CONNECTIONS Ascension Lutheran October, 2017

Oct. 6 Octoberfest Oct. 22 Consecration Sunday

Oct. 29 Sunday

Communion Worship every Sunday -9:30 AM. Education —10:45 www.ascensionlutheran.com

Hearing Devices and Large Print Bulletins are available — ask an usher for assistance.

OCTOBER 22 Once again we folks of Ascension are being asked to make our estimates of giving for the coming year. It is a meaningful and wonderful time for faith to get some exercise. We consider all the ways our lives are blessed by God, all the ways we value our church community, and all the important ministry we do togeth- er. And we express our gratitude and support by prayerfully con- sidering our capacity, and giving generously. Giving is powerful spiritual tool, as we discover in doing it. It is a joyous expression of life with God. Start thinking about this now, and join us for Consecration Sunday when we make this offering to God.

After worship, plan on staying for a joy- ful celebration of what God have given us. Joyful Noise will sing while we enjoy bowls of chili. There might even be gifts on the tables.

This should be fun! For What Purpose? Pastor Doug Vold

The 500 th anniversary of the Reformation begs some questions. The church of that day was in need of re- form. There was plenty of corruption and questionable practices. But the Reformation wasn’t really about that, not primarily, not at first anyway. It was not simply a houseclean- ing or a re -organization, or a long overdue updating or makeover. For , the whole thing had a very distinct purpose.

For Luther, it was all about the , by which he meant the good news of God’s grace, God’s remarkable love, God’s inex- haustible mercy. The reforms to the church, the changes that end- ed up in structure and practice and thinking, were to protect and free this wonderful word. It was not change for the sake of change or because of a drifting demographic. It was change to release the power of this announcement of what God has done for us.

So, the script was flipped. Instead of worship being a good work by which we earn some credits in the quest for salvation, it be- came an encounter with a gracious God who has, in fact, already done all that our salvation requires. Instead of the sacraments be- ing practices we offer to God, they are things God does for us, to deliver and remind and convey God’s grace. Instead of the Chris- tian life as a ladder by which we attempt to climb to God, it is the joyous reception of a God who has come to us in Jesus Christ.

Sometimes we hear it said that the Lutheran Church is always (or should always be) reforming. This can seem especially true after 500 years. It is hard even to list all the ways the world has changed since the year 1517. And we who live in what some are calling a post -Christendom world feel the pressure. The culture has changed and the church’s place in the culture has changed too. Many are wondering if our current way of “doing church” is even going to be sustainable beyond the immediate future.

Reforms seem in order for a lot of reasons. But the best and truest reason we have for reform is the same one Luther had. It is for the sake of the gospel. Have barnacles attached to the good ship that obscures God’s word of grace? How can we better let this re- markable word receive a hearing? What does our commitment to 2 grace mean in our current setting? There are still pockets of “law religion” that burden and bash the pious. But what of a more sec- ular mindset? How does our understanding of a gracious God speak to that?

Mostly the 500 year anniversary bids us look back on the story and history that has shaped us. But if it is not the end of our run, we must also look forward with a courage and conviction remi- niscent of those first reformers. For what purpose do we carry on? It is still about the gospel, the good news of God’s grace.

Reformation Celebration

On October 29 th the congregation is in- vited to participate in an event immedi- ately after worship. This will be a time for all ages to come and celebrate our Reformation history!

There will be activities to engage people of every age and interest. Come and learn, share and experience…be part of the celebration.

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OFFICE MANAGER: After eight years as the office manager, I have decided to retire at the end of this year. If you are interested in applying for the job, come talk to me. It’s a good job with competitive wages and very good benefits. The job is 30 hours/week with some potential for flexi- bility. The job requires being able to work independently, deal- ing with the public and good computer skills. I will be staying on to train our new office manager through the transition. Appli- cations, including a cover letter and resume, are due October 27. Interviews will be conducted November 13 -16 by an interview team. Start date is January 2. ~Carla …………………………………………………………………….

