THE HEART OF ASCENSION Save the date/mark your calendars for these upcoming events: On Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24, 2015, at 7:00 PM, there will be a candlelight worship service. Celebrate the true meaning of Christmas during the Christmas Eve Worship Service with Pastor Brennan’s message, scripture readings, Christmas carols, and music offerings. The Young at Heart Retirees Group will have their Christmas luncheon at the Saxonburg Hotel on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at 11:30 AM. The Saxonburg Hotel is located at 220 W. Main Street, Saxonburg, PA 16056. Please call Sally Long at 724-449- 2618 if you plan to attend! CALLING YOUTH OF ALL AGES – Please join us for some Christmas fun on Saturday, December 12 from 3:00-7:00 PM. The Youth Group is planning a fun-filled afternoon for you that will include games, crafts, a holiday movie and more!! If you enjoyed the Halloween Party...wait until you see this!! Parents, please bring your children to the Fellowship Hall while you enjoy an afternoon of shopping, dinner, or just time together. The cost is $10 per child for four (4) hours of fun; however, if you feel led to give more it would be greatly appreciated. All profits will go towards our trip to the LCMS Youth Gathering in New Orleans in July. In December, Holy Communion will be celebrated on the second and fourth Sundays, i.e. December 13 and December 27. December 2015
Transcript
THE HEART OF ASCENSION
Save the date/mark your calendars for these upcoming events:
On Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24, 2015, at 7:00 PM, there will be a candlelight worship service. Celebrate the true meaning of Christmas during the Christmas Eve Worship Service with Pastor Brennan’s message, scripture readings, Christmas carols, and music offerings.
The Young at Heart Retirees Group will have their Christmas luncheon at the Saxonburg Hotel on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at 11:30 AM. The Saxonburg Hotel is located at 220 W. Main Street, Saxonburg, PA 16056. Please call Sally Long at 724-449-2618 if you plan to attend!
CALLING YOUTH OF ALL AGES – Please join us for some Christmas fun on
Saturday, December 12 from 3:00-7:00 PM. The Youth Group is planning a
fun-filled afternoon for you that will include games, crafts, a holiday
movie and more!! If you enjoyed the Halloween Party...wait until you see this!!
Parents, please bring your children to the Fellowship Hall while you enjoy an
afternoon of shopping, dinner, or just time together. The cost is $10 per child
for four (4) hours of fun; however, if you feel led to give more it would be
greatly appreciated. All profits will go towards our trip to the LCMS Youth Gathering in
New Orleans in July.
In December, Holy Communion will be celebrated on
the second and fourth Sundays, i.e. December 13 and
December 27.
December
2015
In December the Men’s Saturday Bible Study will meet on the first and third Saturdays of the month (December 5 & 19). Fellowship starts at 8:30 AM and the Bible Study begins at 9:00 AM. This group meets in the Fireside/Conference Rooms. All men are welcome to attend!
WORK DAY – There is a work day planned for Saturday, December 5 from 9:30 AM-1:30 PM. We will be raking leaves, putting up the outside nativity scene, and decorating for Christmas. All are invited to help!
REHEARSALS for the Children’s Christmas Program will be held on
Sunday, December 13, 2015 from Noon until 2 PM (lunch will be
provided) and on Saturday, December 19, 2015 from 6:00-8:00
PM. THE CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM will be presented
during the worship service on Sunday, December 20, 2015.
Following the service there will be a reception in the Fellowship
Hall. There will not be any Christian Education classes on
December 20, 2015.
WIDOW-WIDOWER / DIVORCÉE / SINGLES LUNCHEON
If you have not already joined us at this free monthly luncheon, please do so and invite a friend! The next luncheon will be held on Monday, December 14, 2015, in the Fellowship Hall from 11:30 AM until around 2:00 PM. Lunch is served at Noon. This free luncheon is offered as a time to share with others who may have gone through some of the same circumstances you have. It is a time for food, fellowship, and the making of a community of people who can share their lives with each other. If you have any questions, contact Ron Davis, Jr. at 412-709-9860.
BAPTISM – We welcomed into God’s family Simon William
Blake who was baptized on Sunday, October 25, 2015.
Simon is the son of Ronette and Cooper Blake and the little
brother of Elijah and Gabriel. Sponsors for Simon are Russ
and Ali Lucas. May God richly bless you, Simon!
Do you need some help around the house to get ready for
the holidays? We can help you get out your Christmas
decorations, help you bake, rake, shovel, clean...whatever you need. All you have to do is sign up in the Narthex or
available for you on Saturdays, DECEMBER 5 and 12 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Donations of any amount will be appreciated and will help fund our LCMS National Youth
Gathering trip to New Orleans in July.
