Stephen Ministry Temple Talk

by Tim Sutherland

https://youtu.be/MKQdDAPRJ24

COVID BLUES

I don’t know about you, but I’m getting so tired of this Covid stuff, the masks, the social distancing, and the disruption of our lives. As a physician, I despair at the weekly reports that the medical staff receives on the number of people admitted with serious illness and the number that end up in the ICU. I want this infection to go away!!

With the vaccines there is hope but we must press on. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the President’s Chief Medical advisor was asked, what with the availability of the vaccines, have we turned a corner? His reply: “No, but we are beginning to approach that corner.”

The number of new cases of infection is not rising but has plateaued to 63,000 a day nationally. Dr. Fauci’s concern is that this may lead to a new surge in cases. The Covid virus mutates, as do all viruses. The mutations may give the virus an edge over our immune system. The most recent mutation of clinical concern, the United Kingdom variant, allows the virus to bind to cells more efficiently, therefore making it more infectious.

What defenses do we have? Low tech social distancing and masks work. An unintended side effect, the usual flu season this year was greatly diminished because of them. The vaccines are a great boost. The virus cannot survive in a vaccinated host which also means less chance of mutation. The vaccines are the most studied and monitored medications, ever!  Are they effective? Yes. Against the variants, Yes. Are they safe? Yes. Are there side effects? Yes, mainly the ones associated with vaccinations such as soreness and transient low fever. Are there allergic reactions? Yes, this is a rare event, occurring in 66 out of seventeen and a half million people vaccinated. Of those 66 people, 90% had history of prior allergic reactions such as severe food allergies, bee stings, etc. This is why they want you to wait half an hour after the shot before leaving the vaccination site. If you are at risk, please discuss with your health care provider, as to the advisability of taking the shot and you might want to have it administered at one of the hospital sites. There were no deaths in these folks with allergic reactions as compared to the current death toll from the virus, 559,454.

I echo the plea of our new Director of the CDC, Dr. Rochelle  Walensky, who begs us to get vaccinated. In my opinion, getting vaccinated, in these times, is an expression of the Great Commandment, in that we do this, not just for ourselves or our loved ones but the stranger, that person whose life we may save and never know them.  In order to achieve herd immunity we need 70-85% of the population vaccinated. Coverage currently stands at 19%.

I have to give a shout out to our current Council President Cindy and previous President Brian who got their shots. (Great picture in the newspaper of Brian getting his - NWI Times March 18!)  Both our Pastors, and a great majority of CLC and Little Lamb Preschool staff have also been vaccinated – doing the most that they can to protect others while they do the work of ministry.  I invite you to join them in loving your neighbor by getting vaccinated!

The Love of Christ surrounds us -

Phil McGuire MD, Associate Director, Alverno Clinical Laboratories

Please reserve your vaccine, as you are able- https://vaccine.coronavirus.in.gov/

Statistics are current as of 4/8/21

In July, CLC will have been partnering with Cheyenne and Jennie Stewart and their family for just under two years. So much has changed for them, including two new jobs— and now they will be stepping out on their own, leaving their Housing Opportunities-supported apartment in July. 

If you’ve ever moved house, you’ll know how expensive that can be. If you can help defray those costs, we’d like to offer you two possible ways:

1. Come enjoy CLC’s talent show and picnic on Saturday, May 22nd, and treat yourself to a frozen dessert— and a free-will offering will be collected to support the Stewarts’ move, all as part of one of our confirmand’s service project.

2. If you cannot attend and still would like to donate, you can do so through CLC’s giving options:

• Electronically - Go to clcvalpo.org and use the GIVE button to make a donation to "Stewart Family" through our online giving portal.

• Cash or check - Drop a donation in the offering, in the lockbox, or send it through the mail.  Be sure to clearly indicate "Stewart Family" on the donation.

Please note that these donations are not tax-deductible and will not appear on your giving statement.

Annual Plant Sale

It has been forever since our last plant sale so please join us on

Saturday, May 1 from 11 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and pick up something special for Mother's  Day.

Plants will also be available after church on Sunday, May 2.

We will have succulents, baskets, perennials and more.

Please look for us near the Memorial Garden.

Contact Betty Luckett (219-929-7788) for more information. 

Bible Study with Bethel Lutheran

Save the Date for August 8 Worship at the Lake

A group of us at Christ Lutheran are beginning a joint bible study with Bethel Lutheran (Gary/Miller Beach). We'll meet Sundays, 12:30-1:30 PM on Zoom (with a phone option), beginning April 25 and running for four weeks.

Contact Adam Gibson-Even (email to adam.gibson@gmail.com) preferred, or voice to 219-299-2583) if you're interested, or have questions. He'll forward the Zoom info. We're likely to use the Augsburg Adult Bible Studies books that Dave Keammerer's Sunday morning bible studies have used for many years.

You're very welcome to join us! Our aim is to grow in our knowledge of Scripture and God, but also to grow together with our neighbors across some traditional boundaries and save the date for an August 8 worship service and gathering at the lake front with Bethel.
 

Mark your calendars for some all-ages fun!

May 22, 4pm, back turnaround - Church Variety Show and Picnic Come share a real talent or a "talent" - everything from the sublime to the ridiculous is welcome - google a few knock-knock jokes, play your kazoo, and join the fun! 

We'll gather outdoors - bring your sunglasses and a picnic dinner!

(Rain date is May 23 at 4pm.) 

Register here: https://clcvalpo.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/737953

Evenings, June 13, 15, and 17 - Plan to join in our all-ages outdoor VBS, with serious and silly activities for children and adults!

CLC Softball Team

Hello All, church league softball is quickly approaching.  If you would like to participate, please contact me.  It is a great way to meet people from other churches and have great comradery.  We play softball one night a week (tuesdays) at the old fairgrounds fields in Valpo.  I look forward to hearing from you and seeing you on the field.  If you have any questions please let me know.  Call/text/email me  bboedeker77@gmail.com, 219-617-0032.