March 2016 CLC CrossWord

MARCH 2016

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

Holy Week & Easter at

Christ Lutheran Church

Palm Sunday Weekend Worship

Easter Worship Saturday, March 26

Seder Meal

Easter Worship Sunday, March 27

Saturday, March 19 @5pm Sunday, March 20 @ 8am-9:30am-11am Wednesday, March 23 @ 6:30pm

Maundy Thursday Worship

Thursday, March 24 @ 7pm Featuring the Hand-Washing Ceremony & First Communion

Good Friday Stations of the Cross

Friday, March 25 @ 10am-Noon and 1-5pm Self-Guided in the Sanctuary

Good Friday Worship

Traditional Worship @ 5pm Featuring the Carillon Ringers

Traditional Worship @ 7:30am Featuring the Celebration Choir

Traditional Worship @ 8:30am Featuring the Celebration Choir

Contemporary Worship @ 10am Featuring Crossroads Band

Contemporary Worship @ 11:30am Featuring Crossroads Band

Friday, March 25 @ Noon

Good Friday Cantata “For Such A One As This”

Friday, March 25 @ 7pm Featuring Celebration Choir, CLC KidsRock!, Soloists, and Actors playing the parts of Jesus, Judas, Peter, Pilate, Simon of Cyrene, Mary, the Two Thieves, & Mary Magdalene

STAFF: Rev. Steve Berke, Interim Pastor pastorsteve@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 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: 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 Steve’s Message

Dear Friends: It is leap year! Because of that adjustment in the calendar which happens every four years, March 7 is on a Monday in 2016. But last year it was a Saturday, and that turned out to be my first worship and preaching weekend with you as your intentional interim pastor. Thank you for all of the ways you have welcomed me and engaged in the congregational self-study, transition, and thoughtful, prayerful steps towards the pastoral call process. The call committee is in the midst of scheduling appointments for initial interviews with several lead pastor candidates. Especially now, therefore, I encourage your prayers for the pastors and their households, for the ten members of our call committee, and the future and mission of Christ Lutheran Church.

Lent, 2016, has started off very well. We are in the midst of drawing on our catechetical tradition and key texts of our faith as we reflect on “Navigating in an Uncertain World.” We are not given certainty in the struggles and tests and direction of our lives, but we are called to trust (“and to stake our lives on,” as Martin Luther said) God’s grace! Please take advantage of the Wednesday midweek Lenten services (7:00 p.m. on March 2, 9, and 16).

These brief evening prayer opportunities are a helpful and healthy way to mark the season. It has been fun to visit together with many people at the preceding evening meals, which begin at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesdays.

I also want to invite you (and you can invite friends and neighbors, too!) to the great variety of ways we celebrate Christ’s death and resurrection during Holy Week. Palm/Passion Sunday is on the week of March 19-20, and then there are services each day on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday (March 24-26). Easter morning, March 27, will be full of joy and proclamation throughout four services. This year there is also the opportunity to participate in a Seder meal on Wednesday evening, March 23.

Blessings to you throughout this special month, as we continue to “navigate” through life’s joys and sorrows, and to trust in the new birth through our risen Lord— Steve Berke, Pastor

Pastor DJ’s Message

On Not Reading the Gospel in Lent Enough inquiries have come my way that I felt the need to say something publicly about the way the Lenten Sundays have been structured. There was a brief mention of what was happening on the First Sunday in Lent, but enough did not attend that Sunday that it bears repeating and clarifying.

First, as was mentioned a few weeks ago in the “Know Your Faith” article in the bulletin, there are some traditions within culture and church associated with giving something up for Lent. At CLC, you’ll note that there are no flower arrangements at the foot of the altar during the season of Lent. We also do not sing nor speak the word “Alleluia” during the season. Less formally, you’ll hear of several people “giving something up” or “taking something on” which is a vestige of the idea of fasting as a sign of penintence on Fridays during Lent, which started in the 13th century. Such ideas are not necessary for the sake of worship or “orthodoxy” but hopefully show self-control and obedience to God rather than to the things of our lives. Many partake in these acts to remind themselves that they cannot find fulfillment in whatever tempts them.