YOUTH MEETING – The next youth meeting will be on Monday,
December 7th from 6:30-8:30 PM. Hope you all can come to hang out
and talk about upcoming projects and events! We really miss you when
you're not there.
YOUTH GROUP CHRISTMAS PARTY – On Monday,
December 21 from 6:30-8:30 PM, the Ciccone's are opening
up their home to all of us for a Christmas Party. It's going to
be a blast, so don't miss it. We'll be playing that fun gift
exchange game, so don't forget to bring a wrapped $5 gift.
Also, boys, please bring a beverage to share and girls, please
bring a snack or baked good to share. Let Mr. or Mrs. Ciccone
know if you can make it. Hope to see all of you there!!!
The retreat was attended by six (6) of our girls and we had a
fulfilling weekend full of fun, worship and great speaking. Our
new friend Ben talked about removing the labels we receive from
other people (and that we give ourselves) so that we can see who
God really made us to be. We also learned the importance of
putting aside our distractions so that we can have daily time with God. We truly
missed all those who couldn't make it and encourage you to join us at the next
Hopefully you have received and accepted your invitation to access RightNow
Media and are enjoying this extensive faith-based video library. RightNow Media
has videos for everyone—kids, youth, parents, married couples, college students,
single adults, working professionals—all aimed at helping you strengthen your
faith. We pray that RightNow Media will be a blessing for you and your family!
Bells and Choir will rehearse on Thursdays in December (December 3, 10, and 17); Bells at 6:45,
and Choir at 7:30 PM. We are working on music for the Advent and Christmas season. New members are always welcome!
OFFICE HELP NEEDED – Barb will be on vacation December 28-31, 2015. The church office will be closed on December 25 and January 1. We are looking for volunteers to come into the office for a half-day (9 AM to 1 PM) while Barb is on vacation to answer the phone and the door. If you are able to help, please call or email Barb at 412-364-4463 or [email protected]. Thank you!
REIMBURSEMENT FORMS – Due to audit requirements, anyone wishing reimbursements for supplies purchased for Ascension must fill out a “Request For Check From Treasurer” form and turn it in to Mary Jasper (Ascension’s treasurer). Forms are available in the mailbox in the Narthex labeled “Reimbursement” (located in the top row of mailboxes) and also on the windowsill in the copier room in the office area. You may give the completed forms to Mary Jasper or place them in her personal mailbox in the Narthex. Thank you.
Thank you to Beth McCandless (friend of Vicki Wiegand’s) for the Bible she donated to Ascension!
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD has wrapped up for another year. Ascension collected 126 boxes! That’s 126 children that otherwise would not have received a box and possibly not have heard about Christ’s love. THANK YOU to all who participated! Thanks also to Diane DePasquale and the Pittsburgh Pirates for the donation of Pirates t-shirts and socks for the boxes and to Thrivent Action Teams for seed money for this project! Here is a breakdown of the number of boxes that were collected by category: BOYS ages 2-4: 10 boxes; 5-9: 35 boxes; 10-14: 18 boxes GIRLS ages 2-4: 10 boxes; 5-9: 38 boxes; 10-14: 15 boxes Continue to pray for these children that they may hear and receive the Gospel and turn their hearts over to God regardless of their circumstances.
November 5, 2015
Dear friends at Ascension,
We are grateful, indeed, for your gracious hospitality to us! May God bless you as you so willingly share your building with the body of Christ.
With heartfelt thanks,
The Families of SALT (Speech & Debate group) Enclosure: $570.00 cash donation
December Anniversaries: 4 Jim & Judy Delia 20 Ron & Ruth Gredlein 27 Clay & Diane McClellan December Birthdays: 4 Bonnie Clark 7 Maggie Larrow 11 Vicki Wiegand 13 Oak Gaertner 15 Jackie Dougherty Gene Williams, Jr. 19 Tim Koontz 21 Glenna Powers Dan Skrastins Kathy Stuckler 22 Bayley Fields
Anna May Forsman
22 Reed Gaertner 23 Jack Connolly
Evan McMillin 25 Our Savior, Jesus 28 Chester Dodson
Connie Letters 29 Kim Zdobinski 30 Linda Williams
IF WE MISSED YOUR BIRTHDAY OR ANNIVERSARY, PLEASE CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE AT 412-364-4463.
