August 2017 CLC Newsletter

AUGUST 2017

Christ Lutheran Church • Highlands Ranch, CO • Gathering † Gifting † Sending

Once again, Christ Lutheran Church was voted Best of the Best in 2017 by you, the local community, and the readers of the Highlands Ranch Herald as the “Best Place of Worship” We certainly give God our praise and thanksgiving for all of the dozens of volunteers and staff that continue to give all of their heart and soul to help lead us in faithfully worshiping our Lord and Savior! To learn more about how you can be a part of any one of the many servant teams that assist on a weekend here at Christ Lutheran, please contact the church office.

LIFE LINE SCREEN EVENT Life Line Screening, a leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings will be at CLC on Thursday, August 24, 2017. Ultrasound screenings to identify risk factors for cardiovascular disease including: Carotid Artery (plaque buildup-a leading cause of stroke), Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (an enlargement or weak area in the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body), Peripheral Arterial Disease (hardening of the arteries in the legs), Heart Rhythm Screening (an EKG to detect Atrial Fibrillation-irregular heartbeat), and an Osteoporosis Risk Assessment for men and women. Being proactive about your health by knowing your risks helps you and your doctor address problems early.

Register online TODAY at www.lifelinescreening.com/communitycircle for your Preferred Appointment! Additionally, CLC members are eligible for discounted screenings. The first seven people to sign up receive $25 off screening packages. After those slots are filled, church members receive a $10 discount by registering through the Community Circle website or calling 1-888-653-6450.

Be sure to mention that you are a member of Christ Lutheran Church!

OUTREACH HAPPENINGS

CLC Church Cookbook CLC MomsNext is now taking pre-sales for the 2017 CLC cookbook.

The cookbooks are $15 and we hope to have them by September 10. The cookbooks have over 200 recipes with a wide variety of recipes.

If you wish to pre-order one, please drop payment off along with your name, phone and email address to the church office.

Thanks for your support. When you purchase a cookbook, you also receive an ebook code so you can have a digital copy as well!

“Your Bridge Pastor” I have had the pleasure of driving and walking over so many different bridges. Some are large and magnificent such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Sydney Harbor Bridge. Others are small and functional, just the right size to take care of the task at hand, such as this picture of a bridge across the Meguro River in Tokyo. One of my favorite bridges “with a view” is the one that connects the Florida Keys. At the time it was built, it was proclaimed one of the longest bridges in the world. The Sunshine Skyway is another marvel, crossing Tampa Bay at a very high distance. I remember the Sunshine Skyway, however, because it was hit by a ship and collapsed one day before our wedding, keeping some of the guests away!

I was asked to be your bridge pastor to span the time until you call your Executive Pastor. I am honored to be here with all of you, serving alongside you in God’s ministry at CLC. Regardless of the length of this bridge, I always enjoy serving God wholeheartedly and with enthusiasm. I hope that you will join with me in this journey!

And as always, we give gratitude and honor to God who sent Jesus to be THE Bridge between God and us; and between us and one another.

Blessings, Pr Gail PS: Feel free to stop by and share a cup of coffee or glass of tea and tell me your bridge stories!

Outreach is sponsoring a CLC team at the Lutheran Family Services Golf Tournament at Hiwan Golf Club in Evergreen on August 17th.

We would like to give a great big shout out to our maintenance team. They have logged innumerable hours this summer both inside and outside the church. Many many thanks to these dedicated volunteers!

SOFIA

(Stories Of Faith In Action)

We would like to extend a great BIG thank you to all the congregation members who have pitched in to minister to other members who need care. Our CLC members take such care of one another, and we are all stronger for it! Thank you!

STAFF: Pastor Eric Allert Lead Pastor pastorallert@clchr.org Pastor Gail Mundt Bridge Pastor pastorgail@clchr.org Karen Patz Volunteer & Care Coordinator volunteer@clchr.org Gary Knutson Director of Youth & Family gknutson@clchr.org Deb Morgans Director of Preschool dmorgans@clchr.org Allyson Evans Christian Youth Educator clchrsundayschool@gmail.com Anne Buderus Financial Administrator finance@clchr.org Linda Holcombe Director of Music lholcombe@clchr.org Shalean Rowe Office Coordinator office@clchr.org Carrie Mallery Principal Pianist Larry Scalfari Pianist Meliha & Predrag Vajzovic Custodians Zach Staub Summer Youth Intern youthintern@clchr.org CHURCH COUNCIL: Joanne Edmunds hiranch@comcast.net Jeff Bergstrom j-bergstrom@comcast.net Liesl Farrier bbflcf@msn.com Jennifer Gunther j.gunther@comcast.net Pete Koury pete.koury@q.com Tom Coates tomcoates@comcast.net Steve Hoemann hoemannstba@comcast.net Rich Novotne husker7575@hotmail.com Steve Schaeberle Schaeberle1@comcast.net Brian Martin bmartin29@hotmail.com Jennifer Smith jennifersmith303@hotmail.com All articles, photos and notices for the next issue of CrossWord are due by the 15th of the month. Send to office@clchr.org. Editor reserves the right to edit for content and space.

