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.
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
June 22 – no worship at Ascension
Online Worship
June 22 – no worship at Ascension
June 15, 2025 – no video recording
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
Begins September 7th
Weekly during the
10:30 a.m. worship service
(September – May)
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
Classes will resume in September
High School Youth
Sunday & Monday Bible Study
Lutheran Trump Cards: Playing Our Best Hand in the 21st Century
Beginning September 7th and 8th, we will read and study “Lutheran Trump Cards.” Each week we will study what a section of theology and discipleship and what it means to be Lutheran.
Sunday class will be in-person
between services
beginning at 9:15 a.m.
Monday night will begin
at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.
If you are new to the Lutheran church or need a refresher, this would be a good class to join.
If you would like to order a book, please let Pastor Julie know—cost is $11. The book is also available on Kindle and Audible.
Contact Pastor Julie for the Zoom Invite
No class: Monday October 20th
TUESDAY MORNING ADULT
BIBLE STUDY
At 11:00 A.M.
Classes Resume September 9th
You are invited to join us at 11 a.m. on Tuesday mornings via Zoom.
We are reading The Parables of Jesus.
Let Pastor Julie know if you need the Zoom invite.
ALL ARE WELCOME!
MARTHA TO MARY WOMENS’ BIBLE STUDY
Sep-Dec and Mar-May on Monday Afternoons
All women are invited!
We will begin our Fall Bible Study with the study of “Elijah” by Priscilla Shirer. This is a journey through the life and times of the prophet Elijah to discover how the fire on Mount Carmel was forged in the valley of famine. And how the emboldened , fiery faith you desire is being fashion by God in your life right now.
Priscilla Shirer is married, a mother, Christian speaker, evangelist, and for the past twenty years in full time ministry to women. She and her husband Jerry have founded “Going Beyond Ministries”. She is the author of more than a dozen books and bible studies.
Our study will begin on Monday, September 8, 2025 at Ascension from 1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. We will meet in the Digging Dunes room. This study will end on Monday, November 3, 2025. (No classes on 9/22 & 10/27)
Mary to Martha is a group of women at different stages of our faith journey. You do not need to be a member of Ascension to participate. All women are welcome. We’ll be blessed by your presence and have a meaningful time together. Participant books are $10.00. Please call or text Joyce Richardson at 989-274-6787 to secure a book for the study.
A previous study; The Story
Forms for Membership
Ascension Lutheran Church Endowment Applications (due March 31 each year)
Education Forms
Youth Forms
Special Service Forms and Procedures
Funeral Policy and Planning
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
Additional information regarding events can be found in the monthly newsletter
- Blood Drive, September 4, 2025 2:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. https://donateblood.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/11609232
- GriefShare Grief Support Group, Mondays, Beginning September 8, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. for 13 weeks.
- Concert: An Evening with Mozart, September 18, 2025, 7 p.m., Featured Artist, pianist: Scott Taylor; Guest Artists, operatic singer: Aziza Poggi. Concert is free of charge, CDs available for purchase.
- ABC Breakfast, 2nd Monday of the month at 9:00 a.m. at local restaurant (see newsletter for location)
- Wellness Warriors Walking Group, Tuesdays at 6:15 p.m., Indoor or Outdoor walking is weather dependent
- Sewing Group, 9am-12pm, 9/3, 9/17, 10/1, 10/15, 11/5, 11/19, 12/3, 12/17
- Craft Fair, November 1, 2025
- Blood Drive, December 11, 2025 2:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. https://donateblood.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/11616616
- Children’s Christmas Program, December 21, 2025 at the 10:30 a.m. worship service
- Christmas Eve Worship, December 24, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
- Lessons & Carol Worship Service, December 28, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. (one service this day)
Also click on our calendar
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
8695 Gratiot Road
Saginaw, MI 48609
Saginaw, MI 48609
Phone: +1 (989) 781-2170
Email: ascensionlc@sbcglobal.net
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