News for the week of 1/14/2024

Published: Thu, 01/18/24

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Christ Lutheran Church

This Church changes lives!

2610 Campbell St.
Valparaiso, IN 46385
219/462-6660
clcvalpo@clcvalpo.org

News for the week of January 14, 2024

Senior News

January 25, 2024: Thursday, 9:15 a.m. Meet at church for our meeting as Pastor Erica will share with us her sabbatical experiences! A sign up sheet will be on the bulletin board, and also indicate if you are able to provide treats for that meeting.

Thank you for letting me know if you are able to attend this Sunday's gathering! If needed call Beth Bigham at 219 477 3937, or please reach out to Sue Reinhold.

Mardi Gras Youth Performers Needed!

Do you play an instrument and are interested in an opportunity to perform? On February 4^th at 5pm, CLC will be having a Mardi Gras fundraiser to raise funds for those attending the ELCA Youth Gathering. There will be a time for live jazz-style and New Orleans music, which will be performed by the youth! If you are interested in performing, please reach out to Kaitlyn at kaitlyn.jedrzejowski@clcvalpo.org. Thanks!

Art Inspired from the Ministry of Christ by Jorge Cocco

Self-taught artist Jorge Cocco calls his painting style “sacrocubism” because he uses the abstract nature of “cubism” to transform sacred subjects and themes. Cocco synthesizes many objects into his art in simple geometric shapes and angles allowing the observer to focus on the essential and most holy aspects. This style enables Cocco to emphasize deeper emotional and spiritual connections which transcend the event depicted.

For me, the essence of who Jesus Christ is goes far beyond what he looks like. I try to eliminate as much as possible the physical features. A portrait can certainly move you, but an abstract piece can evoke deeper higher-order thinking.

Jorge Cocco Santangelo was born in Argentina and now resides in the US. His paintings have been celebrated around the world in museums, churches, governments buildings, universities, galleries, and private collections.

~~~~~~

We hope you enjoy experiencing some of Cocco’s art in our Gathering Place during this season of Christ’s earthly ministry.

~ Your Worship and Arts Team

Retreat 2024 - The Freedom of Forgiveness!

Registration is open for the retreat, which will be held February 23-25, 2024. Congregation members will share how God has been at work in their lives through the practice of forgiveness; it's a great time to step back from our stressful daily lives into a time of respite and spiritual renewal at the beautiful Lindenwood Retreat Center near Plymouth, IN. Follow this link to register: https://clcvalpo.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2062067

CLC Social Ministry and Mission

January 2024

“Spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed” (Isaiah 58:10).

First Contact, Inc. and Mike Steiner Special Needs Memorial Fund.

Each month the Social Ministry highlights a special giving opportunity and volunteer opportunities. January’s emphasis is to support 1) First Contact Porter County https://facebook.com/firstcontactportercounty and 2) the Christ Lutheran Mike Steiner Benevolence Fund.

First Contact is a not-for-profit interdenominational resource and referral ministry, which endeavors in the name of Jesus to assist Porter County residents in need. The vision of FC is to engage a community of givers, through churches, individuals, and organizations to help support those facing hardship. FC has offices in Valparaiso and Portage. When Porter County residents come to the offices of Christ Lutheran with needs as described above, First Contact is our partner in helping address these needs. FC also welcomes volunteers to help in staffing their office hours.

Mike (Marjorie) Steiner was a member of Christ Lutheran who through her will asked family to donate her financial savings (about $15,000) to CLC. She asked that these monies be used to help CLC members who at a particular time have social, physical, and financial needs. The Social Ministry and Mission Committee established policies and procedures for making effective use of these funds to benefit those needing help with rent, utilities, emergency food, medicine, and counseling. Since it has been quite a few years since Mike’s gift, and since numerous CLC members have benefited, the fund needs new donations each year.

Help achieve our goal of $2500 in January (over and above giving combined with CLC’s budgeted amount of $1200). By achieving our goal CLC will help First Contact and Steiner Fund continue to thrive. Use your weekly worship giving envelope mailed with check to CLC and indicate “FC/Steiner” 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.

Getting to Know CLC

Join us to learn more about Christ Lutheran's ministry, history, and teaching. We'll gather for a 3-week series during the Formation Hour on Sundays (9:20am-10:20) January 28; February 4 and 11 in the Church Hall. Please click on the link to register https://clcvalpo.churchcenter.com/groups/seasonal-classes/getting-to-know-clc-winter-2024. Call the church office 219-462-6660 if you have any questions.

Lenten Dinners at CLC!!!

During Lent, you are invited to join in Lenten dinners at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays at CLC, before each 7:00 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 14—Ash Wednesday

February 21

February 28

March 6

March 13

March 20

Our mailing address is:

2610 Campbell St.
Valparaiso Indiana 46385
USA

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