AUGUST 2016
Christ Lutheran Church • Highlands Ranch, CO • Gathering † Gifting † Sending
Welcome our new lead pastor, Pastor Eric Allert! Pastor Eric, his wife Jenny, and their children Haley and Jonathan, have settled into their new home in Highlands Ranch after their move here from “HOT” Arizona in mid-July. The collection of special donations towards the costs of their move has been achieved thru the thoughtful and prayerful giving by Christ Lutheran Church members. Pastor Eric will begin his call with Christ Lutheran Church effective August 1st. Please take a moment to welcome him if you are in the office this week! He will not be leading services the first weekend in August, due to a prior commitment to officiate an out-ofstate wedding, so his first weekend services with us will be August 13-14th. Bishop Gonia will preside over Pastor Eric’s installation ceremonies at CLC at all three services which are planned for Sunday, September 18th. To celebrate Pastor Eric’s installation, there will be a potluck luncheon with cake after the 11am service, starting at 12:15pm in the Fellowship Hall. Please plan to attend along with your favorite food item to share with the congregation.
Again, WELCOME PASTOR ERIC!
APPLYING BIBLE PRINCIPLES Someone once said, “Experience is a good teacher, but she gives the test first and then the lesson.” That’s certainly true, and based on many of life’s experiences, we frequently fail the test before we can benefit from the lesson. The formula “e equals mc2” is familiar to many college students but understood by very few people. Most of us know it had something to do with Einstein and was the formula that led to the release of enormous power and to the nuclear age. Similarly, in funding the local church, “e” might stand for every, “m” for member, “c” for commitment, and the “2” for the effort multiplied by itself. The fruit of that kind of effort is much more powerful than what Einstein discovered, even as Jesus described it in Matthew 21:22 — “Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.” Right now, as we consider the opportunity to support the ministries here at Christ Lutheran Church, God is putting us to the test. As Gordon Moyes stated, “Responsible
giving or stewardship is not man’s way of raising money, but God’s way of raising people. . . .The church’s budget is not a list of its expenses, but a record of its vision. It is not a list of bills to be met, but a program of ministry to be achieved.” As each of us prayerfully considers what God would have us give, and as we obey what God asks of us, we can trust Him to provide the resources. That’s a test — a test of where we are spiritually much more than where we are financially. It’s a test of us as individuals and of us as a church. The question is whether or not we really believe that God has the power and ability to bless our obedience “far more than all we can ask or imagine” (Eph. 3:20). How are you doing concerning God’s tests regarding money in your life? If God’s provision in your life in the days ahead depends on how you obey His leading now concerning your giving, what will the future be like for you?
STAFF: Pastor Eric Allert, Lead Pastor pastorallert@clchr.org Rev. DJ Dent, Associate Pastor pastordent@clchr.org Pastor Don Marxhausen, Visitation Pastor visitation@clchr.org Pastor Zundel Adult University Dianne Yoss Outreach Coordinator outreach@clchr.org Debbie Freeman Volunteer Coordinator dfreeman@clchr.org Gary Knutson Director of Youth & Family gknutson@clchr.org Deb Morgans Director of Preschool dmorgans@clchr.org Sallie Burns Financial Secretary sburns@clchr.org Linda Holcombe Director of Music lindaholcombe64@gmail.com Nicholas Koltay Administrative Assistant nkoltay@clchr.org Carrie Mallery Principal Pianist Larry Scalfari Pianist Barbara Pierson Director Nursery Ministry Barbara.Pierson@comcast.net Meliha & Predrag Vajzovic Custodians CHURCH COUNCIL: Erika Alpern eajteach@yahoo.com Jeff Bergstrom j-bergstrom@comcast.net Lesley Cantrell we4cantrells@mac.com Sheri Halverson sherilhalverson@gmail.com Pete Koury pmkoury@q.com Beth Ott hunterchief95@comcast.net John Ringkob jer@dascoinc.com Karen Rucker kkosty@excite.com Steve Schaeberle Schaeberle1@comcast.net Bret Sumner bretsumner@hotmail.com Bob Weber B14169k@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 DJ’s Message Amazingly it’s back to school time already, so I thought it would be helpful just to get prepared for the rush of activity around the church as our fall programming schedule gets started.
