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
