Covid-19 Update

Are You Vaccinated? Why You Still Should Exercise Caution

People should be careful if a vaccinated grandparent or other individual is visiting an unvaccinated family, because Grandma could still get or carry the virus in her nasopharynx, even though the vaccine is preventing her from getting physically ill, and then she potentially could pass the virus along to unvaccinated people.

There is not a guide to what it’s safe for vaccinated people to do. When deciding what you can and can’t do, you should think less about your own vaccination status, and more about whether your unvaccinated neighbors, family, grocery clerks, delivery drivers, and friends are still vulnerable to the virus. Continue to exercise caution! Until we have a cap on this pandemic and can be safe for all, please remember to mask and social distance!

County Resources for Those in Need During Covid-19

Our County continues to provide essential services for local seniors and adults with disabilities living in Waukesha County. They are incredibly grateful for current and new volunteers who help people meet their basic needs. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin, they have recruited, screened, trained, and brought onboard 221 new volunteers to help. During this time, they are providing the following services:

  • Transportation to medical appointments
  • Grocery shopping for clients and delivery of groceries or food pantry stock boxes
  • Weekly wellness calls
  • New-client assessments over the phone
  • Seasonal yard clean up services

How to Request Help or Volunteer

  • Waukesha County seniors (60 and older) and adults with disabilities (18 to 59) can call (262) 549-3348
  • Sign-up to volunteer by calling (262) 549-3348 to volunteer in Waukesha County.

Brenda Lytle, RN
Director of Care Ministries

April Creation Care Update

Adopt a Drain

We are called to care for the Earth that God created and ensure that the environmental resources we rely on are available and safe for future generations. One way we can do that is to take care of our local waterways! This time of year it’s essential to keep the storm drains in our communities clear of debris as the snow melts and we experience spring showers. It’s a great activity to do as a family – Kids of all ages can be a part of it, and feel good about having a clean community and healthy rivers and waterways nearby! Please consider being a part of this important effort in Waukesha County. Visit Waukesha County’s website to learn more.

Creation Care Ministry

Thank you to all who dropped off old/unused holiday lights in January! We are happy to say that four large delivery boxes and three additional shopping bags of lights were able to be recycled in an environmentally safe way and escaped the fate of the landfill! Contact Lynn Parkhurst or Mary Ellen Comp at with your Creation Care Ministry questions.

Food, Faith and Farming Network

Winter Farmers Markets have been suspended for Spring 2021, leaving many of us even more excited to see what markets will look like this summer. Would you like to get fresh produce from a local farmer throughout the upcoming season? Try a CSA! CSA is short for Community Supported Agriculture, which is a weekly delivery of fresh seasonal produce harvested from a local farm! Here is a flyer that has a list of local Farms and CSA options, should you wish to find a delivery on your own. Questions about CSAs or market vendors? Please contact Lynn Parkhurst.

Habitat for Humanity Waukesha

Their mission is: Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. Their vision is: A world where everyone has a decent place to live. Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha County builds decent, affordable homes for families who are unable to purchase a home through traditional methods. They do not give houses away, based on the belief of giving a hand up, not a handout. By providing a home with an affordable mortgage, homeowners obtain self-sufficiency and overall improved family health and neighborhood pride.

Homeowners spend time and effort into making their dream of homeownership a reality. Sweat Equity is their version of a down payment. Each adult must contribute time volunteering at the ReStore or working on the job site to build their home. Not only does each homeowner gain skills and meet new people in this process but they get the satisfaction of playing a key role in improving their own circumstance. A recent homeowner Noel said, “you take pride in something you personally own” especially when you have built it by hand.

Habitat of Waukesha has made affordable housing a reality for over 30 families in 30 years. In 2015, they tripled the yearly number of homes built from an average of one home per year to three per year. In addition to building homes, they educate the community on affordable housing and how they are a part of supporting the mission. The ReStore is a retail location that collects and sells donated home goods and building materials at a discounted price. Profits from the ReStore are used to fund the builds while community members take advantage of the lower price.

How can you help?

  • Donate to ReStore
  • Volunteer at ReStore
  • Provide hands on help in building or remodeling or help with preparation for the new family
  • Participate in the Women Build coming up in May by joining the build or donating financially

For more information go their website or contact Ascension member Nick Wagner.

