MARCH 2015

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

THANKS to all the CLC/Thrivent members who have taken action to designate their CHOICE Program dollars in the last45 days! March 31 2015 is the �nal 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 1-800-847-4836 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.

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 liveli-hood 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 o�ering plate and mark it Barnyard project or goats. We also have envelopes in the Narthex. Thank you!

ELCA Barnyard Sunday

Calling all CLC/Thrivent Members! 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

MARCH PRESCHOOL NEWS

Cow $500

Fish $250

Sheep $125

Goat $50

Pig $30

Duck $20

Chicks $10

STAFF:Rev. Steve Berke, Interim Senior Pastor

pastorsteve@clchr.orgRev. DJ Dent, Associate Pastor

pastordent@clchr.orgDianne Yoss

Interim Director Outreach & Equippingoutreach@clchr.org

Debbie FreemanInterim Office Staff for Outreach & Equipping

dfreeman@clchr.orgGary Knutson

Director of Youth & Familygknutson@clchr.org

Deb MorgansDirector of Preschooldmorgans@clchr.org

Mary BehnkeAdministrative Manager

mbehnke@clchr.orgSallie Burns

Financial Secretarysburns@clchr.orgLinda HolcombeDirector of Music

lindaholcombe64@gmail.comNicholas Koltay

Administrative Assistantnkoltay@clchr.org

Carrie MalleryPrincipal Pianist

Larry ScalfariPianist

Barbara PiersonDirector Nursery Ministry

Barbara.Pierson@comcast.netMeliha & Predrag Vajzovic

Custodians

CHURCH COUNCIL:Adrian Hafner

backyardkids@hotmail.comBret Sumner

bretsumner@hotmail.comJohn Ringkob

jer@dascoinc.comJohn Riley

johnriley05@comcast.netLesley Cantrell

we4cantrells@mac.comErika Alpern

eajteach@yahoo.comKaren Rucker

kkosty@excite.comSteve Schaeberle

Schaeberle1@comcast.netBob Weber

B14169k@comcast.netAll articles, photos and notices for the next issueof CrossWord are due by the 15th of the month.

Send to mbehnke@clchr.org. Editor reserves theright to edit for content and space.

Pastor Steve’s Message

Greetingsfrom Pastor Steve Berke

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 �rst-time grandparent. The days will be full!

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 �ve years. For the past twenty-one years I have been a senior pastor, leading the sta� 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-Broom�eld 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 Minneapo-lis, and Clare (Michael Sigrist), in Washington, D.C.

The weekend of March 7-8 will be my �rst 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

Pastor DJ’s Message

What Angels Look LikePlease 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 speci�cally 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. Su�ce 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 �aming 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 o�ers up a description of the seraphim (literally “burning ones”) who are 6 winged beasts that �y around the presence of God. I couldn’t �nd a really good piece of artwork that re�ected my understanding of this passage an others which refer to them as �ying 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

Military MinistryThe CLC Military Ministry will be taking orders for Du�ey's Gourmet Cinnamon Rolls the weekends of February 28/March 1 through March 14/15. Orders will be deliv-ered Palm Sunday weekend (March 28/29) so you can take your won-derful cinnamon rolls home (frozen) and bake them fresh on Easter Sunday!

Du�eyrolls are hand-rolled and tastefully prepared by Du�ey's specially trained bakers. They are $12 per pan and come in �avors of: Original, Zesty Orange, Cream Cheese, Mountain Maple and Pecanilla Crunch. Each frozen, bake at home Du�eyroll Pan is �lled 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 sacri�ces and demands that their job places upon them and their families, we are in deep gratitude. Whether they are home-land or overseas, their task is a great one. In an e�ort to pray more e�ectively 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 �le pocket on the Military Ministry bulletin board in the Narthex.

Worship Teams for EasterDo 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 TrainingWe 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 EasterWe 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 �owers 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 �ll out the information needed on the front and back of the envelope and place it in the o�ering 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 o�ering plate or sign up on the Response Sheet.

Easter Egg Stuffing & TossEaster 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 stu� 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 neighbor-hoods. This is great fun, especially for the kids.

Decorating the Churchand Organizing Easter FlowersWe will be decorating the church for Easter on Wednesday, April 1st at 9:00am. We will also be taking the �owers 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 FridayWe will be placing the �owers 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 FridayWe 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 ShuttlePlease 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 SundayPlease 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 EasterWe 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 EasterWe need volunteers to water the plants for two weeks after Easter. If you are available, please sign the Response Sheet.

