Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the SAM’s Tram service from Ascension has been pretty quiet. However, now that many of us have vaccines and feel more comfortable being out and about, it’s time to reintroduce the program! SAM’s Tram is Ascension’s Senior Adult Ministries transportation service. We match seniors from our congregation that need rides to local appointments with Ascension volunteers that are willing to drive.
RIDERS
If you’re a senior who needs a ride (or a caregiver for one), please contact me with the ride details. My contact info is at the end of the article. The more lead time you can give me — at least a week or two is best — the more likely I can find a driver for you. I’ll let you know either way. The service is free! If you feel compelled to give something, you can give your driver a dollar to go to Ascension’s Caring Ones to help the needy in our area.
DRIVERS
We’re always looking for more volunteer drivers to add to our roster. There is NO long-term commitment. I blast out detailed ride requests via e-mail to all of our drivers. You need only say “yes” to a ride that works for your schedule, and your only commitment is for that one ride. Many of us work and can only drive occasionally. That’s OK! The more drivers we have on our roster, the more likely we can fulfill a given request, and the workload gets spread around. This is a simple and effective ministry and we’d love to have you join us! Please call or e-mail me if you’re interested.
TESTIMONIAL
“[SAM’s Tram was] a blessing to my mom when she could not drive anymore. The friendly drivers got her to her weekly hair appointments, and occasional other doctor/dentist appointments. The social interaction with the drivers gave her a lift and became a bright spot in her declining life quality. I was pleasantly surprised and pleased when two drivers who were more frequent came to my mom’s celebration of life service. What a dedicated group of people, making a difference in the lives of our elders!” — Excerpt from a thank you note written by the daughter of one of our riders
FAST FACTS
– Pastor Steve started SAM’s Tram in 2011.
– Since 2017 we have had 287 ride requests and fulfilled 220 of them (77%)
– 69% of our requests are for doctor appointments, 9% for worship services, 8% for beauty/barber, and 14% “other”
Please pray for our SAM’s Tram riders and drivers, and contact me anytime if we can be of service to you, or if you you’d like to join us as a driver.
Sincerely,
Brian Festerling SAM’s Tram Coordinator
805-558-8076 (cell)
ps – we’ve had an uptick in requests and could always use new drivers.
The Virtual Gift Fair debuted last year providing an online opportunity to shop for Fair Trade artisan handcrafts – Fair Trade “wearables & shareables” – from the comfort, convenience and safety of your home. The Gifts of Hope Virtual Gift Fair returns this year bigger & better!
We welcome FAIR ANITA to the Virtual Gift Fair this year providing an opportunity to shop for “cute + ethically-made + affordable” Fair Trade jewelry, textiles and accessories made by more than 8000 changemaking, talented women in 9 countries. These artisan women work to improve the lives of their children and their communities.
The mission of Fair Anita, started in 2015, is to create space for women to feel safe, valued and respected through dignified jobs and Fair Trade relationships. Fair Anita shares that for every dollar a woman makes, between 80-90 cents is reinvested back into her family and community, making sure children are fed and clothed, sending them to school, even putting them through college.
Women’s economic empowerment and leadership is key to overall economic growth and prosperity. More information, including many great photos, will be posted to the Fair Trade page on Ascension’s website. We invite you to check it out and learn more about Fair Anita.
For the months of November and December, 2021, Fair Anita will give Ascension a donation of 20% of online purchases made using Ascension’s special code – our code is ALCTO. Ascension will give this gift to ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response. Mark your calendars and make note of Ascension’s special code. Here is the link to Fair Anita’s website for your shopping enjoyment.
We welcome back our friends at SERRV and are happy they are part of our Virtual Gift Fair again this year.
A name tells us much – established in 1949, the initials stood for Sales Exchange for Refugee Rehabilitation and Vocations. One of the first Fair Trade organizations in the world, SERRV now connects to 24 countries working to empower more than 8000 small-scale artisans and farmers through long-term trading partnerships.
