Solid Food - Ascension Sermon Podcast

Greetings, Church Family, Blessed May to you! Do you know one of the best ways to begin a new month? By going to worship the first weekend of the month! This week as we reflect on Psalm 31 and John 14, we will hear the words of scripture, "Into your hands I commend my spirit." In moments of fear and uncertainty, it is common for us humans to try to hold on tighter to our own might. But these scriptures point us to another way. Jesus reminds us to place our lives into God's hands. As we begin this new month, we encourage you to pick up the new daily prayer calendar for May & June that Pastor Steve has thoughtfully put together. We also encourage you to spend time reading the newsletter and see opportunities to be in community and to serve God's people. This week, I felt acutely the joys and hurts of our faith community. Two of our members went into the loving arms of Jesus this week: Janice Bascou and Donna Mae Corra. Two of our members began chemo treatments this week: Becca Kruse and Cam Lorentson (while many others continue chemo treatment). I also got to celebrate the new engagement of Henry Behm and Macy Alexander. As I type, another new mama is in labor at the hospital. And on Sunday, I will baptize 4-week-old old Beau Lambert at the 9:00 service. So much pain. So much joy. This is one of the reasons we need our church community, for it's the family of faith that is there with us to carry us through hard days and to rejoice with us on good days. I am thankful to journey with you. Grace & Peace, Pastor Chamie

I am excited that I get to welcome our friend Rev. Audie Diggs to deliver the sermon. When Pastor Tim was preparing for his sabbatical, he thought it would be a great time to bring in guest preachers once a month. These guest preachers allow us to hear a message from different voices and for us to grow in relationship with our wider Christian community.  Let me tell you a little bit about my friend Audie who holds both a MDiv and MBA. He currently serves as the Director of Immersion Learning and Student Engagement at Oaks Christian School. His work sits at the intersection of faith, leadership, and culture, with a particular focus on how individuals and organizations can grow in authenticity, purpose, and impact. He is a gifted communicator and teacher, regularly speaking to students and communities on spiritual formation, leadership, and living a life rooted in Christ. He is deeply committed to helping others not just know Scripture, but experience it in a personal and transformative way. He will invite us to reflect on Psalm 23. In this psalm, King David doesn't just recite truth; he lives it. In one of the most difficult seasons of his life, he declares that the Lord is his Shepherd. Audie's message will explore what it means to move beyond knowing Scripture to actually experiencing it, discovering how God invites us to rest in Him, walk with Him, and ultimately trust Him, even in the valley. It's going to be a great weekend!  Grace & Peace, Pastor Chamie

Dear Church Family, We don't often think of the dinner table as powerful, but what if it is? What if something as ordinary as sitting down to eat could open our eyes, steady our hearts, and even change the direction of our lives? In Luke's story of the road to Emmaus, the disciples are walking, talking, and trying to make sense of it all until they finally stop, sit, and share a meal. And there, in the breaking of the bread, they recognize that Jesus has been with them all along. Where might Jesus be showing up in your own life, unnoticed, unrecognized, waiting for you to slow down long enough to see? Join us as we explore the quiet, surprising power of shared meals, sacred presence, and hearts set on fire. I'm looking forward to being back in worship with you after traveling for 10 days with Pastor Tim as he begins his sabbatical (you won't see him again until July!). As we gather around Luke's table, I'll also share a story from Pastor Tim's and my seminary days, a simple meal that made me wonder if I might just spend my life with this guy! Come hungry for connection, for meaning, and for a glimpse of the risen Christ in the most ordinary places. Grace & Peace, Pastor Chamie

Sisters and brothers in Christ Jesus, Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! How does this glorious truth enable us to live as resurrection people in the midst of the doubts and uncertainties of our lives? In the gospel text for this weekend, we see the disciples dealing with this question. How can their experience help us to see the way forward? Join me in worship to explore this further. Pastor Paul

