Begin your Lenten journey with us on Wednesday, March 5, at 6:30 p.m. with imposition of ashes and worship. Soup suppers and worship begin the following week, March 12. Look for the sign-up poster in the narthex/lobby on Sunday mornings to bring soup, help set-up and clean-up.
Thursday Morning Worship: For those who are looking for something new and a little different in this season of Lent, we are offering a half hour worship service every week on Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. beginning on March 6th and concluding on April 10th. For those who might like a quieter, more reflective time of worship, Thursday mornings could provide that opportunity. There will be instrumental music, congregational singing, Scripture readings, a brief message, a time for prayer, and communion each week.
Lenten Book Study: Join Pastor Chris at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday mornings in Lent starting March 6 to discuss the book The Walk by Adam Hamilton. Examine five essential spiritual practices rooted in Jesus’ own walk with God. How do we walk with Christ—daily follow him, grow in him, and faithfully serve him? You can pick up a book from PC for $13 or download it to your device. We will discuss the Introduction and Chapter 1 on March 6.
When Pastor Edwin was ordained, I offered these words: “My friend – to hope and to believe is to resist all that is wrong with the world. Resistance is the path of the Christian. Resistance to oppression, injustice, silence, apathy, loss, even to the power of death. Welcome, Edwin. Welcome to the resistance. What does the prophet Isaiah say to us: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!”
Welcome to the season of Lent. Truthfully, welcome to the resistance my friends. To participate in the season of Lent in worship on Sundays, soup suppers and worship on Wednesdays, a book study on Thursday mornings, worship on Thursday mornings, or any practice that turns your face towards our God and away from the world and our own selfish desires is an act of resistance. To be a follower of Jesus is to resist the things of this world that exploit, abuse, neglect, mistreat, disregard, ignore, or dismiss another human being made in God’s image. What does Jesus ask of us?
Love God
Love God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. (Matthew 22:34-38; Mark 12:28-30; Luke 10:25-27)
Do things because you want to serve God; not because you want to impress other people. (Matthew 6:1-18)
Humble yourselves. (Matthew 18:4; Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11; Luke 18:14)
Follow Jesus. Don’t wonder about other people. (John 21:20-22)
Pray – and keep praying. (Matthew 6:5-14; Luke 11:1-13; Luke 18:1-8)
Don’t worry. God knows what you need. (Matthew 6:25-34; Matthew 11:28-30; Luke 12:22-32)
Trust God – not earthly treasures. (Matthew 6:19-21; Matthew 6:24; Luke 12:33-34)
Love Others
Love your neighbor the same way you love yourself. (Matthew 22:39; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:25-37)
Love each other the same way Jesus loved his disciples. (John 13:34; John 15:12)
Love each other – it is by your love for each other that the world will know that you are Jesus’ disciples. (John 13:35)
Love your enemies. (Matthew 5: 44; Luke 6:27)
Treat others the same way you like to be treated yourself. (Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:31)
Be humble. (Matthew 23:11-12; Luke 14:11; Luke 18:14)
Pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 5:44)
Do good to those who hate you. (Luke 6:27)
Bless those that curse you. (Luke 6:28)
Serve each other. (Matthew 20:25-28; Mark 10:43-45)
Don’t judge others. (Matthew 7:1-2; Luke 6:37)
Don’t condemn others. (Luke 6:37)
Do more for others than they ask of you. (Matthew 5:39:42)
Forgive others. (Matthew 6:14-15; Luke 6:37; Luke 17:3-4)
Be merciful. (Luke 6:36)
If someone has done something that upsets or offends you, go and talk to them about it. If they won’t listen to you, take someone else with you and try again. (Matthew 18:16. See also Luke 17:3)
If you know that you have done something to upset or offend someone – go and talk to them and sort it out. (Matthew 5:23-24)
Let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no’. (Matthew 5:34-37)
Give to anyone who begs from you. (Luke 6:30)
Teach new disciples to obey everything that Jesus commanded his disciples. (Matthew 28:20)
To follow Jesus is to follow love itself. To follow Jesus is to resist the very power of sin and death that so often pretends to be a voice of care and concern in the world today.
