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Dear Ascension Family,

Ash Wednesday is next week. Can you believe it? Soon we will begin another Lenten season. This year, let’s join together to worship and observe this special time – not only at our weekend services and Wednesday Holden Evening Prayer services, but each day of the week as well.

How? Well, we’ve prepared a Lenten Calendar for 2023 in which every day contains an activity designed to help us make room for the Holy Spirit to inhabit our lives. The calendar includes invitations to pray as well as play. It invites you to study God’s word as well as serve God’s people. Look upon this calendar not as a rigid formula, but with all grace. This means do what you can, not what you can’t. Challenge yourself, but don’t choke yourself. If you need to tweak it for you, then do so.

We encourage you to look through it now, before Lent begins, so you can begin thoughtfully preparing for the Lenten season. We are distributing printed copies of this calendar at church (pick one up at worship or in the church office), but you can also Browse through it here.

The Lenten Calendar is going to our whole One Ascension community – the church, ECC, and day school. We believe it is so much richer when various ages and groups do the calendar together! We pray this Lent will be transformative as we strive to walk daily with Jesus.

Blessings,

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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:

Lucy Kari and family, on the death of her husband, Martin

Britt Johnson and Beth Camarillo on the death of their father and our friend, Don Johnson, on March 8th

PRAYERS OF HEALING FOR:

Tim Soronen, who had a heart attack and stroke

CONTINUING PRAYERS FOR:

The Aqa family

Kyle Ayers

Alan Baker

Karen Barrows

Maria Bartush

Finn Bater

Addie Behm

Gloria Benfatto

Skip Brenner’s daughter,

Vicki

John Burgert

Mary Cartrett

Margo Dameron

Carl Dietrich

John Ernst

Ralf Figueroa

Corinne Ferola

Joy Fodor

Becky and Al France

Jim Gilbert

Becky Halvorson

Malia Hassenbein

Barbara Hearne

Jeff Hines

Sandra Howe

Penny Hunter

Martin Kari

Scott Klipp

Valerie Krum

RuthAnn Lawrence

Jeff Lowe

Beth Lugo

Judy Marshall

Sue May

Sandi Meyer

Shirley Meyer

Verlon Meyer

Bruce Minnich

Jacob Miller

Alyssa Mueller

Tomoko Mueller

Bill Munn

Angel Muriedas,

Ron Myren

Sydney Newmark

Ryan Nostrant

Paul and Betty Olson

Carol O’Gorman

Kim Overton

Cherie Pelton

Laurie Peyton

Logan Redmond

Mike Ricci

Marilyn Ripley

Terry Saldin

Debbie Saunier

Mark Skaggs

Carlah Schneider

Arnold Schwarz

The Siassi family

Mark Skaggs

Margaret Skinner

Jerry Smith

Marion Sullivan

Dan Thiel

Gwen Thompson

Jan Timmons

Todd Wallace

Jan White

PRAYERS FOR SAFEKEEPING:

Connor Braaten, USMC

Scott Clark, U.S. Navy

LCpL. Alexander Daley

Tim David, US Army

Jack Ingles, USMC

ET1 Patrick Maccarone, USN

Jake Marshall, USMC

Scott Mochatel, USCG

LCJG Caroline Truesdell, USCG

PRAYERS FOR OUR LOCAL PARTNERS IN MINISTRY:

Harbor House

Tuesday ministry with those who are homeless

Conejo Elementary Tutoring

Our Friday Food Pantry and Project Response

Habitat for Humanity

CASA of Ventura County

United Way of Ventura County

Lutheran Social Services

Jail Ministry

Blood drives

Manna

Many Mansions

Pi House

Women’s Interfaith Network

Caring Ones

(To learn more, ask our Community Concerns Team.)

PRAYER FOCUS:

For our school and ECC, for the 1350 Lutheran schools across the country, and for all schools, students, teachers and staff members as they face the enormous challenges in society and education today

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Here are Best Practices for Submitting Your Newsletter Stories

1. Observe 2 PM Tuesday deadline for the following Thursday’s release (unless by advance arrangement).

2. DO NOT PRE-FORMAT MATERIAL. A text or Word file and photos or artwork in jpg or png format, along with any notes you’d like to make about presentation, links, etc. are preferred and will work best to get your message across.

