MARCH 2015
Christ Lutheran Church • Highlands Ranch, CO • Gathering † Gifting † Sending
ELCA Barnyard Sunday Baaaaa said the baby goats. Don’t believe me, come hear them for yourself on March 8! Brittany Carpenter will be returning to CLC with a small selection of baby barnyard animals to help us emphasize ELCA’s Global Barnyard Project. This project or ministry p project is a successful way to empower local villages (primarily women) in the African countries of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ethiopia. The purpose is to provide families with a livelihood and vehicle to climb out of poverty and feed their families. The goats often considered the “poor women’s cow,” are particularly adaptable to this purpose because they: · are able to survive by eating drought-resistant shrubs and grasses · can also have babies often and throughout the year · produce highly nutritious and easily digested milk · do not need much space and are easily handled Local people from the villages apply for an opportunity to attend animal husbandry classes on ELCA sponsored cooperative farms located in their respective countries. There they learn how to care for the animals. A team of ELCA relief workers determine how many animals each village can support in terms of grazing land and water. The women are then given a starter herd. As the goats multiply, the villager increases her herd and percentage of the babies are given back to the cooperative to provide the animals needed to continue the program. In addition the animal husbandry classes also act as trainers and mentors for new people in their villages who wish to become goat herders. What a great ministry to be a part of so easily by purchasing the animals! Donations will be taken from March 7th to April 5th. Just stick a check in the offering plate and mark it Barnyard project or goats. We also have envelopes in the Narthex. Thank you!
Calling all CLC/Thrivent Members! THANKS to all the CLC/Thrivent members who have taken action to designate their CHOICE Program dollars in the last 45 days! March 31 2015 is the final date to make your Thrivent CHOICE dollar designations that you've received in 2014. As of December 31, only 43 of a possible 114 CLC members had made their CHOICE dollar designations. That's just 37%! Please go to www.Thrivent.com to double check your online Thrivent account to determine if you have CHOICE dollars to designate. OR if you are not set up online, you can call 1-800847-4836 and select "Thrivent Choice" when prompted and talk to a Thrivent representative about your CHOICE dollars. Whether you choose to designate CHOICE dollars to Christ Lutheran or another charitable cause, please use the dollars you've received. If you have any questions feel free to call Steve Strom, Thrivent Congregational Advocate at C.L.C. 479-650-8510.
Cow $500 Fish $250 Sheep $125 Goat $50 Pig $30 Duck $20 Chicks $10
MARCH PRESCHOOL NEWS
The weather has sure been interesting all around our Nation this year. And, Colorado is known to have more winter after March begins. Let’s hope that is not the case. We have come to conclusion that kids need to be outside as much as possible and see that sunshine! The school continues to register for fall classes and we cannot believe how fast time is moving. We will talk about the Lost Son and Washing Feet for Chapel this month and our Storyteller will visit as well. We love watching the children grow in Jesus. They are so much fun every day! We wish everyone a healthy Spring as we prepare for the arrival of Easter. Many blessings, Deb and Blair
STAFF: Rev. Steve Berke, Interim Senior Pastor pastorsteve@clchr.org
Pastor Steve’s Message
Rev. DJ Dent, Associate Pastor pastordent@clchr.org
Greetings
Dianne Yoss Interim Director Outreach & Equipping outreach@clchr.org
from Pastor Steve Berke
Debbie Freeman Interim Office Staff for Outreach & Equipping dfreeman@clchr.org Gary Knutson Director of Youth & Family gknutson@clchr.org Deb Morgans Director of Preschool dmorgans@clchr.org
Dear Friends: I am looking forward to the month of March! First of all, I will soon begin sharing in ministry leadership at Christ Lutheran as your Interim Pastor. Secondly, these days of March are the heart of the season of Lent, a time of learning and renewal in Christ. And, on a personal note, it is during this month that I anticipate becoming a first-time grandparent. The days will be full!
