February Worship News

Lenten Worship

The Season of Lent begins on Wednesday, Feb. 18, with Ash Wednesday and continues through the next 40 days not counting Sundays. Worship times on Ash Wednesday are at 12 and 6:30 p.m.

The only difference between the services is the addition of our music ensembles in the evening. Ash Wednesday worship is a peaceful moment of reflection in a world of noise. As is tradition, we will be invited to kneel before the altar and have a cross of ash placed on our foreheads with the words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” A provocative reminder and powerful promise that God is the one who forms us out of nothing and returns our bodies to the ground when this life is at an end.

Here at Ascension, the season of Lent is measured in bowls of soup and first communion classes and new member conversations and stories of the presence of Jesus transforming the world before he ultimately journeys to the cross. You are invited to be a part of everything. If this is your first Lent at Ascension, there is much to experience. If you have been a member forever, still Lent offers something new every season.

On Wednesdays in Lent, after Ash Wednesday, we meet for soup supper at 6 p.m. You can sign-up to bring a soup or loaf of bread in the narthex/lobby beginning Sunday, Jan. 25. We average between 125 and 150 for soup each week. And then worship begins at 6:45 p.m. and ends at 7:15 p.m. to get littles home and off to bed. Wednesday night soup supper and worship begin Wednesday, Feb. 25. The final one will be March 25.

Sing for a Season Returns

Sing for a Season is back! Join the Ascension Choir and sing for the Lenten season and/or Holy Week. Rehearse with us on Tuesdays (rather than Wednesdays during Lent) from 7:15-8:15 p.m. Feb. 24 through March 24; sing for Palm Sunday, March 29, Maundy Thursday, April 2, Good Friday, April 3, and Easter Sunday, April 5. Interested singers are invited and welcome to join in for 4-5 rehearsals and sing with us on whatever dates work best. Email Vicki Taylor with questions and to sign up.

Children’s Choir

The Ascension Children’s Choir returns for our spring session on Wednesdays from5:15-6 p.m. beginning Feb 25 through Mar 25. Please note the change to Wednesdays; rehearsals will take place immediately prior to Lenten Soup Suppers and worship services. All children in grades K-5 are welcome to join us! Email Vicki Taylor with questions and to sign up.

Welcome to September

I confess – September is a welcome respite from August.

August began with the mission trip to El Salvador. It was spectacular. Pastor Edwin and Sarah were amazing in their planning and tending as we walked alongside our sister church, El Milagro de Dios (Miracle of God) Lutheran Church in San Jorge. It was pure joy to finally meet Pastora Blanca and the members of the congregation. We were fed more than we could possibly eat. There were stories to tell and time for prayer through the expert translation of Pastor Edwin and laughter and games alongside the children of the church and the entire community of San Jorge. Bumpy roads and deep water-traced ruts reminded us that we are blessed to complain about potholes in Wisconsin. The heat was, well, hot! But the air conditioning and cool water offered us respite at the end of the day. We visited historical sites and were often overwhelmed by the beauty of the country and her people. We spent time with Pastor Edwin’s family who hosted all 24 of us for dinner – no easy task in any country! We were graciously welcomed by the newly elected Bishop of the Salvadoran Lutheran Church – Bishop Guadalupe Cortez. She and her staff shared greetings, reflections on the church in El Salvador, and a meal with the most amazing plantains cooked with a pudding in the center. We prepared a lengthy beach for sea turtle nesting and somewhere along the way my wife and daughter became stuck in an elevator. It was a very good trip to build relationships with sisters and brothers in the body of Christ.

We returned to Wisconsin for a brief six days before my family traveled to California to say goodbye to my larger-than-life father-in-law. He was indeed one of a kind. The funeral was full of loud Easter hymns, and big feelings, and well lengthy preaching (guess who preached) and all those things reflected my father-in-law perfectly. Two days after the funeral, we returned home, where we packed up my oldest child and returned him to the University of Wisconsin – Madison for his sophomore year. One daughter is neck deep in volleyball tryouts and the other is tackling volleyball and soccer practice simultaneously. And my mother-in-law was here for the rest of the month – so if you see her in early September, please say hello. All that to say that August was full – completely full – and somewhere in those days were also several meetings preparing us for the fall here at Ascension. Deep breath!

September at Ascension is pure joy and all life to the glory of God. Worship returns to our program year schedule on September 7th, with worship in English at 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. and worship in Spanish at 10:45 a.m. JAM, BLAST, JUMP, JOLT, and CRASH all return the week of September 7th. And if you are unsure of one or more of the acronyms for ministry among our children and junior and senior high school students – keep reading – all is explained later on in this newsletter. We are preparing to launch a young adult ministry as well this fall – for those in the 18-30 year age range because they have asked and the Holy Spirit is moving – but an acronym is still in the dreaming phase – have any ideas?