I have received several questions from people in regards to the Gospel reading during Lent. Most attempted to tie it to one of these other traditions but did not recall a specific logic as to why there was not a Gospel present in the liturgy. Allow me to hopefully clarify: this is not a longstanding tradition of the church. Even in the tradition of self-denial, Sundays in Lent are considered feast days. In other words, if you count the days between Ash Wednesday and Easter on the calendar you end up with 46 days. There are 6 Sundays in that timeframe which “don’t count” towards the 40 days of Lent. Sundays are thus considered “mini-Easters” and considered days where the resurrection is still celebrated even in the midst of storytelling about the preparation for Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. In fact, if you show up for worship on March 12th, you will hear a lengthy story from the Gospel of Luke which will be welcomed much the same way the other readings throughout Lent have been welcomed in song.

Now for the obvious question: “Why?” There is another old tradition of the church of Lent being a season for preparation of baptism which means it would include a lot of teaching or “catechesis.” You may have run across that word before in reference to the Small Catechism that a lot of us studied in 7th and 8th grade. For our Lenten theme this year we are stepping through, one Sunday at a time, the Small Catechism. The readings are a departure from the traditional lectionary we use and are picked to help support the piece of the Small Catechism we are teaching that weekend. Since not all have ties to the Gospels, we have chosen to sing to honor the hearing of the Word in the assembly even if it doesn’t come from one of the four Gospels.

Hopefully this is a season of growth and learning for each of us and for the church as a whole. And rest assured, you’re gonna hear the Gospel on Easter!

Peace, Pastor DJ

Worship Teams for Easter Do you like to Usher or serve Communion, but not all the time? We could really use your assistance at the Saturday 5:00 pm service any of the four Easter morning services, 7:30, 8:30, 10:00 and 11:30am. Please sign the Response Sheet, if you can serve at this very busy time in the church. If you are already on a Worship Team and are available to help, please let Debbie Freeman know what service works best for you.

Worship Team Training We will have a Worship Team training session for all 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 20th (Palm Sunday) at 9:15am (between 8:00 & 9:30 services). Please sign the Response Sheet, if you can attend.

Decorating the Church and Organizing Easter Flowers We will be decorating the church for Easter on Wednesday, March 23rd 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 be setting up for Maundy Thursday hand-washing. Please sign the Response Sheet, if you can help.

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.

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.

Stations of the Cross in the Sanctuary on Good Friday We will be projecting the Stations of the Cross from 10:00-12:00pm and 1:00- 5:00pm on Good Friday, March 25th. Please feel free to go into the Sanctuary at any time during those hours.

Placing the Flowers on Good Friday We will be placing the flowers around the Altar after the Good Friday Service. Please sign the Response Sheet If you are able to stay an extra twenty minutes to help.

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 Shuttle Please don’t forget to ride the shuttle for Easter Sunday.

This will insure that our guests will have a place to park, at a time when we have over 2,000 people at Worship for the weekend. 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, March 27th. This can be a great opportunity for you and your family to meet others on your way to Worship.

Volunteers to Clean up the Church after Easter We will be cleaning up the church after Easter weekend on Wednesday, March 30th at 10:00am. If you can help us put back chairs, move plants and just do minor clean-up, please mark the Response Sheet.

If you are interested in learning more about LFS or would like to have an LFS staff member share the LFS story with your congregation, please contact Rebecca Burris at 303.217.5841 or at rebecca.burris@lfsrm.org.

Starlight Garden Party Please join Lutheran Family Services on Saturday, April 23rd for A Starlight Garden Party, the LFS Annual Benefit Gala. Come hear stories of impact, to learn about new programs, and to support a community changing nonprofit.

For more information or to register please visit www.lfsrm.org/events.

LFS Job Openings Lutheran Family Services has many current job openings including a Church Relations and Development Assistant position for the metro area. Check out our website at www.lfsrm.org/about/employment for a current list of employment opportunities.

Foster Care Meeting If you have ever considered becoming a foster parent, please let Lutheran Family Services guide your way!

LFS has informational Foster Care meetings every month. The next meeting is on March 9, 2016 at 12:30-1:30 and from 5:30-6:30 at the LFS office 363 S. Harlan Street, Suite 105, Denver, 80226. We hope to see you! Please contact Anne Hamilton for more information 303-217-5869.

Colfax Marathon Help support refugees resettling in Colorado by participating in the Colfax Marathon and fundraising for Lutheran Family Services! Events take place on May 14th and 15th and include a Marathon, Half Marathon, 10 Miler, Marathon Relay, and 5K (with run/walk and dog-friendly waves!) Register for the race at www.runcolfax.org and select LFS as your charity of choice. You can then set up a fundraising page at www.crowdrise.com/Run4Refugees2016.

