2025 End of Year Contributions

As we approach the end of 202, please take a moment to read the following guidelines for year-end giving.

All contributions received by 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31, will be recorded in 2025.  Please remember to clearly write your name, the amount of the contribution, and the purpose of the donation (operating budget, social ministry, etc.) on your envelope.  (Tip:  Several of our members use return address labels on their envelopes – quick and easy and please do not give contributions to Heather Budnik, please give them to the Financial Secretary or Jen Bias-thank you).

Our envelopes have preprinted lines for Operating Budget, Social Ministry Monthly Emphasis, and Special Offering (for any other offerings).  Please indicate the amount for each fund on the appropriate line.  If your gift is designated for something other than the Operating Budget or Social Ministry Monthly Emphasis, please indicate the amount and the purpose.  Please note that all contributions that are not designated will be put towards the Operating Budget.  If you don’t have preprinted envelopes, feel free to use one of our pew envelopes (located in the pews and on top of the indoor lockbox outside the church office).

The church can accept gifts of securities!  If you would like to transfer securities to the church, or if you would like to transfer the proceeds from the sale of securities to the church, please contact the church office for more information.

Thank you for your faithful contributions to the ministries of Christ Lutheran Church!  If you have any questions regarding your contributions, please contact the church office.

NEEDED:      CHRISTMAS CARDS

WHEN:          ANYTIME

WHERE:        SANDY KEAMMERER’S MAILBOX

Sandy collects cards all year, so keep them coming.

HOLIDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE

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

Registration is now open for the CLC 2026 Retreat: Living as a Christian When the Ground Feels Shaky

We'll gather at the Lindenwood Retreat Center in Plymouth Feb 20-22, hearing stories of faith and sharing in study, worship, and fellowship. Follow the link/QR code below to register online!  Any questions ask Don MacMillan or Pastor Erica.

https://clcvalpo.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3325005

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.

December Altar Gifts

Holy Communion       

Bill and Diana Iltzsche ~ In Celebration of our daughter, Natalie Morrison's, 43rd Birthday!

In Loving Memory of Joyce Foreman

Altar Candles

Sara and Jeremy Long ~ In Memory of Carson and Vera Abbott (Grandparents)

Eternal Lamp  

Bill and Diana Iltzsche ~ In Celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ!

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:

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 December 31; January 14, 2026

All persons experiencing grief are welcome to attend.  

CLC Social Ministry and Mission

December 2025

Bethel Lutheran Church – Miller/Gary

• December’s Social Ministry emphasis is to provide monetary support, along with continuing collaborative activities, with Bethel Lutheran Church, a diverse, urban ELCA congregation in the Miller neighborhood of Gary, Indiana (part of NW Indiana Conf. Of IK  Synod) bethelmiller.org and facebook.com/bethelmillerbeach    Bethel’s Pastor is Rev. Joy Heine.  Bethel means "house of God" and members believe strongly “that the God of Jesus Christ truly is present as they regularly gather in fellowship around his Word and sacraments”.  CLC has partnered with Bethel over many years, including our 5th joint worship service at a Gary park this past summer, and it is wonderful to further build relationships with a sister congregation.  In December CLC and Bethel are partnering on a donation project with the Crisis Center in Gary.
• CLC began as an ELCA suburban mission congregation almost 55 years ago. The I-K Synod Mission and Urban Congregation programs some years ago refocused on needs of urban, rural, and diverse congregations.
• 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 Bethel Lutheran thrive with outreach activities to organizations such as Interfaith Action Network, Crisis Center, and Sojourner Truth House.  Use your weekly worship giving envelope with a check to CLC and indicate “Bethel” or contribute through Subsplash on the CLC website clcvalpo.org via the “Give” button.  Thank you to members for supporting monthly social ministry emphases.

Little Lamb Preschool Scholarship Needs

There are several families this year that are in need of tuition assistance scholarships.  Little Lamb has used most of our current scholarship funds to assist with this.  Unfortunately, we are forecasting even more need in our spring semester.  Christ Lutheran has always been such a generous partner in helping with our families’ needs.

Please consider donating to our scholarship fund so that we can help with this growing need for tuition assistance. Donating to the scholarship fund is an easy process.  You may donate by check (made out to Little lamb Preschool) or by using the Give Directly tab on the CLC website.  Please specify Little Lamb Preschool.

Thank you very much for all you do to help this ministry.