October 3-4, 2020Pentacost 18

Next Saturday Outdoor Worship Begins

October 10 - 6-7 PM ~ In Person and Online

We are grateful to be able to gather together to worship the Lord here on our campus again! Please be mindful of our intention to have our services within the parameters set by our local government for public health and safety, including limits on the number of attendees at a time. We trust that more services will be taking place this way going forward. This worship service will be held in front of the new Early Childhood Center. Try to arrive early as we will need to do a quick temperature check on your forehead. We do need to know how many are coming when you sign up, one person or more. If, for example, you sign up as a family of three, when you come, you will see a set of three chairs together, and you are welcome to be seated there. Also, this first week will include First Communion children and their families.

https://tinyurl.com/ALCTOoutdoor We will maintain our physical distance with other group members before, during, and after the worship service. Masks will be worn by all for the safety of all. For small children there may be exceptions. Thank you for your prayers for our services as we take steps forward to begin in-person worship together again.

Our Country Spirit livestream online service is 6 PM Saturdays, traditional worship is at 9:30 AM Sundays and worship with Praise Alive is on

Sundays at 11 AM. Go to our website, ALCTO.org, to see livestreams (they appear on the

website front page when services begin), or watch on our Facebook page,

https://www.facebook.com/ascensionlutheranto You do not have to have a Facebook account to view

the livestreams. You will need a Facebook account to join in with comments and “likes,” etc.

Questions or troubleshooting needs? Call or text (818) 621-3542.

The hugs are virtual. The prayers are real.

Congratulations and Blessings

Jennifur Schneider and Josh Nahan Wedding date: Friday, Oct 2, 2020.

Both are first responders.

Blessing of Our Pets Sunday, October 4, 6-6:30 PM

“All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all...” Anglican hymn

We know that God is Lord of all creation and that God calls on us to take care of all of creation, including the animals. Each year in October we remember Francis of Assisi. This is a traditional time to bless pets and other animals, creatures Francis called his brothers and sisters. Our pets, we know, become very important parts of our families. This outdoor worship service gives thanks to God for our pets and asks God’s blessings on all of us, pets and people alike!

The service will be socially distanced this year, with the safety protocols called for by our local government in place. Since we are limited to groups of no more than 100 outdoors, we ask that you sign up in advance: https://tinyurl.com/BlessingofPets. If the service fills up, we might add a second option.

The worship service will take place in the middle of the large upper parking lot. You may park in the lower parking lots or around the edge of the upper parking lot. We’ll start promptly at 6 PM!

If you can’t bring your pet, bring a photo! If you don’t have a pet, come anyway and join the celebration, or bring a stuffed animal! Questions? Email pastorsteve@alcto.org. This service is coordinated by the Ascension Lutheran Church Prayer Team.

FIRST COMMUNION INSTRUCTION

First Communion is for those, 1st grade and up, who have been baptized.

Those who are older than 1st grade will not feel out of place. Independent study materials are also available.

Email pastorjulie@alcto.org for more info, or with any questions.

For those who have not already attended, there is a second opportunity:

Sunday, Oct. 4, 1-2 PM

Parents/Guardians and students, church patio

First Communion Service: October 10, 6 PM or a koinonia service

Take a Hike!Join Children’s Ministry for a family-friendly, physically distanced hike. As a family, you can work through a nature- and faith-based BINGO sheet, wave at other familiar faces from church, and enjoy some time outside in the beautiful California fall weather. Saturday, Oct. 3, 4-5 PM.

This is the link for info and to sign up https://tinyurl.com/ALCTOhike

Gifts of Hope 2020 – A Virtual MinistryHope can’t be quarantined!

Just as we’ve been celebrating every year since 2005, Ascension’s Annual Gifts of Hope Alternative Gift Ministry is happening this year in November!

We have all been challenged to find new ways to do things we love to do. So too, for Ascension’s celebration of Gifts of Hope this year. While we may not be gathering in Founders Hall on two weekends in November this year, we invite you to continue in giving hope to many, through the kinds of gifts and opportunities that have been lifted up since 2005. There will be over twenty alternative gift options for our global and local community focusing on Education, Hunger, Medical, Shelter and Disaster relief, Growing the church, and Sustainability. There will be the opportunity to purchase Fair Trade “edibles, wearables & shareables” from SERRV, Equal Exchange and LWR. While we’ll be maximizing the use of online resources to bring this important Ascension Ministry and its component parts to you, your families and friends safely and conveniently this year, the message and the purpose is the same - Gifts of Hope offers a hand up, not a handout, to many in our global and local community. A Gift of Hope gives children and adults opportunities for health, education, food to eat and sell for income and shelter. A Gift of Hope is a first, very crucial step for a better tomorrow for many.

Additional details will be shared in the coming weeks. Be sure to check Ascension’s newsletter, calendar, website, Facebook page, and emails often for updates and additional information.

For the many who are especially vulnerable this year because of the pandemic, our Ascension Gifts of Hope sends a very powerful message that they are not forgotten and that we walk with them, in their homes and communities, to a better tomorrow.

