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This Church changes lives!
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News for the week of 12/12/2021
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CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
4:00 p.m. Hybrid service; In-person and livestream
7:00 p.m. Hybrid service; In-person and livestream
10:00 p.m. In-person service only
Adult Faith Formation
9:20 a.m.
Thru February 2022: "Justice, Law, History" Includes Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, 2 Samuel, Ezra, Job, Isaiah, Nahum with Dave Keammerer on room 120
12/19: Sunday School Christmas Program
12/26: Christmas Break - no Faith Formation Hour
1/2/2022: New Years - no Faith Formation Hour
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Updates to our COVID
planning
COVID Procedure Update: As Porter County has returned to "Red," meaning dangerous, status we are again adapting our COVID planning, returning to what we know helps protect our beloveds. Until further notice:
- Masks are required for everyone
- Please maintain appropriate physical distancing for both seating and at the altar rail.
Jesus is the Reason for the Season!
As a tradition at CLC, we are taking up a collection for Christmas
gifts for our CLC Staff. If you are interested in contributing, please either drop off your contribution to Jenny at the church office or place it in the offering plate with the designation “Staff Christmas Gift.” It is our intention to divide the funds evenly among all of our CLC staff.
Christmas will be here before you know it, please have all contributions in
by Sunday, December 19. If you have any questions, please contact the church office.
Stephen Ministry
The holidays can be tough. We can help. Stephen Ministers are members who confidentially listen, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual help.
Contact us: 1) Church office-leave a message, text 219-228-0573 or send an email, leave a number; 2) a Pastor; 3) Stephen
Ministers wear blue name tags.
Photo Directory
The dates for the photo directory has been changed. It will now take place on Tuesday, March 1 - Saturday, March 5.
More information to follow.
Fair Trade Coffee and Chocolate Sale
Here’s a chance to buy a gift that:
- Supports fair trade
- Gives twice— to your loved one and to those who grew it
- Tastes delicious!
Coffee and chocolate have been purchased through Equal Exchange/Women of the ELCA, thanks to a Thrivent Action Team Grant.
Look for us in the Gathering Space before and after worship.
All proceeds will benefit our men’s shelter program.
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Sacred Ground is a film- and readings-based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith. Small groups are
invited to walk through chapters of America’s history of race and racism, while weaving in threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity.
The 10-part series is built around a powerful online curriculum of documentary films and readings that focus on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect
with European American histories.
Christ Lutheran Church, in partnership with St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, invites you to join in this discussion circle
on Wednesdays at 6:00 – 7:30pm beginning on January 12 and meeting every other week for 10 sessions. We will meet via Zoom.
For registration, go to: https://clcvalpo.org/SacredGround
If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Owen ( jlo46383@msn.com) or Kathy Sutherland (ksutherland54@yahoo.com). For more information about Sacred Ground, please see this link: https://episcopalchurch.org/sacred-ground/about
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2021 ANGEL TREE PROJECT DONORS VERY GENEROUS
Priscilla Bible Study is beyond jubilant & gratitude with the outcome of our giving project. The generosity of the donors was astonishing; we
reached our goal of $1,600 five days before the cut-off date. This is far beyond what we ever dreamed when we rolled out the 2021 Angel Tree Project just, 3 weeks ago.
If you wanted to donate, but now know the fund has received its goal, please consider giving to one (or some) of the other groups that have expressed holiday needs. Again, thank you for your generous support
. . . we have certainly shared God’s love & have extended more joy over the birth of the Christ child to some adults & children in Porter County.
THANK YOU ANGEL TREE DONORS FOR YOUR SUPPORT &
GENEROSITY!!!
For this Advent Season, 64 adults & children, living in Porter County, were sponsored by our partner groups > KidsReach at Hilltop Neighborhood House, Housing Opportunities, Disabled American Veterans, Little
Lamb Preschool & our congregation. Each sponsored adult & child will receive a $25 Walmart gift card. Gift cards, contained in real Christmas cards, will be given to our partner organizations to distribute to the sponsored recipients before Christmas.
Priscilla will provide a more detailed report after we come down from our Advent “high” & elation that we are feeling now.
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A Different Way to
Give
A few years ago, my aunt made it clear to my sisters and me that birthday and
Christmas presents to unwrap weren’t on her priority list anymore. “I really don’t need more stuff,” she said. “A donation in my name would be great.” It wasn’t hard to find the right donation to honor her. A bicycle to enable a girl somewhere in Africa to get herself to school suited her legacy as a pioneer in women’s sports and a lifelong educator.
