LENT WORSHIP SCHEDULE 2025

Mid-Week Lenten Services

Wednesdays:  April 2, 9

7:00 p.m. 

April Altar Gifts

Holy Communion        Given to the Glory of God

Altar Candles               Michael & Lois Felten ~ In Memory of Arnie and Rick Felten

Eternal Lamp              Sara & Jeremy Long ~ In Memory of Pearl and Floyd Long

Lenten Dinners

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!

Dinner schedule:

April 2—Choir; Soup

April 9—Bread Breakers Family Group #2; Chinese Stir-Fry

For Children and Families - Mark Your Calendars!

Communion Conversations

CLC children and families are invited to our annual Communion Conversations on Saturday, April 12, from 9-10:30am. Our practice at CLC is to welcome children to God's table whenever families discern that they are ready to receive - and then to make an opportunity available to learn more, together! If your child is ready to begin receiving communion, or if they are already receiving communion and are ready to learn more, please join us! Email Pastor Erica (pastorerica@clcvalpo.org) with any questions, or to let us know you'll be attending!

Our All-Ages Easter Vigil is the highlight of the Church Year! At 4pm on April 19, we will celebrate this ancient tradition while having a lot of fun along the way, using all 5 senses (plus our sense of humor) to walk through the family stories of God’s people and celebrate the Resurrection - and then break our Lenten “fasts” with s’mores around the fire pit. One of the best parts is always a collection of family storytellers for our Bible Stories - you can sign up at the following link, and contact me (pastorerica@clcvalpo.org) for any help with ideas or questions!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0C49A4A92FA5FE3-55720968-easter#/

Easter Sunday Egg Hunt, April 20 after 10:30 service

Times are approximate, depending on when worship wraps up:

12:00– pre-k-k (near the Memorial Garden)

12:10– 1st– 4th grade (out in the field)
12:15- 5th-8th grade (in the woods)

We will have some plastic bags, but you may want to bring your own collecting container.  Emptied eggs will be collected back afterwards to be recycled for next year.

Third Grade Bible Basics

Every year, our Third Graders and families meet to learn about the Bible - Why do we read it? How does God's love come to us through the Bible? Where did it all come from, anyway? This year's Third Grade Bible Basics classes will meet on Sundays during the Formation Hour - May 11 and 18, with Bible Presentation on Sunday May 18. Email Pastor Erica (pastorerica@clcvalpo.org) with any questions, or to let us know you'll be attending!

Easter Sunday Egg Hunt

Donations of candy and treats to put in eggs are needed.  Please drop your donations off at the CLC office.

Thank you!

CLC Social Ministry and Mission

April 2025

Each month the Social Ministry highlights a special giving opportunity.  April’s emphasis is providing monetary and voluntary support for CoAction 

https://coaction.care (headquartered 5240 Fountain Drive, Crown Point) and a Housing Office in Porter County (at 2001 Calumet Ave., Valpo).

· In July, 2023, NWICA joined forces with Housing Opportunities, merging to now become CoAction.  The merger expanded services to address all the financial and housing stability needs that clients face, offering them a more streamlined experience to overcome the barriers they are experiencing. The combined organization has created opportunities to serve Northwest Indiana more efficiently, directing more of our resources to serving our neighbors in need. 

· The CoAction Housing office in Valpo has a resource center for vulnerable folks to shower, wash clothes, use pantry etc.  Food Pantry donations are welcomed.  CoAction is hosting a Trivia Night fundraiser on the evening of Friday, May 30, 6-10pm – get tickets at https://coaction.care/trivia-night-porter-county 

· Help achieve our goal of $2500 in April (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 “CoAction” 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 social ministry emphases.

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 (now in partnership with the new Daybreak Respite House) continues to be a daytime base for both single men and women working at the Resale Shop, providing daily meals and a space to be during the day. 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.

CoAction Housing Office https://coaction.care  2001 Calumet Ave., 219-548-2800.  Help stock pantry with essentials?  Clothing Items (all sizes children through adult unless otherwise specified): Gloves, Boots, Underwear, Men’s XL Disposable Undergarments.  Grocery: Frozen Dinners, Microwaveable Food, Veggies, Meat, Dairy Products.  Gear: Sleeping Bags, Tents, Rain Ponchos.  Personal Care: Tide Pods, Paper Towels, Toilet Paper, Dish Soap, Shampoo, Conditioner.  You can drop off donations in the lobby at 2001 Calumet Ave., Valpo on Monday through Friday from 10 am to 4 pm.  If you purchase items from our Amazon Wishlist, they will be delivered to our housing office.

Immanuel Food Pantry https://immanuelvalpo.org/food-pantry 1700 Monticello – drive up drop off items.  Donations can be dropped off 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 St., Valpo.