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

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.)

A Way Forward

A member of our congregation has the gifted ability of repairing old clocks. And guess who happens to have an old clock in need of repair. The clock in question is old enough to remember World War II. The clock belonged to the woman who took care of me as a baby. Her name was Sigrid and she lived next door to my parents in the apartment complex when I was born. As a young child I can remember visiting Grandma Sigrid’s apartment and hearing the clock chime each quarter hour regardless of where I happened to be in the house. This adopted grandmother outlived all her family and her only daughter while I was in my mid-twenties and my parents became her guardians. Even after she moved out of her apartment and into an assisted living community, the mantle clock went with her – even though there was no mantle present to place the clock. It was a treasured old friend to Sigrid – reminding her of the passing of time with each chime every fifteen minutes. When Grandma Sigrid died, the mantle clock moved to my parent’s house for a time. And then the clock found a place in our house. On the mantle for a time – until we decided hearing the quarter hour – all night long – was a little more than we could handle. After a few months I went to wind the clock with the old brass key and set the pendulum to swing. And on the first quarter hour – the clock chimed but not like it used to. It turned out that after not using the chimes for a time – one of the chimes became stuck. So I brought it to church in order to have our gifted member take a look. On the way to church – after one bump in the street too many – the pendulum began to swing, and the clock began to tick/tock – which I did not notice until out of the blue at a stoplight – the chimes went off. And in a flash of memory, I remembered the title of the poem by the Rev. John Donne. Forgive the entirely masculine language. “No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. Each man’s death diminishes me, for I am involved in mankind. Therefore, send not to know, for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.”

From Matthew: “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’”

Now you understand the power of the chimes of the mantle clock from the backseat. It does feel as if we have been living in the drowsy sleep of these long pandemic days. Yes, we have muddled through. Some have walked, some have run, some have had food delivered. Some have gone back to work – some work from home. Some of us have never left the house. I was reflecting on where we have come from. At the end of February we had an incredible leadership event here at Ascension. Almost 60 leaders gathered for a Saturday morning together of reflection and vision casting. It was full of life and energy and excitement. And then March 14th brought to a close everything we were doing, had planned, were hopeful to accomplish. Fast forward to Nov. 8th. We are worshipping together again – in my wildest dreams – I would never have imagined I would have had to stay that to all of you during my lifetime. Who would believe, we would neglect physically worshipping together for a time. And there are some who are ready to “get back to the ways things were.” And others who wonder if we will ever “get back to the way things were.” Honestly, I am in the first category. The sooner the better – my oil lamp is full – or at least I like to pretend it is full. And selfishly – I want to gather together – sing songs of praise to our God – and forget this pandemic ever happened.

And then I am reminded of those chimes in the back seat. For whom the bell tolls. No one is an island, entire of themselves – every one of us is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. Funny how those words so easily translate into the words of our Savior:

“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”

“On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”

As if to say, we cannot do this life without each other. Though we like to pretend that we can. And sometimes, we act as if we are able to do it all by ourselves. Though I hardly ever see anyone truly happy for their lone ranger, go it alone, do it all by themselves attitude. So where does that leave us this day. Some of us have oil lamps filled and are ready to run. Some of us are on the last precious drops of oil. None of us were prepared for this moment and yet God has seen us through this moment – this far by faith. And my friends we have far to go. An election (as of this recording) is incomplete. And even when the results are in, we will have a long way to go – as the body of Christ alive in the world to bring our nation together. It is up to us, who stake our claim in our identity as disciples of Jesus, to take the first steps. A reminder of earlier days in this county, when Abraham Lincoln spoke these words:

If we could first know where we are, and whither we are tending, we could then better judge what to do, and how to do it. We are now far into the fifth year, since a policy was initiated, with the avowed object, and confident promise, of putting an end to slavery agitation. Under the operation of that policy, that agitation has not only, not ceased, but has constantly augmented. In my opinion, it will not cease, until a crisis shall have been reached, and passed. “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved — I do not expect the house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other. Lincoln borrowed those words directly from Jesus, “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” If we are only able to lift up winners and put down losers – we diminish this nation. And, frankly, we betray the body of Christ and our calling as Christians. What did Jesus say, If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

I am hungry for a way forward. In our nation; in our politics; in this pandemic; and at Ascension. And yet, I am reminded that I am not an island unto myself and neither are any of you. We walk this road together so that we all may greet the promised bridegroom – the savior of the world. Dear friends – what is next?

