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This Church changes lives! |
News for the week of February 1, 2026
ART’S COMMUNICATIVE POWER On February 8 the Adult Forum features one of Valparaiso University's Pastors, the Rev. Jim Wetzstein. Pastor Jim has been at VU since 2003. Pr. Jim is heavily involved in the worship life of the Chapel, mentoring student leaders in that area, as well as preaching and leading worship. He loves to read, write and talk about the interrelationship between theology and art. He is a PhD candidate in Liturgical Studies at Notre Dame. His research involves the work of the 20th century
Lutheran liturgical sculptor, the late Ernst Schwidder and questions regarding the role of art and design in spiritual formation. His presentation, "Art's Communicative Power," will begin in the gathering space around the art installation by Ernst Schwidder, a 6 ft. copper panel figure of Christ. Mr Schwidder, Valpo's first
head of its Art Department, was widely recognized for his work in ecclesiastical art and architecture. Before his death in 1998 he placed wood carvings and other artwork in more than 300 churches. More on Ernst Schwidder From The Cresset, 2013, written by Joel Nickel of VU: “Schwidder’s arrival at Valpo amounted to a serendipitous convergence of creativity. He loved music, architecture, drawing, and drama and was looking for a way to put it all together when he met Charles Stade, the campus designer of the Chapel of the Resurrection, which was dedicated in 1959, the year after Schwidder’s arrival on campus. Slowly it came to him that in the cathedral environment there could be a fusion and stimulation of all the senses: the visual impact of sunlight through stained glass windows, the lively presence of sculpted figures and
fascinating architectural detail, the sound of chanting floating through the soaring vaults, the smell of incense, the taste of bread and wine, and the brilliant sound of the organ. It dawned on him that there was a way to combine all of his interests: religion and theology, the visual arts, architecture, music, theater, and even writing (despite his dyslexia). The creative opportunity of teaching art, planning the art curriculum, exhibiting his own work, along with designing vestments, banners, and graphical symbols for worship services in the Valparaiso University chapel became
the impetus for his lifelong career. Records indicate that he designed a maquette (scale model) for the Christus Rex sculpture over the high altar in the chapel.”
2026 Lenten Dinners at CLC!!! During Lent, you are invited to join in Lenten dinners at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays at CLC, before each 7:00 p.m. evening service. Please sign up for each meal in advance in the East Link so that the cooks know how many to expect, and consider bringing a dessert to share. A free-will offering will be collected at each meal. Come and join in the fellowship! Dinner schedule: February 18 ~ Denise Maragos
(Something Delicious) February 25 ~ Hospitality and Outreach (Taco Bar) March 4
~ Stephen Ministry (Soups and Surprises) March 11 ~ CLC Book Club (Potato Bar) March 18 ~ CLC Choir (Sloppy Joes)
CLC SENIOR GROUP 2026 KICKOFF ACTIVITY February 26 @ 9:30 a.m. @ Church (All are welcome to attend) Thrivent is funding this helping event. We will assist in tying quilts (blankets) that are going to LWR. Both male & female volunteers are appreciated. You do not need any special talents, other that tying knots. All materials will be provided. The tying can be done while sitting or standing. Thrivent is also providing lunch at 11:30
a.m. and all are welcome to stay - please email or text Judy at mbboom@comcast.net or 309-368-9536 or notify the church office, if you will be eating with us, so we will have enough food. We are planning an event for the morning of March
26th. More information will follow.
February Altar Gifts Holy Communion
Safrin Family ~ In Celebration of Cam Kozloski’s birthday
Altar Candles Vickie and Gregg Copeland ~ In Honor of Family Eternal
Lamp Given to the Glory of God
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 February 11 and 25; March 11 and 25; April 8 and 22.
CLC Social Ministry and Mission February 2026 Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of
all who are helpless. (Proverbs 31:8) Social Ministry Emphasis for
February is Hilltop House www.hilltophouse.org and Refugee Family Support Fund. February’s emphasis is to provide monetary and volunteer support for Hilltop House, Hilltop Food Pantry, and CLC’s/Valpo’s Refugee Family Support Fund. HH is located “on a hill” in a neighborhood west of Valparaiso U. where social service needs are real for the families and children living there. HH can provide as a health care provider Medicare and Hoosier Healthwise benefits to those in Porter County living below the poverty level (estimated to be 9000 children and 4000 women in Porter County). A gift of $50 permits Hilltop to provide childcare,
health care, and community improvement activities within a child’s own family setting (also contributions may qualify for Indiana’s Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credit). Also, plan to the Hilltop Soup dinner fundraiser Tuesday, March 3, 4-7pm at Porter County Expo Center. And, the Hilltop Food Pantry Hilltop | Food Pantry (hilltophouse.org) welcomes food donations
at 606 Union Street, Valpo, CLC’s/Valpo’s Refugee Family Support Fund has been a wonderful help to our local Refugee Family over the couple of years. Our family has found housing, employment, a means of transportation, English language training, schools and music opportunities for the kids, faith communities, and more. As the family continues to transition to life in Valpo and Northwest Indiana, this Support Fund continues to help the family move towards independence and sustainability. Also, look for
volunteer opportunities throughout the year to assist members of the family and to get to know the family better. Help achieve our goal of $2500 in February (over and above giving combined with CLC’s budgeted amount of $1200). By achieving our goal CLC will help Hilltop and our Refugee Family continue to thrive. Use your weekly worship giving envelope with check to CLC and indicate “Hilltop/Refugee” or contribute through Subsplash on the CLC
website clcvalpo.org via the “Give” button, choosing “Social Ministry Emphasis” from the pull-down menu. Thank you to members for supporting monthly social ministry emphases.