May our prayers become protests. (Against everything that tells us that love is not the answer.) Our worship become witness. (That we might tell the story of God’s love through our words and our actions.) Our faith become fuel for change. (So that more and more people may come to know or be reminded of Jesus.)
Welcome to the resistance. Welcome to the season of Lent. See you in church.
In my first article of this year 2025, I highlighted the moments of joy and fellowship we had during the month of December. Last month, I shared with you all about my experience on my recent trip to El Salvador. And as the days and weeks drew closer to writing this month’s article, I’ve been thinking about what I should write about. Because we are in the season of Lent, I finally came to the conclusion to write about the season of uncertainty that many families are facing right now and will face in the days to come.
Last month I was at an event held by our synod called Together in Mission. My wife and I were in charge of preparing a table that shared the story of the partnership between the Greater of Milwaukee Synod and the Salvadoran Lutheran Church. On the table, we decided to put a replica of the Subversive Cross on our display table. This cross was used by the Salvadoran Lutheran Church in a special service of reconciliation during the Civil War. The church asked the congregation to write on the cross the injustice they were going through. Many of them wrote words like hunger, discrimination against women, lust for power, murder, violence, persecution of the church, among others.
If I had the opportunity to write on the Subversive Cross right now, I would write the word persecution again. Yes, an unprecedented physical, psychological, inhuman persecution. A reality that many communities are going through right now and with whom we as Christian leaders are called to walk and pray with them on this new uncertain journey that for some has already caused increased anxiety, fear, and in some cases mourning due to the harassment they have received.
Many of you have probably heard the story of a Latina student from a school in Gainesville, Texas who died by suicide as a result of the constant harassment she received from other students. The 11-year-old girl was harassed and told that immigration would be called to deport her family. After a few days in the hospital, the girl sadly passed away. After hearing this story, I asked myself the question: Are these actions part of the kingdom of God? Is this the kingdom that Jesus brought to the world? Is this the kingdom that he taught us? I don’t think so. Jesus did not come to the world to establish a kingdom of oppression, harassment, persecution, hatred, exclusion and mockery. On the contrary, the kingdom of God that Jesus describes is a way of being and living characterized by love, compassion, justice and peace. In John 13:34-35, Jesus tells us, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Matthew 25:35 says, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,” it gives all of us the characteristics that the kingdom of God on earth should have.
Brothers and sisters, as we walk through this season of Lent, a time of spiritual preparation as we wait to relive and reflect on how God’s love was poured out through Jesus Christ on the cross to free all of humanity, and as we walk through this uncertain time, let’s take some time to reflect on the recent events that are impacting many communities. Seeing and hearing what is happening around many communities, I ask myself the question and invite you to meditate and reflect with me. Is this the kingdom that Jesus brought to us?
Jesus sent his disciples out two by two to proclaim the good news and said to them, “Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’” Lucas 10.9
“For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to break down and a time to build up; a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance;” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4)
In March, as the days begin to grow longer and the flowers quietly prepare to bloom, hope can spring up inside of us that perhaps we too will come to fruition. For several months now we have been journeying through the dark and dreary days of winter, through a divisive election, illnesses, surgeries, job transitions, mental health challenges, relationship struggles, deaths, and so much more. All the while our journey through life continues.
We recently welcomed a new slate of leaders to our church council, and we are praying for them as they begin the important work of dreaming about and implementing the many ways we can live out our faith together, as well as how we as a collective community of faithful individuals will navigate God’s calling for us in the world.
In just a few days we will step into the season of Lent – a time that encourages self-reflection and repentance. I love the passage from Ecclesiastes about everything having its due time because it reminds me to keep things in perspective. I’m well aware there are things in life that I can control, and yet much, much more than I cannot.
