DECEMBER 2014

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

Advent/Christmas DecoratingWe will be decorating the church on Monday, Dec. 2nd at 9:00 am. We will put up Christ-mas trees and decorate them, hang garland and wreaths in the fellowship hall, narthex and Sanctuary. Please sign the response sheet if you are interested.

Worship Teams for Christmas EveWe are starting to schedule Worship Teams for

Christmas Eve services 1:00, 3:00, 5:00, 7:00 and 9:00 pm. If you would like to help usher orserve communion, please watch for the sign-up sheets in the Narthex and pick the service

you want or sign the response sheet.

Set-up Team for Christmas EveWe are in need of a team to help us set up chairs in the Fellowship Hall for Christmas Eve on Tuesday, December 23rd at 9:00 am. We will also be setting out the poinsettias that day. If you can help us, please sign the response sheet or call Debbie F. at 303-791-0803.

Christmas Worship Team TrainingThere will be a short training on Sunday, December 21st at 11:00amfor the Christmas Eve worship teams. Please come to go over some of the di�erent things we will be doing for Christmas.

PoinsettiasIf you would like to purchase a poinsettia for the altar on Christmas Eve in honor or memory of a very special person, please sign the response sheet and put a check in the o�er-ing plate for $16.00. We are putting together a list for the Christmas bulletin, so the sooner we get your information, the better. We also need people to help place the Poinsettias around the altar on Tuesday, December 23rdat 9:00am, and/or to water the �owers once a week for about 3 weeks. If you are interested in helping with either of these, please sign the response sheet. The poinsettias need to be watered twice a week from December 23rd to January 13th. If you are interested in helping with this, please sign the response sheet.

Christmas at CLCCarols, Communion and Candlelight

Come and experience the joy and wonder of Christmas at one of our �ve Candlelight Christmas Eve Services! December 24th, 2014

1:00pm Children and Family Service, Featuring the Carillon Ringers

3:00pm Children and Family Service, Featuring the Children’s Choirs

5:00pm Contemporary Service, Featuring the Crossroads Band

7:00pm Contemporary Service , Featuring the Crossroads Band

9:00pm Lessons & Carols, Featuring Celebration Choir

Nursery Care will be available at all services.

STAFF:Rev. Tom Shelly, Sr. Pastor

pstrfstr@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 Tom’s Message

The Story of Stories.Stories.What is it about stories that fascinate human beings? From our ancient ancestors gathered around an evening camp �re, to the safety and security of a child’s bedroom where a parent reads a

night time tale, stories have been important companions to us since the begin-ning of human time and up to the current moment.

We tell stories to explain things, like why the world is like it is according to myth or science. We also tell stories just because we cannot stop, because they fascinate and engage us, inspire and help us, teach and entertain us. Some stories scare us and in a way can prepare us for what we do not expect.

Christmas is about stories. The Christmas story may even be the story of stories especially in light of the scriptures. The Christmas story otherwise referred to as the birth stories of Jesus are only to be found in two of the four Gospels, Matthew and Luke. Yet these birth stories of Jesus draw us in to the divine drama of God’s profound love of the world God created and the human race.

Someone recently told me that they spent a year reading the entire bible through beginning to end. One of the insights they got from doing that was, as they read the stories of human dealings with each other and God, they were struck by the incredible vastness of God’s love for people; of God’s grace, forgiveness, tenacity, strength yet gentleness, especially as found in the infancy narratives of Matthew and Luke. This goodness of God cast a small yet bright inextinguishable light over the darkness of that time, pushing it back, and of our time, also pushing the darkness back.

Here is where the story is meant to intensify. This God story is meant to include us. In the telling and retelling, in the hearing and hearing again, we are meant to �nd the points of intersection of our own lives, of our own world. How do Joseph and Mary, the Shepherds and Wise Ones intersect with your story? Do you sometimes feel there is no room for you? Do you have the need for swaddling or the peaceful-ness and care that can from a Shepherd? What gifts does the Wise Old One have for you? Are the gifts practical or ornate? Which details resonate with you?

Of course there is reason to go deeper. What are the life assurances, hopepromises, growth surprises that come from the nativity to you?

I hope you will be able to contemplate these things and more, while at the same time �nd the soul feeding spirit of the Christmas Story whether for the �rst time or 50th time you hear it here at CLC. I hope you �nd what God is looking for in you at worship as well as under your Christmas Tree at home!

A Blessed Merry Christmas and Happiest of New Year!

