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
April 3, 2022
Grace and peace to you my sisters and brothers in Christ,
I want to change the name of the parable that we are going to be reflecting on this weekend. It’s often called the “Parable of the Prodigal Son.” But I want to change it to “The Two Lost Sons.”
I think I have some leeway here because it’s not like Jesus named it “The Prodigal Son.” And I don’t think he would have. That would put too much focus on the first son.
I think just as, or even more important, was the lost-ness of the second son. The first son got lost by running away from his duty. The second one got lost doing his duty. It turns out both were missing the point.
So what is the point?
Well… let’s talk about that this weekend.
Blessings,
Holy Week is Almost Here
Holy Week — a time to stop and focus on the final, monumental days in the life of Jesus, to gather together and reflect, to prepare for the joy of Easter. Please use this opportunity to invite friends and acquaintances to Ascension.
Holy Week Services
April 10 Palm Sunday: 9 and 11 AM, Saturday observance April 9
April 14 Maundy Thursday: 9 AM Chapel and 7 PM Evening
April 15 Good Friday: 11 AM Chapel and 7 PM Evening
April 16 Saturday Easter Service with Country Spirit, 6 PM
April 17 Easter Sunday:
7 AM Outdoor Sunrise Service in the Garden
9 AM Traditional Festival Service with our Chancel Choir, special music
11 AM Contemporary Easter service with Praise Alive Holy Communion will be served at each Easter service
10:30 Easter Egg Hunt
We are so excited to see this excellent new video about Ascension Lutheran School. Please watch and share with anyone who might be looking for a great school! We want everyone to know about our wonderful Ascension school.
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
Join Us For:
Baby Book Group!
Parents and little ones 3 years and younger are invited to join us on the school lawn Sunday, April 3rd at 10:30 to read an age appropriate, faith-based book together.
Bring a blanket to sit on (or we’ll have extras.) Light snacks provided. This is an opportunity to connect with other families!
You’ll get a FREE copy of the book to take home too!
Adult Ed This Sunday
April 3
IT’S ALL IN THE MUSIC…AND IN THE WORDS—PART 2
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 April 3 as we complete our exploration of some of the amazing, life-changing words that hymns make part of our bones. Hopefully by looking at a few more 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
In Need Of Prayer
Memorial Service
If you are planning on attending the luncheon after the memorial service on Saturday, April 2 (11:00am), for Cheryll Swiontkowski, please call the church office and let us know how many will be coming. 805-495-0406 Thank you.
See The Difference You Have Already Made:
ONE ASCENSION is making a difference in Ukraine and Eastern Europe now! Find out how, and what you can do TODAY! CLICK HERE.
Subhead:
DIANNE BECK HEADLINE….
Dianne Beck is finely attuned to God’s promptings. So when the beloved long-time Ascension teacher found herself unable to stop thinking about the church’s need for a new youth director, she paid attention.
Was this something she was supposed to do?
Her discernment process included talking to Pastor Chamie Delkeskamp, who “didn’t tell me I was crazy,” she recalls, smiling, and to Senior Pastor Tim Delkeskamp. And then she talked to the man who “had been my youth pastor, confimed me and all that” — Pastor Larry Wagner.
What golden words of wisdom did Ascension’s former senior pastor and youth director have for her? READ MORE
Roses on the Altar
Amelia Ruth East and Asher Noel East
Born: 3-24-22
Proud Parents: Nicole and Ethan East
Join The Green Faith Team
Nature Wants You!
Go out and thank God for God’s beautiful creation!
And join our Green Faith Team on Wednesday, April 27, at 7 PM, starting in the Bethlehem Room, and then walking outdoors on our campus, before sunset at 7:37!
(We meet on the “forth” Wednesday of each month because we are “for” creation!) Team leader: Kristine Werner.
~ Pastor Steve
A Great Time is in Store at Ascension School Gala!
It’s Ascension Lutheran School’s Event of the Season! The AL School Legacy Gala and Auction is April 9 at the Westlake Yacht Club.
It’s going to be a wonderful time to gather together as a community and raise money for our special school.
If you are unable to attent, you can also register to bid online, HERE.
We hear there some amazing items going on the block — like vacay stays in dream beach houses in Cambria and Dana Point, sailing, surfing lessons, Lazertag, massage and so many more. Check it out!
GARDEN NEWS
Help is needed in this next month leading up to and through our annual Tomato Plant Sale and Garden Festival which is Friday, April 29, 2:30-5:30 and Sunday, May 1, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
If you are interested in being on the “Tomato Team,” contact Pastor Chamie at .
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – and Compost: In the Outdoor Classroom – and at lunch – Ascension students continue working at perfecting their knowledge of what item goes where: chip bags in the trash, paper in mixed recyclables, and apple cores in the food waste composter. Students are learning about the wonders of composting and getting to play with worms.
Cookies Needed For Lenten Fellowship In Founders Hall
The Library Committee needs Cookies each week for the fellowship time in Founders Hall after the Wednesday evening service. The remaining date this year is 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.
News Briefs
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.
Counters Wanted
Ascension needs a few more people to be on a team of two to count our offerings. You’d be called on once every four or five or six weeks, depending on the number of counters we have. For more information or to talk about the possibility of signing up, visit with Tom Fields or with Pastor Steve. This ministry has been a little easier now that we have so many people giving their offerings online. Thank you!
Good To The Last Drop!
Have you seen the awesome hand-painted mugs available for after-worship-service coffee klatch time? They were created by none other than our own Senior Luther League. Reusable, they show that good stewardship of our resources begins right here. Thanks, gang!
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 a flower envelope in the pew rack and enclosing $9 for each lily ordered.
Don’t miss another TWAA
Pericopes
This Week:
Joshua 5:9-12
Psalm 32
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
Next Week:
Isaiah 43:16-21
Psalm 126 (5)
Philippians 3:4b-14
John 12:1-8
THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR LOVE with our neighbors in need and letting them know they are not alone. Your gifts are an immeasurable blessing to families around the world. They provide emergency relief for refugees fleeing.
YOUR love is reaching our neighbors. We are the hands and feet of Christ in our world.
REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT. Ascension’s Global Ministries Team and Matthew 25:35 Outreach Ministry is involved in helping refugees resettle locally. We are anticipating Ukrainians to arrive on the heels of our Afghan friends. To engage in this work and learn more, 