AUGUST • We will bless all the backpacks for those going back to school on the weekend of the 6th & 7th when we will welcome the principal of Harrington Elementary • We will enjoy one last outdoor hurrah for the summer by heading up to Sky Ranch for Family Camp on the weekend of the 12th -14th • We will reignite our MOPS group on the 24th • We will worship outdoors at Civic Green Park the morning of the 28 th and have a picnic immediately following
SEPTEMBER • We will kick our Confirmation program off again for the year on the 7th • We will celebrate the start of Sunday School with Rally Day on the 11th • We will be led in worship by our youth on the weekend of the 24th & 25th This is but a blip on the radar of all the things we will be a part of as a community over the next few months, which says nothing of welcoming Pastor Eric, the start of adult education ministries, and a whole host of other things. It is a great time to be a part of Christ Lutheran Church, hopefully you hear God calling you to participate and grow in a new way this fall and into the future. God’s Peace, Pastor DJ
OUTREACH SAVE THE DATES AUGUST 28 CLC Picnic
SEPTEMBER 10/11 Rally Day and Ministry Fair
SEPTEMBER 10/11 ELCA Day of Service
OCTOBER 1 Annual Oktoberfest Dinner/Fundraiser
Happy Birthday Diane Abraham Jodi Emsley Jeffrey Harhigh Jennifer Mitchell Callen O'Hearn Carlyn Poltl Leanne Saxton Cass Schaedig Ian Tonelli Julie Anna Jackson Curry Allyson Evans Harper Fennel Jordan Goldman Lexi Parks Griffin Rasel Pat Douhan Nickolaus Freitag Sara Goldman Gia Pietropola Jim Etten Matt Sullivan Charles Warren Tiannah Baca Lance Devin Kristin Lichty Liz Watts Kurt Kramer
Aug 1 Aug 1 Aug 1 Aug 1 Aug 1 Aug 1 Aug 1 Aug 1 Aug 1 Aug 2 Aug 2 Aug 2 Aug 2 Aug 2 Aug 2 Aug 2 Aug 3 Aug 3 Aug 3 Aug 3 Aug 4 Aug 5 Aug 5 Aug 6 Aug 6 Aug 6 Aug 6 Aug 7
Bo Licalzi Jean Mayland Ashley Harhigh Katie Pickrell Barry Reeves Linda Rickard Predrag Vajzovic Dru Vorthmann Gretchen Gunther Madelyn Gutsch Tamra Hughes Brock Kreimeyer Joe Schulte Kris Weber Marla Elhard Alex Pierce Carl Douhan Beth Hemenway Ellie DeBeer Brendon Elkins Bill Lepper Melissa Spicher Steve Strom Rhea Thomas Laura Whitney Kerrigan Kreimeyer Kathryn Quist Lindsay Stevens
Aug 7 Aug 7 Aug 8 Aug 8 Aug 8 Aug 8 Aug 8 Aug 8 Aug 9 Aug 9 Aug 9 Aug 9 Aug 9 Aug 9 Aug 10 Aug 10 Aug 11 Aug 11 Aug 12 Aug 12 Aug 12 Aug 12 Aug 12 Aug 12 Aug 12 Aug 13 Aug 13 Aug 13
Mark Versen Tawny Hansen Margaret Johnson Don Korte Heidi Nickel Jeremy Purchase Sheri Rocha Carolyn Wilson Kat Downing Kim Harhigh Kori Libner Grant Dilges Arianna Dimercurio Kyle Millyard Charlotte Paul Julianne Yoss Katie Ziesman Chad Alexander Lonnie Cummings Owen DeBeer John Inmann Craig Ziesman James Keney Chloe McNitt Randy Schrader Sohia Trevino Carla Coleman Spence Doyle
Aug 13 Aug 14 Aug 14 Aug 14 Aug 14 Aug 14 Aug 14 Aug 14 Aug 15 Aug 15 Aug 15 Aug 16 Aug 16 Aug 16 Aug 16 Aug 16 Aug 17 Aug 18 Aug 18 Aug 18 Aug 18 Aug 18 Aug 19 Aug 19 Aug 19 Aug 19 Aug 20 Aug 20
