Grace and peace be with you, my sisters and brothers in Christ.
This weekend, we continue our two-week mini-series on Jesus’ parables from Matthew 13 with the parable of the weeds and the wheat. Last week, we reflected on the Parable of the Sower and prayed that God would make us good soil — receptive to His Word and ready for the harvest He longs to grow among us. This week, we turn to a harder question: If God is planting good seed, why are there still weeds in the field?
We will reflect on how Jesus teaches us to live faithfully in a world where good and evil are often tangled together. This parable reminds us that evil is real, justice matters, and truth must be spoken—but it also warns us against taking final judgment into our own hands. As we continue to seek God’s vision for Ascension, we will consider what it means to be a church centered on Jesus: wide in grace, deep in truth, patient in love, and faithful in hope.
Blessings,
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Special issue: Pastors’ updates include Pastor Tim’s Sabbatical Reflections.
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New Eucharistic Ministers!
It is with great joy that we announce the commissioning of EIGHT new Eucharistic ministers: Jeffery Patrick, Shirley Motter, Barry and Tania Disselhorst, Brigitte and Louis Bell, Debbie Kahn and Heather Harner! Since this ministry started 8 years ago, your Eucharistic ministers have made over 1100 visits, sharing this vital
sacrament and the love of the congregation with those who are unable to worship with us in person. These fellow members of the congregation were commissioned on July 12th and have already started their new ministry. We give thanks for these new ministers and for all those who have served over the years.
There is always room for more, and if you are feeling the nudge of the Holy Spirit to join us, please contact Pastor Steve, Pastor Chaime, Pastor Tim or Pastor Ron Cox.

Three Easy Tips
Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and taking care of our physical health is a beautiful form of stewardship and worship. This month, we are focusing on three simple, faith-infused steps to nourish our bodies, protect our hearts, and renew our spirits. Let’s commit to these healthy habits together as we serve the Lord with vitality and joy.
The Health Benefit: Chronic stress elevates blood pressure and strains your heart. Dedicated rest lowers cortisol levels, strengthens your immune system, and improves mental clarity.
The Action Step: Pick one day this week to practice a “micro-Sabbath.” Disconnect from digital screens for just one hour. Use that quiet time for prayer, a gentle walk, or deep breathing.
Scripture to reflect on: “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” — Psalm 4:8
Stay blessed, healthy, and beautifully rested!
A Legacy of Faith
The Difference Between a Gift and a Legacy
Each week, many of us faithfully place our offerings in the plate. Those gifts sustain the ministry of today—supporting worship, outreach, education, and the many ways Ascension serves our congregation and community.
A legacy gift serves a different, but equally important, purpose. Through the Ascension Foundation, members have an opportunity to provide for the ministry of tomorrow. Legacy gifts help ensure that future generations will continue to hear the Gospel, grow in faith, experience Christian fellowship, and find a welcoming church home long after we are gone.
Scripture reminds us that we are stewards, not owners, of the blessings God entrusts to us. Thoughtful estate planning allows us to extend our Christian witness beyond our lifetime and reflect our faith in the way we care for those who will come after us.
When we make plans for our earthly legacy, we also have an opportunity to consider our spiritual legacy. What values do we hope to pass along? What impact do we want our faith to have on future generations?
A gift meets a need today. A legacy helps carry Christ’s mission forward for years to come.
“The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him.” — Proverbs 20:7
To learn more about including the Ascension Foundation in your estate plans, please contact the Foundation for a confidential conversation.
Children, Youth & Family Ministries Corner
by Pastor Chamie

