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 3, 2022

Eastern Orthodox depiction of the Seventy Disciples and Apostles

Grace and peace to you my sisters and brothers in Christ,

Our gospel lesson this week reminds us that we are a community called together for a purpose. We worship God and proclaim the good news of His son Jesus. And in this process, we get to experience the joy of the Holy Spirit working through us.

And speaking of worship, each week I get to hear from people about how good it feels to be back to worshiping in the sanctuary together again, there is a sense that we are recovering from the crazy time of covid. I agree.

To continue this journey back, over the next month, we’ll gradually reintroduce three more of the practices that are a familiar part of church. We will come back to passing the peace, greeting each other face to face again. At this point it will simply be verbal greetings; we still want to be sensitive to those who wish to refrain from handshakes, but it will be peace, nonetheless.

Then, we will restore the passing of our offering plates. Many people have commented on how they have missed this incredibly important act of worship and the “box in the back” is just not the same. We hear you.

Finally, the next step will be to return to serving communion at our communion rails for those who chose to receive communion in this manner.

While each of these have been on the “safe to do” list for some time, we have been cautious for the sake of people’s comfort levels. The point has been to worship the best we can, while making sure everyone feels safe and comfortable. We continue to remain vigilant and we continue to invite those who feel most at ease wearing masks to please do so. Thank you for your wonderful faithfulness and I am grateful for the way we have gotten through these times together.

Blessings,

Flowers on the Altar

The flowers on the altar are in honor of the 74th anniversary of the founding of Ascension Lutheran Church, July 4, 1948

Given from the estate of charter members John and Myrtle Beyer

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Congregational Meeting

Church Council President Carrie Leonard presided over our Annual Meeting June 26.

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Held between worship services, the meeting began with fellowship and breakfast treats. We filled Founder’s Hall.

Congregational Meeting

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Treasurer Mike Marvin went over the new budget, which was then voted in unanimously.

Congregational Meeting

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Pastor Tim talked about Ascension objectives for 2022-2023.

Congregational Meeting

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Ascension Early Childhood Center Director Jenny McCoy delivered some great news about our thriving ECC’s budget surplus and went over plans for the future.

Congregational Meeting

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The meeting also included Pastor Julie’s opening prayer, comments and prayer by Incoming Council President Ed Klodt, a video presentation by Bob Woodward and Creighton Van Horn regarding our lower lot land sale, and the announcement of Mara Hassenbein as our new Worship Coordinator.

Congregational Meeting

Link To Lot Sale Video

New Worship Coordinator: Mara Hassenbein

Mara Hassenbein is assuming the new position of Ascension Worship Coordinator. She will work behind the scenes to prepare and manage a variety of aspects of our worship services.

For anyone who knows Mara, it’s easy to see why Pastor Tim thought of her as the ideal person for this post. Not only is she a top administrative assistant, she is also a long-time Ascension member and a Women’s Bible Study regular of years’ standing. All three of her children attended AL School. She is a former leader of our preschool moms’ group and has been involved in other activities, too.

Mara’s heart, faith, experience, artistry and sharp organizational skills are already assets for the Ascension office. Now she will contribute them as part of our worship team as well.

Congratulations, Mara!

Roses on the Altar

Walker Mark Nahan

Born: 6-24-22

Proud Parents: Jennifur and Josh Nahan

Proud Grandparents: Carlah and Tim Schneider

Roses on the Altar

Lyla James Woolsey

Born 6-21-22

Proud Parents: Christina and Tyler Woolsey

Proud Grandparents: Diane and Robert Starzak

Coming up in Adult Ed:

Stop the Bleed

Learn how to save a life! Life threatening bleeding can result in death within minutes before professional rescuers can reach you. The National Stop The Bleed program teaches citizens how to control severe bleeding by applying direct pressure, packing the wound, and applying a tourniquet. Led by Diane Starzak

Sunday July 24th 10:10 am

Founders Hall

No pre-registration needed

Adult Ed July 10 & 17 at 10:10 AM

Michelangelo

One of the greatest creators of sacred art in history is Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni, known simply as Michelangelo. Join Pastor Steve for this two-part Adult Ed series on Michelangelo and his journey in creating the Pieta, the Sistine Chapel paintings, and his statue of David.

The class will feature Bishop Robert Barron’s “The Pivotal Players” video in which Bishop Barron and his team travel to locations that played a significant role in the formation and vocation of Michelangelo, which in turn formed the life of the church.

Summer Sunday School

This summer, we’re trying something new and focusing on hands-on projects in Sunday School, as we have tons of fun and learn about the fruits of the Spirit.

This summer, we’ll move Sunday School back to being during our 9 am service, just for the summer. Be sure to give Pastor Julie your feedback about which option you prefer.

Join us, even if you’ve been away for a while!

Children age 3-6th grade will leave after the children’s message and can be picked up at the picnic tables.

If you plan to have your child attend and haven’t registered them yet, please do so HERE prior to sending them: LINK

Summer Schedule:

July 3-August 28: Sunday School!