Your gifts can give twice— and honor the true spirit of giving that Jesus
teaches us. The five organizations below are a great place to start. Most offer some way to let your loved one know about your gift in their name.
May Jesus be your Light and shine through you this Advent
season.
Lisa Owen
Social Ministry and Mission Committee
SOJOURNER TRUTH HOUSE
is a ministry of hope and help for homeless and at-risk women and their
children located in Gary, sponsored by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. When you donate to Sojourner Truth House, you’re creating ripples of lasting change in women’s lives, and, ultimately, the future we share.
Go to https://sojournertruthhouse.org/ways-to-give/ or text gift19 to 855-934-4JOY
GRAIN OF RICE PROJECT
Oh, the amazing changes in Kenya! Amy Ahiga brought handcrafted items from
Nairobi to sell at CLC’s Alternative Giving fairs, as a way to help people in impoverished neighborhoods to earn livelihoods. Since we last saw her, she and her organization have built and opened a school in Kenya. To read about and shop for gifts that support this ministry, go to https://clcvalpo.org/grainofrice7u7w
To shop for
handcrafted items, got to https://grainofrice.shop/
TREE OF LIFE IMPORTS
Hocker has been visiting Central America for over 30 years, partnering with
local families to expand their market by bringing their handcrafted goods back to the U.S. Tom can take orders via email. You can shop and find his contact info at: http://www.thetreeoflifeimports.com/
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
The ELCA’s Good Gifts catalog is a place to shop for 50 gifts that grow the
church, fight hunger and transform lives. There’s even a Christmas section, where you can personalize a Christmas card to let your loved one know what you’ve gotten them.
Visit
https://goodgifts.elca.org/
STARFISH PROJECT
Founded by an
Elkhart, IN native, Starfish uses jewelry sales to help exploited women and girls experience freedom, establish independence and develop careers. Shop their catalog at https://starfishproject.com/collections/all-jewelry
Greetings, CLC Family,
As we begin our Advent preparations, we would like your help in
partnering with Bethel Lutheran Church in Gary to provide needed items for Sojourner Truth House and for the Crisis Center, Inc.
Sojourner Truth House is a day shelter program, a ministry of hope and help for homeless and at-risk women and their children. Through hospitality, advocacy, integrative services and collaboration, participants improve their quality of life and that of the community in a safe, trusting environment.
The unique model of service and collaborative actions inspires the human spirit so that participants can improve their quality of life and become contributing members of their communities. See below for urgent and ongoing needs.
Crisis Center,
Inc. is an organization whose mission is strengthening communities and empowering families with emphasis on children in need of shelter, safety and support. Crisis Center, Inc. has programs including the Alternative House emergency shelter for children and youth, Safe Place outreach to youth in crisis and Teen Court prevention and early intervention services for youth. The Crisis Center is a
place for youth, mostly teens in crisis, helping them transition to foster care or back home. See below for ongoing needs.
Sojourner Truth House
needs:
Kitchen move-in set
Kitchen towels
Potholders
Measuring cups/spoons
Can opener
Vegetable peeler
Kitchen utensils (such as serving spoons, spatulas, turners, tongs, whisks,
etc.)
Bathroom move-in set
Waste basket
Shower curtain/ hooks/ liners
Bath towels (2)
Bathroom Hand towels (2)
Bathmat
Other Needed Items:
*Food storage container sets
(Tupperware)
Iron
Ironing board
*Clock radio
*Pots/pans set
Baking pan set
**Kitchen knife set
*Framed wall mirror
Picture frames
(*Denotes items which we are low on ** Denotes items which
we are currently out of)
Crisis Center, Inc.
needs:
The Crisis Center, Inc. is in serious
need of t-shirts, underwear, under garments and socks of various adult sizes.
And slippers of varying teen sizes. (no hats or mittens or scarfs, they have a
lot). You can go to the Crisis Center Wish list on Amazon to see specific needs (https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1GMM7SVR9CRE0?ref_=wl_share)
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There are two ways to
donate:
Shop online, and have your purchase delivered
to:
Sojourner Truth House
410 W. 13th St.
Gary, IN 46407
Crisis Center, Inc.