Lent and Good Friday are important reminders for us that our best life materializes when we turn ourselves toward God and place our trust in God’s presence and promises, rather than simply relying on our own limited human understanding and abilities.
And as a community of believers who have been called together at this time and in this place by the movement of God’s Spirit, it only seems fitting for us to take time throughout this season of Lent to pause, breathe, and immerse ourselves in God’s presence. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Sit in the warm sun and be comforted, and as you do, remember Jesus’ time in the desert. Pray for strength for yourself and this congregation. Get out in nature where you can see the vibrancy of new life. Pray for the countless growth opportunities waiting for you and our congregation. Take a walk near a body of water and listen to its movement. Pray that your spirit would be moved with excitement and renewal. Help someone accomplish something that has no apparent payoff for you. Pray and reflect on how much God has done for you.
My friends, may we all be reminded that for everything there is a season, and if we are willing to trust that God is always with us and always for us, then we can be confident that we will be just fine because we are exactly where we are meant to be in this moment. Have a blessed Lent!
March 9 is the date of this year’s Winter Farmers’ Market in cooperation with the Food, Faith and Farming Network. We will have a great variety of vendors selling eggs, preserves, salsa, mushrooms, honey, meat, soaps and body care, apples, cider, syrups, oats, granola, wool products, rustic breads and pastries, sweet breads, gluten-free and vegan bread. Bring your own bags or purchase an Ascension bag to use. Volunteers are needed to help make the market a success. Please sign-up online to help.
Join us for brunch and fellowship! Locally-sourced meal including: egg bakes (including gluten-free), oatmeal bars, sausages, herb-roasted potatoes, caramel apple crisp, mixed melon salad, and beverages. Tickets are $10 for an adult, $8 for a senior, $5 for kids ages 4 – 10 (under 4 is free) $30 maximum per family.
It is the month of love. Or at least that is what the Hallmark Card Company would like us to believe. The Bible uses the word “love” A LOT. I mean A LOT. The word “love” often gets overused and underappreciated for the moments and meaning we often want to convey to someone else.
Bible verses like 1st Corinthians 16:14 is a helpful verse for me. Paul writes: “Let all that you do be done in love.” 1st Corinthians 13:4-7, also authored by Paul, is worth mentioning as well. Again, Paul writes: “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” And finally, Colossians 3:12-14: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” What I appreciate about these Bible verses is that the word “love” is not simply a word, but it is an action offered with specific examples about how we live out that love in the world. Patience, kindness, compassion, humility, gentleness, selflessness are all attributes – actions – that define and exemplify love as we live out our faith each day.
There is no shortage of need or opportunity to share the love of God in both our words and through our actions. I wonder what opportunities God is preparing for you in the next month. Lutheran Pastor and Author Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes: “We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God.” You might know that phrase a little differently. In my world Bonhoffer’s words sound more like this: “There are no interruptions, there are only invitations.” I am grateful to Bonhoffer for the reminder. For each of us, the days are full. I have heard even the “retired” among us can have days that are full. When we find ourselves busy, even overwhelmed by the events on our schedule, it is easy for us to believe that our time is too precious to be interrupted by the text message, the phone call, the request of a family member or friend let alone a stranger. Yet, God may be interrupting your day to invite you to consider how you might show the very same love God has shown you to someone else. A few minutes of conversation might bring peace to someone’s anxiety. A reply to a text message may be a word of hope someone needs to read to take one more step on their journey. A willingness to rearrange your “scheduled” life for an hour may be the greatest gift to someone who believes no one cares about them at all.
The time you take to tend someone else might be only a moment for you, but that moment might make all the difference for another. We might believe the moment to be an interruption, God might call it an invitation. Whether interruption or invitation, we should call it love. Now, how might you share that love with the world around you?
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
It’s February, the month of Valentines and heart-shaped boxes of candy…so what else is a pastor to write about in the newsletter but love? Thanks to the mass commercialization of Valentine’s Day, love is everywhere. Love is all around us!