With our support, SERRV can continue to combat poverty and work to help artisans and farmers build better lives for themselves, their families and their communities. Letters spell out more than a name. Every letter has a purpose and stands for an important part of SERRV’s mission. Collectively, the letters SERRV describe the commitment to Fair Trade relationships based on dialogue, transparency, honesty and respect.
The word “Sustainable” is foundational and not limited to the environment. We again thank our friends at SERRV for making a gift of 20% of purchases using Ascension’s special ordering link to ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response.
Here is Ascension’s special ordering link. More information and photos from SERRV will be posted to the Fair Trade page on Ascension’s website.The special ordering link is active and ready for your shopping. We will share updates from SERRV as they come in, including special SERRV promotions. Fair Trade Coffee, Tea, Olive Oil, Snacks and of course, chocolate, is available for purchase during the October 2021 Pre-Ordering Window (10/15/21 – 10/31/21).
The October 2021 Ordering Form can be found on the Fair Trade page of Ascension’s website, on Ascension’s calendar, in hard-copy in the church office, and HERE.
You can also send an email to us at and we’ll send out the ordering form to you.
Just as our Gifts of Hope Alternative Gifts provide hope for a brighter future for many, both near and far, our support of Fair Trade in its many wonderful forms provides hope to artisans, farmers, their families and communities around the world.
We remember that with Fair Trade, farmers and artisans are paid first and paid in full; promotions and the special gifts from SERRV and Fair Anita do not affect the fair wages, prices and treatment for those who produce the items and products we enjoy and give as gifts.
Emma volunteered at middle school and high school at the Lutheran church she attended in Peoria, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. In high school, she worked at a day care center. At Cal Lu, she worked with students via the AmeriCorps fellowship program. And she experienced work in a range of areas of ministry including children’s ministry at a summer program at a Lutheran church in Dana Point.
While her immediate family is in Arizona, Emma does have relatives who live nearby, in the Pasadena area. As far as adjusting to California life, she says she’s loving the weather here “and being so close to the beach is really fun.”
As part of the interview process, Emma says that she and Pastor Julie “had a meeting and talked about the church and all the different goals, and talked about my own spirituality.” Then Emma led some faith-filled fun for 4th through 6th graders at the school. And it must have gone well indeed, for now she is jumping into children’s ministry duties at Ascension — already laying plans for Kids in Christ programming (4th through 6th grade), Sunday School, and will soon start “putting together the Christmas program.”
Pastor Julie is excited to have someone on board who loves kids and building relationships, has a good sense of children’s ministry, and a deep faith herself. She’ll be an asset! In fact, every reference Pastor Julie called was emphatic that we would be lucky to have Emma on our team, and we shouldn’t let her get away. Emma will be at the elementary school and ECC and in worship—if you see her, welcome her and start getting to know her! And of course, pray for her and our Children’s Ministry, too!
Pray, Advocate or Take Action this Jubilee Weekend
Jubilee USA needs our help to lift the voices of the faithful in defense of the world’s most vulnerable. Together, we can expand vaccine access across the world, fight climate change and achieve debt relief and increase aid for developing countries for pandemic recovery efforts. We are joining hundreds of faith communities taking action this month through this drive. Everyone can decide how they’d like to participate – from offering a prayer for vaccine distribution or increased aid for developing countries to calling members of Congress, signing a petition, hosting a discussion group or other activities.
As coronavirus wreaks havoc around the globe, we need to make a strong call to bring the world together for a just and equitable recovery. As you are likely aware, Ascension is a Jubilee congregation – and Pastor Steve is Board Co-Chair — and our Southwest California Synod is a Jubilee synod.
Jubilee has been instrumental in the cancellation of more than $130 billion in debt for the world’s poorest countries. These are debts often racked up by malign government actors in these countries but left for innocent citizenry to cope with. Jubilee follows Jesus’ sermon in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 4:14-21) in reading Isaiah 61 and proclaiming the year of the Lord’s favor, the year of — a year of freedom and debts being cancelled.