Easter comes every year, yet the story never grows old. It is the story of all stories, shaping how we live, how we move, and how we refuse to stay stuck because our God could not be contained in a tomb! As we've been studying the Easter story together, we've been struck by something we don't usually think about on Easter morn: fear. The women at the tomb were afraid. Afraid yet filled with joy. Chew on that. The deepest fears we carry, the fear of death, of loss, of separation from all we love, is met by the risen Christ and turned into movement. Where might fear be holding you still? And what might it look like for resurrection to meet you there? Come with your questions, your fears, your hopes, your hunger. Come and hear again the story that changes everything. Happy Easter! Pastors Tim and Chamie

Grace and peace to you my sisters and brothers in Christ,   Palm weekend begins with celebration—crowds cheering, palms waving, hope rising. It feels like everything is finally coming together. But as we follow Jesus into Jerusalem, we discover that this is not a shortcut to glory. It is the beginning of something deeper. This weekend, we'll explore how Jesus chooses what Paul describes in Philippians 2 as the path of humility—emptying himself, stepping downward, and embracing the long way of love. Even as betrayal looms in Matthew 26, even as the cheers begin to fade, Jesus keeps going. He doesn't turn back. He doesn't take the easier road. And that raises an important question for us: what does it look like to follow Jesus on that same path? Join us for worship as we begin Holy Week together, reflecting on a love that does not take shortcuts—a love that stays, that gives, and that carries us all the way to the cross… and beyond. Blessings,

  Grace and peace to you my sisters and brothers in Christ, This weekend, we will sit with one of Scripture's hardest and most hopeful questions: "Can these bones live?" In the face of grief and uncertainty, Jesus does not rush us to resurrection—he weeps with us. Together, we'll explore how honest lament can become an act of faith, trusting that God is still at work, even in what feels impossible or overwhelming. This weekend will help prepare us for Holy Week which begins with Palm Sunday. We pray that you will "live the story of Jesus" through Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday. Grace & Peace, Pastor Chamie

Grace and peace to you my sisters and brothers in Christ, What if the greatest miracle Jesus performs in our lives isn't changing our circumstances but changing how we see them? This weekend we hear the story of the man born blind in John 9 and Paul's invitation in Ephesians to "live as children of the light." Jesus heals blindness—but the story reminds us that not everyone welcomes restored sight. Sometimes seeing clearly means letting God reshape how we understand the world. Faith often works like a sunrise. At first the light comes slowly—soft and gradual—until suddenly we realize we can see things in a way that we couldn't before. As we gather during this Lenten season and St. Patrick's weekend, we'll reflect on how Christ continues to open our eyes today, helping us grow, change, and walk more fully as children of the light. Blessings,

How is a classroom – or even a teacher – like a… well?   I'm thrilled to preach at all of the services this weekend as we celebrate Lutheran Schools Week, and we look to Jesus as the source of a virtuous, abundant, challenge-filled, and eternal life! I hope you'll join me! God's peace, Rich Ascension Lutheran School Principal Rich Gregory

This weekend we welcome a special guest and friend, Pastor Rick Ertel, who will be preaching on John 3:1–17. You probably know at least one line from it: "For God so loved the world…" But before we get there, we meet Nicodemus — a thoughtful, religious leader who comes to Jesus at night with big questions. And Jesus says something that stops him in his tracks: "You must be born again." Born again. Saved. Pastor Rick will help us explore what these words really mean — and how they show up in our everyday lives: in our parenting, our work, our struggles, our hopes, and our ordinary Tuesday afternoons. Jesus tells Nicodemus that God didn't send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save it. That includes you. That includes me. That includes the parts of our lives that still feel unfinished. So come ready to hear again the good news that changes everything — not with pressure, not with guilt, but with grace. Blessings, Pastor Tim

Grace and peace to you my sisters and brothers in Christ, This weekend we step into two very different landscapes: a lush garden and a barren wilderness. Yet in both places the same question rises to the surface: Whose voice will we trust? In Eden, a subtle whisper reframes God's generosity into suspicion. In the desert, a cunning voice tries to bend identity, provision, and power away from the Father's will. Between these stories we discover something deeply personal: temptation is often less about dramatic wrongdoing and more about which word gets to define reality. Fear or promise? Control or trust? Anxiety or grace? The good news is not that we always choose perfectly, but that Jesus remains faithful where we are fragile. Where trust once collapsed, Christ restores. Join us as we listen again for the voice that still speaks life: "Fear not. I am with you." Blessings,

