AUGUST 2013
Christ Lutheran Church • Highlands Ranch, CO • Gathering † Gifting † Sending
Where Did The Summer Go?
Greetings from the Preschool! We cannot believe that teachers will be returning August 20th and school will begin on August 26th! We had a great summer camp turn out and the children all had a great time. Our themes included ocean animals, nature, science and messy things. And, we had a water day once a week with bubbles and many games to play. We are busy getting ready for the new school year. The preschool had central air conditioning installed this summer and we are excited to have cooler air once school begins. We wish everyone a smooth transition back to school and fun on new adventures. Many blessings! Deb and Blair
Employer Matching Contributions Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match any charitable contributions made by their employees. This means that your gift to Christ Lutheran Church might be “twice as nice”. Procedures vary with each company, but typically you will need to complete and submit certain forms to your employer. Usually you can get more information about your employer’s matching gift benefits from your human resources department... it can never hurt to ask.
WOMEN’S GOLF MINISTRY The Women’s Golf Ministry teed off June 25th. The women are having fun getting to know one another. The group is playing at The Links Golf Course in Highlands Ranch on Monday or Tuesday evenings. The tee times are after 5:30 PM for the working women. They usually play the front or back 9 holes. This is fun golf and not serious golf. They welcome any other women who would like to join the group for fun, fellowship and golf. Please contact Marilyn Jaster at 720-207-3723 or mejaster@msn.com if you are interested in playing golf with the group.
STAFF: Rev. Tom Shelly, Sr. Pastor pstrfstr@clchr.org 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: Ken Kroneberger kenk@jcmh.org Lee Bergstrom lee_berg@yahoo.com Nancy Bauer nancybauer@q.com Rick Boyer safetyguy74@yahoo.com Julie Waggoner waggoners5@gmail.com Norm Beulke nbeulke@gmail.com Adrian Hafner backyardkids@hotmail.com Bret Sumner bretsumner@hotmail.com John Ringkob jer@dascoinc.com John Riley johnriley05@comcast.net 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.
Pastor Tom’s Message 7 years – Biblical Lessons of Wisdom In Genesis there is a wonderful story about life that we can see symbolically parallel in our own time. I am referring to the stories of Joseph in Genesis particularly where Joseph is asked to interpret the dream of the Pharaoh (Genesis 41). In that dream the Pharaoh saw first “seven cows that were “sleek and fat.” Behind them were seven more cows that were “ugly and gaunt.” Joseph implies that although he cannot interpret the dream God can through him, thus giving God the glory and Joseph remaining humble before the Pharaoh. “The seven good cows,” Joseph told the Pharaoh, “are seven years and “the seven lean cows that come up afterward are seven years. It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown what God is about to do. Seven years of great abundance are coming... but seven years of famine will follow them.” Not to make more out of it than necessary the numbers here in parallel meanings around us today are not the point but rather the wisdom and truth can be stated this way: There will be good times and bad times, act accordingly. Somewhat in reverse order, last week I shared with the congregation on Sunday, on my property in Arizona we have had several fruit trees, a pomegranate, apricot and apple tree that for almost seven years have bore no fruit. For the past two years the pomegranate has had one solitary pomegranate fruit! This year it has approximately 2 dozen! The apricot tree this year for the first year has had one solitary apricot. Next year it should be interesting to see what happens with it. And this year the apple tree after having none has about 6 apples on it! I am hoping that for basically seven years of virtually no fruit that these trees will have many years now following of great abundance! Hopefully for the past seven years I have acted accordingly with these trees. There were several times when I thought about cutting them down, but instead I watered, pruned and fertilized them instead. Can we see the parallels of these stories to our life together at CLC as a community of faith? I will celebrate this October, seven years of ministry with you at CLC. What a blessing it has been! In some ways those years have been lean, but also abundant! I believe we have acted accordingly. What lies ahead depending on how you interpret it, is probably abundant and lean as well, what is needed is for us to act accordingly. God will reveal to us what God will do; will we be ready and willing? How about you? How do you see the parallels in your life of dreams, abundant and lean years, and fruit producing? Can you interpret the biblical wisdom for your life? What do you need to do to act accordingly? + Many Blessings + See You in Worship + Pastor Tom