Walking with Our Neighbors A Stewardship Message From Pastor Eric A mom was concerned about her kindergarten-aged son Timmy walking to school by himself. But the boy was brave, and he didn't want his mother to walk with him. To respect his young courage, Timmy’s mother opted to give him the feeling that he had some independence, but yet remain certain in her own heart that he was still safe. So she had an idea of how to handle the dilemma; she decided to ask her neighbor Shirley if she would please follow her son to school in the mornings, staying at a distance so as not to let Timmy notice her trailing behind. Shirley politely agreed, stating that since she too was up early with her own toddler anyway, and thought it would be a good way for two of them to get some exercise together as a way of starting off the day.

On Monday morning, the neighbor and her little girl set out following behind Timmy as he walked to school with another neighbor girl he knew. Every weekday morning, Shirley did this – all week long – walking a safe distance behind the two children, ensuring that they were safe on their journey together. But on Friday morning, as the two children walked and chatted, something happened. Timmy's little friend noticed that the same lady had been following them as she seemed to do every day the past week. Finally, the little girl said to Timmy, “Have you noticed that lady following us to school? Do you know her?”

Timmy nonchalantly replied, “Yeah, I know who she is.” The little girl persisted, “Well, who is she?”

“Oh, that's just Mrs. Goodnest,” Timmy replied, “and her little daughter Marcy. They’re friends of my mom’s.”

“Mrs. Goodnest?” the little girl asked. “Well, why is she following us to school?”

“Well,” Timmy explained, “every night after our prayers together, my mother makes me say the 23rd Psalm. And in the Psalm, it says, 'Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow me all the days of my life', so I guess I'll just have to get used to it…”

I love that one… it never gets old, well not to me anyway. Cheesy? Sure. Corny? Possibly. Obvious? Maybe. True? Most definitely! And even though it evokes parallel memories of actor Leslie Neilson classic “serious” bit in the 1980 film Airplane, there is a wonderful reminder here for us as disciples in Christ Jesus. It is (surely) in both God’s goodness and mercy that we are forever held.

What does that have to do with stewardship? Everything!

When we are able to live a life rooted in understanding how we have each been freely blessed, we then recognize and celebrate that the blessings we have received from God are also freely shared.

Money and resources… time and purpose… health and skills… all are gifts from God to us, but not gifts for only us. Martin Luther not only wrote about stewardship with regards to the Christian social ethic throughout much of his life; he also experienced the conditions that were the object of such faith-filled generosity. His experience of deprivation as a child and a monk, his encounters with the homeless poor of Wittenberg, and his observation of corruption and failed leadership played significant roles in his sensitivity to the scriptures and the history of Christ’s call to equip disciples in the care for both God’s church and the neighbor in our midst.

Perhaps like Mrs. Goodnest, Luther knew the mercy that he had received throughout all of his life.

He also knew the importance of providing that same blessing to others. That act of goodness isn’t just stewarding the gifts we have each received – that’s also stewarding the neighbor. And dare we not forget that the neighbor, according to God, is one of the greatest of all the blessings bestowed to us… surely!

CALL COMMITTEE UPDATE

Thank you for all of your continued prayers for the call process. The Call Committee has been working very diligently in discerning together where God is leading us to find our next Executive Pastor. As the first round of interviews with the first slate of candidates has been completed, there is still of course much prayerful work to do. Thank you for your continued prayers and support for the committee, for the congregation, for the Synod staff that have been very helpful, and for each of the candidates discerning God’s call for them.

Parish nursing as been a long-standing tradition in the Lutheran Church. Although here at CLC we do not have a specific Parish Nurse Program, it is our hope we can grow a health corner ministry team. A place where we can offer wellness information, and programs that helps us to better care for ourselves, and each other. It is our hope we can have many different members who work in the medical or mental health fields contribute to our monthly newsletter article, and help plan health related events. If you are interested in contributing to the Health Corner newsletter article, or planning a health care related event, or have a topic you would like to see discussed please contact Jenny Allert at jennyallert@yahoo.com or 253-376-4494.

HELMET SAFETY

Can you believe it’s August already? I know for me the summer seemed to have flown by. Well with August here in Colorado comes back to school, and with back to school comes many kids riding bikes (skateboards, scooters etc.) to school. Not to mention the many of us who just enjoy riding our bikes as long as the weather is kind enough to allow us to so! During my senior year in Nursing school and the first year after, I was blessed to work with the center for childhood safety in Tacoma, WA. I know growing up, wearing a helmet when riding our bikes, roller-skates, skateboards etc. was just not the normal, helmets were for riding a dirt bike or motorcycle, and even that was optional.

Well, the helmet safety education and promotion started to move to these other activities in the late 90’s and I was lucky enough to work with a research and education team that promoted helmet safety and provided free helmets to kids in local schools. So back to school time always reminds me of the importance of safely traveling to and from school! So I thought this month we would talk a bit about why wearing a helmet is so important, and review the guidelines for proper wear.

