The Joy of Summer

Well, my friends, May’s gray days are slowly moving out of the way. Hopefully! There were long stretches of days that were gray and cooler than I might enjoy in the season of Spring. With the arrival of seventy degrees, sitting outside during the workday or in the evening for dinner is as close to heaven on earth as we might find ourselves until we set foot in the Kingdom of God.

Today, on the campus of Ascension, the sun is shining. It is beautiful. The leaves move just enough to tell us a breeze is blowing. The Memorial Gardens, flowerbeds, and butterfly garden are alive with blossoms and fresh, tender green leaves. I am grateful for countless hands with dirt under their fingernails that have tended our garden beds and renewed this house of God in spectacular ways as a sign of hope within the community of Waukesha. We give thanks to God for the countless hours that many of you have offered to bless this house of worship with grounds that give glory to God.

Although our regular ministry programming slows down in the summer months, it is always a good time to enjoy the gift of God’s creation. Our 10:45am service moves to 10:00am and is outside in the Memorial Gardens behind the church on June 1st, 15th, and 29th. The Praise Band provides the music and we still do all the things – music, prayer, children’s time, reading, sermon, and communion. It is BYOC (bring your own chair) and the new sidewalk all the way through the Memorial Garden will allow those of us with mobility issues an easier opportunity to share in a community of worship.

On Sunday, June 8, we will celebrate the season of Pentecost and the gift of the Holy Spirit’s presence among us. We will also participate in the ritual of toweling for our graduating seniors. Prayers will be prayed as we wrap a towel around the shoulders of each graduating senior. The towel is a symbol of service reminding us of how Jesus washed the feet of the disciples at the last supper. John writes in chapter13, verse 14: “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” It is a helpful reminder for all of God’s people that we are called to serve our neighbor.

JOLT leaves for Adventure Camp in the Wisconsin Dells area on Monday, June 16th for three days of adventure and “challenge by choice.” Your prayers are appreciated. The goal is to show up all the junior high students by still climbing to the top of the mountain cliff. I only need to do it once and then all is right with the world for another year. 

In other news, I want to take a moment to say thank you for your generosity as we have raised all the funds needed for both the Memorial Gardens sidewalk and the new six-foot grand piano to help lead worship and ministry in East Hall for both our lively Spanish language ministry and other moments of mission and fellowship to the glory of God.

Finally, let me share with you the joy of summer worship at Ascension. Life continues to happen, and I wonder how you might consider giving thanks to God for the blessings you enjoy – family, friends, lakes, pools, sprinklers, and time to refresh? How will you ask God to tend the challenges in your life that we all face at one time or another? Certainly, your prayers can be spoken on the trail, in the kayak, on the airplane, and at the cabin. Yet, I would invite you to consider finding your way to church. In the summer, worship rhythms move and shape themselves in different ways. For the summer, we plan to return to kneeling at the communion railing to receive bread and wine knowing all too well that some of us have knees that do not bend like they used to. You will be invited to kneel or stand to receive as you are comfortable. The railing offers a different invitation as we come to the table. Still, the welcome is the same: from God, for all, always.

People of God be blessed, be well, be hopeful – the promise of God is alive and well at Ascension.

See you in church.

Pastor Chris

Summer Worship & More

With the return of summer, the 10:45 a.m. services (both English and Spanish) will move to 10 a.m. starting May 29, Memorial Day to Labor Day. Worship will be held in the Memorial Gardens on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of June, July, and August. The 8:30 a.m. worship service will continue to be held at 8:30 a.m. throughout the summer.

Labor Day weekend, Sept. 4, we have plans for only one service, held at 9:30 a.m., in the sanctuary.

Livestreaming of Worship

We’re now offering livestreaming of our English worship on our YouTube channel so you can join us virtually Sunday mornings at 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. (or 10 a.m. starting May 29, indoor worship only).

Where Are the Handbells?

Easter Sunday celebrated the sounds of the handbell choir. The handbells have been a beautiful addition to worship services at Ascension for the past 20 years. As with any instrument, handbells require tending and maintenance under the skilled hands of those who make handbells. 

In order for our handbell choir to be ready for the fall, it was decided that after Easter Sunday, the bells would be packed up and shipped to the company that originally made the handbells in order for them to be reconditioned and ready for another 10 years of glorious music. We expect the bells to return to their home here at Ascension at some point over the summer months.

