Thanksgiving, from Vicar Dale

​On Sunday November 20, 2016 at 10am there will be a service of Thanksgiving at Ascension Lutheran Church.  We will prayerfully lift up our praises to God for all the blessings which have been bestowed upon us.  Specifically, we will embrace and affirm the cancer survivors in this community. 

 During this communion service, rooted in an acknowledgement of the healing power of God, our congregation will be connected to all people around the world celebrating the Lord’s Supper.  Eucharist derives from the Greek word, eucharistia, which means thanksgiving.  Martin Luther reminds us that when anyone around the world takes communion, there is a connection between them and everyone else receiving the body and blood of Christ.  We are in spirit filled solidarity with believers in every community in God’s creation. 

Our challenges, struggles, confusion, pain, joy, and healing are all shared amongst us.  Philo of Alexandria, a philosopher and contemporary to Jesus used “thanksgiving” in his prayer language as an appropriate response to God’s blessings.  The last supper text gives thanks over the bread in Paul’s version (1 Cor. 11:24) and over the cup in Mark’s version (Mark 14:23).  You are encouraged to invite your family and friends, cancer survivors and care takers, and those that have and are negotiating chronic illness to join our congregation in prayer, praise, song, anointing, and other expressions of thanksgiving. 

The healing power of God will be a shared source of reverence, strength, health, and salvation.  Restoration and wholeness are real.  We look forward to sharing this special day of healing and thanksgiving with you.   
   
“Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved; for you are my praise.”       
-Jeremiah 17:14

In Christ,
​- Vicar Dale