By sharing our God-given gifts, we will bring comfort, joy and justice to those in need in our church, our community and the world.

Ascension's Service Ministries work with agencies and organizations which address housing and shelter, human rights and justice, education and employment, and the alleviation of hunger both locally and throughout the world.

Groups of Ascension volunteers work monthly Spring through Fall with Habitat for Humanity in Lake County to build affordable homes for families in need.  Sign-up to join a work crew by checking out the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall of church, or by calling the church office. Volunteers are 16 years of age and older.  No prior experience needed.

Click here to access Waiver forms for volunteers 17 years and under and volunteers 18 years and older. 

Ascension joins forces with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS) and Refugee One (formerly known as Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Services or IRIM) to welcome and support uprooted peoples in the United States, through resettlement advocacy, children's services, job training and counseling, technical assistance and public education.  Furniture, household items, clothing and funds are made available to resettled people. Volunteers offer refugees practice speaking English, provide transportation to appointments, and assist in acclimation to life in Chicago.

Lutheran Advocacy encourages Christians in Illinois to act on Gospel values and speak out on behalf of people who have no voice in matters of justice and equity.

ELCA Advocacy represents the voice of Lutheran Christians on Capital Hill and in Washington DC.

Ascension receives donations of staple food, toiletries, and financial contributions which support food pantries serving people in many Chicago neighborhoods and within the Northfield township. 

Donations may be brought to church and placed in the box labeled 'Pantry' at the main door.

Elijah's Pantry - Logan Square

Lake View Pantry - Lakeview

Le Esperanza de Santa Maria Pantry - Humboldt Park

Northfield Township Food Pantry - Glenview, Northbrook, Northfield

A special effort is made to stock pantry shelves at Thanksgiving time.  In the fall Ascension collects clean, gently used clothing for the benefit of clients at one of the pantries.

Formerly named the Good News Community Kitchen, this Rogers Park ministry serves a hot meal to 150 people every night of the year.  Ascension volunteers purchase food, prepare and serve on the third Tuesday of each month.  People of all ages are welcome to participate.

Greater Chicago Food Depository - Hunger Walk

Walkers raise awareness of the needs of hungry people locally through this walk along Chicago's lakeshore in June.  Funds raised allow pantries to purchase food fro the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

ELCA World Hunger

This ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America offers support for people who live with chronic hunger and poverty around the corner and around the world through relief development, education  and advocacy.

 Heifer International helps hungry families around the world become self-reliant on food and income through the gifts of animals and training in environmentally-sound farming.

 Ascension demonstrates concern for hunger and hungry people by participating in the Glenbrook CROP walk in October.  Pledges and donations obtained by walkers in the 5K or 10K walk support international hunger alleviation as well as the local needs of the Northfield Township Food Pantry.

 A youth-led, grassroots movement which battles hunger locally and internationally through awareness on Super Bowl weekend.

Bethel New Life

Bethel New Life, serving Chicago's West Side, provides a holistic faith-based community approach to urban revitalization that encourages self-reliance and mutual assistance.

Bethel Christmas Family Sharing offers an opportunity to provide gifts and a holiday meal for a family in need from the Bethel community.

Holy Family Lutheran School

Holy Family School, on Chicago's near-north side, provides outstanding Christian-based education to highly motivated low-income children.

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois

Responding to the Gospel, LSSI brings healing, justice and wholeness to people and communities throughout Illinois.

Christmas contributions may include toys for children served by LSSI and gift cards.