Ascension Lutheran Church
8695 Gratiot Road
Saginaw, MI 48609
 
(989) 781-2170
ascensionlc@sbcglobal.net
 
Office Hours - Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
 
Mission:  As an open and progressive congregation, we
 
boldly make Christ's vision known.
Worship Schedule with Ascension
Worship In-person
Sunday's at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. 
Wednesday's at 7 p.m.
 
Children's Church during the 10:30 a.m. service
Worship will be recorded and published through
YouTube for participating later.

Congregational Annual Meeting

On Sunday, February 16th at 11:30 a.m., we will meet for our annual meeting where the ministries have the opportunity to share what has been accomplished in 2024.

The Annual Report is available at the church beginning February 2nd. The report can also be sent to you via email, please contact the office for that request.

Reports from each Minister and/or Team Leader are due by Monday, January 20th at 9:00 a.m.

All Confirmed Members of Ascension Lutheran Church are encouraged to attend as we review our 2024 year in ministry and attend to any official business.

Weekend Food Bags Has A Need

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Ascension’s weekend food bags program is trying to obtain 3,000  cloth grocery bags. They need to be new or clean and “like new” condition.

The current plastic bags are getting too full & heavy and there are concerns about ripping bags.

If you have any to donate, please place them in the red box in the gathering area.

Logos on the bags are ok.

 
 
 
 
 

Women In Ministry

Ascension is participating with the ELCA Women of Saginaw County group. To effectively share information with our congregation and participate in their goals and programs, Ascension has established a women’s support group. This group is not the Women’s Group of Ascension’s past, however a group of women who would like to grow in faith, support one another in endeavors, engage in ministering to those in need, and to promote fellowship within our group, our churches, and our community. The contacts for  Ascension’s Women’s Support Group are Gina Dillenbeck (chair), Wanda Dankert, Edna Bell, and Ginny Whelton.

Ascension is hosting the ELCA Women of Saginaw County meeting on January 27th at 1:00 p.m.

If you are interested in assisting with decorations, snacks, or just coming to see what this is all about, please  contact one of the women noted above. You may call the office for contact information, if you do not have it.

Ascension’s Grief Support Group

3rd Monday of the Month 

There are no requirements to share, no pressure, and everyone is welcome! This is not just a group of people from Ascension, it is open to the community, so feel free to share with anyone you know struggling with grief and may want to talk or just listen.

If you have any questions about the Grief Support Group, do not hesitate to contact Linda Lentner or the church office.

Wellness Warriors
 

We will continue to meet every Tuesday at 6:15 p.m. We are flexible with the exercise based on the abilities of those who attend each week.  The goal is to move and support each other!  Come check us out!

Questions? Contact Kris Friend (989) 245-6446 or Rita Hendrickson (989) 482-0271.

 

The ELCA congregations located in Saginaw County have been meeting to discuss strengthening their presence in the community and to work together through the challenges each are facing.  They have a website, Facebook page, and YouTube page. Consider visiting them to see what great things are happening!
<
>
As an open and progressive congregation, we boldly make Christ’s vision known.
 
We welcome you to Ascension Lutheran Church.  We are a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). We are a community of faith who rely on the power and the teachings of Jesus as we navigate this world and life together.  We don’t have all the answers, and we aren’t perfect-and we believe in the one who is!  If you are in a close relationship with Jesus, or just beginning to get to know him–Ascension is a place for you to share your journey.   Come worship with us.  Join us in an event.  Come and see.
Worship With Ascension
Bulletins and Online Worship
 
Please subscribe to our YouTube channel. Worship will be posted online on Monday’s.
Bulletins
Online Worship
All are welcome to worship with us at Ascension.  We are part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.  Our worship tradition means that you are an integral part of our worship–this is not something you watch but that you participate in! 

Study of Scripture is an important part of our relationship with Jesus and God’s people

 

Nursery
We are not currently staffing the nursery but it is still available. We ask that young children not be left unsupervised. It is expected that the room will be picked up prior to leaving. We still encourage parents to have their children in worship, but if you need to change a diaper or are too distracted yourself, feel free to use the nursery during worship to decrease the stimuli.
 
Preschool and Elementary Youth Children’s Church/Sunday School
 
Weekly during the
10:30 a.m. worship service
(September – May)
 
The youth, 4 years old through 5th grade, will begin worship with their families, and after the Children’s Message, be dismissed with their teachers to experience the Word, or message of worship in a more age appropriate way. We will then return to worship as an entire congregation during the peace, so that our youth will still receive Communion/Prayers.
Middle School Youth
Confirmation
Please contact Pastor Julie Bailey at pr_julie@sbcglobal.net if any questions
 
High School Youth
 
 
Sunday Bible Study
At 9:15 A.M.
Jan 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a     Lutheran Pastor who studied and served in Germany before and during World War II. During the viewing, you will see how Hitler utilized theology to justify the atrocities of WWII in Germany and how the Church addressed the situations facing them in a very difficult time.

This will not be the Bonhoeffer movie that was/is in the theaters in December. Family members, theologians and others have  stated they do not support this recent film and the depiction of Pastor Bonhoeffer.

Over the first three weeks we will offer the viewing of the film in three parts, spending time to discuss on January 26th. 

This class is held in the Digging Dunes Room.

TUESDAY MORNING ADULT
BIBLE STUDY 
At 11:00 A.M.
 
You are invited to join us at 11 a.m. on Tuesday mornings via Zoom.
We are reading Jeremiah beginning on January 7, 2025
Let Pastor Julie know if you need the Zoom invite.
ALL ARE WELCOME!