Contact Elaine Nolen at elaine.nolen@lfsrm.org with any questions!

When to Move Your Loved One A family is often faced with the difficult decision of when it is the right time to move a loved one to a care facility such as an assisted living or possibly a nursing home. Join the Aging Life Care Managers with the Older Adult and Caregiver Services program at Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains for a FREE teleconference on March 9, 2016 from 12:00-1:00pm. The topic will be When to Move Your Loved One. To register please call 303-217-5864 or 970-232-1180 or visit www.lfsrm.org/caregiver-services.

SAVE THE DATE! Tuesday, April 19, 6:30 PM Never seem to be able to get to reviewing your will? Wonder if your estate documents written in another state work in Colorado? Is probate bad? The CLC Legacy & Endowment Committee will host a program to review the Basics of a Family Estate Plan.

Attendees will leave the program understanding how organized their affairs are.

Please RSVP to Dianne at outreach@clchr.org. Light refreshments will be served.

MaChPrScOo nWs Thank you for helping us in reaching our goal at the book fair!!!

We are using our funds to purchase new equipment for our kids klub/enrichment program. The school continues to register for fall classes and we cannot believe how fast time is moving. We will talk about the Lost Son, Washing of the Feet and The Easter Story for Chapel this month. We will also have music time with Ms. Linda and our Silver Speakers will be in to read. 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

Happy Birthday Gigi Ceci - March 1 Janice Korte - March 1 Sara Oscai March 1 Sonja Beauchamp - March 2 Adam Rachubinski - March 2 Eric Terrell - March 2 Grant Wischer - March 2 Dana Elkins - March 3 Erik Hanson - March 3 Lance Malburg - March 3 Lucille Roinestad - March 3 Chad Aaberg - March 4 Peyton Freitag - March 4 Rylie Wieseler - March 4 Rick Boyer - March 5 Samantha Gordon - March 5 Turner Lineberry - March 5 Luke Marxhausen - March 5 David Pierce - March 5 Evan Schaeberle - March 5 Pastor DJ Dent - March 6 Jordan Hegre - March 6 Cynthia Marxhausen - March 6 Valerie Smith - March 6 Lauren Ashley - March 7 Alma Hardegree - March 7 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 Schrader - March 9

Morgan Sullivan - March 9 Ronny Van Steyn - March 9 Tiffany Beffel - March 10 Bob Belin - March 10 Marion Hillgren - March 10 Jean Mai - March 10 Daley Ornes - March 10 Cooper Paul - March 10 Kirsten White - March 10 Robbie Grant - March 11 Brian Kolseth - March 11 Zachary Moisey - March 11 John Riley - March 11 Barry Siel - March 11 Kay Stolzenbach - March 11 Mark Tronrud - March 11 Amelia Hansen - 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 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 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 Gracie Childs - March 19 Sue Justice - March 19 Madylin Walker - March 19 Addison Bergstrom - March 20 Austin Cummings - March 20 Barbara Doyle - March 20 Mason Topp - March 20 James Danyo - March 21 Tracy Fellows - March 21 Keaton Foy - 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

Ella McNitt - 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 Ben Tronrud - March 25 Martin Brown - March 26 Amy Edstrom - March 26 Ruth Jewell - March 26 Helen Knutson - March 26 David Kaiser - March 27 Tami Kreimeyer - March 27 Donna Polodna - March 27 Jeramy Staub - March 27 Dan Grant - March 28 Devon Hanson - 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 Colin Brand - March 30 Angela Tonelli - March 30 Randi Valenti - March 30 Lindsey Anderson - March 31 Nanako Keney - March 31 Aiden Macko - March 31

The weather is warming up.

Spring is right around the corner!

Consider purchasing CLC Scrip cards for your spring cleaning and home improvement projects! We have cards available from Home Depot, Lowes and Ace Hardware to help you with those home and gardening ideas.

Additionally, Container Store and Bed Bath and Beyond cards will help you get your home organized for the spring. Order forms are available in the narthex, and take only one week to receive.

Thanks for helping CLC while sprucing up your home for the new season!

