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 20, 2023
Grace and peace to you my family in Christ,
I want you to know this obscure little story in the Gospel of Matthew. People don’t remember it like they remember “The Prodigal Son” or “The Beatitudes” or “the Christmas Story.” But it is just as important as those stories and it’s so beautifully told. What story is this? It’s the story of a Canaanite woman who convinces Jesus to heal her daughter and does not take “no” for an answer.
We have a lot to learn from this woman about who our God is. I can’t wait to see you and talk more about this in church!
Blessings,
WELCOME ABOARD!
Who is that smiling woman in the front of that kayak with our administrative ministries’ chief, Kaylee Searway? Why it’s Emilee Crites, our new administrative assistant. Welcome, Emilee! We wish you a great journey and smooth sailing.
A Ringing Endorsement!
Our Carillons bell choir will begin rehearsals on Tuesday, August 22, at 7 PM in the sanctuary. Interested in joining this heavenly-sounding ensemble? They are always happy to welcome new bell ringers. 🔔 🔔 🔔 More bell!
Help Us Tie Quilts for Lutheran World Relief!
Tuesday, Aug. 22
9 AM – 12 PM in Founders Hall
One Ascension Team Building Part 1
Professional Development Week is truly a One Ascension event this year, as staff members from our school, preschool and church have been joining together to learn more about one another’s missions, goals and challenges – and each other! Security and harassment prevention were among the topics.
Things got off to a tasty start with breakfast prepared right here, including Principal Rich Gregory’s giant pancakes. The biggest one of all went to Pastor Steve, whose birthday was the 16th. (Thanks to Pastor Julie and Pastor Tim for the breakfast pictures, and Pastor Steve for the meeting photos.)
Team Building Part 2
Later, Jeff Hengst traded his maintenance hat for his bus driver’s cap and drove the big white bus to Channel Islands Harbor, where Ascension staff had the chance to walk, meditate, stroll the marina and/or engage in water sport fun! (Thanks, Jenelle Smith, for providing pictures!)
Save The Date: September 10!
Helpers Wanted!
Can you lend a hand to help prepare and/or run and/or take down items from our Celebration Day September 10? Use this link to check out volunteer opportunities and to sign up!
Cakes and Treats and Supplies Needed September 10!
We’ll have another cake/treat walk this year at our Rally Sunday/60th Anniversary of the School Celebration. We need you! Can you make/buy cakes or other treats? Spread the word, and sign up HERE.
We are also looking for items we can borrow for the day:
- pop-ups
- large lawn games
- large fans with misters attached
Please call the office if you are willing to lend any of these items.
September 10 Update
Besides being a wonderful fun celebration with a special worship service and big family party afterwards, Sept. 10 will be a meaningful day for One Ascension, too. Check out Pastor Steve’s report in this month’s Pastors’ Reports for information about the service projects we are invited to participate in for God’s Work, Our Hands Sunday. One of those: Bring a bag of groceries for our food pantry and place it in the sanctuary, under the wood carving of Jesus ascending into heaven. You may also pack personal care kits for Lutheran World Relief. Here is the link:
And to recap, other highlights of the celebration:
- The band Fiddle Leaf (@fiddleleafmusic) will be playing tunes both Irish and pop at the festival.
- There will be a food truck with a variety of items available for purchase.
- There will be a rock wall with monkey jumps, a bounce house, and a toddler bounce house.
- There will be free Mr. Softee Ice Cream!
PITCHING IN:
Thank you to the Ascension volunteers seen here packaging dinners that were made for Harbor House this past week. Such a great community service project! (From Chris Clark)
JAIL MINISTRY
Hosting church or Bible study at our local jails is an important ministry, reaching those who are incredibly vulnerable to share the Word of God. The participants often come to the meetings with wonderful questions and open to spiritual dialogue.These conversations may be the deepest, most thought-provoking, and transformational spiritual encounters you may ever have!
To serve in the Jail Ministry program does require an application and approval process which is managed by the county. For more information, contact Carrie at
What’s Up at Ascension This Fall?
Here’s a Sneak Peek
It’s going to be a September to Remember – and October and November and onward, too, as the new church and school year unfolds. Even though it’s summer, let’s have a sneak peek now.
First, as you are already aware, we have our special September 10th event celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of our church and the 60th of the opening of Ascension Lutheran School. We’ll have one worship service only, at 10 AM, with service opportunities in connection with the day (see below). Outdoor festivities begin at 11. We’re talking live music, free Mr. Softee Ice Cream, climbing, face painting, games and more.
It’s a perfect opportunity to Invite friends, neighbors, colleagues and other acquaintances to come join us here! And that leads us into what will be our emphasis for the 2023-2024 year, as we take a closer look at our motto: Invite-Grow-Serve.
Expect sermon series focusing on each of the three parts, with that first word, Invite, providing an exploration of our call to welcome others.
Make a note: Remember, our contemporary worship service is going to move to 10:30 AM this fall, as is Adult Ed. This is so that we can create more space and time for fellowship and to welcome visitors.
Also this fall, expect to see a showcasing of our ministries that reach out into the world. After all, we’re not here to serve ourselves; we’re here to Serve others. It’s a great time to get involved with our Global Ministries Team, our Community Concerns Team, and others that give us great service opportunities.
In this way, we will certainly Grow. Get the Blessing, Be the Blessing.
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 56:1, 6-7
Psalm 67
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
Matthew 15:21-28
Next Week:
Isaiah 51:1-6
Psalm 138
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16:13-20
