Adult Forum Series: Great Cloud of Witnesses: Stories of Faith and Resilience

Location: Fellowship Hall

September 28 and October 5

Anna Stewart and Sam Graber will lead us in the first two sessions of the series  Great Cloud of Witnesses: Stories of Faith and Resilience.   Anna and Sam discuss the importance of listening to the stories of those from the margins who have much to teach about faith and resilience. 

Sam Graber is the Associate Professor of Humanities and Literature in Christ College at Valparaiso University.  His field of study is nineteenth-century literature and culture, the American Civil War, transatlantic studies, memory studies, and religion.  Anna Stewart is the Director of the Institute for Leadership and Service, in the Division of Calling and Spiritual Life at Valparaiso University. Through this role, she has the privilege of working with an amazing team – including CLC’s own Kat Peters and Kristin Lewis – to help develop and collaborate on programming around reflective vocational exploration and discerning the ways we are called to lead and serve. 

September Altar Gifts

Holy Communion  Bill & Diana Iltzsche ~ Celebrating 50 years of marriage!

                                      Barb & Bill Lieske ~ Celebrating our 44th Anniversary

                                                                                        and our son’s 42nd birthday

 Altar Candles   Michael & Lois Felten ~ In Memory of Catherine and Betty Bauer      

Eternal Lamp    Cheryl Watson ~ In Memory of Betty Watson and Evelyn Whitaker

LWR INGATHERING

MUSIC NOTES: 

Are you interested or curious about being a part of the many musical ensembles here at  Christ Lutheran Church, but aren’t quite sure if you’re ready? Well have no fear – you are more than welcome to attend any of our rehearsals for the sanctuary choir or the adult handbell ensemble with no commitment. 

The Celebration Ringers Handbell Ensemble rehearses on Thursday evenings from 6:00 – 7:00 pm in the Music Room (right next to the church mailboxes). If you’ve never rung a handbell before, you’ll have an opportunity to ring a few notes or just stand next to one of our talented ringers and observe their skills and follow along with the music.  

The Sanctuary Choir also rehearses on Thursday evenings from 7:30 – 9:00 pm in the sanctuary. If you’re interested in attending a rehearsal just to observe, let our director Brian Bartusch know (brian.bartusch@clcvalpo.org) and music will be available for you to follow or sing along. The choir learns some wonderful music at rehearsals, and enjoys a little fun along the way. 

Not sure of committing on a weekly basis, but still enjoy singing? Consider being a cantor  for our Sunday worship services. The cantor leads the congregation in singing the responsorial psalm during the service, and cantors are on a rotating schedule, so you would participate every 6 – 8 weeks and assigned a psalm that fits well with your vocal range. 

Come join us! 

WHY MEN SHOULD JOIN THE CHOIR

The Top 10 Reasons men should join the church choir:

10.  Rehearsals are every Thursday night, which means that for those few hours, you will significantly reduce your risk of contracting tendonitis from non-stop operation of the TV remote control or the computer mouse.

9.  Because you wear a choir robe every Sunday, you are liberated from the task many me would find quite challenging: finding clothes that match properly.

8.  From your special advantage point every Sunday, in which you look out at the entire congregation from the choir seating, you will develop interesting new hobbies. Among these is a little guessing game called “Who’s praying, who’s sleeping?”

7.  On the other hand, sitting in full view of 100 – 150 people on a weekly basis makes it much less likely that you yourself will give in to a chronic lack of sleep (although it has been known to happen)!

6.  If you think your singing in the shower sounds good now, just wait until you’ve been      singing with the choir for a few weeks!

5.  Singing in a choir is one of the few activities for men that does not require electronic      equipment or expensive tools. This could be good for the family budget.

4.  For the fitness buffs, singing in the choir is not only heart healthy, it’s soul healthy. There are no monthly membership fees, and it’s a lot easier on the knees than jogging.

3.  If you think you’ve done everything there is to do, and there are no great challenges in life, try singing with the choir and staying on pitch!

2. Choir rehearsals last half as long as a professional football or basketball game, but is at least twice as satisfying. This is especially true if you’re a long-suffering fan of the (insert team name here) (don’t worry, though, the rehearsals are on Thursdays, not Mondays).

And the number one reason men should join the choir:

When people ask whether you’ve been behaving yourself, you can say with the utmost    sincerity: “Hey, I’m a choir boy.”

Volunteers to Lead our Fusion Youth Group

"At Christ Lutheran, the intergenerational relationships we build here are a very special part of many people's faith lives. Our youth's lives have been deeply impacted by the adults that walk alongside them in their faith formation. From Confirmation mentors to Sunday School teachers, your presence leads to meaningful and faith-filled relationships. As you will hear many Confirmands share in their Witness to the Church papers, they deeply cherish the relationship they have with their mentor. 

This year, we are looking for volunteers to help lead Fusion. If you are someone who has been looking for ways to be a part of the faith formation of our young ones, this is an amazing opportunity to do so! Youth Board is looking for a team of 2-3 individuals to volunteer that would switch off leading Sundays. If you are interested in volunteering, or would like to learn more, please reach out to a member of Youth Board."