Brandt and Margy Oschner’s grandson Brandt, who is awaiting a heart transplant
Kris and Peter Swavely’s brother-in-law John, hospitalized in Colorado with severe COVID, and for his wife Lisa, Kris’ sister, who also has COVID
CONTINUING PRAYERS FOR:
Lara Abounayan
Kyle Ayers
Karen Barrows
Maria Bartush
The Bauer Family
Addie Behm
Gloria Benfatto
Debi Bing
Dominick Bosco
Skip Brenner
Mary Cartrett
Dominic Cavaliere
David Corra
Helen Cox
Linda Crabill
Diana Doerfler
John Ernst
Becky and Al France
Jane Ganske
Dennis Gillette
Malia Hassenbein
Penny Hunter
Bob Kielhorn
Dr. Allen Leland
Henry Leland
Grace Lugo
Judy Marshall
Sue May
Sandi Meyer
Shirley Meyer
Verlon Meyer
Bill Munn
Helen Nenne
Paul and Betty Olson
Laurie Peyton
Lois Phillips
Mike Ricci
Dave Rosinbum
Pastor David Palma-Ruwe
Dorothy Scholz
Barb Schornstein
Arnold Schwarz
Jan Timmons
Paul and Anne Urlie
Taty Valladares
Todd Wallace
PRAYERS FOR SAFEKEEPING:
Connor Braaten, USMC
Scott Clark, U.S. Navy
LCpL. Alexander Daley
Cody Davidson, US Army
Tim David, US Army
Jack Ingles, USMC
ET1 Patrick Maccarone, USN
Jake Marshall, USMC
Scott Mochatel, USCG
LCJG Caroline Truesdell, USCG
Prayers For Our Congregations In The ELCA
Southwest CA Synod Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and staff
Synod Bishop-elect Brenda Bos
Our Channel Islands Conference:
New Hope, Agoura Hills
Mt. Cross, Camarillo
Christ, Goleta
King of Glory, Newbury Park
Holy Cross, Ojai
Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Oxnard
Our Savior’s, Oxnard
Trinity, Santa Barbara
Emanuel, Santa Paula
Shepherd of the Valley, Simi Valley
Holy Trinity, Thousand Oaks
Trinity, Ventura
(To learn more, ask one of the pastors)
PRAYER FOCUS:
The work of Jubilee,
that God guides and blesses the efforts toward equitable treatment and relief from debt, famine and disease, especially COVID, for the world’s most vulnerable populations
High School Youth Group Enjoys Farm Fun, Service, Sunsets, Mountain Tops, and mostly, Lots of Laughter and God’s Hand in it All.
by Dianne Beck
“Sometimes the best way to see God is by looking backwards.”
This was something a speaker at the recent Youth Gathering at Luther Glen said on our last day of camp, and as I look back on our week, I definitely see the hand of God in everything we did.
At Bible Study this past Sunday, as we shared Highs and Lows, each youth who went on the trip, along with myself, listed our trip as a high for the week, recounting the fun times, and admitted that one low was simply the adjustment of coming back home, even though we were all glad to be home and get some rest! I know that in my mind I’ve continued to hear our jokes, sometimes even saying them out loud when no one near me would get it, and have songs like “One Name Under Heaven,” “Reckless Love,” and “Knee, Knee, Clap, Clap” on repeat in my head as well. The week is one that will stay embedded positively in our memories and continue to bring us joy as we think back on it.
Each day was packed with activity and opportunities to connect with each other as well as people from all over California and places as far as North Dakota, Minnesota, Washington, and Hawaii. In this one week, we were able to enjoy farm animals and a new puppy, beautiful sunrises and sunsets, great praise music and speakers, games and conversation, Disneyland, The Palm Springs Tramway, a service day at Helping Hands in San Bernadino, and the local fun of Oak Glen with apple turnovers and axe throwing. Looking back, I think I saw God most in the way we all connected and got to know one another more and more each day. It’s not easy to hide behind your real self when spending a week together, which I believe is the beauty of going away together. We all see that it’s okay to be who we are and when we are, that’s when God and his love best shine through.