101 N. Montgomery Street
Gary, IN 46403
Drop your purchase off on or before December 15, 2021 at
Christ Lutheran Church, where an area inside the main Campbell Street entrance has been set aside. These will be delivered to Sojourner Truth House and Crisis Center, Inc. before Christmas.
If you would like to find out more about Sojourner Truth House and see their list of needs, you can visit
their website: https://www.sojournertruthhouse.org
If you would like to find out more about Crisis Center, Inc. and see their list of needs, you can visit their
website: https://crisiscenterysb.org/
Thank you for your generosity!
Lisa Owen, Diana Iltzsche and Kathy
Sutherland
Social Ministry and Mission Committee
For Children and Families
Sunday School Service Project
This Christmas season we’re again partnering with CLC’s Social Ministry Team and Bethel Lutheran in Gary - collecting this year for the needs of women leaving Sojourner Truth House and for residents of the Crisis Center. You’ll find the list of needed items in the Social Ministry advertisement in this newsletter!
Sunday School Christmas Program
Our Sunday Schoolers will share the Christmas Story with us on Sunday, Dec 19 (students arrive 9:00am, program at 9:20am). Sunday Schoolers will begin to look at some music in the coming weeks, but the bulk of our preparation will be at our one rehearsal on Saturday Dec 18 from 9-10:30am.
Bible Basics for Third Graders and their Families/Bible Presentation in
Worship
Though our Together in Faith program is on hold as we wait out the end of the pandemic, we want to be sure our 3rd graders have their usual milestone of learning about how we read the Bible and receiving their own Bibles. 3rd Graders and Families are invited to a Bible Basics class at CLC on Saturday, February 12 from 9-10:30, and to join in the Bible
Presentations in worship on Feb 13.
Communion Conversations
Our young folks begin receiving communion at a variety of ages, whenever families determine that they are ready. If your child has not yet participated in our Communion Conversations class, learning more about the sacrament, this year’s opportunity will be Saturday, February 26 from 9-10:30am at CLC.
CLC Social Ministry and Mission
December 2021
December’s Social Ministry emphasis is to provide monetary support, along with increasing partnership
activities, for Bethel Lutheran Church, a diverse, urban ELCA congregation in the Miller neighborhood of Gary, Indiana (part of NW Indiana Conference of I-K Synod) http://bethelmiller.org and http://facebook.com/bethelmillerbeach Bethel’s Pastor is Rev. Joy Heine, and Greg Bueltmann is Director of Music. Bethel means "house of God" and members believe strongly “that the God of Jesus Christ truly is present as they regularly gather in fellowship around his Word and sacraments”. CLC has partnered with Bethel over many years, and it
is wonderful to further increase a relationship with a sister congregation.
- CLC began as an ELCA suburban mission congregation almost 51 years ago. The ELCA I-K Synod Mission and Urban Congregation programs some years ago refocused on needs of urban, rural, and diverse congregations as
well.
- Help achieve our goal of $2500 in December (over and above giving combined with CLC’s budgeted amount of $1200). By achieving our goal CLC will help Bethel Lutheran continue to thrive as a congregation
with outreach activities to organizations such as Interfaith Action Network, Crisis Center, and Sojourner Truth House. Use your weekly worship giving envelope mailed with check to CLC and indicate “Bethel” or contribute through PushPay on the CLC website https://clcvalpo.org via the “Give” button. Thank you to members for supporting monthly social ministry emphases.
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Men's Shelter Update
New Creations Men's Center (and Resale Shop) at 2102
Calumet Ave, 219-548-3548 You can help feed our neighbors experiencing homelessness: New Creations Men’s Center continues to be home base for both single men and women between homes, providing daily meals and a space to be during the day. Overnight services began at area churches on October 15. Christ Lutheran will resume our hosting in April 2022.
In the meantime, you can help New Creation feed their guests. Lunch supplies can be dropped off at the resale shop counter during
hours of operation (usually 10-5). Requests include: Lunch meat, Fruit, Individual juice, Snack cakes, and Chips. Dinners are also appreciated; please call New Creations (219-548-3548) for more information about quantities and scheduling of dinners. Information to follow soon on our scheduled night to feed the men. Meanwhile please pray for those in our community living in cars,
tents and on the streets.