LLP Registration 2026-2027 Registration is now open for everyone! We have plenty of Beginner AM and PM classes left and some afternoon Young 5/PreK spots. The classes that will be offered this coming fall are: - Beginners Tuesday/Thursday AM 8:45-11:15 ($225/month). 3 & 4 years old. Must be 3 by August 1, 2026
- Beginners 3 Session AM Mon/Wed/Fri 9:00-11:30 ($275/month). 3 & 4 years old. Should be 3 by Feb. 1, 2026
- Beginners 3 Session PM Mon/Wed/Fri 12:30-3:00 ($275/month). 3 & 4 years old. Should be 3 by Feb. 1,
2026
- Pre-K AM Mon/Wed/Fri 8:45-11:15 ($250/month) 4 & 5 years old. Must be 4 by August 1, 2026
- Pre-K PM Mon/Wed/Fri 12:15-2:45 ($250/month) 4 & 5 years old. Must be 4 by August 1, 2026*
- Young 5’s AM Mon-Fri 9:00-11:30 ($357/month) 4 &5 years old. Should be 4 by June 1, 2026
- Young 5's PM Mon-Fri 12:30-3:00
($357/month) 4 & 5 years old. Should be 4 by June 1, 2026*
*Enrollment of up
to 16 students in these classes will combine for a split class of PreK/Young 5. An Extended Day Program will be available for Registration in Fall of 2026 for Spring Semester. Pre-K and Young 5 AM students, who will be attending Kindergarten the following school year, are eligible to enroll. LLP reserves the right to cancel classes if enrollment is insufficient. A non-refundable registration fee of $175.00 is due at the time of confirmation of registration. Additional siblings registering for the same school year may pay a reduced registration fee of $119.00. Once you receive confirmation of registration from LLP you may pay for
registration online via a link provided. The registration fee is not due until you receive confirmation that your child has secured a spot for the 2026-2027 school year. Please contact Jen Gottlieb at 219-462-6660 #14 or LLP@CLCValpo.org for more information. Registration is online at www.clcvalpo.org (click through to the LLP page).
We are once again invited to provide delicious desserts for the Hilltop House Soups. The event is located
at the Porter County Expo Center on Tuesday, March 3 from 4-7pm. Would you be willing to provide a dessert? Please call the CLC office (219-462-6660) before February 24 if you have any questions. The desserts should be delivered to CLC on Monday, March 2 - please put in the kitchen with a label and the desserts should be pre-cut. Another way to help would be to deliver soups from the restaurants to the Expo Center on March 3rd. Contact Irene Adams (219-801-1585) if you have any questions. Thank you in advance!
Attention All Thrivent Financial
Members! Do you have any Thrivent Choice Dollars that have not been directed to the charity of our choice? Minimum and maximum Choice Dollars Designations Eligible clients will be designated a minimum of 25 Choice Dollars and a maximum of 5,000 Choice Dollars per eligibility period (Jan. 1 to Dec. 31). Choice Dollars designated during the calendar year can be directed until March 31,
2026. There are two ways of directing Choice Dollars to Christ Lutheran Church: Computer: Go to the Thrivent Financial web site (www.Thrivent.com) and direct the Choice Dollars on-line. Phone: Call Thrivent Financial at 1-800-847-4836. When prompted by the electronic answering system, say “Thrivent Choice.” Follow the remaining prompts, and a representative will come on the line to assist you.
You will need your Thrivent membership ID number and will need to answer some other personal questions to verify that you are the Thrivent member who is on the line.
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QUILTS Quilts Completed: 53 BABY CARE KIT PROJECT 2026 GOAL-500 KITS COMPLETED-130 FEBRUARY NEEDS-Boys and girls PANTS, jackets, sweaters, and sweat shirts, and financial support to purchase flannel and soap. Sizes continue to be 6 months to 2T. Financial support can be sent to Heather Budnick who will put it in our Baby Care account. INTERESTING FACT-2025 LWR numbers are in. 66,984 Baby Care Kits were delivered to 10 global locations. Of that number 22,934 were distributed here in the United States. Christ
Lutheran had packed in 2025 700 Baby Care Kits. FABRIC KIT PROJECT 2026 GOAL-100 KITS COMPLETED-16 JANUARY NEEDS-Cotton fabric in 3 yard lengths. Also, 1 yard or more lengths of cotton fabric that can be used for receiving blankets. Gently used flannel flat sheets that are not torn or stained can also be used. Please indicate if they are washed. INTERESTING FACT-LWR 2025 total number for Fabric Kits dispersed was 9,368 to 4 countries. Most of these kits went to the United States. HURRICANES AND WILD FIRES here in the United States produced a tremendous need for LWR KITS. Christ Lutheran assembled 136 Fabric Kits in 2025. PERSONAL CARE KITS KITS COMPLETED 180 Thanks to all who have contributed so far. Don’t forget: Any contributions made during Lent will be matched dollar for dollar. Your help is greatly appreciated. ALUMINUM CAN PROJECT 2026 GOAL-$250 A HUGE THANK YOU for all the cans that have appeared in the Red truck and White basket. We are close to taking our first trip in 2026 to the recycling location. KEEP THOSE CANS COMING! INTERESTING FACT- Since 12/2023 (when this project started), Every CAN that had a tab on it was removed and given to Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis. Riley continues to request tabs to support their mission of medically helping children. Lent is a season when traditionally Christians make a sacrifice of some type to remember Christ's sacrifice for us. In this spirit, I am making this request for this time during lent.
Beginning on Ash Wednesday and continuing through Good Friday, I will match any contributions to the Personal Care Kit Project. Please help me help remember those people all over the world that are less fortunate than we are. Any contribution will be greatly appreciated and will be used to purchase items to be included in the kits. Thank you for your participation in this project.
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