JULY 2013
Christ Lutheran Church • Highlands Ranch, CO • Gathering † Gifting † Sending
RELAY FOR LIFE
On July 26th the senior high youth will be participating in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life! Held at Cresthill Middle School, BLAZE's group called the "CLC Pooh Bears" will be walking the track all night long and into the morning of the 27th to raise money and awareness for cancer research! The youth will be fundraising until the Relay and are accepting any and all donations during services on Sundays! Stop by and purchase a yummy treat from the bake sale or buy a luminary in honor or memory of a loved one who is still fighting or lost their battle to cancer; the luminaries will be displayed around the track all night long. Thanks for your support!
Scrip for BACK-TO-SCHOOL Supplies Summer is in full swing! Unfortunately (or fortunately for some), school will be starting before you know it. Please consider CLC Scrip Gift Cards for your back-to-school needs. For school supplies, we have gift cards from Target, Staples, Office Depot and Office Max. There are also cards available for Dell Computer and Barnes & Noble College bookstore. If your college-bound student needs a little help with essentials, there are gift cards from Bed, Bath & Beyond, Sears, and Home Depot. And, of course, we have many restaurant gift cards which would make a great gift for any hungry student! Take a look at the Scrip order forms and complete vendor lists located in the Narthex. Thanks for supporting the CLC Scrip Gift Card program!
Harrington Elementary Back to School Collection
We are starting to collect backpacks, school supplies and tennis shoes for Harrington Elementary School. Harrington is a very low income school in Denver that our congregation has adopted. Please bring in backpacks, tennis shoes (all sizes for elementary kids) and any type of school supplies and drop them in the bin located in the Narthex/Lobby marked Harrington Backpacks. These back packs filled with school supplies may be the only supplies the children get all year. The Physical Education teacher says that many kids come to the gym wearing flip flops or shoes that are too small for them. Last year we took 250 backpacks and 70 pairs of tennis shoes to the school and made many children very happy. We will be delivering everything to Harrington on August 12th.
STAFF: Rev. Tom Shelly, Sr. Pastor pstrfstr@clchr.org
Pastor Tom’s Message
Rev. DJ Dent, Associate Pastor pastordent@clchr.org Debby Kinsella Dir. Outreach/Equipping dkinsella@clchr.org Gary Knutson Dir. of Youth & Family gknutson@clchr.org Deb Morgans Preschool Director dmorgans@clchr.org Mary Behnke Administrative Manager mbehnke@clchr.org Sallie Burns Financial Secretary sburns@clchr.org Judi Best Dir. Traditional Music jbest@clchr.org Linda Holcombe Dir. Contemporary Music lindaholcombe64@gmail.com Nicholas Koltay Administrative Assistant nkoltay@clchr.org Carrie Mallery Principal Pianist Larry Scalfari Pianist Barbara Pierson Dir. Nursery Ministry Barbara.Pierson@comcast.net Meliha & Predrag Vajzovic Custodians CHURCH COUNCIL: Mark Yoss m.yoss@comcast.net Crista Larsen cristalarsen@yahoo.com Ken Kroneberger kenk@jcmh.org Rick Boyer safetyguy74@yahoo.com Julie Waggoner waggoners5@gmail.com Jody Alexander home4jody@comcast.net Alan Buckel afbjjb@aol.com Norm Beulke nbeulke@gmail.com Gary Rasel raselg@msn.com Nancy Bauer nancybauer@q.com All articles, photos and notices for the next issue of CrossWord are due by the 15th of the month. Send to mbehnke@clchr.org. Editor reserves the right to edit for content and space.