NURSERY DIRECTOR: After faithfully serv- ing as one of the partners, Lauren White is step- ping down from this position to focus on another important role … sitting with her family during worship! Thank -you Lauren for your dedication and service! This opens up a wonderful opportunity for someone to partner with Sarah Landmann to Co -Direct the Nursery! This is a paid position for someone 21 or older. A job description is available.

Please contact Susan Detwiler at [email protected] or call the church office.

CHAIR & COUNCIL MEETING

Monday, October 30 6:30pm

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ALCW Board Meeting , October 5, 2017, 9:30 a.m. Sarha Circle , October 10, 2017, 9:30 a.m. Martha Circle , October 11, 2017, 12:30 p.m.

The Parking Lot Sale is now behind us for this year, and the board members wish to give their heartfelt thanks for the donations of even more items than last year, and to those many members of As- cension who gave their time for the pricing and loading onto tables, carrying of tables outside, spending most of that Saturday bagging, cashiering, keeping things in order and then tidying up afterwards at the end of a long productive day.

A big thanks to Bob Ruth for managing the furniture display and sales so cheerfully!

We earned approximately $2000. The charities for whom the pro- ceeds are intended will benefit by what was accomplished that day.

Looking forward …

Baking for the Holiday Bake Sale (December 9, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.) will soon be in full swing, if it hasn’t already begun, and Diane Barnes wishes to remind all those who plan to provide something from their home kitchens to please let her know what the finished product will be. Some of the items may include home -made special- ty breads, cookies, jams and jellies. If you are baking primarily for family use, but have some left over that can be frozen, that will also be appreciated as a donation. Also, if you find yourself with some free time in the coming month(s), you could volunteer to help in the preparations she is planning to do in the church kitchen.

Please remember to let Diane know what you are planning to do.

5 Baby Class is a special once a month class for parents with babies, newborn through two years of age. The class will meet the sec- ond Sunday of each month through the pro- gramming year. It is a time for parents to ex- perience faith forming activities that they can use at home and also time to get to know each other and share. These families are invited to join Linda Vold and Sarah Land- mann in the nursery on October 8 th at 10:45am .

2 to PreK Class is Starting!

On October 8 th this class will meet at 10:45am in the Gathering Room with the “big” kids.”

This is a time to sing, pray and celebrate together. Afterward, these little ones will head over to their own room where Melanie Menold will engage them in the story of “Noah’s Ark”!

Parents are welcome but not required.

KID SPREE Kidspree once again thanks us for our help. This year they were able to serve 175 children. They are having a fundraising event on Oct. 22, 23, and 24 at Mucho Gusto. You must bring a voucher to participate. Mucho Gusto will then donate 25% of the cost of your meal to Kid Spree. Vouchers are on the table under the monitor.

MISSION ENDOWMENT FUND

ALL SAINTS SUNDAY —November 5 The theme of our Mission Endowment Fund is “Radiant Beams of Light.” We will celebrate the creation of our Mission Endowment Fund on All Saints Sunday, Nov. 5. 6 Oct. 1 - Everybody Sunday/ “Abraham, Isaac and Rebekah” All are welcome to join us in Blaar Hall for an introduction to our new story. Parents, come with your kids. Middlers, find a table … friends, find a spot and get ready to hear an amazing story.

Oct. 8 - Story Workshop (ages 5 through 5 th grade) Baby Class ( Newborn through 2years and Parents) 2 to PreK (Parents are welcome but not required)

Oct. 15 - Story Workshop (ages 5 through 5 th grade)

Oct, 22 - Consecration Sunday/ No Classes

Oct. 29 - Reformation Sunday/ BIG Intergenerational Event

October 1 - Everybody Sunday! Come join us in Blaar Hall. October 8 - Bible Study with Pastor Doug! October 15 - Service and Mission October 22 - Consecration Sunday/No Class October 29 - Reformation Sunday/ Intergenerational Event