We return to Monday morning and evening Adult Study gatherings with season 4 of the CHOSEN. I am so excited to see how this next season unfolds as we gather to reflect on the stories already deep in our bones. By the time you read this article, our music ministries will already have begun rehearsals to bring glory to God in our worship life – have you thought about joining the choir or ringing a bell – there is still room for you. I promise Vicki will find a place for you.

In late September and/or early October there will be listening sessions available to help the pastors and church council reflect and dream about our future. Ascension Arise 2035 will be available for review and comment in the weeks ahead. Your input, about your church, is important and welcome as we look to all that God has in store for the days ahead. And there are ministries waiting for your “yes.” Healing Hearts of Waukesha County, the Hope Center, and the Food Pantry of Waukesha County are all supported by our congregation and in need of our hands-on ministry as well as our financial support. If you are considering joining our community of faith, we will host conversations in-between services later this month and early in October as we prepare to welcome new members on Sunday, October 19th. I am ready for all of it and more. I hope you are too!

See you in church.

Pastor Chris

Reprinted from the September 2025 newsletter.

Time Flies

I have heard from more than one of the wiser, experienced members of Ascension that the days go by faster than one expects. Honestly people, how are we already entering the month of August? Easter was just last week, and the last day of school was yesterday, right?

Summer seems to have a mind of its own. In earlier days, summer was rest and restoration. Now, summer feels like a fourth quarter of programming with just a little less ministry at night. My wife and I used to say that Wisconsin had a slower pace of life than California – perhaps that was true when our children were young and uninvolved in anything except running through the sprinklers and chasing the dog. But the times they are a changing. Now, summer just continues a pace of chasing after kids who drive cars and stop in for food before they are off to the races again.

These summer days are my reminder to set time aside to rest the rhythms of my spirit. There is a deep longing for time to breathe, reflect, and savor the longer span of daylight that lets the sun linger on the horizon just long enough to enjoy the breeze and a conversation about the events of the day without gasping for the next breath. I have found a few of the moments in these summer months, granted, they are moments captured between mountain climbing with junior high students and worship preparations for Sunday mornings and last-minute details before our travel to El Salvador. I, sometimes, need to remind myself to enjoy these moments for what they are, “gifts within the gift” of all that God grants me in this life.

Here, at Ascension, the rhythms of life are only a little slower. Our worship life is full of joy with just a seasoning of irreverence at times – especially when the pastors take a jab at each other. We have been the Grateful recipients of the sharing of special musical gifts from a variety of individuals and ensembles. Our Amen ministry completed a summer book study; the Knit Wits continue to work their magic as their hands create offering after offering from balls of yarn; countless members show-up to tend flower beds all over the campus; ashes are scattered in the ash garden thanks to greater access through the gift of the path; small groups continue to study God’s Word and nurture faith; visitors are welcomed again and again and again; coffee is served; companion synod committees continue to meet and plan; meals have been served at the Hope Center; calendars are planned and prepared for the fall; new ministries are preparing to launch; visitors and members alike are inquiring where they might serve in the ministry of this community of faith; our average worship attendance is up over last year at this time; our financial support of the ministry inside and outside our walls has increased; and I believe the Holy Spirit is just preparing us for more to come.

Summer might be a time to find a little rest, but as the psalmist says, “God will not let your foot slip—God who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, God who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” I am grateful for this promise of God’s care and grateful still more for your faithfulness in sharing this journey of life and faith to the glory of God. Blessings on these continued summer days.

See you in church,

Pastor Chris

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

Worship With Ascension

Summer Worship Schedule Begins!

We start our summer worship schedule on Memorial Day, May 25. Join us for worship at 8:30 a.m. in the sanctuary and 10 a.m. in the Memorial Gardens, weather permitting. Bring a chair! The Spanish-language service also moves to 10 a.m. starting May 25.

Can You Imagine Ascension Without Music?

Each week we would sit in our “usual” spot. (You know the one!) Sometimes we felt a bit left out because we longed to be a part of the musical offerings the musicians made to our God. Although we both had musical backgrounds, somehow our skills didn’t seem to have a place.

One day, it was announced that Ascension was forming a handbell choir. (Truth be told, it was actually a handchime choir with aspirations of becoming a handbell choir some day.) We inquired about the possibility of joining and were welcomed with open arms. As they say, the rest is history.