Grace and peace to you my sisters and brothers in Christ, This Sunday we stand on the mountaintop with Peter, James, and John as Jesus is transfigured in dazzling glory. Yet the church, in her wisdom, places this radiant moment right before Lent. Why? Because the light of the Transfiguration cannot be separated from the shadow of the cross. On the mountain, Jesus shines. On Calvary, he suffers. And in the mystery at the heart of our faith, both reveal the same truth: the glory of God is made known through self-giving love. Life, too, is lived between mountains and valleys—moments of joy, clarity, and beauty alongside seasons of struggle, loss, and weariness. The good news is this: the same Jesus who meets his disciples in glory also walks with them into the valley. And he walks with us still. Looking forward to seeing you in worship this weekend. Blessings,

Grace and peace to you my sisters and brothers in Christ, It has been hard to watch the news lately. The world feels heavy, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed by all that is broken and aching. Mr. Rogers famously said that in difficult times we should "look for the helpers" – and this week, Jesus might say it this way: look for the salt and the light. In our gospel reading, Jesus calls his followers to be salt and light in the world and Isaiah reminds us that faith is not about performative religion, but about lives shaped by honest compassion and care. Join us for worship as we listen for how God is calling us into authentic discipleship – small, real acts of love that quietly shine hope into a weary world. I look forward to seeing you. Grace & Peace, Pastor Chamie

Grace and peace to you my sisters and brothers in Christ, So many of our deepest questions about regret, faith, and life—come down to this: What does it take to be okay before God? This weekend we get to understand how the Bible holds together the ancient wisdom of the prophet Micah and the surprising grace of Jesus' Beatitudes. In Micah 6, God reminds the people that before there was any failure, there was grace. And in Matthew 5, Jesus goes up the mountain not to give another list of spiritual requirements, but to announce blessing—especially for those who know they are poor in spirit, weary, or unfinished. Together, Micah and Jesus tell a freeing story: abundant life flows from grace, not fear. Justice, kindness, and humility are not ways to earn God's love; they are fruits of the grace God gives us. At the center is the good news that Jesus does what we cannot, so that imperfect, searching people like us can stand before God and be okay—not because we have it all together, but because grace has already met us where we are. I am looking forward to seeing you in worship! Blessings,

Grace and peace to you my sisters and brothers in Christ,   This weekend at worship, we are excited to team-preach as this week is recognized as "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity." Coming from different Christian traditions -Lutheran and Methodist – we will reflect together on what it means to follow "one Light through many lamps." We'll explore how God shows up in the gifts and graces of others, how Jesus calls very different people into a shared mission, and how the church can be a place of unity and hope in a divided world. Pastors Tim & Chamie

Grace and peace to you my sisters and brothers in Christ, The Gospel of John tells us that the first spark of discipleship began with a simple question: "What do you want?" From that moment, two curious disciples followed Jesus—and everything that would become the global church began with their longing. We all come to Jesus looking for something: forgiveness, healing, wisdom, meaning, peace, direction. Like those first disciples, we are invited to "come and see" what only Jesus can give. This Sunday we'll explore how discipleship starts not with certainty, but with desire. Not with perfect answers, but with an honest search. And we'll reflect on how, like John the Baptist, we can humbly point others toward the One who carries our wounds and heals our world. Come and discover again what it means to say, with wonder, "It's all about Jesus." Blessings,

Grace and peace to you my sisters and brothers in Christ, You Are God's Beloved. At Jesus' baptism, a voice from heaven speaks words that shape everything that follows: "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." This Sunday, as we celebrate the Epiphany season, we'll explore why these words are spoken at life's hardest moments—and how they echo into our own lives. Drawing on ancient Jewish tradition, story, and the promise of baptism, we'll reflect on how God's intimate voice still calls us by name today and reminds us of what is truly important. As a new year begins, come and hear again the good news that grounds our faith: before anything else, you are God's beloved child. Blessings,  