More than HALF of our audience read the newsletter on their phones. The difficulty in reading PDFs on mobile devices was a key reason we switched to the new online format. By presenting information in a PDF, you are making it much harder for them to see it.

3. Keep the number of outside links to a maximum of 3. If your material contains more than three links, we cannot guarantee they will all work.

4. DO NOT EMBED LINKS. Links in flyers, png’s and pdf’s will most likely NOT WORK in the newsletter. Supply the URL and a link will be added.

5. Let me know what you’d like. I can do the best job possible tailoring presentation of your article or announcement if I know your desires. Email and I will get back to you. As always, your suggestions and constructive criticism are welcome!

Thank you.

Stacy Smith Bosco,

Communications Coordinator

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Attendance & Offerings

Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Offerings to Date

Through January 16, 2021 (week 29 of 52)

FY2022 Received: $742,596

Budgeted: $749,542

Windfall/(Shortfall): $(6,946)

FY2021 Received: $763,747

Budgeted: $745,480

Windfall/(Shortfall): $18,267

Attendance

All three weekend services

Jan 10 – 16

In Person: 143

Online: 185

Jan 3 – 9

In Person: 155

Online: 185

Dec. 27 – Jan 2

In Person: 120

Online: 168

Dec. 20-26

In Person: 826

Online: 397

Dec. 13-19

In Person: 98

Online: 108

Dec. 6-12

In Person: 254

Online: 194

Dec. 4-5

In Person: 236

Online: 179

Nov. 27-28

In Person: 220

Online: 162

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Sam’s Tram Rolls Again

by Brian Festerling, SAM’s Tram Coordinator

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the SAM’s Tram service from Ascension has been pretty quiet. However, now that many of us have vaccines and feel more comfortable being out and about, it’s time to reintroduce the program! SAM’s Tram is Ascension’s Senior Adult Ministries transportation service. We match seniors from our congregation that need rides to local appointments with Ascension volunteers that are willing to drive.

RIDERS

If you’re a senior who needs a ride (or a caregiver for one), please contact me with the ride details. My contact info is at the end of the article. The more lead time you can give me — at least a week or two is best — the more likely I can find a driver for you. I’ll let you know either way. The service is free! If you feel compelled to give something, you can give your driver a dollar to go to Ascension’s Caring Ones to help the needy in our area.

DRIVERS

We’re always looking for more volunteer drivers to add to our roster. There is NO long-term commitment. I blast out detailed ride requests via e-mail to all of our drivers. You need only say “yes” to a ride that works for your schedule, and your only commitment is for that one ride. Many of us work and can only drive occasionally. That’s OK! The more drivers we have on our roster, the more likely we can fulfill a given request, and the workload gets spread around. This is a simple and effective ministry and we’d love to have you join us! Please call or e-mail me if you’re interested.

TESTIMONIAL

“[SAM’s Tram was] a blessing to my mom when she could not drive anymore. The friendly drivers got her to her weekly hair appointments, and occasional other doctor/dentist appointments. The social interaction with the drivers gave her a lift and became a bright spot in her declining life quality. I was pleasantly surprised and pleased when two drivers who were more frequent came to my mom’s celebration of life service. What a dedicated group of people, making a difference in the lives of our elders!” — Excerpt from a thank you note written by the daughter of one of our riders

FAST FACTS

– Pastor Steve started SAM’s Tram in 2011.

– Since 2017 we have had 287 ride requests and fulfilled 220 of them (77%)

– 69% of our requests are for doctor appointments, 9% for worship services, 8% for beauty/barber, and 14% “other”

Please pray for our SAM’s Tram riders and drivers, and contact me anytime if we can be of service to you, or if you you’d like to join us as a driver.

Sincerely,

Brian Festerling SAM’s Tram Coordinator

805-558-8076 (cell)

ps – we’ve had an uptick in requests and could always use new drivers.