See YOU in Worship + Many Blessings + Pastor Tom +

Pastor DJ’s Message

A BlessingI had mentioned in my last article that I would be tackling angels starting this month. However, since it is intended to be a perspective of the Christian faith and not just my own belief, I discovered

that there is much more study that needs to be done. About 1/5 of the way through writing the article I was already nearing about 750 words, which is not good for a newsletter (but not bad for a short informational booklet). I will take some time to do more research, but also to trim out the fat and deliver the meat of what I feel should be shared. I will hopefully tend to this task over the next month, and be able to lay out what will likely be several months of “angel” material. In fact, I may just spend the entire year writing about angels, which would be an interesting exercise. But I thank you for allowing me the privelege to delay my intended topic for a bit.

Instead, what I will o�er is a blessing to you all for the month of December. There is no doubt a never ending schedule of appointments, should-attend events, parties, celebrations, moments of grief, challenges, travels, etc. coming up this month. A lot of times, we preach a message to get us to slow down. You will likely hear that out of some of us this month, but instead I want to write to you about moving fast.

This is not an encouragement to move faster. I trust that life will provide that enough for you. Rather this is a word of comfort to those of you who can't �nd the time to slow down. One of my interesting discoveries in angel research was an obscure verse in Daniel 9:21 which speaks of Gabriel in �ight, or rather swift �ight. Throwing out for a moment that any �ight would be swift to a world without airplanes, that idea stuck with me because what it indicated was that no matter how fast I run, there are things that can run faster. This is not a challenge to my shortcomings, but a reminder that the frustrations and burdens of a packed schedule are like a simple, casual stroll to beings with a universal perspective.

What that means, is that no matter our speed or weariness this month, God moves quicker – always going ahead of us and walking with patience even when we are sprinting and out of breath. May you be blessed by the knowledge this season that no matter how fast the days seem to fall o� the calendar, that God delights at your presence in every one, and is waiting sipping a cup of co�ee while you sprint from place to place. In swift �ight, may God bring the comfort of His presence in all that you do.

God's grace and peace,Pastor DJ Dent

Christmas Shopping with ScripWith the Christmas holidays approaching, please keep in mind that Scrip gift cards make wonderful Christmas gifts! We even have holiday gift card holders available for 25 cents! Order forms are available in the narthex, and you may pay by check or credit card. Orders take only 1 week or less toprocess. The cuto� date for Christmas delivery will be December 15. Please contact Sallie Burns in the church o�ce or at sburns@clchr.org.

Thanks for your support!

Shuttle Bus for Christmas Eve We will be using our own bus to shuttle people from the AMC parking lot across from the Outback restaurant on Christmas Eve. The shuttle will start at 2:30 pm and go until 8:30 pm. Please remember to come a little early so you can take advantage of riding the bus. On a day when there are around 1600 people worshipping at CLC, we would like to encourage all members and regularly attending guests to ride the bus. Many people who only attend church once or twice a year will be here so let’s show them God’s love by letting them have a parking space.

Christmas Clean-UpClean-up for Christmas Eve will be Monday December 29th at 10:00am. Please sign the response sheet, if you can help!

NurseryWe will need volunteers to help in the nursery for the 1:00, 3:00, 5:00, 7:00, and 9:00pm. Christmas Eve services. Please sign the response sheet if you can help.

Christmas at CLC

Happy BirthdayNic Vasilauskas 1-DecDavin Anna 2-DecRandy Hofmann 2-DecTyson Thomas Shelly 2-DecMichael Fisbeck 3-DecSusanne Freitag 3-DecDaniel Martinez 3-DecJianna Valenti 3-DecTravis Dull 4-DecTanner Mavis 4-DecPaul McCulloch 4-DecAlan Pearson 4-DecRick Shimonkevitz 4-DecDina Silverman 4-DecBeverly Lundeen 5-DecAndrea Coe 6-DecAva Gregorek 6-DecCarole Gullia 6-DecJohn Hirst 6-DecRandall Nylander 6-DecGrant Schaedig 6-DecJennifer Schultz 6-DecScott Davis 7-DecPaula Davis 7-DecDavid Oscai 8-DecJohn Wallrath 8-DecMallory Alexander 9-DecNicole Belin 9-DecKatie Pierce 9-DecWill Snauwaert 9-DecJoshua Waggoner 9-DecThomas Parsa 10-Dec