October 1 - Starbucks and “Pub Talk” Bring $ and walk over October 8 - Cooking October 15 - Homebound Communion October 22 - Consecration Sunday/No Class October 29 - Reformation Sunday/ 7 LUTHERANS IN SOCIAL SERVICE

Care for the poor and those in dire need has been a Lu- theran concern from the beginning of the Reformation. In 1522, only five years after the posting of the Ninety -Five Theses, the reformers issued the Wittenberg Church Order, something of an outline for how a reshaped church community was to conduct it- self. And part of that document was the call for a common or community chest —a fund that would, among other things, pro- vide for poor orphans and children of poor people, provide refi- nancing of high -interest loans at 4 percent for those who were in financial trouble, and underwrite education or training for poor children. (Tellingly, Luther was challenged on the possibility of abuse, and he responded, “He who has nothing to live on should be aided. If he deceives us, what then? He must be aided again.”) These ideas were soon being put into practice —not just in Wit- tenberg, but in other cities as far away as . When the pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Wittenberg, Johannes Bugenha- gen, became involved, the church orders also took up the cause of health care. From that time on, Lutherans have keenly felt the responsibility to care for those in need, and that has been addressed in ways suitable for the time. An important step was taken by nineteenth -century German pastor . Assigned to a poor town called Kaiserswerth (now part of Düsseldorf), he began working with inmates in the dilapi- dated prison there. Once he got a chaplain assigned to that prison, his focus shifted to caring for inmates, especially women, after their release. This, in turn, led to his development of a plan whereby young women would be trained to care for the sick, since there were few hospi- tals at that time. In 1836 he opened both a hospital and a school for training women in and nursing. He called these women . One of the graduates of that school was Mother Katinka Guldberg, who established a house in Kristiania (now Oslo), Norway, where one of her students was a young Elisabeth Fedde. After working for a time in northern Norway, Fedde moved to New York City to begin ministry there. In short order,

8 she founded or cofounded the Norwegian Re- lief Society, a deaconess house, and a small hospital that eventually became the Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn. After a few years, she moved to Minneapolis, where again she founded a deaconess center and a hospital that has now become part of the Hennepin County Medical Center. Hospitals in and Grand Forks, North Dakota, can also be traced to her work. Other important activity in social services was propelled by Pastor . These days Lutheran care for the needy can readily be seen in the work of Lutheran service organizations across the country, often among the most active such agencies in any given area. Worldwide, Lutheran World Relief is known and respected not only for showing up where needed, but for staying there even after the news reports fade away. In 2015 Lutheran World Relief touched over four million people in thirty -six countries. Theodor Fliedner

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ARTS AND SPIRITUALITY

The art wall for Oct/Nov reflects our contin- uing observance of the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation and Ascension's 60th anniversary. Highlighting Martin Luther's teachings and our Lutheran heritage encourages us to identify how these teachings continue to be relevant and evident today. The weaving of Luther's rose shared by Charles Dodgen, Helen Lewis's fabric art of the rose and the wall’s written contact work together to tell the story and meld the past and present. So to does the accompanying note- book which offers additional thoughts and examples. The wall is a collaborative effort between the these indi- viduals and the Arts & Spirituality team, and we are grateful for each person's generosity .

9 OCTOBER

Sun Mon Tue Wed

1 Worship 9:30 2 3 4 Sunday School 11:00 Arts 9:00 Quilters 8:30 Bible Study 9:30 3rd grade Bible class Grace Notes 6:30 Youth Chorus 4:30 Worship Mtg. 5:15 11:45 Com. Quilters 6:30 Confirmation 6:00 Choir 6:30

8 9 3 Sarah Cir. 9:30 11 Worship 9:30 Administration 3:00 Finance 4:00 Bible Study 9:30 Sunday School 10:45 Grace Notes 6:30 Youth Chorus 4:00 Martha Circle 12:30 Youth Gathering Com. Quilters 6:30 Confirmation 6:00 Meeting 11:45 FFEC 7:00