Each year about 300,000 kids and 550,000 total head injuries treated in emergency departments across the country related to bike or other “rolling” devices. Remember head injury usually means brain injury. About 800 people die a year in bicycle related incidents. Now here is the interesting part for the old “we never wore a helmet when we were kids and we are just fine.” The worst year on record for bicycle related fatalities was 1975 (over 1000 deaths) and most were children where today most are adults. Take into account population changes and we can say helmet use has greatly decreased head injuries and fatalities. So we know that wearing a helmet is important for safety, but how that helmet is worn is just as important!

Bike helmets are so important the government has createdsafety standards for them, so the first step when buying a helmet is it should have a sticker indicating it meets the standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Second, having a helmet is one thing; you need to wear it every time you ride! Next, your helmet needs to fit you correctly. You should never wear a hat under your helmet; your helmet should be snug, not too tight and not too loose. It should be worn to cover your forehead (frontal head injuries are the worst so remember to protect your forehead), do not tip it back so your forehead is showing. (Tip: if it falls back when you are wearing it, it is not snug enough). The basic rule is fitting one finger space all around, without the helmet moving on its own on your head. The straps should fit like a triangle around your ear and should be fastened at all times. Last, don’t throw your helmet around, if it gets thrown around or you have an accident and your helmet hits something and protects your head, be sure to get a new one! Much like a car seat, once it’s had to do its work it won’t work as well the next time so it’s best to replace it. So go out, find your self a great helmet you love, personalize it if you want with stickers and wear it proudly and always!

Softball

Interested in wanting to know more about either the co-ed or the men’s softball team here at Christ Lutheran?

Questions like: Is there room for me on the team? How good do you need to be? How much grace is freely received?

When and where are the games? When does the next season start? Is there a registration fee to play? All these questions and many others are very simply answered. Just contact either Gary Knutson at gknutson@clchr.org or Craig Triebel at craigandbarbara@gmail.com to find out more! We’d love to see you as part of the team, either on the field or cheering us on from the bleachers. It’s a great way to have Christian fellowship together while having holy fun in the community!

BUNKO

The CLC Ladies’ Bunko group meets the 2nd Monday of every month at 7:00pm.

Bunko is an easy, no skill required dice game. Our group is in the need of subs to fill in as needed. If you are interested, please send your best contact phone number and email address to Steph.foster@comcast.net. If we get enough subs interested, we might be able to start a 2nd Bunko group. Questions? 303-378-7690.

News from the Preschool!

As we finish up summer camp which ends on August 3rd, we will be getting ready for our fall program to begin! We had a blast this summer playing in water, learning about animals, planting flowers and so much more! We are very excited to have a few new teachers and looking forward to having the congregation meet everyone at the picnic on the 27th! School will begin the last week of August and we will have an ice cream social the week of the 21st. So many new adventures waiting for us this school year. Thank you for your continued support.

Many blessings as you continue with warm summer days and star filled nights!

Deb and Blair

“Summer Music Revival” Schedule July 30th: Country Sunday August 6th: 1970's Sunday August 13th: Jazz Sunday August 20th: Rock Sunday

$431,501. And while we often talk about trying to curtail the amount of our variable expenses, up to this point in 2017, the variable expenses have not been where we've saved any money.

First, and for obvious reasons, we are below our expense budget on our salaries. Related to our lower actual salary expense, we have realized savings from less payroll tax and less employee retirement and insurance benefits. Even so, I think it is everybody's hope that we will soon, once again, have a full staff, and when that happens, undoubtedly our actual expenses for compensation will move back towards the budgeted amount.

CLC - TREASURER’S REPORT (January - June of 2017)

We have just completed the halfway point of the year 2017, so I thought it would be appropriate to update the congregation with regard to the finances of our church. Although things have not changed dramatically from prior years, I'm happy to report that we are on a bit of an upswing. As you can see from the enclosed income summaries for the years 2015, 2016, and (year-to-date) 2017, our weekly average for the first six months of this year is up as compared to the last two prior years. Specifically, for the first six months of the year 2015 our weekly average was $14,136; for the first six months of 2016 it was $14,594; and thus far for 2017 we are averaging $15,066 per week.

On the other side of this balance, we are considerably over our budgeted amount for repairs and maintenance. With our year-to-date budget at $9,600, our year-to-date actual expenses for repairs and maintenance have been closer to $16,700. With the age of our facility and the age of many of the systems in it, replacements become more appropriate than repairs, leaving us with a certainty that this expense category will continue to be high. Lest we had budgeted $2,000 per month toward our future capital improvement needs, but unfortunately, we have not been able to save any such amount this year.

Also, the total amount we have received during the first six months of the last few years has consistently increased. In 2015 it was $424,105; in 2016 it was $437,820; and in 2017 it was $451,991.

