Ascension Lutheran Church

To view online Worship Services, please visit our YouTube Channel. We stream live every Sunday at 8:30am and 11am.

Visiting our YouTube Channel is also a great way to see what our Worship Services are like!

You may find one of our most recent services, plus its bulletin ("Order of Service"), at our Home page.

What is the Divine Service?

At Ascension Lutheran Church, we gather every Sunday for the Divine Service: a time of Word and Sacrament; a time of community and fellowship; a time of confession and absolution.

Divine Service includes several important components:

• Gathered Together...  includes singing, confession of sins and absolution, and prayers for our world.
• ...Around the Word...  includes readings from the Bible, a creed, a hymn of the day, and the sermon.
• ...And Blessed  includes prayers, sharing of the peace, Holy Communion, the benediction, and singing.

How Do We Worship?

We worship in a fresh approach to the liturgical, traditional style.

Liturgical

• From the Greek leitourgia, meaning "work of the people," a liturgical worship service is carried out by the gathered assembly. Unlike an audience, an assembly in a liturgical worship service participates in the worship by speaking and singing. Lutherans, like many other Christian denominations, practice liturgical worship.
• At Ascension, musical literacy is emphasized by the use of the Lutheran Service Book hymnal, printed worship folders, and songbook supplements.

A Fresh Approach to the Traditional Style

• We utilize high-quality, singable, theologically-sound worship music from both modern and ancient traditions. The text and music are a vehicle for sharing God's Word with others.
• Even though our worship music style is primarily traditional, we also employ a variety of singable, well-led music from contemporary, folk, and spiritual sources.

How Long are Worship Services?

Sunday morning services typically last about 70-75 minutes.

For a Sunday service following the order of Matins, when Holy Communion is not served, the service is shorter.

What Should I Wear to Worship?

Always remember that you are a beloved child of the Heavenly Father regardless of how well you are able to dress for worship.

At Ascension, most Sundays will see parishioners in business casual attire. More festive Sundays, such as Easter, might feel dressier. During the summer, and especially on days when we have a picnic or service event, shorts and t-shirts are not uncommon.

Yes, always!

We desire that each and every child be included in the worship environment. We are here to serve Jesus Who said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Luke 18:16) Moreover, bringing children to God's House for regular worship is an important part of faith development.

We realize, however, that since God put the wiggle in children, sitting through an entire service can sometimes be difficult for youngsters. That's why on Sunday mornings we offer:

• Nursery: Our nursery is open on Sunday mornings and is intended for parents with infants and children age 3 and under. Cribs, toys, a changing table, and rocking chairs are provided. The worship service can be seen and heard from the Nursery, which is located across the hallway from the restrooms. A changing table is also available in the Family Restroom (accessible).
• Activity Bags: Activity bags with crayons and coloring books can help children avoid restlessness while remaining in worship, available at the Usher Table for children 5 and under. Please feel free to ask our Ushers for one (or more)!
• Children's Message: We regularly provide a children's message, where the pastor shares the message or theme of the day in a way that is relevant and easy for children to understand.
• Sunday School: Offered throughout the school year, Sunday school is an important element of faith development. Classes resume for children Sunday, September 13!

Our greatest desire is to share in the blessing of the Lord’s Supper with you.

Since this meal unites us spiritually by faith in the Word of God, we ask that you come having prepared your heart.

Please read the following questions. If your answer to each is “Yes,” then joyfully receive the Lord’s gift in His Sacrament.

• Do you come to the Lord’s Table for assurance of forgiveness, healing from doubt and shame, and to receive God’s gift of a holy life and reconciliation through Jesus?
• Have you been baptized and instructed in the sacrament so that you come to confess the holy, catholic and apostolic faith along with the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod? 
• Do you believe Jesus’ words, that the bread and the wine are, in fact, His own body and blood, given and shed for you?

We invite all those who are not prepared to commune to join our study of God’s Word and to speak to our pastor for direction. In the meantime, we invite you to receive a blessing at God’s altar during the distribution of the sacrament: please fold your hands over your heart as you kneel with our members, and join in our prayers for God to restore us through repentance, to unity and holiness in Christ alone.