Thanks 2013 VBS Volunteers – You “Rock!” By Norm Beulke
CLC just concluded its 2013 Vacation Bible School (VBS) session during the week of 22-26 July. Enrollment reached its maximum of 220 children. These children – ages three (3) through ten (10) – experienced a fun, God-filled week focused on those things that will help them “Stand Strong” – God’s Love, Family and Friends, Prayer, Trusting in God, and God’s Word. The event could not have succeeded without the generous involvement of VBS Volunteers. Volunteers, numbering 110, including 33 adults and 77 youth, enthusiastically shared their time, talents and faith to enable and enrich the learning experience of these children. Thanks to all these volunteers, but special thanks to the 77 youth, who serving as Crews Leaders for groups of 5, and other assisting roles, were critical role models for impressionable young children. Adult Volunteers Christine Kleen* Kristin Bergstrom* Nancy Bauer* Lara Marxhausen* Deb Morgans* Shalean Rowe* Jill Staub* Erin Young* Jody Alexander Jillian Beal Norm Beulke Barbara Brown Anne Buderus Sharon Burbank Jodi Childs Alyson Curry Angela Dorr Allyson Evans Lori Hafner Amy Hill
Heidi Jason Kristen Kellogg Dorothy Kramer-Hetner Roslyn Paine Julie Paul Jeani Ringkob Mark Rocha Lindsay Sandon Cathy Showalter Jessica Sumner Tasha Stumpe Julia Taylor Brenda Warner Youth Volunteers Austin Alexander Mallory Alexander Emma Alpern Hannah Bauer Lexi Bauer Ryan Barta
Cameron Beal Logan Beal Kristen Behnke Rachel Behnke Matthew Behnke Jeremy Belin Nicole Belin Courtney Belin Christina Best Mishel Best Andrew Bohren Lexi Burbey Ryan Butler Craig Carlson Maraih Cornell Katie D'Agostino Jane Dunbar Cade Evans Reece Evans Regan Fenske Kaitlyn Fisher
Peyton Freitag Kambri Freitag Nickolaus Freitag Ashlyn Goding Shelby Hafner Sheldon Hafner Bryan Harant Maddie Hedrick JC Hedrick Heather Hemenway Hadley Jason Katie Johnson Olivia Johnson Alex Kleen Haley Kolseth Christian Liley Avery Liley Luke Marxhausen Jessica Matsushima Ryan Matsushima Reilly McGavern
Brian Morgans Samantha Morgans Brendan Parsa Jude Piltingsrud Maddy Pontius Tyler Pontius Haley Radochonski Joe Radochonski Austin Riley Kyle Riley Madison Riley McKenna Riley Leilani Rockwell Amanda Rowe Melanie Schultz Connor Schultz Mark Silkworth Sydney Silverman Megan Silverman Logan Spicher Zack Staub
Ryan Tesch Olivia Thoennes Collin Todd Caeley Valenti Jianna Valenti Sophie Whitaker Allyson Williams Grant Wischer Other Volunteers 12 additional Adult Volunteers also assisted with decorating and crafts on Sunday, July 21, but were unable to assist during VBS (July 22-26). *VBS Committee
Pastor DJ’s Message How to Turn Everyday Objects into Devotional Tools Yes, summer is coming to a close and the time of vacations and simpler time is at its twilight. If you find yourself frantically running around, unable to find time to open a Bible to dig into God speaking to you in that way, carry this list with you. One of the blessed parts of our tradition is finding ways that God calls to us in all areas of our life, and then finding how that fits into the story of God’s interaction with humanity revealed to us in scripture. 1. Stop. This is a brief thing, only lasting about 5 seconds. If you are walking, stand still for a moment. If you are at a stoplight, forget about how soon it will turn green. If you are cooking, turn the mixer off. If you have forgotten how to breathe, now would be a good time to remember. 2. Look at and observe the item nearest you (or the one you are interacting with). If it’s something that’s alive you might have to follow a bit. Notice as much as you can about how it looks, what noises it makes, if it smells good or bad, if it feels old or worn in or new or soft or cold, etc. 3. Figure out what on Earth the thing is good for. This is actually a lot easier than it sounds. Rather than trying to figure out some sort of cosmic purpose, just name what it does. What service does it provide? 4. Ask why is that a good thing? This might actually be a little complicated. Many things are simple in that they help us to accomplish things, but another possibility would be that something exists for someone else. Not all things have to be good for us to be devotional. 5. Try to associate the good service with a story about God. You might need help with this one, but again it is not as immediately complicated as it sounds. Rather than worry about finding a specific verse in scripture, think about the things God does: forgiveness, feeding, loving, etc. If you can come up with a Biblical story, wonderful; if not, it’s still good. 6. Pray about the answers and things you’ve observed. You don’t need to be fancy, a simple “thank you for ___, God” will suffice. The more you do this, the more depth you will find in these prayers. They can be silly, they can be serious, they can be lengthy, they can be anything, what’s important is the conversation with God.
