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Worship at CALC

Sunday Worship

We gather on Sunday mornings at 10:30am (9:30 Memorial Day through Labor Day) to celebrate God with us! Sunday morning is an informal worship in the Lutheran tradition using Evangelical Lutheran Worship, the 2006 worship resource from the ELCA. Holy Communion is celebrated every Sunday and almost every other time we gather together. What better way to remember that Jesus is present "wherever two or three are gathered" than by partaking in a meal?

Evening Services

We often gather together for prayer, for communion, for worship on days and times other than Sunday morning. Our calendar keeps the list up-to-date of opportunities to gather with the people of God in between Sundays. But most often we gather during Advent and Lent (usually with dinner included!), Christmas Eve, Epiphany, Ash Wednesday, and the other major festivals of the church.

The Great Three Days

Christ Ascension has a proud tradition of centering our worship year on the Great Three Days of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Vigil of Easter. We gather on these evenings at 7:00pm to remember the saving deeds of God in Christ. We share communion, wash feet, strip the altar, glory in the cross, share our salvation history stories, and celebrate the first communion of the resurrection dawn. You are warmly welcomed to join us!

Holy Baptism and Holy Communion and Welcoming Members

Like the entire Church of Christ, we welcome members into the church through baptism. All ages welcomed to partake of this life-giving sacrament. If you have already been baptized in the name of the Triune God, we welcome you to join our congregation through affirming the promises God made with you in your baptism. We welcome all Christians of all ages to share in Holy Communion--Jesus' body and blood given and shed for the sake of our wounded world. If you have not received Holy Communion before, you may come forward for a blessing (fold your arms over your chest) or talk with Pastor Jay about participating in this meal of life, love, and forgiveness. There is no formal First Communion instruction at Christ Ascension since all the baptized are welcomed. But Pastor Jay meets individually with children and families for information. We recommend all children begin receiving by the time they are in the third grade.

Sermons

Sermons from Christ Ascension are archived on this blog (when Pastor Jay remembers to record them!):

• calcsermons.wordpress.com

Weddings

Christ Ascension can host weddings for members and non-members. The pastor requests at least three sessions with the couple for planning the service and for pre-marital counseling. The service will be based on the marriage rite in our hymnal, Evangelical Lutheran Worship, and may include Holy Communion.

Fees:

• Donation to church (for non-members): $500, including $100 non-refundable deposit
• Pre-marital counseling: $35/session
• Musician: $250

The sanctuary seats approximately 100 people.

Contast Pastor Jay or the Church Office for more information about weddings.

 

Community Blog

Newsletter

Since October 2011, the congregation's newsletter has had a new look and a new name, The Dove (as in Gen. 8:11 and Matt. 3:16). The previous title was The Courier. Current and past newsletters are listed below, available for download by clicking the edition's month.

December 2018

November 2018

October 2018

September 2018

August 2018

July 2018

June 2018

May 2018

April 2018

March 2018

February 2018

January 2018

 

More CALC News

The Flower Garden at Christ Ascension

The flower garden at Christ Ascension began in the spring of 2014. It was at this time that Tom and Elizabeth Beck planted the magnolia tree in honor of Pastor Martin Lohrmann and his family. The garden has expanded over the last year and a "bulb planting party" was held in October 2015. Church members along with child care parents and their children gathered to plant over 600 bulbs. This spring should be quite colorful. If you would like to keep up with our growing garden, please visit http://christascensiongarden.tumblr.com/post/132821882202/it-seems-funny-to-start-a-garden-blog-in-november

In the News...

For its 150 anniversary the congregation was featured in the Chestnut Hill Local. To read the article, click here.

An article about one of the congregation's founders, Anne Cecelia Haupt, appeared in the Archives Advocate ofAdvent 2010. The title is "Anne Cecelia Haupt: A Founder Mother in Northwest Philadelphia."  The article, which begins on page 3, can be read here.

Prayer Concerns

If you have a prayer concern, please share it with Pastor Mitchell or the church office. There is also time during worship to name people in prayer and to notify the congregation of important things happening in your life.

A Prayer for the Church:

Gracious Lord, we pray for your holy catholic church. Fill it with all truth and peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it; where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in need, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen