A church that believes in the saving power of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. We are a community of believers who believe all are welcome to the table of God’s grace. We believe that there is a place for you here. We are a church that shares a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. Liberated by our faith, we embrace you as a whole person – questions, complexities and all. We invite you to join us as we do God’s work, in the name of Jesus, for the life of the world.
A place of life
The traditions and practices of any religion can only offer so much to a soul that is looking for more. In our passion to learn more about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, we sometimes lose sight of the actual living of this life of faith trading our living this life to the fullest for the settled staleness of our souls. Perhaps you are asking the question, “Why church?” Why go at all? If you are bored in your faith tradition – if you are hungry to know a deeper relationship with God – if you are seeking new ways of understanding and wanting to follow God with greater passion – maybe that is your answer to the question, “Why church?” If you are tired of being aligned with followers of God who just sit in church on Sunday morning and then go into their week as if they never went to church on Sunday, perhaps Ascension might be a place of life for you. Our hope is that you would choose to take the risk to visit Ascension and quite possibly meet Jesus in new ways. It is why at Ascension, we so often say, “Miss a Sunday, miss a lot.” If church is just a check mark on your weekly schedule, then how can this church or any church be a place of life for you? And yet, we know this place to be full of life – the sounds of children’s laughter – voices raised in song – prayers spoken in whisper – instruments tuned and played with the skills of years of practice to the glory of God – food shared around table – Saturdays where Spanish and English and Karan languages gather to learn new ways of communicating and walking together. Ascension is a place of life – all because of the presence of Jesus.
A place of joy
The words and rituals of a faith tradition can only offer so much to a soul that is hungry. In our desire to be people of faith who can often times find ourselves out of step with the world – who struggle to make sense of the suffering and violence so prevalent in the homes of our neighbors and in the lives of our brothers and sisters around the world – sometimes we lose sight of the invitation of Jesus to find a place of joy in this life. When we meet Jesus – the full story of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus is available to us. In Jesus’ own words, “These things I have spoken to you so that my joy may be in you and your joy be made complete.” (John 15:11) If you are tired of going through the motions in your faith – if you are hungry to know a deep sense of joy that can only come from the heart of God – then maybe it is worth the risk of trying something new. If you believe that your suffering – the challenges you face – the difficult moments of this life are all that God offers to you – then how can this church, or any church, be a place of joy for you? And yet, we would offer to you the opportunity of coming to know this place as a place of joy – because we laugh a lot – even in the midst of our tears. We share stories of this life in ways that remind us that we are not alone. We witness the promise of new life offered in the waters of the baptism – where adult and child alike are promised new life, abundant life, eternal life – filled with the joy of God’s presence. When a Bible verse speaks directly to you – when a song is sung that seems to wrap you in God’s love – when someone who worships near you – smiles at you – offers you their hand or shoulder. When we hear the promise of God that all of heaven rejoices over the one sinner who repents than over the ninety-nine who need no repentance. When you are that one person who asks God to forgive you and trusts in your heart that God has heard your prayer and forgiven you; then for you and for so many others, Ascension is a place of joy, all because of the presence of Jesus.
A place of grace
Is this all there is to this life? It is a question we can find ourselves asking in this life. Is this all there is? For all the days we live, we work, we take care, we check-in, we lose, we break, we love, we search, we say goodbye – is this all there is? We cannot speak to the reasons behind each person’s entrance into the church. Yet people at Ascension can tell you why we go to Jesus – we go to find a place of grace. We are hungry for the reminder that God makes promises that will never be broken. We long for the words of our Savior to tell us again and again – you are loved and you are forgiven. We need to hear the story of God’s deep love for us that tells us of a baby in a manger and a crown of thorns and nailed scarred hands. All of this, grace upon grace, for each of us. At Ascension, you will hear the reminder, the words of promise, the stories of God’s love for all of us. Ascension is a place of grace – all because of the presence of Jesus.
We’d love to hear from you and answer any additional questions you have.