Isaac Edstrom Cruz Fleming Darin Kreimeyer Gerry Murphy Daniel Bolte Bryce Henningsen Matthew Hill Jodi Licalzi Avery Liley Kelsey Quist Audrey Burt Aaron Meyer Brent Pickrell Pete Skelton Deanna Johnson Payton Lineberry Denny Schaedig Eric Schaedig Chris Doernbrack Antje Radtke Macayla Hansen Nancy Montini Susan O'Brien Randy Dougherty Brecken Hansen Kathy Peterson Julia Porterfield Sherrilynne Wieseler
Aug 20 Aug 20 Aug 20 Aug 20 Aug 21 Aug 21 Aug 21 Aug 21 Aug 21 Aug 21 Aug 22 Aug 22 Aug 22 Aug 22 Aug 23 Aug 23 Aug 23 Aug 23 Aug 24 Aug 24 Aug 25 Aug 25 Aug 25 Aug 26 Aug 26 Aug 26 Aug 26 Aug 26
Amanda Lichty Connor Stockford Joseph Stohs Dave Walker Delaney Wieseler Conor McGavern Emily Richards Victoria Ruggeri Joan Tew Bill Castor Nathan Gordon Kennedy Lau Judie Lovelace Lindsay Nickel Mallory Prescott Edna Swanson Pat Viergutz David Graham Elle Haller Christopher McDonald Dan Saur Becky Tesch Rachel Behnke Kali Hill Nathan Kroneberger
Aug 27 Aug 27 Aug 27 Aug 27 Aug 27 Aug 28 Aug 28 Aug 28 Aug 28 Aug 29 Aug 29 Aug 29 Aug 29 Aug 29 Aug 29 Aug 29 Aug 29 Aug 30 Aug 30 Aug 30 Aug 30 Aug 30 Aug 31 Aug 31 Aug 31
AUGUST SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
6:30a Men's Breakfast Group 1 9:30a MOPS NTY Meeting 7p Boy Scouts 7p Personnel Mtg.
8a Worship 8 7 6:30a Men's Breakfast 9:30a Worship Group 2p Eagle Scout Court of Honor 9:30a Mission Quilters 7p AA Meeting 6p Boy Scouts Venture Crew 7p Boy Scouts
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY 3 6:30p Grief Support Group 4
FRIDAY
11:30a Staff Mtg. 5p Crossroads Band 7p Blaze-Sr. High 7p Caregiver Mtg
2
11:30a Staff Mtg. 5p Crossroads Band 7p Blaze-Sr. High 7p Council Mtg. 7p Military Ministry Mtg.
9 9a MOPS Planning Retreat 10 7p Cub Scout Leader Mtg. 11 12p OWLS Luncheon
SATURDAY 5 9a Chicks w/Sticks 5p Worship/CC
7p Eagle Court of Honor
6
12 5p Worship/CC
13
20
8a Worship 9:30a Worship 7p AA Meeting
14 6:30a Men's Breakfast
15 11:30a Staff Mtg.
16
17
18 6:30p CLC Bridge Group
19 5p Worship/CC
8a Worship 9:30a Worship 7p AA Meeting
21 6:30a Men's Breakfast
22 11:30a Staff Mtg.
23
24 7p Celebration Choir
25
26 7a General Maintenance 27
8am Worship 9:30am Worship 11a CLC Picnic 7p AA Meeting
28 6:30a Men's Breakfast
29 11:30a Staff Mtg.
30
31
Group 9:30a MOPS NTY Meeting 7p Boy Scouts 7p Legacy & Endowment Mtg.
Group 9:30a Mission Quilters 6p Boy Scouts Venture Crew 7p Boy Scouts
Group 9:30a MOPS NTY Meeting 7p Boy Scouts
12:30p Visiting Nurse Assoc. 5p Crossroads Band 7p Blaze-Sr. High 7p Caregiver Mtg
5p Crossroads Band 7p Blaze-Sr. High
5p Crossroads Band 7p Blaze-Sr. High
5p Worship/CC
Christ Lutheran Church Thrivent Midyear Report Below find a brief midyear recap of two Thrivent Programs that directly benefit Christ Lutheran Church and it's ministries:
Thrivent CHOICE Program The CHOICE Program gives various amounts of charitable dollars annually based on a Thrivent member's financial accounts including insurances, brokerage, etc The Thrivent member can then "designate" what charitable causes they want their annual dollars to be contributed to. Thanks to the generosity of our CLC/Thrivent members we've received $6,243 in CHOICE dollars at midyear 2016. This is just $125 less than midyear 2015. These dollars help support CLC ministries like our Youth Mission Trip, Harrington School and more.
