Rev Ivan Gunderman
Pastor

450-5504 Home

  STAFF OF CLC

Donna Linker
Parish Administrator

Sharon Brewer
Office Assistant

John A. Smith
Music Director

Amy Smith,
Organist/Pianist

Delma Reid,
Pianist

Diana Schulze
Bell Choir Director

Jennifer Munyon
Children’s Center Director

Craig Jidov
Custodian/Grounds

and many, many wonderful volunteers!

COUNCIL MEMBERS

  CHRIST LUTHERAN MESSENGER

Monthly Publication

Volume 49                 August 2008                            Number 8

Across the pastor’s desk…

Several people have asked me over the course of the years what exactly is meant with the expression “Making the church into a club” or “into a Country Club”. It is usually used as a warning about something to avoid – “don’t make the church into a club”. Bishop Talmage used an expression like this during one of the forums at CLC about a year ago.
The temptation to remold the church into something that it should not be is very strong. It shouldn’t surprise us that temptations come, even when we think we are strong and beyond the reaches of the tempter.
However, humans can always be undermined. We know that sin is real.
The church is basically something that is:

• Created by God

• Focused on Jesus

• Filled with people who know sin and death in personal and intimate ways

• Trusts that God in Christ forgives sin and gives life for Death

• Follows Jesus in sharing this good news as well as our time, talents and lives, so that

• We can care for everything that is dear to God – people, other creatures, even environments.
  
  To distract us from these basic marks of the church of Christ, the Tempter would like us to believe that other things are crucially important, such as:
   

• The Church is an organization that should be run well and efficiently

• Programs are important to attract new members.

• The needs of the members are of primary importance

• The members should feel comfortable with one another

• The opinions of the members are of primary importance

• The appearance of the facilities can help to attract new members

• Attracting new members should be the primary task and goal

These second set of priorities can be applied to any club or country club. When they predominate in a church, it can become nothing more than a club. Notice how the emphasis is on maintaining and increasing membership in the second series of priorities.
In the church the emphasis should always be on discipleship – growing closer to God through Christ, and following God’s care of his world as modeled in Christ. The emphasis is not so much on ‘bringing them in’ as it is on ‘reaching out’ with Good News and Care. Clubs are always frantic about members. Churches are more interested in being called to life, hope and being of help. We humans are always tempted to ask, “What’s in it for me, for us?” God’s life for death and forgiveness for sin offered freely in Christ makes it possible for us to ask a different question. “How can we help?”
Pastor Ivan

It’s BACK-TO-SCHOOL time!

Along with school supplies we will be collecting after school snacks during the month of August! Snack crackers, nuts, mac-n-cheese singles, fruit packs, etc. will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

“Back to School”
Backpack & School Supplies Drive
 

Lutheran Social Services of Nevada will once again be providing “Back to School” backpacks for low income and homeless children that we serve. We need your help to provide backpacks full of school supplies for children in grades K through 12. Please help us reach our goal to provide supplies for 200 children this year!

For elementary youth we need: backpacks, crayons, #2 pencils, wide ruled paper, colored pencils with a pencil pouch or box container, erasers, a glue stick, a ruler, and children’s blunt scissors. For middle and high school youth we need: backpacks, college ruled paper, 3-ring binders, notebooks, subject dividers, #2 pencils, colored pencils, pens in black, blue, and red ink, highlighters, a ruler, and a small hand held calculator.

Please have all backpacks to LSSN, 51 North Pecos Rd Suite 109 Las Vegas, NV 89101 by Monday, August 18, 2008 so that we may distribute them to the children before school starts. (If you bring in your gifts to church we will ensure they are delivered to LSSN.)

For more information contact:
Ervin Lee, Food & Donations Supervisor
702-639-1730 ext. 27
Ervin@lssnv.org
 

Lutheran Social Services of Nevada new location!