Congratulations to Clay and Diane McClellan who
will be celebrating their 50th
Wedding Anniversary
on December 27th! God’s richest blessings to you!
In Christ we extend our love and sympathy to Dawn and Pastor Brennan and their family. Donald DeGeorge (Dawn’s father) went to be with his Lord and Savior on November 4, 2015. Please keep the Gaertner family in your prayers, and may God be with them during this difficult time.
The 2016 flower chart is posted on the bulletin board in
the Narthex to order Altar flowers. At this time, the
cost is $23 per arrangement. If kept watered and in a
cool place, the arrangements will last up to two weeks.
We are offering for sale 6" poinsettia plants to beautify our Sanctuary for Christmas. We will have Red, White, Pink, Marble (which is pink with white) and Jingle Bell (which is red tones splashed with pink & white shades) available for $10.00 each. Orders need to be in by December 13th. Pick-up will be after the Christmas Eve service on December 24th.
Order forms are available on the table in the Narthex. Please give your order and payment to Janet Seitz or place it in her mailbox in the Narthex or in the offering plate. Make checks payable to Ascension Lutheran Church. If you have any questions, please see or call Janet Seitz at 412-323-0857.
Don’t forget to pick up your new 2016 offering envelopes! They will be available soon on a table in the Narthex. Please do not use these new envelopes until January.
Ascension will again be “adopting” the personal care residents at Concordia of Franklin Park
for their annual Christmas party. What this means is that members (and friends!) of Ascension
are given the opportunity to purchase a Christmas gift for the residents so that nobody is
without one to open when they celebrate this Holy season. Currently there are 72 residents to
purchase gifts for! Last year we had a tremendous response – for which I am truly thankful -
and I am certain we can again put a smile on all the residents’ faces this Christmas.
Cheryl Saffa and Nancy Hughey will be helping me coordinate the effort this year. We will
have available cards for each resident that includes the resident name, specific gift ideas, and
general helpful information. Please consider adopting a resident. If you would like to participate and
were not able to receive information after one of the worship services in November, please call or email
me. We will get you the information!
A few reminders . . .
Gifts should be wrapped – with an attached gift tag/card that includes the resident name
and room number
Some residents really like to know who sent the gift, so you can either sign your personal
name or simply Ascension Lutheran Church if you prefer to be anonymous.
Suggested gift ideas are provided – but you do not have to purchase everything listed.
Use your discretion.
You are welcome to attend the resident celebration, too (December 18 – more info to
follow) and help them unwrap their gifts and see their smile in person – but this is not
required.
DEADLINE FOR GIFTS: SUNDAY DECEMBER 13. If you are unable to bring the
gifts to church (place on table in the Narthex) please let me know and we will make
Concordia’s Third Annual Live Nativity will be held on Sunday, December 13, 2015 from 4-7 PM at Entrance 5, Haven II, (148 Marwood Road, Cabot, PA 16023). This free event will feature Concordia staff and residents, live animals, hot beverages and refreshments (indoors), live Christmas music (indoors) and a gift for kids 12 and under. This will be a “walk-through” nativity, so guests are encouraged to dress warmly. Parking is available at Entrances 5 and 6. For more information, call 724-352-1571, extension 8268 or visit www.concordialm.org.
Our Lord Jesus Christ healed the man with dropsy by His Word on the Sabbath (Luke 14:1–6).
He is the great physician of both body and soul. The paradoxical symptom of dropsy was an
unquenchable craving for drink even though the body was over inflated with fluid, a craving that
when indulged served not to ease but to feed the disease. And so if a man drinks a great deal, but
is never filled, he sees a doctor to inquire about what ails him, what is wrong with his body and
how to remedy it. For that is not thirst but a disease (Seneca, Consolation to His Mother Helvia,
11.3).
But if the owner of five couches goes looking for ten, or the owner of ten tables buys up as many
again, and even though he has plenty of land and money, he remains unsatisfied and desires yet
more, losing sleep and always in discontent, does he not also require a physician to diagnose the
cause of this distress? For this is not want or lack, but a disease (Aristippus, quoted in Plutarch,
Love of Wealth, 524b). As St. Augustine of Hippo wrote, “we may rightly compare the dropsical
man to a covetous rich man: For the more the one is swollen with excess of water, the more he
thirsts; so also the other: The more he abounds in riches . . . the more eagerly he desires them”
(The Sunday Sermons of the Great Fathers, Vol. 4, 135). Both require physicians. Both require
diagnosis and medicine applied from the outside to the inward being. For these are not desires to
be fulfilled but diseases to be cured.
