds and awareness of the work of Many Mansions, its life-changing programs and services for those experiencing housing insecurity. Follow THIS LINK for tickets and more information. (More volunteers are needed, too!)
Commitment Cards
Our 2022 Generosity Commitment Cards have been mailed and some have already been returned. If you haven’t yet received one, please let the office know by emailing or calling (805) 495-0406. Thank you to those who’ve turned in their cards. These commitments are vital to our ability to plan for the church. Please make a point to turn in your card or, if you would prefer, you can fill it out online HERE.
Mattresses for Foster Kids
We get word from our friends at James Storehouse that “beds and mattresses are our most requested items. This is because caregivers must show proof of a proper bed before a child can be placed into their home. Countless mattresses are delivered every week, yet we still currently have a waitlist for 10 mattresses!” If you are willing and able to contribute a new mattress, to be delivered directly to a caregivers’ home, you would be providing a new, warm bed for a child in need. Here is the ordering link: Click here.
Check Out What’s Coming Up In The Garden!
Attendance & Offerings
In Need Of Prayer
Take Faith Home with
Join Pastor Julie for a five-session series about doing faith at home. Faith 5 is a tool to use for about 5 minutes every day and see your family grow closer!
Between worship services from 10:10 to 10:50 in the Library.
We’ll hear the challenges and success of others and discuss practical ways to implement it in your home. Come to as many as you’re able (it’s easy to catch you up)! This practice works great with kids as young as 3!
Feb 13: How might including a Bible reading in your bedtime routine enrich your child’s well being?
Feb 20: What does it do for a family to come together nightly seeking God?
March 6: What happens to children who grow up praying for others?
March 20: Hear about the transformational power of giving and receiving a blessing every day.
Bring your kids, because Sunday School (age 3– 6th grade) is available at the same time.
Donuts and coffee are on the patio just before!
RSVP here so I can purchase plenty of materials for you! (But come even if you forget to RSVP!)
Part time employment position available at Ascension Lutheran School
Supervise students before and after school as well as during recess during school hours. Must be willing to be trained in CPR/1st Aid and have a live scan fingerprint. Experience in working with children is preferred but not mandatory. Must be 18+ years old. Part time position only within the hours of operation: 7:30 AM-6 PM – hours may be flexible $14 per hour. See Career Opportunities at ALCTO.org
High School Seniors:
Last Call For Faith Quilts!
Each year we celebrate high school seniors the first Sunday in June with the gift of a faith quilt. Because these take time to prepare and create, we need to know soon if you’re interested. Although the deadline to let us know has passed, we’re sending out one last call for interest. Please email Pastor Julie ASAP If you’re interested in receiving a quilt so we can make sure to have this beautiful and meaningful milestone ready for you.
Getting CPR Trained and Ready to Save a life!
Malia Hassenbein’s dog Lincoln seems very curious about what’s going on here!
Di Starzak is training Malia and other staff members in CPR and how to use an AED machine (Automatic External Defibrillator used during a cardiac arrest to restore a normal heart rhythm). We have two AED machines on our campus, one here in the Bethlehem Room, and one in the west narthex.
Thanks to Di Starzak and our Community Concerns Team for training Ascension staff members and ushers in how to save a life!
“You are where you are today because you stand on somebody’s shoulders. And wherever you are heading, you cannot get there by yourself. If you stand on the shoulders of others, you have a reciprocal responsibility to live your life so that others may stand on your shoulders. It’s the quid pro quo of life. We exist temporarily through what we take, but we live forever through what we give.” Vernon Jordan
Truly, we are blessed by the diverse gifts of God’s many people. In February, we are especially grateful for the resilient and hopeful faith of people of African Descent.
Our Ascension Librarian, Dolores Ledbetter, invites you to browse the library and the new Section 19: Strategic Authentic Diversity: Race, Religion and Working for Justice, every Sunday in February from 8:30-9:00 a.m. Books are available to check out for both children and adults.
Thank you to everyone who donated to our food drive last weekend! And thank you to our Community Concerns team!
“My little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” — 1 John 3:18
What’s A Soil Carbon Sponge?
(And What’s Fair Trade Got to Do With It?)
Fair Trade coffee, tea, chocolate, snacks and olive oil will be available for ordering February 12 to February 21, 2022. Equal Exchange recently implemented some price increases. We’ve reviewed the price changes. Except for a few items (noted on the order form), we’re going to hold at our current prices for now.
The February order form can be found in the church office, on Ascension’s Fair Trade webpage, HERE, or USE THIS DIRECT LINK.
SAVE THE DATE: Feb. 26
Fair Trade Wine Tasting
We recently added Equal Exchange Fairly Traded Chilean Flame Raisins to our product list and we got to thinking: if Fair Trade grapes become Fair Trade raisins – what about Fair Trade grapes becoming Fair Trade wine? READ MORE
Don’t miss another TWAA
Pericopes
This Week:
Jeremiah 17:5-10
Psalm 1
1 Corinthians 15:12-20
Luke 6:17-26
Next Week:
Genesis 45:3-11, 15
Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40
1 Corinthians 15:35-38,42-50
Luke 6:27-38
