FORUM ANNOUNCEMENT for November 16, 2025 in the Church Hall

You're invited to join a new series of conversations, which begin today, in Adult Forum.  We'll explore together what it means to be Sabbath people, through ideas presented in a book entitled SABBATH AS RESISTANCE:  Saying No to the Culture of Now, written by theologian and Old Testament scholar, Walter Brueggemann. The author addresses our 24/7 society in which we live to achieve, accomplish, perform and possess.  Together we'll explore how keeping Sabbath allows us to break this restless cycle and focus on what is truly important:  God, other people and all of life.  Reading the book and attending all sessions are not required to participate.  The Spirit is sure to be present as siblings of faith engage for mutual encouragement and growth.  Please grab a cup of coffee and join the conversation. (Note:  If you do choose to purchase this small book, it is available from Audiobooks, Amazon, American Book Warehouse, wjkbooks.com, abebooks.com)

Please, please, please consider helping during worship as an acolyte, lector, prayer assistant, communion assistant, ushering, light/sound tech, livestream tech. It is open to adults and children.

Let the office know if you have any questions. 

Please, please, please help– you are already sitting in the pews and it only takes a few minutes of your worship time.   Thank you!

HOLIDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Advent Worship Services

Wednesday, November 19; December 3, 10, 17

7:00 p.m. 

In-person & Livestream

Blue Christmas/Longest Night

First Christian Church

Tuesday, December 16

6:00 p.m. (new time)

Christmas Eve

Wednesday, December 24

In-person & Livestream

4:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m. 

10:00 p.m. 

Sunday, December 28

Lessons and Carols

One Service Only

9:30 a.m. In-person & Livestream

We need volunteers to help set-up, serve and clean-up for Pie Fellowship.

Please click on link or QR code: 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B094CA9AC2EA4FB6-60285385-thanksgiving#/

CLC Retreat

Save the date!  Our CLC 2026 Retreat will be held February 20-22, 2026.

Living as a Christian When the Ground Feels Shaky - we'll hear the faith stories of our CLC neighbors, join in worship and Bible study, good rest and great community!

Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

Continuing with our tradition at CLC, we are taking up a collection for Christmas gifts for our CLC Staff.  If you are interested in contributing, please either drop off your contribution to Jen at the church office or place it in the offering plate with the designation “Staff Christmas Gift.”  It is our intention to divide the funds     evenly among all of our CLC staff.

Christmas will be here before you know it, please have all contributions in by     Sunday, December 21. If you have any questions, please contact any Church Council Officer.

CLC Endowment Corner- November 2025

The greatest joy that comes with God’s blessings is the opportunity to bless others. Abundance is a gift to be shared. Acts 20:35 quotes Jesus when he said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Your legacy of generosity does more than provide for your family and the causes dear to your heart, it also brings deep joy and extraordinary fulfillment as you plan to make a difference for years to come.

Did you know you can support the ELCA ministries that matter to you, including CLC’s Endowment Fund, without affecting your daily budget? Scan our QR code to read Save Your Money Today, make a Difference Anyway and learn about gifts that cost you nothing today but can make a generational impact.

November Altar Gifts

Holy Communion       

Sara/Jeremy Long ~ In Memory of Allen & Helene Bauer

Vickie White ~ In Memory of William

Altar Candles

Michael/Lois Felten ~ In Memory of Paul Bretscher

Grace/Jeff Safrin ~ Celebrating our daughter, Kelly’s Birthday  

Eternal Lamp  

Bill/Diana Iltzsche ~ Celebrating our daughter, Elisabeth’s 47th Birthday 

Vickie White ~ In Memory of William

Got coins or cash tucked away from past travels?  

If you have any foreign coins or paper currency remaining from past travels, please consider placing them in the offering plate.  It will be sorted and sent to support UNICEF’s mission to aid children in need around the world.    Let those leftover euros, pesos, yen or pounds go to good use! 

Attention All CLC Musicians

Over the last few years we have had a great opportunity of having a youth orchestra providing beautiful music for our 4:00 pm family service on Christmas Eve.

Since it has been a success, I’d like to extend an invitation to all members of our congregation this year who play or have played an instruments in the past to be a part of an “Intergenerational Orchestra” for our family service.  Moms, dads, siblings, cousins, and friends are all welcome to participate this year.  If you are interested, please speak with me after any of our Sunday morning worship services, or email me at                         

brian.bartusch@clcvalpo.org.  Music will be available to pickup in the Music Room starting November 23rd.  Brass, strings, woodwinds, and percussion—so dust off that trumpet or trombone, tune up that violin or cello, and come be a part of our Christmas Eve celebrations!                                       

                                                                  Brian Bartusch/Director of Music Ministries

CIRCLE Dinner Providers Needed

Meals are needed for the high school youth group.  Circle meets every Sunday from 6-8pm, with a meal to start at 6:00.  Would you be willing to cook a meal and share it with the kids?  You would be cooking for about 15 people and are welcome to stay for fellowship.  If you are interested, please sign up here or scan the QR code:

Senior Group Outing

Glass Blowing

Thursday, November 20, 2025

FIELD TRIP to the Hot Shop Valpo Glass Company, 955 Joliet Road, Valpo.  The Hot Shop will not be charging us any fees for the outing, unless you want to purchase something. 