15 16 17 Quilters 8:30 18 Worship 9:30 Grace Notes 6:30 Arts 10:00 Bible Study 9:30 Sunday School 10:45 Com. Quilters 6:30 Youth Chorus 4:00 Confirmation 6:00 Council 7:00

22 23 24 25 Consecration Sunday Grace Notes 6:30 Quilters 8:30 Bible Study 9:30 Worship 9:30 Com. Quilters 6:30 Youth Chorus 4:30 Celebration 10:45 Confirmation 6:00

29 30 31 Reformation Sunday Lefse Making 8:30 Quilters 8:30 Worship 9:30 Chair mtg. 6:30 Lefse Making 8:30 Reformation Event Grace Notes 6:30 Youth Chorus 4:30 11:00 Com. Quilters 6:30

10 OCTOBER

Wed Thu Fri Sat

5 6 7 Bible Study 9:30 Joyful Noise 9:30 Oktoberfest 5:30 Worship Mtg. 5:15 ALCW 9:30 Choir 6:30 Girl Scouts 6:00

12 13 14 Bible Study 9:30 Joyful Noise 9:30 AA 6:30 Memorial 1:00 Martha Circle 12:30 Girl Scouts 6:00 Girl Scouts 2:00

19 20 21 Bible Study 9:30 Joyful Noise 9:00 Med. Garden Community Life 3:00 Club 1:00 Girl Scouts 6:00 AA 6:30

26 27 28 Bible Study 9:30 Joyful Noise AA 6:30 Girl Scouts 2:00 Girl Scouts 6:00

11 MEDICATION SAFETY FOR OLDER ADULTS

There is a saying that “aging isn’t for sissies”. As we age our bodies change and organs such as our livers and kidneys don’t function as well as they used to. Most drugs are broken down through the liver and kidneys, which can lead to complications as they decline in func- tion. As we age more chronic conditions affect our body, leading to more use of medications. Prescribed medications, herbal preparations and supplements can interact with each other and cause harmful side effects. There are several things you can do to decrease the risk of harmful side effects and drug interactions. 1) Take the medication as prescribed, with input from your health care provider. Take them regularly and according to directions. Don’t skip doses or stop taking a medicine without first consulting your health care provider. If you have side effects, consult your provider. Never take prescription drugs not prescribed to you. 2) Keep a medication list. Write down what you are taking, and keep the list with you. Include brand name and/or generic medicines, why you are taking it, the dosage you are taking and how often you are tak- ing it. This list should include prescribed, herbal and supplemental drugs. Keep your list current. 3) Be aware of potential drug interactions and side effects. Interactions occur when one drug effects how another drug will work. This hap- pens when a medical condition (like poor kidneys) makes a certain drug potentially harmful, when a herbal preparation or supplement ef- fects the action of the prescribed drug, or when food, alcoholic or non - alcoholic drinks react with a drug. You can prevent interaction by learning all you can about the possible side effects by reading the infor- mation provided by your pharmacist with your prescription. You may also ask your pharmacist, as they have a vast amount of information about drugs and how they work. If you see more than one health care provider, make sure they all see your current medication list ..

4) Review medications with your health care provider with each vis- it. Check to make sure the medications are still necessary and if the supplements are appropriate. If the medications are too expensive, ask the health care provider is there is a less expensive option. Let them know if the medication isn’t working. Remember there is no stupid question when it comes to medications.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Judy Dahl, RN

12 A Family Affair Friday October 6 th beginning at 5:30pm Menu: Brats, German Style Potato Salad, Sauerkraut, Rote Kohl (Red Cabbage) dessert and soft drinks— Beer and Wine for a fee Music: The Rogue Valley Sauerkrauts German Band— sing a longs, dancing including the Chicken Dance Children's Activities include: Bounce House and pretzel making Tickets: $15/person or $35/family Oct 1 after service OR R.S.V.P to Ascension Office by October 1 st and pay at the door

We are in constant need of loving adults to come and minister to our littlest ones in the Nursery.