Something to think about, if we simply doubled this amount, we would be on pace to receive $903,982 for the entire year of 2017, which would be $31,000 more than we received last year and over $55,000 more than we received in the year 2015.

One positive instance where our actual expense has exceeded our budget amount is our benevolence contribution to the Synod. We had budgeted $5,000 (at this point in the year) but we have been able to contribute $6,750. This is an area that many in our congrega tion stated their desire for improvement. While the amount we have given to the greater church is still just a fraction of our income we are trying and making progress.

As a reminder, even though our budget is approximately $476,750 of income for the first six months of this year, and we are below that amount, we are definitely moving in the right direction; a positive trend in our total, received, contributions is becoming apparent.

Nonetheless, and it goes without saying, that our income is only one side of the equation. We need to also keep our expenses in check. As you can see from the enclosed Budget versus Actual Profit and Loss Statement, we have managed to do just that. Whereas our year-to-date budgeted expenses were expected to be about $469,114, our actual year-to-date expenses have been closer to 2015

1 2 3 4 5

Sub Total Electronic Giving Misc Deposits Total per Month Weekly Avg

2016

1 2 3 4 5

Sub Total Electronic Giving Misc Deposits Total per Month Weekly Avg

2017 Week #1 Week #2 Week #3 Week #4 Week #5 TOTAL Weekly Average

Jan 8,302.50 9,458.38 9,745.16 6,416.16

Jeff Bergstrom

33,922.20 23,306.50 4,143.25 61,371.95 15,342.99

Feb Mar April 6,624.31 13,316.19 22,558.51 9,536.75 11,132.58 10,808.15 8,559.55 13,378.34 8,069.90 2,931.34 6,686.53 6,920.45 13,166.75 27,651.95 57,680.39 48,357.01 21,285.32 21,945.32 22,139.70 11,051.36 4,381.00 6,076.75 59,988.63 84,006.71 76,573.46 14,997.16 16,801.34 19,143.37

Jan 7,388.33 7,586.83 6,371.72 9,716.94 7,849.82 38,913.64 25,016.82 11,253.00 75,183.46 15,036.69

Feb Mar April May 11,737.38 13,363.49 12,531.25 12,453.45 8,843.15 8,284.55 11,134.50 8,464.67 9,948.86 8,046.41 4,560.05 9,115.52 6,839.22 16,264.82 8,300.30 7,062.47 7,477.50 37,368.61 45,959.27 36,526.10 44,573.61 22,620.91 22,862.15 22,087.03 21,467.63 8,101.25 5,184.50 5,275.25 16,297.55 68,090.77 74,005.92 63,888.38 82,338.79 17,022.69 18,501.48 15,972.10 16,467.76

June July 11,164.60 7,768.50 9,599.65 7,461.28 7,785.09 11,745.84 8,687.65 7,884.16 6,737.64 37,236.99 41,597.42 21,558.01 22,247.37 15,518.61 3,344.75 74,313.61 67,189.54 18,578.40 13,437.91

Jan 21,923.77 13,398.99 21,096.93 11,944.32 9,695.50 78,059.51 15,611.90

Feb 8,188.38 16,563.89 31,102.39 9,567.07 8,486.27 73,908.00 14,781.60

June 5,990.00 15,413.60 17,314.61 11,329.41 11,470.52 61,518.14 12,303.63

Mar 9,652.75 16,512.20 22,706.33 10,371.98 7,634.07 66,877.33 13,375.47

April 1,634.67 31,849.35 14,478.11 36,825.66 8,531.37 93,319.16 18,663.83

May 11,430.27 6,404.35 9,176.68 6,916.91 8,016.50 41,944.71 21,693.98 7,525.34 71,164.03 14,232.81

If any of you have any questions, concerns or comments, please seek me out and share those with me at j-bergstrom@comcast.net.

May 23,516.84 13,162.67 20,826.02 13,045.27 7,758.11 78,308.91 15,661.78

June July Aug 10,801.85 6,828.97 10,219.65 7,967.99 12,164.05 7,856.25 6,130.54 10,171.79 10,004.99 9,698.54 7,175.10 6,291.00 6,288.65 34,598.92 36,339.91 40,660.54 22,543.98 22,789.36 22,123.98 13,858.11 3,433.88 6,340.75 71,001.01 62,563.15 69,125.27 17,750.25 15,640.79 13,825.05

Sept Oct Nov 7,911.21 10,277.00 9,850.60 8,557.35 10,917.93 12,594.51 9,494.06 9,047.84 12,570.58 5,018.38 7,085.46 9,097.00 7,752.27 30,981.00 37,328.23 51,864.96 22,951.16 22,400.78 22,929.73 3,518.00 4,731.00 4,489.25 57,450.16 64,460.01 79,283.94 14,362.54 16,115.00 15,856.79

Aug 6,737.64 15,323.40 9,773.38 7,976.27 6,532.75 46,343.44 22,225.75 2,250.00 70,819.19 14,163.84

Sept 0.00 8,099.30 11,271.77 4,986.33 9,672.07 34,029.47 23,695.78 2,250.00 59,975.25 11,995.05