MARCH SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY 8a Preschool 11:15a Staff Mtg. 12p Preschool Sports Club 5p Crossroads Band 6:30p Praise Team 7p Blaze-Sr. High

Global Barnyard 6 8a Worship/CC 9:30a Worship/SS 11a Worship/CC 12:15p CLC KidsRock!

Cantata Rehearsal 12:15p New Member's Class 7p AA Meeting

6:30a Men's Breakfast 7 Group 8a Preschool 9:30a Beth Moore Bible Study 12p Preschool Sports Club 7p Boy Scouts 7p Personnel Mtg.

WEDNESDAY 1 8a Preschool

9a Mops Mtg. 5p Carillon Ringers 5:15p Lenten Dinner/Ballpark 7p Lenten Service/Faith Mentoring

8a Preschool 8 8a Preschool 11:15a Staff Mtg. 10a Mops Steering Mtg. 12p Preschool Sports Club 5p Carillon Ringers 5p Crossroads Band 5:15p Lenten Dinner/Chili 6:30p Praise Team 7p Lenten Service/Faith 7p Blaze-Sr. High Mentoring 7p Council Mtg.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS 13 6:30a Men's Breakfast 14 Mission Moments Group New Member's Rec'd 8a Preschool 8a Worship/CC 9:30a Beth Moore Bible Study 9:30a Worship/SS 9:30a Mission Quilters 11a Worship/CC 10a MOPS Mtg 12p 1st Communion class 12p Preschool Sport Club 12:15p CLC KidsRock!

6p Boy Scouts Venture Crew Cantata Rehearsal 7p Boy Scouts 3:30p Pierce concert 7p AA Meeting

8a Preschool 15 11:15a Staff Mtg. 12p Preschool Sports Club 12:30p Visiting Nurse Assoc.

5p Crossroads Band 6:30p Eagle Court of Honor 6:30p Praise Team 7p Blaze-Sr. High 7p Caregiver Mtg

PALM SUNDAY 20 8a Worship/CC 8:30a Palm Sunday Breakfast 9:15a Worship Team Training 9:30a Worship/SS 11a Worship/CC 12:15p CLC KidsRock!

Cantata Rehearsal 7p AA Meeting

8a Preschool 11:15a Staff Mtg. 5p Crossroads Band 6:30p Praise Team 7p Blaze-Sr. High

EASTER SUNDAY 7:30a Easter Service 8:30a Easter Service 10a Easter Service 11:30a Easter Service 7p AA Meeting

6:30a Men's Breakfast 21 Group 8a Preschool 7p Boy Scouts 7p Legacy & Endowment Mtg.

27 OFFICE CLOSED

28 8a Preschool

6:30a Men's Breakfast Group 8a Preschool 9:30a Beth Moore Bible Study 9:30a Mission Quilters 6p Boy Scouts Venture Crew 7p Boy Scouts

11:15a Staff Mtg. 7p Blaze-Sr. High 7:30p MOPS set-up

THURSDAY 2 8a Preschool 9a Adult University 7p Celebration Choir

9 8a Preschool

9a Adult University 7p Celebration Choir 7p Cub Scout Leader Mtg.

8a Preschool 16 8a Preschool 9a Mops Mtg. 9a Adult University 5p Carillon Ringers 7p Celebration Choir 5:15p Lenten Dinner/Brisket 7p Lenten Service/Faith Mentoring

FRIDAY 3 8a Preschool

12

17 8a Preschool

18 5p Worship/CC

19

25 7a General Maintenance 26

6:30p CLC Bridge Group

24 GOOD FRIDAY

29 8a Preschool

30 8a MOPS Consign

31

8a Preschool 7p Maundy Thursday Service/ 1st Comm. Celebration

8a Preschool

5

11 Mission Moment

12p OWLS Luncheon 5p Preschool Parent's Night Out

23 MAUNDY THURSDAY

9a MOPS Consign.

10a Genealogy 1p Fjelldalen Lodge 5p Preschool Parent's Night Out 5p Worship/CC

10 8a Preschool

22 8a Preschool

5p Carillon Ringers 5p Seder Meal 7p Good Friday Cantata Final Rehearsal

SATURDAY 4 9a Chicks w/Sticks

8a Preschool 10a Stations of the Cross 12p Noon Service 1p Stations of the Cross 7p Good Friday Service

New Member's Rec'd 8a SSMTA Music Festival 5p Worship/CC

5p Worship/CC

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