I am truly thankful for every person who went on the trip, every person we met, both near and far, and all the lasting connections and memories made.
If you or a high schooler you know would like to be part of another trip, stay tuned for our plans for an upcoming weekend retreat to Pismo Beach September 23-25th. If interested, contact Dianne Beck at .
Advent invites us to trace the branches of Jesus’ family tree. It’s a story full of surprising people, faithful ones, flawed ones, dreamers, doubters, and those who said “yes” to God. This great story of God is also our story. As we follow the roots of Jesus’ coming, we discover that we, too, are part of the family tree of hope.
Advent Candle Lighting
As we light the Advent candle each week in worship, the children will gather around the Advent wreath for Children’s Time and a child and/or youth will do the candle reading for the week and light the candle.
We invite you to experience comfort & joy at the annual Hanging of the Greens on December 7!
During the 5-6 PM food & festivities time, we will have comfort and joy “stations.” Comfort stations include comfort food of soup, bread, and mac-n-cheese. Comfort dessert is lefse, sold by our youth as a fundraiser for winter camp (a longtime youth tradition that brings comfort). There will be a station to write letters of comfort for those homebound or in need of special cheer this year. Another comfort station will be tying Project Linus blankets for children in hospitals. People can gather around the comfort of two outdoor campfires. Joy stations include a bounce house and several silly games including “Snow Holes” (a version of Corn Holes).
Then from 6-7 PM we will gather in the comfort of the sanctuary for the joy of listening – and singing along – to the music of the season, decorating the tree, and turning on the Christmas lights for the first time!
Advent at Ascension Events
November 29/30Thanksgiving Weekend/First Sunday in Advent; Sunday School will be in session for Advent 1 through Advent 4
December 5 (Friday) 3-6 PM, and
December 6 (Saturday) 9 AM-2 PM Lefse making in Pederson Hall – all hands welcomed, especially 6th-12th graders and their families.
December 6 (Saturday) 9-11:30 AM Hanging of the Greens Sanctuary
Decorating Prep, Founders Hall
December 7 (Sunday) “Hanging of the Greens: Comfort & Joy,” 5-6 PM Food & Festivities, 6-7 PM Carols & Lighting of the Tree
December 11 (Thursday) – 2:30-4 PM Fair Trade Lane open
December 12 (Friday) – 6 PM School Christmas Show, “A Christmas to Celebrate”
December 13 (Saturday) – Enchanted Forest Outing to Descanso Gardens, arriving for 5:30 PM entrance; Fair Trade Lane open 5:45-6 PM & 7-7:15 PM
December 14 (Sunday) – Fair Trade Lane open 8:30-9AM & 10-10:30 AM; 9 AM School Students Sing a Song from their Christmas Show; 7 PM Compassionate Friends Memorial Service
December 18 (Thursday) – 9 AM ECC 2-year-olds Program in front of ECC; 2:30-4 PM Fair Trade Lane Open
December 19 (Friday) 9:30 AM ECC 3/4-year-olds Program, sanctuary
December 18 (Thursday) – 2:30-4 PM Fair Trade Lane Open
December 20 (Saturday) 6 PM Cowboy Christmas, followed by Cowboy stew, cobbler & ice cream
December 21 (Sunday) 9 AM Choir Cantata; 3-5 PM Caroling – meet at the bus in the big parking lot to sing at skilled nursing facilities & homes of homebound members
December 24 (Wednesday), Christmas Eve services, 3,5, 7, 9 & 11 PM
December 25 (Thursday) Christmas morning service with Holy Communion, 9:30 AM
Come Celebrate Christmas with us!