So Much to Celebrate! Come and See!

If you have not heard the shouts of joy coming from the rooftop of Ascension, let me share the good news. At the end of July, our mortgage balance finally found life under the $800,000 mark. In 2011, we began the journey of debt reduction with more than $2,200,000. It has been a long journey to this moment, but God has been faithful to us! We give thanks and praise to God for the faithful hearts the Holy Spirit continues to shape within each of you to eliminate the power our mortgage debt holds over Ascension.

We are quickly approaching our fall programming. Sept. 6 welcomes a new Sunday morning worship schedule with the movement of our 9 a.m. service to an 8:30 a.m. start time. Our 10:45 a.m. service remains the same. On Sept. 6 at 10:45 a.m., we will worship outside in the Memorial Gardens to celebrate the beauty of God’s creation. Please joins us. On Sept. 13, we kick-off our new Children’s Ministry programming, which begins at 9:45 a.m. under the ministry umbrella of Tony Acompanado, Director of Faith Formation. We are retiring the legacy of the title Sunday School from our ministry at Ascension and using the title Children’s Ministry. We celebrate the strong energy of volunteers who are coordinating, teaching, storytelling, and helping to shape the fall ministry experiences for our children. Where can you serve? Email Tony, Tony@ascensionelca.org, and he can share a number of short-term or one-time opportunities in which you can be involved to share the gifts God has given you.

We are also re-introducing pastor-led Adult Education on Sunday mornings. On Sept. 13, Tony will share the scope of Faith Formation and the new path for Children’s Ministry. Beginning on Sept. 20, Pastor Angela kicks off our six-week Small Group Campaign, Engaging Scripture Through a Lutheran Christian Lens. I am especially excited to have Ascension offer a pastoral perspective on reading, studying, and interpreting the Bible and then to have small groups dig deeper each week of the campaign. In early November, I will offer three Sundays of education on the book of Luke, which will be our primary preaching text for Dec. 2015–Nov. 2016. There is so much more already being planned and I am excited!

Our Music Ministry is preparing to make a joyful noise in new ways this fall. Please consider taking a leap of faith by joining the choir or ringing a bell. Do you play an instrument? Then, Vicki Taylor, Director of Music Ministries, would love to talk with you about sharing your gift in worship. We are always happy to add communion assistants, readers, ushers to our ministry volunteer lists and we are happy to train you.

Mission Outreach is preparing to offer a wonderful resource and connecting point for members and visitors to share in hands-on ministry outside our church walls. Interested? Keep watching the e-alerts and Facebook for more information. Caring Relationships continues to tend to the connection points in our lives. GriefShare, DivorceCare, and DivorceCare4Kids are all beginning on Sept. 1. These programs offer support structures for people working through some of the most difficult times in their lives. If you know someone suffering through grief or in the midst of divorce, please reach out to Brenda Lytle, Director of Care Ministries, Brenda@ascensionelca.org.

A new member experience called Starting Point begins Sept. 27. I am excited to get to know those who are considering Ascension for their new spiritual home.

And just when it is time for a deep breath – ARISE 2025 is coming together in great ways. The Church Council and ministry leaders have been working on our 2025 vision since last February. We are very excited to watch God shape the years ahead. The council has done much of the behind-the-scenes work and will be ready for the congregation to share in the joy on Sunday, Sept. 27, for a first-round listening/sharing session. The council will revise the visions using comments from the congregation and then be ready to share again at a listening/sharing session on Oct. 25. Finally, with more revision by council, we will hold an unveiling/blessing/acceptance by the congregation at our Annual Meeting on Nov. 8. What a joy to trust in God’s guiding hand.

Finally, on Sept. 13 and 20, we invite everyone to wear nametags to help all of us get to know names and faces – reminders are always a good thing! Speaking of faces, the photo directory is off and running. Have you had your picture taken and updated your information? We are doing the pictures/directory in-house. No pictures to buy! This directory is all about bringing our community together and celebrating the community God has created at Ascension in this time and place.

So much to celebrate! Come and see!

Pastor Chris Marien

(This article was taken from Ascension’s September 2015 newsletter).