Our Gospel reading for an upcoming weekend, November 21st-22nd, summarizes our joy in giving Gifts of Hope, when, in Matthew 25, Jesus says that we serve him even as we serve those who are hungry, thirsty, without clothes, in prison, or a stranger.

Giving the gift of hope and love in Jesus’ name brings them and us joy and life! Thank you for participating again this year!

Would you like to take another step in your spiritual journey with God and His church? If so, we would like to invite you to be a part of our next New Member class at Ascension.

Our class will be online via Zoom, Sunday, October 11, from noon until no later than 2 PM.

The meeting will cover the basics of the Christian faith, the ministry of Ascension, Life Groups and other opportunities for fellowship, service and learning available as part of our wonderful Ascension community.

Please contact Mara Hassenbein, MHassenbein@alcto.org, to get the link to the meeting or call the church office at (805) 495-0406.

New Members Class

FISCAL YEAR-T0-DATE OFFERINGS Through September 27, 2020 (week 13 of 52)

Budgeted: $305,200 Received: $268,561 Surplus/(Shortage): $(36,639)

Attendance - all weekend services, views of one minute+; last year’s in-person

2020 closest date last year: Sept. 26-26 296 475 Sept. 19-20 346 340 Sept. 12-13 336 464 Sept. 5-6 348 336

Ascension’s Food Pantry Needs: fruit; cereal; jam; dried beans; easy-open food for those who are

homeless. (We have lots of canned corn!)

Thanks!

Our Koinonia Communion Groups continue! We joy-fully gather in the name of our Triune God. (And in this COVID time, we make every effort to do so safely.)

Two ways to sign up:Go to https://alcto.org/announcements/, then click on Signup.

Or, call the church office and speak with an office staff person. (805) 495-0406.

ANNUAL MEETING

Save the DateAttention, Ascension members: Our Annual Meeting has been scheduled for Sunday, October 18, from 12:30-2:30 PM. This is being planned as an outdoor meeting. Details to come.

Bibles for 2nd Graders and 2-year-olds! Join Pastor Julie & Jenni Klemp on Oct. 18, 11:45-12:30 Stop by anytime. We’ll pray for your child & bless their new Bible. 2nd graders will also get their hand-painted stones, and snap some photos to show in worship! These Bibles are fun and age-appropriate, and you don’t want to miss this! If you can’t make it, you can also set up a time with Pastor Julie: pastorjulie@alcto.org, to stop by and get your Bible at another time. There is also a Fun Bible Class for 2nd Graders and Their Parents: Nov. 1, 12:30-1:30, Founders Hall. Please RSVP to let us know you’d like a Bible (so we can be sure to have enough for everyone)! You can also RSVP for the class in the same place:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/F6K87WG Email pastorjulie@alcto.org with questions!

I N N E E D O F P R A Y E ROur newsletter prayer list focuses on Ascension members and immediate family members only.

A name is added to this list only with the permission of the person or the person’s family.

Prayers for safekeeping:Connor Braaten, USMCScott Clark, U.S. NavyLCpL. Alexander Daley Cody Davidson, US ArmyTim David, U.S. ArmyJack Ingles, USMCET1 Patrick Maccarone, USN Jake Marshall, USMCScott Mochatel, U.S. Coast Guard LCJG Caroline Truesdell, USCG

Prayers for our global partners in ministry:Sister Emilia, Pastor David, in Pachacamac, PeruFiladelfia Lutheran Church, PeruPastor John Rutsindintwarane, RwandaOur Companion Synods in El Salvador and Hong KongELCA World Hunger and Disaster ResponseCorus/ Lutheran World ReliefEric LeCompte and the Jubilee USA NetworkBread for the WorldFair TradeGuardian AngelsLutheran Immigration and Refugee ServiceLutherans Restoring Creation(To learn more, ask our Global Ministries Team.)

Continuing prayers for:Lara AbounayanKyle AyersTed BartellMaria BartushGloria BenfattoLillian Carter Mary CartrettDominic CavaliereCara CohenDavid CorraRuth CrizerThe Crockett FamilyLarry DavidBill ErnstJohn ErnstJoe GambKeira GravesLynette GrulkeKaren GuetschoffPenny HunterDebbie KahnBob KielhornBarbara KrumNancy Lee

Henry LelandSusanne MaliskiJudy MarshallRalph MayMarilyn MeyerShirley MeyerVerlon MeyerBill MunnHelen Nenne Paul and Betty OlsonLaurie PeytonHal PhillipsNeil ReimerMike RicciDave RosinbumK.C. ScheumCarlene SchultzArnold SchwarzGrace SicaLily SkinnerMarion SullivanJan TimmonsDarlyne Williams

Prayers for safekeeping for those on the front lines of the pandemic:Dr. Summer Baird, who is working in hospital ICU in Santa BarbaraKathleen Mullen’s niece, Nora Cialkowski, who is an ICU nurse in Chicago working with Covid-19 patientsLinda Morrow’s family members, Jason and Andrea, who are nurses at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota Jennifur Schneider Nahan and Josh Nahan, first responders in the San Diego areaLucy Peterson’s daughter, Jill, a nurse in the San Diego areaLucy Peterson’s grandson, Anthony, a nursing assistant at a convalescent home in the San Diego area

Prayers of comfort for:The Iskander family and for their many friends, including our Ascension School family, grieving the deaths of sons Mark and JacobThe family of Barbara Webb, who died Monday evening

Prayers of healing for:Eli Klemp, for his surgery October 7 and complete healingKaren Reeves, who fell and has a compression fracture of the spine, for complete recoveryDorothy Scholz

Prayer Focus:For college students who are settling into on-campus or near-campus housing, for a smooth, safe and healthy school year. For guidance, protection and fortitude for students, families, teachers and staff at Ascension Lutheran School and schools all across the country.

