Ascension Lutheran Church and School
“... Share in suffering for the Gospel by the power of God,
who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works
but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us
in Christ Jesus before the ages began ... ."
2 Timothy 1: 8-9 ESV
Join us
Sundays*
8:00 and 10:45 a.m. — Worship Service
9:30 a.m. — Adult Discipleship Class, Children's Sunday School
Wednesdays in Lent and Advent
6:30 p.m. Vespers
*Holy Communion is offered at both Sunday services.
Learn by Heart Family Devotions
Online giving continues to be an easy way for many to give. The giving link is located just above this message. You also can use the mobile app, “VANCO MOBILE.”
Welcome to Ascension!
Pastor James Gier
And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. ~ The Nicene Creed
In the Gospel of St. John (14:6) Jesus said "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Jesus is our way back to our Father in heaven. He is the Gospel (Good News) of God to the world. As Evangelical Lutherans, we are loyal to the Gospel of Christ, "for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
This Gospel ministry and mission of the Christian Church is to seek, make, and mature disciples for God's eternal kingdom through preaching, baptizing, teaching and communing. This work of the Holy Spirit of God among mankind is centered in the Divine Service in which the Word of God is first proclaimed and administered through sermons and sacraments. Through this Word and these means God saves us from our captivity to sin, death, and the devil, and so works in us a new and everlasting life.
... just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns
to all eternity! ~ Luther's Small Catechism
At Ascension, this new life finds its expression in a three-fold fellowship and ministry of Church, Family, and School. Here, you will encounter and know the Lord Jesus Christ for your forgiveness, life, and salvation!
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
We Walk by Faith, and Not by Sight, in the Peace of Christ’s Forgiveness
Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4; 2 Timothy 1:1-14; Luke 17:1-10
We are surrounded by “destruction and violence” (Habakkuk 1:3) because the Law “is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth” (Habakkuk 1:4). In fact, the Law cannot rescue us from our enemies; it is our fiercest enemy of all. Therefore, not by sight, experience or feeling, nor by works, “the righteous shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4).
“Temptations to sin are sure to come” (Luke 17:1), but as often as we sin, the Lord rebukes us, turns us to repentance and forgives us. We pray that He would thus “increase our faith” (Luke 17:5). And indeed he does! Though we are His “unworthy servants” (Luke 17:10), He prepares His Supper for us, dresses us properly and gives us His body and blood to eat and drink. He appoints pastors for us, “by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:1).
For the Gospel brings “life and immortality to light” ((2 Timothy 1:10). This we believe. Therefore, “follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard,” by which He guards you “in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:13).
Website updated: October 5, 2022