Worship:
Saturday 6:00 PM
Sunday 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM
This Week At Ascension
Called to create opportunities for all people to become devoted followers of Christ
June 29, 2025
Grace and peace to you my sisters and brothers in Christ,
So how many times are we called to forgive someone?
The ancient law code said 3. That sounds fair, even more than fair, right? But then Peter, clearly wanting to impress Jesus and or his fellow disciples, asked, how about 7?
You’d think they would be impressed. But then Jesus blew his disciples away. Some translations say that he responded “77 times” others say that He responded “70 times 7” or 490 times. Yikes.
I hope that you know, Jesus isn’t suggesting that we keep a notebook with us and keep a tally so that we can get to 70 or 490 and be done forgiving. I also hope that you know that this is not a recipe for allowing injustice to run rampant and for us to continually be taken advantage of.
Instead, it is the opposite. We followers of Christ are called to break the cycle of injustice and hurt. It takes strength, courage, faith and every grace that God gives us to do it but we have the power to fight and our chief weapon is forgiveness.
So let’s talk about forgiveness (and Jesus’ wild parable about it) in worship this weekend. I look forward to seeing you!
Blessings,
Accordionaires Returning on Sunday!
The Accordionaires pops orchestra of Los Angeles is returning to Ascension — on Sunday, June 29, at the 9 o’clock worship service. If you’ve seen this accordion ensemble before, you know what a treat it is to experience its artistry.
We will elect new leadership, go over the budget for the coming fiscal year and other church business.
View/Download Meeting Packet HERE
That’s a Wrap!
On Friday, Pastor Chamie and her team finished a memorable week of Ascension’s first Leadership Camp – and by the young people’s reactions to this schedule packed with learning and fun, it won’t be the last! They even managed to get Pastor Chamie on a ride at Six Flags. Well, the merry-go-round. But it was something.
From the Facebook post:
And that’s a wrap. Days 4 & 5 of Youth Leadership Camp included morning devotions so powerfully led by one of the students that Pastor Chamie was moved to tears. Students made paper capes as they explored their “super powers.” Students spent part of Thursday at California Lutheran University as they learned about creation care in the university garden. They also got to hold chickens. After campus chapel, they ate lunch in the Commons. Then they returned to the Ascension campus for a fantastic lesson on “apologetics” and a time to close in journaling and praying in the sanctuary. On Friday, students got to play all day at Six Flags Magic Mountain. It was a phenomenal week!
Fifty Years of Pastoring
At Sunday’s 9 o’clock service, we celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of Pastor Larry Wagner’s ordination. Recognition and a prayer with Pastor Tim were followed by a long standing ovation by the congregation. P.L.’s hug-filled reception on the patio afterward was hosted by our Meet & Eat team of Janet Gardner and Dolores Ledbetter. Pastor Larry’s family turned out to join this happy recognition of his five decades of ministry. (Thanks to Chris Wagner for family photo.)
How do P.L.’s former students, staff, and congregation members feel about him? For a reminder, read Dianne Beck’s blog HERE.
Report from Africa
From Pastor Steve:
This school in Ngamo, Zimbabwe, was part of our visit this week, as we are at a nearby camp in the Hwange Park. Most of the country and this school are Christian. There are 300 children at the school. Some of them get up at 5am for the 7:30 school start time, walking 3-5 miles each way. Their main meal of the day is their school lunch, so that no doubt motivated them to get to school.
They love sharing the joy of Jesus in their music!
Newly Baptized
Celia Evelyn Cain, born November 18, 2021.
Baptized June 22.
Samuel Clark Combs, born October 28, 2024.
Baptized June 24
July Word & Wine for Women
Thursday, July 24, 7:00 PM
Location TBD
Saturday, July 19, 9 AM
Meeting Place: Lynn Oaks Park, 359 Capitan St, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
We will do a short hike, approximately 1 mile, and then play at the park.
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Women’s Monday Morning Bible Study: Sign up this Sunday
Need a ‘faith’ lift? Come join us!
Question: Where can you start the week with joy, laughter and learning—and God and your sisters in Christ?
Answer: Ascension’s Women’s Monday Morning Bible Study!
For some 20 years, women have been meeting in table groups weekly during the school year to grow in faith and enjoy the blessing of friendship and fellowship with our sisters in Christ. On Sept. 8, WMMBS will launch its 2025-26 year, and we so want you to be a part of us!
We will kick off the year with Meredith Storrs’ “Brave and Beloved” study, focusing on some (for there were many!) women of the Bible who were instrumental in forwarding faith in the one, true God. We’ll explore what it means to be a godly woman today—and what we can we learn from women in Biblical times. Certainly they lived far differently than we do (theirs was a highly patriarchal society and women had no voice or worth) yet God valued them so much He used them to do extraordinary things—just as He can do with us.
Then, from January to May, we will delve into Dr. David Jeremiah’s study, “Matthew: The Arrival of the King.” Considered the bridge between the Old and New Testaments, the book of Matthew emphasizes “the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah and that a new kingdom on earth had begun.”
Four sign-up opportunities: Between Sunday services on the patio, June 29, July 27, Aug. 3 and Aug. 10 (last day for book order).
Cost: $35 for BOTH study books payable at registration (cash or check only).
Please join us!
Adult Education: Special Summer Session
Sunday July 20th
10:30am-11:30am the library
Aging: What It is and What It is Not
Myths, stereotypes and ageism contribute to misinformation and anxiety about the natural aging process, which actually starts at conception.
Learn how to manage the negative aspects of aging and better address health concerns which are often falsely attributed to aging.
Feel empowered about being or becoming a wise elder! There will be 45 minutes of presentation and 15 minutes for questions.
