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
July 23, 2023
The Parable of the Sower and the Weeds cr. 1517 by Hans Schäufelein. Learn more.
Grace and peace to you my family in Christ,
This weekend we will be hearing about the parable of the “Weeds and the Wheat.” It’s a parable about faith.
Faith, He reminds his disciples, trusts the outcome into the hands of God. The question that comes with the parable is: Can we do that? In these maddening days when we see so much injustice? When everything seems out of control? When the weeds seem to be choking out the roots of the wheat? Can we remain faithful and trust? It’s not a call to be passive, it’s a call to work and trust.
Let’s talk more about this at church this weekend.
Blessings,
How Can You Help People Who are in Crisis?
After more than 500 days of war in Ukraine, your support for Lutheran World Relief’s largest humanitarian operation in their more than 75-year history is providing hot meals and shelter in UKRAINE for more than 1,000 people every day. Over 17,590 hand-made quilts have been distributed to Ukrainian refugees with more than 27,860 care kits distributed in Ukraine and Poland to refugees and displaced people. Mobile medical clinics staffed with medical teams have provided specialized services for people who have no remaining medical facilities for care of diseases such as diabetes and cancer.
Will you help bring HOPE again this year by supporting the Lutheran World Relief kits project here at Ascension?”
In Times of Disaster, Quilts and Kits are an Answer to Prayer
For more than 75 years, Lutheran World Relief has responded to war, disaster and emergency by turning the compassion of quilters and kit makers like you into tangible items that meet urgent needs and offer glimpses of home for families experiencing crisis.
Although a quilt or a bundle of hygiene supplies might seem like a drop of help in an ocean of need, these basic necessities might be impossible for families to find on their own in the wake of disaster.
Onur and Feride Aaikgöz say their familiy could get “nothing at all” in the aftermath of the February 6 earthquake that destroyed their city and their home in Türkiye.
“People looted most of the markets,” Mr. Aaikgöz told Lutheran World Relief. “They looted the big shopping malls and left nothing.”
A large-scale disaster, like those our neighbors in Türkiye and Ukraine are experiencing, often means stores and markets are shut down. Transport becomes extremely limited. It gets cold at night, and the simple act of handwashing might become a luxury. LWR Quilts & Kits serve as a first response to basic material needs, getting families through until longer-term solutions can be found. (CLICK HERE TO READ MORE)
In Case You Missed It
Ascension’s Cross
A message for Ascension and community from Sherry Lorentson:
Here is the story of what I know about the cross that is now outside in front of the Founders Hall stained glass windows.
The cross was initially on the altar in the original sanctuary (which is now Founders Hall). The cross remained there until Founders Hall was remodeled, around 1999, and then the cross was taken down. My son, Kyle, found and photographed the cross laying in some grass near the back parking lot. Luckily the cross was rescued and was then moved to the preschool and remained there until the preschool moved into the new ECC building. During the move, Cam took the cross down and brought it to our house where Lee cleaned it up, refurbished and painted it. The cross was then returned to church. A lot of thought went into where the cross should be placed next. It was decided and Jeff and Cam installed the cross Nov. 26, 2020 within a few feet of its original location. Initially the cross was in Founders Hall in front of the stain glass windows and now the cross is outside of Founders Hall near the stain glass windows. I’m glad we still have the cross. The cross is part of Ascension’s history. I think it’s in the perfect place near its original location and in the center of One Ascension.
Thank you, Sherry Lorentson, for this wonderful story of Ascension’s cross that is good for us to know. Thanks to Kyle, Cam, Lee, and Jeff, for what you did through the years so that we now have the cross in the midst of our church, Ascension Lutheran School, and Ascension Lutheran Early Childhood Center, as well as a bold reminder to our community, our neighbors, of the love and grace of our Savior Jesus, for all people.
“For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
First Corinthians 1:18
To view slides and captions: Advance slides manually.
The picture of the cross, in front of the altar in the old sanctuary, is from the cover of the 1986 Church Directory.
The picture of the cross in the grass was taken by Kyle Lorentson.
The picture of the cross, with straps supporting it in its new location, was taken by Cam on the day it was installed.
The picture of the cross and the decorated Christmas tree was taken by Sherry at the 2020 Christmas Eve Service. That was the year that worship was held in the back parking lot.
The cross today.
Today, with the newly-painted wall behind.
Congratulations
Ashley Steere
We are delighted by the recognition you received from the Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce as one of the 40 Under 40 year old professional leaders who make our community better!
(Ashley was honored with a special nursing award earlier this year. Read about her here )
Saddle Up and Don’t Miss This Special Event!
Did you know, the Nineteenth Annual Day of the Cowboy is coming up on Saturday July 22?
That means a noteworthy night is in store for those who attend Nancy Lee’s cowboy-themed worship service at 6 o’clock. Pastor Tim will lead, and on hand will be cowboy Pastor Mike Sheridan with a special message.
Western music will be the order of the evening, of course, and everyone’s encouraged to wear Western clothes as desired. Afterwards, Nancy will be serving up some of her famous cobbler. Don’t miss it!
Link to sign up for Cowgirl Peach Cobbler & Ice Cream dessert!
Ask TWAA
Dear TWAA:
Why don’t we have a calendar in the newsletter like we used to? We used it all the time. – S.B.
Dear S.B.:
We do have a continually-updated calendar on our website, ALCTO.org, It is located by clicking “Calendar” at the very top of the front page menu. There you will find the latest information about event times and places, newly-scheduled events, and other details.
That said, your point is well taken, so from now on, this newsletter will contain a live link to the calendar.
Do you have a question about Ascension? Click here to submit your inquiry.
Ladies, Let’s Get Our Acts Together!
A frightened band of dispirited disciples, a zealous persecutor of followers of Jesus Christ, the advent of the Holy Spirit and the birthing of the Church—it’s all there in the book of Acts, the focus of our Women’s Monday Morning Bible Study year that begins Monday, Sept. 11, and continues Mondays through May 6, 2024.
If you’ve attended WMMBS before, we hope you’ll come back to our family again. And if you’ve never been a part of WMMBS, we hope this year will be your year to join us. We’re about 50 women strong (we meet in small groups) and we’re united by our love for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, our yearning to learn more about His will and His way and our care for each other.
This year’s morning study will center on Warren W. Wiersbe’s two-book series on Acts, “Be Dynamic” and “Be Daring.” Cost is $30, payable at registration, and includes the two books.
The Thursday evening Zoom group (contingent on at least five participants) will also study Acts, but will use N.T. Wright’s single-book study, “N.T. Wright for Everybody: Acts.” Registration is required, but no payment as each participant will purchase her own book through Christianbook.com or Amazon ($8.99 or $9.45 respectively).
Sign-ups for both kick off Sunday, July 23, and end Aug. 13 (registration deadline).
Want to register and/or ask questions? We’ll have a table on the patio after the 9 AM Sunday service, July 23 and 30, and Aug. 6 and 13. Please come by; we’d love a chat.
Online registration/payment will also be available July 23-Aug. 13 on our website, ALCTO.org.
Please join us—Bible study is better together!
Parents of 6th-8th graders!
Share your feedback about what ministries you’d like to see for your kids this year: CLICK HERE.
OR USE THIS QR CODE:
In Need Of Prayer
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:
Isaiah 44:6-8
Psalm 86:11-17
Romans 8:12-25
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Next Week:
1 Kings 3:5-12
Psalm 119:129-136
Romans 8:26-39
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
