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
Dear friends in Christ,
This weekend in worship we’ll focus on God’s Word, through the apostle Paul, in Philippians 3:10-14. If you wanted to write a summary of life in Christ it would be difficult to improve on these words! I’d encourage you to also read the Gospel, John 8:1-12. We look forward to Pastor Paul’s continuing class on Christian hymns at 10:10am Sunday in Founders Hall.
On Saturday morning, April 2, we will also gather in worship to give God thanks for the life, faith, and service of Cheryll Swiontkowski, and to support Bill and his family. Join us in person or online at 11:00am. If you are staying for lunch, please call the church office to let us know.
Then in a little more than a week, Holy Week (April 10-17) will be here. Consider who you will invite and bring with you to the worship services through that week. We thank the many here who are preparing for all our worship services. Please spread the word!
Thank you for the prayers for peace for Ukraine, and for your generous donations to LWR, LIRS, Lutheran Disaster Response, or Jubilee. Each Thursday noon Cal Lutheran invites us to prayer at their peace pole, outside of Samuelson Chapel. Maybe see you there too!
Love in Jesus,
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. Here is the full schedule:
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, Carillons
11 AM Contemporary Easter service with Praise Alive
Holy Communion will be served at each Easter service
10:30 Easter Egg Hunt
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 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
DIANNE BECK BRINGS PASSION FOR FAITH AND TEACHING TO YOUTH DIRECTOR POST
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 and youth pastor 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
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.
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
Ascension Lutheran School is special. We know that, and we want to get the word out! Please watch this excellent new video about our school, and share with anyone who might be looking for a school that combines faith and top academic standards. We want everyone to know about our wonderful school.
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!
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.
Attendance & Offerings
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.
A Great Time Ahead 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 attend, you can also register to bid online, HERE.
We hear there are 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.
News Briefs
Help Support our Youth Group at the Chili Cook-Off
When: Saturday, May 1st from 1:00-6:30
What: Help pick up trash and replace trash bags
Where: Thousand Oaks Library Park
Why: This is a great way to support our youth as the Rotary Club donates money to us for helping in this way! We need more helpers to make this work though.
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!
Thank You to Everyone Who Brought Cookies
The Library Committee would like to extend its appreciation to all those who generously provided cookies for the Lenten fellowship time in Founders Hall after the Wednesday evening services. We are all set for this week. Come join us!
Don’t miss another TWAA
Pericopes
This Week:
Isaiah 43:16-21
Psalm 126 (5)
Philippians 3:4b-14
John 12:1-8
Next Week:
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16 (5)
Philippians 2:5-11
Luke 22:14 — 23:56
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, 