Maximilian Fuhrmann, Ph.D, ABPP Clinical Psychologist and Gerontologist Private Practice Thousand Oaks & Beverly Hills. Trainer Consultant USC Center on Child Welfare & School of Social Work/UCLA Luskin School of Social Welfare. Instructor Seneca Family of Agencies. Continuing Education Instructor Palo Alto University, Association for Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences and Professional Psych Seminars.
You can still make your financial gift for LWR Kits!
Thanks to all who have given so far to the JUNE special offering for materials to make kits to send to Lutheran World Relief.
Will you help us buy materials for making personal care kits? The materials for each kit costs $8. DONATE HERE
Book Club Notes
The Ascension Book Club meets the 3rd Thursday of the month at 1:30 in the Bethlehem Room, in the office building. The group chooses books based on members’ interest and discussion is led by one of the members. Books vary from popular novels to nonfiction. Please feel free to join us–we are a friendly group.
New books for the rest of the year to be chosen in July. All are very welcome. Requirements are love reading, have a sense of humor, enjoy the fellowship of a lovely group of women.
July: Frozen River, by Ariel Lawhon
Books should be available at Libby, local library, Amazon or Thriftbooks.
Summer Sermon Series
This week we begin our Summer Sermon Series: Walk This Way… a fresh and simple guide to walking as a Christian.
Christians are people who build their lives on something bigger than themselves. They build it on the firm foundation of Christ.
Join us through August 31 as we go back to the basics of what it means to live as a follower of Christ in the world today.
Walk this Way and Pray
Dianne Beck will also lead a Thursday morning, 8 to 9 AM, “Walk this Way and Pray.” Join her – along with one of our pastors when available – on a walk at Dover/Hendrix Park and Conejo Valley Botanic Gardens.
The morning will start with a reading of the Bible verses from the past week’s sermon, which then participants could reflect upon and pray about as they walk for about 40 minutes, either at the park area or at the botanic garden area, then close with a time of sharing of what people noticed or thought as they walked and maybe talked about with others, and a closing prayer.
Thursday morning, 8:00 to 9:00 AM, walk dates:
July 10
July 17
July 24
July 31
Also, read Dianne Beck’s weekly blog as she reflects on the sermon from the prior weekend. On the blog, she gives journal prompts for you to grow in faith.
Children, Youth & Family Ministries Corner
by Pastor Chamie
Pastor Chamie is on vacation in Minnesota from June 26 to July 5. When she returns, she will resume writing the weekly CYF Corner. She hopes that many children, youth, and families will sign up for the “Family Night VBS” series that will run from 5:45 to 7:15 PM on Wednesdays from July 9 to August 6. It is okay if you can’t make all of the nights – come to as many as you can! For more information and to sign up, go here.
Registration Closes July 3!
Wednesday Evenings, 5:45 to 7:15 PM, July 9 through August 6
True North Family VBS
Wednesday Evenings, 5:45 to 7:15 PM, July 9 through August 6
Registration closes July 3
Outline of the night:
5:45 PM
Families gather together in Founders Hall for pizza and prayer and family fun time
6:15 PM
Children 3 and under go to the nursery; children ages 4 through 5th grade go to the gym with their youth leaders and staff and volunteers for “True North VBS” as kids learn to trust Jesus in the wild world!
Jenelle Smith will lead the children’s VBS portion while Jen Avalos will be equipping and encouraging the youth leaders.
Parents stay in Founders Hall for a fun and engaging Christ-centered parenting class taught by Pastors Tim & Chamie. They will get real with the highs and lows, mistakes and triumphs, embarrassing and tender-hearted moments of raising three children. They will also share how parents can tend their own souls so they can then better nurture their children.
7:15
Closing prayer and farewell
Summer Event Schedules for Middle School and High School Students
Happy Campers: Summer Sunday School
Starting June 16, children age 4 through 5th grade are invited to a special 9 weeks of Summer Sunday School during the 10:30 AM worship service (there will be no Sunday school in the summer during the 9:00 AM worship time). Children will begin in worship with their families. After “children’s time” in the worship service, they will go to the gym for summer Sunday school. They will return to the sanctuary for communion time with their families and for the closing song. There will be a “Happy Campers” Sunday school version for infants through 3-year-olds in the nursery.
Here is an overview of each week:
Catching Some Fish. Nothing passes the time quite like going out and catching fish. Kids will learn that we’ve been called to make sure people catch the good news of Jesus. Luke 5:1-11.
Putting Up the Tent. We must pay careful attention to pitch our tents just right. Kids will learn that Jesus deserves our attention. Mark 9:2-13.
Setting Out Your Sleeping Bag. When you’re “roughing it” you have to give up your warm house and comfortable bed. Kids will learn that following Jesus sometimes means giving something up. Matthew 8:18-22.
Going on a Hike. During your trip, it’s nice to go out to the hiking trails and explore nature. Kids will learn that Jesus sends us out to help and serve others. Luke 10:1-17.
Making S’mores. No camping trip would be complete without fixing up s’mores. Kids will learn that Jesus is the bread of life that makes us complete. John 6:25-40.
Singing Campfire Songs. Nothing’s more joyful than singing songs under the stars. Kids will learn that they should praise Jesus joyfully. Luke 19:28-40.
Telling Campfire Stories. It’s nice to sit around the campfire and tell each other stories. Kids will learn that we have the best story ever to tell: Jesus is alive! Luke 24:13-32.
Keeping the Fire Going. When the camping trip is over, make sure to put out the campfire out. Kids will learn that with the promised Holy Spirit, the fire of good news will never go out. Acts 2:1-12.
In Case You Missed It…
In Need of Prayer
Click here for this week’s Prayer List
Top of Page
Pericopes
This Week
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Matthew 18:21-35
Next Week
Acts 10:9-16
Matthew 7:3-5
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