SEPTEMBER 2016
Christ Lutheran Church • Highlands Ranch, CO • Gathering † Gifting † Sending
CLC ANNUAL OKTOBERFEST IS OCTOBER 1ST We are in need of:
Oktoberfest auction baskets. The more the merrier so
get together with family, friends, ministry groups, or ask our community business to donate to the fundraiser portion of this event. Ideas include: sports baskets, wine baskets, date night baskets. You can also donate home décor, jewelry, tickets to sporting events, etc. Reminder, this is not a “silent auction” but rather a drawing for each item.
Sponsorships! We are looking for businesses, realtors, or
any donor that is willing to help sponsor the event. Sponsorships for the beer, the band, and miscellaneous costs allow us to reduce ticket prices allowing it to be a very family friendly and affordable event. Donor recognition will be published in the e-news, October monthly newsletter, and bulletin and on-site at event. Thank you for your consideration.
Sign up for food donations and ticket sales will occur in September. Please contact Dianne at outreach@clchr.org or call 303-791-0803 ext. 110 for more information or questions.
A Brief Introduction to Our Newest Staff Member Hopefully you have heard the news by now that Sallie Burns, our beloved Financial Secretary, retired at the end of August after 7 years of blessing us with her gifts of organization and care in the role. On August 22, Anne Buderus was hired as her replacement, with the new title of Financial Administrator – more fitting for the work that position requires. Anne has been a member of CLC for 15 years. She and her husband, Dwight, serve on the Altar Guild and can usually be found preparing the elements on Saturday evening. In addition, Anne has a deep love of scripture and believes firmly in Bible Study as a key component of her faith. If you were around this summer, you might have run into her teaching at Vacation Bible School. Anne comes to us with a background of teaching as well as former work with the Visa Corporation, so she is well suited for both the financial and relationship sides of the work at hand. You can find her in the office all day Monday and Friday, and in the afternoons Tuesday through Thursday. As always, you are welcome to come down and greet the staff that helps make all of our ministries successful. Please stop by and get to know Anne a little bit better!
MOPS New-to-You Consignment Sale Needs Our HELP The CLC MOPS organized New To You children's consignment sale is currently accepting consignors for the fall/winter sale, September 23rd & 24th
Sell your unwanted gently-used baby and children's items and support CLC's MOPS group! Consignors get 70-80% back. Proceeds go to support Christ Lutheran Church, the CLC MOPS group, Lutheran Family Services, and other charities. Help us make this community service project a success by consigning, shopping, or VOLUNTEERING at the event! We especially need help sorting and breaking down the event on Saturday the 24th in order to be ready for service that evening. Check out www.newtoyousale.org for more information about the sale and how to consign or contact Dianne at outreach@clchr.org to volunteer. THANK 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 Anne Buderus Financial Administrator finance@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: Joanne Edmunds hiranch@comcast.net Jeff Bergstrom j-bergstrom@comcast.net Liesl Farrier bbflcf@msn.com Jennifer Gunther j.gunther@comcast.net Pete Koury pmkoury@q.com Beth Ott hunterchief95@comcast.net John Ringkob jer@dascoinc.com Rich Novotne husker7575@hotmail.com Steve Schaeberle Schaeberle1@comcast.net Bret Sumner bretsumner@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 mbehnke@clchr.org. Editor reserves the right to edit for content and space.
