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
August 14, 2022
Dear friends in Christ,
Slowdowns in the summer do not happen at Ascension, and these past weeks were no exception. Through the highs and lows of daily life we experience the presence of Christ through the Spirit and one another.
This weekend we invite you to worship at the:
Memorial service for Marty Spadaro, Saturday at 11:00am;
Memorial service for Pastor Howie Wennes, Sunday at 1:00pm;
Saturday 6:00pm worship with Pastor Rick Ertel preaching and sharing a very powerful story.
Sunday at 9:00 and 11:00 with our Bishop Brenda Bos preaching, and former Pacifica Bishop Murray Finck sharing with us about the ELCA Military Chaplaincy.
On Sunday morning between services, there will be no adult ed class, but: Vivian Johson will be on the patio to sign copies of her book on grief; Pastor Julie will be in the library to explain the new School Buddy ministry; and the Monday morning Bible study leaders will be on the patio to take sign ups for next month. Evening Zoom studies are also being scheduled if you can’t come in the morning!
If you are attending the Wennes service Sunday afternoon, we invite you, if possible, to park in our neighborhood and walk to the campus so that we leave parking spaces for the Wennes family and for all of the out-of-town guests. This service will also be live-streamed from our website and our Facebook page. Former presiding bishop of the ELCA, Rev. Mark Hanson, will be preaching.
Thank you, Ascension, for your prayers and care for our loved ones who are grieving or needing healing. And we are praying for all school families and school staff as they begin again these coming days/weeks.
Love and blessings in Jesus,
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES:
Last weekend, Pastor Steve shared 234 slides of Ascension memories and ministries as he signed off from preaching regular sermons. (He narrowed the slides down from 400!) We were glad to share this milestone, as Pastor Steve changes over to a half-time call in September – but we’re more glad that he’s still going to be here as one of our pastors. Click here to view 9 AM service and Pastor Steve’s slide presentation
Preaching this Weekend:
Welcome, SWCA Bishop Brenda Bos (Sunday) and Pastor Rick Ertel (Saturday)
In Need Of Prayer
Murray Finck to Present Chaplaincy Support Recognition to Ascension
Reverend Murray Finck will be here August 14, presenting an expression of appreciation to Ascension for our support of the ELCA’s Federal Chaplaincy Ministries Scholarship Endowment Fund, and to give us some insights into the chaplaincy program.
Rev. Finck served for 18 years as the Bishop of our neighboring Synod to the south, Pacifica, and then in 2020 and 2021 he served as the Interim Bishop of our own Southwest California Synod. In 2016 he was asked by the ELCA to lead a fundraising effort in support of ELCA seminarians who are preparing for pastoral ministry that may include serving as Federal Chaplains. As unpaid volunteers, he and a team of ELCA Chaplains have been raising seminary scholarship funds for the past six years. Several years ago, Ascension Lutheran Church joined this much needed fundraising effort. As he and his spouse, Rhoda, are in Thousand Oaks this weekend, we have invited retired Bishop Finck to make a brief presentation to our congregation this morning on behalf of the ELCA Federal Chaplaincy Ministries.
HELPING HANDS WANTED:
“Not all classrooms have four walls,” says Pastor Chamie’s and Ms.Charlotte’s t-shirts. They lead our Outdoor Classroom and Nature Explore Program at Ascension Lutheran School. They could use help sprucing up the outdoor learning area around the modular in the back parking lot on Saturday, August 20, anytime from 7:30-10:30 AM.
Kindergarten and 9th Grade Milestone Coming up August 21
Rose On The Altar
Norman Fredrik Combs
Born: 8-9-2022
Proud Parents: Leah and Evan Combs
Proud Grandparents: Diane and Greg Kusnierek
Proud Aunt: Debra Kusnierek
Rev. Dr. Howie Wennes Memorial Service Signup and Chapel Opportunity
Those attending the Memorial Service and Reception Meal for Rev. Dr. Howie Wennes August 14 — please help us as we plan for seating and food by signing up via the signup genius link: HERE.
Click HERE for more information.
Ascension family, if you are able to, please park in the Ascension neighborhood and then walk to our campus, so that we leave the closer parking spaces for the Wennes family and our many guests coming Sunday for the 1:00pm service. Thank you.
Thanks to the Gary Trumbo Family!
Watch for all the beautiful signs and banners that will be going up on our campus.
Save the Date
Rally Sunday–it’s ON!
This year, our Rally Sunday celebration will be September 11. There will be one worship service, at 10 AM, with Blessing of Teachers and Backpacks. Then it will be on to a celebration with food, music, games and lots of fun!
Last year’s Rally Sunday was one of the most popular events of the year! We thank everyone who turned out, especially our crew of mighty volunteers — from setting up to running games to helping with the tear down afterwards. And, no surprise, we will need volunteers again, the day before and the day of the event. Can you lend a hand? More details will be forthcoming.
Join Us For:
Baby Book Group!
Parents and little ones 3 years and younger are invited to join us in the school courtyard, Sunday, August 21 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!
You can make a big difference in someone’s life.
Did you know that with just one blood donation, you can help up to 3 hospital patients? Ascension Lutheran Church is sponsoring our Blood Drive on Sunday, August 21 from 8:00-12:30 in Founders Hall.
Please sign-up by calling Vitalant at 805-542-8500 or online HERE and use the blood drive code: 8522.
Thank you!
–From your Ascension Community Concerns Team
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.
Children age 3-6th grade leave after the children’s message in our 9 am worship service, and can be picked up at the picnic tables after worship. If it is your child’s first time attending, you’re welcome to leave the sanctuary with them, to ensure they find their way.
Please register your child if they plan to attend; this will also ensure you receive Sunday School emails and updates! Here’s the 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!
MEMORIAL SERVICES:
The service for Marty Spadaro will be Saturday, August 13, at 11 AM at Ascension
The service for Rev. Dr. Howie Wennes will be Sunday, August 14, at 1 PM at Ascension
Backup needed
Our Community Concerns Team is looking for two more people to be the backup leaders for our once-a-month food ministry with Harbor House on the third Tuesday of each month. We thank Tania and Barry Disselhorst for leading this outstanding ministry for our community. For the times when they are not available to lead, we need this backup team of two people! Contact them, or our chairperson Chris Clark, or Pastor Steve. Thank you to all who prepared the delicious dinner for the Harbor House – Thousand Oaks ministry at Holy Trinity July 19!
Women’s Monday Morning Bible Study Is Back!
Women’s Monday Morning Bible Study resumes Monday, Sept. 12, and we hope you will join us for what promises to be an exhilarating study on the book of Luke that will take us through Monday, May 8.
News flash: This year, we won’t be just in the morning—we’re offering an evening Zoom group for those for whom the evening works better.
You can sign up at the table outside the west narthex between Sunday services Aug. 7-Aug. 28. 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
Don’t miss another TWAA
Pericopes
This Week:
Next Week:
Isaiah 58:9b-14
Psalm 103:1-8 (4)
Hebrews 12:18-29
Luke 13:10-17
"Over the next few weeks, I invite you to hold space for your grief and memories. Beginning Monday, July 18, I welcome the Cal Lutheran community to visit the Wennes Interfaith Meditation Chapel. You will find Howie's morning prayer, favorite hymn, stole, and Spirit banner, and have opportunities to share fond memories, stories, or letters with his loved ones. We invite you to visit the Wennes Interfaith Meditation Chapel as you feel called.
