Lutheran church to hold discussions during Lent

What if the Christian church had never changed from Jesus' day until today? Have all the changes been for the good of Christianity?

Ascension Lutheran Church at 1600 E. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, will explore those and other questions raised by author Rob Bell in his book, "Velvet Elvis," during Lent this year, through discussions in the church's small groups called ChristCare groups and also through weekly sermons by church pastors.

Wednesday evening Lenten services begin on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 6, at the church and continue through March 12. Service time is 7:15 p.m. following a soup supper at 6:15 p.m. in Pederson Hall.

A donation equal to the amount of money of a restaurant meal is requested for the supper. Donations go to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America World Hunger program.

The public is invited. To be a part of a ChristCare Group, call the church office at (805) 4950406. "Velvet Elvis" can be purchased in the church office or on the patio after church for $10.