Oct 11,077.60 9,614.35 14,551.76 9,757.94 6,885.22 51,886.87 23,749.78 4,500.00 80,136.65 16,027.33

Aug

Sept

Oct

July

Dec 11,643.00 11,047.83 8,471.64 26,506.95 57,669.42 22,822.99 10,639.10 91,131.51 22,782.88

YTD Weekly Av. 16,310.00 14,136.86 thru June (30 wks) 848,119.83 424,105.79 thru June

Nov Dec 1,110.00 873.67 11,996.76 19,632.28 3,550.62 12,642.93 YTD Weekly Average 9,849.77 11,967.53 5,258.80 30,338.02 16,903.21 14,594.03 30 Weeks 33,883.71 73,336.67 25,378.37 28,176.69 0.00 2,250.00 YTD Total 59,262.08 103,763.36 872,859.87 437,820.93 thru June 11,852.42 20,752.67 Nov

Dec

YTD Weekly Average

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

8,692.14 15,066.37 30 Weeks YTD Total 451,991.05

Christ Lutheran Church

Profit & Loss Budget vs. Actual January through June 2017

Year to Date

Month by Month Actual vs. Budget

Chart of Accounts Monthly

Jan 17

Feb 17

Mar 17

Apr 17

May 17

Jun 17

Jan - Jun 17

Budget

Budget 4000 Unrestricted Income 4030 Other Unrestricted Income 4070 Defrayment from Preschool

5010 Salaries 5020 Payroll Taxes 5030 Temporary Staff 5064 Retirement & Insurance

77,083.34

75,569.51

71,658.00

64,727.33

91,069.16

75,558.91

59,268.14

437,851.05

125.00

240.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

240.00

462,500.04 750.00

2,250.00

2,250.00

2,250.00

2,250.00

2,250.00

2,250.00

2,250.00

13,500.00

13,500.00

79,458.34

78,059.51

73,908.00

66,977.33

93,319.16

77,808.91

61,518.14

451,591.05

476,750.04

36,527.26

35,787.74

33,844.73

35,602.84

27,689.23

27,681.32

29,578.39

190,184.25

219,163.56

1,761.21

1,757.02

1,591.51

1,747.90

1,498.21

1,499.85

1,610.89

9,705.38

10,567.26

83.34

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

375.00

0.00

375.00

500.04

8,241.21

8,569.69

8,430.93

8,430.93

6,059.95

6,059.95

6,059.95

43,611.40

49,447.26

5065 Continuing Education

308.34

95.67

0.00

1,053.12

0.00

0.00

0.00

1,148.79

1,850.04

5071 Payroll Processing Fee

183.34

788.70

-3.93

149.83

145.67

325.36

125.57

1,531.20

1,100.04 2,800.02

5072 Workman's Compensation

466.67

660.09

660.09

660.09

660.09

660.09

660.09

3,960.54

5080 Professional Services

150.00

1,931.50

121.60

0.00

0.00

0.00

31.59

2,084.69

900.00

7,394.45

7,491.45

7,470.17

7,448.80

7,427.34

7,405.79

7,384.16

44,627.71

44,366.70

5220 Insurance

1,500.00

1,430.81

2,580.31

1,650.11

1,432.51

1,432.51

1,432.51

9,958.76

9,000.00

5310 Utilities

2,500.00

311.31

4,405.21

642.24

2,478.95

3,963.80

2,305.60

14,107.11

15,000.00

375.00

429.16

429.92

555.20

428.90

510.39

392.55

2,746.12

2,250.00

1,600.00

96.84

2,087.15

2,424.12

5,211.37

6,250.43

708.53

16,778.44

9,600.00

5210 Mortgage Interest

5330 Trash Removal 5340 Repairs and Maintenance 5360 Janitorial/Kitchen Supply

166.66

86.96

234.20

73.05

186.89

371.24

144.50

1,096.84

999.96

5380 Snow Removal

666.66

1,360.00

2,204.38

531.88

0.00

135.00

0.00

4,231.26

3,999.96

83.34

34.90

1,000.00

0.00

277.53

0.00

25.00

1,337.43

500.04

416.66

431.93

727.26

72.86

416.60

414.65

416.44

2,479.74

2,499.96

5385 Vehicle Expense 5410 Telephone & Internet 5420 IT/Communication

1,883.34

1,685.81

1,538.50

1,748.56

1,676.63

1,671.49

1,915.27

10,236.26

11,300.04

5430 Equipment Rental

1,750.00

1,586.65

1,742.94

1,779.67

1,720.48

1,765.37

1,136.69

9,731.80

10,500.00

5440 Office Supplies

300.00

80.99

575.03

285.79

317.22

424.17

94.01

1,777.21

1,800.00

5450 Postage & Shipping

200.00

565.00

270.00

0.00

0.00

300.00

7.80

1,142.80

1,200.00

5460 External Printing 5470 Bank Fees/Service Charges 5480 Dues, Fees, Subscriptions 5490 Synod Assembly/Conferences 5495 Miscellaneous 5510 Faith Nurturing

