Worship:
Saturday 6 PM
Sunday 9 and 10:30 AM
Called to create opportunities for all people to become devoted followers of Christ
March 24, 2024
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday puts us in a bit of a conundrum. We hear the call to be humble, but humility is not an easily attained virtue.
False humility is much easier to get. True humility, well, that often comes through difficult experience, making mistakes, etc.
And yet, there it is: Paul says, be “of the same mind of Christ” and then speaks about how Christ humbled Himself by becoming human.
So that becomes our challenge: Humbling ourselves as we become more human.
Let’s talk more about this in worship this weekend as we wave our Palm branches and sing: Hosanna to the King!
Blessings,
March 24 Palm Sunday: 9 and 10:30 AM
(Saturday Palm Sunday observance March 23, 6 PM)
March 28 Maundy Thursday:
9 AM Chapel and 7 PM Evening
March 29 Good Friday:
11:15 AM Chapel and 7 PM Evening
March 30 Saturday Easter Service:
with Country Spirit, 6 PM
7 AM Outdoor Sunrise Service
Easter Breakfast by Ascension Youth served from 8-11 AM, $10 adults, $5 kids
9 AM Traditional Festival Service with our Chancel Choir
Followed by Easter Egg Hunt at 10:30 AM
11 AM Contemporary Easter Service with Praise Alive*
Holy Communion will be served at each Easter service
* Please note 11 o’clock start for the Contemporary Service, so there will be time for the Easter Egg Hunt
Pastor Search UpdateThis space is dedicated to keep our church community apprised of the transition activities as we seek an Associate Pastor and a Youth Director.
We are guided by Jeremiah 29:11, leaning especially into “…to give you a future with hope…” knowing that God has a plan for One Ascension!
The Call Committee has a new email address where they invite members of the congregation to reach out:
The committee would also like to invite the congregation to join us in a meeting in Founders Hall on Sunday, April 14 at 10:00-10:30 AM. This will be a time to meet the committee members, receive their prayer requests and hear from them brief updates on the process.
Is there a pastoral prospect you would like to have considered? A promising candidate for Youth Director? Please make them aware of these opportunities and descriptions of the positions by sharing THIS LINK.
Please continue to keep this process and the committees in your prayers, as we ask God to bring us the perfect candidates for our church.
Any new idea or endeavor is bound to generate questions. That’s certainly true with Be the Blessing, where Ascension is coming alongside our members to help them live out their faith through service and ministry.
Since launching Be the Blessing a few months ago, we’ve had several questions come up time and again. Here they are . . .
Question 1: Why did we create Be the Blessing?
Only 20- to 30-percent of members at most churches are actively involved in ministry – living out in faith what God has called them to do. Ascension is no different. We believe that most of our members want to serve; they just aren’t sure how to get involved and they may not have the funding to start a new ministry they’re passionate about. Be the Blessing is intended to get all of us off the sidelines and into ministry. Find out how. (CLICK HERE for the Be the Blessing landing page.)
Question 2: What kinds of ministries does Be the Blessing support?
All kinds, as long as they align with Ascension’s mission of serving those who are less fortunate, inviting others and/or growing our congregation. See the criteria here.
Question 3: Can I get a grant for a new ministry or do I have to be part of an existing ministry?
Grants are intended both to grow existing ministries AND to start new ones. Do you have a passion for a ministry that Ascension isn’t currently engaged in? Apply for a grant. Do you have a new idea to expand one of our existing ministries in a specific way? Apply for a grant here.
Question 4: Does my idea or ministry have to be a big one?
No. Most BtheB financial grants so far have funded small projects, ones that people have come together and completed in a few hours. Even small ministries and service projects can have a huge impact – and they often grow into bigger ministries.
Question 5: How does the grant process work?
It’s super simple. Go to the Be the Blessing landing page and fill out the grant request form. It takes 10 minutes or less. The Be the Blessing Team meets once a month to review grant applications, and we’ll let you know whether your grant fits the guidelines and how much your request has been approved for. The whole process can be done online. Or call the church office if you need a printed copy to fill out.
The dominant symbol for the Christian church is the cross. The crucifixion of Jesus is both the event that wins our salvation and Jesus’ enthronement as King of kings and Lord of lords.
Of all days, Good Friday is the preeminent day to focus on the cross. Therefore, as you come to our service that day (March 29), you are encouraged to bring a meaningful cross of your own. It may be a necklace or a pin that you will wear. It may be a cross that you will carry in your hand. It may be ornate, or plain, or rough. It may be metal, or wood, or glass.
If you have a cross that is meaningful to you, please bring it to Good Friday as we focus on the cross and on God’s gift of salvation for the world — and for each of us.
Friday, March 22, at 7 PM in our sanctuary, Augustana’s renowned choir will appear in a free concert as part of their current tour. Don’t miss it!