This is why our Lord instructs us on taking care not to be overmuch consumed by money. “No
one can serve two masters . . . . You cannot serve God and money” (Matt. 6:24; Luke 16:13).
The point is that our desire for money, like the disease dropsy, is never satisfied. We always
desire more. We always think, if I just had this much then I would be happy. But even when that
much comes, which God gladly gives, that happiness evades us. For the desire for more of these
things is never satisfied. It demands our constant energy–either in procuring more or protecting
what we already have. When this happens, God, in His mercy, shows us that the money that He
has given is no longer serving us, but we it. We have another master.
To overcome this, we need a physician’s diagnosis and a physician’s remedy. And our Lord,
Jesus Christ, our great physician of both body and soul, like the man healed of dropsy, applies
His Word to us. He shows us how we have put our fear, our love, and our trust in our money and
not feared, loved, and trusted in Him above all things. In essence, He says, “Stop it! Stop chasing
after these fleeting things. They are vanity. They are the things that moth and rust destroy. For
you cannot have two masters. Repent!” And in seeing our great error, we are sorry that we have
not fully feared, loved, and trusted in God above all things. And, in the mercy and grace, that He
earned for us on the cross, He takes away this sin, restores us to health, and bids us live.
But then what? What do we do with this healing balm and care that our great physician has
done? Do we simply go back to our old ways? “By no means!” St. Paul says (Rom. 3:31; 6:2).
We do not just go back to the old ways. That way is dead to us and leads us to death. No, we live
a new life, a life filled with the grace, mercy, and love of God toward us. And God’s great
mercy, grace, and love toward us are so abundant that they overflow and pour out onto those
around us. So we no longer hoard money and possessions. We no longer scrape and crawl our
way to amass more. We give to those around us, as God in Christ has given to us. We press our
money and possessions into service for those who need it: our family, our society, and our
church. For money is God’s gift to us to serve us and others. Not the other way round. It serves
us because it is a gift from our Father in heaven.
www.lcmsfoundation.org 800-325-7912 Ext 1684
Giving is God’s Business
It’s no coincidence that each calendar year ends with a seasonal focus on generosity.
The Christmas season reminds us that giving is indeed God’s business! Christians are confident that the baby Jesus was God’s gift to the world, promised in the defiance of Adam’s independence. God didn’t just give us a baby; He gave the world a Savior!
Jesus Christ was and is the expectation of the ages. The implications of God’s generosity in giving His own Son ushered in hope and made possible immortality for all. St. Paul wrote, “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself.” This little baby was the ‘Year of Jubilee’ in the flesh! All debts are forgiven and all are called to freedom from an eternal grave!
God’s Holy Word says that we were created in the likeness or image of God. It shouldn’t surprise us then that as God is a generous God, so we are to be generous people. Have you reflected on, or recognized this God-given desire to be generous and willing to share in your heart? Is it fully understood, defined and documented?
God’s generosity is emulated wherever the Gospel takes root in cultures and in our lives. This shouldn’t surprise us since God is in the giving business. His desire for blessing his people lives in us.
The next time you plan your gifts to the people and ministries you love, remember that this is God’s reflection within you showing itself as a witness to others. The LCMS Foundation has been helping LCMS Christians discover their lifetime plan for giving to bless the people and ministries they care about for almost sixty years. If you would like to experience this personal and unique spiritual stewardship journey, we can help from start to finish. For more information contact Robert Wirth, LCMS Foundation Gift Planner at [email protected] or 716-863-4427.
We invite you to join us as we enjoy the magnificent scenery of the German countryside, towns, cities and travel in the footsteps of Martin Luther and witness sites important to his life and to the Protestant Reformation. How thrilling it will be to see Wittenberg, where Luther nailed the 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church; Erfurt, where he went to school and became a monk; the Wartburg, where he lived in disguise and translated the New Testament into German; Eisleben, where Luther was born and died; and other important Reformation sites. In addition to the Luther sites, we will enjoy some of the magnificent scenery of the Rhine River
Valley. We’ll visit Leipzig – where Johann Sebastian Bach worked and is buried. Our tour also includes Berlin one of the world’s great cities, and a wonderful place to visit, shop and enjoy German cuisine. For more information, visit http://www.travelwithconcordia.org/25/germany-trip-2016.
