A Season of Change

For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. – Isaiah 43:19 (NLT)

September is upon us once again and for many it signifies a time of change. For children, teens, and young adults it means an end to summer vacation, a return to school, or perhaps entering the world of full time work. For older adults it might involve sending a child off to college or needing to adjust their own routines because kids, grandkids, or friends schedules and needs have changed. Regardless of what adjustments are taking place, for many people September can be a month of both anticipation and anxiety.

Whenever change takes place, whether it’s a shift in what was into something new or different, or just returning to something that was previously familiar, the anticipation of doing something new or different can bring a mix of emotions – excitement and apprehension, and this can also be an uncomfortable, sad, and even scary time for some.

These life, schedule, or other changes can undoubtedly produce anxious feelings, but they also offer us new opportunities to engage our faith, develop and strengthen relationships, find new meaning and perspective, and experience something new and unexpected.

For instance, this fall as we continue to reimagine children’s ministry at Ascension and better serve the needs of our students and families, we’ve redeveloped BLAST (now K-3rd) and created two new ministries that will offer more age-appropriate faith formation. JAM, for families with birth to 4K kids, and JUMP, for 4th and 5th graders. In addition this has also created new opportunities to raise up faithful leaders – Kelly Schoon (JAM) and Amy Koenig (JUMP).

For more than a year now your pastors have been sensing that something incredible is happening at Ascension – we can’t put our finger on exactly what it is, but there’s an energy that’s building, an excitement that’s growing – God is up to something, and we don’t want to miss it!

But sometimes we get so comfortable in our routines and the way things are that we forget God is always on the move, always doing a new thing. Often that new thing is taking place all around us and we simply miss God’s invitation to take part in and experience whatever it is God is up to.

In the Book of Isaiah the prophet reminds us that not only is God up to something new, but also that God will make a path forward. And this should bring us reassurance and hope, especially in the moments when our anxiety gets the best of us. God never leaves us, nor does God leave us unprepared. Because God not only makes a path, but God also provides all that’s needed for the journey ahead. Sometimes we just need to take a deep breath, open our eyes and trust.

The gift of new ideas, new volunteers, new members, new excitement and energy, along with new opportunities to grow, live, and share our faith are beautiful and powerful reminders of God’s immeasurable love for us and the world. So as we enter into yet another September, I hope we might all feel less anxious about whatever lies ahead, even if it remains unclear, because it’s already begun and God is making a path and creating everything we need along the way.

Pastor Tony

Reprinted from the September 2025 newsletter.

To the Glory of God

“So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.”  1 Corinthians 10:31

With August upon us, I’m shocked by the simple reality that summer is just about over. Some of us are still trying to squeeze in one last vacation or get outside for just a little bit longer. But for the most part, we’ve started the annual transition back into the swing of our fall routines.

How did this happen? It feels like just yesterday that kids were getting out of school, gardens were being planted, graduations were being celebrated, and we were just getting used to the longer days when the sun decided to show its beautiful face.

I once read an article by a psychologist who said that time seems to pass more quickly as we get older because we’re experiencing fewer “firsts.” When we’re continually experiencing new things, time tends to stand still while we’re living them. After we’ve repeated those events numerous times, they don’t faze us much anymore – and before we know it, months have passed, seasons have changed, and it’s time to start the annual cycle again.

Yet, we shouldn’t allow our time to be something that simply evades our grasp, trickling through our fingers. After all, time itself – every moment on this earth is a gift from God. We each have 24 hours today and seven days this week to use however we please. Not one of us gets more time than another.

Perhaps at the end of this summer, each of us would take time to look back and see how we chose to use our time these last few months. Did we set aside time to pray? Did we dedicate any time to serving others? Did we devote time each day to serve God? Have we been kind, helpful, generous, creative, or curious? When we assess the use of our time, we should be asking ourselves, “Have I been a good steward of the time given to me?”

Maybe now is a good time to make some changes in our lives and get more involved or do a new thing. Afterall, there’s no better time than right now to seek out ways to serve God and those around us or improve something in our life or the life of the world. This is what it means to be a good steward!

As the lazy days of summer give way to all the routines and activities of fall, remember to keep God in your hearts, in your minds, and on your lips as we continue our journey as people and a community of faith.

