Office Administrator Transition

Donna Doutrich, the office administrator of Ascension, will be retiring from her position at the end of February.  She is currently training the incoming office administrator, Elizabeth “Liz” Oberholtzer.  

During this time, office hours will be limited. If you plan to stop by the office, please call first to make sure someone is present.  The office number is: 717-464-5683.  Thank you for your understanding during this transition.  

Ash Wednesday & Lent

Shrove Tuesday: Join us for a pancake and sausage meal on Tuesday, March 4th at 5:30 p.m.  Please sign up on the bulletin board if you plan to attend.  You are invited to bring your favorite dessert to share!  

Ash Wednesday: Lent begins with the observance of Ash Wednesday.  There will be two opprotunities to worship at 1:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.  The service will include the Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion. 

Wednesday Mid-Week: The five Wednesdays following Ash Wednesday, you are invited to gather for “Dinner Church.” The theme of this worship time is “The Fruit of the Spirit.”  Dinner begins at 6:00 p.m. with worship around the table to follow at 7:00 p.m.  More information and sign ups will be available in the coming weeks.    

Joseph’s Table Community Meal

Joseph’s Table is Ascension’s monthly take-out only community meal.

The next take-out only meal will be held on Thursday, March 20th from 5:30-6:00 p.m.  Lasagna with sides and dessert (Please note: Menu is subject to change!)

Sign up sheets are posted two weeks prior to the meal for preparation and distribution volunteers; parking lot attendants; and congregational donations (if needed).

Please Note: If L-S School District has early dismissal or is closed due to weather, the meal will be CANCELLED. We are sorry for any inconvenience.

Men’s Group

The group meets on the FIRST Saturday of each month.  The next gathering will be held on March 1st (cooking begins at 7:30 a.m.; breakfast at 8:30a.m.).  Please sign up if you are planning to attend.

Join us for a time of fellowship!

Lydia Circle

All women of the parish are invited to join us for our monthly gathering of Lydia Circle.

This group meets on the FIRST Tuesday of each month. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 4th at 7:00 p.m.  Please see the email blast or weekly announcement sheet for details.  

February Tenfold Collections: Non-perisahble food and snacks.  Thank you!

ELCA Good Gifts

Looking for a gift for a hard-to-buy person?  Want to help support hunger ministries throughout the world?  Make a gift to ELCA World Hunger through their “Good Gifts” Program.  

Choose your gifts, get a card, and make a difference!  Click here for more information. 

Lutheran World Relief

If you would like to make a financial contribution to support the work of LWF, you may click here. Your gifts will be used to deliver urgent support and care, like: food, shelter, and other critically needed items; mission quilts and kits for families who have fled their homes; and medicine and supplies for clinics.

First Sunday Fellowship

The next First Sunday Fellowship will be on March 2nd following worship.

Would you consider being a host/hostess for one of our upcoming Fellowship Hours? We are looking for persons to host in 2025.  Please sign up in the narthex and see the bulletin board for details to contact Julie S, the Fellowship Hour Coordinator.

We need worship for our spirit and fellowship for our soul.

Ascension Academy Concert Series

The next concert in the 2024-2025 Ascension Academy Concert Series will be held on Sunday, March 9th at 4:00 p.m.

Ascension Academy and the Musical Art Society will present its second annual “Keys to the Kingdom” concert.  The program will include organ and piano music of Mendelssohn and Dvorak; Handel’s Organ Concert in F; and J.S. Bach’s Concerto fortwo harpsichords.  

The concert will feature Margaret Marsch, Faith Martin, Christopher Prestia, and John Zielinski and will be joined by members of the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra.  

A freewill offering will be taken to sponsor scholarships through the Musical Art Society.  

Devotional Materials

Copies of the Upper Room devotionals for  March/April are available at the Church Office or on the Welcome Center.

Devotions for Lent will be available on the weekend of March 1 and 2.  

USPS Mailing Address

The postal service has asked that all correspondences sent to Ascension should use the P.O. Box address:
Ascension Lutheran Church
P.O. Box 635
Willow Street, PA 17584

Blood Drive

Ascension holds quarterly blood drives throughout the year.  The next blood drive will be held at Ascension on Wednesday, June 3rd from 2:00-7:00 p.m. 

Ascension holds these drives in partnership with Lancaster General Hospital and the Willow Street Lion’s Club.  Donors can be up to 79 years of age to donate off-site.  Please remember to eat a healthy meal before giving blood and stay well hydrated! 

Please consider sharing this vital gift.  Each donations helps up to three people!   

Worship Helpers Needed

• Altar Guild: Ascension is seeking one to two additional volunteers to assist with Sunday altar guild needs.  The commitment is about 15 minutes before and 15 minutes after the worship service to set-up and clean-up Holy Communion.
• Assisting Ministers: Assisting ministers help lead the weekly services. We are seeking additional volunteers for the Saturday evening service (Please note: Saturday evening assistants prepare and clean up the altar for Holy Communion)
• Weekly Greeters: Lists for the Saturday and Sunday services can be found on the Welcome Center.  Please sign up on the date listed and arrive approximately 15-20 minutes before the service.  Greeters welcome worship attendees and point to information for visitors.

Mowing Teams and Gardeners

THANK YOU to our 2024 mowing teams and our coordinators Eric and Tammy H!

If you have any interest in joining a mowing team or volunteering to care for a garden bed, please contact the pastor.

THANK YOU to everyone who continues to care for our garden beds and Memorial Garden, especially to Hil F for coordinating the gardeners!  

Bridge of Hope

Churches Respond. Homelessness Ends. Hope Begins.

Ascension has been Neighboring a family since the Spring of 2024.  All rental assitance contributions will be directed to assist our Neighboring Family.  Please label your offering envelope “BOH rental assistance.”  Thank you to everyone who continues to make a gift!

If you feel called to assist the Neighboring Group in any way, please contact the pastor.  Thank you to our current group of Dee, Elena, Diane, Linda, and Pastor Maureen (with our additional helpers Rand and Sara)!