Temporary Home NeededJim and Martha Glynn are in need of a short-term

rental while they look for a new home locally. If you have, or know of a place, please contact

(805) 340-1380 or jbglynn.0616@verizon.net.

THANK YOU to our Remote Learners and Parents for their patience and understanding as we develop ways

to challenge all learners!

21st Century Learning Makerspace, Outdoor Classroom, Music, and Religion classes allowing for innovation and creativity to grow. Regular music lessons stimulate the corpus colossum, the connective tissue between our left and right hemispheres. The benefits are extensive and lifelong! Our modular classrooms are soon to be open and will become a space for students and teachers to enhance and support our students’ learning through hands-on experience and problem solving.

5th Grade Students in Pastor Chamie’s Outdoor

Classroom presented America’s Founding Gardeners

Collaboration Highlights We continue to stretch and learn together this year in our faith, work and relationships. The challenges posed by Covid have been numerous and significant. They have provided a relevance and urgency to everything we are doing at school this year. At times it feels like we are in a human pressure cooker, something we might find in a Roald Dahl book or a Shel Silverstein poem! Despite the difficulties, the challenges are also helping us to fill in gaps of communication, understanding, and empathy for each other, our students and families. We may not see all of the fruits fully formed yet . . . but they are definitely budding on growing trees.

Outdoor Classroom: Through teamwork we have

developed dozens of spaces to learn in places previously taken for granted.

From the Desk of Mr. Ash September 28, 2020

Fruits from my garden this year. Three of these gourds grew from the same plant’s seeds and were cross-

pollinated by bees that created three distinct gourds from the pollen found on pumpkins and zucchinis planted

nearby. Creation at its finest!

Learning Highlights: The Light of Faith Speaking of fruits . . . and yet . . . The Power of Yet Video Here (great to share with your kids!) Did you know that research on the brain points out that if we embrace a growth mindset and believe

something is possible, we can learn more effectively? Carol Dweck wondered how people

cope with failures (specifically kids), and how they deal with hard problems. She discovered that

those who THOUGHT of failures as opportunities to learn allowed them to grow and accept failure

as part of the learning process. So what does this mean? Brief Video Here (great

to share with older kids/adults) If you believe, you can! We develop what we

practice. We practice what we want to get better at. Motivation isn’t just personality, it’s willpower too! The way I see it, this is exactly the same message taught in the

Gospels! Matthew tells us (Ch. 7): 7 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks,

the door will be opened.

Asher and the 6th grade cohort during Music class,

singing about Rico’s Pizza Restaurant.

In this season of Creation, we can continue to persist in our efforts and they will produce

fruits. Like Paul reminds us in Romans 12: 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this

world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and

approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Old Man Coyote and Grandmother

Raccoon Old friends or worst enemies?

To trust or disdain? She

Caring for pups and kittens Storyteller so bright

He Stealing the spoils of nature at night

The trickster’s mittens Mixed up in fright

They Searching for loved one

Bridges unbuilt Tuke and her young ones

Continue their plight

More about this entertaining trickster tale

can be found in Tuke of Satwiwa, by Nathan Ash

Do you enjoy a good trickster tale? Check out these Coyote stories from some of

California’s first peoples: https://www.indigenouspeople.net/coyote.htm

Important Events and Dates

Axxess Fundraiser: Opportunity to support our students and local businesses. Cards are on sale now and are valid for 2021.

Parent/Teacher Conferences: October 14, 15, 16 Early Dismissal All Three days at 12:00 p.m. Teachers will be scheduling conferences via Zoom in the next two weeks. October 19: School Closed

Mr. Ash’s Newsletter, Ascension Lutheran School

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Psalm 145Ezekiel 47:1-12

Isaiah 25:1-9Psalm 23Philippians 4:1-9Matthew 22:1-14

Weekly live-streamed worshipSaturday 6 pm CountrySunday 9:30 am Traditional11 am Contemporary

Pastoral Care Emergency Line (320) 322-1945

Writers Wanted For 2020 Advent DevotionalWriters and anyone with a bent for writing, please contribute to this year’s Advent Devo-tional. You’ll recall that each year, students from Ascension Lutheran School provide the artwork and church members provide devo-tions for the booklet that has been a special part of the season here for many years.

It’s a welcome way to share Advent together and set our minds each day on the reason for

the season, and maybe it’s more important in 2020 than ever.

Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/ALCTOadvent2020. The scripture list for this year can also be found in Announcements on our webside, ALCTO.org. The deadline for completed devotions is Monday, November 9.