May 2018 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. James 5:7 It is with much joy that we welcome the mild spring weather. The daffodils planted last autumn have graced our church property with signs of spring. The changing seasons remind us that God is a faithful God. We take it for granted that spring follows winter, summer follows spring, etc. We can do nothing to bring about this change in seasons. God does it without our aid or help. Yet while we sleep and wake, day after day God faithfully cares for his earth. As you enjoy spring do you need to be reminded of God s faithfulness? Perhaps it has been a particularly challenging year and life has been anything but consistent for you. Isn t it good to be reminded that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever? That his faithfulness remains true, and that faithfulness applies to us as His children. He loves us and never leaves us or forsakes us. We can rely upon Him as the firm foundation for our feet and more faithful than the changing seasons. With the renewal of spring, the Call Committee met with a pastoral candidate in late April. We must continue to practice patience, but it is encouraging that our Call Committee has hit the ground running. Their service is much appreciated and we hope you will continue to pray for them and our Ascension community. Ascension News May 2018 ascensionlutheranchurch.org Page 1
Calendar May 1: Community Garden Opens May 5: ~ Men's Breakfast at Ascension (8:00 am) ~ Women s Breakfast at Corner Bakery (8:00 am) May 8: Council Meeting (7:00 pm) May 13: Ascension Sunday Annual Kite Flying (11:30 am) May 20: Pentecost Sunday (10:00 am Worship Service) Installation of Call Committee Members of the Call Committee were installed by Pastor Schmidt-Lange at the April 15th service. From left; Linda Iacano, Jim Vaughn, Luke Gallant, John Carducci (Chairman), Clark Shuster and Dana Leeds. The committee has begun its work to find a new pastor for ALC and has been meeting on a regular basis. They hope to have a candidate for recommendation soon. Please keep the committee members in your prayers as they go about this very important work on behalf of our church! Ascension News May 2018 ascensionlutheranchurch.org Page 2
Annual Ascension Sunday Kite Flying May 13 May 13th is Ascension Sunday at ALC. It is the name day of our congregation. The Ascension of Our Lord celebrates Jesus return to heaven and his followers are assured that the Spirit will empower them to be witnesses throughout the earth. In honor of Ascension Sunday, we invite you to bring a kite to church with you. Following worship service, we will gather on the church lawn and with the help of the wind, we will watch our kites ascend upward. Pentecost Sunday May 20 Pentecost Sunday which celebrates the Holy Spirit is May 20th. As in past years, we will be decorating the altar with red geraniums. Order forms are on the table in the Narthex. The last day to order is Sunday, May 6. 2018 Graduates In the June newsletter, we would like to honor all the high school and college students who worked so hard this past year and are graduating. Please email to adminalc@comcast.net the name of your graduate, school, degree, and future plans. Please email all information by Monday, May 21st. Ascension News May 2018 ascensionlutheranchurch.org Page 3
The Community Garden was established Spring 2017, but the area has been cultivated for several years. The entire area is fenced in and protected from deer. The individual plots are 27 x 16 for a total of 432 sq. feet. Last year there were 8 plots; irrigation had to be run from outside the church to the garden plots for water hookup. This was the main obstacle in getting started. According to Leslie Gallant, who established and runs the community garden, everyone is coming back this year because it was very productive (good rain and sun last year). Corn, carrots, onions, flowers, eggplant, cabbage, snap peas, tomatoes, peppers, beans, butternut squash, brussel sprouts, broccoli, kale, cantaloupe, watermelon, and strawberries were grown last year. This year the garden has 10 plots already sold out most of them taken by people from outside of our church 9 individuals or families are from the community and 3 are from Ascension. Several plots have been divided into halves. Members are encouraged to donate any excess harvested food to the Lambertville Food Pantry to help those in need a mission supported by our church. The Community Garden is scheduled to open May 1st (weather permitting). Look at success!! Ascension News May 2018 ascensionlutheranchurch.org Page 4
Mission Ministry Update Lambertville Food Pantry Collections for the Lambertville Food Pantry are ongoing. The pantry serves the Lambertville-New Hope area and supports approximately 900 to 1200 individuals each month. This includes a sizeable number of children and seniors. Please remember that the need is especially great during the upcoming summer months when school is not in session. We are currently collecting the following needed items: canned fruit, corn, chili, and tuna; fruit juices; ketchup; soup; spaghetti; toilet paper; boxed non-refrigerated milk; diapers (sizes 4-6); pasta; toothpaste; and tomato sauce jars. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. We received a thank you letter from Lambertville Food Pantry for donations received from our congregation last year: January 9, 2017 $71.67 May 1, 2017 $53.00 Aid for Friends Our next date to prepare breakfast bags for Aid for Friends will be on September 9th, God s Work. Our Hands Sunday. Each breakfast bag will include a packet of instant oatmeal, a box of raisins, a packet of peanut butter or cheese crackers, a juice box, a packet of instant coffee or a tea bag. If you would like to make a cash donation, we are happy to do the shopping for you. This project is supplemented with a grant from Thrivent Financial. Rescue Mission of Trenton We are still collecting gently used clothing, shoes (tie together), belts, accessories (hats, scarves, and neck ties), hand bags and wallets, and linens for the Rescue Mission of Trenton. This agency in the city of Trenton serves the truly needy men and women who have no place to turn for shelter, food and clothing. Please visit the mission website at www.rescuemissionoftrenton.org for a list of other donations accepted such as usable furniture and household electronics. They will even come to your home for pick-up of these items. Thank you for your support. Ascension News May 2018 ascensionlutheranchurch.org Page 5
The Outreach Team is planning some fun summer time events which you won't want to miss. These events are also great ways to invite a friend to "Come and See" ALC! Church Picnic Sunday, June 10 The annual church picnic will be Sunday, June 10. Food, fun and fellowship will be in abundance! There will be lots of games for all to enjoy. Bring your favorite food item or dessert to share. Watch for a sign-up sheet in the Narthex in a few weeks. This is a family even not to be missed. All are invited. Trenton Thunder Night Friday, July 27 Friday, July 27@ Arm & Hammer Park, Trenton. Come on out for a fun-filled evening of baseball excitement as the Thunder take on the Portland Sea Dogs! This event is an ALC tradition which sells out every year. Tickets are just $8.00 each and can be reserved online at https://groupmatics.events/s/other/ascensionlutheran. See you at the ballgame! Ascension Lutheran Church Outing groupmatics.events 7/27/18 @ 7:00 PM - Ascension Lutheran Church Ascension News May 2018 ascensionlutheranchurch.org Page 6
Notes from a Member Give Me Strength It was a weird Bible Study night. One of our guests was new at this sort of thing and seemed distraught. Along with accusing Noah of being a Christian, he was complaining about the mess the world is in. Couldn't disagree with him, there, but my patience was dwindling fast, and I was about to say something stupid. But Judy came to my rescue with this show-stopping declaration: "It was perfect when He made it." Simple enough, right? But the purity of that insight was, yes, Perfect. I don't remember any more of that evening with our new member, but Judy's remark remains vivid years later. When this world was made, indeed, He made it perfect. He made us perfect, too. Each one skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Psalm 139:15. Throughout the day I pause and ask, "Please, God, give me the strength to endure." It is always provided, always there, even when I don't feel it soon enough. So, I keep this passage nearby as a reminder: I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13. With love and perfect peace, Sam Lynde Ascension News May 2018 ascensionlutheranchurch.org Page 7