Adult Formation Hour Options

9:20 a.m. 

2/5/2023

Deepening our Welcome: CLC Member Stories ~ Fellowship Hall

From Darkness to Light ~ Room 120 with Dave Keammerer

Sunday School Parent Coffee Klatch ~ Room 119

2/12/2023

Deepening our Welcome: Small Group: Sharing/Learning ~ Fellowship Hall

From Darkness to Light ~ Room 120 with Dave Keammerer

Sunday School Parent Coffee Klatch ~ Room 119

2/19/2023

Making Sense of Christian Nationalism with Rev. Erik Grayvold ~ Fellowship Hall

From Darkness to Light ~ Room 120 with Dave Keammerer

2/26/2023

Making Sense of Christian Nationalism with Rev. Erik Grayvold ~ Fellowship Hall

From Darkness to Light ~ Room 120 with Dave Keammerer

Please stop by the "Card Ministry" table and write a note to our members who live in Assisted Living and are unable to come to services. Warm greetings and well wishes from their friends at CLC are always loved! Thank you very much.

"For we are the people of God's pasture and the flock under God's care." Psalm 95:7

Are You Ever Cold?

Sure you are—you live in NWI!  But what do you do?  You reach for a blanket to put over you!

But what if you are a baby in a poor community, war torn country, or a place devastated by a natural disaster?  Then that baby might be the recipient of a Lutheran World Relief Baby Layette that has been assembled and bundled at CLC under the direction of Sandy        Keammerer.

Three years ago, one could easily find flannel for less that $3.00 per yard to make those blankets. Now? Not so much.  Flannel, along with everything else, has gone up in price. Thus, this program can use your support.

To assist in the Baby Layette Program at CLC, I have applied for and received a Thrivent Action Grant that will provide $250 for this CLC project.  However, I would like to see that $250  grow to $750 (or more), but I need your help? Over the month of February 2023, I will match dollar for dollar your donation to the Baby Layettes up to a maximum of $250.  This means we could reach the $750 goal—Thrivent Action Grant of $250, your total donations of $250 (or more), my match up to a maximum of $250. Can you help with a small donation?

Just put your donation in an envelope marked Baby Layettes and place it in the CLC collection plate on any Sunday in February!

If you have any questions contact Karl Reichardt by email or mobile phone (karl.reichardt@valpo.edu, 219-252-9519).

Please Join Us for 

Deepening Our Welcome Events

Sunday morning, February 5th at 9:20 am, Church Hall

CLC Member Sharing: Stories of Family and Faith: Join us for a conversation led by Christ​ Lutheran members as they share the journeys they​'v​e experienced with family members in the​ LGBTQIA+ community.  The panel members will share how the journey has impacted their thinking about LGBTQIA+ issues and their hopes going forward for their family members. How​ has their faith affected their responses to their loved ones? How do we as God’s people​ respond to the LGBTQIA+ members of our community and our world?  Those who have agreed to share their stories with us are Irene Adams, Sue McPherson, Kyle Otten, and Kathy Sutherland.  There will also be time for​follow-up questions and conversations.

Sunday, February 12th: 9:20am  World Cafe,  Church Hall

Explore Ÿ Share Ÿ Listen Ÿ Connect Ÿ Discover   Join us at our Discovery Café!  In small groups around tables, we’ll explore meaningful questions about our Deepening Our Welcome process. As we thoughtfully share and deeply listen to one another, we will make new connections and discover collective insights guiding us toward creative action. This dynamic process includes switching tables along the way enhancing the unity of all present.

Lenten Dinners are returning to CLC!!!

During Lent, you are invited to join in Lenten dinners at 6:00 p.m. Wednesdays at CLC, before each 7:30 p.m. evening service. Please sign up for each meal in advance in the East Link so that the cooks know how many to expect, and consider bringing a dessert to share. A free-will offering will be collected at each meal. Come and join in the fellowship!

As the season of Lent approaches, we are looking for individuals or groups to make the evening meals. Sign-up sheets are in the East Link, for more information call the church office.  Remember when signing up to also ask for volunteers to set-up and clean-up the hall.

