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
February 26, 2023
First Sunday in Lent
Grace and peace to you my family in Christ,
On Ash Wednesday we began our Lenten journey to the cross and the resurrection. On our first weekend in the journey, we reflect on one of the oldest stories in the entire Bible: The story of Adam and Eve.
What do you remember of that story? It is such a seemingly simple story and yet there is more to it that we might know.
Take the serpent for example. Is the serpent Satan? This question has been debated by theologians for centuries. However, what we do know is that as soon as the serpent started getting Adam and Eve to start questioning the parameters that God gave them everything got messed up. From that point on, life went from “with God” to “apart from God.”
The question of Lent becomes, can we get back to the place where we can be “with God?” Let’s talk more about this at church this weekend.
Blessings,
LENT: WHAT AND WHY
Ash Wednesday marked the beginning of the Lenten Season for the Christian church. What is Lent all about, and why is it important that we keep a holy Lent each year? What is the purpose, and what are the important themes? Is Lent about giving up something for forty days, or is there more to it than simply doing this?
I invite you to join me for the Adult Class at 10:10 on Sundays March 5 and 12 at 10:10 in Founders Hall to examine these important questions. On the fifth, we will look at what Lent is. On the twelfth, we will look at why this Season is so important for us.
I wish each of you a most holy and meaningful Lenten Season.
Pastor Paul
Holden Evening Prayer Services
This Lenten season, Holden Evening Prayer services will be held Wednesday evenings at 7 PM (March 1, 8,15,22 and 29). Sharing this beloved service, with its responsive musical litany, is a perfect chance to reflect and appreciate Jesus’ life and love for us. Invite friends. HERE is a sample from the past. Following the services, there will be fellowship time with cookies.
Pray, Play, Study and Serve this Lent
This year, One Ascension will be joining in a variety of activities designed to invite the Holy Spirit and help us keep this special time of reflection at the front of our minds.
In case you missed it. HERE is Pastor Tim’s letter about our awesome calendar.
You can view the calendar HERE.
HERE is a link to the online version of the calendar.
Be sure to pick up your print copy at worship services or in the office.
Give an Easter Lily for Remembrance
Majestic Easter lilies beautify our sanctuary each year—and you are invited to donate one or more in honor or remembrance of someone special to you. You can purchase an Easter lily by filling out the flower envelope in the pew rack and enclosing $9 for each lily ordered. Or by emailing and sending $9 by check or online giving page under Other.
Another Lenten Resource
Pastor Chamie’s blog — on her new Pastorchamie.com website — offers stories to share and thoughtful reflections as the season unfolds.
Check it out HERE.
Full Moon Hike
Tuesday, March 7, 5:45 PM, Full Moon Hike to the California Lutheran University cross. The Lenten calendar for March 7 says to go outside and look at the full moon and thank God for the wonder of the night sky. You are invited to join Pastor Chamie and Aidan for a Delkeskamp Family tradition of full moon hiking to the CLU cross; sign up here.
Special St Patrick’s Day Service — March 11, 6 PM
On Saturday March 11 our 6 PM worship service will be turned over to the Emerald Isle – complete with piper and bodhran drum. If you remember last year’s very special St. Patrick’s Day-themed service led by Nancy Lee, you will no doubt want to make sure to come, and if you missed it, well, make double sure to be there this time. Sign up for Irish treats afterwards (click here), so she will know how much to have on hand!
College Scholarship Applications Now Available
Attention Ascension students and student families: Our Ascension Foundation is making available to you the chance to apply for scholarships. Please click HERE for all the details and forms. The deadline for applications including letters of recommendation is April 21, 2023.
All scholarships will be awarded by May 23 for the academic year starting next fall. The recipients will be informed in writing and will be recognized in a church service on June 11, 2023.
Call for Worship Help
Click HERE to check out what help is needed in worship, and sign yourself up any place you see a need.
Note Time Change:
Baptism This Weekend
Oliver Charles Rickard
Born: 11-21-2022
COOKIES WANTED!
The Library Committee is getting ready for Lent. Once again, we will need cookies each week for the fellowship time in Founders Hall after the Wednesday Service. The remaining dates this year are March l, March 8, March 15, March 22 and March 29.
If you want to provide cookies for any of these dates, call Dolores Ledbetter at (805) 716-3045 or (805) 750-7646.
A Thank You Video from LWR
Thank you, Ascension quilters and kit makers! Because of your commitment and that of others like you, Lutheran World Relief is sending these valuable resources and bringing hope to our neighbors who have lost everything. At this time, financial gifts are the number one need to assist our neighbors who are injured, hungry and displaced from multiple earthquakes.
This video shows a warehouse team preparing a shipment of LWR Mission Quilts, Personal Care Kits and Baby Kits to be delivered to Turkey.
Help for Earthquake Victims
As images continue to fill the media of the devastation in the wake of the recent 7.8 earthquake that rocked Turkey and Syria, Lutheran World Relief and Lutheran Disaster Response are already on the frontlines to bring assistance and, as always, serve as the hands and feet of God. The needs are growing by the hour. Here are links to provide financial support.
In Need Of Prayer
We’re looking for a new worship leader for our 11 AM service. Find out more about it HERE
Staff Accountant Wanted
If you are an accountant interested in joining the Ascension team, we’d love to hear from you! Click HERE for details of this position.
Coming up in Adult Ed:
Leaving A Legacy For Those You Love
Our Ascension Lutheran Church Foundation offers guest speaker will be Lisa Marie Higginbotham, the regional representative of the ELCA Foundation. Lisa will lead us in two classes at 10:10 AM, Founders Hall:
Sunday March 19: An introduction to stewardship using a small book by Charles Lane, entitled Reflections on Faith and Finances.
Sunday March 26: An overview of the ELCA Foundation services available to us as individuals.
A copy of Reflections on Faith and Finances is available as a gift of our ALC Foundation for you to read prior to Lisa’s presentation on March 19. Please contact the church office, or Paul Evenson (; 925-324-4476) to receive your copy in preparation for Lisa’s presentation.
CALLER WANTED
“Hello—and happy birthday! This is Ascension’s Telecare Ministry calling, and we want you to know that your entire Ascension family wishes you a happy, happy birthday and a great year ahead.”
That’s a Telecare caller in action—a kind person with a joyful “happy birthday” greeting. We need a new caller to make these greetings on Fridays. Can you lend us your voice? Being a card sender is another option. Contact Jenelle Smith at or call the office.
News Briefs
Student-Grown Tomatoes
This year’s annual tomato seed starting has begun! This year marks our 10th Annual Tomato Sale! To celebrate, classic tomato varieties will be available as well as the new addition of other fruits and vegetables including cucumbers, beans, watermelon, cantaloupe, squash, and herbs!
Come buy your plants Friday, March 31-Sunday, April 2!
Bowls of Hope for Many Mansions
March 26, CLU Kingsmen Park, 11 AM – 2 PM Enjoy meaningful & fun family activities: an informative exhibition on the homelessness issue, affordable housing, and Many Mansions; an opportunity to take action and be part of the solution; crafts, games, and a raffle! By attending Bowls of Hope, you’re investing in your community! All proceeds from this event support our continued work to provide affordable housing and life-enriching services to families that call Many Mansions home.
Financial Commitment 2023
Have you made your commitment yet?
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:
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
Psalm 32
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11
Next Week:
Genesis 12:1-4a
Psalm 121
Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
John 3:1-17
