Reflections
Meet Elisa Thompson, ALC member and a part of the Generation X
We have gifted members involved in leading and serving in ministries at Ascension Lutheran Church. In fact, we can’t do what we do without their God-given gifts and time. One of the hundreds includes Elisa Thompson. She’s also one of the 80 some of the Generation X being celebrated on March 24, 9:15 am. If […]
Posted on March 20, 2019 | Posted by Mary Stoneback
Pr. Glusenkamp on World Hunger
This past Sunday, Ascension was visited by Reverend Ron Glusenkamp who is the current director of the World Hunger Campaign for the ELCA. He came to preach and speak to our work in the world as the ELCA. Having served at numerous parishes, Ron has also authored several books and is an avid bread/pretzel baker. […]
Posted on March 19, 2019 | Posted by Annie Saunders
Receiving and Sharing Forgiveness
Jesus gave strong words on the life-giving importance of receiving and sharing forgiveness. The servant in his parable was forgiven a vast amount. As much as he took the benefit of his debt forgiven, I suspect that he didn’t receive the mercy that was behind it. I suspect that because receiving great mercy is transforming. We can see that […]
Posted on March 12, 2019 | Posted by Annie Saunders
Ryana Says Hola
Ascension’s own resident missionary, Ryana Holt sends an update from Santiago, Chile. Read what’s she’s been up to these past few Chilean months! Retreats: The annual leadership retreat is where I headed to at the beginning of January with leaders from all congregations. Guided by two Argentinian pastors, we learned techniques to appropriately carry out […]
Posted on March 7, 2019 | Posted by Annie Saunders
The Mountaintop
“God does not stay on the mountain, God enters into the tedious and terrifying parts of this life. God doesn’t stay on the mountain and neither can we. Neither should we. Which brings me to the question, why are you here?” To hear more of Pastor Daniel’s sermon, click on the video below.
Posted on March 4, 2019 | Posted by Annie Saunders
“Take heart, it is I”
In Matthew 14, Jesus walked on the water to the disciples in the boat who were trying to survive a violent storm. As with others in that day, they likely believed that there was an evil spirit behind the storm with its wind and waves. Little wonder they cried out in fear at seeing someone walking toward […]
Posted on February 25, 2019 | Posted by Annie Saunders
Trust Enough to Hear the Hard Word
There are weeds growing in me. They are part of me. They are me. They disappoint me. They disappoint those closest to me. And, it appears they disappoint God. And God wants them out. There will come a day when God will collect the weeds within me and burn them. And I welcome it. Ok, so that’s a […]
Posted on February 18, 2019 | Posted by Annie Saunders
An Ashen Valentine’s Day, One Year Later
In her own fear and grief she held another motherwho could not bear the tragedyas children were being shot dead.Perhaps their own, they feared. She wore the symbols of the two holy days:St. Valentine’s and Ash Wednesday.Love and Mortality.Outward displays reflecting inner turmoil. In the year since the two are no longer in touch,as each […]
Posted on February 14, 2019 | Posted by Pastor Daniel
Slamming the Door
Slamming the door, I run inside. I throw my bag to the floor, wet hot tears streaking down my skin. The salty waterworks wash away my make-up, my armor, my strength. Globs of what remains collects on my chin. I charge towards you, a mistreated ire in my expression. “How could this happen?” I shout. […]
Posted on February 13, 2019 | Posted by Annie Saunders
More than…
Recently, the Board of Social Outreach made a donation to Audubon Elementary School to help gather more school supplies. One might easily think the need for school supplies exists only at the beginning of a new school year. Ascension does the Blessing of the Backpack donation drive in August of each year to support children […]