Mary Behnke Administrative Manager mbehnke@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: Adrian Hafner backyardkids@hotmail.com Bret Sumner bretsumner@hotmail.com John Ringkob jer@dascoinc.com John Riley johnriley05@comcast.net Lesley Cantrell we4cantrells@mac.com Erika Alpern eajteach@yahoo.com Karen Rucker kkosty@excite.com Steve Schaeberle Schaeberle1@comcast.net 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.
My call, which comes through the Rocky Mountain Synod Council, is to be your “intentional interim” pastor. In addition to all of the normal aspects of Word and Sacrament ministry, this role includes the responsibility of walking with you through the crucial period of transition before the call of your next senior pastor. A little about my background: I grew up about three hundred miles east of here (in Nebraska), where I was the eldest of four children raised on a family farming and ranching operation. I was ordained in 1979, and for ten years served in two solo pastorates in Illinois. I was associate pastor at Our Savior’s, Greeley, Colorado, over the next five years. For the past twenty-one years I have been a senior pastor, leading the staff at American, Gothenburg, Nebraska for approximately ten years, and, most recently, at First, Longmont, Colorado, since 2004. Since 2012 I have also been the Dean of the Boulder-Broomfield Conference of the Rocky Mountain Synod. I enjoy worship and music, preaching and teaching, and interacting with people of all ages. Walking and cross-country skiing are some of my favorite ways of being outdoors. My wife, Lori Johnson-Berke, and I have been married for thirty-eight years. Our adult daughters are also married: Sarah (and Andy Hestness) reside in Minneapolis, and Clare (Michael Sigrist), in Washington, D.C. The weekend of March 7-8 will be my first chance to begin meeting you. Until then, we pray for the ministry of Christ Lutheran Church, and ask your prayers for us, too. In Christ,
Steve Berke, Pastor
Military Ministry The CLC Military Ministry will be taking orders for Duffey's Gourmet Cinnamon Rolls the weekends of February 28/March 1 through March 14/15. Orders will be delivered Palm Sunday weekend (March 28/29) so you can take your wonderful cinnamon rolls home (frozen) and bake them fresh on Easter Sunday!
Duffeyrolls are hand-rolled and tastefully prepared by Duffey's specially trained bakers. They are $12 per pan and come in flavors of: Original, Zesty Orange, Cream Cheese, Mountain Maple and Pecanilla Crunch. Each frozen, bake at home Duffeyroll Pan is filled with delicious par-baked cinnamon rolls and frozen. Simply preheat your oven to 350, remove the plastic lid and place the frozen tray directly in the oven for 12-14 minutes. Cool and enjoy these amazing cinnamon rolls, with no need to thaw before baking.
Military Prayer Circle:
When we think of our fellow Americans serving in the military and the sacrifices and demands that their job places upon them and their families, we are in deep gratitude. Whether they are homeland or overseas, their task is a great one. In an effort to pray more effectively for the military, a list of scriptures with a prayer focus for 31 days has been compiled. If you would like to participate, pick up the list from the file pocket on the Military Ministry bulletin board in the Narthex.