For those interested, lunch gathering to follow at the Chili Bowl.

If you have not already signed up, please call Beth Bigham at 847-323-2512 so you may be added to the signup sheet and to the carpooling list if needed. 
 

Carpooling from church will be available at 9:15 a.m.  Please indicate on signup sheet if carpooling is needed.  Glass presentation will begin at glass shop at 

10:00 a.m. 

Questions: Beth Bigham 847-323-2512.

Christ Lutheran Church offers a Grief Support Group every other week on Wednesdays from 9:30 - 11 am in the Conference Room. (209). The group serves adults who have experienced a loss of a spouse, parent, child, friend, or neighbor. 

Come when you can. Coffee and Kleenex available. 

The group is facilitated by Cheryl Slack, a Stephen Minister. You may contact her at 219-241-0677 or one of the pastors if you have any questions.

Upcoming dates are November 26; December 10 and 31; 

January 14, 2026

All persons experiencing grief are welcome to attend.  

CLC Social Ministry and Mission

November 2025

Each month the Social Ministry highlights a special giving opportunity pertaining to hunger, homelessness/housing, or mission.  November's specific emphasis provides monetary/volunteer support for the Daybreak Shelter (including Men’s Resale Shop) daybreakshelter.org   and Gabriel’s Horn (in conjunction with Family Promise of P.C.) www.gabrielshelter.org 

Daybreak Shelter (500 Don Hovey Drive) and Men’s Resale Shop (2102 N. Calumet Ave.) support our unhoused neighbors in Valparaiso – Daybreak’s vision is that one day there will be a home for every unhoused individual within the City. Daybreak offers a 24-bed primary shelter for men, a co-ed overnight warming/cooling shelter, and a day center where individuals can receive case management and support as they work toward attaining housing.  See Daybreak’s webpage for volunteer signups to volunteer to prepare and/or serve a dinner at Daybreak.  The Resale Shop is always in need of donated furniture and appliances.  Please see a separate announcement in CLC weekly E-News about smaller items needed for donation to Daybreak during the month of November.

Gabriel’s Horn in South Haven/Portage (792 McCool Road) is a Shelter for Homeless Women and Children.  The short term shelter with supportive services include an aftercare program, arts & crafts classes, counseling, case management, and transportation. The Shelter helps lives rebuild, return to independence, and find dignity and hope – together creating a supportive environment where dreams of stability become reality.  Please see a separate announcement in CLC weekly E-News about items needed for donation to Gabriel’s Horn during the month of November.

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

Make Your Gifts Give Twice!

CLC’s Alternative Gifts Fair is coming to the Gathering Space on Sunday,         November 30 and December 7, from 8-noon. Shop for ways to support fair trade, charitable organizations and local ministries. More details coming!

WORK AT CLC

Youth Leader Position Available

Please click on link for more information:

https://clcvalpo.org/work-at-clc 

Let’s Fill The Gap! Fill the church grocery carts by the front entrance and the boxes in the Gathering Space to support our Social Ministry partner organizations this month. 

GABRIEL’S HORN is collecting for their clients and to support local food pantries during this lap in SNAP benefits. 

DAYBREAK needs items since they are at full capacity in their men's shelter side ( will be up to 50 soon) and the warming shelter side will be filling up with the colder temperatures.

 Here are items needed that you can bring to church for the pantries:

Cereals (low sugar, multigrain and kid friendly options)

Instant oatmeal packages

Pancake mix and syrup

Breakfast bars

Canned vegetables and fruit

Canned soups and stews

Canned pasta meals

Canned tuna and chicken

Rice (any kind)

Mac and cheese

Pasta and pasta sauce

Peanut Butter and jelly

Apple sauce cups

Trail mixes

Popcorn packs 

Animal crackers

Flour, sugar, spices

Cooking oil

Hot chocolate

Coffee and teas

100% Juice boxes

For Daybreak shelter:

Paper towels

Toilet paper

 Gallon Ziplock bags

Laundry detergent pods ( unscented is best)

Attention Thrivent Members:

Thrivent Action Team Grants can be used for either shelter. Please contact Diana Iltzsche if you have Thrivent and need help completing a grant. They are very user friendly and helping feed or house neighbors is always something Thrivent wants to help members support. Diana Iltzsche (219-628-0950) or diltzsche@hotmail.com.