2025 End of Year Contributions

As we approach the end of 2025, 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.

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

January Altar Gifts

Holy Communion       

Phyllis Schroeder ~ In Memory of David

Safrin Family ~ Celebrating our Grandson, Luke, 9th Birthday!

Altar Candles              

Phil Hahn ~ In Memory of Laurel Hahn

Eternal Lamp            

Michael & Lois Felten ~ In Memory of Connie Felten Bretscher

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 

January 2026 

 “Spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed” (Isaiah 58:10).   

First Contact, Inc. and Mike Steiner Congregational Member 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 her 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 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.  It has been years since Mike’s initial gift, and numerous CLC members have benefited, so the fund needs new donations each year. 

Help achieve our goal of $2500 in January (over/above giving combined with CLC’s $1200 budgeted amount).  By achieving our goal CLC helps First Contact and Steiner Fund thrive.  Use your weekly worship giving envelope with a check to CLC and indicate “F.C./Steiner”, or contribute through Subsplash on the CLC website https://clcvalpo.org via the “Give” button.  Thank you to members for supporting monthly 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.