Is it really, though? I mean, sure, our culture is highly skilled in and dedicated to promoting romance. I can’t tell you the number of jewelry commercials I typically see on television around this time. But while romance is as abundant as ever, it seems that love is a different story. And at least in my opinion, it seems love is much harder to come by in the public eye these days. Violence always leads off the nightly news, and public discourse has become hostile to the extent that political differences have driven wedges between families and friends.
But as people united in Christ, we are called by God to love others even if it’s not the most popular thing to do. Fortunately, the Bible is a great resource to help us do this! One of the best descriptions of love in the Bible is the passage quoted above, written by the Apostle Paul in his first letter to the Corinthian church. These words to the Corinthians are some of the most enduring words in the Bible and are familiar to many people because they are often read at weddings.
Despite that common use, though, the implications of the kind of love described in 1 Corinthians 13 are wide-ranging. Loving with this sort of patience and gentleness invites others into our lives and provides intimate ground for relationships to grow. Strangers whom we may at first stereotype into a category become individual people we truly see, know, and appreciate. Love like Paul describes can bring down the walls of fear and conflict that seem to be so effective at separating people right now. This is the kind of love God calls us to offer to the world not only this February or this Valentine’s Day, but every day. So, I invite all of us to let God’s love for us in Jesus Christ be the Valentine that we offer to everyone.
Last month, I traveled to El Salvador along with two other Ascension members, Jeremy Poling and Doug Paczesny, for the installation of the new Salvadoran Bishop but also to follow up on the initiative on the implementation of the cacao project with our partnership.
While we were at the tables of our Salvadoran brothers and sisters, a phrase I read in a book came to mind: “At the table of life, we sit side by side with our neighbors, with friends old and new.” That is what I believe Ascension has accomplished with the partnership with the churches in the eastern part of El Salvador. Through these past fifteen years we have been walking and learning from each other. As a result of this journey together, we have seen an opportunity that could continue to strengthen our partnership.
In recent years, projects have been implemented in El Salvador to promote the planting of cacao. Currently, the cacao grown in Salvadoran lands is considered one of the best cacaos in the world. It has been recognized and won awards at an international level. Our delegations that have visited El Salvador in recent years have visited cacao projects with friends from our sister parishes and we have all seen in cacao a great opportunity to possibly embark on a new journey together with our partnership.
Cacao tree
Ascension has hired the services of a cacao professional that we met when we were working with Lutheran World Relief. He is conducting research to determine whether the soil conditions are appropriate for planting cacao or not. In our recent visit Jeremy, Doug and I helped with the research on some of the members’ lands. The research will also include thirty acres of land owned by the Salvadoran Lutheran Church outside of San Salvador. Jeremy, Doug and I met with the new Salvadoran bishop and the new synod council. They are excited about this initiative. At the end of February, we will have the results of the study. It is our dream to someday have a chocolate project that follows the model set by the coffee project.
In one of the conversations I had with the cacao professional, he asked me: Pastor Edwin, could you tell me the history of the Lutheran church? How did you get here to San Jorge? And why do you want to do this with this community? After a few minutes of evangelizing to him, he said this, “So supporting this type of project is the result of a long walk and learning together, it is not something that will be done in a few years.” My response was, yes you are correct. The only way to get to know each other better is through walking, learning and visiting each other.
Brothers and sisters, I want to share my experience from my recent visit to El Salvador to let you know how Ascension is continuing to renew the word that God is already doing through our partnership Milagro de Dios in San Jorge. As we continue this ongoing journey of walking together with our outside and local partnership, let us continue to allow the Holy Spirit to renew us, guide us and enlighten us in the continued proclamation of the Gospel. “I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.” Leviticus 26.12
In the month of February, Ascension celebrates “Love Your Church/Love Your World/Love Your Life” month. Each year we spend time spreading the love of God inside and outside the walls of Ascension.