Dinner schedule 

February 22

March 1

March 8

March 15

March 22 - Denise Maragos

March 29

The "We Tie Together Quilters" make 400-500 quilts per year for Lutheran World Relief. These quilts bring comfort and warmth to people in need all over the world. The quilts are made with donated fabrics and materials and we are very low on things to use in the middle of the quilts to make them warm. If you have any of these items, we would gladly accept your donations of sheets, blankets, mattress pads, or rolls of batting. Items need not be new. But must be clean. Items may be dropped off at the church office or in the Church hall on Wednesdays 9-11am while the quilters are at work. Contact Kathy Stefans with questions 847-612-3025.

Attention All Thrivent Financial Members!

Do you have any Thrivent Choice Dollars that have not been directed to the charity of our choice? 

Minimum and maximum Choice Dollars Designations

Eligible clients will be designated a minimum of 25 Choice Dollars and a maximum of 5,000 Choice Dollars per eligibility period (Jan. 1 to Dec. 31).

Choice Dollars designated during the calendar year can be directed until March 31, 2023.

There are two ways of directing Choice Dollars to Christ Lutheran Church:

Computer:  Go to the Thrivent Financial web site (www.Thrivent.com) and direct

the Choice Dollars on-line. 

Phone:  Call Thrivent Financial at 1-800-847-4836.  When prompted by the electronic answering    system, say “Thrivent Choice.”  Follow the remaining prompts, and a representative will come on the line to assist you.  You will need your Thrivent membership ID number and will need to answer some other personal questions to verify that you are the Thrivent member who is on the line.

Trivia Night is Back!

Mark your calendar for Sunday, March 12th from 4-8pm.

Tickets are $10 for teens/adults, $5 for youth aged 6-12, and free for children 5 and under.

Tables should be no more than 8 teens/adults.  Dinner included.

Sign up will be on the CLC website, forms will be in the east link and can be turned in to either Clint Mullet or Amy Knauff or click on the link below:

https://clcvalpo.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1604468

Contact Kathy or Tim Sutherland for more information.

February 2023

Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves.  

Protect the rights of all who are helpless.  (Proverbs 31:8)

Social Ministry Emphasis for February is Hilltop House https://www.hilltophouse.org 

February’s emphasis is to provide monetary and volunteer support for Hilltop House and Hilltop Food Pantry.  HH is located “on a hill” in a neighborhood west of Valparaiso U. where social service needs are real for the families and children living there.    HH can provide as a health care provider Medicare and Hoosier Healthwise benefits to those in Porter County living below the poverty level (estimated to be 9000 children and 4000 women in Porter County).  A gift of $50 permits Hilltop to provide childcare, health care, and community improvement activities within a child’s own family setting (also contributions may qualify for Indiana’s Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credit). 

Help achieve our goal of $2500 in February (over and above giving combined with CLC’s budgeted amount of $1200).  By achieving our goal CLC will help Hilltop continue to thrive.  Use your weekly worship giving envelope mailed with check to CLC and indicate “Hilltop” or contribute through Subsplash on the CLC website https://clcvalpo.org via the “Give” button.  Thank you to members for supporting monthly social ministry emphases.

Also, look for the Hilltop Soup dinner fundraiser March 1 at VU Union (volunteers from CLC are being solicited to help with setup, cleanup, and other activities).  And, the Hilltop Food Pantry Hilltop | Food Pantry (hilltophouse.org) welcomes food donations at 606 Union Street, Valpo.

 Additional Opportunities:

Northwest Indiana Lutheran Food and Supply Pantries Donations.   

Men’s Shelter (and Resale Shop) https://newcreationresaleshop.com 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 in between homes, providing daily meals and a space to be during the day (overnight shelter also resumed at area churches in fall 2021). You can help feed their guests at their daytime Center. Lunch supplies can be dropped off at the resale shop counter during open hours (usually 10-5). Needed items include:  lunch meat, fruit, individual juice, snack cakes, and chips.  Call 219-548-3548 for more information.  There is a basket inside door #3 for food donations. 

