Weekly eNews | November 25, 2020
Opportunities for Service and Sharing
Introduction to the Day
November 29: Stir up your power, and come! The psalmist’s plea in Psalm 80:2 has become familiar to us in the Advent prayers. Isaiah wants God to rip the heavens open. Both cry out for an apparently distant, angry God to show up, to save, to restore. When we hear Jesus describing the coming of the Son of Man with stars falling from heaven, it can sound dire and horrible, not like anything we would ever hope for. But when we really look at the suffering of people God loves, we can share the hope that God would tear open the heavens and come.
Office Hours for Pastor Walker
Even though our "in-person" worship has been temporarily suspended, Pastor Walker will continue to hold office hours. She is in the office at CLC on Wednesdays. Please contact Tom Dearchs to schedule an appointment.
Service of the Word for November 29
A reminder that we will not be meeting "in-person" for worship until further notice. The liturgy will be recorded and the video will arrive in your inbox on Sunday morning. The video will also be available on our website.
Scripture Readings
Isaiah 64:1-9
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Mark 13:24-37
Prayer List
Please see the Monday Prayer List email.

Quick Links
Please Take Note!
If you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, and you are under quarantine, please DO NOT come to Christ Lutheran Church. This includes Sunday worship or for any other reason. Once the quarantine period is over, you may once again return to CLC. People in quarantine should stay home, separate themselves from others and monitor their health. Please see the COVID-19 flyer below.

In addition, if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and have been on the church premises, it is very important that you let the staff know your diagnosis so that appropriate measures can be taken.
Offices Closed - Day of Thanksgiving
The church offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 26 & 27, in honor of the Day of Thanksgiving. The staff wishes you a most blessed Thanksgiving this day and throughout the year.

A Prayer for Thanksgiving
Almighty God our Father, your generous goodness comes to us new every day. By the works of your Spirit lead us to acknowledge your goodness, give thanks for your benefits, and serve you in willing obedience, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Evangelical Lutheran Worship

Scripture Readings for the Day of Thanksgiving
Deuteronomy 8:7-18 - A land of streams
Psalm 65 - You crown the year with your goodness, and your paths overflow with plenty
2 Corinthians 9:6-15 - God provides every blessing in abundance
Luke 17:11-19 - The healed leper gives thanks to Jesus
The Church Never Closed
We've never stopped loving people, or worshipping God, or serving our neighbors - The church never closed. We'll be thrilled to regather physically when we can do so in ways that seek the welfare of the city. But "re-opening" the church isn't a thing.

Please feel free to stop by the church (during office hours) if you are in need of a worship book, communion sets for the Christmas Eve liturgy, Advent Devotion booklets, a church directory, or other items. In addition, feel free to drop off your pledge. You are always welcome and it would be great to see you! We are CHURCH TOGETHER!
My Nativity Scene
Take a picture of your Nativity Scene at home, and send it to clcsecretary@outlook.com, with the subject heading "My Nativity Scene," along with your name. We will then feature all these beautiful Christmas scenes in an upcoming Weekly eNews.

Though we may not be able to be physically together this holiday season, we can still be present with one another and share in our traditions. May we continue to be CHURCH TOGETHER during this holy season!
The Bach Trio
For over 20 years, The Bach Trio has adorned our Christmas Eve liturgy with pre-service music and accompaniment during the service. This year will be no exception, though it will be recorded. The Trio will include: Jennifer Kirkman, bassoon, Joan White, violin, and Trudy Whitford, flute. If you would like to contribute to this expense, please mail or drop off a check to the church with "The Bach Trio" listed on the memo line. We thank you in advance for helping to continue this tradition.
Good Gifts 2020
This year has been like no other. We mourn the loss of life caused by COVID-19 and are concerned with the hunger and poverty in the world. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is where God calls us to be – right in the thick of it.

So, our Good Gifts Tree is full of ornaments waiting to be chosen for gifts to help someone in need. There are many different ideas – pigs ($30), honey bees ($20), chicks ($10), school fees and uniform for a girl ($40), couple of goats ($100), single goat ($50), a latrine ($150), school supplies for a child ($10), feed 50 at a soup kitchen ($100), feed a refugee family ($50),rooster ($15), a water filter ($30), Bibles for the global church ($10). There is even one for a microloan for a woman ($125).