Lisa Peterson 10-DecKatie Yvars 10-DecChristopher Black 11-DecKendall Folkerts 11-DecJason Kravitz 11-DecJames Viergutz 11-DecTrevor Witkind 11-DecKen Buechler 12-DecTom Coates 12-DecLee Corns 12-DecTi�any DiGrappa 12-DecPatricia Hansen 12-DecMarcy Ongert 12-DecChristie Tew 13-DecZell Cantrell 14-DecJulie Folkerts 14-DecAlexander Ridenour 14-DecBlake Waggoner 14-DecAllison Cartwright 15-DecEthan DiGrappa 15-DecDave Kotta 15-DecAnthony Valenti 15-DecLogan Abraham 16-DecLenny Bates 16-DecKenny Mena Casa 16-DecKaren Ramon 16-DecNick Roosen 16-DecGarrett Anderson 17-DecMichelle Hinz 17-DecElizabeth Jones 17-DecJennifer Amoroso 18-DecCaitlin Kroneberger 18-Dec

Kaylyn Radtke 18-DecLydia Veeder 18-DecRyan Vogler 18-DecSue Buck 19-DecTracy Etten 19-DecMaggie Green 19-DecKaren Herdahl 19-DecWade Leibbrandt 19-DecJen Schrader 19-DecCasey Whitehurst 19-DecHailey Dull 20-DecLisa Friedenthal 20-DecTanya Hollowell 20-DecWendie Moses 20-DecDavid Ornes 20-DecGerry Rasel 20-DecAdam Scheuerman 20-DecBruce Silkworth 20-DecBill White 20-DecLois Betthauser 21-DecJacob Christensen 21-DecTodd Evans 21-DecGreg Forge 21-DecNick Palazzo 21-DecMike Adams 22-DecJillian Beal 22-DecSteve Bohren 22-DecJim Lundeen 22-DecJe� Lynne 22-DecWalt Melcher 22-DecAlaina Oscai 22-DecChristian Shimonkevitz 22-Dec

Glenn Staub 22-DecBeth Wilson 22-DecCheryl Dummitt 23-DecStefania Benner 24-DecCarolee Weitzel 24-DecKarrie Witkind 24-DecPete Koury 25-DecKelly Connolly 26-DecMadison Sain 26-DecAmy Schulte 26-DecKatie Zellner 26-DecMike Jewell 27-DecAidan Lambert 27-DecPeggy Norris 27-DecNancy Sullivan 28-DecJoseph Zorn 28-DecWayne Beck 29-DecSara Berg 29-DecKaipo Lau 29-DecLarry Lovelace 29-DecHolly Mena Casa 29-DecAmy Mitchell 29-DecMark Russell 29-DecDiane Schauer 29-DecBob Tronrud 29-DecLeslie Grant 30-DecMary Johnston 30-DecDan Jones 30-DecAaron DeBoer 31-DecMike Williams 31-Dec

News from the PreschoolHello from the Preschool and blessings to everyone on this holiday season! The preschool is gearing up for our holiday celebration, learning about the birth of Jesus and perform-ing in our Christmas programs. We thank everyone again who participated in our Butterbraid fundraiser. We raised enough to purchase an IPAD for each classroom. How exciting this will be for our kiddos after Christmas break.

On another note, December begins Fall registration for 2015! Time sure does �y. We will have registration paperwork for church members, existing preschool families and alumni available on December 14th for everyone to take home and complete over the holiday. These forms will need to be returned to the preschool no later than January 16th to guarantee your class for the fall. A $60.00 registration fee will also be required when you turn in your forms. The forms will be on the table under the church member picture wall in the Narthex in a labeled basket. Please take one and tell your friends to call and schedule a tour with us to see our won-derful program. Open Registration to the public will begin on Tuesday, January 20th. We will have some exciting new class options to o�er and they will be outlined in the paper-

work. If you have any questions, please call Deb or Blair at 303-471-9290 or email Deb at dmorgans@clchr.org. We thank you in advance for your support and know your child will have an amazingly loving time learning about Jesus and having fun in our school.

Isaiah 9:6: For a child will be born unto us, a son will be given to us: And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty god, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

As we celebrate the wonderful gift of the birth of our Christ, blessings for a safe and happy holiday.

Ms. Deb and Ms. Blair

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

8:15a Preschool12p OWLS Luncheon4p Staff Day

8:15a Preschool10a MOPS Steering11a Preschool music time with Linda2p Preschool music time with Linda5:30p Carillon Ringers6p Brownie Troop Mtg.

8:15a Preschool7p Celebration Choir7p Cub Scout Leader Mtg

Christmas BasketsUganda Beads in Narthex9a Chicks w/Sticks5p BAPTISM - Pollock5p Worship/CC

61 2 3 4 5

Uganda Beads in Narthex8a Worship/CC9:30a Worship/SS11a Worship/1st Communion celebration12:15p Baptism Class12:15p CLC KidsRock!7p AA Meeting

6:30a Men's Breakfast Group8:15a Preschool9:30a Mission Quilters12p Preschool Sports6p Boy Scouts Venture Crew7p Boy Scouts7p Legacy & Endowment Mtg.

