May 12: The gospel for Easter’s seventh Sunday is always taken from the long prayer Jesus prays for his followers in John’s gospel on the night before his death, and always includes Jesus’ desire that his followers will be one as he and the Father are one. This oneness is not mere doctrinal agreement or institutional unity, but mutual abiding, interpenetrating life, mutual love, and joy. This oneness is the work of the Spirit whom we have received but also await. Come, Holy Spirit!

Scripture Readings:

Acts 1:15-17, 21-26; Psalm 1; 1 John 5:9-13; John 17:6-19

Tom Dearchs will be on vacation from Monday, May 6, through Sunday, May 12. Sarah Williams will serve as Organist on Sunday, May 12. Thanks for sharing your gifts with us, Sarah!

There will be no weekly eNews published on Thursday, May 9. Watch for the next issue on Thursday, May 16. In addition, the Prayer List will not be published on Monday, May 6.

The worship service video for Sunday, May 12, will be sent out on Monday, May 13.

 “For I, the LORD, do not change …” Malachi 3:6a (NASB)

Change is hard. Change isn’t easy. If your body doesn’t work the way it used to, a change in diet, exercise, or life pace can be difficult to navigate. When you lose your job and stare long and hard at a budget that doesn’t work, fear and anxiety can set in. And when a loved one dies, and the phone doesn’t ring like it used to, sharp pangs in the heart can abound. Sometimes change is not just hard. It is painful.

But whether we like it or not, the living of this life involves change. Relationships change. Locations change. Jobs change. Our bodies change. We change. Changes we choose and changes where we have no choice.

Life is change. The longer you live, the more you know that the only thing constant in this life is change. Whether our changes seem hard or make us happy, change teaches us that life is fragile, uncertain, and temporary. Nothing lasts forever.

Well, something lasts forever. God. “For I, the LORD, do not change …” (Malachi 3:6a). In Psalm 102:27, the psalmist declares, “But You are the same, and Your years will not come to an end” (NASB). God doesn’t change. He has always been and will always be never changing.

I’m so glad to know that we serve a God who stays the same. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Whether we move homes, change jobs, experience relational, physical, or emotional changes, God is a constant and dependable anchor.

Not only does God stay the same but so do His loving plans for us that are based in His Word. Psalm 33:11 says, “The counsel of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation” (NASB). Isaiah 40:8 tells us “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever” (ESV). And because His plans are unshakeable, His loving intention toward us never wavers. His Word is dependable, so we can find comfort in our relationship with Him whatever change comes our way.

During my seasons of change, I’ve learned the importance of resting in the immutable God — the God who never changes. There are many things I cannot control, but I can depend on God to be a refuge in times of trouble, provide comfort to my aching heart, and give guidance through His Word so I can effectively navigate life’s changes. Despite feeling like some changes in my life extend far beyond my control, I have come to know the beauty of resting in the arms of a God who is always totally in control of the circumstances of my life.

And because He does not change and is faithful to all generations (Psalm 119:90), you can trust Him to carry you through whatever changes you face today. If God has allowed a change in your life, let that change motivate you to draw closer to Him and to His Word. Let Him be your refuge, your comfort, and your strength.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Sharon

Pastor Sharon

Dear Members and Friends,

Christ Lutheran Church would like to cordially invite you to a special celebration in the life of the congregation. On May 19, 2024, the church will officially burn its mortgage! In addition, we will celebrate the 25^th Anniversary of Christ Lutheran Church as a congregation (March 7, 1999) and the 25^th Anniversary of Thomas Dearchs as Minister of Music & Organist (1995-2005/2009-present) -- combined time at the former St. John’s Lutheran and Christ Lutheran.

To celebrate this occasion, we are having a festival service on May 19, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at 3401 South Dixon Road, Kokomo. IN. The Bishop of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, the Rev. Dr. William O. Gafkjen, will be preaching and presiding. Deux Voix, based in Houston, Texas, and featuring Dr. Justin Langham, trumpet, and Mr. Stephen Distad, organ, will also be participating in the service. They will also be performing in concert at 3 p.m. that afternoon. A reception follows the concert. We will be having a carry-in dinner after the church service with the church providing the meat. Current church members are invited to bring a side dish to share.

We are celebrating the current and past members who made this day possible. We are truly standing on the shoulders of their faith. 

Please join us for this milestone in the life of Christ Lutheran Church.

Sincerely,

President: Dee Ann Daniels, Vice President: Jill Howell, Secretary: Amy Russell

Lenore Kane, Rudy Obermeyer, Mona Swinehart, Kevin Yeager

Financial Secretary: Bob Howell, Treasurer: Peter Kane, Rev. Sharon Walker (ex officio)

Congregational Council

**To print a copy of the letter, please click the link below.

Christ Lutheran Church, 3401 S. Dixon Road, Kokomo, is pleased to present Deux Voix, Dr. Justin Langham, trumpet, and Mr. Stephen Distad, organ, in concert on Sunday afternoon, May 19, 2024, at 3 PM. This internationally renowned duo was founded and based in Houston, Texas. This concert is in celebration of the 25^th Anniversary of Thomas Dearchs as the Minister of Music & Organist at Christ Lutheran Church. This event will mark the conclusion of the 17^th season of Music at Christ, a fine arts series offered to the church and the community. The concert is offered at no charge and the public is invited. A reception will follow the concert.

Help is needed to have a successful meal following the Celebration Liturgy on Sunday, May 19. We have placed a sign-up sheet in the Fellowship Hall with hopes of having a larger than normal attendance. We need volunteers for set-up (Saturday at 2 PM) and help with clean-up following the meal as Nancy Macaluso will need to set up for the reception following the Deux Voix concert. Many hands make light work! Thank you for signing up!

As you know, Pastor Walker is retiring as Pastor of Christ Lutheran Church at the end of May. Her last Sunday with us will be May 26. Following the morning service, we will be having a carry-in luncheon. Please bring your favorite dish to share! Should you wish to make a monetary gift for Pastor Walker, please give your check to Dee Ann Daniels.

We hope you will be present on this day to thank Pastor Walker for her 13 years of service and to wish her well as she enters retirement.

Pastor Walker will be leading a Via de Cristo event from Thursday, May 2 through Sunday, May 5. Pastor Mike Crawford will preach and preside on Sunday, May 5.

As you may notice, the pantry shelves are beginning to fill again. Finding donations in the wagon's can and a personal donation has given me the funding to shop for sale items. Last week Kroger had some wonderful sales and this week they are continuing to have Chef Boyardee canned pasta, select items of Campbell soups, and dry pasta varieties for 99 cents.They have Kraft mac & cheese also for 99 cents but I buy a 4-pack of Kroger brand for $2.56. Dollar General stores have a $1 aisle with many pantry-type items such as soaps and

hygiene products. We sent over a quarter of a ton pantry to Samaritan Love Center last time so we have our donations to keep coming in for the future.

--Nancy Macaluso

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.

Please click the link below for the concert brochure for the 2023 - 2024 season of Music at Christ.

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. Sharon Walker (ex officio)

e: clcpastor@outlook.com | c: (765) 427-4618

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 May. 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.

Christ Lutheran Church

3401 S. Dixon Road

Kokomo, IN 46902

Phone: 765.453.6183

Pastor's Cell: 765.427.4618

christlutherankokomo.org

Christ Speaks

We Listen

We Share