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

Join us as we continue to “walk this way.”

So far our summer sermon series has noted that Christians first and foremost are people who follow Jesus. Christians are people who strive to live by the fruit of the Spirit. Christians are people who practice forgiveness and grace.

This weekend, Pastors Tim and Chamie will team preach as they share how Christian faith is bigger than the things that tend to divide us. Christians are people who aren’t just “left” or “right,” but follow the “third way.”

As we celebrate the 4th of July, may we remember that our truest freedom is in Christ.

Flowers on the Altar

The flowers on the altar are in honor of the 77th anniversary of the founding of Ascension Lutheran Church

July 4, 1948

Given from the estate of charter members
John and Myrtle Beyer

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Report from Africa 2

Habitat for Humanity Zambia Build in Kabwe’s Makululu Community

From Pastor Steve, Photos by Pastor Steve Herder and Habitat for Humanity Zambia

Pastor Steve and a group from Ascension have been working all week at a Habitat for Humanity build in Kabwe, Zambia. Pastor Steve has been sending updates and photos of their unforgettable experiences, including visiting a nearby school. Here are excerpts from the first two days. More to come!

First Day:

Here Habitat for Humanity Zambia has partnered with vulnerable and low-income families to construct over 220 safe and affordable housing units. These homes are part of a broader effort to supplement government efforts in addressing the acute housing deficit in one of Zambia’s largest informal settlements, where many residents contend with insecure land tenure and inadequate living conditions. 

Our goal on our first day was to set six rows of bricks and that was accomplished for this home that will have two bedrooms and a living room in between, a room that can also be used for cooking. The toilet is in the small building behind the house.

At lunchtime we also visited a local school. 

Cooking: Making Nshima for our lunch!

Our group is doing very well and the Habitat staff that are leading us are outstanding mentors and followers of Jesus.

Second Day

Mary (seen wearing a green head wrap) and her three grandchildren will be the recipients of a new home in Kibwe, Zambia!

Favorite quote of the day yesterday:

Pastor Steve to Scott Squires (after a first hard day of labor with these cement blocks):

“In my kind of work, there’s not a lot of manual labor!”

Immediate response by Scott: 

“You have a lot of Emmanuel labor!”

As we ALL do, don’t we!?

Certainly, God is with us all, led by the Spirit, to share the love and compassion of Jesus with everyone we meet, near and far. Across the street and across the ocean. Acts 1:8

Monday’s devotion was based on First John 3:1a, 16-18.

“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.”

“We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?

Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.”

From Habitat for Humanity Zambia: “Over the weekend, Habitat for Humanity Zambia proudly welcomed a committed and compassionate team of 12 Global Village volunteers from the United States. Their arrival marks the beginning of a powerful cross-cultural collaboration rooted in service, empathy, and the shared vision of building a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live.”

Neighbors were singing joyfully at the Habitat for Humanity build site. Habitat staff translated the songs for us.

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.

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 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.

And now a word from Cal Lutheran and Pacific Lutheran…