These may be given in honor or memory of someone. You may call the church and ask for one to be sent to you. You may pay by check to CLC.
Thank You
Many hands make light work! Thank you to all who helped with Hanging of the Greens on Sunday. This includes: Dan & Nancy Macaluso, Roger Stephen, Larry & Betty Spotts, Elaine Newman, Janet DeGarmo, Nadine Owens, Nora Pederson, Mary Lou Stephenson, Marty Ridoux, Gordon Williams, Charlene Smith and Darlene Krieger. Thank you all!
Advent Midweek Service
An Advent Midweek Service will be recorded each week, beginning, December 2, and a link will be sent to your inbox. The title of the series is "Watch, Wait, and Wonder."
ELCA Worship in the Home
In this time of worldwide crisis, congregations throughout this church are not able to gather for worship as the body of Christ. While we cannot be together in person, we can hear the word of God and hold each other in prayer. For those having access to the internet, a link to the ELCA resource for Worship in the Home is available for Sunday worship. In addition, there is a wonderful resource available from ELCA for Daily Prayer in the Home. There is also a link available for a sermon from staff of the I-K Synod. Please click on the buttons below.
Advent Devotions - Advent begins Sunday, November 29
These Advent/Christmas Devotions are provided to you as a gift from the participants of the IK Synod Spiritual Renewal Process – Inspire. Ignite. Invite. Siblings in Christ from 22 congregations began meeting in four cohorts in April 2020. During the monthly ZOOM meetings participants learned a variety of spiritual practices, wrote their own descriptions of spirituality, led small groups in their own congregations, developed relationships with others across the synod, and deepened their own spirituality. 

Thank you to the leadership team for Inspire. Ignite. Invite. - Jon Dahl, Gethsemane, Indianapolis, IN; Pr. Daryl Emowrey, Calvary, Cromwell, IN; and Pr. Nancy Nyland, Director for Evangelical Mission. And an immense thank you to Carol Webb, Administrative Assistant, who edited and formatted this devotional collection.

Copies of the Advent/Christmas Devotions are located on the credenza in the Narthex. You may also click the button below to view the devotions online. Please help yourself! Pastor Sharon Walker, Mary Burrous, and Brittany Lucas (Shiloh Lutheran) participated in this project and wrote devotionals. Please contact Tom Dearchs if you would like a hard copy mailed to you.
Christ's Cupboard
436 pounds! Samaritan Love Pantry gratefully received this amount of items from our pantry this week. Their shelves have been rather thin as the numbers of folks needing pantry assistance continues to climb. Christ's Cupboard will remain OPEN and the need is great that we continue to refill our shelves once again. Items can continue to be dropped off at church. I'll continue to watch ads and make suggestions but Dollar Tree, Aldi's and Save-a-Lot sell many pantry needs at low cost. --Nancy Macaluso
Time to Renew Living Lutheran Magazine
Renewals for The Lutheran magazine are due in November or early December. The church group rate is only $8.95 (the individual rate is $19.95). This is a good time to start a subscription if you are not currently receiving the magazine from ELCA. You may use the special envelope (it is marked Lutheran Living Magazine, and dated DEC 6, 2020) from your box of offering envelopes to make your payment or, if you prefer, you can enter Living Lutheran on a line on the front of your regular offering envelope and include the subscription payment with your offering. If paying by separate check, please write a check for $8.95 payable to Christ Lutheran Church, and mark Living Lutheran on the memo line. If you have questions, please contact David Swinehart, 453.1111.
ELCA Good Gifts
Wondering how to make a positive impact in the world right now? With ELCA Good Gifts, you can choose from 50 charitable gifts to give in honor of friends and loved ones. Each one of these gifts makes a real impact in the world, sharing the love of Christ - one goat, water well or school uniform at a time. Start your holiday shopping now and order free, customized cards for each gift you give. Please give by Dec. 10, 2020, to ensure that your cards arrive in time for Christmas.
Altar Flowers & Eternal Candle
The 2021 flower chart has arrived and is hanging in the Narthex. The flower cost will remain the same as last year - two vases for $36. Please sign-up today.
Building Use
At this time, groups may not meet in the building. If you come to the church, please observe the precautions of using hand sanitizer, wearing a face covering, and keeping a social distance from one another. Please contact Thomas Dearchs to schedule future building use. There is a required cleaning checklist that must be followed after each meeting.
Members and Friends Directory
There are new Members and Friends Directories available and are located on the credenza in the Narthex. Please help yourself!
Dates to Remember
Service of the Word
Sunday, November 29
Online only

Bible Study
Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m. via Zoom

Advent Midweek Worship
Wednesday, December 2
Online only
Event Scheduling | Weekly eNews
There is a 2020 and 2021 calendar located on the counter behind the desk in the Parish Office. Please list events, meetings, etc., on this calendar so that scheduling of events can take place and conflicts do not occur. You will notice a "red" check mark beside the events to indicate that they have been transferred to Tom's calendar as well as the churchwide calendar. Thank you for your assistance.
CLC Weekly eNews
If you have articles or news items of interest, please send them to clcsecretary@outlook.com no later than 4 p.m. on Wednesdays. If you're not computer friendly, you may leave items in the box in the church office or call Thomas Dearchs. The Weekly eNews is distributed by email at approximately 4 p.m. each Thursday. Print copies are mailed to those who are without computer access.
Announcements from Christ the King Anglican
Coffee House Prayer Ministry
This ministry is suspended for now.
Men's Group
The Men's Prayer Breakfast will meet this Saturday, November 28, at 8 a.m. at Bob Evans.
For CLC Weekly eNews or Sunday bulletin
announcements, contact Thomas Dearchs:
or call 765.453.6183