7. Tell someone about it. One of the main reasons we don’t share our faith is embarrassment. We don’t feel qualified or adequate, but this entire exercise is very real and tangible and not incredibly scholastic. I’ve frequently had good laughs about things I took as devotional that seem rather stupid, but if they teach me something about God, that is holy laughter. Here’s an example in case you are confused. I am sitting at home just after lunch, so you know the setting is pretty average. 1. Stop. Check. 2. Object: Fork. It’s silver, plain, cold, used but in good condition, shiny. 3. What does it do? It carries food to my mouth. 4. Why is that good? I need the food to survive. It keeps my hands clean. It keeps diseases from getting into my system. It brings food up in bunches. 5. Connection to God. God feeds. God protects from harm. Abundance of feeding (fish and loaves in feeding 5000). 6. Pray. God I thank you this day for the tools which feed me, for the forks that make it easy to eat, and for the people who give me nourishment spiritually and emotionally each day. Or God, there are an awful lot of things around me that seem dull that take up all my attention, and yet this shiny thing on my right which gets no attention is one of the most important. Teach me to shine, that I may not be the most noticed thing, but that I serve with faithfulness in the areas which are important. 7. Tell Someone. Well, I’m telling all of you, and Caleb has very little interest in my stories about my fork. I will tell someone I see later tonight about my “devotional fork.” This process will hopefully have a few different effects on you. It will help to calm some of the stress that comes from being overbooked. You will start to recognize the uniqueness of many of the things in God’s creation. You will start to see God more active in places where it isn’t always obvious. You will learn to not always be so formal about your faith. Your fellow explorer, Pastor DJ
Calling All Women Come join the Beth Moore: Breaking Free Bible Study class
Several years ago, I took my first Beth Moore bible study and fell in love with Beth Moore's ways of teaching women about scripture! Beth Moore is a Christian speaker and Bible study author. I was a little hesitant to sign up for bible study, after all, I felt a bit intimidated and wondered how it all would work. After my first class, I quickly realized that I had found exactly what I needed and found that Beth Moore's ways of teaching women were going to help me get into my bible and love being there with all of God's wonderful words! Have you ever wanted to take a bible study class? Have you taken a break from bible study and want to get back into the scriptures? Do you want to learn more about all these stories within the bible? Are you looking to enhance your faith journey? Here's your chance to join other women for Beth Moore's bible study, Breaking Free: The Journey, The Stories!!!
We will meet on Mondays from 9:30am to 11:30am in the Sonrise room, starting September 16, 2013. This is an 11 session, video-driven bible study. We will then meet on Sept 23, Sept 30, Oct 7, Oct 21, Oct 28, , Nov 4, Nov 11, Nov 18, Dec 2 and Dec 9. We will not meet the week of Oct 14 due to Douglas County school's fall break nor will we meet the week of Nov 25 due to Thanksgiving. The cost is $20. Childcare will be available. Please sign up on the response sheet no later than September 3, 2013. If you would like more information, or have specific questions, please feel free to contact Chris Schaeberle at 303-794-3673 or schaeberle1@comcast.net. Here is a bit more information about Breaking Free and Beth Moore from www.lifeway.com: “Breaking Free by Beth Moore leads you through Scripture to discover the transforming power of freedom in Jesus Christ. Themes for this study come from Isaiah, a book about the captivity of God's children, the faithfulness of God, and the road to freedom. This in-depth women's Bible study draws parallels between the captive Israelites of the Old Testament and New Testament believers in Jesus as the Promised Messiah. Beth looks at the Book of Isaiah through the lives of the kings who ruled during the prophet's ministry. These kings exemplify many of the obstacles to freedom with which we must deal. Using Scripture to help identify spiritual strongholds in your life, no matter how big or small, Beth explains that anything that hinders us from the benefits of knowing God is bondage. It draws parallels between the captive Israelites of the Old Testament and New Testament believers in Jesus as the Promised Messiah. Known for presenting Scripture in living color, Beth Moore enjoys getting to serve women of every age and denomination, and she is passionate about women knowing and loving the Word of God. Beth's broad collection of LifeWay women Bible studies covers relevant topics from believing God to be Who He says He is to loving difficult people. Each in-depth study guides you on your faith journey.�
