Worship:
Saturday 6:00 PM
Sunday 9 & 10:30 AM
This Week At Ascension
Called to create opportunities for all people to become devoted followers of Christ
April 19, 2026
La cena de Emaús, by Diego Velázquez, 1622-23
Dear Church Family,
We don’t often think of the dinner table as powerful, but what if it is? What if something as ordinary as sitting down to eat could open our eyes, steady our hearts, and even change the direction of our lives?
In Luke’s story of the road to Emmaus, the disciples are walking, talking, and trying to make sense of it all until they finally stop, sit, and share a meal. And there, in the breaking of the bread, they recognize that Jesus has been with them all along.
Where might Jesus be showing up in your own life, unnoticed, unrecognized, waiting for you to slow down long enough to see?
Join us as we explore the quiet, surprising power of shared meals, sacred presence, and hearts set on fire.
I’m looking forward to being back in worship with you after traveling for 10 days with Pastor Tim as he begins his sabbatical (you won’t see him again until July!). As we gather around Luke’s table, I’ll also share a story from Pastor Tim’s and my seminary days, a simple meal that made me wonder if I might just spend my life with this guy!
Come hungry for connection, for meaning, and for a glimpse of the risen Christ in the most ordinary places.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Chamie
Sabbatical Corner
Take time to be human
Pastor Tim’s first days of sabbatical have included over 50 miles of hiking along the California and Oregon coasts with Pastor Chamie and their dog Luna. He’s also taken some good naps and is reading a book by theologian Walter Brueggemann. Brueggemann says this about Sabbath:
“We used to sing the hymn ‘Take Time to Be Holy.’ But perhaps we should be singing, ‘Take time to be human.’ Or finally, ‘Take time.’ Sabbath is taking time … time to be holy … time to be human.”
Adult Ed—April 26:
“It’s a Mystery!”
April 26
Presented by Pastor Paul Gravrock
Mysteries fascinate us, and they sometimes confound us. There are mystery stories, medical mysteries, and scientific mysteries aplenty. What is it about these that capture our imagination?
Then there are the Holy Mysteries – the mysteries of our faith. What does it mean to believe in a Triune God, to regard Jesus as both true God and true man, to understand the meaning of the cross, and to discover how God comes to us in both Word and Sacraments? Can we unlock these mysteries?
I invite you to join me in the library for the Adult Class at 10:30 on April 26th to explore these questions and to come to a deeper appreciation of the breadth of God’s love for us.
Pastor Paul
Adult Ed—April 19:
A Journey of Service
April 19
Presented by: Dr. Sharon Langenbeck
From her leadership role as a mechanical and aerospace engineer at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory to her leadership at Zonta International, Dr. Langenbeck’s life has been one of service.
In this adult education presentation, Dr. Langenbeck will share the work of Zonta International, a leading global organization of individuals working together to build a better world for women and girls.
She will focus particularly on some international service projects supported during her biennium as President of Zonta International and Zonta Foundation for Women.
10:30 in the library
Great Music – This Sunday!
Great Music at Ascension is excited to present virtuoso guitarist Wesley Park in his wonderfully diverse recital program. Invite a friend to share this musical treat. This Sunday, April 19, at 4 PM.
There will be a freewill offering. A reception follows.
Scholarship Applications MUST BE IN THIS WEEK!
Attention Students and Families: Applications for scholarships are now available through our Ascension Foundation. To request a scholarship, visit the scholaraship page on the Ascension Foundation website HERE.
— or pick up a scholarship packet in a rack in the Ascension office hallway.
The deadline for completed applications is April 24, including two letters of recommendation.
Many thanks to our Foundation and to the Ascension families whose generosity makes these scholarships possible.
Offerings and Attendance
Ascension Fair Trade’s 25th Anniversary: A Look Back to the Beginning
When we think of the days of September 2001, our thoughts likely go to the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001. In the world of coffee, the multi-year coffee crisis peaked in September, 2001, with global commodity coffee prices
falling to a 100-year low. Massive oversupply from Vietnam and Brazil caused widespread, devastating poverty across coffee growing communities around the globe – extremely low prices were far below the cost of production, causing many small farmers in Central American and elsewhere to abandon their fields because they could not afford to harvest their crops.