Happy BirthdayGigi Ceci - March 1Janice Korte - March 1Sara Oscai - March 1Beth Lindemann - March 1Sonja Beauchamp - March 2Grant Wischer - March 2Dana Elkins - March 3Erik Hanson - March 3Lance Malburg - March 3Charlie Newman - March 3Lucille Roinestad - March 3Chad Aaberg - March 4Peyton Freitag - March 4Sara Switzer - March 4Rylie Wieseler - March 4Rick Boyer - March 5Samantha Gordon - March 5Luke Marxhausen - March 5David Pierce - March 5Evan Schaeberle - March 5Jordan Hegre - March 6Cynthia Marxhausen - March 6Valerie Smith - March 6Tracy Pride - March 5Pastor DJ Dent - March 6Lauren Ashley - March 7Alma Hardegree - March 7Eric Benner - March 8Dayna Chafe - March 8Brittny Dilges - March 8Kennedy Green - March 8Crystal Jones - March 8Michelle Joy - March 8Gri�n Lau - March 9Steve Schrade - March 9

Morgan Sullivan - March 9Ronny Van Steyn - March 9Charlie Amoroso - March 10Ti�any Be�el - March 10Bob Belin - March 10Emily Bolgren - March 10Marion Hillgren - March 10Ornes Daley - March 10Cooper Paul - March 10Kirsten White - March 10Robbie Grant - March 11Brian Kolseth - March 11John Riley - March 11Barry Siel - March 11Kay Stolzenbach - March 11Mark Tronrud - March 11Patrick Voelker - March 11Alexandra Yvars - March 11Amelia Hansen - March 12Mike Harner - March 12Renee Burton - March 13Bill Carroll - March 13Aaron Henkes - March 13Linda Klein - March 13Matthew Mitchum - March 13Mary Campbell - March 14Meghan Fleming - March 14Je� Prescott - March 14Kent Bigelow - March 15Amy Fenton - March 15Matt Sorenson - March 15Catherine Doernbrack - March 16Jed Fisbeck - March 16Nathan Gray - March 16Audrey Kleen - March 16

Don Zundel - March 16Nolan Fleming - March 17Landon Fleming - March 17Crista Larsen - March 17Sonja Murphy - March 17Ruth Nelms - March 17Adelyn Oscai - March 17Lana Scarlett - March 17Christine Seeger - March 17Daniel Tjosvold - March 17Trudy Hunchar - March 18John Mitchell - March 18Drew Paine - March 18Brendan Parsa - March 18Kalina Perry - March 18Jessica Pollock - March 18Emma Stanek - March 18Kensie Cembalisty - March 19Gracie Childs - March 19Sue Justice - March 19Darcie Reed - March 19Madylin Walker - March 19Addison Bergstrom - March 20AustinCummings - March 20Barbara Doyle - March 20Mason Topp - March 20Gregory Best - March 21James Danyo - March 21Tracy Fellows - March 21Keaton Foy - March 21Sara Gall - March 21Kjerstin - Halverson March 21Fay Lukasik - March 21Sara Ziesman - March 21Sarah Davis - March 22

Sarah Flynn - March 22Caroline Flynn - March 22Kyle Russell - March 22Ally Williams - March 22Cheryl Burton - March 23Robin Mundell - March 23Jon Rakes - March 23Bobby Reed - March 23Andrew Be�el - March 24Quinn Connolly - March 24Bryan Lichty - March 24Stephanie DeBolt - March 25Ben Tronrud - March 25Martin Brown - March 26Ruth Jewell - March 26Helen Knutson - March 26Brian Ozenbaugh - March 26David Kaiser - March 27Tami Kreimeyer - March 27Donna Polodna - March 27Jeramy Staub - March 27Dan Grant - March 28Jason Mundell - March 28Seth Burt - March 29Martha Miller - March 29Liesl Purchase - March 29Eric Young - March 29Mim Bartos - March 30Steve Best - March 30Colin Brand - March 30Angela Tonelli - March 30Randi Valenti - March 30Nanako Keney - March 31Aiden Macko - March 31

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY9a Rejoice Circle5:15p Lenten Dinner/

Mexican7p Lenten Service/Faith Mentoring

7p Beth Moore Study7p Celebration Choir

8a Worship/CC9:30a Worship/SS11a Worship/CC12:15p Baptism Class4p Cub Scout Mtg.7p AA Meeting

6:30a Men's Breakfast Group9:15a Beth Moore Study7p Boy Scouts7p Personnel Mtg.