8:15a Preschool11a Preschool music time with Linda11:15a Staff Mtg.12p Preschool Sports5p Crossroads Band6:15p Praise Team7p Blaze-Sr. High7p Council Mtg.

Christmas Baskets8:15a Preschool9a Rejoice Circle4:30p Douglas County Singers Rehearsal5:30p Preschool Parent's Night Out6p Douglas County Singers Holiday Concert

8:15a Preschool9a MOPS Mtg11a Preschool Chapel2p Preschool Chapel4:30p CLC KidsRock!5:30p Carillon Ringers7p Confirmation Learning Event

Christmas Baskets8:15a Preschool9a Adult University12p Preschool Sports4:30p Douglas County Singers6:30p Cub Scout Den Mtg.7p Celebration Choir

6:30a Men's Breakfast Group8:15a Preschool12p Preschool Sports7p Boy Scouts7p Personnel Mtg.

8:15a Preschool9a Advent Decorating & Sanctuary Re-set11:15a Staff Mtg.5p Crossroads Band6:15p Praise Team7p Blaze-Sr. High8p mops set-up

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

DECEMBER

8a Worship/CC9:30a Worship/Youth Christmas Program11a Worship/Youth Christmas Program3:30p Dynamite youth group7p AA Meeting

6:30a Men's Breakfast Group8:15a Preschool12p Preschool Sports5:30p Preschool Christmas Program 6 and 7 p.m.7p Boy Scouts

8:15a Preschool11:15a Staff Mtg.12p Preschool Sports1p Visiting Nurse Assoc.5p Combined Band Practice6:30p Preschool Christmas Programs7p Blaze-Sr. High8p mops set-up

8:15a Preschool9a MOPS Mtg.5:30p Carillon Ringers

8:15a Preschool7p Celebration Choir

Christmas Eve set-up8:15a No School Preschool11:15a Staff Mtg.5p Crossroads Band6:15p Praise Team7p Blaze-Sr. High

CHRISTMAS EVEOffice opens at 9am8:15a No School Preschool1p Christmas Eve service3p Christmas Eve Service5p Christmas Eve Service7p Christmas Eve Service9p Christmas Eve Service

8:15a No School Preschool

CHRISTMAS DAYOFFICE CLOSED8:15a No School Preschool

8:15a Preschool Teacher inservice no school9a Rejoice Circle

14

8a Worship/CC9:30a Worship/SS11a Worship Team Training11a Worship/CC5p Christmas Caroling/Supper7p AA Meeting

21 6:30a Men's Breakfast Group8:15a No School Preschool9:30a Mission Quilters6p Boy Scouts Venture Crew7p Boy Scouts7p Crossroads

22

8a Worship/CC9:30a Worship/SS11a BAPTISM - Waldenmyer11a Worship/CC7p AA Meeting

28 6:30a Men's Breakfast Group8:15a No School Preschool7p Boy Scouts

29 8:15a No School Preschool11:15a Staff Mtg.7p Blaze-Sr. High

8:15a No School Preschool30 31

23 24 25 26 7a General Maintenance5p Worship/CC

27

15 16 17 18 19 20

8:30a CLC KidsRock!9a Preschool Parent's Day Out5p Worship/CC

5p Worship/CC

URBAN PEAK 2015This is the time of year to start think-ing about which month your family or small group would like to take a meal to Urban Peak in 2015.

CLC takes meals to the shelter on the fourth Friday of every month and the teens at Urban Peak really appreciate a good meal. This is a wonderful opportu-nity, and we greatly encourage your participation. Please indicate your interest on the response sheet or contact Dianne Yoss at outreach@clchr.org.

Thanks to all who participated in the Chicks with Sticks Annual Scarf Sale!! We made $1504 and most of that will go directly back to the church. Thanks to all the knitters and crocheters as well for making all the items. The remaining items will be going to either the Fresh Harvest Food Bank (in Lone Tree) or the organization, Women4Women-Knitting4Peace.

Chicks with Sticks meets the �rst Saturday of each month from 9-11 in the Sonrise Room. Everyone is welcome! If you are interested in learning to knit or crochet, there are always teachers there to help. We also have yarn, needles and crochet hooks, so you can even come empty handed. We would love to see you there. Thanks again to everyone who made our Sale a Huge Success!

CHICKS WITH STICKS SCARF SALE... HUGE SUCCESS

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!