In September 2001, Pastor Howie and Mary Wennes arrived in Thousand Oaks, with Howie beginning his ministry as Ascension’s Interim Pastor. At a meeting of the Missions Committee (now the Global Ministries Team), the Wennes’ shared the idea of Fair Trade: a way of doing business that paid farmers and artisans fair and above-market wages/prices, in addition to premiums for community health and education; a way of doing business that put people and planet before profit; a way for faith communities to help fight poverty and promote human, economic and environmental justice.
Sharing a recollection shared with us: one member of the Missions Committee was so excited about the idea of Fair Trade discussed at that meeting she was almost unable to get to sleep later that night! The seeds were planted. The excitement grew. Coffee was the first product.
Fair Trade in April – Earth Day is April 22nd!
Every day is a day to celebrate God’s great gift of our planet Earth. On April 22nd, we join with others around the globe in learning more about ways we can pitch-in to clean up & protect our precious planet. And we’ve got a great way to promote environmental justice – Fair Trade!
Fair Trade Principle #10:
Fair Trade products, organically & sustainably produced, are good for us, good for the farmers who produce them, & good for our Earth & our precious natural resources.
Fair Trade Lane will be open this weekend. Everyone is welcome & everyone is invited. We look forward to seeing you!
More than a statistic
This statistic of 1 in 83 deliveries requiring a transfusion is more than a number to me and my family. My daughter Giulianna needed and received two units of blood after she delivered Kai Bosco Di on March 24. Both are doing fine. — Dominick Bosco
April Word & Wine
One Ascension Women are invited to Word & Wine on Wednesday, April 29, 7:00 PM, at the home of Pastor Chamie.* You are welcome to join this monthly gathering at any time. We center ourselves on the good word of God. We have sweet and savory snacks as well as wine and non-alcohoic beverages.
The theme for April’s Word & Wine is: “Community Matters: Lessons from Acts.”
In a world where we can feel both constantly connected and deeply alone, the early church offers us a different vision – a community marked by shared life, honest struggles, radical generosity, and the presence of God in their midst.
Together, we’ll step into their story and ask:
What does it mean to belong? To be known? To build a life of faith together?
Whether you are craving deeper connection, healing from past community, or simply curious about what authentic community could look like—this evening is for you.
Come as you are. There is a place for you here.
*If you sign up, you will receive directions prior to the event.
Sign up HERE.
Founded in 1976, the Conejo Free Clinic has an all-volunteer team of over 100 medical, dental, and legal professionals who provide free services for low-income and uninsured residents of Ventura County and North Los Angeles County. DONATE HERE.
Young Adult Gathering
Sunday, May 17, 5:00 PM
@ Little Calf
This is a time to get to know each other… and our pastors would love to hear what you like at church, what you struggle with, what are your hopes, where you might need support, etc. Sodas and appetizers provided.
For more info or to let us know you are coming, contact James Halvorson at or Pastor Chamie @ .
Saturday, June 6, 10:00 AM
@ Pastor Chamie’s House
What a blessing that so many babies have been born in the past year! Pastor Chamie & Ms. Jenelle will be hosting a “Tea & Scones” for moms who have children age 2 and under (note – you may have older children in addition to your 2 and under).
Pastor Chamie & Ms. Jenelle want to help moms of littles connect with each other and they want to hear how they might be able to support you and what hopes and dreams you might have for your child and for your family as they grow up in the church.
Pentecost International Fair 2026!
We would love YOU to share a bit from your country of origin or ancestry!
Pentecost is the day we celebrate the birthday of the Christian Church and remember the story in the Bible – in Acts 2 – where people from all different areas and languages came together.