 

April Community Partner News

Cross Partnership

As the weather warms up, Cross is planning to move their Food Pantry out to parking lot again. It is expected that the users will increase with the increased visibility outside. Ascension continues to collect donations for Cross so that they can serve those in need in the neighborhood. Donations of food and sturdy bags can be placed in the designated bins in the Donation Center. Cross and the partnership congregations will be looking at any changes or new ministries can be developed as we move away from the limitations of the pandemic and return to more active ministries.

Healing Hearts

Save the date for Celebration of Hope to be held on May 15 at Marriott West from 5:00 to 8:30. With the cancellation of the event in 2020, Healing Hearts hopes to have a good representation from its supporters. The evening will include dinner and a program and a wonderful time. To register, go to their website healingheartsofwaukeshaco.org and select “Support Us.”

 Hope Center

Thank you to all who donated to Hope Center for the To Go Meal program. Donna Savin was able to provide a Thrivent Action Team grant to provide the Hope Center meal program with carryout boxes for the program. At this point, there is no definite plan when they will open the building for in person meals but the participants will continue to get the To Go meals until further notice. Donations of clothing or household goods can be made with prior arrangements. Contact Hope Center if you have something to donate. The Clothing Shop is open but with limited hours for donations and for shopping. Call 262-549-8726 to make arrangements.

Habitat for Humanity Waukesha

Their mission is: Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. Their vision is: A world where everyone has a decent place to live. Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha County builds decent, affordable homes for families who are unable to purchase a home through traditional methods. They do not give houses away, based on the belief of giving a hand up, not a handout. By providing a home with an affordable mortgage, homeowners obtain self-sufficiency and overall improved family health and neighborhood pride.

Homeowners spend time and effort into making their dream of homeownership a reality. Sweat Equity is their version of a down payment. Each adult must contribute time volunteering at the ReStore or working on the job site to build their home. Not only does each homeowner gain skills and meet new people in this process but they get the satisfaction of playing a key role in improving their own circumstance. A recent homeowner Noel said, “you take pride in something you personally own” especially when you have built it by hand.

Habitat of Waukesha has made affordable housing a reality for over 30 families in 30 years. In 2015, they tripled the yearly number of homes built from an average of one home per year to three per year. In addition to building homes, they educate the community on affordable housing and how they are a part of supporting the mission. The ReStore is a retail location that collects and sells donated home goods and building materials at a discounted price. Profits from the ReStore are used to fund the builds while community members take advantage of the lower price.

How can you help? 

  • Donate to ReStore
  • Volunteer at ReStore
  • Provide hands on help in building or remodeling or help with preparation for the new family
  • Participate in the Women Build coming up in May by joining the build or donating financially

For more information go their website or contact our member Nick Wagner.

The Name of Jesus

The republic of Palau is a tiny island closer to Indonesia than the United States. It was a US territory and gained its full sovereignty in 1994. Why the geography lesson, you ask? Well, it turns out when the US Capitol building was overrun by a mostly white mob, that the blue flag with yellow sun of the country of Palau was visible being held up in the midst of the mob. The President of Palau was horrified and took to social media and news outlets to decry the use and presence of the flag in the mob. Taking a page out of the Palauan president’s playbook, I too want to decry the use and presence of a flag in the midst of the mob. Only this flag did not belong to any one country. This flag claimed the name of my Savior. The name of Jesus. I was struck by the flag, saddened that it was present in such a shameful moment for our country – saddened still more for the use of the name of Jesus to seemingly promote anger, hate, destruction, division, and death. Words and actions that are not a part of the Bible I read or the Savior I follow or the actions I offer to the glory of God.

I decided I needed a refresher on what the name of Jesus actually stands for and offers to the world. This is what I found. In Matthew, Chapter 1: “She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” From Philippians, Chapter 2: “Therefore, God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” In John, Chapter 14: “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” In the book of Proverbs, Chapter 18: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.” From the book of Acts, Chapter 4: “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.” In John, Chapter 14: “If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.” And finally, from Matthew, Chapter 18: “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” This is what the name of Jesus means to me.

The name of Jesus saves.
The name of Jesus is to be worshipped.
The name of Jesus is to be uttered as a prayer.
The name of Jesus offers protection.
The name of Jesus is an open door to eternal life.
The name of Jesus gathers us together.

