Grace and peace to you my sisters and brothers in Christ,
“O the humanity!” What do you think of (if anything) when you read this phrase? It reminds me of the last moments of the Hindenburg.
The Hindenburg was a big, beautiful zeppelin (blimp) that was built to transport people long distances but, famously crashed in a horrific way above Lakehurst Naval Air Station on May 6th, 1937. Radio commentator Herb Morrison famously witnessed and called into his microphone with deep lament, “O the humanity.”
The reason I mention this is not because I am going to talk about a blimp this weekend in worship. No, instead I am going to be talking about Jesus healing a poor, nameless woman who’d been suffering for 18 years. People had stopped noticing her. But Jesus didn’t. In fact, I wonder if when he first saw her, in his compassion, thought “o the humanity.” He saw a child of God suffering and so he healed her and restored her dignity.
Let’s talk more about this this weekend. See you in church!
Blessings,
Kindergarten and 9th Grade Milestone Sunday
Flowers on the Altar 
The flowers on the altar are in honor of the life of Myrtle J. Beyer, 1910-1995, charter member of Ascension, from her family
A Memorable and Blessed Weekend
We would like to thank Pastor Rick Ertel and Bishop Brenda Bos for their outstanding sermons here this past weekend, and to former Pacifica Synod Bishop Murray Finck for sharing the important update on ELCA Federal Chaplains ministries.
In this photo, he presents a commendation to Ascension for our support of the program.
Thanks to former ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson for preaching at Pastor Howie Wennes’ memorial service, along with Rev. Dr. David Tiede, president emeritus of Luther Seminary.
It was a very memorable and blessed weekend for us all, including remembering Marty Spadaro on Saturday with Pastor Tim’s excellent message.
Link to Saturday service with Ertel sermon
Link to Sunday services with Bos sermon
9 AM 11 AM
In Need Of Prayer
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.
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

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!
October Is Fair Trade Month:
Let’s Be “Fair” Out There …
Every day, whether in-person or online, we see products to eat & drink, wear & share. As Fair Traders, we “vote”, with our dollars, for fairness and justice when we choose Fair Trade products in stores (the brick and mortar kind and the virtual kind) and here at Ascension. As Fair Traders, we want to be “fair” out there. On October 9th, we can be “fair” right here!
We’re planning another Fair Trade Outdoor Gift Fair. Everyone’s Invited! Sunday, October 9th from 10 AM – 1 PM in the Ascension Parking Lot
There will be vendors with Fair Trade wearables & shareables along with Ascension’s Fair Trade Ministry tables filled with wonderful things to eat and drink. More details to follow. For more information and/or to volunteer, send us a note (you can find us at ).
October is Fair Trade month. Let’s Be “Fair” Out There!
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.
International Wolf Day
On August 13th, the world celebrated these gorgeous animals on International Wolf Day to pay homage to their crucial contributions to the care of creation on our planet.
The enactment of the Endangered Species Act in the United States in 1973 helped restore wolf populations, and other plants and animals on the verge of extinction. In 1995, in a historic act of conservation, 41 wolves from the wilds of Canada and Montana were released into Yellowstone National Park. The reintroduction of the wolves had a positive impact on the environment and led to a trophic cascade, a process by which the activity of an apex predator stimulates the growth of other animal species and increases biodiversity. In northern Yellowstone, elk reduction led to the increase of the height of willows, which provide critical habitat for several species of native animals such as beavers and moose. Thus bringing the ecosystem back into balance.
Did you know that wolves were once very active here helping to balance ecosystems and recently a reintroduced wolf from Oregon made his way almost to our City. Sadly he was hit by a car while crossing the 5 freeway in Gorman.
How we can help wolves:
1. “Adopt” a wolf from the World Wildlife Fund. By “adopting/sponsoring” a gray wolf, you will directly contribute to the continued conservation of the species, and helping the wolves to continue their role as an apex predator.
2. Learn about wolves. There are many books on wolves and their connection to the ecosystem, and also to us!
3. Get involved: Keep an eye out for local and national news about legislation that affects wolves and make your voice heard by contacting your representatives on these issues.

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:
Isaiah 58:9b-14
Psalm 103:1-8 (4)
Hebrews 12:18-29
Luke 13:10-17
Next Week:
Psalm 112
Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16
Luke 14:1, 7-14