Pastor Tony

A Season for God’s Presence

“For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to break down and a time to build up; a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance;” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4)

In March, as the days begin to grow longer and the flowers quietly prepare to bloom, hope can spring up inside of us that perhaps we too will come to fruition. For several months now we have been journeying through the dark and dreary days of winter, through a divisive election, illnesses, surgeries, job transitions, mental health challenges, relationship struggles, deaths, and so much more. All the while our journey through life continues.

We recently welcomed a new slate of leaders to our church council, and we are praying for them as they begin the important work of dreaming about and implementing the many ways we can live out our faith together, as well as how we as a collective community of faithful individuals will navigate God’s calling for us in the world.

In just a few days we will step into the season of Lent – a time that encourages self-reflection and repentance. I love the passage from Ecclesiastes about everything having its due time because it reminds me to keep things in perspective. I’m well aware there are things in life that I can control, and yet much, much more than I cannot.

Lent and Good Friday are important reminders for us that our best life materializes when we turn ourselves toward God and place our trust in God’s presence and promises, rather than simply relying on our own limited human understanding and abilities.

And as a community of believers who have been called together at this time and in this place by the movement of God’s Spirit, it only seems fitting for us to take time throughout this season of Lent to pause, breathe, and immerse ourselves in God’s presence. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Sit in the warm sun and be comforted, and as you do, remember Jesus’ time in the desert. Pray for strength for yourself and this congregation. Get out in nature where you can see the vibrancy of new life. Pray for the countless growth opportunities waiting for you and our congregation. Take a walk near a body of water and listen to its movement. Pray that your spirit would be moved with excitement and renewal. Help someone accomplish something that has no apparent payoff for you. Pray and reflect on how much God has done for you.

My friends, may we all be reminded that for everything there is a season, and if we are willing to trust that God is always with us and always for us, then we can be confident that we will be just fine because we are exactly where we are meant to be in this moment. Have a blessed Lent!

Pastor Tony

The Gift of Time

Well, we did it. We survived the trifecta of Advent, Christmas, and New Year’s! Now all that’s left is to face the possibility of snow and sub-zero temperatures in January. Sorry folks, it’s the reality of living in Wisconsin in January.

However, I don’t actually mind the cold or the snow, but I know for many others this isn’t your favorite time of year – dressing in multiple layers to clear the driveway or run to the grocery store isn’t high on your favorite activities list. Snow blowing in your face leaves something to be desired unless you’re my ten year old who prays for snow daily so he can go out and play.

Lately I’ve been reflecting on the past year and thinking about how we conclude the end of a year and begin the next. As many of you know, a new year is merely an arbitrary trick of the human calendar. Technically, a new year could happen on any day and at any time. Time is seamless and constant, so we use clocks and calendars to remind us that time matters, and we document moments of time so we don’t forget – appointments, tasks, visits, birthdays, social commitments, and so much more – they all find their way onto our calendar.

But time has its way of taking its toll on us. I turned 50 a few months ago and the other day as I was getting out of bed a reminder was gifted to me of an achy back and tired legs as I shuffled my way to the kitchen to begin the day. It reminded me that time has had its way with me. The years accumulate and they are both a blessing and also a reminder of our mortality.

Every year bring both the fortunate and unfortunate to us. As I get older this has taken on new meaning to me. When I was younger this didn’t really make any sense because every year was just another new opportunity and a time for exploration. A new year means more. But I think there comes a time when your perspective on time changes. As we get older I think we learn to treasure all time, whether good or bad because some time is better than no time at all.

I don’t say this to sadden you or grieve you, but to remind each of us not to take anything for granted. None of us can predict what will happen in the next few minutes let alone the next year. Value your time and don’t waste any of it or even complain about it. Invest your time wisely in activities that produce beneficial results for yourself, your loved ones, and the world.

Every moment is a threshold between what has been and what is to come. We come from a multitude of yesterdays, and we move toward an unknown tomorrow. Most importantly though, our incredible loving God is present in of all those moments. A new year is an opportunity, each day is a gift, and every breath a chance to live life more fully.

How will you choose to use your time? My hope is that each of us will choose to use our time to reflect God’s greater purpose for us. Care for one another and the world around us. Treat all time as precious. My friends, let’s move through this new year and be part of God’s blessings.

Pastor Tony

Light in the Darkness

Have you ever been in a place where all the lights went out and you were left standing in complete darkness? 