Well, let me offer you some words of hope this day – some good news to carry with you – so that your oil lamp may shine brighter in a world overshadowed by virus and greed and selfish want. Let me offer you the opportunity to chase away such shadows with the hope that comes from the very heart of our God in the face of our Savior Jesus.

  • I pray that God will enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see the hope this call holds for you-the promised glories that God’s holy ones will inherit. (Ephesians 1:18)
  • May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
  • Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for the One who has promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23)
  • I alone know my purpose for you, says the Lord, my purpose for your prosperity and my purpose not to harm you, my purpose to give you hope with a future in it. (Jeremiah 29:11)
  • In hope we were saved. (Romans 8:24)

Did you catch that last one? Now will be saved. Not shall be saved. But – In hope we were saved. God’s promise of eternal life is already yours. Now what to do with our left-over time before the bell tolls – before the oil in our lamps runs out. Let me offer a suggestion.

Invite, greet, listen, welcome, engage, pray, laugh, love, give, appreciate, celebrate and live your life in these days with the joyful expectation that God has set a place for you at the table in the Kingdom. Hallelujah!

Thanks be to God! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Amen.

Pastor Chris

(Reprinted from sermon Nov. 8, 2020.)

A Note from Council

Two months have passed of the coronavirus crisis, and maybe more to come.

There are days, when anxieties are too much, can’t possibly listen to one more news “special report,” phones going off “breaking news,” you can’t get on to whatever website, everyone is on their computer. I cannot-do-this-for-one-more-second. God please get me through this. There is the answer – God. Our God is life giving, saving, and most of all loving. In challenging, stressful times God comforts, encourages and renews. Find the comfort in the one who gave you life and calls us beloved. Sometimes this is so clear to us, and other times we just don’t have a clue. But know the hard days will pass and that He will never stop speaking to our hearts and souls. We are blessed.

Please remember in all your prayers – Ascension, Pastor Chris, Tony, Vicki, Ben, and all staff – all they do to provide us with our beautiful church and services to bring us through this difficult time and remember they are going through this too. Again, I am available by email to address any concerns or just talk.

Remember to continue to support Ascension, with online giving, direct deposit or in the mail. Someday we will look back to today and see Jesus was with us all along and brought us through.

Christ has risen! He has risen indeed! Alleluia!

Karen Simington, Council President

(Reprinted from the May 2020 newsletter.)

Latino Virtual Worship

Switching to online worship has been a lesson in humility and vulnerability for us as worship leaders. Leading worship every Sunday in person to our close-knit congregation of 40 is a different experience from filming a worship service that may have more than 30,000 views. Our biggest challenge has been leading the music. Music is an essential part of worship and some of the most profound moments of worship come from song. We want to continue to create powerful moments through the internet. Our challenge comes from the fact that we are still developing common songs that everyone knows, especially during Lent and Holy Week. Our charter members are all from El Salvador. Some were regular attendees of Lutheran services, some were strong Catholics, and others were Catholics that didn’t go to church often. Our service has doubled in attendance since last Holy Week, with many of the new members coming from Mexico. The hymnal is a collection of songs from all Spanish-speaking countries in the world that maybe no one in our congregation has heard before.

For the first week or two of online worship, we had almost no music, because we knew without words, the melodies weren’t going to be familiar and were going to have little impact on enhancing anyone’s worship experience. We realized we were going to have to start leading singing. This has primarily fallen on Edwin, with some help from our daughters, Marta and Luisa. We’ve started adding the lyrics on screen. My piano playing skills and Edwin’s skills aren’t at a level where we would normally volunteer to be so public as a musical act, but we hope that our willingness will remind our virtual congregation that they don’t need to be perfect singers to lift their voices in praise. And if I want Edwin to do yardwork outside, I just need to start editing the video and turn up the volume on the computer while he is singing and he will be outside working for hours!

Sarah Aparicio

(Reprinted from the May 2020 newsletter.)

Worship & Ministry Cancellations

Dear Friends,

As we live through this season in the unknown of a new wilderness, I am sharing with you the decisions made by the Ascension Church Council as of this morning, Saturday, March 14, with regard to the coronavirus pandemic. In keeping with the guidelines put forward by public health organizations and in listening to the advice and counsel of members of our church community who work in the medical field as doctors and nurses, the Church Council has made the difficult decision to close the church building to ALL events effective immediately.

This means that through the end of the month of March, we will not offer any onsite activities. Worship, BLAST, JOLT, small groups, soup suppers, office hours, daytime activities – are all suspended through March 29 when the Church Council will re-evaluate the situation.