Pastor Allert’s Message Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, What a joy it is for me to be able to greet you in the name of Jesus! August has gone by so fast; filled with joyful meetings, discovering new ways to worship with more siblings in the Kingdom, and warm Christian hospitality everywhere I have been. Your very gracious welcome and beautiful house-warming gift for my family are truly blessings that have filled our hearts with your compassion. Thank you so very much! At the risk of stating the obvious; some find relief when change takes place… Others (many a Lutheran if we’re honest) also discover in change internal feelings more akin to anxiety and fear rather than relief. Unlike The Pop-up Book of Phobias, where the object of one’s concern literally leaps out for all to see, when change occurs, many tend to keep their anxieties and fears below the surface, kept quiet below, stifled in wonder – or shared only in small doses in comfortable environments. Throughout the millenias, churches in transition are notorious for this. What is the new pastor going to be like? What changes is he going to try to make? What are his mannerisms and will he get along with the staff and volunteers? How are his sermons… his pastoral care… his ability to teach… his willingness to serve? How tall is he? (Okay, so maybe that last one is not as frequently asked in every parish.) Questions, questions, questions… But questions are great! Questions are wonderful! If the old saying is held true; that we fear what we do not understand, then asking and answering questions help to alleviate fears and anxiety. Questions that are asked become useful tools that help us all to birth and further grow relationships with one another. Questions sometimes lead to clarity, as when the disciples of John the Baptist asked Jesus “Are you the one? Or are we to wait to follow another?” (Matthew 11:3). Other times, questions can lead to more questions, and then more questions as we see in Jesus’ evening faith talk with Nicodemus in John 3 – the chapter in which we celebrate one of God’s greatest answers in verses 16 and 17. But at the heart and Truth of our desire to ask questions (and receive answers) is the hope for relationship. Pastor and congregation. Teacher and student. Counselor and wounded. Leader and follower. Minister and fellow faith walker. All siblings in the Kingdom and body of Christ. As our Lord has led each of us now to this place and time to journey together, I (and my family) eagerly look forward to every opportunity where questions and answers create opportunities to build up the relationships we can share together that bring God glory, serve His church and the community, as well as accomplish the divine joy and blessing that is great Christian fellowship. May you be so blessed, that you see in God’s love for you opportunities abounding all around for abundant grace, mercy and peace in your life. And may you also be so blessed, that you feel the Spirit’s work compelling you to share that blessing with others. In Christ, Pastor Eric J. Allert (6’8”)
NEW WEDNESDAY NIGHT ADULT STUDY TO BEGIN SEPT. 28TH Pastor Eric will begin a new Adult Study taking place Wednesday nights starting in the Sonrise Room at church from 7pm to 8:30pm. The first of these studies will be a 5-week series look at “Worship: Heart, Mind, Soul & Voice”. Come and join us!
Adult Mission Trip to Sky Ranch This year’s annual adult mission trip to Sky Ranch will be held September 20th-23rd. We will leave CLC around 8:00am on that Tuesday for Sky Ranch and return on Friday after lunch. We are looking for adult volunteers to help with repairing the nurses cabin (including some roofing, adding trip, repairing worn boards, and painting). We are also looking for monetary donations to help buy the necessary supplies. Sky Ranch provides food and shelter for volunteers and there is no cost to participate. Please sign the response sheet or contact Dianne at outreach@clchr.org.
On Saturday, September 10 from 8:30-11:30am, CLC will be participating in ELCA DAY of SERVICE. “God’s work. Our hands.” The weekend is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. This year we will be doing a food drive with the cooperation of Safeway (just north of CLC) to collect much needed supplies and food for our charity partner Integrated Family Community Services (formally Interfaith). Donations will be taken to CLC at the end of the drive. With enough volunteers, we can split the shifts and it would only take 1-1/2 hours of your morning. Our second project that morning consists of helping out the Fresh Harvest Food Bank in Lone Tree. A small team of volunteers will be handling fresh produce, clothing, and pantry items as well as loading bags into the families’ vehicles.
SAVE THE DATE / SAVE YOUR BOOKS The annual CLC used book sale will be held October 8/9 and October 15/16. This is a great time to clean out your great summer reads and replace them with some fantastic fall and winter finds. This is the perfect time to pick up that special gift for Christmas, locate that English class read, or add to your collection of a favorite author. If you have books to donate, please contact Susan Carroll 303-791-4323 or Donnis Tolle 720-737-8129, as we do not have space at the church to store books prior to the sale set-up on October 8th.
