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
Pentecost/Memorial Day Weekend
Wear red for Pentecost Sunday.
Grace and peace to you my family in Christ,
This weekend is the celebration of Pentecost. When Jesus left his followers to go into heaven, he promised them that he would not leave them alone. He sent the Holy Spirit which came in spectacular fashion on the day of Pentecost. Maybe you remember the details of the story. It was the rushing of wind, the smoke, the tongues of fire, the other languages. Ever since that time the Spirit has been shaking people up — disorienting us so that we could be reoriented to the Kingdom of God. I am excited to talk with you about this wonderful story this weekend.
See you in church!
Blessings,
Congratulations to these young men and their families.
Alexander Alvarez, Jack Chandler, Jude Klemp, Drew Lorentson, Adam Parker and Hunter Wallace were confirmed May 21, in a moving and memorable service.
Photos: Ascension Tech Team, Sherry Lorentson
‘Disoriented to be Reoriented’
Podcast link for further study. There will be more information about this in worship.
Adult Ed THIS SUNDAY:
The Real Memorial Day
Memorial Day is NOT a religious holiday!
Memorial Day is not listed in the church calendar. What is the history of Memorial Day? How does is differ from Veterans Day? How do we as Christians remember this national holiday? Come and hear how others have marked this day and share your own traditions. This session is led by Dr. Carol Bartell, Dean and Professor Emerita
10:10 AM in Founders Hall
What’s In A Name?
A name of a place can be a connection to history or a leap into the future. A name can be descriptive words about unique qualities or special attributes of the place. We think the name of a place can also be a window into the mission or vision of, and for, that specific place. A name can say a lot! The little space located at the corner of “faith & fair” (previously known as the hallway to Founders Hall) is now “Fair Trade Lane”!
We thank Pastor Steve for opening our Adult Ed Class time last Sunday with a special prayer of dedication for Fair Trade Lane and its mission – to be “A Faith Path to Justice for People and Planet”. Fair Trade Lane sports a fresh coat of paint and the beginnings of a little gallery of colorful art expressing images we associate with Fair Trade. The vision for Fair Trade Lane is that it be welcoming, inviting, inspiring and joyful – a place for our Ascension Community as a whole and our many friends, near and far, to come together in celebrating and growing Fair Trade at Ascension.
Last year, Ascension’s Fair Trade Ministry celebrated its 20th Anniversary. How exciting it is in this our 21st year to be opening the doors of Fair Trade Lane and all the wonderful opportunities to come for us all to meet, greet, teach, learn, serve, connect and have fun in lifting up Fair Trade and justice for people and planet. We thank you, our Ascension Community, for your continued support and encouragement.
Fair Trade Lane will be open on Sunday, June 11 from 10:10 -10:55 AM. Your Fair Trade favorites, some new items, and a few surprises will be lined up on the shelves for browsing and purchasing. Everyone is Invited. Bring your cup of Fair Trade coffee or tea from the patio and join us – we look forward to seeing you at Fair Trade Lane!
A Force for Good
Camryn Force has packed so much into her life, it’s hard to believe Ascension’s new Staff Accountant is only 24.
She grew up doing gymnastics, first competing in club gymnastics and then in high school. In fact, she was placed on her school’s varsity team when she was just a freshman. She also coached — as a job for a San Diego gymnastics club for many years, and as a volunteer for the Special Olympics for four years.
How did she come to be involved? One of the boys on her club gymnastics team had a sister with special needs who was in the program, Camryn explains, and the family encouraged her to coach. Her only hesitancy was the fact she was only about 12 and some of the athletes she’d be coaching were adults.
She recalls coaching people with a wide range of abilities.
“Working with their physical limitations probably wasn’t the hardest part,” she says. “It was just, like, getting to know their mental limitations and what they were capable of.”
This knowledge was more than some short-term volunteers had. “We had a lot of people come in who volunteered community service hours and be there for a couple of weeks or a couple of months, and the athletes would mess with them,” she remembers, smiling. “They’d be going, ‘I can’t do it!’ and the coaches would be like, “It’s okay. They can totally do it.”
Camryn is known to many here as a member of our Church Council for 2022-2023, until leaving to join our staff in March. To others, she’s known as the girlfriend of life-long Ascension member Elijah Lomeli. She comes off as congenial and bright during an afternoon’s conversation.
Yes, she went with her Special Olympians to events, including the big all-Southern California Special Olympics Summer Games in Long Beach. “That was really, really cool to go to,” recalls Camryn, who was still so young at the time her mom drove. “They have Opening Ceremonies, people with torches lighting the flame of the Games like the regular Olympics. Celebrities would show up and stay for the day. I met one of the actors from ‘Fast and the Furious.’
“In Special Olympics, they celebrate everyone. Everyone gets a medal.”
It was during her high school years that Camryn first became aquainted with Ascension. “I went to a church in San Diego, and we’d come up, like, once a year. The high schoolers would ‘kidnap’ the eighth graders and go to Six Flags — and we’d stay in the dugout at Ascension and go to church here on Sunday before we left.”
When she began college at Cal Lutheran in 2016, she remembered those times. Even though the university has its on-campus chapel and “Holy Trinity is right next door, I came back here because I knew this church. And I thought it would be good to get off-campus and meet people in the actual community.”