One time when we were at my wife’s family cabin in the north woods, one of her cousins and a friend left to go for a walk on the road around the lake. It was just before sundown when they left, and when it finally turned to night, the moon was completely obscured by a dense layer of clouds. The rest of us had been sitting around the campfire when we heard cries of “HELP!” coming from the road. So, I grabbed a flashlight and headed toward the distress. And when I got to the road I shined the flashlight around and discovered the cousin and friend about 10 feet off the driveway looking disoriented. They said they forgot to take a flashlight and without the moonlight it was pitch black and they couldn’t see the road much less find the driveway to get back home.

When I first shined the flashlight on them they seemed relieved and began to laugh. It’s amazing how unnerving it can feel when all the light goes out, even if you’re close to the relative safety of loved ones or a place you know well. I wonder if you have ever been surprised by the absence of light? The light makes all the difference in the world doesn’t it?

If you want to see what Jesus means in your life, just imagine a time without him. Have you ever had that time in your life? A time before Jesus existed for you? A time before you knew about the light of the world? Was it as dark as a late night walk in the woods without a flashlight or the moon to light the way? Imagine a time before Jesus was born. Where was the hope for the world? Where was the joy? Where was the focus on love and forgiveness? There really was a time before Jesus, a time when the world was waiting, expecting, and hoping.  

Each year during Advent we wait and expect and hope for the coming of Jesus while much of the world around us remains in the dark. For many, the Christmas holiday means shopping and decorating without a hint of the baby Jesus. As Christians, the center of our holiday season is the light of the world, an infant king, bringing peace. 

Take a moment and consider this: What are the ways you will choose to focus on Jesus this season? How will you grow in your knowledge and presence of him? How will you show those around you the difference he has made to you and to the world? 

Wishing you and yours a joy-filled Advent and Christmas season. Waiting, Expecting, Hoping.

Pastor Tony

A Season of Thanks

For many years my wife and I have wanted to visit Door County in the fall, but we always found ourselves with either too much on the calendar or too little in the bank account. Finally this year we made it happen. Taking advantage of my wife having a day off of school at the end of October, my family and I had the opportunity to get away for two days. I had heard stories about the colorful beauty that can be seen during the fall. The stories are true, as you drive through the streets you can enjoy the beautiful landscape reflected in the forest.

As you may know, fall in Door County is one of the peak seasons for tourism. As we passed by, hotel after hotel had the messages on their entrances: No Vacancy. I immediately thought that the streets were going to be crowded all day but as we drove through the cities, the streets looked like they had little traffic. In the evenings, the streets, restaurants and shops showed something different. The reality was that most people during the day were immersed in all the hiking spots, forests, and lakes enjoying and giving thanks for the beauty that can be found around the peninsula. I thought to myself, what a great way to start the season of thankfulness.

As we approach gathering and celebrating Thanksgiving with family and friends, let us thank God for the things and moments God has given us. We as a Church thank God for the eight students from our Church who made their confirmation of faith on Reformation Sunday. We are thankful for the 75th anniversary of our Church that reminds us that we are always growing. We are thankful to have attended the Youth Gathering in New Orleans last summer and that the energy from that experience still inspires our students to have an active faith life in the church. We are thankful that a delegation was able to visit El Salvador this summer and that Rick Frowein is visiting Tanzania, strengthening the bonds of our partnerships and exploring new ways that Ascension can support our brothers and sisters. We are thankful for new members. As we also approach Dia de los Muertos, we give thanks for all those who have gone before us, but left wonderful memories in the hearts and minds of many of us.

I personally thank God for allowing me to visit Door County in the fall with my family. I am thankful that this summer I was able to celebrate my first year as an ordained pastor and my twelfth wedding anniversary. I am thankful to have had my first experience leading a youth trip and looking forward to our next one.

And you, what are you thankful for during this Thanksgiving holiday season?

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his loving-kindness is everlasting.” (1 Chronicles 16:34)

Happy Thanksgiving.
Pastor Edwin

Always Thankful

As I sit here staring at a blank document on my computer wondering, “What am I going to write about for the November newsletter?”, I thought, since no new and original idea was coming to mind, I should go back and look at some of my previous articles over the years. I came across one I wrote several years ago about being thankful and even though I was trying to avoid using the ever popular “be thankful” theme, something slightly different came to mind which I think is still applicable to all of us today. So, here we go.