Pastor DJ’s Message This month, we mark the fifteenth anniversary of the day when two jets were flown into two skyscrapers and another crashed into the countryside destined for more destruction. For many people my age, this is the defining moment of a generation, I have heard other people say different things about its significance. It occurred to me that depending on when you were defining your way of looking at the world (for many this happens in college, for most in early adulthood) if something significant happened in the middle of that, it is still a defining moment for you in the history of the world. For instance, many people my age cite September 11th as a defining moment. Many younger are sick that we are still mentioning it. Find some people in other age groups, and they will cite the Challenger explosion, which I barely recall, as central. There are some people who will forever be remembered and defined by the Vietnamese War; going further: the Kennedy or MLK Jr. assassinations, WWII, Great Depression, WWI, Civil War, Revolutionary War, etc. And these are just the negative things that catch worldwide attention. There are countless others that affect us all intimately both in positive and negative fashion. So what is that defining moment in your lifetime? What about the lifetime before? What about in all of history? The question we must ask is, "Does the Church have anything to say about these events?" Fortunately, we have always been able to answer yes. Sometimes, the church has been the voice for the victims, sometimes the church has stood stoically silent in solidarity with those muted by tragedy, but it always has a story to tell, but not necessarily always with words. In the midst of division and violence, we have told of unity and peace. In the midst of persecution, we have told of God's passion for the lowly. In the midst of poverty, we have told of God's generosity. In the midst of fear, we have told of God's security. In the midst of anger, we have told of God's forgiveness. In the midst of death, we have told of God's resurrection. When you think on this anniversary of the stories you tell, ask and ponder, "What does the Word have to say?" God is still speaking even in the midst of scars that define us. Peace, Pastor DJ
MOTHERS OF SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN
Welcome Back to Preschool! Hello from downstairs in the preschool! We are so excited to begin a new school year. Summer was very fun with ten weeks of summer camp! We are looking forward to wonderful things this year and so much fun. We will be starting chapel time with Pastors Eric and DJ and Mr. Gary, music time with Ms. Linda, storytime with our local librarian, Spanish time with Ms. Sofia and our silver speakers who come from a local senior living center. We are so blessed to have a staff of 18 amazing women who love to teach and love our Lord. We will begin the week of August 29th. Thank you so much for all of your support – we love being a ministry of CLC and wish everyone a great year in your own adventure. Ms. Deb and Ms. Blair
Moms! Need some support in your parenting journey? Looking to make meaningful connections with other moms? Join us in forming an exciting new ministry at CLC, for mothers of school age children. We’ll meet once a month, location and time TBD depending on the availability of the women. We plan to discuss the challenges, celebrate the joy, and hold each other up in our journey as moms. Please email Jessica Sumner at jesssb@gmail.com or Chris Schaeberle at schaeberle1@comcast.net for more information and to sign up. We will hold an organizational meeting at the end of Sept to get started. Looking forward to sharing this journey with you!
Seasonal Reading Recommendations from Pastor Eric I Wonder What Noah Did with the Woodpeckers, by Tim Wildmon Lake Wobegon Days, by Garrison Keillor A Man Called Peter; The Story of Peter Marshall, by Catherine Marshall Sulha: Palestinian Traditional Peacemaking Process, by Elias J. Jabbour Giving to God: The Bibles’ Good News About Living a Generous Life, by Mark Allan Powell
