Come Join us 12/19/11 at 7pm for Christmas Stories Told by Walter Wangerin, Jr. at Christ Lutheran Church in Valparaiso, IN

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Families and children are welcome to attend this free evening of story told by acclaimed author and storyteller, Walter Wangarin, Jr - winner of the National Book Award.

This special evening is hosted by Christ Lutheran Church in Valparaiso, IN

located at  2610 N. Campbell Street   MAP

on Monday, December 19, 2011 from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Come Join us, all are welcome here!


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Praying Without Ceasing ?

Pastor Hawkin’s sermon yesterday got me started thinking about praying without ceasing (the text was in Ephesians 1:16).

He talked especially about those moments in the day when my thoughts are my own, especially wait times—doctor’s offices, grocery lines, trains… for me, that might include time in front of the copier at school (I’m a teacher).

Which got me thinking about where and why I pray.

I guess I’ve known for a long time that there are parts of my life where I’m less likely to present moments to God in prayer—and I think the school setting is one of them.
It’s not that I don’t consider myself a Christian at school, just that it doesn’t occur to me as often to pray before a staff meeting, or about a student’s difficulty with reading, or as I’m planning lessons for the next week. I tend to think of those as areas I’m supposed to be handling—I am a professional, after all!

But I’m thinking that for me, praying without ceasing may mean developing a greater awareness of God at my elbow (and in my head and heart) in every moment.
It would mean losing the sense of going into any task or setting on my own powers, and instead knowing I’m always part of a team (and I’m NOT the coach!).
Naturally, as a team begins a task they discuss it.
The more often I’m mindful of God’s presence—God, in all His power, goodness, love, and wisdom—the more often I’ll be running things by Him, thanking Him, and especially listening to Him!

So I’d like to grow in this, and I’d like to hear back from anyone who might be working on the same thing.
Are there any corners of your life that you’ve recently invited God into? Times in your day when you’ve newly realized God’s there with you, too?

Am I the only one who’s so full of herself that she forgets God is always there, in every moment?!

Blessings—

Lisa Owen

Christ Lutheran Church in Valparaiso, Indiana Welcomes New Interim Associate Pastor!

Hello!
I’m Pastor Erica Gibson-Even and I’m so very glad to be joining the Christ Lutheran Church family as Interim Associate Pastor this month.
My family and I have been thrilled to find ourselves in such a welcoming community. An area of special focus for me at CLC will be Faith Formation.
Christ Lutheran is richly blessed with ways to support growth in faith – from birth, childhood, throughout life - I am excited to see what the Spirit has in store as we continue to deepen our emphases on family ministry and our growth in discipleship as a community of faith.

Pastor Erica

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Fall Bible Study @CLCValpo led By Walter Wangerin Jr. Galatians & 1st Corinthians

.....Beginning Monday, September 26, 2011

Please join us the fall for a bible study of the books of Galatians and 1st Corinthians with VU Senior Research Professor and National Book Award Winner Walter Wangerin, Jr.

For those looking for an entry into bible study and those seeking to add to their knowledge of scripture, all are invited and will find a place in this study.

BOOKS OF THE BIBLE:
GALATIANS AND 1ST CORINTHIANS
A BIBLE STUDY LED BY WALTER WANGERIN, JR


Date/Time:
Monday, Sept. 26th, 7 - 8 p.m.
(and every Monday thereafter)

Location:
Christ Lutheran Church sanctuary.

Registration not required.


For more information contact CLCVALPO@frontier.com
or call 219-462-6660

Ladies Come Join Us, New Bible Study Starts 10/25/11 -> The Tender Words of God

Come Join Us!

The Tuesday Evening Ladies Bible Study at Christ Lutheran Church in Valparaiso, IN is starting a new book study on 10/25/11:

The Tender Words of God – by Ann Spangler

God speaks words of: Compassion, Forgiveness, Peace, Strength, Protection, Love and Mercy, Blessing and Provision, Guidance, Faithfulness, Hope and Comfort, and Healing!

Jesus is The Last, Most Tender Word.

Enjoy the journey through the Old and New Testaments where scriptures are revealed that every human longs to hear.

We are a small group of ladies of all ages that enjoy fellowship, the study of God’s word (bring your own bible – we will share each others versions of scripture) and lifting up prayer requests.

Our meeting time is= 7:15 pm to 8:45 pm Room 120 on Tuesday Evenings starting October 25, 2011

Each Chapter of the Book is on a Different WORD. The book is not cumulative, so even if you miss a week of this study, you won’t feel lost :)

If you would like to join us, please sign up  CLCValpo@frontier.com  or  call 219-462-6660

We will be ordering the book if you need one, please let us know when you sign up if you need us to order you a book also-> the cost is $13.25 new.