MARTHA  TO  MARY  WOMENS’  BIBLE  STUDY

Sep-Dec and Feb-May on Monday Afternoons

All women are invited!

We are beginning our 2025 bible study on Monday, February 3, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at the Digging Dunes room at Ascension.

Our study will be Luke by Lisa Harper. The great news woven throughout the Gospel according to Luke is that     perfection is not a prerequisite for a deep and personal relationship with Jesus. Luke writes to highlight those seen as outliers and outcasts, those deemed misfits and unfit. Then he reveals to us the outrageous mercy of God.

Lisa Harper has 30+ years of church ministry and leadership. She is also the author of multiple books and bible studies. Lisa lives south of Nashville, Tennessee and is the proud mother of daughter, Missy. This is an eight week study and participant books are $10. This study has a little homework for participants each week.

We have moved our meeting time to 1:00 p.m.—2:30 p.m. (This time was preferred to our group.) We will not meet on February 24th and March 24th due to the meeting of the ELCA Saginaw Women’s Group. Our Bible Study will end on April 7, 2025.

Please contact Joyce Richardson at 989-274-6787 (call or text) to reserve your participant book by Monday,  January 20, 2025.

Our Mary to Martha Women’s Bible Study is open to women of all ages, and stages of faith, members & non-members, as we seek a closer relationship with our Lord. We know that you’ll be blessed by God’s Word and fellowship with other women, and we’ll be blessed by your presence.

A previous study; The Story
The Messenger is a monthly publication of Ascension Lutheran Church that includes the ministry highlights and information about upcoming events. 
2025
 
 
2024

Forms for Membership

 
 

Endowment Applications (due March 31 each year)

 

Education Forms

 

Youth Forms

 

Special Service Forms and Procedures

 
 

 

Miscellaneous Forms

RaiseRight (formerly SCRIP) – Order Form
 

SHARING YOUR GOD GIVEN FAITH AND TALENTS

ONLINE GIVING
Ascension Lutheran Church offers the option to give online through Vanco.  Online giving started with one person with a great idea and has grown from there.  Online giving can be set on a schedule  such as weekly, or monthly  or members can give “one time” donations.  Click here to sign up or login today!
SHARING YOUR GOD GIVEN FAITH AND TALENTS

Click here to complete our Time & Talents form, letting us know how you might like to serve in our church.

How Can I Serve?
 
Click here if you would like to find out what options are available to serve in our church.  If you have any questions about serving, please feel free to contact Pastor Julie Bailey.
Events
Advent Worship, 12/4 & 12/11 – 7pm
Blue Christmas 12/18 – 7pm
Christmas Eve Worship 4:30 pm & 7:30 pm
Lessons & Carols Service, 12/29 – 9:30 am
 
Additional information regarding events can be found in the monthly newsletter
Also click on our calendar

Ascension Lutheran Church

 
 
 

The Team

 
 
 
Pastor Julie Bailey
Pastor
Pastor Julie began her ministry with Ascension in August 2013.  She is a graduate of Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus Ohio, 1999.  She is a native of Nebraska and has an ADN and Bachelors Degree in Nursing from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.  Prior to serving with Ascension, Pastor Julie served another congregation in Saginaw and as the Assistant to the Bishop for Vocation and Education.  In her free time she enjoys spending time with her schnoodle Bailey, cheering on her Cornhuskers, reading, watching TV, and spending time with friends.  
 
 
Lisa Whelton
Parish Administrator
Lisa is a 1995 graduate of Swan Valley High School where she met her husband Jeff.  She obtained her Bachelor of Business Administration degree, majoring in finance from Saginaw Valley State University.  She later earned the Certified Financial PlannerTM designation and became a financial advisor.  She worked in the financial industry for over 25 years before accepting the Parish Administrator position in the fall of 2020 with the desire to spend more time with her family.  Lisa was introduced to Ascension Lutheran Church through Jeff and his family and became a member in 2008.  Lisa spends most of her “non-working hours” transporting her youngest daughter to volleyball, band, and school activities. She also attends band and music performances at Central Michigan University for her oldest daughter. She occasionally carves out time for her passion of scrapbooking.
 
 
Jeff Whelton
Custodian
In October 2022, Jeff took on the role of Custodian at Ascension, where he oversees the cleanliness of the facility. With his diverse background and strong work ethic, Jeff is sure to make a positive impact in his role. He was baptized and confirmed at Ascension and graduated from Swan Valley High School in 1995. Jeff went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Saginaw Valley State University. Jeff is an usher and communion attendant and has previously served as a Youth Leader and member of Council. Since 2001, Jeff has been serving as an Emergency Dispatcher and Supervisor at Bay County 911. In addition to his work in emergency services, Jeff has been a valued member of the Swan Valley Board of Education since 2018. In his personal life, Jeff is happily married to his wife Lisa, and is the proud father of two outstanding daughters, Joscelyn and Makena.

Ascension Lutheran Church

Ascension Lutheran Church
8695 Gratiot Road
Saginaw, MI  48609
Phone: +1 (989) 781-2170
Email: ascensionlc@sbcglobal.net
 
 
               
 
 
 
Ascension Lutheran Church Blog
 
ABOUT ASCENSION’S FELLOWSHIP

We believe that all people are at the same time a saint and a sinner.  No matter how hard we try, we will fail to do what we are to do; and we will do things we know we should not.  As a community of faith, we believe we are strengthened and encouraged by each other to live out the gospel in every aspect of our lives