Lutheran Social Services has a new home located at 51 North Pecos Rd. Suite 109-113 Las Vegas, NV 89101. We have a five year lease and won’t be moving anytime soon! Program services are available Monday – Friday 8 am to noon or by appointment. The administrative office is open Monday – Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. Our mailing address will remain the same: P.O. Box 2079, Las Vegas, NV  89125. The agency phone number is 702-639-1730 and our fax is 702-639-1736.  Come by to see the new facility.

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Christ Lutheran “Water Smart” Project

From: Jim Milham

Subject: Converting to Xeriscape. Landscape conversion to SNWA specs.

This proposal is from WESTERN FOLIAGE 257-3001 www.westernfoliage.com  the owner is Randy Harris. I have spent about 12 hours discussing this project with Randy, not a commission salesman, Western Foliage is a SNWA “Water Smart” contractor, and has been doing business in Las Vegas over 20 years. Western Foliage did the conversion at my house this year, which went very well with no need for call-backs. Randy does excellent work and is easy to contact and get along with.

CLC will get a rebate (30 to 60 days) from SNWA of about $4587.00.

The project includes The East side of the church all the way to the State property line.
The front of the church, including “Pinard square”.
The North side of the Office.
The children play yard, under the big tree. (excavation and bark)
And, the base of the Sign in the parking lot, along the fence on Torrey Pines. (rock)
The project will take about one week and includes close attention to unique detail on this property.

There are no design costs in this project. The design is provided by Western Foliage, take a look at their web site, and my front yard. The project includes Drip System all around, which will result in a big savings on the water bill.

The project includes, 30 ton of decorative landscape rock, and commercial weed fabric under all areas, 7 fifteen gallon plants, 31 five gallon plants, 30 one gallon plants and all haul-off is included. The existing irrigation clocks will be used.

A complete, first class, nice looking, long lasting job will cost $10,564 (one-half down and balance upon completion). Less rebate of about $4587.00. Net cost to CLC would be about $5977.00

As an option we could convert just the SNWA area. The price would be $7421.00. Less rebate of about $4587.00. Net cost to CLC would be about $2834.00. I would not recommend this option, I don’t believe the property would look right and it is not in the best interest of the Church to do the job half way.
 

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Christ Lutheran Water Smart Project

Marie Milham has crated a project design of all plants, rocks, sprinkler heads and supplies needed to fulfill this worthwhile project.

From June through July of 2007, CLC paid $1,277.00 to SNWA and we would like to curtail this cost in 2008.

If you would like to donate a plant or any item on the project design made by Marie, please write your name by the item and place your donation in an offering envelope.

Be sure to note the amount of the offering designated to “landscape project.” All donations will help off-set the cost and truly make it a congregational project to be proud of.
Thanks for your support.
 

Community Opportunity!!!

Below is a list of upcoming community charitable and spiritual events:

Women’s Resource Medical Centers of Southern Nevada “Walk-for-life” - September 13th.


American Cancer Society—Making Strides against Breast Cancer Walk
October 3rd beginning at the JW Marriott


24/7 (F.A.I.T.H.) Faith Alive In The Home—
October 3-4, 2008.
Workshops teaching how to grow faith as a family both in your home and in your congregation.
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Phoenix.


American Lung Association of Nevada—Las Vegas
Blow the Whistle on Asthma Walk
October 25th.

Contact the office for further
Information on any of these events

Worship Opportunities
August

Ushers
             8:15                                                                 10:45

       3rd                Need volunteers                           3rd        Need volunteers        

     10th                Need volunteers                        10th        Need volunteers        

     17th                Lois and Norm Larson                17th        Need volunteers        

     24th                Don Hardy                                  24th         Donna & Jon LInker

     31st                Need volunteers                        31st        Need volunteers        

Communion Assistants
             8:15                                                                      10:45
 

    3rd                  Anna Mae Sorom, Barbara Randall      3rd        Carol Long

    10th                Lorraine Hagen                                     10th     Need volunteers        

    17th                Paula Brown                                          17th     Need volunteers          