 Housing Opportunities https://hoi.help/pantry 2001 Calumet Ave., 219-548-2800.  Food Pantry Needs:  Peanut butter, Jelly, Spaghetti sauce (in jars), Tuna, Canned Chicken, Ketchup, Mustard, Mayo.  Non-Pantry Needs:  New Pillows, Twin size sheets (can be used – no stains).  One click donating! on Amazon wish list – items shipped directly to the shelter!   www.hoi.help/pantry or drop off items in lobby at 2001 Calumet Ave.

 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. 

 Hilltop Food Pantry https://hilltophouse.org/food-pantry  606 Union Street

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.

Looking for something worthwhile to do to pass these wintry days, become a LWR diaper sewer.

1. Diapers are precut and ready to sew. 

2. Hem by serger or regular sewing

machine using straight stitch or zig zag. 

3. No due date-sew at your convenience. 

4. Contact me by email dnssk@frontier.com or 219-462-8447. 

Here are the numbers so far for 2023:

Diapers-600

4 ounce bars of soap-300

Diaper pins-300

Towels-150

Socks-300

Receiving blankets-300

Jackets-150

Pants-150

Shirts-300

Hats-75

Baby Care Kit Project

2023 Goal-500

Items collected - 150

February Needs:  Boys/Girls HATS & JACKETS

Size 6 months to 2T (No newborn clothing can be sent)

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 Kit Project

2023 Goal-150

Items collected - 24

February Needs:  3 yard lengths of cotton fabric

FABRIC KITS
(2) spools of thread (250-300 yards)
(2) pieces of cotton/cotton blend fabric (3 yards)
 

Personal Care Kits

Item collected  - 180

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 (4 oz.)
(1) Sturdy comb

LWR QUILTERS 

2023 Goal:  500

Quilts Made:  99

POP CAN PROJECT: BRING CANS any Sunday to the white basket in the Gathering Area or to the red Ford truck in the parking area. All funds derived from cans goes to support the Lutheran World Relief projects. 

Weekly Prayers

Prayers for Ukraine, communities recovering from violence

Hospice:

• Dave Palagi (cousin of Ed W. Seykowski)
• Julia & family (Chrisiana McLean/Faith Noe)
• Karen Owen

Long-term/ongoing:

• Baby Gabriel (great nephew of Linda Griffith)
• Bruce Malchow
• Wanda Rodgers
• Bill Parker
• Nabil Maytan, 10-yr.-old son of a former music prof. (Violinist) at VU. Pastor
• Pastor Phyllis Kersten
• Malcolm
• Tim (friend of Erin Crill)
• Wayne (Joel Koch’s dad)
• Fawn
• Pat Betz
• Pattie
• Joyce
• Vicke
• John (partner of Kirsten Reinhold)
• Wally
• Irene Umbach
• Ken Watson

1/17

• Jean (friend of Sheila Burnside)
• Mark (extended family member of Sheila Burnside)
• Bob Chevalier (Jacquie's Father)
• Jonathan (Venstrom Family)
• Jeff (brother of Jen Bias)
• Bob (friend of Marla Tiebert)
• Ron  Sherrington (Candace Jacques - a friend’s Father)
• Gregg 
• Chris Kyes (son of Linda Hazelton)
• Risé (Betty Luckett), cancer diagnosis
• Steve in ICU after seizure, and Kim who is caring for him (brother-in-law and sister of Pat Betz)
• Bob (friend of Marla Tiebert), lung cancer
• Ron Sherrington (Candace Jacques - a friend’s Father), lung cancer

1/22

• Mark Ring (friend of Bill & Diana I), brain surgery
• Katelyn Balakir, speedy recovery from ski accident
• Romeo (Danelle), suffering from heart disease
• Mike (friend of Gail Mannington), recovering from heart attack
• Sharon (Melissa Summerville’s mother), recovering from cataract surgery
• Randy (friend of Marilyn/Bob Hall), bacterial brain infection.  Also his wife, Thelma as she cares for him.