Updated August 7, 2022
The Man Up sessions for July and August have been postponed. We will begin again on October 1, 9:00 a.m. with Chapter 4.
You Are Called by God
In Baptism we are made a "new man." We are made a man. This is done by God. It is also a new beginning by God. Christian males are to grow up into mature manhood (Eph 4:13). This growth happens by the Word and Spirit of God through both Word and Example (imitation - 1 Cor 11:1; Eph 5:1; Hey 13:7). It is both taught and caught. It means studying and doing. It means that this is not OPTIONAL but ESSENTIAL. It is an intentional engagement of the body, mind, and spirit, in the faith and life of Godly living, manly living.
The Man Up study is only the beginning of our answering this Baptismal call to Godly manhood. The book is only a tool toward a greater end that in this life has no end in its purpose, meaning, and engagement. This gathering is an extension of the Word and Sacrament ministry entrusted to us by God at Ascension. It is the engagement of God's Word toward growing into our roles as leaders in the family, church, and community.
Again, this is not OPTIONAL. It is ESSENTIAL. It is essential for all Christian men and men of Ascension. It is why we bought a book for every man at Ascension. This does NOT mean that it is "required" at Ascension. God does not force us. But if we fail in what is essential then we will never grow fully into what God expects and has planned for us. How then can we truly accomplish His purposes if we do not know what they are and how He expects it of us as men?
Men step up to challenges. God does challenge (test) His people, His men. We are meant as Christian men to be one, to stand together, a band of brothers, iron sharpening iron, men sharpening one another. No one is to be left behind. That is why we hope, and even expect, all men to join in. Every man matters. Every man is a blessing to another.
Register here or call the church office for more information:
Laurie Behnfeldt to become principal July 1
In early May, Ascension’s Board of Christian Education and the church’s voters extended a contract to Laurie Behnfeldt to serve as principal and teacher for the 2022-2023 school year. Mrs. Behnfeldt will be joining the Ascension school staff, effective July 1.
Mrs. Behnfeldt comes with many years of experience teaching in Lutheran schools, including several years at Ascension. Mrs. Behnfeldt is excited about returning to Ascension and taking on this new role. She looks forward to working with the Board of Christian Education, pastors, faculty, and families.
A video recording of each Apologetics class is included on the website at this link: Adult Discipleship Class
Apologetics is about defending the Christian faith as St. Peter exhorts us ... 'But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.' ~ 1 Pt 3:15.
How often do we find ourselves confronted by a debased culture not knowing what to say or how to say it? Yet, we are strongly commended by God to "make a defense . . . for the hope that is in you." As Christians and truth bearers in Christ, we especially are called to confront the lies and deceptions that eat away at the foundations and bedrock of all civil society. In preparation we need to know WHAT we believe and WHY we believe it!
By Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, President of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
This is an excerpt from President Harrison’s article posted February 21 in the Reporter, the official newsletter of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The entire article can be found at:
https://reporter.lcms.org/2022/the-end-of-comfortable-christianity/
As I write this, our good friends Bishop Juhana Pohjola of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland (ELMDF) and Dr. Päivi Räsänen, a member of the Finish Parliament, are on trial for charges of “hate speech” for confessing what Scripture simply and clearly teaches about God’s design for marriage and the sinful nature of homosexuality. They made the great “mistake” of quoting what the Bible says in Romans 1 and other passages.
Their trial began on Jan. 24, the Feast of St. Timothy. It was scheduled to conclude Feb. 14, the Feast of St. Valentine. As the March issue of Reporter goes to press, we are still awaiting a verdict. Update (May 23): In April, Bishop Pohjola and Dr. Räsänen were found innocent of the charges against them. The Finnish state prosecutor is now appealing the case.
A decade ago, the official (once Lutheran) Finnish church defrocked Bishop Pohjola. It expelled his vibrant and growing congregation from their building for refusing the state church’s unbiblical practice of female pastors and false teaching about marriage and sexuality. What happened to Pohjola’s congregation? Did it die?
No. While it lost a beautiful building, it soon rented a space from some Seventh Day Adventists. Now the ELMDF (the LCMS’ newest partner church) has planted 40 congregations. When I ask my friend, the bishop, how things are going, he responds, “Every time they attack us, we grow.”
Be bold. Be courageous. Nothing can diminish our hope. Nothing can daunt our confession.