Summer Church Memories! When I was a kid in Phoenix Arizona I went to Trinity Lutheran Church in Sunnyslope. It was a small church then, however it did have many families and lots of kids. Some of my memories I have about that church are Sunday School and about two years in a row attending Vacation Bible School. What I specifically remember is how as kids we were worked up enthusiastically in the opening event, where we sat in metal folding chairs in the Fellowship Hall and sang songs. There was enough kids and chairs for two sections one on the left and one on the right. What we sang went like this: “The B-I-B-L-E, Yes, that’s the book for me! I stand up high on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E!” And yes, we shouted it, over and over again, louder and louder one side at a time, as the object was to show the other side we were more enthusiastic then they! I honestly can’t say I remember much else specifically except that we had fun and had loving dedicated adults teaching us. I would eventually go on to be one of those teachers. I first was introduced to teaching Sunday School by being an assistant to Mrs. Joyce Porrianda who taught 6th grade in the balcony of the church. I learned a lot from her, especially patience! But most of all that instead of getting upset with one or two who would misbehave or try to disrupt the class, to love them all the more. If that didn’t work then a special invitation was highly recommended that they come and sit next to her while she taught. I am convinced that some of the kids vied for that honor sometimes! This all comes as I think about July as our VBS Month here at CLC! (Our VBS has filled rapidly and now there is a waiting list.) Somewhere around 225 kids along with loving and caring adult teachers and helpers will be here for a week of fun and enthusiasm through the VBS Theme, Kingdom Rock! I am sure that they will remember the fun and enthusiasm and hopefully much more that will make up some of their summer memories! My memories like these, whether major life changing events or minor ones, have become the building blocks of my life and journey of faith! How about you? And even more importantly, how about our children? What extra and ordinary events shape and guide them? Who will shape and guide them? As a wise saying goes, “Life is to be understood looking backwards but must be lived forwards!” Only later in life do we see clearly what was positive and good for us and others while we live and act in faith going forward praying that what we leave behind is life and faith building in others! Many Blessings for Your Summer Church Memories! See you at Worship + Pastor Tom
Pastor DJ’s Message
Turning a phrase, sailing through Summer! We cannot afford “to beat around the bush” and I must “cut to the
chase!”
We cannot afford for me to avoid talking about what is important! Plainly and specifically our expenses right now are more than our income as a congregation. Summer has come and with it our annual dip in attendance and offerings. While our giving is slightly above last year, this year we have taken on more commitments and we have used some reserves to “make ends meet!” We have not been at this place for several years now but here we are again! It is not one of my favorite subjects but I would be irresponsible if I did not address it. I am asking everyone who is behind on their giving to try and catch up; I am asking everyone to consider giving above and beyond what they may regularly give to wipe out our summer deficit in the next several weeks. The church is often symbolized by a ship with precious cargo but without its sails full it cannot move forward. If we all pitch in we can fill our churches sails and keep moving our ministry through the summer months and into the rest of the year! The two phrases: “beating around the bush and cut to the chase!” are over 673 years old! The origin of the phrase “making ends meet” is from sailing ships with lots of masts. Some were attached by ropes that moved. Some were hung with ropes that were permanent. When the lower ropes broke, the Captain would tell the men to pull the ropes together, splice them to get the ends to meet again, pull and tug on the canvas, so that the masts would be productive for sailing again. Let’s pull together to make the ends meet! Yours in Christ, Pastor Tom