Pastor DJ’s Message
What Angels Look Like Please be sure to check the last few months’ newsletters for previous talk about angels. For March I’m going to talk about the appearance of angels. This article will build on the ideas put forth in those previous articles. Have you ever wondered why everyone is always scared of angels? I mean specifically here the spiritual beings rather than the human messengers of God (prophets and the like). In artwork throughout the ages, angels have typically held soft features. They have mostly been portrayed as females or as babies like in the image shown here entitled “The Guardian Angel” by Guercino Francesco Barbieri. I’m going to have to dig a little bit deeper about the history of how these images developed, but that’s for another article. Suffice it to say that no one is going to be afraid of something like that – at least I wouldn’t be. Although I would think something with gigantic wings attached would be weird. Rather, we get an interesting picture from a few places in scripture. There’s a good example in Daniel 10:5-6 ” I looked up and saw a man clothed in linen, with a belt of gold from Uphaz around his waist. His body was like beryl, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the roar of a multitude.” (NRSV). Not many artists have attempted to recreate this but I did happen to stumble upon a modern artist, Pat Marvenko Smith, who attempted to do so. A little more terrifying, but not quite awe inducing enough for my tastes. Isaiah 6 also offers up a description of the seraphim (literally “burning ones”) who are 6 winged beasts that fly around the presence of God. I couldn’t find a really good piece of artwork that reflected my understanding of this passage an others which refer to them as flying serpents (every other mention of the Hebrew word out side of Isaiah is about snakes). It is from these that we get the Holy, Holy, Holy part of our liturgy, which we don’t typically use here at CLC, but it also inspired that hymn that we use on Holy Trinity Sunday. Here is an image though that might scare me enough that I would need to be calmed down before listening. Next time, I’ll write about some of the other uses of these beings in places outside of scripture and the development of the common cultural images. Until then, keep your ears open (and your eyes shut) for the message of God coming to you, saints of Christ. Pastor DJ
Worship Teams for Easter
Do you like to Usher or serve Communion, but not all the time? We could really use your help at any of the four Easter morning services, 7:30, 8:30, 10:00 and 11:30am,and the Saturday 5:00pm service. Please sign the Response Sheet if you’re interested. If you are on a Worship Team and can help us, please pick the service that works best for you and let Debbie Freeman know.
Worship Team Training
We will have a Worship Team training session for all of you who have signed up to be on a Worship Team for Easter services. The training will be held in the Youth room on Sunday, March 29th (Palm Sunday) at 9:15am (between 8:00 & 9:30 services). Please sign the Response Sheet, if you are interested.
Nursery Volunteers for Easter
We are in need of people to help in the nursery during the 8:30, 10:00 and 11:30am services on Easter Sunday. If you can help, please sign the Response Sheet.
Easter Lilies and Plants
Easter lilies and flowers may be purchased in memory or honor of someone meaningful in your life. The plants will be $16 each and will decorate our Sanctuary on Easter. We have Easter Flower envelopes located in the Narthex to place your check in. Please fill out the information needed on the front and back of the envelope and place it in the offering plate. You may also indicate on your check the name of the person and in memory or honor of that individual and place your check in the offering plate or sign up on the Response Sheet.
Easter Egg Stuffing & Toss
Easter is right around the corner, and every year we toss plastic Easter eggs with an invitation to the Palm Sunday Breakfast and a listing of our Holy Week services on the lawns of our neighbors and friends that do not have a church home. Please join us on Wednesday, March 11th at 5:30pm during the Lenten dinner to help stuff the eggs. On the weekend of March 21st-22nd, please grab a bag of eggs from the Narthex, so that you and your family can toss them in your neighborhoods. This is great fun, especially for the kids.
Decorating the Church and Organizing Easter Flowers
We will be decorating the church for Easter on Wednesday, April 1st at 9:00am. We will also be taking the flowers out of boxes and watering them before they are placed in the sanctuary, after the service on Good Friday. We will also set-up for Maundy Thursday hand-washing. If you can help, please sign the Response Sheet.
Placing the Flowers on Good Friday
We will be placing the flowers around the Altar after the Good Friday Service. If you can stay an extra twenty minutes to help, please sign the Response Sheet.
Stations of the Cross in the Sanctuary on Good Friday
We will be projecting the Stations of the Cross from 10:00 to 12:00 pm and 1:00 to 5:00 pm on Good Friday. Please feel free to go into the Sanctuary any time during those hours.
Easter Shuttle
Please don’t forget to ride the shuttle for Easter Sunday. At a time when we have over 2,000 people at Worship on a weekend, this will insure that our guests will have a place to park. The shuttle will run back and forth from the southeast corner of the AMC parking lot across from Outback from 7:00 to 11:30 am on Easter Sunday, April 5th. This can be a good opportunity for you and your family to meet others on your way to worship.
Refreshments in the Fellowship Hall on Easter Sunday
Please join us in the Fellowship hall for wonderful fresh baked goods after services on Easter Morning. If you can help supply the baked goods, please sign the Response Sheet.
Volunteers to Clean up the Church after Easter
We will be cleaning up the church after Easter weekend on Tuesday, April 7th at 10:00 AM. If you can help us put back chairs, move plants and just do minor clean-up, please mark the Response Sheet.