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Gifts of Hope 2021 — Virtual Fair Trade Gift Fair

The Virtual Gift Fair debuted last year providing an online opportunity to shop for Fair Trade artisan handcrafts – Fair Trade “wearables & shareables” – from the comfort, convenience and safety of your home. The Gifts of Hope Virtual Gift Fair returns this year bigger & better!

We welcome FAIR ANITA to the Virtual Gift Fair this year providing an opportunity to shop for “cute + ethically-made + affordable” Fair Trade jewelry, textiles and accessories made by more than 8000 changemaking, talented women in 9 countries. These artisan women work to improve the lives of their children and their communities.

The mission of Fair Anita, started in 2015, is to create space for women to feel safe, valued and respected through dignified jobs and Fair Trade relationships. Fair Anita shares that for every dollar a woman makes, between 80-90 cents is reinvested back into her family and community, making sure children are fed and clothed, sending them to school, even putting them through college.

Women’s economic empowerment and leadership is key to overall economic growth and prosperity. More information, including many great photos, will be posted to the Fair Trade page on Ascension’s website. We invite you to check it out and learn more about Fair Anita.

For the months of November and December, 2021, Fair Anita will give Ascension a donation of 20% of online purchases made using Ascension’s special code – our code is ALCTO. Ascension will give this gift to ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response. Mark your calendars and make note of Ascension’s special code. Here is the link to Fair Anita’s website for your shopping enjoyment.

We welcome back our friends at SERRV and are happy they are part of our Virtual Gift Fair again this year.

A name tells us much – established in 1949, the initials stood for Sales Exchange for Refugee Rehabilitation and Vocations. One of the first Fair Trade organizations in the world, SERRV now connects to 24 countries working to empower more than 8000 small-scale artisans and farmers through long-term trading partnerships.

With our support, SERRV can continue to combat poverty and work to help artisans and farmers build better lives for themselves, their families and their communities. Letters spell out more than a name. Every letter has a purpose and stands for an important part of SERRV’s mission. Collectively, the letters SERRV describe the commitment to Fair Trade relationships based on dialogue, transparency, honesty and respect.

The word “Sustainable” is foundational and not limited to the environment. We again thank our friends at SERRV for making a gift of 20% of purchases using Ascension’s special ordering link to ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response.

Here is Ascension’s special ordering link. More information and photos from SERRV will be posted to the Fair Trade page on Ascension’s website. The special ordering link is active and ready for your shopping. We will share updates from SERRV as they come in, including special SERRV promotions. Fair Trade Coffee, Tea, Olive Oil, Snacks and of course, chocolate, is available for purchase during the October 2021 Pre-Ordering Window (10/15/21 – 10/31/21).

The October 2021 Ordering Form can be found on the Fair Trade page of Ascension’s website, on Ascension’s calendar, in hard-copy in the church office, and HERE.

You can also send an email to us at and we’ll send out the ordering form to you.

Just as our Gifts of Hope Alternative Gifts provide hope for a brighter future for many, both near and far, our support of Fair Trade in its many wonderful forms provides hope to artisans, farmers, their families and communities around the world.

We remember that with Fair Trade, farmers and artisans are paid first and paid in full; promotions and the special gifts from SERRV and Fair Anita do not affect the fair wages, prices and treatment for those who produce the items and products we enjoy and give as gifts.

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Meet Emma Janzen (continued)

Emma volunteered at middle school and high school at the Lutheran church she attended in Peoria, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. In high school, she worked at a day care center. At Cal Lu, she worked with students via the AmeriCorps fellowship program. And she experienced work in a range of areas of ministry including children’s ministry at a summer program at a Lutheran church in Dana Point.

While her immediate family is in Arizona, Emma does have relatives who live nearby, in the Pasadena area. As far as adjusting to California life, she says she’s loving the weather here “and being so close to the beach is really fun.”