So now what? Well, Wednesday, Jan. 6th, was not the first time the name of Jesus was used in defense of or to assist in the efforts of destruction, division, and death. And Wednesday, January 6th, will not be the last time the name of Jesus will be used to diminish, dismiss, or divide groups of people. Although I am a big fan of the reading from John today – as we hear Jesus calling Phillip and Nathaniel as disciples and hear Nathaniel claim Jesus as the Son of God, I do believe the Holy Spirit is leading me in a different direction. Today, honestly, I am more interested in a different chapter of the book of John. Chapter 8:31. “Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’ They answered him, ‘We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, ‘You will be made free?’”

I am struck by the forgetfulness of the Jews. Claiming they have never been slaves denies all their history of oppression under the Egyptians and denies the burden of the religious laws and customs of the temple and religious structure that has kept them bound to serving a God that can never be satisfied. With the birth of Jesus, the entire landscape changes. As God comes to us, sharing a message of love and eternal life, the blinded eyes of those who can only imagine an angry God are made new and opened to the promise of being in relationship with God who is in love with us.

I am struck by our own forgetfulness too. Claiming that we too are the beacon on the hill, a light to the nations, a nation built on the idea that all men are created equal. It is a noble aspiration. But my friends, if Wednesday, January 6th, taught us anything, it is a reminder that we have a long way to go on the journey toward full inclusion and equity for all people in this nation. A long way to go before the vision of God’s Kingdom on earth comes to full realization where the dignity and value of each person is honored and treasured above all other needs. We forget the history of a nation that has continued to learn to be better than our history explains. We are a work in progress. Some days inspiring the world. Other days painfully confessing our sinfulness and inability to remember where we have come from. And so, on this Sunday, as we hear the call of Jesus to Nathaniel and Phillip, it is my prayer that we, too, will hear the call of Jesus in our own hearts to follow in the footsteps of our Savior. To speak the name of Jesus in prayer and praise as we look to gather all people together. We have much work to do to realize and, in some cases, even begin to recognize the vision of God’s Kingdom here on Earth.

And that work – at least for me – so often begins with prayer and confession trusting in God’s promise of forgiveness and guidance. Let us pray.

Holy God, from whose eyes the measure of our faith is not hidden, who calls each of us by name to be the church, give us love enough to make a difference, give us vision enough to follow, give us endurance enough to hold steadfast in the face of the unholy. Bless us now and touch us with your holiness that we might have commitment enough to be good new to the poor. Comfort those who cry in dark corners; the lonely, the strangers, the weary, the fearful, the disappointed, the anxious, the depressed, the forsaken, the dispirited, the grieving, the sick, and those who suffer pain. Open our eyes to those around us who scream in science the depth of their despair. Break open hardened hearts to the tenderness of your care. Fire us with justice that we might proclaim freedom to the captives. Lord God, listen to our confession and prayer.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.

Holy God, we pray for miracles for the powerless. For the hungry that we might share our bread. For the homeless that we will open the doors of our hearts and let your wandering people in. Have mercy on those who must live out their lives enslaved to someone else because of race or politics or economics or faith. Loose our bonds that we might risk our won securities on their behalf. God of peace – give us your peace – to our hearts, to our nation, and to our world. Lord God listen to our confession and prayer.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.

People of God, this day, and every day, it is my confession, my prayer, and my praise to God. I speak Jesus. Amen.

Pastor Chris
Reprint of sermon Jan. 17, 2021

Real Affirmation

I’d like to begin our time together this morning with a question: How often do you think about your baptism? (Now don’t worry, I’m not judging here, I’m just asking the question for some self-reflection). Perhaps, it was your parents, grandparents, or someone else who reminded you of its importance by celebrating the anniversary of your baptism each year – so baptism has always been important to you. Or maybe you learned to appreciate it later in life like during confirmation or even later as an adult. Or maybe your appreciation of baptism comes in knowing its theological significance but, truth be told, you just don’t think about it all that often.

Take a moment and think about how often you actually think about your baptism and about the significance it might hold for your daily life. Because if we’re being completely honest, then I’m guessing it’s not all that much. Perhaps for some of you it is quite meaningful, but in general most people I know don’t think about their baptism too often.

I’m asking you to think about all this, because today, this first Sunday after Epiphany, is the day when we remember Jesus’ baptism. And as we dive deeper into today’s gospel text from Mark, we’re given an opportunity to think more deeply and claim more fully, the promises God made to us at our own baptism. More importantly, I’m asking you to think about all this because I believe there’s perhaps no more important event in our lives than our baptism.