This year we want to celebrate Pentecost with one wonderful weekend worship service at 10:00 AM on Sunday, May 24. Immediately after worship, we will invite people to come and taste and see a little bit about different countries from which our One Ascension community originates. The outline of the morning looks like this:
1) set up your country booth anytime between 8:30 and 10:00 AM on the Ascension playground (note that a long table, 2 chairs, and pop-up tent will already be set up for you; an additional stack of chairs will be nearby if needed)
2) come to worship at 10:00 AM in the sanctuary
3) be ready to warmly greet people at your booth at 11:15 AM; the fair will conclude by 1:00 PM
What should be at your booth? You can keep it simple with any sort of mementos from your country, like symbols from the country, a map, photos, artwork, fabrics, etc. Also, include food and/or drink (non-alcoholic) from your country. This could be simple, like pre-packaged candy from your country, or could be a cooked dish that people could sample or little cups of tea people could sample.
Please sign up here letting us know which country you will represent and if you will be teaming up with others. Also let us know if you need space in the Ascension fridge or freezer or if you need the oven/stove to keep food warm. Thank you!
Adventures in Rome! A “Vacation Bible School Experience”
Monday, June 29 – Thursday, July 2, 9:00 AM to Noon
*with Grandparents’ Sunday on June 28
We are inviting children who have completed TK through 5th grade to “journey to Rome” with us this summer! The Bible will come to life right before your eyes! In “Rome,” everyone gets to explore first-hand the culture of the Apostle Paul’s world and how he came to know Jesus. Children will experience the trials, victories, and celebrations of this unique Bible hero. Early Bird Registration is $60 if signed up by May 1. Youth and adult volunteers are needed to make this an amazing week; please let our Children’s Ministry Director, Jenelle Smith, if you are able to volunteer at .
*We know that many grandparents love to have their grandchildren at VBS, so this year we are adding a special “Grandparents’ Sunday” where you can come to either the 9:00 or 10:30 AM service for a special blessing of grandparents and a special grandparent/grandchild activity on that day. REGISTER HERE PAY HERE
We need VOLUNTEERS! Please CLICK HERE if you are interested in helping.
SCAM ALERT!
More scams! This past week, we have learned of more members being targeted with AI scams that are quite concerning.
Online scams and phone scams are rampant.
Criminals are using Artifical Intelligence tools to imitate people and perpetrate fraud.
We want to state emphatically again that we will never ask for money this way. And again, if you ever receive an email or text that seems the faintest bit fishy, it probably is.
So, please be alert. Even the most internet savvy people can be caught off guard in a distracted moment.
Beware of investment scams involving cryptocurrency, which accounted for more than $7 billion in losses last year.
Be wary of any urgent requests to transfer money.
Remember, scammers are working not only harder, but smarter. Criminals around the globe are shown to be employing advanced psychological tricks and spoofing techniques to impersonate trusted entities, including your bank or credit union, or your pastors and church council leaders.
Dear Church Family,
I am so happy to announce that Camp Discovery (formerly the school’s “Staycation”) is now a summer camp open to the whole Ascension Community – church and school!
I am so excited that Jessica Placas-Hengst is leading this program (she’s incredible). If you don’t know her, she is a long-time faithful church member who goes to the 10:30 worship service where her husband plays in the band and she is mom to the awesome Owen and Kate. She is the new director of the school’s extended care program.
I am so excited to partner with her this summer. Ms. Jenelle and I will both be involved with Camp Discovery. I will be leading weekly Camp Discovery chapel every Wednesday under our giant oak tree on the back side of our campus. In the midst of Camp Discovery, Ms. Jenelle and I will be leading a “Vacation Bible School”* week Monday, June 29 to Thursday, July 2.
You can choose to either do just VBS only from 9:00 to noon (and register with the church; registration opens January 22) or do the full day Camp Discovery.
It is going to be a fantastic summer!
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Chamie
P.S. We’re so excited about Camp Discovery for Summer 2026! Find out why in this video.
CLICK TO FIND OUT MORE
In Need of Prayer
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Pericopes
Next Week
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, Chamie Delkeskamp, and Steve Herder
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