As part of the interview process, Emma says that she and Pastor Julie “had a meeting and talked about the church and all the different goals, and talked about my own spirituality.” Then Emma led some faith-filled fun for 4^th through 6^th graders at the school. And it must have gone well indeed, for now she is jumping into children’s ministry duties at Ascension — already laying plans for Kids in Christ programming (4^th through 6^th grade), Sunday School, and will soon start “putting together the Christmas program.”

Pastor Julie is excited to have someone on board who loves kids and building relationships, has a good sense of children’s ministry, and a deep faith herself. She’ll be an asset! In fact, every reference Pastor Julie called was emphatic that we would be lucky to have Emma on our team, and we shouldn’t let her get away. Emma will be at the elementary school and ECC and in worship—if you see her, welcome her and start getting to know her! And of course, pray for her and our Children’s Ministry, too!

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Pray, Advocate or Take Action this Jubilee Weekend

Jubilee USA needs our help to lift the voices of the faithful in defense of the world’s most vulnerable. Together, we can expand vaccine access across the world, fight climate change and achieve debt relief and increase aid for developing countries for pandemic recovery efforts. We are joining hundreds of faith communities taking action this month through this drive. Everyone can decide how they’d like to participate – from offering a prayer for vaccine distribution or increased aid for developing countries to calling members of Congress, signing a petition, hosting a discussion group or other activities.

As coronavirus wreaks havoc around the globe, we need to make a strong call to bring the world together for a just and equitable recovery. As you are likely aware, Ascension is a Jubilee congregation – and Pastor Steve is Board Co-Chair — and our Southwest California Synod is a Jubilee synod.

Jubilee has been instrumental in the cancellation of more than $130 billion in debt for the world’s poorest countries. These are debts often racked up by malign government actors in these countries but left for innocent citizenry to cope with. Jubilee follows Jesus’ sermon in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 4:14-21) in reading Isaiah 61 and proclaiming the year of the Lord’s favor, the year of — a year of freedom and debts being cancelled.

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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:

Cori Hengst and family

on the death of her grandmother,

Lilia Fortuna

Debbie Schaeffer,

on the death of her father

PRAYERS OF HEALING FOR:

Brandt and Margy Oschner’s grandson Brandt, who is awaiting a heart transplant

Kris and Peter Swavely’s brother-in-law John, hospitalized in Colorado with severe COVID, and for his wife Lisa, Kris’ sister, who also has COVID

CONTINUING PRAYERS FOR:

Lara Abounayan

Kyle Ayers

Karen Barrows

Maria Bartush

The Bauer Family

Addie Behm

Gloria Benfatto

Debi Bing

Dominick Bosco

Skip Brenner

Mary Cartrett

Dominic Cavaliere

David Corra

Helen Cox

Linda Crabill

Diana Doerfler

John Ernst

Becky and Al France

Jane Ganske

Dennis Gillette

Malia Hassenbein

Penny Hunter

Bob Kielhorn

Dr. Allen Leland

Henry Leland

Grace Lugo

Judy Marshall

Sue May

Sandi Meyer

Shirley Meyer

Verlon Meyer

Bill Munn

Helen Nenne

Paul and Betty Olson

Laurie Peyton

Lois Phillips

Mike Ricci

Dave Rosinbum

Pastor David Palma-Ruwe

Dorothy Scholz

Barb Schornstein

Arnold Schwarz

Jan Timmons

Paul and Anne Urlie

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 Congregations In The ELCA

Southwest CA Synod Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and staff

Synod Bishop-elect Brenda Bos

Our Channel Islands Conference:

New Hope, Agoura Hills

Mt. Cross, Camarillo

Christ, Goleta

King of Glory, Newbury Park

Holy Cross, Ojai

Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Oxnard

Our Savior’s, Oxnard

Trinity, Santa Barbara

Emanuel, Santa Paula

Shepherd of the Valley, Simi Valley

Holy Trinity, Thousand Oaks

Trinity, Ventura

(To learn more, ask one of the pastors)

PRAYER FOCUS:

The work of Jubilee,

that God guides and blesses the efforts toward equitable treatment and relief from debt, famine and disease, especially COVID, for the world’s most vulnerable populations

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Blessing Of The Pets 2021

Thanks to Pastor Steve for the photos!