One of the things I’m struck by in today’s culture is the widespread focus on affirmation. Facebook gives us the chance to “like” movies or books or posts – and to have things we share “liked” by our “friends” in return. Twitter, and Instagram invite us to collect an unlimited number of “followers,” or “friends,” – many of whom we may never have even met. Sports programs routinely reward kids with participation medals for just showing up. Ads are increasingly personalized, targeting our particular tastes and creating the false impression that we are the most important customer in the world. A false fantasy that goes on and on across so many aspects of our lives.

And one of the reasons I think social media is so powerful is because it creatively offers affirmation in ample doses. Deep down, of course, we know that this kind of affirmation doesn’t mean all that much – or at least shouldn’t. Many of the people we encounter across the internet don’t really know us and we don’t know them either – so how can their “likes” create any enduring sense of value or worth? And yet, it’s so hard not to wonder what was wrong with the picture we posted that only 20 people liked it when someone else’s received 200 likes.

So, while this affirmation may be somewhat superficial, it’s at least better than nothing, right? We crave that recognition and interaction because at heart we’re inherently social people. Almost every fiber of our being reflects God’s observation in the book of Genesis that it’s not good for us to be alone – and so the relentless and universal affirmation that social media offers, creates the perception that we’re connected to so many others and surrounded by a community of like-minded and like-able people that value us.

But is it a perception or is it merely an illusion? Sherry Turkle – an MIT professor, internet scholar, and author of the book Alone Together, discovered that people today report feeling simultaneously more connected and lonelier than ever before. So why is that? Because while we may crave affirmation, what we really need is acceptance.

But I want to be clear, acceptance isn’t the same as “fitting in.” In fact, it’s the exact opposite. Fitting in is all about changing yourself in order to be found acceptable to those around you, while acceptance is simply being recognized and valued as you are. I think most of us would agree that feeling accepted is important and maybe even necessary in order to lead a healthy and productive life.

Which is where baptism comes in. I’d like you to notice two things in Mark’s treatment of the story of Jesus’ baptism. First, notice God’s words to Jesus. They’re personal, emotional, and powerful. “You are my beloved son. With you I am well pleased.” Wrapped in these words of acceptance are the blessings of identity, worth, and unwavering honor. Second, notice that these words come just before Jesus’ temptation and the start of his ministry. This event – Jesus’ baptism – isn’t incidental to Mark’s story about Jesus – it’s foundational.

Again, and again as Jesus casts out unclean spirits, heals the sick, feeds the hungry, and welcomes the outcast, he will only do to others what has already been done to him – telling them both in what he says and what he does that they, too, are beloved children of God with whom God is well pleased. And the darkest moment of the story when Jesus feels absolutely abandoned is followed immediately by the story of resurrection, where the messenger testifies that God has kept God’s baptismal promise and continues to accept and honor Jesus as God’s own beloved Son.

So, in the very same way, when we are at our lowest moments, we might remember that the God who raised Jesus from the dead is the same one who promised in baptism to never abandon us and to love and accept us always as his beloved children – even and especially when we have a hard time loving and accepting ourselves.

This is why I think baptism is so incredibly important, because it offers us the acceptance, not merely affirmation, of the Creator of the Universe and in doing so empowering us to accept others in the same way. Baptism reminds us that wherever we may go and whatever we may do or have done to us – God continues to love us, accept us, and hold onto us.

The “like” culture of Facebook and other social media may offer us a false sense of conditional affirmation, but God’s baptismal promises of acceptance are unconditional. So, in these days when we are constantly being sold cheap affirmation as a substitute for genuine acceptance, and in a world where a variety of social, cultural, and commercial forces attempt to lay claim to our sense of identity – may we remain grounded in our baptismal identity as children of God and may we follow Jesus in doing for others what has already been done for us.

Dear friends, let us commemorate this day not just as the day we celebrate the baptism of Jesus, but also as the day we rediscover our own baptism and blessing. And as you receive the invitation to hear, see, and feel the promise and blessing of baptism once again may you be reminded that in baptism God has promised to love you forever. In baptism God has promised that God will never let you go. You are a beloved child of God and with you God is well pleased. So, hear again the promise of baptism that you have been “sealed by the Holy Spirit and + marked with the cross of Christ forever.” Thanks be to God. Amen.

