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This Church changes lives!
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News for the week of January 21, 2024
Mardi Gras Youth Performers Needed! Do you play an instrument and are interested in an opportunity to perform? On February 4th 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!
Attention Girl Scouts If you are a Girl Scout, Girl Scout Leader or have earned the Gold Award and would like to be recognized on Girl Scout Sunday, March 10, 2024,
please call the church office (219-462-660). Thank you!!
Attention all Youth: If you are participating in the ISSMA program this year through your school, we would love to have you share your talents with us in worship. If you are
interested, please contact or speak with Mr. Bartusch to schedule a time to play during our Sunday morning worship services.
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
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Coming Soon! Faith Formation during Lent (and
beyond!) Join us during the weeks of Lent for the study of The Color of Compromise. This book and video series
introduces us to the roots of racial injustice in the American church. This survey will take us on an historical, sociological, and religious journey from the American colonial period right through the Black Lives Matter movement and charts a path forward to replace established patterns and systems of complicity with bold, courageous, immediate action. The author is Jemar Tisby (BA, University of Notre Dame; MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary) is President of The Witness: A black Christian Collective, where he writes about race, religion, politics, and culture. He is also cohost of the Pass the
Mic podcast and is studying for a PhD in History at the University of Mississippi with a focus on race religion, and social movements in the twentieth century. This series begins on February 18th at 9:20am in the Church Hall (big room next to the kitchen). It is not necessary for you to purchase the book or study guide, but if you would like to purchase the book, click here. If you would like to purchase the study guide (which includes a personal study guide for reflection between
sessions – a possibility for your Lenten devotional time) click here. Questions?? Contact Kathy Sutherland (ksutherland54@yahoo.com) or Patrice Weil (psherriweil@gmail.com )
Retreat 2024 - The Freedom of Forgiveness!
Registration is open for the retreat, which will be held February 23-25, 2024, deadline is Feb. 4. 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.
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: Ash Wednesday - February 14 February 21 - Hospitality and Outreach - Soup, Salad and Bread February 28 March 6 March 13 March 20
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