We have special opportunities for children and youth to grow in faith this July.
On Sunday, July 12, we began a 4-week Summer Sunday School series for TK-5th graders at the 10:30 service. We pick up where VBS left off and keep adventuring with Paul in Rome. After the “children’s time” in worship, either Ms. Jenelle or Pastor Chamie will lead the children to the “Underground Church” for class. Children will return to worship for Holy Communion.
Mr. Gottmer is doing full time youth ministry this month. Check out all the youth events for July! James is also a part of our youth staff for the summer. Kaya is away working at a Clearwater Forest Bible Camp in Minnesota; she returns in late August.
Blessing on a faith-filled July!
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Chamie
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Monday Morning Devotional
July 13, 2026
by Susanne Hopkins
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Word & Wine
Ascension women – mark your calendars for July’s Word & Wine, July 22, 7:00 PM.
Reminder for Thrivent Members:
Please consider making Ascension Church, School, or Early Childhood Center your Thrivent Choice dollars designated recipient at thrivent.com/thriventchoice. These gifts make a huge difference to our ministries and to our partner ministries. Our Church Council decides how the gifts to Ascension Church are given away. CLICK HERE.
Thank you, Thrivent and all members!
Book Club
August 20: Theo of Golden, by Levi Allen
September 17: The Correspondent, by Virginia Evans
We meet 3rd Thursday at 1:30 in Bethlehem Room
Grief in the Summer
Oftentimes we think of the holidays when it comes to handling grief, but according to experts, summertime can also be particularly challenging. It’s a time when many are enjoying vacations, family gatherings and other occasions, a time associated with having fun and being carefree. These are times that might make the absence of loved ones feel even more acute.
GriefShare is a support group for those who are in grief. We are grateful to Norm Guetschoff for leading this ministry (in addition to his faithful work in Stephen Ministry). GriefShare continues all through the year, meeting Thursdays at 1 PM. Anyone grieving the death of a loved one is welcome to attend. Find out more HERE.
Eat & Greet
What a blessing it is to be able to sip coffee, have a bite to eat, and connect with the church community after worship services. This happens on special days after the Saturday service and every Sunday after the 9:00 and 10:30 services.
For the last three years, Janet Gardner and Dolores Ledbetter have been a part of setting up the fellowship time and preparing the food for after the 9:00 service. We give them a huge thanks for their dedication to growing our community connections. They are now stepping down as Janet needs to provide more care for her father and Dolores who is 91 (and absolutely amazing) continues to support our library, but is passing the baton of Eat & Greet.
We know that fellowship is important. So if you feel a tug to be involved with this ministry, please reach out to Pastor Tim or Pastor Chamie. And if you see Janet or Dolores, let them know you appreciate them!
Report from Dave Nonnemacher, July 15, 2026:
Thank you, Ascension
“Many plates in the air and real needs being met in Ukraine via the connections God has provided. Generators I’m collecting, chainsaws, fuel purchases, food for IDPs (Internationally Displaced Persons) at Logos Center, food for frontline villages, Oleksii and his ‘bread and gospel’ ministry….
I was able to secure a donation from an Orange City IA church that allowed ‘Vysota’, Vadim’s church, to get 20 IDP youth out of Kyiv to the west for a weeklong camp. A number of local kids there in that community participated as well. They had a (safe) and fantastic time while Kyiv was getting hit the hardest earlier this month. And of course we continue, through Hand in Hand, to send shipments as often as possible. Those generators ALC provided have gotten some widespread distribution.”
Thank you Ascension Lutheran Church and Foundation for your generous support for the people in Ukraine who have received power, light and essentials from you!
Help Our Hot Meals Ministry Continue to Make a Difference!
Did you know, our Ascension Hot Meals Ministry delivered more than 600 meals to Harbor House for people in need in 2025?
Leaders Tania and Barry Disselhorst and their Hot Meals Ministry regulars can always use more volunteers. That way, the same people are not purchasing, cooking, and packaging every month. Their next date is Tuesday, July 21. For more details and to sign up, go HERE
Our Food Pantry Needs:
Non-Perishable Items – Small Sizes Preferred – Please check expiration dates – Individual serving items:
Canned fruit; peaches, applesauce, fruit cocktail
Cereal
Cup of Noodles
Ready to eat items e.g., Spaghettios, Chili Beans with meat, Raviolis
Boxed meals: instant potatoes, rice, scalloped potatoes, Rice-a-Roni, Granola Bars
Snack items such as cracker/cheese, nuts, cookies
Canned chicken
Canned Spam- oven roasted turkey Spam
Boxed Cereal
Crackers
Dried Beans Rice
Pancake mix and syrup
Beverages: water, juice boxes, shelf stable milk, shelf stable chocolate milk
Top Ramen
Canned Vegetables; peas, carrots
Masa
Don’t Forget to Visit the Ascension Library!
We encourage children and youth to grow in faith this summer through reading! We have two brand new Christian middle school series. We also have many new Christian books for children of all ages with more on their way! You can check out and return books before or after weekend worship services.
We encourage adults to read as well. If you haven’t yet read Theo of Golden by Allen Levi, we encourage you to do so. Here is a suggestion of how to go about summer reading:
Read for Delight
Choose a work of Christian fiction, poetry, or inspirational storytelling.
Read for Growth
Select a book that helps you better understand the Bible, prayer, worship, or Christian practice.
Read for Wisdom
Read the biography of a Christian leader, saint, missionary, theologian, or thinker whose life can inspire your own faith journey.
In Need of Prayer
Click here for this week’s Prayer List
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Pericopes

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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