Happy Birthday Kayla Silverman Lanette Sorensen SydneyTopp Ashley Bravo Wilson Robyn Davis Chris DeBeer Lorraine Demarest Tressa Lauer Rick Schneider Heidi Dimercurio Barrett Gregorek Katie Johnson Virgene Rasmussen Alison Tonelli Hali Wolf Maddie Emsley Gayle Hillgren Bailey Kenevan Marion Lichty Tony Pace Colton Parks Dan Schandel Kerry Thomas Julie Waggoner Ramona Erickson Cindy Holter John Mahalik Matt Mulverhill Jane Talus Elias Tiedgen Kiana Arellano Loretta Benson Carly Gerhart
Sep 1 Sep 1 Sep 1 Sep 1 Sep 2 Sep 2 Sep 2 Sep 2 Sep 2 Sep 3 Sep 3 Sep 3 Sep 3 Sep 3 Sep 3 Sep 4 Sep 4 Sep 4 Sep 4 Sep 4 Sep 4 Sep 4 Sep 4 Sep 4 Sep 5 Sep 5 Sep 5 Sep 5 Sep 5 Sep 5 Sep 6 Sep 6 Sep 6
Adrian Hafner Wendy Zimmerman Brennan Boyer Brad Farrier Shawn Hardegree Ally Jensen Michelle Parks Doris Smith Kelli Bohren Angela Dorr Nickie Holder Vicki Pierce Mason Regan Amanda Rowe Erika Schauer Jessica Sumner Adan Trevino Matthew Vickers Jenna Yoss Emily Freeman Katelyn Haney Bryden Kenevan Amelia Larsen Andrew Lauer Annabelle Martin Olivia Thoennes Heather Archuleta James Haney Ian Paine Linda Pedersen Kala Pellett Karoline Radtke Keith Stolzenbach
Sep 6 Sep 6 Sep 7 Sep 7 Sep 7 Sep 7 Sep 7 Sep 7 Sep 8 Sep 8 Sep 8 Sep 8 Sep 8 Sep 8 Sep 8 Sep 8 Sep 8 Sep 8 Sep 8 Sep 9 Sep 9 Sep 9 Sep 9 Sep 9 Sep 9 Sep 9 Sep 10 Sep 10 Sep 10 Sep 10 Sep 10 Sep 10 Sep 10
Henry Whitman Alycia Arnold Grace Bielefeldt John Guyer John Herman Mike Lyneis Emily Rachubinski Isaac Elhard Kristin Orlowski David Hinz Roger Hubbard Jack Stohs Travis Witkind Thor Halverson JoAnne Harding John Harding Heather Hemenway Lauren Lasater Tyler Martin Tanner Poltl Lauren Schaedig Kelly Belin Ty Doyle Andy Lytle Joey Smith Pamela Van Steyn Brad Allen Michael Coe Blake Elhard Kathy Pfalzgraff Kenneth Risden Scott Smith Tyler Stevenson
Sep 10 Sep 11 Sep 11 Sep 11 Sep 11 Sep 11 Sep 11 Sep 12 Sep 12 Sep 13 Sep 13 Sep 13 Sep 13 Sep 14 Sep 14 Sep 14 Sep 14 Sep 14 Sep 14 Sep 14 Sep 14 Sep 15 Sep 15 Sep 15 Sep 15 Sep 15 Sep 16 Sep 16 Sep 16 Sep 16 Sep 16 Sep 16 Sep 16
Roger Joy Brittany Penland JoEllen Pinon Cade Spicher Gabe Farrier Nikki McCullor Conner Desmond Ethan Gutsch Austin Riley Elliott Arnold Andrew Bohren Alex D'Agostino Locke Keney Brooke Schulte Pam Snauwaert Jessie Thoennes Janice Birkholz-Bauer Caroline Curry Debby Kinsella Tracey Parsa Pam Allen Wendy Boettcher Doug Cary Matt Hurlbert Sharon Morken Neil Perry Steve Sande Torrey Tesch Hayden Vasilauskas Josh Waldenmyer Kara Pontius Alecia Saewert Indra Zorn
Sep 17 Sep 17 Sep 17 Sep 17 Sep 18 Sep 18 Sep 19 Sep 19 Sep 19 Sep 20 Sep 20 Sep 20 Sep 20 Sep 20 Sep 20 Sep 20 Sep 21 Sep 21 Sep 21 Sep 21 Sep 22 Sep 22 Sep 22 Sep 22 Sep 22 Sep 22 Sep 22 Sep 22 Sep 22 Sep 22 Sep 23 Sep 23 Sep 23
Jordan Lembke Richard Ort Lee Sagrillo Norm Viste Adley Wilson Lara Betthauser Cade Evans Ken Sorensen Ellie Geiger John Jason Lily Jones Evan Mahalik Riley Lau Ron Macky Steven Stanek Jody Alexander Mette Castor Angela Graham Joan Henkes Dylan McNitt Christine Ruggeri Darlene Dethlefs Hanako Keney Ron Moses Ron Van Steyn Mark Wieseler Adam Beukelman Dick Herdahl Heidi Jason Thomas Williamsen
Sep 24 Sep 24 Sep 24 Sep 24 Sep 24 Sep 25 Sep 25 Sep 25 Sep 26 Sep 26 Sep 26 Sep 26 Sep 27 Sep 27 Sep 27 Sep 28 Sep 28 Sep 28 Sep 28 Sep 28 Sep 28 Sep 29 Sep 29 Sep 29 Sep 29 Sep 29 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
A Word of Grace
for Peace, Wonder, and Growth in Discipleship At some point in our lives, we’ve all truly struggled with the word “should.” You should floss more. You should be nicer to your sister. You should get your homework done now so you can play later. Did you notice another word in each of those messages? It’s the word “you.” Whether we are told the message of should, or if we are thinking the should message for ourselves, it still comes packaged with that “you” bow tied on top. We generally always hear should messages –whether spoken or thought aimed somehow toward us from somewhere (or some one) else. It’s a curious