Solid Food

Advent is here, the season of HOPE. In these turbulent, troubled times, having hope is an act of courage -- one our Lord Jesus Christ instructed us to take on. In this inspiring sermon, Pastor Tim Delkeskamp of Ascension Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks, California talks about taking on a posture of defiant hope and light, and asks us to BE the candle of light in the darkness. 

Jack Schottel, a member of Ascension and our youth group, shares the inspiring story of his journey through injury, and the greatness of friendship and faith.

In the wake of the Borderline mass shooting and even as the fires continued to rage around us, Pastor Tim Delkeskamp had a message Sunday morning that many will never forget.

"In times of grief, God's heart breaks along with ours," says Pastor Julie McCain of Ascension Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks, California. In her All Saints Sunday sermon, Pastor Julie uses the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead by Jesus to remind us of the one even death obeys. "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"

In this thought-provoking sermon, the Reverend Dr. Timothy Delkeskamp, senior pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks, California, looks into the Gospel lesson of John 8:31-36. These words of Jesus' resonate perhaps more today than ever.

The Gospel story (Mark 10:17-31) of Jesus and the rich young man leaves some disheartened. The idea of giving away everything he had weighed heavily on the young man, who walked away sadly. But the story has a positive conclusion, in the view of Pastor Julie McCain of Ascension Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks, California. And it relates to much more than posessions. Listen, and gain new insights. Jesus demands a lot from us, too. But only because He has already given us so much.  

Did you know that Psalm 145 is the only psalm of praise in the Psalms? In this uplifting sermon, the Reverend Dr. Timothy Delkeskamp of Ascension Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks, California talks about this great exultation.

In this inspiring sermon, the Reverend Dr. Timothy Delkeskamp of Ascension Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks, CA, talks about why resting and sabbath time is important to our faith. Rest is a gift and gives us a chance to remember that God is in charge, not us.  We are called to live differently than the rest of the world.

The Holy Spirit shows up in unexpected ways, sometimes calling upon us to extend ourselves beyond our comfort zones. In this uplifting sermon, Pastor Julie McCain of Ascension Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks, California, talks about such challenging and rewarding experiences, and learning to rely upon the power that is always with us. 

The world is in tough shape. Sometimes it seems overwhelming. But luckily for you, you're More Powerful Than You Realize. That's the message this week, as Reverend Dr. Timothy Delkeskamp of Ascension Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks, CA talks to the 2018 confirmation class -- and all the rest of us, too.

Those days when everything takes more energy than you'd imagined it would, when you come home so drained you can't think...maybe you feel like you can't even focus enough to pray. Jesus prayed when he was exhausted, and it wasn't always perfect. In this heartening sermon, Pastor Julie McCain of Ascension Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks, California talks about those "imperfect" prayers and what it is to find peace like a river.

What does it mean to be a friend? With Jesus? With others? Friendship and love in Jesus are the themes in this sermon by Pastor Steve Herder of Ascension Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks, Ca. Pastor Steve preaches from the beautiful text of John 15:9-17:  

I am the vine, and you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit. Those beloved words from the Gospel of John carry so much meaning for us in our daily lives, in so many ways. Considering God as the gardener of our lives gives us a striking new perspective. In this sermon, Pastor Steve Herder of Ascension Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks delves into the riches of Jesus' words. Listen and be uplifted.

Did you know that some of the religious figures we most revere struggled with doubt? Did you know that sometimes doubt leads to stronger faith? Did you know that if you have doubts, it's okay? Find out about this by listening to Ascension's new Children, Youth and Family Pastor, the Reverend Julie McCain, in a terrific, energetic sermon that can make a positive difference for you. 

The turmoil of the world today would seem to preclude finding peace. However, there is a different kind of peace, an enduring peace that we can take with us wherever we go, whatever we are doing. In this post-Easter sermon, the Reverend Dr. Paul Gravrock takes us on a journey toward that peace of Jesus Christ.

Do you feel that Easter Good News joy? Are you out fighting the good fight? Making a difference?..."I realize, the answer could be 'No. Pastor, it's been a tough year....'" observes the Reverend Dr. Timothy Delkeskamp of Ascension Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks, California. In this powerful Easter sermon, Pastor Tim talks about how we as humans have an inborn love of stories, how we all relate to stories, and have our own stories...and the Easter story. How does the Easter story impact your story and mine? Listen and find out.

On Palm Sunday, we remember what Jesus did as he came into Jerusalem, riding on the donkey and letting the crowds wave palm branches, place their cloaks on the ground in front of him and shout “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”  It is a powerful moment in the story of Jesus’ ministry and a powerful insight into the “mind of Christ” that Paul talks about in our reading for this week. Join the Reverend Dr. Tim Delkeskamp of Ascension Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks, California as we fathom the depths of the gospel and talk about Philippians 2: 5-11 in a sermon called “A Beautiful Mind.”

People who know the love of Jesus Christ tend to be calm even in times of crisis and turbulence, have an inner joy that is unassailable by life's stresses and woes, and have deep reserves of endurance some find hard to comprehend. And when people see that and express an idea like, "I want some of that" -- those are the perfect moments to share the Gospel. In this sermon (that starts off with his desire to be cool like Fonzie on "Happy Days" as a kid), the Reverend Dr. Timothy Delkeskamp of Ascension Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks, California talks about the joy of sharing the Good News. In other words, evangelism. It's a great feeling.

If there is nothing that we can do to separate ourselves from the love of God in Jesus Christ, why must we do our best to be good and do good? Hear the wonderful reasons -- and what in the world that Subway line has to do with it -- in this sermon by Pastor Ken Caudill of Ascension Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks, California.