2022-10-09 11.33.03 (1)

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Attendance & Offerings

Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Offerings to Date

Through October 3, 2021 (week 14 of 52)

FY2022 Received: $292,109

Budgeted: $328,819

Windfall/(Shortfall): $(36,710)

FY2021 Received: $288,878

Budgeted: $329,075

Windfall/(Shortfall): $(40,197)

Attendance

All three weekend services

Sept.27 – Oct.3

In Person: 195

Online: 159

Sept.20 – Sept.26

In Person: 167

Online: 175

Sept.13 – Sept.19

In Person: 202

Online: 176

Sept.6 – Sept.12

In Person: 310

Online: 128

August 30 – Sept. 5

In Person: 168

Online: 180

August 23-29

In Person: 190

Online: 212

August 16-22

In Person: 188

Online: 220

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Packing School Kits For Lutheran World Relief

barnyard

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SLL 1

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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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

March 12, 2023

Third Sunday in Lent

Grace and peace to you my family in Christ,

This weekend I invite you to join me at a place called Jacob’s Well located near a city called Sychar in the region of Samaria. This setting in John 4 is a significant place because it is the place that followers of Christ first started realizing that the message of Jesus was aimed not just at Jewish men but at all the world including, to their amazement, unmarried Samaritan women.

The conversation that Jesus has with a particular unmarried Samaritan woman is one of the longest recorded of Jesus’ conversations in the entire Bible. It’s beautiful. And thought provoking. And studying it will lead us to a deeper understanding of God’s amazing grace. I look forward to the conversation. See you in church!

Blessings,

Ascension Youth, Young Adults and Confirmation Students joined friends from our Global Ministries Team and Fair Trade Ministry for this bonfire event. Thanks to Pastor Steve for the photos.

bonfire 2

Ascension Fair Trade: Spring has Sprung!

The temps may still be a bit chilly, but we’re ready for Spring and we hope you are, too!

We had a great time at our bonfire event with Ascension’s Youth, Young Adults and Confirmation Students on March 5 in the parking lot. With friends from CLU and friends from different continents too, about 45 of us gathered around the warm bonfire and enjoyed pizza, s’mores made with Fair Trade chocolate and, of course, friendship and fellowship.

We thank everyone who attended and all who helped make this possible, including our friends from Thrivent. Now that we’re warmed up and daylight hours are growing longer, we’re thinking ahead to Easter and gatherings with family and friends.

There will be a quick opportunity to order Fair Trade products – March 11-19.

We plan to have orders ready for pickup by April 4at the latest. The March 2023 Order Form is available in the church office, in the blue folder at the Information Desk in the Narthex, on our Fair Trade webpage or by using this link.

We’re working on some fun changes for Ascension Fair Trade … stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks. We look forward to seeing you at our Adult Ed Class on April 2 when we’ll talk, and likely taste, Fair Trade.

Great Music at Ascension

Scandinavian Suite This Sunday Afternoon

Individually and as a duo, German violinist Jochen Brusch and Danish organist Sven-Ingvart Mikkelsen have a wealth of recording and concert tour success across Europe and around the world. Known for infusing fresh ideas into classics, they’ve won kudos and enthusiastic applause with new takes on composers from Bach to Vivaldi. March 12 in our sanctuary, they’re playing Percy Grainger’s Scandinavian Suite, refreshed and supplemented with selections from their Scandinavian repertoire.

Ascension School Outdoor Classroom/Garden Work Day

Saturday, March 25, 9:00 to 11:00 AM

Come help us spruce up the outdoor learning areas around the bungalow (where the Nature Lab and Makerspace are located) as well as our garden boxes. You might also be watering and fertilizing our tomato plants for our annual sale. We appreciate the help!

If you have questions, contact Pastor Chamie at .

LENT: WHAT AND WHY

Ash Wednesday marked the beginning of the Lenten Season for the Christian church. What is Lent all about, and why is it important that we keep a holy Lent each year? What is the purpose, and what are the important themes? Is Lent about giving up something for forty days, or is there more to it than simply doing this?