Immanuel Food Pantry https://immanuelvalpo.org/food-pantry 1700 Monticello – drive up drop off items. Donations can be dropped at Immanuel, best done Tuesdays and Thursdays 1-3 pm, at entrance between church and school. Contributions especially appreciated now are holiday food items such as gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, cake and cookie mixes. Also, cooking oil, salad dressing, ketchup, mustard, olives, pickles.
Hilltop Food Pantry https://www.hilltophouse.org/hilltop-food-pantry 606 Union St.
Housing Opportunities https://hoi.help/pantry 2001 Calumet Ave., 219-548-2800
There is a basket inside door #3 for food donations for Housing Opportunities.
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2021 End of Year Contributions
As we approach the end of 2021, please take a moment to read the following
guidelines for year-end giving.
All contributions
received on Sunday, December 26, will be recorded in 2021. Please remember to clearly write your name, the amount of the contribution, and the purpose of the donation (operating budget, social ministry, etc.) on your envelope. (Tip: Several of our members use return address labels on their envelopes – quick and easy!)
Our envelopes have preprinted lines for Operating Budget, Social Ministry
Monthly Emphasis, and Special Offering (for any other offerings). Please indicate the amount for each fund on the appropriate line. If your gift is designated for something other than the Operating Budget or Social Ministry Monthly Emphasis, please indicate the amount and the purpose. Please note that all contributions that are not designated will be put towards the Operating Budget. If you don’t have preprinted envelopes, feel free to use one of our pew envelopes (located in the pews and on top of the indoor lockboxes).
The church can accept gifts of securities! If you would like to
transfer securities to the church, or if you would like to transfer the proceeds from the sale of securities to the church, please contact the church office for more information.
Thank you for your faithful contributions to the ministries of Christ
Lutheran Church! If you have any questions regarding your contributions, please contact the church office.
Sandy & Dave Keammerer are always collecting the following items for Lutheran World Relief (LWR). Please drop off at the church and put in white basket in Gathering Place and feel free to call the office if you have any questions.
BABY CARE KITS
All clothing items 6 months to 2T
(2) gowns or sleepers: long- or short-sleeved
(2) t-shirts: lightweight cotton
(1) jacket/sweater/sweatshirt: with hood, or include a baby cap
(2) pairs of socks
(2) receiving blankets: medium-weight cotton or flannel, or crocheted, or knitted with lightweight yarn, up to 52" square
(4) cloth diapers: flat fold preferred
(1) hand towel: dark color recommended
(2) gentle soap bars: 4oz., bath-size, in original wrapping
(2) diaper pins: or large safety pins
3-ply baby yarn and flannel fabric in increments of .75 yards.
Please indicate if items given are laundered.
FABRIC KITS
(2) spools of thread (250-300 yards)
(2) pieces of cotton/cotton blend fabric (3 yards)
PERSONAL CARE KITS
New and in original packaging
(1) bath towel: lightweight, dark color preferred (between 20' x 40" and 27" x 52")
(1) toothbrush: adult size
(1) nail clipper
(2) bars of soap
(1) Sturdy comb
PRAYERS
MEMBERS: Candance Jacques, Margaret Johnson, Janet Scheuerman, Herb Hofer, Connor Byrne, Deb Will, Joyce Spoljaric, Karen Seykowski, Tom Abbring, Lois Popenhagen.
FRIENDS AND FAMILY: Shay (niece of Sue McPherson), Jacob (nephew of Holly Knauff), Sal Cordero (son-in-law of Katie Bebe); Shoshana Fufferman (friend of Jeff & Grace Safrin); Meslissa Rardin (Jeff & Grace Safrin), Carol Metrakos, Pat (Dave Burnside's sister); Carolyn (Lisa Jennings
Mother): Mark Jacobson: Donald Reinhold (Tony's Father): Brandon (Hernes Family); Patricia Venstrom (Luke's Great Grandmother); Melissa Rardin (Grace Safrin), John Holliday (Becky Fry); Cindy, Jean, Karen & Barb (friends of Becky Bakalyar): Sandy Burnside: Linda Luckey (daughter of Marilyn Vankat); Sophie (friend of Jacquie Chevalier); Dave (SIL of Pastor Jane Aicher); Dennis (family
of Kathy Stefans); Pastor Phyllis (friend of Phyllis Schroeder); Wayne Christner (stepdad of Tammy Hofer); Amanda (friend of Melissa Summerville).
MILITARY: Justine, Joe and all of those serving in the military, especially in the time of a pandemic.
For all those affected and infected by COVID
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