Dear Church Family,   This first weekend of 2026, we are saying goodbye to Christmas and hello to the season of Epiphany. We will be pondering the God who chooses to dwell amongst us. Epiphany is a season to notice, name, and nurture the light of Christ—in our lives, in our world, and in one another. It is a season of revelation — of light breaking in, of God showing up in places familiar and unexpected. The Wise Men saw more than a star; they recognized a sign pointing them toward Christ. In this new year, we commit ourselves to becoming God-spotters: people who practice noticing, receiving, and sharing the holy in our daily lives. Each week invites us to cultivate spiritual habits that sharpen our sight — so that our resolutions are not about self-improvement, but soul-attentiveness. This season calls us to look for God's light not only in personal spiritual moments, but in justice, unity, courage, humility, service, and wonder. And we have something special for you this weekend!!! As we prepare for the season of Epiphany, you are invited to take home materials for a simple and ancient Christian practice. At the end of worship, you may take a piece of chalk and instructions to bless your home by marking your doorway for the new year—a tradition rooted in the story of the Magi and the light of Christ that guides us. This blessing is meant to be done at your home, on or near Epiphany, as a sign that Christ is welcome there and that God's grace goes with you into 2026. Last year, church member Yvonne mentioned a book that she thought was so fitting for the season of Epiphany. So this year we are inviting people to read it and join a book discussion night that will take place in early February. The book is Trust the Whisper: How Answering Quiet Callings Inspires Extraordinary Stories of Ordinary Grace by Kathy Izard. I am praying for you and look forward to beginning 2026 with you in a worshipful, Spirit-filled way. Grace & Peace, Pastor Chamie

Christmas is a glorious time filled with joy and wonder, as we celebrate the fulfillment of God's promise to send a Savior. In Benjamin Britten's wonderful A Ceremony of Carols, he sets to music these words from the sixteenth century English priest and poet Robert Southwell: This little Babe, so few days old, is come to rifle Satan's fold; All hell doth at his presence quake, though he himself for cold do shake; For in this weak unarmed wise, the gates of hell he will surprise. What does it mean that the fulfillment of God's eternal promise leads us to a stable in Bethlehem?  How does this help us understand the relationship between Jesus' birth and our daily lives in this challenging, complex world? We will explore these questions at worship.

Christmas Eve Nighttime Service

God is the master of meeting us in the messy and the chaos and the brokenness and helping us find an incredible new plan forward.

Grace and Peace to you, sisters and brothers in Christ. At all of our worship services this weekend, we will talk about another member of Jesus' family tree: Joseph. Joseph rarely gets the spotlight in the Christmas story. He speaks no words, sings no songs, and yet his quiet integrity changes everything. This Fourth Sunday of Advent, we reflect on Joseph's dream and the faith it takes to trust God when life doesn't go as planned. As we prepare for Christmas, we'll consider how Jesus meets us in the space where hope and fear collide—and why that meeting place is holy ground. Grace & Peace, Pastor Chamie

Grace and peace to you my sisters and brothers in Christ,    This week we meet Mary, one of the most remarkable members of the family tree of Jesus that we have been exploring. God calls her into a future she never expected, and when God does, Mary should have been afraid—yet she responds with courage, trust, and a simple, world-changing yes. In her amazing story we discover that it isn't fearlessness that makes us faithful, but God's perfect love that casts out fear. On this 3rd Advent weekend, let's explore together how Mary's "yes" opens the door for Christ's coming—and how our own small yeses make room for God's hope to shine in our world today. Blessings,  

Grace and peace to you my sisters and brothers in Christ, As we light the second candle of advent this weekend, we'll spend some time with one of Scripture's most honest families—Zechariah, Elizabeth, and their miracle child, John the Baptist. Their story is filled with silence, doubt, waiting, and even a bit of wilderness, yet it becomes the soil where God grows His most important promise. This week invites us to discover how God is doing the same in our lives: working quietly beneath the surface, strengthening hope we can't yet see, and preparing us for the Light that is on its way. If you've ever found yourself wondering whether God is moving when everything feels slow or uncertain, this message is for you. Come hear how the family tree of faith teaches us that God's promises are always bigger than our doubts—and that even in a difficult season, hope is already growing. Join us in worship as we light our candles, and step toward the promise of Christ's coming with Advent hope. Blessings,