For best safety protocol, there needs to be a minimum of two adults in the nursery at all times. Even when there are only one or two chil- dren, a second adult is imperative if there was to be an emergen- cy.

Please consider volunteering for a Sunday or two, now and then. It will bring a smile to your face!

There is a sign -up sheet down in the Nursery in the Sunday School wing or contact Susan at [email protected] or call the church office.

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Answer: John 1:17 NIV 1:17 John Answer:

14 How many times does Jesus say we should forgive others?

A. 7 B. 70 C. 77 D. 70 x 7 E. C or D, depending on the translation

Answer: See Matthew 18:22

15 Specialty Baked Goods Sale Dec 9th

This year a Bake Sale will be held on Dec 9th from 1-5pm to sell the tradional Scandinavian Baked Goods, European Christmas Favorites and Home Grown Goodies we have all come to love. The event will also be open to the pub- lic—there are throngs in the Valley counng on Ascension to supply their Lefsa, Krumkake, and Rosees for the Holi- days. I am looking for a good and fool proof Spritz Cookie recipe, cookie presses and experts in the making of spritz cookies to share their “secrets” of success producing a “perfect” spritz cookie.

We will begin making the Lefsa, Rosees, Krumkake and Bisco in the church kitchen beginning in October and running into early December. Along with these Scandinavian goodies baked at the church we are looking for members of the congregaon to bake their families’ favor- ite tradional holiday treats, quick breads, yeast breads and candies that make their holiday celebraons special and donate them to the sale. Please contact Diane Barnes at dkbarnes@jeffnet.org to let her know what you will be making and the quanty.

All proceeds from the bake sale will go to the Ascension Lutheran Church Women to support the programs they support in the congre- gaon, community, Synod and wider church body.

Specialty Scandinavian Baked Goods “In-House” Preparaon Schedule

Sign-up in the Fireside Room to help with one OR more of the prepa- raon me for the baked goods on the following dates. We will be working from 8:30am to about noon each day. For more informaon call Diane Barnes at 541-324-0404. You do not need experience to join in the fun and fellowship of the bakers just a just a willingness to learn and hands to work.

Dates Items

Oct 30 to Nov 3 Lefse Nov 13 th and Nov 16 th Bisco Nov 20 th and 21 st Spritz Cookies Nov 28 th and 30 th Krumkake Dec 5 th Rosees 16 What is the Youth Gathering? Every three years, 30,000 high school youth and their adult leaders from across the ELCA gather for a week of faith formation known as the Youth Gathering. Through days spent in interactive learning, worship, Bible study, service and fellowship, young people grow in faith and are challenged and inspired to practice disciple- ship in that year’s host city and back at home. Each Gathering has a scripture that guides the participants in this week of service, learning and fun. This year Ephesians 2:8 has those guiding words. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” Grace is a foundational and distinctive piece of the Lutheran faith. This gift, undeserved and freely given, changes lives and perspectives as people realize they are enough be- cause of what Christ has done and are called into the world to serve their neighbor and share the good news. Why Houston, Texas? Since we came home from Detroit I’ve wondered what kind of service opportunities we would have in Houston. Generally, participants aren’t told what their service project will be until the week before the Gathering begins. When we were in Detroit, we brought work gloves and pulled weeds and cleaned up debris around vacant homes. While the city of Detroit was doing their final preparations for 30,000 youth and their adults in 2015, Houston was beginning to prepare for us in 2018. Long before hurricane Har- vey hit Texas, the Youth of the ELCA were called to Houston to do service. Now if that’s not a God thing, I don’t know what is. As of October 1 st , we will have 2 68 days until the Gather- ing begins on June 27 th . 268 days to fundraise, get our flights and hotel booked and get our youth ready to venture forth as disciples of Christ. We are looking at sending 12 people to Houston. I will be ac- companied by 9 youth and 2 other adults. I ask for you to continue to support our youth in this mission by participating in the many fund- raisers we have planned and in prayer as we work and prepare to rep- resent Ascension in Houston. We kicked off this new school year with our M&M (Meals & Miles) Fundraiser. There is a bright orange bucket in the office for those tubes to be returned to us when you’re ready. Your support is greatly appreciated by myself, our youth and their families. If anyone has missed out on getting your very own M&M tube, let me or Susan Detwiler know! Because of the support that has already been given to Houston by our church for hurricane relief, any checks written out to support the Youth Gathering trip to Houston should have “Mission Trip” in the memo line. Thank you again for all of the support you’ve given to our Youth. Stephanie Risner - Youth Leader