Love Your Church – For Ascension
Paper towel
Kleenex
Dish soap
Windex
Paper plates: dessert & dinner sizes
Napkins
Gallon Ziplock bags
‘Press and Seal’ plastic wrap
Purell hand sanitizer
Stamps
“C” batteries
4lb bag of Meru coffee, $52
Reams/cases of paper (8.5×11, 8.5×14)
Choir music (30 pieces), $98.00
Handbell Music (11 pieces), $70
Case of communion wine – $70
Cash donation for alfombras, Las Posadas, Journey to the Cross
Mints (individually wrapped)
Snacks: Granola bars, Oreos, etc.
Case of snack-size bags Goldfish, popcorn, chips
Children’s Books for Busy Bags (preferably Christian)
Coloring Books for Busy Bags
Love Your World – For El Salvador
Cacao Tree Sapling – $5
Love Your Life – Live Out Your Faith
Commit to Pray for One Day (at 8 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m.)
For wildfire victims
For our church members navigating immigration challenges
For our homebound members suffering isolation
For our sisters and brothers in San Jorge, El Salvador
For our sisters and brothers in Usa River, Tanzania
Commit to Volunteer
Make food and/or help at the Healing Hearts dinner – Monday, Feb. 10. Sign-up here.
Volunteer for a BLAST lesson
Volunteer to prep a craft / activity for BLAST
Bake cookies for the Waukesha Police Department and write a note of thanks.
Usher for Ash Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5. Contact Tamie in the church office.
Help with Ascension’s Winter Farmers Market on Sunday, March 9. Watch for the announcement.
Make food and/or help at the Healing Hearts dinner on March 10. Watch for the announcement.
Help set-up for a soup supper Wednesdays, March 12 through April 9. Talk to PC.
Well, we did it. We survived the trifecta of Advent, Christmas, and New Year’s! Now all that’s left is to face the possibility of snow and sub-zero temperatures in January. Sorry folks, it’s the reality of living in Wisconsin in January.
However, I don’t actually mind the cold or the snow, but I know for many others this isn’t your favorite time of year – dressing in multiple layers to clear the driveway or run to the grocery store isn’t high on your favorite activities list. Snow blowing in your face leaves something to be desired unless you’re my ten year old who prays for snow daily so he can go out and play.
Lately I’ve been reflecting on the past year and thinking about how we conclude the end of a year and begin the next. As many of you know, a new year is merely an arbitrary trick of the human calendar. Technically, a new year could happen on any day and at any time. Time is seamless and constant, so we use clocks and calendars to remind us that time matters, and we document moments of time so we don’t forget – appointments, tasks, visits, birthdays, social commitments, and so much more – they all find their way onto our calendar.
But time has its way of taking its toll on us. I turned 50 a few months ago and the other day as I was getting out of bed a reminder was gifted to me of an achy back and tired legs as I shuffled my way to the kitchen to begin the day. It reminded me that time has had its way with me. The years accumulate and they are both a blessing and also a reminder of our mortality.
Every year bring both the fortunate and unfortunate to us. As I get older this has taken on new meaning to me. When I was younger this didn’t really make any sense because every year was just another new opportunity and a time for exploration. A new year means more. But I think there comes a time when your perspective on time changes. As we get older I think we learn to treasure all time, whether good or bad because some time is better than no time at all.
I don’t say this to sadden you or grieve you, but to remind each of us not to take anything for granted. None of us can predict what will happen in the next few minutes let alone the next year. Value your time and don’t waste any of it or even complain about it. Invest your time wisely in activities that produce beneficial results for yourself, your loved ones, and the world.
Every moment is a threshold between what has been and what is to come. We come from a multitude of yesterdays, and we move toward an unknown tomorrow. Most importantly though, our incredible loving God is present in of all those moments. A new year is an opportunity, each day is a gift, and every breath a chance to live life more fully.
How will you choose to use your time? My hope is that each of us will choose to use our time to reflect God’s greater purpose for us. Care for one another and the world around us. Treat all time as precious. My friends, let’s move through this new year and be part of God’s blessings.