Pastor Tony
Sermon, Jan. 10, 2021

New Beginnings

Sisters and brothers, the Christmas season is a special time of reflection, celebration, and renewed hope. But the truth is, we live in a fast-paced world that seems to spin faster by the day, and it’s easy to forget to stop and reflect on the week, month, or year that has just whizzed by.

One of the things I appreciate most about Christmas is how it encourages us to shift our focus back; remembering the very reason we celebrate it in the first place, the birth of Jesus, and the hope that flows from it. By focusing back, we open ourselves to allow God to prepare us as the new year approaches and in turn make space for God to create new beginnings in our lives.

Every one of us needs a new beginning in some way, a fresh start in some area of our life – I think this is especially true considering all the challenges we have encountered in the last year. As we begin heading into the new year it seems like the perfect time to allow God to fill us with new life.

And yet, despite the many challenges that we and so many others have endured, I remain optimistic about the year ahead and all the opportunities God will continue to call us into – opportunities to grow closer to God, to serve those in need, to stand up for justice, to work for peace, and to walk this journey of life and faith alongside one another.

A new year marks a new beginning – a time to reground ourselves in the love of God and to be reminded of God’s desire to continually make us new. The changing seasons have always been for me a reflection of this quality of God – from winter to spring we see that which appeared dead burst forth into beautiful displays of God’s glorious work. I truly believe that God longs for the same fresh start in our lives just as he does for all his creation.

We can all have hope in the unwavering love of God and we can reflect on the birth of Jesus as a sign that God’s powerful love can make new all that needs restoration. As we put the past year behind us it’s time for us to look ahead and gain perspective on those areas of our lives that need rebirth. God’s heart is to meet you wherever you are today. He longs to meet you at your greatest point of weakness and pain and wrap you up in his love. He longs for you to know he is with you, for you, and will walk with you into the newness of life – and He deeply longs for you to hear the gracious words of his healing truth that He speaks over you.

God loves you and is for you. He has new beginnings in store for you. But just as a tree needs fresh sunlight, warmth, and rain to bear fruit again, you also need the refreshing rain of God’s grace and the warmth of his unwavering love to be made new. None of us can do it on our own – and quite honestly, we weren’t created to do it on our own.

So, as we begin this new year, it is my heartfelt hope and prayer that you come to know the redemption and grace that God has in store for you today and every day as we continue to seek the heart of God together. May God’s blessings of hope, peace, joy, and love be yours today and always. Merry Christmas!

Pastor Tony

(Reprinted from the Jan. 2021 newsletter.)

2021 — Finally!

Well, we made it! To what exactly, I am still trying to figure out.

The end of 2020. The season of Epiphany. The beginning of the vaccine roll-out. January 2021.

Yes – to all of the above.

Not to linger in the “what was” category too long, but we also made it into the Christmas season – which we are still enjoying until January 6th. For a world that is always ready to jump into what is next, I am always happy to linger in the season of Christmas. Yes, Christmas trees are already boxed up in some homes and laying in gutters outside other homes, but I am happy to leave our tree up just a little longer. For all of the preparation to get to Christmas, I like to live in the season as long as possible. A manger will always represent the coming of the Savior to a world in need and I am grateful for the opportunity to kneel just a bit longer in the stable holding out hope against hope that this year more and more people will come to know the power and promise of our God who comes to us in the baby Jesus.

For soon enough, we will move on. The star, though bright in the night sky, will lose its luster and the story of Jesus will move quickly from birth in a manger, to a 12-year-old in the temple, to a baptism at the Jordan River around age 30. And from there we move into the stories of miracles, parables, healings, and the 40 days of Lent that will carry us into Holy Week and the last days of the life of Jesus all the way to the cross.  If only the coronavirus vaccine distributed as quickly as the story of Jesus from birth to death and life again takes place through our every Sunday readings. Life, death, resurrection.

Our world is also reeling from the completion of 2020 and experiencing the same cycle of life, death, and resurrection. Certainly, for many of us, the arrival of the vaccine and its continued disbursement means resurrection, though all of us are aware of someone who currently has the coronavirus, or had the coronavirus, or died from the coronavirus, or knows someone who grieves the loss of someone due to the coronavirus. The power of death wreaks havoc in these days, but God’s promise of an empty tomb holds its grip on us with the strength of every faithful heart that trusts in God’s gentle care.