17 SMART BOOK SALE

For a number of years a book sale bene- fiting the SMART reading program has been held at Ascension. This year the sale is planned for mid -January. Please look through your books and plan to donate those you no longer want. Do not bring magazines, dictionaries or encyclopedias as they don’t sell.

We will be collecting the books in January, but if space is a problem you may bring them to church (Tuesday through Fri- day) and we will find storage for them. Please contact Carla (541 773 -3594) or the Brulands (541 772 -1972) prior to bring- ing them in case an event is planned at the church and we need to arrange another time.

The SMART program is available in many schools throughout Oregon. Adult volunteers read for one hour each week with two kindergarteners, first and second graders. The goal is to develop a love of reading for that child and to give the child one -on -one time with an adult. Each child is given two books per month to take home and keep. Choosing these books is very important to the children who may not have other books, and they take it very seriously. The money raised at Ascension will be used to buy books for the children in Rogue Valley schools.

Then plan to come shopping in January and find new books for you to read. CONCERT TO CELEBRATE THE REFORMATION Celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation! On Sun- day, Oct. 22 at 4 PM, at First Presbyterian Church, Medford, 8th and Holly (85 S. Holly St.), Medford, the Southern Oregon Chapter of the American Guild of Organists will present a Festi- val of Martin Luther’s hymns. You will have the opportunity to sing and to listen to organ pieces based on these hymns. Plus you will find out a little of the history of Martin Luther and the Reformation. Members of the Southern Oregon Chapter of the American Guild of Organists will be performers. This event is free, although donations to the First Presbyterian Church Food Bank will be accepted. A reception will follow. For more infor- mation, please contact Peggy Evans, 541 -482 -3075. 18 Ascension’s Finance Update By Marsha Bones, Finance Chair Our third quarter Financial reports will be out the first week in October and from reports leading up to the end of the third quarter it appears that As- cension’s Finances are in fine shape, thanks to the consistent giving throughout the summer of many of our members. Both our Estimate of Giving and 2017 Budget cov- erage is greater than 90%. As for the church’s monthly ex- penses, they have been between 2 -3% below monthly expecta- tions. Our current financial position in a good place for the Finance Committee to project yearend figures that are needed for the preparation of the 2018 Proposed Budget. Another vital piece of the budgeting process is Consecra- tion Sunday happening on October 22 nd . This will provide our Estimate of Giving amount for 2018, an essential piece of in- formation for developing the proposed Budget. The final criti- cal piece for the budget process is the Committee’s and staff’s budget requests which are to be turned into Finance by Octo- ber 30, 2017. At that time the Finance committee will begin calculating the 2018 Proposed Budget so we can continue God’s work in our community and world.

NEW ADDRESS Gini Van Nortwick -- Brookdale North Loveland 2895 N. Empire Ave. #605 Loveland, CO 80538 (Phone and email are not changing .)

Ken Luderman

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773 - Ascension Lutheran Church Lutheran Ascension 675Black Oak Dr. Medford, OR 97504 541 www.ascensionlutheran.com of of God’s Grace, proclaim our partnership with the churchwhole of God and ourselvesgive We are of a community believers, empowered another. all inlive thewho greater Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon. Our Vision We believe that arewe called to proclaim the good of Godnews Christ in through our words and especially through our deeds toward We, ofthe members Ascension Lutheran Church, gratefully rooted the in Good News to worship, and service. witness Communion Services every every Communion Services AM Sunday 9:30 at Our Mission by the by Holy Spirit to support and serve one 20