To continue to be a church community and to foster connection, Ascension will be offering messages of hope and faith through our website, Youtube channel, and Facebook. If you have a need for pastoral care, please call the church office or email a staff member.

Please know that the staff and council continue to tend the needs of our community and the building during this time. Because we will not be collecting offerings in church, we encourage you to consider online giving or mailing in your offering.

Our prayers are with you and our brothers and sisters throughout the world as we navigate this new reality. Take heart and do not be afraid and please, my friends, be safe and wash your hands.

Pastor Chris

Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. ~ Isaiah 41:10

The Invitation of Advent

The story of Jesus Christ is this:
The people of this earth waited for a Messiah…a Savior…and only God would send a little baby king. The child grew and began to question things as they were, and the man moved through his days and through this world, questioning the system of kings and priests and marketplace. He was called the New Creation, the new Covenant, the Son of God who brought to all who listened, who saw, who understood change and new life. But kings and corporations and churches of this world work very hard to keep things as they are…. And so they killed him: he who said, “Love one another,” he who said, “feed my sheep,” for they didn’t want to share their bread and their wine. Now the story should have ended there except that the story has always been that our God is the God of the covenant. The Good News is that in spite of our faithfulness God is faithful and Jesus Christ was resurrected, for God so loved the world that God gave his only begotten Son that whoever believed might have everlasting life. Listen, you who have ears to hear. Listen, and sit down to bread and wine with strangers. Feed his sheep…love one another, and claim new life in his name. — The words of author Ann Weems.

In the running around and preparing for Christmas, I sometimes forget that the story of Jesus is really this simple. The season of Advent is my reminder that the elaborate preparations of this life, though I take joy in them, are so much more than what I actually need to receive the Savior of the world. Like the story of the angel Gabriel entering into Mary’s world unannounced, I am also never ready and somehow, always ready to welcome the baby Savior into the manger of my life. God knows, my life is hardly filled with the warm, fresh hay of welcome or the sturdy foundation of hand-crafted legs leveled and grounded to welcome the Savior. More often than not, my world is a whirlwind of last-minute preparations and life hacks doing my best to cut the corners enough to get the job done and move on to what is next. It is not always pretty, but somehow God shows up anyways. I am grateful that God does indeed show up, not because I am ready and waiting, but because God’s arrival is both interruption and invitation. I need God to interrupt my life. I need God to show-up unannounced to remind me that I do not have it all figured out. And when I think I have everything figured out, God reminds me that there is so much more unfolding in my life than I honor with awareness.

What I believe to be interruptions actually turn out to be invitations. God invites me to listen more carefully; reach out more tenderly; appreciate more quickly; and be present more often. I certainly recognize the expected pace of the world, yet I find when I acknowledge the invitation, I am almost always surprised with the ability of my own whirlwind of life to slow down allowing me to linger in the moment. Grateful for a conversation that brings me up-to-date or shares the ups and downs in someone’s life. So very often, I am surprised that the supposed interruption truly is an invitation into someone’s story.

Advent feels the same way. When I am rushing to get everything done for the birth of Jesus, the interruptions can overwhelm. When in reality, the interruptions are invitations bringing me closer to a brother or sister in Christ, and through the course of those conversations, bringing me closer to my true self. A reminder that God blesses us with the season of Advent in order that we might linger in the starlight; listen for the angel’s song; and tend the cries of a newborn Savior announcing God’s arrival in the world. My friends, come let us adore him.

Advent is your interruption and your invitation. Do not waste this precious gift of God. Your soul longs for both in these days of preparation.

See you in church,
Pastor Chris

(Reprinted from the December 2019 newsletter)

An Ending & A Beginning

In the immortal words of the lyrics from the Sound of Music, “How do you solve a problem like Maria?” Except we are not solving a MARIA problem, we are solving a TONY problem. And truly, the LAST thing Tony is, to all of us, is a problem!

Yet, we have come this far by faith. Ascension hired Tony in the fall of 2013 and he began his ministry as the Director of Faith Formation in February 2014. Lord, how far we have come. In the spring of 2016, Tony and I started talking about the possibility of seminary. We realized through multiple conversations that Tony had been running from God’s call for a long time. Since Tony was a marathon runner – running was no problem. Yet, God has the power and the stamina to outlast us all, and even Tony could not run forever. So in the Fall of 2016, Tony entered Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, IA. He entered a program that allowed him to work full-time at Ascension while concurrently taking classes full-time. After 18 months of classes he began his internship with us in February 2017.