    24th                Paula Brown                                          24th       Carol Long

    31st                Need volunteers                                                                       31st       Pati Parson 

Readers
           5:30                         8:15                                   10:45

     2nd     Marc Cerrato                           3rd     Barbara Randall          3rd    Carol Long

     9th      Cindy Cerrato                         10th     Need volunteer           10th    Need volunteer
    
    16th     Nancy Smith                           17th    Paula Brown                17th    Donna Linker

    23rd     Linda Huffman                        24th   Need volunteer             24th   Carol Long   

    30th     Linda Huffman                        31st    Need volunteer              31st   Pati Parson

Assistant Ministers
           8:15                                                           10:45

       3rd                Need volunteer                         3rd       Need volunteer                   

     10th                Kaylee Vitale                         10th      Need volunteer  

     17th                Need volunteer                       17th       Donna Linker

     24th                Need volunteer                        24th       Brian Feliciano

     31st                Need volunteer                        31st       Need volunteer

***Please call Linda Huffman at 642-0554 if you need to change your schedule
or will sign up for an open position.

August News from the Children’s Center


During the month of August the children will review shapes, colors, left and right.  Our themes this month include:  Zoo Animals, Dinosaurs, Space Adventure and Island Adventure.   The children are also continuing to learn a Bible story per day.  The daily Bible lessons can be found on our website: www.clkids.org on the events calendar.

We are reserving spots for the new school year beginning in September 2008.  Spaces are filling up.  We offer full time care for infants – 18 months.  We offer flexible scheduling options for children 18 months- preschool.

We are continuing with the Summer Food Program.  Lunch is served free of charge to all children 18 and younger in the Social Hall.  Lunch times are from 11:30am-1:00pm.  There is no registration and no fees; just walk in and get your lunch.  In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.  The last day of the summer food program is August 22nd.  We would like to thank everyone that participated in making it a great success again this year.
                                                                                                                             
This month we would again also appreciate donations of extra diapers and wipes.  We are also in need of new vacuum cleaners.  We also would appreciate CD PLAYERS, doll house toys and people, pretend food and housekeeping toys, and any toys that would be appropriate for toddlers and preschool age children.  Donations for summer equipment and outside toys is also greatly appreciated.

Did you know?  You can designate Christ Lutheran Children’s Center to receive funding from your Target Store REDcard.  To change or designate Christ Lutheran Children’s Center do the following:  Just visit target.com/tcoe, or call 1-800-316-6142 to designate our school.   All you need is our School ID number 22534.  The school will read CHRIST LUTHERAN CHILDRENS CTR.  We will receive a percentage of the amount of each purchase in the form of a cash donation from Target through the Take Charge of Education® program. So if you're going to Target anyway, please consider using your Target® Visa® or Target® Card. Big thanks to those who are already doing their part to make a great school even better.

We are now enrolled in the “Campbell’s Labels for Education Program.”  This will be an ongoing program to collect Campbell UPCs and Caps on participating products.  This includes: Campbell’s®, Campbell’s® Soup At Hand®, Campbell’s® Chunky™ Soup, Campbell’s® Healthy Request, Campbell’s® Supper Bakes®, Campbell’s® Select™, Campbell’s® Soup to Go!, Franco-American®, Pepperidge Farm®, Swanson®, Market Day®, V8® beverages, Prego® Pasta sauces, and Campbell’s® Foodservice.  Please go to the following website and designate Christ Lutheran Children’s Center in the sweepstakes to win 1 million bonus points for our school!  www.gameplan4health.com.  The program will help us earn educational materials for the school.  We greatly appreciate your participation.  The collection box will be in the Children’s Center office.

PAINTING PROJECT

Painters needed for the large classrooms in the Daycare Building. We would like to make it a group project and just knock out the work (maybe on a Saturday). If you can help, please call the office!


SUNDAY SCHOOL

Thank you so much to Darla Buccigrossi, Gayle Orvedal, Donna Fitzgerald and Charlie Fitzgerald. They have volunteered to co-administrate Sunday School.