Sept. 4: Labor Day Weekend, no Sunday School

Sept. 11: Rally Sunday, with food and games after worship.

Can’t wait to see you this summer!

TO REGISTER OR VOLUNTEER CLICK HERE!

In Need Of Prayer

Click Here For The Ascension Prayer List

Flat Jesus Challenge

Pastor Julie recently talked about the Flat Jesus Challenge in her Children’s Chat at worship. Kids can color in this drawing of Jesus and take it with them wherever they go! It’s a vacation time activity that reminds us Jesus is with us always, near or far.

Here are the instructions:

Take me with you on vacation…To the beach, the park, and even the gas station. Snap a pic and include me, too. Remember I am always with you!

Download your Flat Jesus HERE.

Post pics on facebook or Instagram—and tag Ascension

Or send to Or text to Pastor Julie: (310) 938-1346

Still Needed For VBS:

1. Help with decorating. 12-4 Saturday July 9 and 12-2 Sunday July 10. Come for ANY amount of time. Every little bit helps! Email Pastor Julie to let her know you’re coming.

2. TO BORROW: CD players with speakers and a selfie stick.

From the Global Ministries Team:

Dear Ascension Lutheran Church Members & Friends,

How is God calling you to LOVE your neighbor? How will you show your love for your global neighbor? continue reading…

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

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Pericopes

This Week:

Isaiah 66:10-14
Psalm 66:1-9 (4)
Galatians 6:[1-6] 7-16
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

Next Week:

Deuteronomy 30:9-14

Psalm 25:1-10 (4)

Colossians 1:1-14

Luke 10:25-37

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IN NEED OF PRAYER

A name is added to this list only with the permission of the person or the person's family

Link to printable prayer page

PRAYERS OF COMFORT FOR:

Sharon Schnell, on the death of her mother, Margaret Rubish

PRAYERS OF HEALING FOR:

Alan Baker, for strength and healing as he undergoes chemotherapy treatments for prostate cancer.

Clifford, Karyl and Jonathan Breedlove, healing from Covid

Alice Cantwell’s grandchildren, Camden and Clyde

Valerie Krum, for smooth healing from knee replacement surgery this past week

Linda Morrow’s cousin, Janet, and Janet’s husband Bill, as they deal with the aftermath of his recent fall, shoulder injury and other health issues

CONTINUING PRAYERS FOR:

Lara Abounayan

Kyle Ayers

Kim Bach

Karen Barrows

Maria Bartush

The Bauer Family

Addie Behm

Gloria Benfatto

Carl Bohning

Debi Bing

Skip Brenner

John Burgert

Mary Cartrett

Dominic Cavaliere

Beverly Clark

Nancy Coffman

Linnea Cortlang

Linda Crabill

Carole Curran

Lilly Curran

Andrea Delkeskamp

Carl Dietrich

Diana Doerfler

Jim Downs

John Ernst

Becky and Al France

Terry Gillette

Malia Hassenbein

Brenda Heinrich

Jeanne Hengst,

Bob Herder

Shaeley Huber

Penny Hunter

Marilyn Johnson

Micky Johnson

Bob Kielhorn

Scott Klipp

Barbara Krum

Jim Lawson

Dr. Allen Leland

Sue May

Colleen McCarthy

Sandi Meyer

Shirley Meyer

Verlon Meyer

Jacob Miller

Bill Munn

Angela Naginey

Tawne Newcome

Paul and Betty Olson

Carol O’Gorman

Orlando Orozco

Brandt Stephen Oschner

Dale Ota

Dane Pederson

Ashley Peyton

Laurie Peyton

Gary Phillips

Jeanie Phillips

Lois Phillips

Mike Ricci

Marilyn Ripley

Dave Rosinbum

Debbie Saunier

Dorothy Scholz

Barb Schornstein

Arnold Schwarz

Margaret Skinner

Jerry Smith

Dan Thiel

Jan Timmons

Taty Valladares

Todd Wallace

PRAYERS FOR SAFEKEEPING:

Connor Braaten, USMC

Scott Clark, U.S. Navy

LCpL. Alexander Daley

Cody Davidson, US Army

Tim David, US Army

Jack Ingles, USMC

ET1 Patrick Maccarone, USN

Jake Marshall, USMC

Scott Mochatel, USCG

LCJG Caroline Truesdell, USCG

PRAYERS FOR OUR GLOBAL PARTNERS IN MINISTRY:

For our missionaries, Rev. Kristen Engstrom in Zambia, and
Rev. Wal Luot Reat serving in a South Sudan refugee
camp near the border with Ethiopia.

Center for Climate Justice and Faith at PLTS

Sister Emilia, Pastor David, in Pachacamac, Peru

Filadelfia Lutheran Church, Peru

Pastor John Rutsindintwarane, Rwanda

Our Companion Synods in El Salvador and Hong Kong

ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Response

Corus/ Lutheran World Relief/IMA Lutheran World Relief/IMA

Eric LeCompte and the Jubilee USA Network

Bread for the World

Fair Trade

Guardian Angels

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service

Lutherans Restoring Creation

(To learn more, ask our Global Ministries Team.)