November is a month where people tend to list out the things we’re thankful for, (it’s probably because of that one holiday called “Thanksgiving”). Some will even list something every day on their social media pages (which is not something you’ll never find me doing). Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to be thankful, and I am thankful for many different things – I just don’t care to broadcast it all over social media. Besides, many times the things listed after family and friends are all material things which eventually break, get lost, or simply need to be replaced.

But don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to be the Scrooge or Grinch of Thanksgiving, it is good to be thankful. The Bible even tells us that. First Thessalonians says, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Wait, look closely, did you notice what it says? “Give thanks in all circumstances…”. So, does this mean we’re supposed to give thanks in those times when life isn’t going like we’ve planned or when something bad happens? Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but, yes, that’s exactly what it means.

We all know that bad things are going to happen. People will get sick, things will break or be stolen, feelings will be hurt by those we call our friends, and relationships are going to go through tough times and may even come to an end. It may be hard to see these as times to give thanks, but they are. And here’s why…

Notice the word that comes before “all.” What is it? It’s the word in. We’re told to give thanks in all circumstances, not for all circumstances. The evil, the bad things of life don’t come from God, those are a result of sin being in the world. This is why we’re not thankful for all circumstances. We’re thankful in all circumstances because no matter what we’re facing in life, God is still in control and God’s presence is still with us. This means that his love, mercy, compassion, and all the other wonderful things God is and does are still with us. They are with us because we are his beloved children. And to prove that, God sent Jesus, His only Son, so that anyone who believes in him may have eternal life.

So in this month of reflection on what it is that we’re thankful for…the thing I’m most thankful for is this – the precious gift of Jesus and his victorious resurrection! Because through this we are claimed as God’s children. And I’m thankful that God continues to go with us wherever it is that we go. It’s my constant prayer that no matter what any of us experience in our lives, that we remember that he’s always there with us and we can lean on him all the time. May you have a blessed and thankful Thanksgiving!

Pastor Tony

Pastor Tony & the Youth Gathering

The Youth Gathering is truly an experience like no other. A while back as Pastor Edwin was making his preparations to take Ascension’s students to New Orleans, he asked me to help him understand what the Gathering was all about. I shared a few details and some helpful tips for leading a group, but I told him that he wouldn’t fully comprehend it all until he experienced it for himself. 

Through my own experiences as a youth leader who accompanied students, someone who spoke from the main stage, or serving on Gathering planning and leadership teams, I’ve come to realize that the Gathering is so much more than a simply ministry of the church. It’s far more than a collective of colorful t-shirted youth groups from around the country gathering for service, worship, faith formation, friendships, and all the other things one might experience at a Gathering. So, what is it then? Well, I believe that the Gathering is a reflection of the Kingdom of God. The diversity, inclusion, welcome, celebration, abundance, and joy of God’s inclusive grace and expansive love wrapped up in a chaotic and beautiful faith formation event for young people searching, growing, and discovering their faith.

In the days to come, it is my prayer that all of us would long to be engaged in this kind of stirring of our faith. And I don’t know about you, but if this is anything what the Kingdom of God is really like, then give me more, Jesus, give me more! We have been Created To Be: Brave, Authentic, Free, Disruptive, Disciples…so let’s go do this together. 

Pastor Tony

Pastor Tony: Thank You!

Late night talk show host Jimmy Fallon has a reoccurring bit where he publicly writes thank you cards on his show. I really like the idea of thank you cards, but if I’m being honest, well, my follow through isn’t all that great. Just ask my wife and she can point you to the pile of them on our desk or in my closet that I’ve started writing but are unfinished, or even worse, finished but never sent – a conversation for another day. And while Fallon usually writes his thank you cards for comedic effect; I’m feeling compelled to borrow from his idea and use my article this month to follow through on some thank you’s that have been tugging on my heart.

I’d like to start out by thanking everyone who volunteers. From taking donated items to the Waukesha Food Pantry or Hope Center, to helping prep the monthly newsletter for mailing, or providing a snack for those who attend our grief support ministry, or donating food when we host a funeral, or serving the monthly Healing Hearts meal, or greeting, ushering, reading, or serving communion for worship, there are so many of you who volunteer in so many ways. I just want to make something very clear – you make a difference!

