Education

Ascension hosts a wide range of opportunities for people of all ages to grow in faith.

FOR KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES

“...and a little child shall lead them.” Isaiah 11:6b

Baptism: Through water and the Word, God works in baptism. Since baptism is a gift of grace received through faith alone, it is for people of all ages. If you would like to be baptized at Ascension, please contact our Pastor.

Worship: Children are an integral part of our community. We encourage our children to participate and to lead worship in ways that are meaningful for them. We offer scarves for play, children’s bulletins to color and engage, and a children’s sermon during our worship together. We have a special area in the front of our sanctuary that we call a PrayGround for our children to utilize during worship.

Family Nights: At Ascension, we seek to equip our families and caregivers with the tools they need to deepen their faith with one another at home. We meet monthly for “Family Nights,” an intergenerational opportunity for families of all shapes and sizes to gather over a meal, devotion, and service project together. Here, we strengthen our understanding of who God is for us through scripture reading, a variety of prayer practices, and collaborating on a project to benefit our larger community (e.g, valentine’s day cards to assisted living facilities, creating homemade dog and cat treats for the blessing of animals, and assembling care packages). At the end of Family Nights, families take with them a one-pager filled with ways to practice their faith at home throughout the month. 

Wonder Play (Sunday School): On the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month from September - June, we offer Wonder Play during worship. In the 2024-25 year, our children will focus on Bible stories in the Old and New Testament that highlight God’s compassion. The curriculum, provided by Illustrated Ministry, is called “An Illustrated Compassion: Learning to Love Like God.”

STEPPING STONES: FIRST COMMUNION & CONFIRMATION

Any baptized child can receive Communion, but once our children reach 1st/2nd grade, we offer families an opportunity to learn more about the Sacrament of Holy Communion together. In First Communion, special instruction is focused on the Lutheran tradition, the study of scripture, and praying through the baking of bread. First Communion is typically celebrated on a Sunday during the Easter season.

Confirmation is a two-year process during which middle school students learn about the Lutheran tradition, the Bible, and the church's mission in the world. We celebrate our confirmands on Pentecost with Affirmation of Baptism.

ADULT FORMATION

Our Women’s Devotional Group meets online every Saturday morning at 9:30AM for devotion and prayer as they companion through life with one another. No RSVP is needed. The zoom link can be found under our events page.

We offer occasional in-person Bible studies led by members of Ascension. Sometimes we meet for a simple soup supper beforehand. Recent studies included: Paul’s epistle to the Philippians and a study on the Apostle Peter.

Pastor leads seasonal education for adults at various times during the year. In fall 2024, our focus will be on Lessons from Dietrich Bonhoeffer in a House Divided and a World on Fire. Previous topics have included Cultivating & Letting Go (Lent 2019), a Spiritual Practices Small Group (Spring 2020), Bible Study on the Gospel of Mark (Lent 2021), and more.