Want to sing? Want to ring bells? Want to play an instrument? Look for a place to share your gifts this fall. JOY CHOIR (Vocal choir) • 3 years old – 3rd grade • Sundays at 11 am beginning on September 8th (Choir Room) JUBILATION CHOIR (Vocal and handbells included in each rehearsal) • 3rd grade – 6th grade • Sundays at 11 am beginning on September 8th (Sonrise Room) CONFIRMATION CHOIR (vocal choir) • 7th grade – 8th grade • Wednesdays at 6:30 prior to Confirmation Learning Events beginning in September JR/SR HIGH HANDBELL CHOIR (New ministry) • 7th grade – 12th grade • Sundays at 9:30 beginning on September 8th (Conference Room) CELEBRATION CHOIR (Vocal choir) • Middle school – adult • Wednesdays at 7 pm beginning on August 21st. Participate in worship 3 week-ends/month (Sonrise Room) CARILLON RINGERS (Handbell choir) • Middle school – adult • Wednesdays at 5:30 pm beginning on August 21st. Participate in worship monthly (Sanctuary) CROSSROADS BAND • High school – adult • Tuesdays at 5 pm (band), 5:30 pm (singers). Rehearsals are ongoing. Participate in worship weekly (primarily 9:30) (Sanctuary) PRAISE TEAM • High school – adult • Tuesdays at 6:30 pm. Participate in worship weekly (primarily 11:00) (Sanctuary) Contact Judi Best (jbest@clchr.org) or Linda Holcombe (lindaholcombe64@gmail.com) for more specific information.
Happy Birthday Abraham Diane - August 1 Emsley Jodi - August 1 Harhigh Jeffrey - August 1 Mitchell Jennifer - August 1 O'Hearn Callen - August 1 Poltl Carlyn - August 1 Saxton Leanne - August 1 Schaedig Cass - August 1 Tonelli Ian - August 1 Anna Julie - August 2 Curry Jackson - August 2 Evans Allyson - August 2 Fellows Carley - August 2 Fennel Harper - August 2 Goldman Jordan - August 2 Parks Lexi - August 2 Rasel Griffin - August 2 Reiter Bob - August 2 Douhan Pat - August 3 Freitag Nickolaus - August 3 Goldman Sara - August 3 Long Ashlyn - August 3 Sedbrook Anna - August 3 Belcher Zach - August 4 Etten Jim - August 4 Sullivan Matt - August 5
Warren Charles - August 5 Lichty Kristin - August 6 Watts Liz - August 6 Kramer Kurt - August 7 Mayland Jean - August 7 Harhigh Ashley - August 8 Pickrell Katie - August 8 Reeves Barry - August 8 Rickard Linda - August 8 Vajzovic Predrag - August 8 Gutsch Madely - August 9 Hughes Tamra - August 9 Kreimeyer Brock - August 9 Schulte Joe - August 9 Weber Kris - August 9 Pierce Alex - August 10 Douhan Carl - August 11 Hemenway Beth - August 11 DeBeer Ellie - August 12 Elkins Brendan - August 12 Lepper Bill - August 12 Whitney Laura - August 12 Kreimeyer Kerrigan - August 13 Quist Kathryn - August 13 Versen Mark - August 13 Black Tammy - August 14
Hansen Tawny - August 14 Korte Don - August 14 Nickel Heidi - August 14 Oxenford Dylan - August 14 Purchase Jeremy - August 14 Rocha Sheri - August 14 Wilson Carolyn - August 14 Harhigh Kim - August 15 Libner Kori - August 15 Pearson Kat - August 15 Dilges Grant - August 16 Dimercurio Arianna - August 16 Millyard Kyle - August 16 Paul Charlotte - August 16 Yoss Julianne - August 16 Ziesman Katie - August 17 Alexander Chad - August 18 Cummings Lonnie - August 18 DeBeer Owen - August 18 Ziesman Craig - August 18 Keney James - August 19 Rude Rachel - August 19 Schrader Randy - August 19 Coleman Carla - August 20 Doyle Spence - August 20 Harlan Samuel - August 20
Kreimeyer Darin - August 20 Murphy Gerry- August 20 Reiter Hale - August 20 Bolte Daniel - August 21 Cross Kelly - August 21 Henningsen Bryce - August 21 Hill Matthew - August 21 Liley Avery - August 21 Quist Kelsey - August 21 Sedbrook Olivia - August 21 Burt Audrey - August 22 Meyer Aaron - August 22 Newman Chase - August 22 Pickrell Brent - August 22 Johnson Deanna - August 23 Schaedig Denny - August 23 Schaedig Eric - August 23 Doernbrack Chris - August 24 Hansen Macayla - August 25 Jaster Marilyn - August 25 Montini Nancy - August 25 O'Brien Susan - August 25 Best Matthew - August 26 Dougherty Randy - August 26 Hansen Brecken - August 26 Peterson Kathy - August 26
Porterfield Julia - August 26 Wieseler Sherrilynne - August 26 Lichty Amanda - August 27 Stohs Joseph - August 27 Walker Dave - August 27 Wieseler Delaney - August 27 McGavern Conor - August 28 Richards Emily - August 28 Ruggeri Victoria - August 28 Tew Joan - August 28 Gordon Nathan - August 29 Lau Kennedy - August 29 Nickel Lindsay - August 29 Ongert Trent - August 29 Swanson Edna - August 29 Viergutz Pat - August 29 Haller Elle - August 30 Mowers Dave - August 30 Saur Dan - August 30 Tesch Becky - August 30 Behnke Rachel - August 31 Hill Kali - August 31 Kroneberger Nathan - August 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.
