What Are the Core Values Ascension Lutheran Church Describes on Its Website?

Ascension Lutheran Church in Citrus Heights, California (part of the Sierra Pacific Synod, ELCA) summarizes its identity in one line: "Loving God, One Another, And The Community." The site presents this as three connected commitments rather than a standalone slogan, and it ties each one to a short explanation of why the congregation acts the way it does. The church also states that it is "faithful to the Bible and the Lutheran Confessions," which frames how the values are described.

The Three Stated Themes

Loving God

The site grounds this value in the idea that "God first loved us." It describes the congregation's aim as bringing people closer to the Heavenly Father and quotes Jesus' command to love God "with all our hearts, all our minds and all our souls." The stated goal is for everyone to "gain fulfillment of Gods promises" in their lives. Practically, the page links this to gathering together, welcoming "new ideas and request for inspiring bible studies," and continuing to learn "the real message of the word of God."

Loving One Another

This value is presented as obedience to a command rather than an optional extra: the church says believers love one another "because we have been commanded to do so by God," and calls this love "the evidence of the Holy Spirit within us." It quotes the teaching that whoever does not love a brother or sister they have seen cannot love God they have not seen. The page describes this love taking shape in shared events — "some events sharing joy, and others comforting in times of sorrow" — and cites Martin Luther: "Faith brings the person to God; love brings the person to people."

Loving the Community

The community value is modeled on Jesus' earthly ministry: feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, and comforting the grieving, regardless of "gender, ethnicity, or background." The church states that loving the community means "following Jesus' example of loving ALL our neighbors." It names concrete expressions: food and clothing donations, serving at food banks, and sponsoring neighborhood events.

Worship, Fellowship, and Sharing the Message

The welcome text says the congregation worships together and enjoys fellowship "every Sunday and occasionally for special holidays, feast days, and other major events." It also describes a "deep passion to share Christ and the message of what God has done for all people through Jesus Christ with all people, everywhere." So the values are not only internal: worship and fellowship sustain the community, and sharing the message extends outward.

What the Page Emphasizes Overall

The through-line is the repeated phrase "because God first loved us" — the church presents its values as a response to God's love rather than as independent goals. The page does not list service times, staff, or giving details in the text available here; those would need to be checked on other pages of the site.