I was recently contacted by my internship congregation to write a letter for their campaign promoting their seminary scholarship fund for people preparing to become pastors. I gladly completed the letter, but something strange happened as I wrote. With each line that I typed, my mind was filled with stories backing up each word with images of moments in time that would take an entire novel to capture. All of these memories had a common theme: encouragement. I recalled the Sunday I preached my first sermon and the elderly woman who kindly suggested that with my ability to speak in front of people I should consider being a pastor. I recalled my Associate Pastor who pushed the idea of ordained ministry into my head. I remembered friends who had cheered me on when I took on teaching roles. I remember others who commented on how I showed that I loved people rather than tried to say it. All of these things came from people who probably had no idea that a decade or two later I would still be able to clearly remember those moments in my mind and speak of their importance in how they continue to shape me. This stands in stark contrast to what I read in news articles which point out the latest flub someone performed. It also fights with my own thoughts and feelings about getting something done which was slightly imperfect (guess which part I focus on). And all the sudden I see a huge opportunity for the church to be truly counter-cultural: encouragement. To stand out and do something different would be to offer that support to one another. Indeed when we offer these sentiments we are keeping in the tradition of the church in Thessalonica to which St. Paul wrote “encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). For as much as we love to focus on errors, what will change the world for the better is the lifting up the gifts and blessings that someone else offers. You never know, someone may write a letter years down the line and that one time you praised their effort could be the moment which sustains all that they do. So continue on building each other up. The world has an abundance of destruction, let’s construct something worthwhile together. Peace, Pastor DJ
VALUABLE VOLUNTEERS
I am one of four volunteers who mow the lawn here at Christ Lutheran Church. This past Saturday morning when I arrived at the church to mow, there was one car in the parking lot and I saw a woman pulling weeds in the south flowerbed. We greeted each other and exchanged pleasantries about the beautiful Colorado day. When I thanked her for pulling weeds, she mentioned that it was easy to stay ahead of the weeds by coming daily. As I mowed that morning, it struck me that we have a large number of unsung heroes like this woman who contribute their time and talent across hundreds of opportunities at CLC. Adult and youth alike, who keep our community vibrant and a place that we can all be proud of! When I returned home, I did an internet search on “volunteer value”. I learned that the average church in Colorado has 32.6% of it’s congregation who volunteer an average of 123 hours per year. Here at CLC the value of our volunteers equates to $1,177,182 annually. This number is double our current personnel payroll and a reminder of the immense contributions that you make to our community. We couldn’t do it without you!!
Christian Meyer - July 1 Steve Tolle - July 1 Chad Vorthmann - July 1 Jessica Danyo - July 2 Larry Nelms - July 2 Mike Kenevan - July 3 Cooper Lytle - July 3 Natalee Moses - July 3 Meg Rand - July 3 Emily Rowe - July 3 Tyler Beukelman - July 4 Alejandro Mena Casa - July 4 Phill Peterson - July 4 Darlene Danyo - July 5 Liam Elkins - July 5 Jean Reimer - July 5 John Matthew Sedbrook - July 5 Claire Cantrell - July 6 Ivory Cartwright - July 6 Heidi Elkins - July 6 Jonathon Knauff - July 6 Camden Long - July 6 Rodger Ott - July 6 Lillian Peterson - July 6 Lucy Sumner - July 6 Avery Dethlefs - July 7 AJ Evens - July 7 John Monson - July 7 Garrett Rasel - July 7 Mitch Van Dewerker - July 7 Tate Walsh - July 7
Happy Birthday