2021 also brings the hope of resurrection of who we are as a people of faith, a people of this nation, and a people who are interconnected with and dependent on our brothers and sisters around the world. I have heard myself say, and have heard others say, “When we return to normal,” and my hope is that we will not so much return to but instead, grow, evolve, transform, progress to a new normal where there is value and respect for the dignity and humanity of every life and a respect for the gift of creation allowing us to share in the beauty and the joy of all of God’s creation together. If 2021 can offer anything – it is that hope. Something new. A time, a place, and a commitment to not treat our most vulnerable peoples as objects to be discarded but invaluable children of God.

  • For every elder isolated in a nursing home or forgotten in their own homes, we should commit to love.
  • For every citizen of this nation who sits homeless on the sidewalk, we should commit to love.
  • For every immigrant longing for a better life, we should commit to love. By offering a constructive and feasible, dare I say workable, process of opportunity to legally become a citizen of this country – contributing and sharing in the opportunities of this nation many of us love so deeply. I will never understand why we put up so many roadblocks to those who would choose to commit themselves to our nation’s principles and support those same principles with their very lives.
  • For every veteran of this nation who struggles to find stability in their mental health, we should commit to love them enough to provide the resources to give them an opportunity for a life worth living after defending our lives.
  • For every teacher in every classroom, we should commit to love them enough to support them with a livable wage, that financial support to inspire the minds of our children to change the world.
  • For every single parent trying to work full-time and raise a family and still struggling to make their income do more than is possible, we should commit to love.
  • For every child born, we should commit to love them enough to provide them every opportunity within our power to teach them their value and the joy we feel for their presence in the world.

Now that is a new normal I would like to grow into 2021. How about you? What new normal would you like to grow into in 2021? There is no time like the present my friends.

It is a new year – full of hopes and dreams and possibilities. God promises all of that to all of us.

Be well in this new year. Be light in this new year.  Be love in this new year. Be joy in this new year.

Until I see you in church.

Pastor Chris
(Reprinted from the Jan. 2021 newsletter.)

Serving in 2021

Hawthorne School Partnership

Another new Mission Outreach ministry is our partnership with Hawthorne School. Hawthorne has a large number of low-income students and it is a dual language school offering classes in English and Spanish. A lot of our Burmese refugee families also attend there.

We are having an ongoing collection of new or gently used coats and boots. With the pandemic, many low-income families have had hours reduced or have lost jobs so we hope to meet this need that the Hawthorne staff identified. The first barrel has already been delivered. Thank you to Ascension Knit Wits and families who have contributed already to help the children stay warm on these cold days.

We also had a Thrivent grant to provide lunch for the staff at Hawthorne recognizing how challenging this past year has been. We wanted to say thank you to the staff in a tangible way and to start to build our relationship with them.

Lastly, we’re collecting money to help provide internet hotspots for families without internet service so the children can continue their schooling while in quarantine. With the increasing number of students in quarantine, the school is struggling to keep up with the cost. It costs $18 per hotspot. If you want to make a donation online or by check, please mark the donation as Hawthorne partnership.

If you are interested in this ministry, contact Sarah Aparicio or Shirley Wehmeier.

Creation Care

One of the new Mission Outreach Ministries for 2021 is Creation Care. This ministry is a way to show that caring for the created world is based on love toward God, who created the earth and everything in it. Creation Care is more than recycling and Styrofoam, it’s about relationships with God, each other, and God’s creation. It’s about how we live with each other and honor God and His gift of creation. We will work with Waukesha’s Green Team and offer suggestions on how to live out Creation Care. Our own environmental educator, Lynn Parkhurst is helping lead this effort.

Do you have a set of Christmas lights that don’t work? Ready to toss out a few old sets you’re not using anymore? Most electronic products like Christmas lights are not bio-degradable and will not decompose into the earth’s soil after being tossed away. If you want to keep your lights from going to a landfill and do your part to look after God’s creation, recycling your lights is a great way to do it!

Recycle old or not-functioning lights

1) Visit https://www.holidayleds.com/free-light-recycling to see how you can send (or drop off) your lights to the Holiday LEDs recycling program in Sussex and receive a coupon for $ off your next LED purchase!

2) Bring them in to Ascension during the month of January and we will do the work for you! A labeled box will be in the doorway of the front entrance of church. Simply drop them off!