I invite you to join me for the Adult Class at 10:10 on Sunday March 12 at 10:10 in Founders Hall to examine these important questions. On the twelfth, we will look at why this Season is so important for us.

I wish each of you a most holy and meaningful Lenten Season.

Pastor Paul

Holden Evening Prayer Services

This Lenten season, Holden Evening Prayer services will be held Wednesday evenings at 7 PM (March 15,22 and 29). Sharing this beloved service, with its responsive musical litany, is a perfect chance to reflect and appreciate Jesus’ life and love for us. Invite friends. HERE is a sample from the past. Following the services, there will be fellowship time with cookies.

Another Lenten Resource

Pastor Chamie’s blog — on her new Pastorchamie.com website — offers stories to share and thoughtful reflections as the season unfolds.

Check it out HERE.

moon 10

A Memorable Lenten Season

How is your Lent going?

Sharing Holden Evening Prayer services, activities from our Lenten Calendar and other doings at Ascension has made this a memorable season already. In case you missed it in person or on social media, here are Pastor Chamie’s beautiful photos from the Full Moon Hike earlier this week. She writes:

“What a glorious full moon hike to the cross at California Lutheran University! We had 51 One Ascension hikers! God painted a glorious sunset and brilliant moonrise. We read Psalm 148, sang, and prayed at the cross. What a beautiful night!”

There are so many thoughtful activities ahead on our shared Lenten calendar. In case you missed it, HERE is Pastor Tim’s letter about our awesome calendar.

You can view the calendar HERE.

HERE is a link to the online version of the calendar.

Be sure to pick up your print copy at worship services or in the office.

Give an Easter Lily for Remembrance

Majestic Easter lilies beautify our sanctuary each year—and you are invited to donate one or more in honor or remembrance of someone special to you. You can purchase an Easter lily by filling out the flower envelope in the pew rack and enclosing $9 for each lily ordered. Or by emailing and sending $9 by check or online giving page under Other.

In Need Of Prayer

Click Here For The Ascension Prayer List

Ashley Steere Wins National Nursing Award

Congratulations to Ashley Steere! She has been named recipient of a national Daisy Award for service excellence in her work as Clinical Educator for Women’s and Children’s Services at Los Robles Hospital.

Being honored by the Daisy Foundation is a pinnacle achievement for nurses. The organization is supported by a Who’s Who of nursing associations across the United States and around the globe. So it’s especially gratifying to learn that the honor has been bestowed upon Ashley, who is best known around Ascension as a kind, smart, dynamic member of our School Board — and as a mom. Ashley and her husband Robert have two daughters, Ella and Audrey, Ascension members all.

She knew she had been nominated, part of a field of 40-70 possible recipients. But it wasn’t until the day it became official that Ashley found out she had won. Her family conspired with Los Robles insiders to be on hand, along with Ashley’s parents, for her presentation — a “Mission: Impossible” they managed to pull off.

“I’m very humbled and honored to get this award,” says Ashley, who has been at Los Robles for two and a half years.

Prior to that, she was on staff at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for more than seven years. She admits that patient interaction is what she misses most about being a bedside nurse. But certainly, her work now impacts the lives of many patients.

Asked about juggling such large responsibilities, Ashley admits, “Some days I think I‘m doing too much.” However, she grew up watching her mother serve on the board of the small Lutheran church and school she attended in Glendale, and her father serve on the Church Council — to name just two of the ways they contributed their time and talents.

“That’s how I was raised,” she says. “They set a good example.”

Now people in Ashley’s world are watching the example she is setting.

Well done.

Coming up in Adult Ed:

Leaving A Legacy For Those You Love

Our Ascension Lutheran Church Foundation guest speaker will be Lisa Marie Higginbotham, the regional representative of the ELCA Foundation. Lisa will lead us in two classes at 10:10 AM, Founders Hall:

Sunday March 19: An introduction to stewardship using a small book by Charles Lane, entitled Reflections on Faith and Finances.