Mike Wilson - July 7 Sara Zellner - July 7 Bev Brady - July 8 Katie Chavez - July 8 Rachel Knauff - July 8 Sherry Koepke - July 8 Cole Parsa - July 8 James Hanson - July 9 Tyler Beffel - July 10 Jennette Bergstrom - July 10 Nicole Garcia - July 10 Dylan Sain - July 10 Shirley Warren - July 10 Morgan Bergstrom - July 11 Lynn Brown - July 11 Nicky Dimercurio - July 11 Julie Paul - July 11 Meghan Tesch - July 11 Dylan Tesch - July 11 Jenny Bachelder - July 12 Kivlin Belcher - July 12 Nicole Long - July 12 Jan McKissack - July 12 Layton Moore - July 12 Keller Regan - July 12 Meghan Symes - July 12 Anya Thompson - July 12 Kristen Douhan - July 13 Marti Haller - July 13 Krischan Kramer - July 13 Joseph Ort - July 13
Jonathan Ort - July 13 Don Woodring - July 13 Jim Davis - July 14 Carol Davis - July 14 Sharon Dull - July 14 Angie Lynne - July 14 Tanner Perry - July 14 Karen Saur - July 14 Linda Walden - July 14 Jacob Yoss - July 14 Katherine Lasater - July 15 Taylor Meyer - July 15 Tim Schaedig - July 15 Julia Symes - July 15 Mike Kravitz - July 16 Jenny White - July 16 Kaelan Boyer - July 17 Michael Connolly - July 17 Lisa McGavern - July 17 RC Morse - July 17 Jeremy Belin - July 18 Eric Johnson - July 18 Tina Kaiser - July 18 Abel Ramon - July 18 Michael Rocha - July 18 Katie Versen - July 18 Emlyn Vorthmann - July 18 Madison Weitzel - July 18 Dylan Wilson - July 18 Mark Yoss - July 18 Dan Anna - July 19
Bob Harhigh - July 19 Steven MacDonald - July 19 Anthony Moore - July 19 John Riley - July 19 Kyle Riley - July 19 Merridy Jensen - July 20 John Mavis - July 20 Paul Meyer - July 20 Hailey Reed - July 20 Dan Scheuerman - July 20 Kym Thompson - July 20 Olivia Thompson - July 20 Tyler Lee - July 21 Alexandra Marxhausen - July 21 Tami Poore - July 21 Cindy Russell - July 21 Nancy Walker - July 21 Tyler Bachelder - July 22 Cathy Kotta - July 22 Megan Ott - July 22 Caitlin Almer - July 23 Rob Foster - July 23 Jared Russell - July 23 John Bellipanni - July 24 Pete Klein - July 24 Chris Wilson - July 24 Randi Wolf - July 24 Mathew Wolken - July 24 Emilie Ziesman - July 24 Ty Boggs - July 25 Amanda Grosskrueger - July 25
Lori Hafner - July 25 Shawn Pinon - July 25 Amber Poltl - July 25 Gail White - July 25 Dan Wilson - July 25 Debbie Coates - July 26 Teya Moore - July 26 Erika Steinsvaag - July 26 Al Trautmann - July 26 Tammy Green - July 27 Michael Van Dewerker - July 27 Abigail Anderson - July 28 Alan Buckel - July 28 Paul Libner - July 28 Erik Saur - July 28 Paige Cartwright - July 29 Eden Cingrani - July 29 Patrick Curry - July 29 Audrey McCrosky - July 29 Isak Rude - July 29 Beth Sorenson - July 29 Scott Tiedgen - July 29 Melissa White - July 29 Luke Meyer - July 30 Ashley Romney - July 30 Andi Kleinert Topp - July 30 Emma Wolken - July 30 Linda MacDonald - July 31
Altar Guild
Worship Team Opportunities Have you ever thought that you would like to help usher or give communion on Saturday night or Sunday morning? We have openings at all of our services. There will be training available. Please sign the response sheet if you are interested.
The Altar Guild team is looking for another person to help set up at the 8:00 service. If you’d like to help, please talk to Debby.
Summer Worship at CLC
The hours of worship from July 6th to August 18th will be Saturday 5:00 pm and Sunday 8:00 and 9:30.
JULY SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
6:30am Men's Breakfast 1 Group 8:30am Easter Seals Summer Camp 7:00pm Boy Scouts 7:00pm Personnel Committee Mtg. 8:00pm Men's Softball
NAME TAG SUNDAY SR HIGH MISSION TRIP 8:00am Worship/CC 9:30am Worship/SS 7:00pm AA Meeting
7 SR HIGH MISSION TRIP
WEDNESDAY
8:30am Easter Seals 2 8:30am Easter Seals Summer Camp Summer Camp 9:00am Summer Camp 11:15am Staff Mtg. 5:00pm Crossroads Band 6:15pm Praise Team Rehearsal 7:00pm BLAZE
THURSDAY 3 4TH OF JULY OFFICE CLOSED
8 SR HIGH MISSION TRIP
HARRINGTON BACKPACKS 6:30am Men's Breakfast Group 8:30am Easter Seals Summer Camp 9:00am Summer Camp 9:30am Mission Quilters 6:00pm Boy Scouts Venture 7:00pm Boy Scouts 7:00pm Legacy & Endowment 9:00pm Men's Softball
9 SR HIGH MISSION TRIP 10 HARRINGTON BACKPACKS HARRINGTON BACKPACKS 8:30am Easter Seals Summer 8:30am Easter Seals Summer Camp Camp 9:00am Summer Camp 9:00am Summer Camp 11:15am Staff Mtg. 5:00pm Crossroads Band 6:15pm Praise Team Rehearsal 7:00pm BLAZE 7:00pm Council Mtg.