AUGUST SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
8:30am Easter Seals 1 Summer Camp 9:00am Summer Camp 1:00pm Easter Seals Cooking
NAME TAG SUNDAY 8:00am Worship/CC 9:30 Worship/SS 7:00pm AA Meeting
4 6:30am Men's Breakfast
Family Camp 11 8:00am Worship/CC 9:30am 9:30 Worship/SS 10:30am Safeguarding God's Children Training 7:00pm AA Meeting
25
6 9:00am Summer Camp
11:15am Staff Mtg. 5:00pm Crossroads Band 6:15pm Praise Team Rehearsal 7:00pm BLAZE
6:30am Men's Breakfast 12 Group 9:30am Mission Quilters 6:00pm Boy Scouts Venture 6:15pm Thrivent Mtg. 7:00pm Boy Scouts 7:00pm Legacy & Endowment Meeting
11:15am Staff Mtg. 13 5:00pm Crossroads Band 6:15pm Praise Team Rehearsal 7:00pm BLAZE 7:00pm Council Mtg.
8:00am Worship/CC 18 Adult Mission Trip 10:00am 6:30am Men's Breakfast Worship at Civic Green Park/ Group Picnic 7:00pm Boy Scouts 7:00pm AA Meeting
8:00am Worship/CC 9:30 Worship/SS 11:00am Worship/CC 12:15pm Baptism Class 7:00pm AA Meeting
5 9:00am Summer Camp
Group 9:00am Summer Camp 7:00pm Boy Scouts 7:00pm Personnel Committee Meeting
14
8 Family Camp
12:00pm OWLS Luncheon
SATURDAY 2 9:00am Chicks w/Sticks 5:00pm Worship/CC
9 Family Camp
5:00pm Worship/CC
3
10
15 9:00am Rejoice Circle
16 5:00pm Worship/CC
17
21 Adult Mission Trip
22 Adult Mission Trip
23 7:00am General
24
8:30am Preschool 27 8:30am Preschool 28 9:00am Preschool 11:15am Staff Mtg. 5:30pm Carillon Ringers 5:00pm Crossroads Band rehearsal 6:15pm Praise Team Rehearsal 6:30pm Confirmation 7:00pm BLAZE Registration 7th graders 7:00pm Celebration Choir 7:15pm Confirmation Registration 8th graders
29 9:00am Preschool
30 5:00pm Worship/CC
31
19 Adult Mission Trip
6:30am Men's Breakfast 26 Group 8:30am Preschool 9:30am Mission Quilters 6:00pm Boy Scouts Venture 7:00pm Boy Scouts
7 9:00am Summer Camp
9:00am Rejoice Circle 11:30am PAT Meeting
20 Adult Mission Trip
11:15am Staff Mtg. 1:00pm Visiting Nurse Assoc. 5:00pm Crossroads Band 6:15pm Praise Team Rehearsal 7:00pm BLAZE
9:00am Preschool Teachers Return 9:00am Preschool Training 5:30pm Carillon Ringers 6:30pm Confirmation Registration 7th graders 7:00pm Celebration Choir rehearsal 7:15pm Confirmation Registration 8th graders
9:00am Preschool Teachers
9:00am Preschool Teachers
6:00pm Dethlefs event
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