All services include holding candles and singing “Silent Night.”
Christmas Eve Services
3 & 5 PM – Family-friendly services with the bell choir and telling of the Christmas story with youth and children cast (including “donkey,” “sheep” and a “sheepdog”), Pastor Chamie preaching. (If your child would like to participate, contact Ms. Jenelle at )
7 PM – Worship with music by the chancel choir, Pastor Timpreaching
Nursery care provided during 3, 5 & 7 PM Services
9 PM – Worship with music by the Praise Alive Band, Pastor Tim preaching
11 PM – Worship music led by Nancy Lee, Holy Communion, Pastor Tim preaching
And then join us Christmas morning at 9:30 AM for carols and communion, Pastors Tim & Chamie team preaching
Cowboy Christmas
Get ready for a very special evening. Cowboy Christmas worship includes Western Christmas music, readings and surprises from Country Spirit & friends that’ll make you feel like you’re out in the wide open spaces, feeling close to God. Wear your Western clothes if you like. Afterward, enjoy Cowboy stew by Nancy Lee and Pastor Chamie, and Nancy’s legendary Dutch oven cobbler. (Cobbler signups on ALCTO.org) Dec. 20 at 6 PM
Poinsettia Dedications
Would you like to dedicate a poinsettia plant for the sanctuary in honor of, or in memory of family members or other loved ones? Please use a flower envelope from the pew rack and write what you want to say. (Cost is $12.) Place in offering plate or return to office by Dec. 15. Dedications will be published online and in print.
School Christmas Show!
“A Christmas to Celebrate”
Friday, Dec. 12 @ 6 PM
All Church Christmas Outing!
Sat, Dec 13.
Sign up Before Thanksgiving to Secure tickets. Pastor Chamie has loved to take her kids and out-of-town family to go to the yearly “Enchanted Forest of Light” at Descanso Gardens. If anyone from Ascension is interested in going together, we invite you to buy tickets for the 5:30 PM time slot on Sat, Dec 13.
After you have secured your tickets, let Pastor Chamie know if you would like to ride on the church bus and she will put you on the list – or if you are going to drive separately, she will know to meet you at the gate. The tickets tend to go quickly at Descanso, so getting them before Thanksgiving is advised.
Carolers, Let’s Bring Cheer!
Bring some joy to those unable to come to worship this season! Meet at the bus in the big parking lot to sing at skilled nursing facilities & homes of homebound members 3-5 PM, Sunday, Dec. 21
Get Inspired With Our Advent Devotional
Thank you, Dan Lareva, for 22 years this year of shepherding the creation of our annual Ascension Advent Devotional! Each year, members and the pastors of our congregation volunteer to write a devotional for the Advent season, and students from our school provide artwork. The booklet, which is a project of our Library Committee under Dan’s direction, is a wonderful vehicle for spending a little time each day thinking about Jesus and what His birth means. Printed copies will be available. You’ll also be able to find the writings on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
Advent Candle Lighting
Get ready for a very special evening. Cowboy Christmas worship includes Western Christmas music, readings and surprises from Country Spirit & friends that’ll make you feel like you’re out in the wide open spaces, feeling close to God. Wear your Western clothes if you like. Afterward, enjoy Cowboy stew by Nancy Lee and Pastor Chamie, and Nancy’s legendary Dutch oven cobbler. (Cobbler signups on ALCTO.org) Dec. 20 at 6 PM
Would you like to dedicate a poinsettia plant for the sanctuary in honor of, or in memory of family members or other loved ones? Please use a flower envelope from the pew rack and write what you want to say. (Cost is $12.) Place in offering plate or return to office by Dec. 15. Dedications will be published online and in print.
After you have secured your tickets, let Pastor Chamie know if you would like to ride on the church bus and she will put you on the list – or if you are going to drive separately, she will know to meet you at the gate. The tickets tend to go quickly at Descanso, so getting them before Thanksgiving is advised.
Our Advent Devotional