FRIDAY 4 9:00am Rejoice Circle
SATURDAY 5 SR HIGH MISSION TRIP 9:00am Chicks w/Sticks 5:00pm Worship/CC
SR HIGH MISSION TRIP 11 SR HIGH MISSION TRIP 12 HARRINGTON BACKPACKS HARRINGTON BACKPACKS 8:30am Easter Seals Summer 12:00pm OWLS Luncheon Camp 9:00am Summer Camp 1:00pm Easter Seals Cooking
6
NEW MEMBERS REC'D 13 SR HIGH MISSION TRIP 5:00pm Worship/CC
NEW MEMBERS REC'D 14 6:30am Men's Breakfast 15 SR HIGH MISSION TRIP Group 8:00am Worship/CC 8:30am Easter Seals Summer 9:30am Worship/SS Camp 4:00pm Co-Ed Softball 9:00am Summer Camp 7:00pm AA Meeting 6:00pm Men's Softball 7:00pm Boy Scouts
8:30am Easter Seals 16 8:30am Easter Seals Summer Camp Summer Camp 9:00am Summer Camp 9:00am Summer Camp 11:15am Staff Mtg. 1:00pm Visiting Nurse Assoc. 5:00pm Crossroads Band 6:15pm Praise Team Rehearsal 7:00pm BLAZE
17 8:30am Easter Seals
18 9:00am Rejoice Circle
19 5:00pm Worship/CC
20
8:00am Worship/CC 21 8:00am BAPTISM - Gordon 9:30am Worship/SS 7:00pm AA Meeting 7:00pm Co-Ed Softball
VBS WEEK 22 6:30am Men's Breakfast Group 9:00am VBS 12:30pm Easter Seals Camp
9:00am VBS 23 9:00am VBS 11:15am Staff Mtg. 12:30pm Easter Seals 12:30pm Easter Seals Camp Summer Camp 5:00pm Crossroads Band 6:15pm Praise Team Rehearsal 7:00pm BLAZE
24 9:00am VBS
25 9:00am VBS
26 7:00am General
27
8:00am Worship/CC 28 9:30am Worship/SS 6:00pm Co-Ed Softball 7:00pm AA Meeting 9:00pm Minnestoa Church Mission trip
6:00am Minnesota Church 29 Mission Trip 6:30am Men's Breakfast Group 8:30am Easter Seals Camp 9:00am Summer Camp 7:00pm Boy Scouts
8:30am Easter Seals 30 8:30am Easter Seals Summer Camp Summer Camp 9:00am Summer Camp 9:00am Summer Camp 11:15am Staff Mtg. 5:00pm Crossroads Band 6:15pm Praise Team Rehearsal 7:00pm BLAZE
31
Summer Camp 9:00am Summer Camp 1:00pm Easter Seals Cooking
12:30pm Easter Seals Summer Camp 1:00pm Easter Seals Cooking
Maintenance 5:00pm Worship/CC
Followers of Jesus Christ
8997 S. Broadway Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 Change Service Requested
There’s a place for you! Outreach Ministries
Fair Trade Coffee Project ELCA World Hunger The Gathering Place Grant Avenue Street Reach Habitat for Humanity Harrington Elementary Lutheran Family Services Adult Mission Trips Outreach Uganda Urban Peak (MOPS) Mothers of Preschoolers
Music
Celebration Choir Crossroads Worship Band Confirmation Choir Jubilation Choir Joy Choir Carillon Ringers
Preschool
Caring Connection
Individual Care Team Confidential Prayer Tree Card Ministry New-Mother Ministry Prayer Shawl Knitters Chefs for Christ Pastoral Care and Counseling Chicks with Sticks Mission Quilters
Youth & Family Ministries
Sunday School Dynamite Youth Group (4th, 5th, 6th graders) Blaze (High School Youth) Sr. High Mission Trip Confirmation (7th & 8th graders) First Communion classes First Bible classes Baptism classes Family Nights