She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics in 2020, and worked for MVSC (Motor Vehicle Software Corporation) as a data analyst and auditor. She also amassed experience in recreation working with children and teens, tutoring, and working in the finance department at Callaway Golf through the years.
When Pastor Tim Delkeskamp talked to her about serving on Church Council, Camryn said yes.
“I figured ‘Why not? I’ll try it. Yeah, it’s a commitment, but not too much. I can do that,’” she says. And indeed, she could.
As for anything she’d like to say to Ascension members now? “If they see me around, come say ‘Hi’ and talk to me. Get to know me if they see me.”
Dianne Beck Steps Down
We are grateful for the time Dianne Beck has put into serving as our Director of Youth Ministry, pouring heart and soul, time and talent into what has clearly been a labor of love. Our prayers are with her. Her letter to Senior Luther League parents is shared below:
Dear Parents of Senior Luther League youth,
I’m writing this letter to let you know some difficult news I shared with the youth who I’ve been able to meet with recently. I am resigning from my position as youth director at Ascension due to family circumstances that are requiring more of my time away, making it difficult for me to sustain all my responsibilities in this position.
This decision has been a very difficult one for me, as I have developed a strong relationship with this group and watched them grow and flourish in their faith and in their connections with each other. I hope they each know this move has nothing to do with how much I care about each of them individually or as a group. I pray they will continue to stay strongly connected and active as I transition from the position and as a new leader is in place.
I’m continuing my regular responsibilities through Sunday, June 11, and after that I will lead our regular Bible Study time on Sundays from 5-7 on a volunteer basis, when available, approximately twice a month, until a new person starts in the position.
While I am resigning from this position, I am not leaving Ascension, and I am not resigning as a friend/adult mentor in their lives. Ascension is still my church home, and these kids still mean the world to me. I hope they have received that message clearly, and I hope they and you know I will continue to keep them in prayer and make this adjustment as smooth as possible.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me.
With much love,
Dianne Beck
In Need Of Prayer
Offerings & Attendance
Global Ministries Team Seeks Donations for Refugees
The Conejo Interfaith Refugee Team helps new arrivals from Ukraine, Afghanistan and other countries as they resettle in our area. Current donation needs are for gift cards for groceries, and small apartment furniture such as dressers, small dining room tables with chairs, microwaves, TVs, coffee tables, end tables, lamps, rugs”.
Please contact our global ministries team if interested.
Thanks for Sharing Your Insights
Thank you to the 159 Ascension members and friends who participated in our spring Worship Survey. The data and many insightful comments are helping our pastors and council review Ascension’s approach to worship this year.
Among the findings:
— The impact music is making to our worship services — this marker showing the greatest “up-tick,” or score improvement, since the survey last fall.
— Our biggest challenge is in hospitality and welcoming one another and visitors. We still have work to do!
— A number of members wrote that they were happy to be together for in-person worship again, like pre-pandemic days. Good news!
This summer:
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
July 10-14
We need lots of volunteers for Vacation Bible School!
Did you know:
- We have roles that require zero prep?
- Those 7th grade and up can help!
- Even if you’re not available the week of July 10, we can use you to help us prepare.
- If you think you can’t or you feel a little scared of the idea, remember: that’s often how God’s call feels! 😊
Come and talk to me!
Can you help? Want more info.? Talk to Pastor Julie:
To Sign Up, go to https://vbspro.events/p/events/ascensionvbs2023
Full-Time Job Opportunity at Ascension
Ascension Lutheran Church is looking for a new administrative assistant to add to our team. This is a vital opportunity for the right person: It is a full-time position that includes health and retirement benefits and a potential school discount. Interested parties, please check details at Career Opportunities at Ascension – Ascension Lutheran Church Thousand Oaks (alcto.org)
VBS needs:
A metal trash can (we’ll give it back after vbs!)
Toilet paper rolls
Please bring any donations to the church office!
June 25
After 9 AM Worship
Ascension’s New Member Class
Would you like to take another step in your spiritual journey with God and Ascension Lutheran Church? If so, we would like to invite you to be a part of our next New Member class on Sunday, June 11, from 12-2pm. This meeting will focus on the basics of the Christian faith and on the ministry of Ascension. Childcare is available and lunch will be provided.
To RSVP, please call the church office at (805) 495-0406 or email Jenelle Smith at . RSVP by June 5.
ATTENTION SPACE EXPLORERS
This summer’s Stellar VBS is looking for a few good builders to construct two primary set decorations for the week-long program in July; a LUNAR LANDER, and a ROVER.
Ideally, pieces for each item will be created and assembled by a two-person team. Instructions, specs and materials will be provided. Some tools and experience are necessary.
Soon, we’ll also be looking for crafters to help us build stars, portholes, etc., from home.
Sign on to the job by visiting the display in the narthex after service, or contacting Pastor Julie: . Mission command thanks you!
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, Julie McCain, and Steve Herder
Don’t miss another TWAA
Pericopes
This Week:
Acts 2:1-21
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
John 20:19-23
Next Week:
Genesis 1:1–2:4a
Psalm 8
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Matthew 28:16-20