5p Crossroads Band6:30p Praise Team8p mops set-up

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

MARCH

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME8a Worship/CC8:30a Barnyard visit9:30a Worship/SS11a Worship/CC12:15p 1st Communion Class7p AA Meeting

6:30a Men's Breakfast Group9:15a Beth Moore Study9:30a Mission Quilters9:30a Mops Mtg6p Boy Scouts Venture Crew7p Boy Scouts7p Legacy & Endowment Mtg.

5p Crossroads Band6:30p Praise Team7p Council Mtg.

10a MOPS Steering5:15p Lenten Dinner/Ballpark6p Brownie Troop Mtg.7p Lenten Service/Faith Mentoring

7p Beth Moore Study7p Celebration Choir7p Cub Scout Leader Mtg.

1p Visiting Nurse Assoc.5p Crossroads Band6:30p Praise Team8p mops set-up

5:15p Lenten Dinner/Chili7p Lenten Service/Faith Mentoring

9a Rejoice Circle6p Cub Scout Mtg.7p Celebration Choir

12p OWLS Luncheon8

8a Worship/CC9:30a Worship/SS11a Worship/CC3p Pierce event7p AA Meeting

15 6:30a Men's Breakfast Group9:15a Beth Moore Study9:30a Mops Mtg7p Boy Scouts

16

Egg Toss8a Worship/CC9:30a Worship/SS11a Worship/CC12:15p 1st Communion Class7p AA Meeting

22 6:30a Men's Breakfast Group9:30a Mission Quilters6p Boy Scouts Venture Crew7p Boy Scouts

23 5p Crossroads Band6:30p Praise Team

PALM SUNDAY8a Worship/CC8:30a Palm Sunday Breakfast9:15a Worship Team Training9:30a Worship/SS11a Worship/CC7p AA Meeting

6:30a Men's Breakfast Group9:15a Beth Moore Study7p Boy Scouts

5p Crossroads Band6:30p Praise Team8p mops set-up

5:15p Lenten Dinner/ Brisket7p Lenten Service/Faith Mentoring

24 25 7p Celebration Choir 26 27 7a General Maintenance5p Worship/CC

28

29 30 31

17 18 19 20 5p Worship/CC 21

9 10 11 12 13 14

9a Chicks w/Sticks5p Worship/CC

5p Worship/CC

8997 S. BroadwayHighlands Ranch, CO 80129Change Service Requested

Outreach MinistriesHarrington Elementary School in Denver – various projectsOutreach UgandaUrban Peak Teen ShelterAlcoholics AnonymousBon�ls Blood DriveSky Ranch Lutheran CampLutheran Family Services projectsGrant Avenue Street ReachPueblo De Dios (in CA) ProjectsELCA World HungerMilitary MinistryChicks with SticksMission Quilters

MusicCLC Kids Rock!Youth Worship Weekend Band CelebrationCarillon RingersCrossroadsDouglas County SingersPraise TeamCarillon Ringers

Preschool

Followers of Jesus Christ

Youth & Family MinistriesBaptism ClassesFirst Bible ClassesFirst Communion ClassesSummer Vacation Bible SchoolCon�rmation Classes (7th & 8th graders)Sunday SchoolDynamite Youth Group (4th, 5th & 6th graders)BLAZE (Senior High School Youth Group)Mission TripsFamily Nights

Education and FellowshipAdult Education Classes (held during 9:30 service and Thursdays at 9:00am)Men’s Breakfast Group – bible study group meets every Monday morningWomen of Joy – a Christian book club that meets twice monthly for fellowship and serviceRejoice Circle – women’s bible study, meets twice monthly

Church Community MinistriesAltar GuildNew Mothers MinistryWorship TeamsFirst Impressions TeamUshers and GreetersBulletin “Folders”Readers Decorating TeamAssisting MinistersMowing & Snow RemovalKitchen TeamRecycling TeamMaintenance TeamSweet Bread MinistrySign TeamChefs for ChristSanctuary CareCard MinistryPrayer Tree

Fun and FellowshipOWLS – Senior group meets monthly for fellowshipShepherds Dinner GroupMen’s Book ClubWomen’s Book ClubAdvance! Men’s GroupWomen’s Bunko

There’s a place for you!