September 2025 

CLC Mission Endowment Fund Corner 

What Is Your ‘Why’?

Why do we love the people we love?

Why do certain sounds or smells stir our souls?

Why do we care about the causes we care about?

“Why” is a word that drives us. It does more than ask a question — it defines a connection, a relationship.

The answer always comes with a story. It’s the best part about “why.” The relationship you have with the CLC and its ministries is driven by your unique “why.” There may be a deeply personal reason you care so much about our mission and ministry, a story that compels you to make a difference.

That story also reinforces your values. Values have a source — an inspiration — and they connect you to CLC on a personal level: Your mission is my mission too. I want to see this work carry on for generations.

With a legacy gift to the CLC Mission Endowment Fund, invested in the ELCA Foundation, you can carry on our shared values beyond your lifetime. Together, we can build a legacy of compassion and have an impact in our world for generations to come.

Lutheran World Relief School Kits

We have reached our LWR school kit goal!

Thank you for your generosity!  We have reached our goal of 120 school kits for Lutheran World Relief.  We will assemble the kits on Sunday, October 5^th between services and we will need your help.  While the Sunday School youth are great helpers, we can use your help in guiding them, especially the younger ones, or assembling a few kits of your own. Join us for this quick project.

Thanks again for your donations!

SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENTS:  ASSEMBLING SCHOOL KITS ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER  5, DURING FORMATION HOUR.

It's Bread Breakers Time! 

Bread Breakers are short term supper groups of 8-10 people that meet from October-May.  Groups are formed as either "adult only" or "family" groups and meet about every 4-6 weeks for food and fellowship.  Sign ups will be taken until September 21st.  You do not have to be a member of CLC to sign up.

Groups will meet each other for the first time at our kick off pot-luck lunch on Sunday, September 28th after the 10:30 service.  (So mark your calendars!) We look forward to having you!  

Please scan the QR code to sign up for a group! 

CLC Social Ministry and Mission

September 2025

Compass International Family Center

http://compassIFC.org   equips international neighbors of all ages in Northwest Indiana with the educational services and support needed to thrive in their new community.  Compass is “Open Arms * Hand in Hand” equipping new neighbors with language and life skills needed to thrive in the US strengthening our community by breaking down divisions and isolation. With approximately 90 children and 40 adults joining 50 annual volunteers each week, each Compass night is an opportunity for growth and new friendships.  Compass offers the following free services for all ages:  Adult English classes, Citizenship classes, K-12 tutoring, English learner preschool, Childcare, and soccer skills/drills, arts and crafts, and other fun enrichment projects. 

Project Neighbors – Freedom Recovery Fund  https://projectneighbors.org/frf    Led by Project Neighbor’s Black Board members and staff, the FRF is a sustainable and comprehensive resource for the Black community in Valparaiso.  The FRF helps address systemic issues and racial inequality.  Funding is allocated as follows: Personal Incentive Accounts (e.g. home/business ownership), Emergency Grants (e.g. unforeseen reduction in income), and Legal/Advocacy Assistance (e.g. generating wills/trusts and estate planning to help build legacy of wealth).  The FRF aims to engage a network of community leaders who share a common goal of improving the quality of life of Black community members in Valpo.

Help achieve our goal of $2500 in September (over and above giving combined with CLC’s $1200 budgeted amount).  By achieving our goal CLC will help Compass and Project Neighbors Freedom Recovery Fund continue mutual support and service activities that are crucial to effective ministry.  Use your weekly worship giving mailed in check to CLC and indicate “Compass/FRF” 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 monthly social ministry emphases.

Additional Opportunities:

Northwest Indiana Lutheran Food and Supply Pantries Donations.   

Daybreak Men’s Shelter and Resale Shop https://newcreationresaleshop.com at 2102 Calumet Ave, 219-548-3548.  You can help feed our neighbors experiencing homelessness: Daybreak Men’s Center 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 the 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 for more information.  There is a basket inside door #3 for food donations. 

Co-Action Housing Office https://coaction.care  2001 Calumet Ave., 219-548-2800.  Help stock our pantry with essentials: detergent (bottles and pods), paper towels, toilet paper, ramen noodles, canned soup, and dish soap?  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  

Little Lamb Preschool Fall Registration

LLP is looking forward to welcoming 142 students this August. Little Lamb Preschool has openings for the 2025-2026 school year in our Young 5 PM class [Monday-Friday 12:30-3:00 PM (Your child must have turned 4 by June 2025 to enroll in this class)], our Pre K PM Class [Monday, Wednesday, Friday 12:15-2:45 PM (Your child must have turned 4 by August 1, 2025, to enroll in this class)] and our Beginner 3 PM Class [Monday, Wednesday, Friday 12:30-3:00 PM (Your child must have turned 3 by February, 2025, to enroll in this class)]. Please contact Jen with any questions or interest. 219-462-6660 #14 or LLP@CLCValpo.org You may also look on our website for more class information. clcvalpo.org.  Classes begin soon!