Ascension Lutheran Church held its first worship service in October 1954. Since then it has grown to be one of the largest Lutheran churches in New York. Long pastorates by The Rev. John Dragelin and The Rev. Dennis O'Rourke have been a great blessing to the growth and ministry of Ascension.

Various building programs produced a beautiful Sanctuary that holds over 400 worshippers, a large educational facility, a gymnasium/social hall, a Prayer Chapel, multiple offices and a Community Room. An ample campus facilitates youth activities and many congregational activities both inside and outside.

For nearly fifty years Ascension has had a dynamic preschool for 2-4 year-olds. Recently it started a Latino ministry for the growing number of Latino friends in our community. Always believing that it must seek to serve all of God's people, Ascension makes its facilities available to many 12 Step Groups.

Being mission and social minded, Ascension helps many people through its emergency food pantry and other social ministries. It also serves people worldwide through its support of the Metropolitan New York Synod. Recently it also helped build a Christian school in Tanzania.

CHURCH COUNCIL
The constitution of Ascension Lutheran Church defines that the leadership of the church to be a council will consist of the Pastor(s) and a Council consisting of Church Members.

The Pastor(s) will be the spiritual leaders, as well as work with the council in helping to run the daily activities of the church. He or she will attend all council meetings as a voting member of the leadership and be involved in all aspects of the corporate church.

The council will consist of members in good standing of Ascension Lutheran Church. A member is in good standing by having a record of both regular worship attendance and monetary contributions.

The council will be made up of four Officers and up to 18 additional members, or a maximum total of 22 members, not including pastoral staff. Candidates are nominated from the congregation membership and elected by congregational vote at the annual meeting. A council member will be elected for a three-year term and may be elected for a second three-year term; terms are limited to six consecutive years. After a one-year absence, they may be elected again.

The Officers of the council are the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasury. They will serve as an Executive Committee with the Pastor(s). Each year the Officer’s are nominated and elected by the council during the annual meeting. Term limits apply to each of the officers. Except the Treasurer who may continue to serve on council as Treasurer after having served six consecutive years and continue to be elected annually.

The Council members serve with the Pastor(s) and Executive Committee as leaders of the church attending the monthly business meetings. Council members serve on one or more of the many church committees. A council member will serve as chairperson for each of these committees. Committees consist of both council and congregational members. Congregational members are strongly encouraged to join these important ministries.

The Council meets monthly, generally on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Council meetings are open to congregational members, those wishing to attend are asked to inform the President prior to attending.

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
The Personnel Committee is chaired by the President and consists only of council members and the Pastor(s). Their purpose is to help the Pastor(s) in recommending the hiring of staff, providing contracts and evaluate salary needs. The council votes on all staffing recommendations for hire and any necessary budget recommendations.