Dear Church Family, I give great thanks for this amazing community of faith and that I get to serve as one of your pastors. My heart truly overflows with gratitude. This Thanksgiving Weekend as your stomachs might still be full of turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing (my favorite "trinity" of the Thanksgiving feast), I look forward to stepping into the Advent season together and setting our hearts towards the manger. This year, our Advent/Christmas theme is "The Family Tree of Jesus: Our Story of Hope." Are you one of those people who is into family genealogies? Are you one of those people who always skips over the long list of names in biblical genealogies? This weekend we are going to look at some of those unexpected names in the family tree of Jesus. It is a reminder to all of us – no matter our quirks, our successes, our failures, our make-ups or moods – that WE are a part of God's story. So may you come to worship and know that YOU BELONG and that no matter what is going on in your life, we can lean into the peace that God is weaving together a masterful tapestry. In Gratitude for all of You, Pastor Chamie

Grace and peace to you my sisters and brothers in Christ, As we end the Christian year this weekend and we begin another, we remember Christ the King. The King—not on a throne, but on a cross. We worship and remember that Jesus reveals a kingship that is not defined by earthly power but by sacrificial love. Even as He suffers, He opens paradise to a repentant criminal. This is our King: The One who reigns by forgiving, rescuing, and remembering His people. I look forward to reflecting together on the comfort that Christ's crown of thorns brings—as He meets us in our brokenness, covers us in His mercy, and promises that through His victory, we will be with Him in paradise. See you in worship! Blessings,

Grace and peace to you my sisters and brothers in Christ, We choose to hold tight to God's promise so that we can live a faithful life. In this spirit, it is said that someone once asked Martin Luther what he would do if he knew that the world was going to end. He said: "Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree today." This quote is about living faithfully one day at a time. Trusting that when our world is rocked, when things start to feel like there is no permanence, Jesus has got us, so we can just be faithful one day at a time, no matter what the day brings. I am excited to talk more about this at worship this weekend as we celebrate Gifts of Hope and hear the wonderful story of Jesus teaching his disciples of the life-giving power of faith. Blessings,

Greetings! It's been a hard season in many ways. Last weekend in worship, we remembered All Saints' Day and loved ones who have died. Long-time faithful and beloved church member, Brenda Heinrich, died unexpectedly. For so long, she carried people in their deepest sorrows as she led our weekly Grief Share. We know many people in our One Ascension community are struggling with health, relationship, or financial challenges. We know there are hurting and hungry people in our greater community. This weekend in worship, we are inviting you "To Choose to Live as if Resurrection is Real." This is not a denial of the aches and pains we face. But it is a reminder that death and darkness do not get the last word. Resurrection isn't just a message for Easter Sunday; it is something we need to remember again and again. We need to "live the resurrection." So let's gather again for worship and remember who and Whose we are. Grace & Peace, Pastor Chamie

Grace and peace to you my sisters and brothers in Christ, All Saints Day is one of those celebrations that reminds us who we are — and whose we are. For Lutherans, it isn't just a day to remember those with halos in stained glass windows. It's a day to remember all the saints — the everyday, ordinary believers, past and present, who have lived and died in faith. Martin Luther once said that every Christian is both saint and sinner. That phrase captures the heart of what All Saints Day means for us. We don't call people saints because they were perfect or because they performed miracles. We call them saints because they were claimed by Christ in baptism, forgiven by grace, and made holy by God's promise — not by their performance. I am looking forward to talking more about this in worship this weekend as we light candles, read scripture, pray and worship the one who gives us a sure and certain hope. Blessings,  

Grace and peace, sisters and brothers in Christ, What is truth? How do we know it—and how does it shape our lives? This weekend, we'll explore Jesus' words: "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Pastor Tim will share the story of Martin Luther and the truth that changed his life—and the course of the church forever. Pastor Chamie will reflect on how we can come to know that Truth in deeper, life-giving ways today. Come and experience truth, freedom, and the love of God in community! Pastors Tim & Chamie

Grace and peace, my sisters and brothers in Christ, What keeps you going when life gets tough? When the answers don't come easily, when God seems silent, when the struggle stretches on — what helps you stay in the fight? This weekend's message, "Choose Perseverance," invites us to find holy grit in the stories of Jacob wrestling with God and a persistent widow who just won't give up. Together, we'll discover that sometimes faith isn't about having it all figured out — it's about refusing to let go. Pastor Chamie

