All Saints Day is celebrated this Sunday, Nov. 3, at all services of Ascension.
As is tradition, we will have pictures of those members of our community who have joined the communion of saints in the Kingdom of Heaven. This year, the English-speaking worship services are borrowing a page from our Spanish-speaking members and creating an ofrenda (altar) where anyone can bring a picture of remembered loved ones and place them on the table so that all may share in our memories of loved ones and gather the communion of saints of every time and place. Please bring a framed picture to worship and place it on the table with the orange tablecloth when you arrive. Then after worship, please remember to take your picture home.
How will God invite us to celebrate our ministry and prepare for the future in 2025? We invite you to join us in filling out the 2025 commitment card or submit your 2025 commitment online, prayerfully considering what God might be leading you to offer back to God through the mission and ministry of Ascension as we continue to step out in faith in 2025. Please remember, if you give online, please consider increasing your monthly offering if it has been a while since you set-up your online giving.
Consider digging out old photos to share for the special weekend. You can bring framed and labeled pictures to the church office starting next week. Volunteers will set-up the display.
On September 14, 1949, a brave gathering of 24 people hungry to hear the Word of God and to offer their worship and praise to our God gathered for the first time for what would become the community of Ascension Lutheran Church. Ascension’s first sanctuary was built by its first pastor, the Rev. Lee Egloff. The entire sanctuary measured a cozy but adequate 960 square feet. Seventeen years later, in 1966, ground was broken on a 7.5-acre parcel of land, which would become our current location, with a new sanctuary, fellowship hall, and offices built to house a flourishing community of faith.
In the summer of 1976, Pastor Frank Janzow accepted the call to serve at Ascension. In 1979, the Hearth Room, admin hallway, and additional offices/classrooms were added to the building. 1982 brought the arrival of Pastor Jim Bickel to join Pastor Frank in the ministry leadership of the congregation. The need for a larger sanctuary and lobby space brought the addition of a new sanctuary in 1993. As Ascension’s ministries continued to grow, an education wing was proposed and supported by the congregation. In 2007, the congregation opened the doors to a two-story building capable of handling children and adult education, small group and bible study ministries, and a preschool.
In 2010, Pastor Chris Marien arrived with Pastor Frank announcing, “The Mariens are coming, the Mariens are coming!” Just not the “Marines” some might have thought. In the early spring of 2020, the Covid pandemic saw the shut-down of the church campus while we worshiped and gathered virtually as the world came to terms with a global pandemic. Pastor Tony Acompanado accepted the call to join the ministry alongside Pastor Chris in August of 2020. In March 2021, life returned to the church campus, with praise and worship being shared by all in the sanctuary once again. In the summer of 2023, Pastor Edwin Aparicio was called to Ascension and joined the clergy leadership with responsibility for our Spanish language ministry and high-school youth ministry. We have come a long way since 1949.
Now, in 2024, we are preparing to celebrate our 75th anniversary as the community of Ascension Lutheran Church in Waukesha. Over the weekend of September 13-15, we will gather to celebrate 75 years of ministry and mission to the glory of God. We will start festivities on Friday night, Sept. 13, with a concert under the stars in Ascension’s Memorial Gardens, enjoying the music of Ben Janzow and the Dirty Boogie Band. An appetizer potluck and drinks will invite us to feast. Bounce houses will keep the kids entertained and music will fill the air.
On Sunday, Sept. 15, we will gather for worship as one community at 10 a.m. Our musicians from all three worship services will lead us as we gather to worship and give praise to our God. A catered brunch will follow worship, with tickets beginning to sell the week of Aug. 25. Our history will be out in full display, reminding us of where we have come from and the faithful dedication of those who have come before us. We will invite you to bring framed pictures of weddings, baptisms and other celebrations to the weekend of events to be displayed for all to see.
We are excited to have Bishop Paul Erickson, Pastor Frank and Deacon Jan Janzow and Pastor Elisabeth and Jacob Himmelman join us for the celebration. We will gather under the theme of Luke 15:24b – “And They Began to Celebrate!” And celebrate we will indeed. Pastor Jim will join us Friday night and his wife, Paula, will join us on Sunday.
We will need many hands to plan and prepare for the weekend of excitement. If you are willing to share in the preparations, please let the church office know by sending an email to Tamie Greenwood, Tamie@ascensionelca.org, or calling 262-547-8518 and adding your name to the list of those who might be able to help with preparations.
We give thanks to God for God’s faithfulness to this community, and we are excited to imagine the future God is preparing to lay before us. Juntos nos levantamos! Together we rise!
