Solid Food - Ascension Sermon Podcast

Here are the weekly sermons from Pastors Tim and Chamie Delkeskamp (and occasionally others) at Ascension Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks, California

God’s Dwelling Place… Spotting God in Our Daily Lives 01/04/2026

God’s Dwelling Place… Spotting God in Our Daily Lives Dear Church Family, This first weekend of 2026, we are saying goodbye to Christmas and hello to the season of Epiphany. We will be pondering the God who chooses to dwell amongst us. Epiphany is a season to notice, name, and nurture the light of Christ—in our lives, in our world, and in one another. It is a season of revelation — of light breaking in, of God showing up in places familiar and unexpected. The Wise Men saw more than a star; they recognized a sign pointing them toward Christ. In this new year, we commit ourselves to becoming God-spotters: people who practice noticing, receiving, and sharing the holy in our daily lives. Each week invites us to cultivate spiritual habits that sharpen our sight — so that our resolutions are not about self-improvement, but soul-attentiveness. This season calls us to look for God’s light not only in personal spiritual moments, but in justice, unity, courage, humility, service, and wonder. And we have something special for you this weekend!!! As we prepare for the season of Epiphany, you are invited to take home materials for a simple and ancient Christian practice. At the end of worship, you may take a piece of chalk and instructions to bless your home by marking your doorway for the new year—a tradition rooted in the story of the Magi and the light of Christ that guides us. This blessing is meant to be done at your home, on or near Epiphany, as a sign that Christ is welcome there and that God’s grace goes with you into 2026. Last year, church member Yvonne mentioned a book that she thought was so fitting for the season of Epiphany. So this year we are inviting people to read it and join a book discussion night that will take place in early February. The book is Trust the Whisper: How Answering Quiet Callings Inspires Extraordinary Stories of Ordinary Grace by Kathy Izard. I am praying for you and look forward to beginning 2026 with you in a worshipful, Spirit-filled way. Grace & Peace, Pastor Chamie /episode/index/show/5104534e-59c4-44e0-8372-5dce8a949c69/id/39606880

Christmas Continues with A Ceremony of Carols 12/29/2025

Christmas Eve - Nighttime Service 12/29/2025

Christmas Eve - Afternoon Service - Plan A and Plan B 12/29/2025

Joseph's Dream 12/21/2025

Mary's Yes 12/14/2025

Preparing the Way 12/07/2025

The Unexpected Branch 11/30/2025

Choose Carefully Who You Crown 11/23/2025

Choose to Hold Tight 11/16/2025

Choose to Live as if Resurrection is Real 11/09/2025

Choose Hope 11/02/2025

Choose Truth 10/26/2025

Choose Perseverance 10/17/2025

Choose Gratitude 10/12/2025

Choose the Long Haul 10/05/2025

Choose to Love the Right Things 09/29/2025

Choose to Love the Right Things Grace and peace, my sisters and brothers in Christ, This week we are exploring another parable of Jesus. I would love to have you read it a few times before you come to church. You can find the story in Luke 16: 19-31. It is the story commonly known as “The Rich Man and Lazarus.” This is not the Lazarus whom Jesus raises from the dead but rather the name of a man in this story that Jesus tells to try and teach his followers about how we are called to live our life. By the way, Lazarus was a common name for men in Jesus’ day. It means: “the one whom God helps.” I think Jesus very deliberately used this name for him—even though he had clearly suffered a lot in his earthly life. Are you intrigued? I look forward to exploring this more this weekend. See you in worship! Blessings, Scripture Reading: Luke 16:19-31 The Rich Man and Lazarus 19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham.[] The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was being tormented, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side.[] 24 He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in these flames.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things and Lazarus in like manner evil things, but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. 26 Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’ 27 He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’ 30 He said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” /episode/index/show/5104534e-59c4-44e0-8372-5dce8a949c69/id/38396900

Choose to be Faithful in the Little Thngs 09/21/2025

Choose to Believe a Person Can Change for the Good 09/14/2025

Choose Life 09/07/2025

Caring for Creation 09/02/2025

Caring for Creation Grace and peace, my sisters and brothers in Christ, This weekend we end our summer series “Walk This Way.” We have spent the summer exploring what it looks like, in a practical sense, to be a Christian. On this last weekend, we will explore how Christians are people who stand in awe and reverence and care for the world God created. I think you might find delight and surprise in some of the nature images you will see on the screen as well as some tidbits I will share as a pastor who also has a certificate in horticultural therapy. We will hear Jesus’ words about what to do when worried… look at the birds! I hope to see you this weekend! Grace & Peace, Pastor Chamie Insert The Season of Creation The Season of Creation is a relatively new addition to the Christian calendar, first celebrated in the 1990s by Lutheran congregations in Australia. It has since spread worldwide and is now observed by Christians of many denominations each year from September 1 (World Day of Prayer for Creation) through October 4 (the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi). This season invites us to join in worship, prayer, and action for God’s good creation, remembering that caring for the earth is a vital part of Christian discipleship. Join us for “Blessing of the Animals” at our outdoor worship service at 6:00 PM on Saturday, October 4. The regular Saturday service will move outside with Nancy Lee leading music and everyone is invited to bring their pets as we worship, sing, pray, and bless all the animals. Why Care for Creation? The Bible Speaks Clearly: “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in ” — Psalm 24:1 “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.” — Genesis 2:15 “Let everything that has breath praise the ” — Psalm 150:6 “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible… all things have been created through him and for ” — Colossians 1:16 The Colors of the Season For every season of the Christian year, the colors change in the sanctuary. Blue for Advent. Purple for Lent. And so forth. The longest season is green. This year, for the first time, we are changing the paraments – and the flowers – to match the “Season of Creation” which on Christian calendars is September 1 to October 4. Kim Overton has made altar paraments on fabric that is ocean blues and sand. The altar flowers are live indoor plants put together by Armstrong Gardens. Christian Creation Care Groups Their mission is to inspire biblically-based stewardship of all creation through educational forums, workshops, classes, retreats, sermons and other events. Lutherans Restoring Creation is a grassroots movement promoting care for creation in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Creation Justice Ministries (formerly the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program) represents the creation care and environmental justice policies of major Christian denominations throughout the United States. Ways to Observe the Season of Creation: Spend time outdoors in wonder and gratitude for God’s world Reflect on scripture passages about creation Include prayers of thanksgiving and intercession for creation in daily devotion Read a creation-themed book (fiction or non-fiction) Learn about Christian organizations that are caring for creation Plant flowers, herbs, vegetables, or perhaps a tree as an act of praise Visit the Conejo Botanical Garden or the Moorpark Zoo Fast from single-use plastics (i.e. don’t use plastic water bottles) Participate in a clean-up or recycling project Practice energy conservation at home Support an animal shelter Pray for and support park rangers and our local, state, and national parks. /episode/index/show/5104534e-59c4-44e0-8372-5dce8a949c69/id/38055790