Rally day will be Sunday, September 7th to get your children enrolled.

Rally Day will also have tables set-up for our various groups and commissions at CLC. Call the office to get your commission spot reserved!

Choir Rehearsal

Choir Rehearsals resume on Wednesday, August 13th at 7:00pm.

Bell Choir

Rehearses on Monday evenings at 7:15pm

Hello! It has been about 6 months since my return from India and the impact of that trip is still very real for me, even now. Indian culture is full of contradictions. Their behavior and actions are extremely varied and I was always finding myself reconstructing my understanding of them, but one thing remained prevalent no matter where my traveling took me: their hospitality and kindness. No matter where I went, these qualities were always apparent. And although I was there for a month, that is really the only light that I can shed on such a varied culture. In this letter I’d like to extend a sincere thank you to all of the people who helped me in getting to India. Your donations and prayers made an impact not only on the children that I taught but also had a lasting impact on me. The children in India are just like the children here, or anywhere else in the world. They laugh, play, and cry the same. Their eyes also light up the same when they are learning and comprehension finally dawns. It is the same look that makes my trip and the future trips I hope to embark on, worth while. So, once again thank you
Jessica Falstad - Donna Linker's daughter

MEN OF CLC

The Men’s breakfasts are held on the 1st Saturday of each month at 8:30 a.m. at Denny’s on West Lake Mead, just east of Tenaya.

If you would like to go and need a ride, call Charlie Fitzgerald 648-3783 or 561-1056. Look forward to seeing you there.

Ladies of CLC

As a result of our luncheon and other generous donations we were able to contribute $299.00 to
Straight from the Streets.
“Straight from the Streets depends on the generosity of groups like yours to help us carry out our mission. We are committed to meeting the many, varied needs of each of our formerly homeless clients. Your contribution goes a long way toward that end. Thank you for helping us to keep up the good fight.

Sincerely,

Linda Lera-Randle El
Executive Director

Prayer List        

   (H) Health
   (S) Strength
   (C) Comfort
   (D) In danger—i.e. military deployment

(Christ Lutheran Church Prayer group meets Wednesday morning from 9:30 am to 10:30 am to pray for those included in our Prayer List. All are welcome!)

Brianna Alba (H) Jason Anderson (H) Chris Asleson (H) David Barney (D) Bobbi Bartholomew (H) Stormi Bernal (S) Rachel Bott (D) Hubert Braley (H) Doug Brewer (H) Grace Cairnes (H) Jan Chisman (H) Pat Clay (H) Carol Contessa (H) Trudy Elliott (H) Debbie Elmore (H) Charlotte Evans (H) Chad Fawcett (D) Jacob Foertsch (D) Bruce Gere (D) Paul Gilliland (H) Julia Graening (H) Maxina Gresham (H) Cathi Grimsby (H) June Grosenick (H)

Helen Habern (C, H) Joann Hager (H) Bret Haley (D) Donna K. Hall (S) Jeff Hicks (D) Ken Hines (H) Helen Huffman (C) Lawrence Jefferson (D) Dennis Jensen (H) Charlene Krupicka (H) Joanne Lange (H) Alan Martin, Jr. (D) Vi Masco (H) Mark McDermott (D) Betty Mitchell (C,S) Gradon Moon (H) Nancy Moon (H) Lola Mooney (H) Marion Moseman (H) Jason Pond (D) Shane Purcell (H) Curtis Raines (H) Joyce Reinken (H) Ed Reising (H) Dave Roble (D) Heidi Savoy (H)

Bernadine Schneider (H) Dennis Shumway (H) Josh Sidman (D) Peter Sikes (D) Diane Simonson (H) Nancy Smith (H) Richard Stephenson (D) Jan Thielman (H) Carla Tomasello (H) Roger & Ruth Ford (C, S) Gage Wade (H) Edward & Monica Caruth (C)