Anticipating the days ahead,
President Amanda Payne , Rev. Christian Marien, Rev. Anthony Acompanado, Rev. Edwin Aparicio, Pastor
We have heard from our partners in Tanzania that they are in urgent need of money for the lunches for the students in the schools. We normally would focus on this appeal during September but due to their immediate need, we are starting early so we can send some money with the Greater Milwaukee Synod wire transfer in early September. We will continue this project until we meet the needs of all 2587 students and 29 teachers. Currently, $4.44 will buy lunches for a full year for a student. Costs for the beans and maize may still fluctuate so we don’t have the final cost, especially with the current market instability. Payments may be made online, through the offerings, or via check or credit card at the Welcome Center on Sunday morning. Please make sure to note “Tanzania” in the memo field.
The church campus is closed Friday, Jan. 12, due to the winter storm. Please stay home and stay safe. Don’t worry! We’ve got everything ready for Sunday. See you then!
Join us for special worship and activities to celebrate the Advent and Christmas season.
Fourth Sunday of Advent, Dec. 24, 8:30 a.m. :
We will celebrate the fourth Sunday of Advent at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 24, before we move to Christmas Eve worship in the afternoon.
Christmas Eve Worship Dec. 24
Christmas Eve Worship on Sunday, Dec. 24, will be at 3, 5 and 9 p.m. Candlelighting, communion, and glorious music will be shared at all the services. If you can help with ushering or communion, please contact Tamie, tamie@ascensionelca.org, in the church office.
Christmas Day Worship Dec. 25
The joyful sounds of Christmas Day worship is at 10 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 25.
PAST EVENTS
Welcome to Advent Worship Nov. 29
Join us on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at 6:30 p.m. for a beautiful worship service as we enter into the season of Advent. We will gather around the music of Holden Evening Prayer.
Deck the Halls Dec. 2
Deck the Halls of Ascension begins at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, to prepare the church campus for the season of Advent and Christmas.
Advent Concert Worship“Rejoice and Sing!”Dec. 9 & 10
Choirs, handbells, praise band, and instrumentalists will present Rejoice and Sing! on Sat., Dec. 9, 6 p.m., and Sun., Dec.10, 9:30 a.m. followed by a potluck brunch. Invite a friend and join us in concert worship!
Annunciation Worship and Breakfast Dec. 12
Celebrate the visit of the angel Gabriel to Mary on Tuesday, Dec. 12, with a 5:30 a.m. Spanish-language worship led by mariachis, followed by a potluck breakfast.
Las Posadas Dec. 16
Las Posadas remembers the journey of the holy family through the streets of Bethlehem where they were turned away again and again until an innkeeper took pity on their plight. This event hosted by our Spanish-speaking members continues to grow year after year. Incredible food, a mariachi band, and a piñata round out the night. It is a glorious gathering of the community of Ascension. It begins at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16, with hot cocoa and coffee. Children of all ages are welcome to be in costume.
Children’s Christmas Program Children Run Joyfully! Dec. 17
The BLAST Sunday School children will share the story of Jesus’ birth in worship on Sunday, Dec. 17, during worship at 10:45 a.m. Dress rehearsal for BLAST children is Saturday, Dec. 16, 9-11 a.m. The 8:30 a.m. service will be regular worship.
The staging area for the parade is at the Lee Sherman Dreyfus State Office Building at 141 NW Barstow St. Enter the staging area on foot from Union St. off St. Paul Ave. (Union St is 1 block north of Barstow) No parking is available here. Volunteers will direct participants from there. There is parking available at all city lots including the Transit Center at 212 E. St. Paul Ave.
Please arrive between 2:30 and 3 p.m. Organizers want participants in place by 3 p.m. Be sure to dress warmly in layers as there will NOT be any warming facilities. For unity, participants will be loaned a fleece scarf to wear during the parade. Some walkers will also carry lanterns. We will try to collect the scarves and lanterns at the end of the parade if possible. Otherwise, please return them to the church the next time you are at church for future events. Some walkers may be handing out candy and distributing handouts. The parade organizers have asked that these items be handed out and NOT thrown for safety reasons.
Bathroom facilities will be available at Union St. and at the end of the parade route at Cutler Park. Ascension member Jessica Parent will be representing her employer Summit Woods / Capri Communities. They will be serving hot cocoa and cookies. She has extended an invitation to all of our participants to enjoy some while waiting.
The Community Outreach Committee is grateful for your willingness to participate! Have fun and share the good news and the love of God!
The travelers to Tanzania leave early Thursday morning. Please keep them in your prayers as they travel. Make sure you follow Ascension’s Facebook page for updates from the team.
We are still collecting donations for the Tanzania and El Salvador partnership trips. Please note “Partnership ES & T” on the check or mark El Salvador or Tanzania when donating online.