50.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

300.00

233.34

210.02

197.32

219.00

176.03

331.57

328.99

1,462.93

1,400.04

41.67

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

77.45

15.00

92.45

250.02

125.00

0.00

0.00

1,800.00

-886.12

274.96

1,478.03

2,666.87

750.00

66.67

-15.96

86.65

-18.20

530.71

12.86

70.00

666.06

400.02

1,250.00

37.53

0.00

0.00

0.00

999.99

3,260.52

4,298.04

7,500.00

5520 Outreach

250.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

20.53

20.53

1,500.00

5530 Worship Supplies

916.67

683.00

490.33

1,163.32

2,582.91

1,129.71

692.48

6,741.75

5,500.02

5580 Benevolence

833.34

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

5,000.00

1,750.00

6,750.00

5,000.04

5590 Music Program

500.00

150.64

1,063.43

333.65

1,729.35

160.00

320.11

3,757.18

3,000.00

5596 Adult University

0.00

0.00

0.00

293.75

0.00

0.00

0.00

293.75

0.00

25.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

140.80

0.00

0.00

140.80

150.00

1100 Capital Reserve

2,000.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

12,000.00

2800 Mortgage Principal

5,336.54

5597 Pastoral Care

78,185.71

BALANCE

$ 31,758.29

32,019.24

66,247.45

71,747.73

68,648.51

61,901.25

69,232.95

61,965.20

431,501.38

469,114.26

1,272.63 11,812.06

2,160.27

-1,671.18

31,417.91

8,575.96

-447.06

20,089.67

7,635.78

WEDNESDAY NIGHT ADULT STUDY IN AUGUST

Pastor Eric’s weekly adult study series continues on Wednesday nights at 7:00pm.

Join us in August on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Wednesday this month as we journey further on the Exodus after the Passover. It’s not too late and you’re not too far behind to join in! This is a great group of all levels of Bible-experience that enjoys reviewing scripture together with new lenses, digging deeper into the text, applying personal relevance, and engaging in challenging study questions. If you have ever thought about wanting to know the scriptures more, this is your opportunity! Email Pastor Eric at pastorallert@clchr.org to receive the coursework for the previous weeks, and to find out more!

A CHALLENGING WORD OF FAITH from Pastor Eric

Lutherans Outdoors in South Dakota Hosting Buffalo Roundup and Lakota Culture Retreat

Pastor, seminary professor, colleague, and fellow brother in Christ Rev. Craig Koester was once quoted saying “Coming to faith is analogous to falling in love. One cannot fall in love in the abstract. Love comes through an encounter with another person. The same is true of faith. If faith is a relationship with the living Christ and the living God who sent him, then faith can only come through an encounter with them. And the Spirit is the one who makes this presence known.” As your pastor, one of the chief concerns of my call is working with the Holy Spirit to care for the leading of Christ’s church in such a way that you grow in discipleship. Rev. Koester’s thoughts beautifully express one of the seeds that every follower of Jesus must seek to nurture in their walk with our Lord – the seed of faith. With this thought in mind, I invite you into a prayerful reflection at the close of each day throughout the month of August that focuses your heart of discipleship on the following question… How is Christ moving in my life to strengthen our relationship through faith? Lift that question in prayer as your day comes to a close… and then discover the joy of searching for the answer to be revealed with the dawning of a new day in a strengthened relationship with God.

This September 25-30, from Monday at 4:00pm through Saturday breakfast, a wonderful opportunity is available to enjoy the Buffalo Roundup and Lakota Culture Retreat; a program for adults over 45, in the Black Hills of South Dakota learning about buffalo and their importance to the Native American culture. Hear from Lakota people about life on the reservation. Pastor Larry Peterson, a retired pastor who has spent many years on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, will serve throughout the week as worship leader. In addition to programmed activities, there will also be time for relaxing, shopping, and sight-seeing.

This week includes a visit to Mt. Rushmore National Monument and a drive on the spectacular Needles Highway. Stay at Outlaw Ranch in the Vision Quest Lodge or the Barn Retreat Center, surrounded by ponderosa pine forests and the peaks of the Black Hills. Delicious home-cooked meals are served in the dining hall.

Email mary@losd.org with questions to learn more and/or to register while openings are still available.