Grace and peace, my sisters and brothers in Christ, How is your gratitude level these days? Are you fully in "attitude of gratitude" mode? Or did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning and get up and look at the grass on the other side of the street and notice that it is greener than yours? Did you know that gratitude is a spiritual condition connected to faith? You probably figured it out to a certain extent but this weekend in worship we are going to explore this a little deeper with the fascinating story in Luke 17: 11-19 about the 10 lepers who Jesus heals. I encourage you to read the story. Blessings,  

Grace and peace, my sisters and brothers in Christ, We often choose what works in the moment instead of thinking of the long haul. The apostle Paul noted how Timothy's mother and grandmother passed on a faith that would last. This week marks my one year anniversary as your associate pastor. The number one feeling I have this week is overwhelming gratitude for the beauty of being in community for the long haul. Pastor Chamie

Grace and peace, my sisters and brothers in Christ,   This week we are exploring another parable of Jesus.  I would love to have you read it a few times before you come to church.  You can find the story in Luke 16: 19-31. It is the story commonly known as "The Rich Man and Lazarus."  This is not the Lazarus whom Jesus raises from the dead but rather the name of a man in this story that Jesus tells to try and teach his followers about how we are called to live our life.  By the way, Lazarus was a common name for men in Jesus' day.  It means: "the one whom God helps."  I think Jesus very deliberately used this name for him—even though he had clearly suffered a lot in his earthly life. Are you intrigued? I look forward to exploring this more this weekend. See you in worship!    Blessings,   Scripture Reading: Luke 16:19-31   The Rich Man and Lazarus 19 "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham.a]">[a] The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was being tormented, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side.b]">[b] 24 He called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in these flames.' 25 But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things and Lazarus in like manner evil things, but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. 26 Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.' 27 He said, 'Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house— 28 for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.' 29 Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.' 30 He said, 'No, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' 31 He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.' "

Grace and peace, my sisters and brothers in Christ,   There is a lot going on these days. Our world is a bit of a mess. In fact, you could even say that things are tough. And you know the old saying: tough times call for tough people. But what if there is a better version than this one? Don't get me wrong, I think it's good to be tough. I think our faith even makes us tough and resilient. But what if we change the saying? What would it look like if, having listened to Jesus' parable in Luke 16, we changed the saying to: tough times call for shrewd people? I want to talk about this a bit more as we study what has been called "Jesus' weirdest" parable this weekend. Looking forward to seeing you at Worship! Blessings,

Grace and peace, my sisters and brothers in Christ,   My heart is hurting. Yesterday there was a school shooting in Denver and then there was in Utah, the assassination of the young husband and father Charlie Kirk. Today is the day we remember the violence of 9/11. These things added to a series of shootings and violent events: Minnesota lawmakers were murdered in their home in front of their children… the incumbent President has had two assassination attempts… so far this year, according to a pastor friend, we have had 47 shootings in high schools and colleges in America. Two Wednesdays ago, just before we went into our school's chapel, we learned about Annunciation school where children were gunned down while in worship. Please understand me, this is not about politics—sadly, the national conversation goes too quickly to this. It is about something more important. It is about humanity. It is about living together in peace. It is about letting the light shine in the darkness. This weekend we will be talking about whether we believe a person can change. And I will broaden this to whether we believe the world can change. It is my hope that we will remember that it can. And that we are called to make that change happen. Even with people with whom we disagree. I look forward to worshipping with you this weekend. Blessings,  

Grace and peace, sisters and brothers in Christ, "Choose life," is what Moses says to God's people in Deuteronomy 30:19. Should be simple, right? "Choose life." Yet I realize how often I choose to scroll on a screen instead of pick up a good book. Or I choose to stay put on the couch instead of walk the dog around the park. Or I choose to ruminate over a concern instead of pray and let it go. This week as we gather together for ONE worship service at 10:00 AM, Pastor Tim and I are going to team preach on choosing life. It's a phrase to rally around: choose life. This Sunday will kick off the next several weeks as we preach about all the different choices we can make. This Sunday, at the lunch following worship, we will hear how various kingdom builders "chose life." Their stories are inspiring! We hope you choose to be in worship this Sunday. We look forward to seeing you! Grace & Peace, Pastors Tim & Chamie

