Pastor Walker is available for appointments on Wednesdays. Please contact Thomas Dearchs to schedule an appointment.

Pastor Walker will be away and out of state from Saturday, February 20 through Saturday, February 27. Should you have a pastoral emergency, please feel free to contact her at 765.427.4618 and leave a message. She will return your call. You may also contact Thomas Dearchs at 765.210.8788.

The sermon and prayers for the Second Sunday in Lent, February 28, 2021, are provided by Indiana-Kentucky Synod staff member, Rev. Heather Apel, Assistant to the Bishop for Leadership. We thank the synod staff for providing this resource each week so that pastors and other leaders may enjoy some "sabbath" time.

Harriet Greenwald called this morning to let us know that Lou was released from the hospital yesterday and is continuing to recover from pneumonia at home. Your continued prayers are appreciated.

In addition, Emily Curry-Linder was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday and home healthcare, including physical therapy, has been set up and will come to her home.

The US has now surpassed 500,000 deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic. A reminder that “Prayers for Times of Public Health Concern” are available at https://elca.org/publichealth for use in worship and personal devotion.

Lord Christ, you came into the world as one of us, and suffered as we do. As we go through the trials of life, help us to realize that you are with us at all times and in all things; that we have no secrets from you; and that your loving grace enfolds us for eternity. In the security of your embrace we pray. (Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 84).

In response to the devastating storms in the south that left millions without power and around 13 million Texans with water disruptions, Lutheran Disaster Response is accompanying local ELCA synods and social ministry organizations to provide long-term recovery. You can help this relief effort through prayer and by giving to LDR’s Severe Storms fund in which 100% of gifts will go to assisting those affected by the storms. Click the link below to contribute.

(Lesser Feasts and Fasts 2006, p. 34) 

“Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your [creator] in heaven. So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your [creator] who sees in secret will reward you”

However, reading the sermon in this way misses the fact that the Gospel of Matthew is a call to be this very public church, which will “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). We might believe that the message of Lent is to practice private piety, yet Jesus focuses here not on the mere practices of faith but on the community of faith. In other words, Jesus is talking not about the what but about the who — who we are and who God is. Continue reading.

This season, we invite you to join us in reflection, prayer and action. Find ideas for each day in our devotional calendar, and use the weekly study as your guide. A short video to kick off a group discussion or inspire further reflection accompanies each study week. And in this weekly email, you’ll find an excerpt from the study or its accompanying story.

Two weeks from today will be International Women’s Day! This is a wonderful time for your congregation to celebrate women leaders around the world while doubling your impact for the next generation.

The ELCA celebrates this day by uplifting the International Women Leaders (IWL) program. On the Sunday before International Women’s Day on Monday, March 8, your congregation can take an offering for IWL that will go twice as far. Thanks to generous IWL supporters, your congregation’s gifts will be matched dollar for dollar until we reach $50,000. Your support makes it possible for emerging women leaders from our companion churches to study at ELCA colleges and universities, ELCA seminaries, and other institutions around the world.

Because of the decline in the COVID-19 positivity rate in Howard County, the CLC Congregation Council, at its February 16, 2021, meeting, has determined that all activities may resume on March 1, 2021, with "in-person" Sunday worship resuming on Sunday, March 7, 2021, at 9 a.m.! Social distancing and masks will be required. At this time, the holy eucharist will not be celebrated. For those not yet comfortable returning to "in-person" worship, the service will be recorded and made available on Sunday afternoon.

In addition, Lenten Midweek Services will be held on Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m. on March 3, 10, 17, and 24. For those not yet comfortable returning to "in-person" worship, the service will be recorded and made available on Wednesday afternoon.

The COVID-19 data in Howard County will continue to be monitored on a weekly basis. As long as the positivity rate is 10 percent or lower, the church will remain open and worship services will be held "in-person". The CLC Congregation Council has granted authority to Elaine Newman, Pastor Sharon Walker, and Thomas Dearchs to be in consultation regarding COVID-19 data in Howard County and determine whether or not building usage or "in-person" services may need to be suspended. An email will be sent out if a suspension is necessary.

Don't forget to wear your mask!

CLC Council President

The first Midweek Service will be on Wednesday, February 24, and will be available to be viewed online. The remaining services on March 3, 10, 17, and 24, will be available both in-person and online. The in-person service will take place at 6 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Please join us! The artwork below is by Linda Witte Henke.

The season of Lent is the 40 days (not including Sundays) from Ash Wednesday to the Saturday before Easter. In this time of personal reflection, we move toward the darkness of Good Friday through to the divine radiance of Easter.

The Indiana Department of Health has announced that Hoosiers age 60 and older can now begin scheduling appointments to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Appointments can be scheduled by visiting https://ourshot.in.gov. Those needing assistance with registration can call 211 or one of Indiana’s Area Agencies on Aging. A caregiver or loved one also may make an appointment on behalf of an eligible senior.

A reminder that a Bible Study is held on Wednesday afternoons from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. via Zoom. Please contact Pastor Walker if you would like to join the study. All are welcome!

Offering Envelopes for 2021 are available for pick-up and are located on the credenza in the Narthex. If you are unable to pick yours up at the church, please contact Thomas Dearchs for alternatives.

Please join us for "Virtual Fellowship Time" on Sunday, February 28 at 1:15 p.m. Bring your own coffee, juice, or beverage of choice and snacks! The Zoom Meeting ID is 7654274618. A password is not required. There is a waiting room and you will be let into the group by the host. Don't forget to join with audio when prompted. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

Pastor Walker and Thomas Dearchs continue to provide opportunities, highlight resources, and best practices, share concerns, record the liturgies, and pray for one another during this pandemic.

Though responding to a pandemic has brought challenges and questions none of us has previously faced, we've worked to try and find creative solutions to some of these challenges.

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, 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!

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.

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.

There is a 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" checkmark 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.

For CLC Weekly eNews or Sunday bulletin

announcements, contact Thomas Dearchs:

or call 765.453.6183