Pastor Eric’s Seasonal Reading List Mansfield’s Book of Manly Men, by Stephen Mansfield The Equipping Pastor: A systems approach to congregational leadership, by R. Paul Stevens and Phil Collins Welcoming the Stranger: A public theology of worship and evangelism, by Patrick R. Keifert Beginning Ministry Together: the Alban Handbook for Clergy Transitions, by Roy M. Oswald, James M. Heath and Ann W. Heath

Happy Birthday Diane Abraham Jodi Emsley Chelsea Groh Jeffrey Harhigh Callen O'Hearn Leanne Saxton Cass Schaedig Ian Tonelli Julie Anna Jackson Curry Allyson Evans Harper Fennel Lexi Parks Griffin Rasel Pat Douhan Nickolaus Freitag Olivia Moore Gia Pietropola Jim Etten Matt Sullivan Charles Warren Tiannah Baca Lance Devin Kristin Lichty Kurt Kramer Jean Mayland

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 3 Aug 3 Aug 3 Aug 3 Aug 4 Aug 5 Aug 5 Aug 6 Aug 6 Aug 6 Aug 7 Aug 7

Ashley Harhigh Bob Newhouse Katie Pickrell Barry Reeves Predrag Vajzovic Dru Vorthmann Gretchen Gunther Madelyn Gutsch Brock Kreimeyer Joe Schulte Kris Weber Madigan Brown Marla Elhard Xander Pierce Carl Douhan Beth Hemenway Ellie DeBeer Brendon Elkins Melissa Spicher Steve Strom Rhea Thomas Laura Whitney Kerrigan Kreimeyer Mark Versen Margaret Johnson Don Korte

Aug 8 Aug 8 Aug 8 Aug 8 Aug 8 Aug 8 Aug 9 Aug 9 Aug 9 Aug 9 Aug 9 Aug 10 Aug 10 Aug 10 Aug 11 Aug 11 Aug 12 Aug 12 Aug 12 Aug 12 Aug 12 Aug 12 Aug 13 Aug 13 Aug 14 Aug 14

Sheri Rocha Carolyn Wilson Kat Downing Kim Harhigh Grant Dilges Arianna Dimercurio Kyle Millyard Charlotte Paul Julianne Yoss Chad Alexander Lonnie Cummings Owen DeBeer James Keney Chloe McNitt Randy Schrader Sohia Trevino Carla Coleman Isaac Edstrom Cruz Fleming Darin Kreimeyer Gerry Murphy Bryce Henningsen Matthew Hill Avery Liley Aaron Meyer Brent Pickrell

Aug 14 Aug 14 Aug 15 Aug 15 Aug 16 Aug 16 Aug 16 Aug 16 Aug 16 Aug 18 Aug 18 Aug 18 Aug 19 Aug 19 Aug 19 Aug 19 Aug 20 Aug 20 Aug 20 Aug 20 Aug 20 Aug 21 Aug 21 Aug 21 Aug 22 Aug 22

Deanna Johnson Payton Lineberry Denny Schaedig Eric Schaedig Paula Heidel Antje Radtke Randy Dougherty Kathy Peterson Julia Porterfield Sherrilynne Wieseler Amanda Lichty Joseph Stohs Delaney Wieseler Conor McGavern Bill Castor Nathan Gordon Kennedy Lau Judie Lovelace Mallory Prescott Edna Swanson David Graham Christopher McDonald Dan Saur Becky Tesch Kali Hill Nathan Kroneberger

Aug 23 Aug 23 Aug 23 Aug 23 Aug 24 Aug 24 Aug 26 Aug 26 Aug 26 Aug 26 Aug 27 Aug 27 Aug 27 Aug 28 Aug 29 Aug 29 Aug 29 Aug 29 Aug 29 Aug 29 Aug 30 Aug 30 Aug 30 Aug 30 Aug 31 Aug 31

Experience that Changed Everything

Earth and Wind; artist Robyn Sand Anderson’s Reflection of the Pentecost Season I often begin a painting with only a vague notion. In this case, all I knew was that I wanted to show a deep contrast between the real, material silk cloth and the beauty of color blending and moving underneath and around it. The first time I thought I was done with this painting it looked very different from what you are seeing right now. Something bothered me, though, which is how I can tell I am not finished. It sometimes takes a while to really “see” what needs to be done. I simplified by covering many colors with a deep brown around the outside of the silk and left brilliant color cradled inside of the silk. But it still needed something. You will often see movement in my abstract paintings. I’ve come to understand that for me, movement gives a sense of God’s Spirit moving in the world. I added movement with white strokes. Now the painting was complete.

Who is this “Advocate” Jesus speaks of, this Spirit most Holy? The word “advocate” in Greek is “paraklétos” meaning helper, or one who walks alongside you and supports you. Jesus was fully human, of this Earth, material, flesh and blood. He knew sorrow, joy, fatigue, exhilaration, laughter and pain. He suffered with those he encountered and suffered his own loneliness, torture and death.

Jesus reached that point in his journey when he knew that those in power were circling and that his ministry on earth was drawing to a close. And so, he gave us this gift, God’s Spirit, an Advocate who will walk with us. The disciples and future generations would know and experience God’s intimate presence.

A personal testimony by David Hunstad (President and CEO of “Old Lutheran”) In 1973, I was a junior in high school and I had an experience that indeed “changed everything.” I went to the All Lutheran Youth Gathering in Houston, Texas. I came from a small town in Wisconsin and my dad was our pastor and youth leader. Until I sat in the Houston Astrodome with Lutheran youth from all over the country, I thought the church, this faith that I was a part of, was kind of a family thing.

