Adult Forum Series: Great Cloud of Witnesses: 

Stories of Faith and Resilience

Location: Fellowship Hall

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. 

Blessing of the Animals - Feast of St. Francis

All through September, we’re marking the Season of Creation in worship, and it will wrap up on the Feast of St Francis with a Blessing of the Animals! Bring your pets to the back turnaround Sunday, October 5 at 12:30 for a brief service of blessing for these creatures, who are such a blessing to us!

October Altar Gifts

Holy Communion                 Marilyn McGawn ~ In Memory of Malcolm

Altar Candles                          Given to the Glory of God

Eternal Lamp                         Cheryl Watson ~ In Memory of Ken

Silent Auction for Quilt on Display in the Gathering Place 

Donated by the Quilters and the proceeds will go 

towards shipping expenses for the Lutheran World Relief

ITEM:                 88” Square Quilt

VALUE:              $350

DONATED BY:  Quilting Ladies

As of 10/2 the current bid is at $300

QUILTS FOR LWR

Although we make these quilts to give away to those in need if you see one in the sanctuary that you would like to purchase, the quilters are requesting a donation of $50, which will be used for shipping the quilts overseas.

Of course if you are not interested in purchasing a quilt but would like to make a donation for shipping please do so.  Make the check out to Christ Lutheran  and in the memo section fill in “LWR Shipping”

Thank you for helping show God’s Love.

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! 

The CLC Youth will be holding a silent auction November 2-23.  If you have any objects or services you can offer to the auction, please drop them off during the month of October to the youth office (in the hallway by the mailboxes).  Please mark the item with your name, valued amount, and suggested minimum bid.  Questions can be directed to Amy Knauff, 

219-242-7448 or amyknauff@gmail.com.

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:

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 in the activity center 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!

CLC Social Ministry and Mission

Social Ministry Emphasis for October.  The focus this month is to provide volunteer time and monetary support for Lutheran World Relief  www.lwr.org and ELCA World Hunger/Disaster Response www.elca.org/hunger and www.elca.org/disaster

Lutheran World Relief is affirming God’s love for all people, working with Lutherans and partners around the world to end poverty, injustice, and human suffering.  LWR vision is to be empowered by God’s unconditional love in Jesus Christ, envisioning a world in which each person, every community and all generations live in justice, dignity, and peace.  Also, here is a volunteer opportunity in October: helping with the annual northern Indiana Lutheran congregations in-gathering collection day at CLC (Sat. afternoon Oct. 18, 2-5pm) - loading a semi-truckload of items to be delivered to LWR for shipment overseas.  Many items come from CLC:  quilts and baby/fabric/personal/school kits.  If you would like to volunteer to help, please contact Becky Fry at justplainbecky@gmail.com 

ELCA World Hunger/Disaster Response two hunger/disaster response programs (plus Lutheran World Relief) work closely together on world humanitarian issues, providing relief and hunger assistance, as well as providing opportunities for hunger education and advocacy activities.  79% of funds are used around the world, 12% in the U.S., and 9% for education and advocacy. 

Help achieve our goal of $2500 in October (over and above giving combined with CLC’s $1200 budgeted amount).  By achieving our goal CLC will help Luth. World Relief and ELCA Hunger/Disaster Relief continue mutual support and service activities that are crucial to effective ministry.  Use your weekly worship giving mailed in check to CLC and indicate “LWR/ELCA Hunger” 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.

Life Line Screening at CLC!!

We have great news! Christ Lutheran Church will be hosting a Life Line Screening event on Monday, October 13, 2025.

Life Line Screening is the premier provider of stroke and cardiovascular disease risk screenings since 1993. Life Line Screening is extending a discounted offer to all Christ Lutheran members which will identify your risk level for the following diseases:

1. Carotid Artery Disease
2. Peripheral Arterial Disease
3. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
4. Atrial Fibrillation

Click here  www.llsa.social/habc or call 800-324-9458 to schedule your appointment! A simple screening can be worth a lifetime.

Senior Group Outing

(All are welcome)

Porter County Airport

October 23, 2025 @ 9:30 a.m.:  Porter County Airport celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, and Kyle Kuebler, its airport director, will have a well prepared and thorough presentation regarding the airport's history, as well as other interesting facts pertaining to this county gem.  Mr. Kuebler was hired as the Porter County Airport Director in 1991, is a Kouts resident, as well as serving as a Kouts volunteer firefighter and certified fire fighter for the Porter County Regional Airport, in additional to other certifications.  Please join us to hear more about our airport!!!  

Questions:  Beth Bigham, 847 323 2512.