Giving to Church of the Ascension

Your financial contributions sustain everything we do at Ascension. Things such as service liturgy and music, programs we offer, and outreach efforts made through our ministry partners, would not possible without your support. Below is information on ways to give. If you have questions, please contact Cathi Long, Parish Administrator, by email or at 303-388-5978.

Giving Reflections and Announcement

Our Friday Giving Reflection, October 10, 2025, by Annie Johnson

“Since joining Ascension, I have found that it (and its parishioners) has played many meaningful roles in my life. It’s a safe space to pray and give thanks, a source of guidance and support, and a community that lifts you up while allowing you to do the same for others.

Ascension has welcomed my family with open hearts and arms. Each service offers time to pray, slow down, reflect, and connect. Somehow, every service feels thoughtfully crafted to meet each parishioner where they are in that moment — I’m not sure how they do that each week, but they do it so well. We especially love the 8am service, where Eloise and Madeline are always greeted warmly and made to feel special.

Ascension is more than a place to gather and worship on Sundays. It’s a community-centered church, deeply committed to making the world a better place. It is inclusive and nurturing. I appreciate the book recommendations shared during services and by email, as well as the variety of volunteer opportunities — both within the church and throughout Denver. Even if you can’t attend events in person, there’s always a way to contribute, whether through donations or serving on your own.

When driving on 6th avenue, my girls yell “CHURCHHHH” and then they ask when they can go see Cheryl. What a gift!” 

*don’t print this! Hopefully I will receive the Sunday Speaker Giving Announcement from the 10 am service for this date. When/if I get it, you can insert it here.

Our Sunday Giving Reflection, October 12, 2025, by Lucy Rinaldi

Texts: Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, Ps. 66:1-11, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19

Have you ever wondered just why we come to church? Why do you come to church?
I think that, at different times, we come to praise, to worship, to give thanks, to learn, to be comforted, to ask for help, and to find community.

Today’s readings touch on all of these. The psalm (Ps. 66:1-11) gives us words of praise and thanksgiving. Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7) reminds a displaced people to plant gardens, build homes, and seek the welfare of their community — because their own welfare is bound up in it. Paul writes to Timothy (2 Timothy 2:8-15) about persevering in faith and teaching truth with integrity. And in Luke’s Gospel (Luke 17:11-19), we see ten people healed by Jesus — but only one returns to give thanks.

Each of these readings speaks to the ways God nurtures our spirits: through praise, through community, through perseverance, and through thanksgiving.

I’ve been asked to speak today because we are beginning our annual appeal. Like many of you, my husband and I have a household budget. It has always had the usual categories: food, housing, education when our children were young, vacations, and so on.

But for a long time, our “charity” line stayed blank until the end of the year — when we saw what was left, what we could afford. Over time, we realized that if we were serious about nurturing our spirits, giving couldn’t be the last thing on the list. It had to be among the first. Proverbs 3:9-10 says to “honor the Lord with your possessions and with the first fruits of your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow.”

Just as we feed our bodies and nurture our minds, we also need to sustain our souls. Instead of it being about what we could afford, we realized that we couldn’t afford not to make it a priority.

Talking about money isn’t easy. And yet Jesus speaks about it more than almost any other subject.

He tells us not to store up treasures on earth, but in heaven. He praises the widow who gave her two small coins, because she gave from her whole heart. And in today’s Gospel, the Samaritan who returned to thank Jesus shows us that gratitude is at the center of faith.

Giving is one of the ways we show our gratitude to God.

Here at Ascension, our church family depends on what we pledge together. Almost all of our budget comes from this appeal.

That budget provides worship, pastoral care, outreach, Bible studies, music, and children’s programs — the very things that nurture us, our families, and our neighbors.

As Jeremiah reminds us, “seek the welfare of the city … for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” When we invest in this church, we are investing in each other’s flourishing.

So today I invite you to make giving a priority in your own household budget. Call it “Charity,” “Church,” or “Spirituality” — but give it a place near the top.

Think about what you have received here: how you have found God’s presence, how you have been supported in joy and in struggle, how you have been able to praise and to learn. And then think about what this church can be for those who come after us.

What we pledge now will strengthen our spirits, connect us more deeply to God, and ensure that future generations will be blessed here as we have been.

May our giving be an act of thanksgiving — like the psalmist’s praise, like Jeremiah’s call to build up the community, like Paul’s faithfulness, and like the healed Samaritan who returned to Jesus in gratitude. Amen.

Give

To make a one-time offering gift, donate Altar flowers, or a memorial gift to Ascension click the GIVE button below. This secure way of giving makes it easier than ever to help sustain our parish. You can mail your check made out to “Church of the Ascension” to 600 Gilpin St., Denver, CO 80218.

Transfer Stock

A stock transfer is a great way to give – whether as part of your annual pledge, a one-time gift, or a legacy gift. There may be tax benefits to giving stock from a Qualified Charitable Contribution (QCD) from an IRA. Consult your tax advisor for details on the tax implications of your gift. Click here for a downloadable stock gift form. For more information, please contact Cathi Long, Parish Administrator, by email or at 303-388-5978.

Ascension Legacy

A legacy gift is a planned gift of gratitude that will allow Ascension to carry on its mission in ministry. Any person, regardless of age or circumstance, can make a gift of gratitude that will help create a lasting foundation for Ascension. 

Church of the Ascension is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit religious organization.