I remember to this day the reverberation of the Lord’s Prayer filling the largest room in the world. The joy and excitement of that space opened my eyes to the vast reaches of God’s grace, love, and mercy. That moment in time changed the course of my life. I made it my mission to participate, attend, organize, and implement similar transformational events for future generations of high school youth.

A few years later, I remember a particularly exciting Christmas gift given to me: my parents paid my way to another Lutheran Youth Gathering, this time in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Afterwards, I would find a youth group that needed assistance going to a Gathering and see what I could do to help out. I still believe that the ELCA Youth Gathering is an event that helps shape our Lutheran identities, and I consider it a privilege to be a partner of that great ministry. I get a thrill knowing that my life’s journey of participating and organizing has led to a business that continues to help express the identity of this event before, during, and after the next gathering back in Houston, now 45 years later.

AUGUST SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

9a Preschool Summer Camp 1 9a Preschool Summer Camp 2 9a Preschool Summer Camp 3 7p Adult Bible Study 6:30p Grief Support Group 11:15a Staff Mtg. 5p Crossroads Band 6:30p Single Parents Support 7p Blaze-Sr. High 7p Caregiver Mtg 8a Worship 9:30a Blessing of the Backpacks 9:30a Worship 11a Worship/CC 7p AA Meeting

6 ELCA ROSTERED

LEADERS' GATHERING PRESCHOOL CLOSED 6:30a Men's Breakfast Group 5:30p ADVANCE! [off-site] 7p Boy Scouts 645 7p Personnel Mtg.

7 ELCA ROSTERED

LEADERS' GATHERING PRESCHOOL CLOSED 11:15a Staff Mtg. 5p Crossroads Band 7p Blaze-Sr. High 7p Military Ministry Mtg.

8 ELCA ROSTERED

LEADERS' GATHERING PRESCHOOL CLOSED 7p Adult Bible Study 7p Family Camp Info Meeting

9 ELCA ROSTERED

10 FAMILY CAMP

11 FAMILY CAMP

12

17

18 Maint. Team MISSION

19

PRESCHOOL CLOSED

5p Worship/CC

13 6:30a Men's Breakfast

14 11:15a Staff Mtg.

15 7p Adult Bible Study

Maint. Team MISSION MOMENT 8a Worship 9:30a Worship 11a Worship/CC 12:15p Baptism Class 7p AA Meeting

20 6:30a Men's Breakfast

21 Missional Leaders

22 Missional Leaders Training 23 Missional Leaders Training 24 Missional Leaders Training 25 7a CLC Work Day

28 11:15a Staff Mtg.

29 6:30p Confirmation

12p VNA Foot Clinic 5p Crossroads Band 7p Blaze-Sr. High 7p Caregiver Mtg 7p Council Mtg

Group 7p Boy Scouts 645 7p Legacy & Endowment Mtg.

8a Worship 27 6:30a Men's Breakfast 9:30a NO Worship Group 10a CLC Worship in the Park 9a Mission Quilters 10a Preschool Teacher 7p Boy Scouts 645 Blessing 11a Annual Church Picnic 11a Worship/CC 7p AA Meeting

Training Conf 11:15a Staff Mtg. 12p VNA Foot Clinic 5p Crossroads Band 7p Blaze-Sr. High

5p Crossroads Band 7p Blaze-Sr. High

Conf 6:30p Confirmation Registration 7p Adult Bible Study

Registration 7p Adult Bible Study

Conf Conf 8:30a LifeLine Screening Event 6p MomsNext

30

5

10a Genealogy Group 10a Sanctuary Care Meeting 5p Worship/CC

FAMILY CAMP 8a Worship 9:30a Worship 11a Worship/CC 7p AA Meeting

Group 9a Mission Quilters 7p Boy Scouts 645 7p Ladies Bunko (off-site)

16

LEADERS' GATHERING PRESCHOOL CLOSED 7p Boy Scouts 645

SATURDAY 4 9a Chicks w/Sticks

31

MOMENT 5p Worship/CC

5p Worship/CC

26

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 Harrington Elementary School in 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 MomsNext

Preschool

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 Integrated Family Community Services Thrivent Builds

Youth & Family Ministries Baptism Classes

First Bible Classes First Communion Classes Summer Vacation Bible School Dynamite Youth Group (4th, 5th & 6th graders) Confirmation Classes (7th & 8th graders) BLAZE (Senior High School Youth Group) Sunday School Mission Trips

Education and Fellowship Adult Education Classes (Pastor led classes

held during 9:30 Sunday services, Wednesday nights at 7pm and Thursday mornings at 9am) Men’s Breakfast Group – Bible study group meets every Monday morning Women of Joy – a Christian Bible study that meets twice monthly for fellowship and service Women’s Bible Studies - (Monday mornings 9:30am – 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 Co-ed and Men’s Softball

Music CLC Kids Rock!

Youth Worship Weekend Band Celebration Choir Carillon Ringers Crossroads Band Praise Team