Volunteers Needed to Water the Plants after Easter
We need volunteers to water the plants for two weeks after Easter. If you are available, please sign the Response Sheet.
MARCH SUNDAY 8a Worship/CC 9:30a Worship/SS 11a Worship/CC 12:15p Baptism Class 4p Cub Scout Mtg. 7p AA Meeting
MONDAY
1 6:30a Men's Breakfast
Group 9:15a Beth Moore Study 7p Boy Scouts 7p Personnel Mtg.
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME 8 8a Worship/CC 8:30a Barnyard visit 9:30a Worship/SS 11a Worship/CC 12:15p 1st Communion Class 7p AA Meeting 8a Worship/CC 9:30a Worship/SS 11a Worship/CC 3p Pierce event 7p AA Meeting
2 5p Crossroads Band 6:30p Praise Team 8p mops set-up
6:30a Men's Breakfast 9 5p Crossroads Band 6:30p Praise Team Group 7p Council Mtg. 9:15a Beth Moore Study 9:30a Mission Quilters 9:30a Mops Mtg 6p Boy Scouts Venture Crew 7p Boy Scouts 7p Legacy & Endowment Mtg.
15 6:30a Men's Breakfast
Egg Toss 22 8a Worship/CC 9:30a Worship/SS 11a Worship/CC 12:15p 1st Communion Class 7p AA Meeting
TUESDAY
Group 9:15a Beth Moore Study 9:30a Mops Mtg 7p Boy Scouts
16 1p Visiting Nurse Assoc. 5p Crossroads Band 6:30p Praise Team 8p mops set-up
6:30a Men's Breakfast 23 5p Crossroads Band Group 6:30p Praise Team 9:30a Mission Quilters 6p Boy Scouts Venture Crew 7p Boy Scouts
PALM SUNDAY 29 6:30a Men's Breakfast 8a Worship/CC Group 8:30a Palm Sunday Breakfast 9:15a Beth Moore Study 9:15a Worship Team Training 7p Boy Scouts 9:30a Worship/SS 11a Worship/CC 7p AA Meeting
30 5p Crossroads Band 6:30p Praise Team 8p mops set-up
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY 4 7p Beth Moore Study
3 5:15p Lenten Dinner/
7p Celebration Choir
Mexican 7p Lenten Service/Faith Mentoring
10 10a MOPS Steering
FRIDAY 5 9a Rejoice Circle
11 7p Beth Moore Study
SATURDAY 6 9a Chicks w/Sticks 5p Worship/CC
12 12p OWLS Luncheon
13 5p Worship/CC
14
17 5:15p Lenten Dinner/Chili 18 6p Cub Scout Mtg.
19 9a Rejoice Circle
20 5p Worship/CC
21
24 5:15p Lenten Dinner/
26
27 7a General Maintenance 28
5:15p Lenten Dinner/Ballpark 6p Brownie Troop Mtg. 7p Lenten Service/Faith Mentoring
7p Lenten Service/Faith Mentoring
Brisket 7p Lenten Service/Faith Mentoring
7p Celebration Choir 7p Cub Scout Leader Mtg.
