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 27, 2022
Grace and peace to you my sisters and brothers in Christ,
Mountain tops and valleys. Life is made up of both. The mountain tops experiences are the ones we live for. The valley experiences are the ones we live through.
The mountain tops seem to be so fleeting. The valley seems to be where we find ourselves most of the time.
In our reading in the gospel of Luke this weekend, we go from the mountain top to the valley.
I think its helpful to know that the disciples on that mountain top wouldn’t have described it as a “mountain top experience” initially. In fact, it took quite a while for them to even talk about it. And the valley? That was a place where they got to see God do some amazing things.
I hope I have intrigued you with this story of what is called the “Transfiguration.” I look forward to talking about it with you in church this weekend.
Blessings,
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
Ash Wednesday & Lent
Lent starts Wednesday, March 2nd, Ash Wednesday.
We look forward to sharing this season of introspection with fellowship and special activities.
There will be imposition of ashes at both our 9 AM Chapel and 7 PM evening services March 2.
Holden Evening Prayer services will be held Wednesday evenings at 7 PM throughout Lent, and there will be fellowship time with cookies.
As a congregation, we will be reading the book Abba’s Child: The Cry of the Heart for Intimate Belonging by Brennan Manning.
If you haven’t already, please sign up for a weekly Life Group discussion that focuses on the book.
This Sunday In Adult Ed:
Pastor Jack’s class this week will bring a fresh, spiritual perspective on the poetry of Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman.
10:10 AM in Founders’ Hall.
Adult Ed—MARCH 6
It’s All In The Music… And In The Words
It is hard to imagine a celebration or a party or a parade or a worship service without music.
Music has the power to energize, inspire, calm, soothe, and change us. Music is powerful. In worship, music does all the things it does elsewhere, and yet there is a difference.
In worship much of the music is intended to serve the words – to be a vehicle for the words of faith to more fully enter our lives, our consciousness, our subconscious, and our souls.
I invite you to join me for the Adult Class at 10:10 on March 6 to explore some of the amazing, life-changing words that hymns make part of our bones. Hopefully by looking at a few hymns together, you will be sensitized to pay closer attention to all the words of all the hymns we love to sing in church.
Pastor Paul
AT LAST!
THE CHOIR RETURNS!
We’re delighted to announce that this Sunday, our Chancel Choir returns to the 9 AM service!
Many thanks to the choir members who have kept the music going in quartets and other small configurations while we coped with the Omicron Covid surge and before.
In Need Of Prayer
News Briefs
Garden Work Day
Saturday February 26, 9:00 AM to noon
Help needed! We will be spreading wood chips around the Maker Space/Extended Care modular and moving the current parking lot outdoor classroom area to the dirt area and parking lot beside the modular. Students, children, and youth will be tending tomatoes for the tomato plant sale and having outdoor classes in this area for the remainder of the school year.
Global Ministries Team Webpage
Wow! From refugee welcome to hunger relief to creation care and disaster response, our Global Ministries team is active on so many fronts, it’s hard to keep track. You can find out what’s new and what’s in the news for this Ascension ministry through their new and continually updated webpage—just click here.
Dr. Carol Bartell Lecture at CLU
The governance of public schools is a rather complex issue that incorporates various government entities at the federal, state and local levels. Added to the mix are a variety of organizations and special interest groups that have an impact on what is taught, how it is taught, to whom, and under what circumstances. In recent times, schooling has become highly politicized. However, this is not new. To understand how this happens, this lecture will examine the structure of public education in the United States and how it has evolved. Ascension’s Carol Bartell, Dean and Professor Emeritus of CLU’s Graduate School of Education, will deliver this lecture March 31 at 10 AM via Zoom.
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.
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.
“Beautiful You” Donations Needed
The Women’s Interfaith Network needs YOU to donate clothing for young women ages 15 – 22. CLICK HERE for more info.
Cookies Needed For Lenten Fellowship In Founders Hall
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 evening service. The dates this year are Ash Wednesday, March 2, and then March 9, March 16, March 23, March 30 and April 6. If you want to provide cookies for any of these dates please call Dolores Ledbetter at 805-716-3045 or 805-750-7646.
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.
Third Grade Families!
Join us to celebate the 3rd Grade Milestone in worship at 9 or 11 AM this Sunday! You’ll receive a hand-painted stone and your family will be called up to the front so we can pray for your 3rd grader.
Praying in Color Class at 10:10 AM in the library, with a parent, for those who aren’t Ascension School students. Questions:
SAVE THE DATE: MARCH 12!
Irish St. Patrick’s Day Service
On March 12, 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 make!
Help Decorate the Makerspace Lab at Ascension Lutheran School!
Clean out your closet, garage, or office and donate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) items to help decorate the ALS Makerspace lab. We welcome the following:
– Posters featuring STEM companies and careers
– Old models, prototypes, and design plans from the fields of architecture, engineering, medicine, computer science, etc.
– Posters, prints, and quotes from famous scientists and inventors
– University pennants or posters
– Fossils, rock and mineral collections, petrified wood, solar system mobiles, rockets, periodic tables, taxidermied specimens, and anything else STEM related.
Ascension Youth Visit Poverty Encounter
Last week, Confirmation students went with Pastor Julie, Karsten Lundring, and Jeff Hengst to experience the Children’s Hunger Fund’s Poverty Encounter, a walk-through experience recreating what life is like for poor children in different countries. An opportunity to pack food for people in need throughout the world was included. The visit made an impression on both ends, as their Poverty Encounter guide gave our group high praise for their interest, questions and participation. (Thanks to Pastor Julie for the photos.)
Bowls of Hope Needs You!
Volunteers are needed for the Many Mansions fundraiser, Bowls of Hope, at CLU March 20.
Whether you are able to volunteer behind the bowls or not, please do consider attending this delicious and worthy event.
Baptism This Weekend
Connor Wirtz
Born: April 16, 2021
INTERNSHIPS AT ASCENSION
Attention Students in Accounting and Related Disciplines: We have two internship opportunities at Ascension, 10 hours a week each. Please check our Career Opportunities at ALCTO.org
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
Meet Our Missionaries
Ascension has a long tradition of supporting the work of Lutheran missionaries. Recently, we added two new pastors “out in the field” to our ministry focus. Let’s meet them! Click HERE to meet our missionaries.
Don’t miss another TWAA
Pericopes
This Week:
Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99
2 Corinthians 3:12 — 4:2
Luke 9:28-36 [37-43a]
Next Week:
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 (11)
Romans 10:8b-13
Luke 4:1-13
Reverend Kristin Engstrom is stationed in Zambia in southern Africa. She serves as a facilitator for leadership development and capacity building, working with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zambia, with Zambian pastors and lay leaders to strengthen the church and grow in congregational leadership.
Reverend Wal Luat Reat is serving in South Sudanese refugee camps in Ethiopia, South Sudan and bordering countries. He earned his two-year degree in Human Service at Riverland Community College in Albert Lea, Minnesota, and his certification in Theology at Pacific Lutheran Seminary.
