SCAM ALERT REMINDER

They continue to be persistent!

Once again, scammers are impersonating CLC Staff by text and email.  Please be cautious!  If the "from" address does not match our CLC addresses, it is fake.  If a text comes from a number that is not in your contact list, please do not reply!  If you are ever unsure, call the church office to confirm.  

REMEMBER: our staff will NEVER ask for help with gift cards, and we DO NOT ask for assistance as we're going into a meeting.  

IF IT'S A NEW NUMBER, DO NOT RESPOND!  That is the only way they will get tired of targeting us.

NEEDED:      CHRISTMAS CARDS

WHEN:          ANYTIME

WHERE:        SANDY KEAMMERER’S MAILBOX

Sandy collects cards all year, so keep them coming.

Attention all Youth

If you are participating in the ISSMA program this year through your school, we would love to have you share your talents with us in worship. If you are interested, please contact or speak with Mr. Bartusch to schedule a time to play during our Sunday morning worship services.

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

Message for our Stephen Ministers

We have prepared, decorated, been renewed; we've celebrated, sang those familiar and loved Christmas hymns, and we have gathered as we were able.  Now we begin un-decorating and returning to those familiar patterns.  

Perhaps now is the right time to seek out a person to listen, to trust confidentially, as those concerns and bothersome details resurface.  The birth of the One we celebrated is now in the world, active and available to all of us.  Someone wearing those blue name badges or either Pastor is waiting to speak with you about having your own Stephen Minister.  

There are 17 of us, highly trained to faithfully walk with you, support you, on your journey.  

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. The core group of peer support welcomes others to walk together in our grief journey .

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 January 14, 28; February 22, 25, 2026.

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.