PRAYER OF PEACE:

For Ukraine, and help for all those who are suffering, grieving, or displaced, because of the evils of war.

PRAYER FOCUS:

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June 2022

Dear Ascension Lutheran Church Members & Friends,

How is God calling you to LOVE your neighbor? How will you show your love for your global neighbor?

Sometimes loving your neighbor is as simple as asking someone what they need. At Lutheran World Relief (LWR), volunteers strive to ask this simple question and welcome those who need assistance. LWR continues to live out its mission:

“Affirming God’s love for all people- we work with Lutherans and partners around the world to end poverty, injustice and human suffering.”

We invite you to be part of providing comfort and hope to people in refugee camps, living in extreme poverty, and other areas where humanitarian needs are rampant. From wars to persecution, from global pandemics to natural disasters, our world is full of challenges and suffering.

ONE Ascension has been a partner with LWR since 2005 by making and assembling school kits, personal care kits and baby kits. This year PERSONAL CARE KITS, more than anything else, are urgently needed to show our global neighbors that even in their most trying times, they are not alone. These kits provide not only basic hygiene products such as towels, soap, combs, toothbrushes and nail clippers, but also hope and dignity.

The kits we have assembled over the years have been shipped around the world, most recently to Rwanda, Lebanon, Honduras and Georgia. Last year Ascension sent over 1,000 kits to LWR to be distributed to those in need. It was the gift of YOUR love and support that made this act of love for our neighbors possible.

This year the Global Ministries Team is once again coordinating the kits project for the ONE Ascension community. Our students at Ascension Lutheran School, children in our Sunday School, Confirmation classes, Senior Luther League and Young Adult Group, Life Groups and others are ready to assemble kits again this fall and put their faith and love into action.

ALL WE NEED is your gift to purchase the necessary items for the personal care kits and ship assembled kits to LWR for distribution somewhere in our world where they are most needed. A gift of $11 will buy the materials and pay for the shipping for one personal care kit. A gift of $100 will provide funds for 9 personal care kits. A gift of $1,000 will send 90 kits!

Will you join us in this important ministry to fill LWR’s shelves with personal care kits for refugees and others? You can give on line and designate your offering to LWR KITS PROJECT by clicking HERE, or go to the ALCTO.org website at any time. Click on GIVE and then OTHER and write LWR KITS PROJECT in the box provided. You can also write a check to Ascension Lutheran Church with LWR KITS PROJECT in your memo line. Your check can be placed in the offering box in the back of the sanctuary, mailed to the church office or dropped off at the church office.

We thank you in advance for your gifts of all shapes and sizes, whether it’s a monetary gift or the gift of your time. We are appreciative of this ONE Ascension effort in bringing hope and showing our love to our global neighbors in their time of need.

Louise Evenson

On behalf of your Global Ministries Team

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A recap of the Youth Gathering

High School Youth Group Enjoys Farm Fun, Service, Sunsets, Mountain Tops, and mostly, Lots of Laughter and God’s Hand in it All.

by Dianne Beck

“Sometimes the best way to see God is by looking backwards.”

This was something a speaker at the recent Youth Gathering at Luther Glen said on our last day of camp, and as I look back on our week, I definitely see the hand of God in everything we did.

At Bible Study this past Sunday, as we shared Highs and Lows, each youth who went on the trip, along with myself, listed our trip as a high for the week, recounting the fun times, and admitted that one low was simply the adjustment of coming back home, even though we were all glad to be home and get some rest! I know that in my mind I’ve continued to hear our jokes, sometimes even saying them out loud when no one near me would get it, and have songs like “One Name Under Heaven,” “Reckless Love,” and “Knee, Knee, Clap, Clap” on repeat in my head as well. The week is one that will stay embedded positively in our memories and continue to bring us joy as we think back on it.

Each day was packed with activity and opportunities to connect with each other as well as people from all over California and places as far as North Dakota, Minnesota, Washington, and Hawaii. In this one week, we were able to enjoy farm animals and a new puppy, beautiful sunrises and sunsets, great praise music and speakers, games and conversation, Disneyland, The Palm Springs Tramway, a service day at Helping Hands in San Bernadino, and the local fun of Oak Glen with apple turnovers and axe throwing.
Looking back, I think I saw God most in the way we all connected and got to know one another more and more each day. It’s not easy to hide behind your real self when spending a week together, which I believe is the beauty of going away together. We all see that it’s okay to be who we are and when we are, that’s when God and his love best shine through.

I am truly thankful for every person who went on the trip, every person we met, both near and far, and all the lasting connections and memories made.

If you or a high schooler you know would like to be part of another trip, stay tuned for our plans for an upcoming weekend retreat to Pismo Beach September 23-25th. If interested, contact Dianne Beck at .

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