For a short time, we rehearsed with the handchimes, which were quickly replaced by a three-octave set of handbells. We were hooked! The joy that we felt from being a part of the Ascension musicians was like nothing we had felt before! We now had the opportunity to make our own offering to God using our time and talent. It’s very easy to make a monetary offering, but there is something so unique and special from an offering of one’s time and talent….and we were doing it! We won’t lie, when we are able to take a fleeting glance away from our handbell music, it is such a joy to see the congregation’s expressions when they are experiencing a performance of the handbells.

After nearly a quarter of a century, we, along with the handbells have shared some really unique experiences. We have played many times outside of the walls of Ascension. Together we have “gone on the road” and have been a part of many educational handbell camps and mass ringings in a variety of venues. Stay tuned for something on the horizon that will literally take our handbell ministry to the world!

We speak for all the Ascension musicians when we say THANK YOU for the opportunity to make a joyful noise unto the Lord! We are truly humbled and are grateful for your support!

Steve & Carol Spieker

October Worship News

Worship at the Farm Oct. 6

Just a reminder that on Sunday, Oct. 6, there will be no late service held at Ascension. Everyone is invited to Green Meadows Farm to celebrate worship with our BLAST families and Latino community. Registration is required. Register online at https://tinyurl.com/RSVPgreen. The cost is $15 per person (under 2 free) and includes sandwich, drinks and petting farm. Please also sign-up for a dish to pass, https://tinyurl.com/ALCGreen24. Please register and pay by Sept. 29. Questions? Contact Pastor Tony, tony@ascensionelca.org.

Introducing a New Youth Choir

We’re beginning a new Youth Choir for students in grades 6-8 on Thursday, Nov. 7, 5:45-6:30. This is a short-term commitment with rehearsals on Nov. 7, 14, 21 and Dec. 5 and 12. The Youth Choir will then sing for the Advent Concert Worship services on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 6 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 15, at 9:30 a.m. To sign-up, please contact Director of Music Ministries Vicki Taylor, vicki@ascensionelca.org.

Children’s Choir

Children’s Choir for children in grades K-5 returns on Thursday, Nov. 7, 5 to 5:40 p.m. Children’s choir will rehearse on Nov. 7, 14, 21 and Dec. 5 and 12 and will sing for the Advent Concert Worship services on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 6 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 15, at 9:30 a.m. Email vicki@ascensionelca.org to join. 

Sing for a Season

Love to sing but not sure about a year-long commitment? Sing with the Ascension Choir for the Advent/Christmas season. Rehearsals are from 7:15-8:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov 6; Saturday, Nov. 9, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Wednesdays, Nov. 13 and 20; Tuesday, Nov. 26; Wednesdays, Dec. 4 and 11. The choir will sing for the Advent Concert Worship services on Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15. Please contact Director of Music Ministries Vicki Taylor, vicki@ascensionelca.org, with questions or to join!

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

Summer Worship at Ascension

Summer Schedule

  • 8:30 and 10 a.m. English Worship
  • 10 a.m. Spanish Worship

Senior Toweling

  • Sunday, June 2
  • 8:30 & 10 a.m.

Vicki Taylor Celebration

  • Celebration and reception for Vicki Taylor’s 40th anniversary of Music Ministry
  • 9:30 a.m. Sunday, June 2

Pastor Edwin Celebration

  • Celebration and reception for Pastor Edwin’s 1st Anniversary of Ordination
  • Sunday, June 23

Outdoor Worship (English)

  • June 23, July 28, Aug. 11, Sept.

El Salvador Delegation Blessing

  • Blessings and sending of El Salvador Mission Team
  • Sunday, July 28

Sing for a Sunday

  • Singers of all ages are invited to sing in an intergenerational choir on Sunday, June 23. We will meet for one rehearsal on Thursday, June 20, from 6 to 6:30 p.m., followed by singing in 8:30 worship on Sunday, June 23.
  • The song can be easily learned by listening and all are welcome!
  • Email Vicki Taylor and say you’ll join us!

Upcoming Worship August/September

Join us for special worship services with varying times over the next few weeks.

  • Aug. 21: 8:30am (Sanctuary) & 10am (Memorial Gardens), 10am Spanish (East Hall)
  • Aug. 28: 8:30 & 10am (Sanctuary), 10am Spanish (East Hall)
  • Sept. 4: 9:30am Combined worship (Sanctuary), 10am Spanish worship (East Hall)
  • Sept. 11: 8:30 & 10am (Sanctuary), 10am Spanish (East Hall)
  • Sept. 18: Welcome Home Worship, 10am Bilingual (Sanctuary) (Rally Day)

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).