May Altar Gifts

Holy Communion         Sara & Jeremy Long ~ In Memory of my grandparents,

                                                                                        Helene & Allen Bauer

                                         Ellen Swayne ~ In Memory of Gladys Swayne            

Altar Candles                Given to the Glory of God

Eternal Lamp                Given to the Glory of God

Social Ministry Monthly Emphasis

May 2024

Each month the Social Ministry Committee highlights a special giving opportunity.  May’s emphasis is providing monetary support for Reconciling in Christ  www.reconcilingworks.org/ric and our CLC Youth attending ELCA Youth Gathering www.elca.church/gathering.

Reconciling in Christ (RIC).  After the three-year process of Deepening Our Welcome, early in 2024 Christ Lutheran became a Partner Organization in the Reconciling in Christ program.  RIC is a holy ministry of welcome, inclusion, celebration, and advocacy.  As a new to RIC and now member congregation, we now have an opportunity to help support RIC in its work to bring more congregations into the “Lutherans for Full Participation” ministry.

“Created to Be” ELCA Youth Gathering.   2024 ELCA Youth Gathering will take place July 16-20 in New Orleans, LA.  The theme is "Created to Be" centered on Psalms 139:14.  The goal is to create environments and opportunities for faith formation through worship, interactive learning, Bible Studies, a service day, and fellowship.  Several CLC high school youth will be traveling to attend this every three-year event this coming summer.  Above and beyond giving will help defray the costs for our young people to be able to attend this exciting faith growth experience!

Help achieve our goal of $2500 in May (over and above giving combined with CLC’s budgeted amount of $1200).  Use your weekly worship giving envelope mailed with check to CLC and indicate “RIC/Youth Gathering” or contribute through SubSplash on the CLC website https://clcvalpo.org via the “Give” button and choose Monthly Social Ministry Emphasis.  Thank you to members for supporting monthly social ministry emphases.

An opportunity to make a difference: 

The Men’s Biblical Life Principle Program in Porter County Jail

Matthew 25:36 – I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me 

You do not need to be a Bible scholar or have any past teaching experience.  We participate by sending men to visit and teach, listen and mentor other men in their Christian journey.  We use videos and handouts as teaching aids.  We do not go equipped with all the answers, but we do go with the love of God and for our fellow man as our guiding principle.

Over the years this program has been lovingly nicknamed the GODPOD.  In the jail individuals are housed in groups or pods, and all men staying in this particular pod have expressed an interest in finding Christ or enhancing their Christian beliefs.   

A new member at CLC is part of this jail ministry has brought this ministry with him. There is an opportunity to join him in his weekly visit (Tuesday 1:30-3:30) to the jail.  There is also a second opportunity to join another individual on Wednesday mornings (9:00-11:00).  Training would be conducted by the two individuals currently running the sessions.  A background check and safety training are required and would be conducted by the Porter County Jail chaplain. 

For more information please contact: Tom Muchesko (708)209-8042 or muchesko@gmail.com

Senior Group Outing 

When:          May 23, 2024 (Thursday), 

                      9:30 am (meet at the Maac Foundation per below) 

Where:         Maac Foundation First Responder Training Center

                        4203 Montdale Drive, Valparaiso, IN (219) 510 9111

Phil Griffith will give us a brief power point presentation explaining what the Maac Foundation does and lead us through a tour of the facility which is used as a training facility for first responders (including police dog training).   

Please note that golf carts will be provided for those needing walking assistance throughout the building. 

A parking lot is located in front of the building. 

After our time at the Maac, we will have lunch at the Chili Bowl along Route 30. 

A sign up sheet will be on the Senior Group bulletin board.  Please use this tool so that if carpooling is needed, everyone will be aware of who will be attending. 

Questions:  Please call Sue Reinhold (219) 286 0784 or 

Beth Bigham (219) 477 3937. 

NWI Pride Fest 2024: June 1 and 2, Lake Station

Come help us celebrate Pride Month! CLC will have a booth at the NWI Pride Fest June 1 and 2 (10 AM – 6 PM) at Riverview Park in Lake Station. We will help celebrate Pride with our presence and some giveaways. We’ll aim to represent God’s inclusive love. And, if anybody wants to hear about CLC, Deepening Our Welcome, Reconciling in Christ, and the journey we’re on, we’re available for that too.

We could use help staffing the booth! If you’d like to help staff the booth, help in other ways (decorations, giveaways, ideas, etc.), or would like more details, contact Adam Gibson-Even (adam.gibson@gmail.com), Kyle Otten, or 

Lena Gibson-Even.

Graduations 

On May 26 we will acknowledge those members and friends of our congregation who have  graduated from High School, College, Technical and/or Advanced   Degree Programs during the past year (summer 2023 - summer 2024). Please add your name to the list in the Gathering Place so we may recognize your accomplishments or email the office: jen.bias@clcvalpo.org

Retirements

Similarly, if you have retired during the past year (summer 2023 - summer 2024) please sign on the list in the East Link so we may 

recognize your years of service and dedication or email the office:  jen.bias@clcvalpo.org.

CLC YOUTH MAY SCHEDULE

 Fusion (5th-8th)

May 19th | Last Fusion | 9:20-10:20am

High School (9th-12th)

May 19th | Last Circle | 6-8pm

Confirmation (8th)

May 22nd | Confirmation | 6-7:30pm