Christian Counseling Associates’ marriage renewal weekend, "From This Day Forward 2016", will be held February 19-21, 2016. These marriage enrichment weekends are packed full of the best resources you will find for your marriage. Whether you have a fantastic marriage, or your relationship is in need of a serious tune-up, this weekend will improve and strengthen your marriage. Come experience meaningful teaching, a romantic atmosphere, and an opportunity as a couple to reconnect with each other and strengthen your faith. Guest speaker Dan Seaborn from "Winning At Home", and marriage and family experts from Christian Counseling Associates of Western Pennsylvania, lead this weekend in the heart of Pittsburgh. Come and refuel, reconnect, and recommit to a great marriage! This event is perfect for pastors, church groups, marriage retreats, married couples, and engaged couples. This is a great faith-based weekend to re-focus your marriage commitment and experience a romantic getaway. Visit www.christiancounselingwpa.com for information about this upcoming weekend experience. Stay at the Sheraton Station Square. Call the Sheraton at 412-261-2000. The hotel event rate expires January 30, 2016. For more information, call Christian Counseling Associates at 724-396-1510.
Christopher, Dulcie Fisher, Joan Fullerton, Helen Goettmann, and Helen Lewis
FOR STRENGTH & COMFORT
For all those who lost loved ones, especially Donald DeGeorge’s family (Dawn Gaertner’s father)
and Anna’s family (sister of Marge Christopher), for the citizens, survivors, relief workers,
missionaries, and families affected by disasters worldwide
FOR THANKSGIVING
For the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ; Dave (Eileen Gaugler’s friend’s son – symptoms of
multiple sclerosis gone); all our guests this morning; the gifts of love and God's Word; family and
friends; our country
FOR SAFETY/PROTECTION
For missionaries; our armed forces; unborn children; college students
FOR DIRECTION AND FAITH
For James, Brendan, Gerald, Colby, Roxanne (Sandi Weber’s friend); Tonya Davis (Ron Davis, Jr.’s
daughter); Mark, Rob, Randy; Brad; Mike; Sam; John; Jake; Debbie; the Kowalewski family; those
who are experiencing a crisis of faith; women with unplanned pregnancies
GENERAL PRAYER, GUIDANCE, AND PROVISION
That God would raise up leaders here at Ascension and especially for our youth; for the Barry family;
for Mia and her family (friends of the Barry’s); Gene Williams, Jr. and DiscipleMakers; Pastor Eric
Andræ and Campus Ministry in Oakland; seminary students; the residents and staff of Concordia
Lutheran Ministries, Shepherd’s Heart Fellowship; Food For The Poor; Christian Counseling
Associates counselors and their clients
Upcoming Lutheran Hour Broadcasts:
December 6, 2015 "The Voice"
The voice of John the Baptist calls us to repent and trust in the Savior Who walked in our shoes. (Luke 3:1-20) Lutheran Hour Speaker: Rev. Gregory Seltz December 13, 2015 "The Lord is Near"
God's message is simple and straightforward: Jesus is near—put your trust in Him! (Philippians 4:4-7) Lutheran Hour Speaker: Rev. Gregory Seltz December 20, 2015 "The Gift in the Manger"
From the manger to the cross to resurrection life, God is in the giving business for all of us to receive and believe. (Luke 2:8-12) Lutheran Hour Speaker: Rev. Gregory Seltz December 27, 2015 "No Regrets"
Jesus invites you to leave your burden of regret at the foot of His cross. (1Timothy 1:16) Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour: Rev. Ken Klaus Lutheran Hour broadcasts can be heard on WJAS/1320 AM at 7:00 AM & WFRJ/97.7 FM radio at 8:00 AM Sunday mornings. You may also read the sermon or listen to it at www.lutheranhour.org.
South, west, north and east, Syrians are fleeing the war to all directions. Syrian refugees come to Lebanon to find a shelter. Lutheran Hour Ministries – Lebanon got a call from west of Lebanon, asking them to witness to Syrian refugee kids. As always LHM – Lebanon was ready to plant the seed, wherever God opens a door. They prepared a day program for Syrian refugee kids in a home where they learn the alphabet, how to read and write. The time spent included games, a Bible lesson and the Puzzle Club Pet Napping Mystery DVD.
The kids were overwhelmed by seeing folks come a long distance to see them and show them care and love. Since they saw death everywhere and they escaped criminals who wanted to kill them, they were touched knowing that Jesus loves them, that He died for them in order to save them and was risen from the dead to give them eternal life. They were so happy to receive the movie book as a gift, and at the end they begged for a return visit. It is a blessing when effort in serving the Lord goes in the right place. Planting the seed in the hearts of these kids will surely grow and be fruitful today and in the future. Lutheran Hour Ministries – your partner in International Outreach!