reflection, isn’t it? Except of when I think of God… I don’t hear should messages, and forgive the awful pun here, but you shouldn’t either. Yes God gives us instruction in His written and spoken word. And yes, the Holy Spirit continues to find ways to lead and guide us along our faith walks. But God is one that seeks ways to rejoice, one that is often more patient than not, one that brings comfort and aid far more frequently than harsh judgement. In our Lutheran lens of the Christian faith, we understand our reality as both sinner and saint, as both filthy in fault and yet redeemed in grace – there is both Law and Gospel. So, for this month, wherever the Holy Spirit may be guiding you… However God’s voice may be speaking to you… In whichever way you see the hand of God at work in your life… May it be one that doesn’t thrust upon you should messages, but rather ways that celebrate who you are as God’s beloved child. May it be acts that further move you toward God’s purpose for you, instead of guilt-ridden criticisms. May you be blessed to find God rejoicing with you - growing you toward grace, compassion and generosity - and inviting you to rejoice as well! - Pastor Eric
SEPTEMBER SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY 8a Preschool 7p Celebration Choir
8a Worship 9:30a Worship 11a Worship/CC 7p AA Meeting
4 OFFICE CLOSED
6:30a Men's Breakfast Group 9:30a MOPS NTY Meeting 7p Boy Scouts
11 8a Worship 8:30a Ministry Fair 9:30a Worship 9:30a Sunday School Teache Installation 11a Worship/CC 5-7p Dynamite Youth Group Gathering 7p AA Meeting 8a Worship 9:30a Worship 11a Potluck (Installation) 12:15p Baptism Class 7p AA Meeting
12 6:30a Men's Breakfast Group 8a Preschool 9:30a Mission Quilters 9:30a MOPS NTY Meeting 12p Preschool Sports Club 6p Boy Scouts Venture Crew 7p Boy Scouts
18 6:30a Men's Breakfast
Youth Worship Weekend 25 8a Worship 9:30a Worship 11a Worship/CC 12:15p CLC KidsRock! 12:15p New Members' Class 7p AA Meeting
5 8a Preschool
6 8a Preschool
10:45a Preschool Chapel 11:15a Staff Mtg. 5p Crossroads Band 6:30p Praise Team 7p Blaze-Sr. High 7p Caregiver Mtg
9a MOPS 10:45a Preschool Chapel 1:45p Preschool Chapel 5:30p Carillon Ringers 6:30p Youth Weekend Band 7p Confirmation Learning Eventt
7 8a Preschool
7p Celebration Choir 7p Cub Scout Leader Mtg.
8a Preschool 13 8a Preschool 14 Preschool 9:30a MOPS Steering 7p Celebration Choir 11:15a Staff Mtg. 1p PAT Meeting 12p Preschool Sports Club 5:30p Carillon Ringers 5p Crossroads Band 6:30p Youth Weekend Band 6:30p Praise Team 7p Confirmation Learning 7p Blaze-Sr. High Event 7p Council Mtg. 7p Military Ministry Mtg.
19 6:30a Men's Breakfast
20 8a Preschool
21 8a Mops Consign.
Group 8a Preschool 9:30a MOPS NTY Meeting 9:30a Preschool Storytime 12p Preschool Sports Club 7p Boy Scouts 7p Legacy & Endowment Mtg.
Group 10:45a Preschool Chapel 11:15a Staff Mtg. 12p Preschool Sports Club 12:30p Visiting Nurse Assoc. 5:30p Youth Weekend Band 7p Blaze-Sr. High 7p Caregiver Mtg
9a Mops Consign. 10:45a Preschool Chapel 1:45p Preschool Chapel
8a Preschool 5p Centus Counseling
26 6:30a Men's Breakfast Group 8a Preschool 9:30a Beth Moore Bible Study 9:30a Mission Quilters 12p Preschool Sports Club 6p Boy Scouts Venture Crew 7p Boy Scouts
27 8a Preschool 9a Southwest Coalition for Aging 11:15a Staff Mtg. 12p Preschool Sports Club 5p Crossroads Band 6:30p Praise Team 7p Blaze-Sr. High
28 8a Preschool Preschool 9a MOPS 7p Celebration Choir 9a MOPS Mom's Day Out 5:30p Carillon Ringers 7p Confirmation Learning Event
FRIDAY 1 8a Preschool
SATURDAY 2 9a Chicks w/Sticks
8 8a Preschool
9 ELCA Day of Service
12p OWLS Luncheon 5p Preschool Parent's Night Out
5p Worship/CC
10a Genealogy 1p Fjelldalen Lodge 5p Worship/CC
3
10
15 8a Preschool
16 9a Miller Farm
22 7a Mops Consign.
23 Youth Worship Weekend 24
29 8a Preschool
30
6:30p CLC Bridge Group
8a Preschool
5:15p Preschool Parent's Night Out
5p Preschool Parents Night Out 5p Worship/CC
7a General Maintenance 8a Mops Consign. 5p Worship/CC
17
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