Thank you to those who serve (or have served) on the church council. Since 2020 when I was ordained and called to serve as one of your pastors, we have certainly been through some unprecedented times. When you said yes to being a leader in the church, you likely had no idea just what kind of uncharted waters we would have to navigate through – a global pandemic and the aftermath of a new normal. I am thankful for your leadership and the many ways you show up to lead and move this congregation into a new, exciting, and uncertain future.

Thank you to those who serve and support our children, youth, and young adult ministries. Your help with BLAST projects, college care packages, and support for JOLT and CRASH mission and adventure trips is often incomprehensible. To everyone who has ever dropped a little change in the noisy offering buckets, or read a Bible story in BLAST, or served as an adult leader on retreat – you are invaluable supporters. I believe it’s vitally important that churches create a place for young people where they can feel included, supported, and wanted – and I’m so thankful that so many of you have been so faithful in doing this for the young people of Ascension.

Thank you to those who participate in the various bible and book studies both on and off campus, those led by pastors and those led by other members. After working with young people, my second favorite thing to do in the church is teach and lead these studies. I’m thankful for opportunity to do this and I hope we can continue to learn and grow from one another for a long time to come. It’s also my hope that those of you who participated in a study I’ve led got even half as much out of being a part of them as I got from your insights and our conversations.

Thank you to all those who lead and provide music for worship. Music is very much not a gift of mine. However, those of you who play the organ and piano, sing in the band or one of the choirs, or take part in any of the special musical offerings – you are all so incredibly talented. I am deeply thankful that you share your giftedness, and you make our worship services incredible because of your contributions.

And finally, I’d like to thank all of you. I’m thankful for all of the ways you have supported and encouraged me and my family especially as I’ve shared the various challenges of being a pastor, and I am thankful for your graciousness in the times I may have fallen short. Most of all I’m thankful that as a congregation you truly want to change lives by being God’s instruments of peace and love in the world.And so it will be my ongoing prayer that together we continue to open ourselves to always live into the mission of being God’s transforming presence in our world. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Pastor Tony

Memorial Day

It’s amazing how quickly time seems to fly by. Somehow we’re already stepping into May – days are getting longer, grass is growing greener, flowers and trees are starting to bloom, and at the end of this month our nation will celebrate Memorial Day. For some this is simply a marker that the end of school is close, summer vacations are within reach, and family barbeques are just around the corner. For others it is a time to remember – a time to honor all those who have served in the armed forces and lost their lives in service to our country preserving and protecting the freedoms that you and I enjoy each day.

But regardless of the particulars of how, or what, or why each of us celebrate Memorial Day, at the center of it all – its very name, “memorial” invites us to a posture of remembrance.

The ability to remember is a wonderful gift God has given us. In an instant we can be taken back to childhood days – skipping rocks across the water or playing with friends, or maybe just to an earlier time like when we went on a first date or experienced our first day at a new school or job. Through memory we can fall in love, taste that amazing dessert from that one special place, and enjoy a wealth of past experiences all over again.

All this is possible through the blessing of memory. Some of our memories bring us happiness as we recall those wonderful experiences, while others leave us sad and weeping as we remember them. Memories are also practical. If we couldn’t remember that a red light means “stop” then we might get ourselves into dangerous situation. If you weren’t able to remember what day it is, especially if it were your anniversary, then you might be headed for big trouble with your loved one. So, memories are practical. The problem is, sometimes our memory fails us, and we forget. 

Fortunately, God has surrounded us with memorials, in fact, the entire Bible itself is a memorial. And we are invited to dwell in it daily in order to remember. Each time we gather as a worshipping community, each celebration of the Lord’s Supper, each baptism, each Christmas celebration, and every Holy Week leading us to the joyous celebration of Easter is a memorial.

Remembering God’s grace in our lives is fuel for our faith as we move through God’s ongoing grace for us. And this makes our memory one of God’s most profound and mysterious gifts granted to us.

So as we commemorate Memorial Day as Americans, let us do so with deep gratitude for all that has been sacrificed for us by those who laid their lives down for the sake of our freedom. Most importantly, I pray that as followers of Jesus we would each take time to remember the extraordinary grace God blesses us with yesterday, today, and every day to come.

Pastor Tony