How can CLC/Thrivent members help our Church even more? Last year only 58 out of 117 CLC Thrivent members used their CHOICE dollars to designate to a charitable cause. Thousands of dollars were left unused. As of midyear 2016, we've had only 39 CLC Thrivent members complete their designations, so we're going to repeat last year's 50% participation. Please use your 2016 CHOICE dollars and designate them whether to CLC or another cause. If you are unsure if you have CHOICE dollars to designate you can sign into www.Thrivent.com and sign into your account and go to CHOICE Dollars to find out if and what amount of CHOICE dollars you have to designate this year. If you are more comfortable talking to a Thrivent Customer Service Representative, call 1-800-236-3736 and at the prompt ask for "Fraternal" and the C.S. Rep can assist you with your CHOICE dollars. (Have your member I.D. for this call) If you are a caretaker for an older CLC/Thrivent member, you may want to inquire as to whether they are aware of the CHOICE Program and how they can help CLC or other charitable causes and assist them with their designation.
Thrivent ACTION TEAM Program The Thrivent Action Team program provides $250.00 in funds to support local church projects that have been applied for and approved through Thrivent. CLC has benefited from this program for many years. In 2016, we've received $1,250.00 to support these CLC Ministries: Harrington Carnival, Ministry Fair, Vacation Bible School, Youth Mission Trip, and Harrington Back to School Drive. We hope to apply for and receive an additional $1500.00 to support upcoming minstries like the Mission Quilters and Adult Mission Trip to Sky Ranch.
How can CLC/Thrivent members help our Church even more? Collaborate with our Director of Outreach, Dianne Yoss, or Director of Volunteerism, Debbie Freeman, or with a CLC small group Ministry and complete an easy application for funds to support a CLC ministry. It requires a Thrivent member to complete the ACTION TEAM application for these funds. If you are a Thrivent member and want to start a new ministry, talk to Pastor Eric, Pastor DJ or Dianne and Debbie about your idea and project, then with approval apply for those ACTION TEAM dollars.
Thrivent Midyear Summary Thanks to all the Thrivent members at CLC who have support our Church and it's ministries through the CHOICE and ACTION Team Programs this year and in the past. We have potential to help even more by more participation in both these beneficial programs. If you have questions about either of these programs feel free to contact Chad Aaberg, Thrivent Financial Representative (and member of CLC) atChad.Aaberg@Thrivent.com or 1-303-730-1951 or Steve Strom, CLC Thrivent Congregational Advocate at sstrom58@gmail.com.
Followers of Jesus Christ
8997 S. Broadway Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 Change Service Requested
There’s a place for you! Church Community Ministries Outreach Ministries Altar Guild New Mothers Ministry Worship Teams First Impressions Team Ushers and Greeters Bulletin “Folders” Readers Decorating Team Assisting Ministers Mowing & Snow Removal Kitchen Team Recycling Team Maintenance Team Sweet Bread Ministry Sign Team Chefs for Christ Sanctuary Care Card Ministry Prayer Tree Care for the Caregiver Grief Group MOPS
Preschool
Women’s Bunko Soul Sisters Women’s Group Bridge Group
Harrington Elementary School in Denver – various projects Outreach Uganda Urban Peak Teen Shelter Alcoholics Anonymous Bonfils Blood Drive Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp Lutheran Family Services projects Grant Avenue Street Reach Pueblo De Dios (in CA) Projects ELCA World Hunger Military Ministry Chicks with Sticks Mission Quilters
Youth & Family Ministries
Baptism Classes First Bible Classes First Communion Classes Summer Vacation Bible School Confirmation Classes (7th & 8th graders) Sunday School Dynamite Youth Group (4th, 5th & 6th graders) BLAZE (Senior High School Youth Group) Mission Trips Family Nights
Education and Fellowship
Adult Education Classes (held during 9:30 service and Thursdays at 9:00am) Men’s Breakfast Group – bible study group meets every Monday morning Women of Joy – a Christian book club that meets twice monthly for fellowship and service Beth Moore Bible Studies for women. Spring and Fall sessions.
Fun and Fellowship
OWLS – Senior group meets monthly for fellowship Shepherds Dinner Group Men’s Book Club Women’s Book Club Advance! Men’s Group Women’s Bunko Soul Sisters Women’s Group Bridge Group
Music
CLC Kids Rock! Youth Worship Weekend Band Celebration Carillon Ringers Crossroads Douglas County Singers Praise Team Carillon Ringers