Gifts and Talents, A Bible Study Outline For the Nominating Committee of CLCValpo

Nominating Committee,

As we think about those who will be the leaders into the future for Christ Lutheran Church of Valparaiso, it is imperative that the Nominating Committee understand the qualities required. In the church we call those gifts and talents. These are not necessarily the same, though they may be. Paul in his first letter to his protégée Timothy spends times describing the qualities of a deacon:

 “Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not indulging in much wine, not greedy for money; they must hold fast to the m mystery of faith with a clear conscience. And let them first be tested; then, if they prove themselves blameless; let them serve as deacons. … Let deacons be married only once, and let them manage their children and their households well; for those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.” (1Timothy 3:8-10, 12-13)

In an understanding of the above passage, we as a church have applied this as a rule of thumb for the leadership of a congregation. Granted when Paul was writing he was referencing male leadership as that was the model for his day. However, I believe these qualities to be universal regardless of the gender of the leader. Also, we have massaged out some of this in the realization that in today’s culture not everything Paul was using as a measuring stick is useful.

When we talk about gifts and talents these are a bit more specific. Most of the information I am going to share here is from, Discovering God’s Vision For Your Life: You and Your Spiritual Gifts, developedby Kenneth C. Hauck, Tebunah Ministries, ©1998.

Dr. Hauck defines spiritual gift as:

“Spiritual gifts are unique endowments from the Holy Spirit, generously shared with Christians in community for building up the body of Christ in practical ways.”

He believes and so do I that every person is given at least one spiritual gift to use for the building up of the community of faith. Many people are endowed with several spiritual gifts as well. The one thing we as a Body of Christ can be assured of is that Jesus did not leave us bereft of all the gifts necessary to be His living presence in this community. We, the Congregation of Christ Lutheran Church, Valparaiso, Indiana, have been given all the spiritual gifts required to be about Christ’s business in God’s creation. So what are the spiritual gifts Dr. Hauck identifies? He has a group of twenty that are referenced in scripture. I will list them and the scripture references he provides as support.

1.       Proclamation – Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians12:10; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11.

2.      Servanthood – Romans 12:7; 1 Corinthians 12:5.

3.      Teaching the Faith – Romans 12:7; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11.

4.      Encouragement – Romans 12:8.

5.      Generosity – Romans 12:8.

6.      Nurturing Leadership – Romans 12:8.

7.      Mercy ­– Romans 12:8.

8.      Wisdom – 1 Corinthians 12:8.

9.      Knowing - 1 Corinthians 12:8.

10.   Faith ­– 1 Corinthians 12:9.

11.   Healings – 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1Corinthians 12:28.

12.   Miracles – 1 Corinthians 12:10; 1Corinthians 12:28.

13.   Discernment – 1 Corinthians 12:10.

14.   Tongues – 1 Corinthians 12:10; 1Corinthians 12:28.

15.   Interpretation of Tongues – 1 Corinthians12:10; 1 Corinthians 12:30.

16.   Apostleship – 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11.

17.   Helping – 1 Corinthians 12:28.

18.  Visionary and Managing Leadership – 1Corinthians 12:28.

19.   Evangelism – Ephesians 4:11

20.   Shepherding – Ephesians 4:11

For each of these gifts as Dr. Hauck identifies them he has written up how he understands their definition. I have his whole system of gifts discernment in my library and will be more than happy to share these definitions with the Nominating Committee. I hope this is helpful and insightful as you accomplish the task of discerning the leadership for Christ Lutheran Church.

CLC Valpo

 Shalom

Pastor John

Premier Performance of a Musical Dramatization of the Story of Sarah and Abraham!

Mark Your Calendars and come join us on Tuesday Evening, May 24th, 2011 @ 7pm 
Christ Lutheran Church 
2610 North Campbell St. Valparaiso, IN 46385 

We've hosted Keri Burman's - Yadah Paraise Productions performances at church in the past. Great stories from the Bible brought to life like:

Queen Esther

Mary of Nazareth

Mary Magdalene

Now for the 1st time, the newly married Mrs. Keri Castro will be performing with her husband Daniel in their Premier Performance of a Musical Dramatization of the Story of Sarah and Abraham!

"Through songs and monologues, one couple describes how faith and trust in God's timing led to blessings beyond compare in their lives and marriage."

So, if you would like to join us on Tuesday Evening, 5/24/11 @ 7:00 pm please call Paula Starek at Christ Lutheran Church 219-462-6660 or email CLCValpo@Frontier.com
There is no charge to attend - (free will offerings for Mr. & Mrs. Castro are appreciated).
We just ask you please RSVP in advance by Sunday 5/22/11
- Refreshments provided after the presentation.
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