Sunday March 26: An overview of the ELCA Foundation services available to us as individuals.

A copy of Reflections on Faith and Finances is available as a gift of our ALC Foundation for you to read prior to Lisa’s presentation on March 19. Please contact the church office, or Paul Evenson (; 925-324-4476) to receive your copy in preparation for Lisa’s presentation.

COOKIES WANTED!

The Library Committee is getting ready for Lent. Once again, we will need cookies each week for the fellowship time in Founders Hall after the Wednesday Service. The remaining dates this year are March 15, March 22 and March 29.

If you want to provide cookies for any of these dates, call Dolores Ledbetter at (805) 716-3045 or (805) 750-7646.

Special Saint Patrick’s Day Service — March 11, 6 PM

This Saturday our 6 PM worship service will be turned over to the Emerald Isle – complete with piper and bodhran drum. If you remember last year’s very special St. Patrick’s Day-themed service led by Nancy Lee, you will no doubt want to make sure to come, and if you missed it, well, make double sure to be there this time. Sign up for Irish treats afterwards (click here), so she will know how much to have on hand!

Call for Worship Help

Click HERE to check out what help is needed in worship, and sign yourself up any place you see a need.

Financial Commitment 2023 Deadline Extended

Our members’ financial commitments are a vital step in helping us maintain Ascension and plan for the future, ensuring our ministries are funded. Please, if you have not already, take a moment to prayerfully consider making a commitment to give weekly, monthly, annually or in whatever way you feel led.

Pastor Tim’s Letter link

Pledge page link:

We’re looking for a new worship leader for our 11 AM service. Find out more about it HERE

Be A Eucharistic Minister

“Come and taste and see that the LORD is good.”

Those are words you hear every week as you are invited to the Lord’s Table, to come and receive the sacrament of Holy Communion.

Six years ago, Ascension Lutheran embarked on a new ministry, called Eucharistic Ministry. Eucharist is a Greek term that means “Thanksgiving”.

Holy Communion is the time when we come together as a worshiping family to celebrate the great mystery of Christ’s body and blood. For many, it is the highlight of our time together. Unfortunately, there are many in our congregation that cannot be with us for this celebration. These are people who are homebound or in care facilities. Maybe you have been the person in that hospital or shut-in at home and thought how good it would be to receive communion with someone from your church. Maybe you’ve wondered how that happens. Here is your chance to find out!

We have wonderful pastors, but there are simply not enough hours in the week to visit everyone frequently. That is where you can help. Eucharistic Ministers take the sacrament from worship to share with our shut-ins. This does not take the place of pastoral visits, but supplements that ministry. By taking communion to those who cannot worship with us, we are including them in the congregation’s worship. You are reminding them of God’s love and their congregation’s love and concern for them. Your time with them is not simply a “visit from the church”, it will be a continuation of the congregation’s worship.

We had to stop visits during the height of the COVID pandemic, but are now making visits once again. In the last six years, we have made over 800 visits. We will be holding a one-day training class this summer.

If you are interested, if you are feeling the urging of the Holy Spirit, if you are not sure and are simply curious what this would be like and would like more information, please contact Pastor Ron Cox (revron900@gmail.com; cell 805-807-5257). (Or Pastor Steve — .)

News Briefs

4th Grade Milestone!

Fun class: March 19, 10:10-10:45 AM

Sharing Time, Talents, and Treasures (Ascension school kids will have this class during the school day.)

Celebrate the milestone in worship and get a blue piggy bank: March 26, 9 or 11 AM

Please RSVP to

Student-Grown Tomatoes

This year’s annual tomato seed starting has begun! This year marks our 10th Annual Tomato Sale! To celebrate, classic tomato varieties will be available as well as the new addition of other fruits and vegetables including cucumbers, beans, watermelon, cantaloupe, squash, and herbs!

Come buy your plants Friday, March 31-Sunday, April 2!