Sunday, March 24, at 2 PM in Samuelson Chapel on the Cal Lutheran campus, the Cal Lutheran Choral Ensembles have their Spring Concert. They will sing the program that they will present in Salzburg, Vienna and Prague in May. Admission is free.
The deadline for submissions is Tuesday the 26th
It was a special weekend that will live on in our collective fond memories, with the ordination of Reverend Amanda Berg on Saturday, followed by her granddaughter’s baptism on Sunday. Congratulations, Reverend Amanda Berg, and congratulations to our newly baptized sister in Christ Annie Jane Hooper, and to all the Berg family and friends! (Thanks to all who provided photos!)
CLICK HERE FOR THE SLIDESHOW
Founders Hall will be a hub of activity for sure on Sunday, March 24.
Do you have some sewing experience? The quilting ministry is always on the look-out for more people to sew the quilt tops – which can be done at home on a personal time schedule. If you are interested, please let us know by emailing lwrquilts@alcto.org.
Friday, March 22, at 12 PM, Lutherans Restoring Creation is hosting an event in support of World Water Day. Called “Revelation, Repentance, Restoration,” the presentation features Dr. Linda Ritterbush, Professor Emeritus, Geology, Environmental Science, CLU. Sponsors include the SWCA Synod Green Team, Lutheran Office of Public Policy, and Sierra Pacifica Hunger Team. Use this link to register and receive the Zoom link prior to the event.
APRIL 7, 2024
LIBRARY, 10:30-11:30 AM
In February, Paul and Louise Evenson participated in a BORDER IMMERSION experience to Las Cruces, NM and El Paso, TX, sponsored by Lutheran Immigration and Refuge Service (Global Refuge).
Every news cycle reminds us about our broken immigration system and the increasing number of people crossing the border. Come and hear what the Evensons learned about non-profits who are assisting people who arrive every day at our southern border coming from many different countries.
Happy Spring Everyone! We look forward to meeting & greeting you on Fair Trade Lane!
In addition to Fair Trade Lane’s regular lineup of coffee (including Mt Meru Coffee), tea, chocolate, nuts & snacks, we’ll have Red Barn Family Farms Fair Trade Cheddar Cheese (Heritage & Weis).
And there’s more… we’re making some gift baskets too if you’re looking for a special something to share with family or friends. We included flower seed packets for butterflies, ladybugs, hummingbirds & bees …a great way to celebrate those who make our gardens bloom and grow!
And, there’s even more… special boxed sets of Mama Ganache chocolates will be available for purchase on a first response basis. The Mama Ganache chocolate boxed sets are : Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, White Chocolate & Vegan Chocolate.
And finally, we’ll have paper, ribbons, markers & stickers in all of the colors of the rainbow ready at our art table for you to join us in making kites & butterflies to “Spring-i-fy” Fair Trade Lane.
As always, if you find that you can’t make it to Fair Trade Lane and are wanting some Fair Trade goodness, send us a note () or find us at church – if we have it on hand, we’ll be happy to get it to you.
Let’s Be The Change We Wish to See!
Last week’s Adult Ed. class was led by Dr. Christina Sanchez of Cal Lutheran’s Center for Global Engagement, with five international women students.
If you couldn’t make it to this interesting and enriching class, there are plenty of opportunities to learn more:
Cal Lutheran Global Engagement
Cal Lutheran Global Engagement Fund
Dr. Sanchez is also a leader on Ascension’s Global Ministries Team.
This month’s quilt tying session……will be Tuesday, March 26th between 9 AM – noon
Founders Hall
Join us for any or all of the time.
All are welcome!
The theme for our April Global Ministries Team meeting is CREATION CARE. Given that the 54th national Earth Day is April 22, we want to inform and provide practical guidance on steps everyone can participate in that help safeguard the environment and our own future.
Come to hear Christian climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe speak via You Tube, share ideas on what steps you have taken to protect our environment, and brainstorm how we all can become better stewards where we live, worship and work.
We will also construct a list of websites to inform, inspire and lead us to more understanding on helping our planet thrive. Bring information about your favorite resource to our meeting to add to our list!
Come to the Bethlehem Room on Wednesday, April 10th from 4-5 PM to listen, learn and share! All are welcome.
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 19, 2024.
All scholarships will be awarded by May 24 for the academic year starting next fall. The recipients will be informed in writing and will be recognized in a church service on June 9, 2024.
Ascension is now accepting applications for a new Youth Director. If you or someone you know has the heart for this ministry, please check out the details. And everyone, please pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us. Here is more information on this career opportunity.
Click here for this week’s Prayer List
This Week:
Isaiah 50:409a
Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5-11
Mark 14:1-15:47
Next Week
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Gospel: Mark 16:1-8
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 and Steve Herder
