Grace and peace to you, my sisters and brothers in Christ,

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

These famous words are from Paul’s farewell speech to the Ephesian elders in the book of Acts (20:35). Paul is quoting Jesus here.

My question is: Do we believe it? Do we believe that giving makes us more joyful and more fulfilled than getting, hoarding, collecting, etc.?

This question is not as simple as it sounds. If we really want to get to the heart of the matter, then we probably need to make a bit of an inventory of how much we have and whether or not we need it all. When we discover that we have more than we need, then the answer to this question starts to get a bit more complicated.

So how do we grow in the joy of giving? How do we learn to trust that we have enough? Let’s talk about this more this weekend as we learn to walk with Jesus.

Blessings,

Children, Youth & Family Ministries Corner

by Pastor Chamie

A Season of Change

As we look towards a new school year, Jen Avalos has decided to resign from her position as Youth Director. Her last day with us will be July 31. This wasn’t an easy decision for her. We are very excited for her, though, in that she and her husband will be welcoming their first baby, a girl, in September.

We will say a prayer of blessing over her on Sunday, July 20, at the end of the 9:00 AM worship and the beginning of the 10:30 AM worship. We are also inviting youth to come say goodbye at the youth group gathering on Sunday, July 27, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM.

I know as Jen says goodbye, the next question is, “What does this mean for youth ministry?” Because we were already preparing for Jen’s pregnancy leave, we will simply be beginning our now “interim” plan a little bit sooner. Starting August 3, Spencer Gottmer will be leading weekly high school Bible study. For those who don’t know him, Spencer currently teaches middle school at our Ascension Lutheran School. He and his wife Jessica have a 3-year-old son Noah (who attends our ECC) and a baby named Jude. Spencer is a very beloved teacher. He has a huge heart for Jesus and young people. He recently was one of the many adult leaders at our Youth Leadership Camp. Jeff Hengst and I will continue to rotate on Sundays as high school mentors and be bringing on a couple of other high school mentors.

In terms of middle school ministry and youth events, we are in the midst of conversations about who will take on this role in the interim. Confirmation for 7th & 8th graders will resume in the fall and I will continue to take the pastoral lead. I am so thankful for our wonderful returning and new confirmation mentors: Don Weeks, Carlah Schneider, and James Halvorson.

Between interim paid staff, terrific adult volunteers, amazing youth leaders who will be serving on the Youth Council, and myself, we feel that we will have a strong end to our summer and a strong start to our fall season. We feel we will see continued growth in youth ministry.

Please pray for Jen, the youth, and the youth ministry program during this time of transition. If you have any questions or wonders, please feel free to contact me.

Grace & Peace,

Pastor Chamie

THURSDAY, July 24, 7:00 PM, at the home of Cathi Peterson (this is not the same place that Word & Wine has met the last few months)

As we women gather together for “Word & Wine” in July, Pastor Chamie will be teaching about St. Hilda (sometimes just called St. Hild). St. Hilda was a saint of the early church in England and a contemporary of St. Aidan (who Pastor Chamie will teach about at the August Word & Wine). St. Hilda is the patron saint of learning, culture, and poetry, so this month’s Word & Wine will include some poetry as well as Bible passages. We hope you can come for a casual night of friendship and growing in faith. Sign up here. 

When you sign up, the address where we are meeting will be sent to you two days prior. For questions or such, email Pastor Chamie at .

Adult Education: Special Summer Session
Sunday July 20th
10:30-11:30 AM in Founders Hall

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.

Loving Our Neighbors

An expert in the law asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus answered the question with a story, the Parable of the Good Samaritan. After hearing Jesus’ story, the expert in the law responds that the person who is the neighbor is the one who has mercy.

We have an opportunity to show compassion to our local fieldworkers who are our neighbors. Ascension has partnered with “Friends of Fieldworkers” whose mission is to “befriend farmworker families in Ventura County by supporting, celebrating, and advocating for them.” Last week, Ascension members teamed up with other area churches to assemble 150 care kits.

We learned of another need for the children of the farmworkers. For the next two weekends, we will be collecting the following items. If you feel moved, you can bring these items when you come to worship and place them in a donation box at either entrance to the the church:

• new or gently used clothes, sizes 12-24 month, 2T, 3T, 4T

• diapers sizes 3, 4, & 5

• baby wipes

• coloring books

• crayons

Salute to Our Troops Kingdom Builders Follow-Up

Last month, George Lange’s Kingdom Builders project brought Ascension together with the America Supporting Americans (ASA) organization, saluting our troops and veterans with flag honors at the June 14 Flag Day event at Janss Marketplace (link to highlights ) — and supporting troops with care packages.

The project turns out to have legs, as the saying goes, because it’s still going on.

First, George’s Kingdom Builders Flag honorees – Alexander Daley, Jack Ingles, Patrick Maccarone, Robert Steere, and Karsten Lundring – were joined by 20 more honorees because of George’s excellent promotion of the event.

“Some of my buddies came forward to donate flags,” as George puts it.

That’s 25 honorees in all, and 25 care packages to be sent out by ASA in their names.

And second, he continues to work on the advisory board of Conejo Valley ASA’s local chapter – and be a major booster of the group dedicated to supporting military members here and abroad. He is already thinking up ways to possibly expand next year’s event into the business community.

George was particularly pleased to present Ascension’s Karsten Lundring with his Salute to Our Troops flag. “He has done so much for the church,” he points out, referring to Karsten’s tireless service as a leader and mentor at Ascension through the years. “And he’s got a great story.”

That’s true! See story below.

A Note From George Lange:

Greetings! I have just been notified that the Conejo Valley Historical Society will mail out Personal Invitations for the “La Fiesta del Triunfo 2025” event where I will receive Don Triunfo recognition. (Denise Cortes of Harbor House is the Doña Triunfo honoree.)

It’s being held on Saturday, August 16, 5:30-9:30 PM at the Stagecoach Inn Museum. If interested in receiving an invitation, let me know and include your mailing address.

Country Western Theme, BBQ, Entertainment, Tours, plus.

If asked you can note “friend of ‘Don Lange.’”

Or visit the Conejo Valley Historical Society’s website for details HERE. 

Women’s Monday Morning Bible Study: Sign up Sunday, July 27

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.”  

Three sign-up opportunities: Between Sunday services on the patio, 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!

Summer Sermon Series

This week we continue 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 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.

Our hearts break anew with each update about the catastrophic flash floods in South Central Texas. We pray for those who are still lost as well as the families of those who are lost, who have died, or who have experienced loss of home or property.” Merciful God, hear our prayer.

As ever and with your support, the ELCA, through Lutheran Disaster Response and Lutheran World Relief stands ready to walk with our neighbors in the Texas hill country as the floodwaters recede and communities begin to navigate life on the other side of this horrific flood. May we be bearers of the hope found in Christ alone and help shoulder the burden for those who grieve unimaginable loss. Thank you to those who have already joined us through your prayers and support for this work.

GIVE NOW (LWR)