In today’s gospel reading, Jesus sends the disciples out on their own (in pairs, but without him) to spread his message, and he gives them a packing list: no food, no bag, no money, no extra clothes—only the love and power of Christ, and the good will of the people they would encounter to support them. The disciples must have felt woefully unprepared. And yet Jesus sent them anyway.

As Christians, we may feel unprepared for our journeys. We know that the Lord has sent us out into a broken world to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, but . . . How do we do that? What do we say? What if people don’t want to hear the message? Isn’t it impolite to discuss religion? Surely the disciples shared those concerns. But they went anyway, trusting Jesus. And in trusting Jesus, they found that his message of repentance and salvation was well received. “They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.”



Perhaps this story can serve as inspiration in our own vocations. Although we may not know how to tell others about the love we’ve found in Jesus, we know that Jesus is supporting us in our meager efforts. We may fear rejection, but Jesus tells us to shake the dust from our feet and carry on. If we worry that we won’t get it right, we can remember that the word of God does not return empty. In your baptism, Jesus has called you into his family. In holy communion, he nourishes you for the journey. Throughout your life, he gives you a story to tell others, and the power to share his good news. Take courage, Christian, and go forth in his name. He’s got your back!

Our landscape needs some clean-up help. Please join us on Saturday, July 27th from 9 to noon. We will be pulling weeds and doing some trimming. Bring your own tools. There will be a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall. More details later.

Wanted - People to serve, set-up and/or plan congregational get-togethers and dinners. A quick planning meeting will be held on July 10 at 4 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. It is possible to sign up for only one task or only one dinner activity, so it not a life-time commitment. If you are interested, contact Mona Swinehart at 453-1111, or just show up at the meeting.

Please click the link below to read the Council Notes for June 2024.

We Are Also Citizens

The airwaves are filled with contentious political discourse. And, as we get closer to the November election, it will undoubtedly get louder and coarser. Each side seeks to catch the other with questions that aren’t designed for clarity and dialogue but to further its own agenda. Martin Luther’s explanation of the Eighth Commandment in the Small Catechism—“We are to fear and love God, so that we do not tell lies about our neighbors, betray or slander them, or destroy their reputations. Instead we are to come to their defense, speak well of them, and interpret everything they do in the best possible light”—is barely visible in the rearview mirror.

Active participation in public life has been part of the Lutheran movement from its beginning. Lutherans don’t withdraw from public life.

Please click the link below to read the entire article.

As we celebrate the freedom of our country, it is also time to reflect on how our founding fathers supported one another in the birth of America. We have the privilege of these same freedoms today which includes helping our fellow Americans. We do this here at Christ Lutheran Church through Christ's Cupboard. Presently, the pantry shelves are looking very needy. The basic items of canned pasta, peanut butter, cereal, canned meats, and 

toilet tissue will give us a choice while we do our personal grocery shopping. Let's all enjoy this very time of celebrating our freedoms as we help our fellow Americans.

--Nancy Macaluso

The Rev. Paulette Stahlke has been appointed by Bishop Gafkjen to serve as the Pastor of Record for Christ Lutheran Church, effective June 1, 2024.

During the time of pastoral transition, the congregation may be served by a Pastor of Record or an Interim Pastor. The Pastor of Record is appointed by the bishop or synod staff member,

and is normally the pastor of a neighboring ELCA congregation. The Pastor of Record is

required to be in attendance at all council and congregational meetings during the vacancy (as their schedule allows), and is available for such things as hospital calls, crisis situations, funerals, etc.

Thank you, Pastor Stahlke, for saying "yes" to this appointment.

When a Pastor of Record is used, pulpit supply must be secured by the congregation during the transition. Tom Dearchs was tasked by the Congregation Council to secure Pastors/Deacons from the Synod Pulpit Supply List. At this point, most Sundays are covered through the end of 2024.

Church Women United will have a noon luncheon at Cross America in the Doubting Thomas Cafe on Monday, July 8. Following lunch, we will be mailing crosses for about an hour. Please see Elaine for details. More information will be available on the bulletin board soon.

--Elaine Newman

Would you like to participate in a group that is dedicated to prayer? Is the current group meeting at an inconvenient time for you? If you want to be a part of prayers for God’s people and church, please talk to Dee Ann. We can adjust the meeting time if we need to.

--Dee Ann Daniels

Click the link below for detailed information about our current Restroom Remodeling Project. Printed copies of the document are located on the credenza in the Narthex.

Have you considered the online giving option? Here are some of the advantages:

Advantages of Vanco Electronic Giving:

1. No paper envelopes and checks to be processed.
2. Giving is much more private.
3. Minimizes Sunday morning counting and bank trips.
4. Florida snowbirds don’t have to send physical checks in the mail.
5. Credit/Debit cards are a second option to direct bank-to-bank transactions if desired.
6. Specialized giving such as ‘Furnace Fund’ can be easily set up to avoid the hassle of separate checks or cash for miscellaneous giving.
7. You have complete control of starting/stopping/changing as you wish.
8. A history of your giving is directly available through the Vanco app without having to check with the Financial Secretary.
9. Money is transferred to our church checking account in a matter of 1-2 days rather than a week or two after the fact.

If you are ready to make the change from paper, please speak with Jerre Fercho or Bob Howell. They will be happy to talk with you about the advantages and get you set up! 

We thank everyone for what has been given to date and appreciate all efforts made to stay current.



Thank you!

President: Dee Ann Daniels (2024)

e: deeanndaniels@mac.com | c: (574) 702-1921

Vice President: Jill Howell (2025)

e: jillhowell56@gmail.com | c: (765) 860-7949

Secretary: Amy Russell (2025)

e: amy_russell_55@hotmail.com | c: (765) 480-4241

Lenore Kane (2026)

e: lenoreskan@outlok.com | c: (765) 513-7736

Rudy Obermeyer (2025)

e: rudyobermeyer@yahoo.com | c: (765) 480-5871

Mona Swinehart (2026)

e: monaswineh@aol.com | c: (765) 480-9464

Kevin Yeager (2026)

e: kevin.yeager@comcast.net | c: (765) 244-1017

Financial Secretary: Bob Howell (appointed)

e: mhowell55@gmail.com | c: (765) 860-8446

Treasurer: Peter Kane (appointed)

e: peterfkane@outlook.com | c: (765) 513-5075

Rev. Paulette Stahlke (ex officio) - Pastor of Record

e: stahlkepaulette@gmail.com | h: (765) 552-8023

The Church Council Members and Parish Staff would be happy to talk with you at any time regarding Christ Lutheran Church and its mission in the world.

Christ Speaks, We Listen, We Share

Please click the purple-colored button below for the Worship Assistant Schedule for July. If you are unable to serve, please obtain a substitute and notify the church office. Thanks!

The 2024 flower chart has arrived and is hanging in the Narthex. The flower cost is $22.50 per vase or two for $45. You will notice that there has been a $5 increase in cost beginning in 2024. Like everything else, the cost has gone up a little. Please sign-up today. Eternal Candles remain at $18 per month.

Event Scheduling | Weekly eNews

A 2024 calendar is located on the counter in the Office Work Room. 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.