Grace and peace, my sisters and brothers in Christ,   This weekend we end our summer series "Walk This Way." We have spent the summer exploring what it looks like, in a practical sense, to be a Christian. On this last weekend, we will explore how Christians are people who stand in awe and reverence and care for the world God created. I think you might find delight and surprise in some of the nature images you will see on the screen as well as some tidbits I will share as a pastor who also has a certificate in horticultural therapy. We will hear Jesus' words about what to do when worried… look at the birds! I hope to see you this weekend! Grace & Peace, Pastor Chamie Insert The Season of Creation The Season of Creation is a relatively new addition to the Christian calendar, first celebrated in the 1990s by Lutheran congregations in Australia. It has since spread worldwide and is now observed by Christians of many denominations each year from September 1 (World Day of Prayer for Creation) through October 4 (the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi). This season invites us to join in worship, prayer, and action for God's good creation, remembering that caring for the earth is a vital part of Christian discipleship. Join us for "Blessing of the Animals" at our outdoor worship service at 6:00 PM on Saturday, October 4. The regular Saturday service will move outside with Nancy Lee leading music and everyone is invited to bring their pets as we worship, sing, pray, and bless all the animals. Why Care for Creation? The Bible Speaks Clearly: "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in " — Psalm 24:1 "The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it." — Genesis 2:15 "Let everything that has breath praise the " — Psalm 150:6 "For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible… all things have been created through him and for " — Colossians 1:16 The Colors of the Season  For every season of the Christian year, the colors change in the sanctuary. Blue for Advent. Purple for Lent. And so forth. The longest season is green. This year, for the first time, we are changing the paraments – and the flowers – to match the "Season of Creation" which on Christian calendars is September 1 to October 4. Kim Overton has made altar paraments on fabric that is ocean blues and sand. The altar flowers are live indoor plants put together by Armstrong Gardens. Christian Creation Care Groups BlessedEarth.org  Their mission is to inspire biblically-based stewardship of all creation through educational forums, workshops, classes, retreats, sermons and other events. LutheransRestoringCreation.org Lutherans Restoring Creation is a grassroots movement promoting care for creation in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Creation Justice Ministries Creation Justice Ministries (formerly the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program) represents the creation care and environmental justice policies of major Christian denominations throughout the United States. Ways to Observe the Season of Creation: Spend time outdoors in wonder and gratitude for God's world Reflect on scripture passages about creation Include prayers of thanksgiving and intercession for creation in daily devotion Read a creation-themed book (fiction or non-fiction) Learn about Christian organizations that are caring for creation Plant flowers, herbs, vegetables, or perhaps a tree as an act of praise Visit the Conejo Botanical Garden or the Moorpark Zoo Fast from single-use plastics (i.e. don't use plastic water bottles) Participate in a clean-up or recycling project Practice energy conservation at home Support an animal shelter Pray for and support park rangers and our local, state, and national parks.  

Grace and peace, my sisters and brothers in Christ,   According to statistics, anxiety is an epidemic in our culture. So, if anxiety is something that you or someone you love deals with, you have a weapon against it. It is prayer. Did you know that prayer is meant to lead you to peace? This is why Paul wrote these wonderful lines in his letter to the churches in Philippi: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." I love these wonderful lines of scripture and hope that you do as well. So this weekend in worship, let's talk about how prayer leads to peace as we continue learning how to "Walk this Way." Blessings,

Grace and peace to you, sisters and brothers in Christ, Christians are called and privileged to worship our Triune God. Worship is the single most important thing that Christians/churches do. What is the essence of worship and why is it so important? How does worship serve to connect the dots of all aspects of our Christian lives and keep us centered in Jesus? Why is worship essential for our spiritual health and wellbeing? Let us explore this together on Saturday, August 16th at 6:00 PM and on Sunday, the 17th at 9:00 and 10:30 AM. Grace and peace, Pastor Paul  