For the last 18 months Tony has led a double-life as the Director of Faith Formation and Pastoral Intern and somehow kept his head above water in order to also be husband, father, and self-care advocate. It turns out we are coming to the end of Tony’s time as pastoral intern. On Aug. 18, Tony will preach his last sermon as our pastoral intern. We will celebrate the end of his internship with a reception in-between services and give thanks to God for his ministry among us as our pastoral intern. (BUT WAIT – HOLD ON!)

Tony is not leaving but his ministry among us is changing. After Sunday, Aug. 18, Tony will be away from Ascension from Friday, Aug. 23, through Friday, Sept. 8. The time away is to allow Tony to reset himself into the role of Director of Faith Formation and attend his normally scheduled “Prologue” week at the seminary. Tony’s time away also provides an opportunity for Ascension to reset as well. In September, Tony will return to his role of tending the faith formation and needs of primarily our children, junior high, and senior high populations along with their families. He will be, of course, available to chat and tend all of us as he always has, but he will no longer fulfill the role of pastor in our midst. It is unfair of us to ask Tony to continue in the role of pastor while he continues in his final year of seminary education. It is also unfair of Ascension to ask him to tend us as pastor, when we do not pay him appropriately for that specific role. All that being said…what is next?

At the July council meeting, the timeline for the next call process was introduced. In September, members will be invited to nominate other members to serve on the Call Team. The Church Council will craft the Call Team in October and we will install the Call Team in early November with the expectation that we will be ready to interview in February or March. And in February or March, as in September through November, as in every day of our lives, we will invite the Holy Spirit to tend the ministry of this place and the call process to come. We will pray for Ascension and our future; we will pray for Tony and his family and their future; and we will ask God to let God’s will be done among us. And we will not be singing, “How do we solve a problem like Tony,” we will simply continue to sing our praise to God as we have always done and lift our praise and our prayers to our God.

See you in church.
Pastor Chris

(Reprinted from the August 2019 newsletter)

The Gift of Time

The months of June and July were filled with our CRASH Graduate Recognition, JOLT Adventure Camp, visiting sick and hospitalized members, catching up with other members and interfaith partners, stepping in to lead worship, and finally taking a much needed vacation with my family. As now, as I reflect on these incredible moments, I’m overtaken with joy by the gift this time with others has offered.

Being invited into the vulnerable moments of those who have been sick or injured and dwelling with them in their pain, suffering, nervousness, and fear continues to open my eyes to the unbelievable compassion Jesus showed those he encountered, and calls us to model just the same. And having opportunities to reconnect with community, synod, and interfaith partners has been a rich reminder of the joy that is found in being part of the worldwide Body of Christ.

And finally, our family had the most amazing and unexpected experience when we went on a dream vacation with my wife’s family. The reconnecting time with each other and the reclaiming of my own self helped me come to the realization that too often in life we take for granted the gift of time with others. Typically, we go about our daily lives, running here and there, thoughtlessly following routine after routine, and as a result we often get disconnected from being fully present with those God gifts to us. I’ve been sharing with many of you that this was the first vacation I’ve ever taken where I’ve totally disconnected from everything but my family – to say being fully present with them was amazing would be an understatement.

As I wrap up my pastoral internship this month and reflect on the countless events of the past 18 months, I’m amazed how they have helped shape me into the pastor that I’m becoming. And I stand in awe at how amazing it has been to walk with you, lead you, comfort you, and celebrate with you throughout your life moments and my journey of pastoral formation. I am deeply grateful for every opportunity to be involved in the life of this congregation and wish to thank you for your partnership, care, support, and encouragement throughout this amazing journey.

These various gifts of time have inspired me to recognize God’s presence in so many unexpected ways and they remind me of the great joy found in answering God’s call to serve and walk alongside others while pointing them to the beautiful abundance of God’s grace and love.

Now, I don’t believe that you have to experience a milestone moment, go on a church trip, or take a family vacation to experience the gift of time. Whatever moment God places before you, you simply have to not be so wrapped up that you miss out on the gift of being fully present and attentive to those God has generously gifted you time with. From time to time put your phone away, set your to do list and your expectations aside and just be present in the moments God is placing before you. Allow yourself to take in the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of these precious moments – and then filled with unimaginable joy, give thanks to our amazing God for such an incredible gift. Enjoy these last few weeks of summer because they’ll be gone before you know it.

Tony Acompanado
Pastoral Intern

(Reprinted from the August 2019 newsletter)