7p Celebration Choir
25 7p Celebration Choir
5p Worship/CC
31
Happy Birthday Gigi Ceci - March 1 Janice Korte - March 1 Sara Oscai - March 1 Beth Lindemann - March 1 Sonja Beauchamp - March 2 Grant Wischer - March 2 Dana Elkins - March 3 Erik Hanson - March 3 Lance Malburg - March 3 Charlie Newman - March 3 Lucille Roinestad - March 3 Chad Aaberg - March 4 Peyton Freitag - March 4 Sara Switzer - March 4 Rylie Wieseler - March 4 Rick Boyer - March 5 Samantha Gordon - March 5 Luke Marxhausen - March 5 David Pierce - March 5 Evan Schaeberle - March 5 Jordan Hegre - March 6 Cynthia Marxhausen - March 6 Valerie Smith - March 6 Tracy Pride - March 5 Pastor DJ Dent - March 6 Lauren Ashley - March 7 Alma Hardegree - March 7 Eric Benner - March 8 Dayna Chafe - March 8 Brittny Dilges - March 8 Kennedy Green - March 8 Crystal Jones - March 8 Michelle Joy - March 8 Griffin Lau - March 9 Steve Schrade - March 9
7
Morgan Sullivan - March 9 Ronny Van Steyn - March 9 Charlie Amoroso - March 10 Tiffany Beffel - March 10 Bob Belin - March 10 Emily Bolgren - March 10 Marion Hillgren - March 10 Ornes Daley - March 10 Cooper Paul - March 10 Kirsten White - March 10 Robbie Grant - March 11 Brian Kolseth - March 11 John Riley - March 11 Barry Siel - March 11 Kay Stolzenbach - March 11 Mark Tronrud - March 11 Patrick Voelker - March 11 Alexandra Yvars - March 11 Amelia Hansen - March 12 Mike Harner - March 12 Renee Burton - March 13 Bill Carroll - March 13 Aaron Henkes - March 13 Linda Klein - March 13 Matthew Mitchum - March 13 Mary Campbell - March 14 Meghan Fleming - March 14 Jeff Prescott - March 14 Kent Bigelow - March 15 Amy Fenton - March 15 Matt Sorenson - March 15 Catherine Doernbrack - March 16 Jed Fisbeck - March 16 Nathan Gray - March 16 Audrey Kleen - March 16
Don Zundel - March 16 Nolan Fleming - March 17 Landon Fleming - March 17 Crista Larsen - March 17 Sonja Murphy - March 17 Ruth Nelms - March 17 Adelyn Oscai - March 17 Lana Scarlett - March 17 Christine Seeger - March 17 Daniel Tjosvold - March 17 Trudy Hunchar - March 18 John Mitchell - March 18 Drew Paine - March 18 Brendan Parsa - March 18 Kalina Perry - March 18 Jessica Pollock - March 18 Emma Stanek - March 18 Kensie Cembalisty - March 19 Gracie Childs - March 19 Sue Justice - March 19 Darcie Reed - March 19 Madylin Walker - March 19 Addison Bergstrom - March 20 AustinCummings - March 20 Barbara Doyle - March 20 Mason Topp - March 20 Gregory Best - March 21 James Danyo - March 21 Tracy Fellows - March 21 Keaton Foy - March 21 Sara Gall - March 21 Kjerstin - Halverson March 21 Fay Lukasik - March 21 Sara Ziesman - March 21 Sarah Davis - March 22
Sarah Flynn - March 22 Caroline Flynn - March 22 Kyle Russell - March 22 Ally Williams - March 22 Cheryl Burton - March 23 Robin Mundell - March 23 Jon Rakes - March 23 Bobby Reed - March 23 Andrew Beffel - March 24 Quinn Connolly - March 24 Bryan Lichty - March 24 Stephanie DeBolt - March 25 Ben Tronrud - March 25 Martin Brown - March 26 Ruth Jewell - March 26 Helen Knutson - March 26 Brian Ozenbaugh - March 26 David Kaiser - March 27 Tami Kreimeyer - March 27 Donna Polodna - March 27 Jeramy Staub - March 27 Dan Grant - March 28 Jason Mundell - March 28 Seth Burt - March 29 Martha Miller - March 29 Liesl Purchase - March 29 Eric Young - March 29 Mim Bartos - March 30 Steve Best - March 30 Colin Brand - March 30 Angela Tonelli - March 30 Randi Valenti - March 30 Nanako Keney - March 31 Aiden Macko - March 31
Followers of Jesus Christ
8997 S. Broadway Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 Change Service Requested
There’s a place for you! Outreach Ministries
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
Music
CLC Kids Rock! Youth Worship Weekend Band Celebration Carillon Ringers Crossroads Douglas County Singers Praise Team Carillon Ringers
Preschool
Church Community 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
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
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 Rejoice Circle – women’s bible study, meets twice monthly