Grace and peace to you, sisters and brothers in Christ,   Most people think "either/or."  Jesus did not. Take for example the concepts of stability and adaptability. Most people think it's one or the other.  Either it's all about stability ("if it ain't broke- don't fix it") or it is about adaptability ("the only thing that is constant is change") but it can't be about both. But why can't it?  Jesus typically thought both/and.  And when it comes to discipleship not only are both important but both work together. Stability is all about God's nature.  God's goodness doesn't change.  Adaptability is all about God's work, because we live in a changing world, God's work changes. So this weekend, let's talk about how these two ideas work together, both/and so that we can grow in grace together. Grace & Peace,    

Grace and peace to you, sisters and brothers in Christ, Summer is more than halfway over. We continue to journey through our summer series of "Walk This Way." What does it look like, practically speaking, to live this Christian life? This week our focus is "nurturing the young and the old." Recently, Ascension member Max Fuhrmann taught a class on aging. Currently, our campus is getting ready for another school year of students. Our CYF Team (Children, Youth, and Family Ministries) is gearing up for a new season of confirmation and high school Bible study. I see our children and our elders as the bookends to ministry across the generations. One of the things that I love about worship is that all generations come together as one. So I hope to see you this weekend! Grace & Peace, Pastor Chamie

Pastor Rick Ertel's sermon is based on Matthew 25:31-40. You are in for a fascinating sermon as he briefly gives us five ways to respond to Jesus' call to love and serve "the least of these." Be prepared! He even asks for a few people to give some brief answers to his questions, and there are interesting thoughts to share.

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,  

Grace and peace to you, sisters and brothers in Christ. Thus far in our summer sermon series, we have talked about what it looks like to walk as a Christian. First and foremost, we anchor our lives on Jesus. The "fruit of the Spirit" is the way in which we strive to treat one another, with attributes such as love and gentleness and patience. We are to be a people who practice forgiveness. And last week we talked about being a "big tent church" where instead of pre-judging each other, we try to pre-admire. This week we are going to talk about looking through the lens of abundance versus scarcity. Do you believe that you have enough? That you ARE enough? Do you believe that despite all the contradictory evidence, God is working all things out for the good? Let's gather together in worship this weekend and hold on to Hope. Grace & Peace, Pastor Chamie

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.

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,    

Grace and peace to you my sisters and brothers in Christ, Living by the Spirit isn't easy! In fact, it's a fight. The apostle Paul even described it as a life-long, "good fight." None of us gets it right all the time. Sometimes we go for days, weeks or, I don't know, maybe even years (yikes) without experiencing it. But we are still called to live by the "fruit of the spirit" and not by the "works of the flesh." How do we know when we are experiencing it? Well… Paul describes it as freedom. But not just freedom to do whatever we want. It is real freedom, the freedom that comes when we know that God is with us and we are in the right place doing the right thing. The freedom that comes when we are experiencing "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." So how can we get it? How, as we walk with Jesus, can we keep in step with the Holy Spirit? How do we experience the fruit of the Spirit? Let's explore this question in worship this weekend. Blessings,

Grace and peace to you my sisters and brothers in Christ,   This weekend we begin a summer series called "Walk This Way." We thought summer would be a good time to go back to the basics of what it looks like to follow Jesus. I have long been inspired by pastor and author Eugen Peterson who saw God as the burning center of life which meant that Christian faith was not abstract or disembodied but integrated, personal, relational. "Spiritual theology means that everything in the Scripture can be lived," he said. And so this summer, we are going to look afresh at how we live as Christians, starting with what is most important – the solid rock on which we build our lives: Jesus. If your life isn't feeling so solid right now – or even if it is – this weekend will be a good weekend to find some steady ground. We hope to see you at worship! Grace & Peace, Pastor Chamie

Grace and peace to you, sisters and brothers in Christ, We really love Pentecost. Yes, we know, we are, indeed, church geeks. But we think everyone should know how amazing Pentecost is. This weekend we will be team-preaching about wind and fire, about passion and the movement of the Holy Spirit, about dreams and visions, about being all together in one place and being sent out to go all over the place. Grace & Peace, Pastors Tim & Chamie