More information on this local program can be found at: https://www.holidayleds.com/free-light-recycling. Still have Questions? Email Lynn Parkhurst at weeziewilliams@gmail.com.

 

Blessing Bags

Our first delivery of 25 Blessing Bags was welcomed by the people who pick up meals at the Hope Center. The staff at the Hope Center were so thankful that we thought about the homeless who often are neglected at this time of year. With the winter weather arrival, we will be putting together another 25 bags during January. This year the men who can’t get into the shelter will get a voucher for a night’s stay in a motel so they don’t have to be out in the bitter weather. The Blessing Bags will greatly help them have some of their very basic needs met. As I put together some Blessing Bags, it struck me that homeless people only can “own” what fits in their backpack or bag and have such very limited things they can call their own. It brought tears to my eyes to realize some of us have so much while there are people in our community who have so little. Please put your donations in the marked bin in the Donation Center or contact Shirley Wehmeier if you have questions. shwehmeier@gmail.com.

 

Blessing Box

Thank you to all of you who have been helping us keep the Blessing Box filled. As we have more very cold days, please be aware of putting things in the box that might freeze and containers break. We have people checking the box several times a week so that we can monitor that food is fresh and safe. On very cold days, dry products such as cereal, snacks, most canned goods are a good choice. Plastic or glass may break. Fresh produce or bakery will freeze quickly. We also see a little reduction in use when it is very cold so please keep an eye on the weather.

 

Thank you from the Mission Outreach Committee for continuing to support our various ministries whether it be helping our global partners, Cross in Milwaukee or our community partners. In spite of not meeting in person for worship or having ways to promote our projects other than via social media, newsletters or bulletins, we have proudly kept up with supporting our brothers and sisters locally and globally. Jesus said: “What you have done for the least of these, you have done unto Me.”

(Reprinted from the Jan. 2021 newsletter.)

Happy New Year!

Thank goodness, “Happy New Year!” Let us all say goodbye to 2020. By faith we certainly trust and walk with God into this new year.

December was a quiet month. Council did not meet in December, but all of council is trying to reach out to all of our Ascension community, calls will continue into January too. We all need to stay connected with each other, to show our love and caring for each other and to pray for all.

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord: let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if only you would hear his voice. (Psalm 95:1, 6-7)

With our continued prayers to God, we will get to a church, community, state, and world that is free of covid-19.

Again, my thanks and all my love to our pastors, staff, wing leaders, leg leaders, and to all of our faith community of Ascension. I am especially grateful for the church council, who with God and all their help, have made this wonderful even in the midst of so much upheaval and challenge in the life of the world, the church, and in our own lives. For this I am forever thankful. I am so proud to say I am a member of Ascension.

Please continue to give – your time, your prayer, and your financial support to Ascension, to keep our church moving forward with all it does in and around our community and throughout the world.

God’s love and mine,

Karen Simington, Council President
(Reprinted from the Jan. 2021 newsletter)

Welcoming the Lord

Oh, how I praise the Lord, How I rejoice in the God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and now generation after generation will call me blessed. For he, the Mighty One, is holy, and he has done great things for me. His mercy goes on from generation to generation, to all who fear him. His mighty arm does tremendous things! How he scatters the proud and haughty ones! He has taken princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly. He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. And how he has helped his servant Israel! He has not forgotten his promise to be merciful. For he promised our ancestors – Abraham and his children – to be merciful to them forever. (The Magnificat Luke 1: 47-55)

The Magnificat is Mary’s song in praise of God when she learned that she would be the mother of the Savior. She noted that God is the champion of the poor, the oppressed and despised.

I am reminded of the people in my life who willingly give of themselves when a need arises. The family who housed a refugee family of six in their vacant home before they put it on the market.

The couple, parents of young children, who brought an immigrant family of five to live with them until they could get established. The family who housed a teenager after she was tossed out of her home upon graduating from high school. The woman who for years has been the Burmese refugee 911, helping them in many ways including housing them from time to time.

All of these people are welcoming Jesus even as they provide for those in need. They, too, can sing this song.

Prayer: Come Lord Jesus, be a guest in my home and in my heart. Thank you for the people I know and love who lead by example and show me how to serve you through acts of kindness and generosity. Help me to pick up the wand and do what I can with what I have where I am. Amen.

Iva Richards
Mission Outreach volunteer