Bowls of Hope for Many Mansions

March 26, CLU Kingsmen Park, 11 AM – 2 PM Enjoy meaningful & fun family activities: an informative exhibition on the homelessness issue, affordable housing, and Many Mansions; an opportunity to take action and be part of the solution; crafts, games, and a raffle! By attending Bowls of Hope, you’re investing in your community! All proceeds from this event support our continued work to provide affordable housing and life-enriching services to families that call Many Mansions home.

Purchase your tickets here:

College Scholarship Applications Now Available

Attention Ascension students and student families: Our Ascension Foundation is making available to you the chance to apply for scholarships. Please click HERE for all the details and forms. The deadline for applications including letters of recommendation is April 21, 2023.

All scholarships will be awarded by May 23 for the academic year starting next fall. The recipients will be informed in writing and will be recognized in a church service on June 11, 2023.

Request a scholarship HERE.

Colorful Playful Park Birthday Party Invitation

Audit Report

Ascension’s latest audit report is now available for viewing. In the interest of security, only hard copies are available. If you would like to read the report, please let us know by emailing to make arrangements. Thank you.

Help for Earthquake Victims

As images continue to fill the media of the devastation in the wake of the recent 7.8 earthquake that rocked Turkey and Syria, Lutheran World Relief and Lutheran Disaster Response are already on the frontlines to bring assistance and, as always, serve as the hands and feet of God. The needs are growing by the hour. Here are links to provide financial support.

LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF

LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE

Offerings & Attendance

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

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Pericopes

This Week:

Exodus 17:1-7
Psalm 95
Romans 5:1-11
John 4:5-42

Next Week:

1 Samuel 16:1-13
Psalm 23
Ephesians 5:8-14
John 9:1-41

Dear Ascension Family,

IN NEED OF PRAYER

PRAYERS OF COMFORT FOR:

PRAYERS OF HEALING FOR:

CONTINUING PRAYERS FOR:

PRAYERS FOR SAFEKEEPING:

PRAYERS FOR OUR LOCAL PARTNERS IN MINISTRY:

PRAYER FOCUS:

Here are Best Practices for Submitting Your Newsletter Stories

Attendance & Offerings

Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Offerings to Date

Attendance

Sam’s Tram Rolls Again

Gifts of Hope 2021 — Virtual Fair Trade Gift Fair

Meet Emma Janzen (continued)

Pray, Advocate or Take Action this Jubilee Weekend

IN NEED OF PRAYER

PRAYERS OF COMFORT FOR:

PRAYERS OF HEALING FOR:

CONTINUING PRAYERS FOR:

PRAYERS FOR SAFEKEEPING:

Prayers For Our Congregations In The ELCA

PRAYER FOCUS:

Blessing Of The Pets 2021

Attendance & Offerings

Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Offerings to Date

Attendance

Packing School Kits For Lutheran World Relief

A recap of the Youth Gathering

This Week At Ascension

Grace and peace to you my family in Christ,

Ascension Youth, Young Adults and Confirmation Students joined friends from our Global Ministries Team and Fair Trade Ministry for this bonfire event. Thanks to Pastor Steve for the photos.

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Ascension Fair Trade: Spring has Sprung!

Great Music at Ascension

Ascension School Outdoor Classroom/Garden Work Day

LENT: WHAT AND WHY

Holden Evening Prayer Services

Another Lenten Resource

A Memorable Lenten Season

Give an Easter Lily for Remembrance

In Need Of Prayer

Ashley Steere Wins National Nursing Award

Coming up in Adult Ed:

Leaving A Legacy For Those You Love

COOKIES WANTED!

Special Saint Patrick’s Day Service — March 11, 6 PM

Call for Worship Help

Financial Commitment 2023 Deadline Extended

Be A Eucharistic Minister

News Briefs

4th Grade Milestone!

Student-Grown Tomatoes

Bowls of Hope for Many Mansions

College Scholarship Applications Now Available

Audit Report

Help for Earthquake Victims

Offerings & Attendance

Our Prayer

Don’t miss another TWAA

Pericopes

Best Practices for Submitting Your Newsletter Stories CLICK HERE

bonfire 2