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April 2015
::WORSHIP SCHEDULE::
Sunday Worship
9:00 a.m.
TradiƟonal
in the Sanctuary
10:15 a.m.
The Bridge
in Christ Chapel
11:15 a.m.
Contemporary
in the Sanctuary
Sunday School
10:15 - 11:00 a.m.
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Christ Lutheran Church - CharloƩe
Check out our blog
ChristELCA.org/the-pastors-blog
2• C HRISTLUTHERAN
Christ Connections
{PASTOR’S PERSPECTIVE }
Small Groups. Big Results.
Pastor Scott Suskovic
Community is
being formed.
Discussions are
going deep.
And lives are
being changed.
Last summer about 60 individuals went through a five part training program I led to be
a small group leader. We covered small group dynamics, resources to use, frequency of
meetings and then shared with one another what the focus of each of our groups would
be. I was thrilled with the variety and creativity. We had men’s groups and women’s
groups; Bible studies and book studies; social groups and service groups. In all, we
launched about 40 small groups last September and all but a handful were successful.
Some even had to divide immediately into two or three groups.
The stories I hear coming out of these groups are life giving. People are building
relationships with others in ways that you simply cannot when you pass one
another briefly at church on Sunday mornings. Community is being formed.
Discussions are going deep. And lives are being changed.
If you missed that push to sign up last fall, you haven’t lost out. I want to oﬀer you two
ways that you can still get involved in this small group initiative at Christ Lutheran.
First, you can join an existing small group that still has room. There are a handful
remaining. Simply reach out to the contact person for the group that interests you
to find out about meeting times and places:
T.G.I.F (Thank God it’s Friday)-Jane Williamson (jane.williamson@cbre.com)
Thursday Mornings for Women-Deb Borkey (debborkey@hotmail.com)
Living for Christ-Jo-Dee Collins (jdc@pat-jodee.com)
Holy Happy Hour-Stacie Loizeaux (boysmomx4@aol.com)
Flower Arranging Small Group- Alice McRorie (armcrorie@aol.com)
Moms with a Mission- Linda Artis ( linda.artis@interdynartis.com)
Caring for the Caregivers- Brad Keller (brad@santa-fe-group.com)
Walk the Walk- Kathy Graham (kathygraham1201@gmail.com)
Faith and Film- June Jebram (junejebram@yahoo.com)
Running Group- John Shurley (jashurley@gmail.com)
Second, we will have another push this fall to sign up for small groups. But to do
that, we need more small group leaders. Is that you? Is God calling you to start a
small group? If you are interested in being a small group leader, I will repeat the
training this coming summer. Please contact me if you would like to be trained and
I will get you ready to launch your own small group this fall.
As Christ Lutheran gets larger, we need to think in terms of getting smaller. Gone are the
programs where we can have the whole church come out for a picnic or a potluck. If we
are going to grow as a community, we need to get small and focus on intimate relationships
in which we can share faith, hopes, dreams, fears and lives with one another.
Peace,
Pastor Scott
C HRISTLUTHERAN
Prayer Vigil
Why Pray?... For An Hour?
by Joanie Hunt
For those new to Christ Lutheran or those who have
never attended a Prayer Vigil before, let me tell you all
about it. If you have questions regarding the Prayer Vigil
or Prayer Path that aren’t answered here, please call
Joanie Hunt at (704)998-8164.
What is a 24-Hour Prayer Vigil?
It is intercessory prayer for the needs/concerns of
others. It is held in the Lackey Chapel on Maundy
Thursday beginning at 8 p.m. and continues every hour
through Good Friday at 7 p.m. (the Tenebrae Service
immediately follows in the Sanctuary at 7:30 p.m.). A
Prayer Leader will start and close each hour.
How is it Done?
On the altar in the Lackey Chapel, there will be stacks
of prayer requests from the congregation (sample prayer
request slip is shown below). You will go to the altar,
grab a stack, go back to your pew and quietly pray to
God about each request.
Not Sure You Can Pray for an Entire Hour?
Most people say, “the hour just flew by!” and they could
not believe it was over so fast. When you are finished
praying over one stack, return them to the altar and
grab a new stack. Continue this throughout the hour.
Christ Connections •3
Are the Prayers Confidential?
Yes - these prayer requests are completely confidential
between you and God alone. It is not “news” to be
spread about. Most prayers are anonymous.
Why Do We Do This?
It is written in scripture that we should “pray for one
another” (James 5:16). “Carry each other’s burdens, and
in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians
6:2). “Do not worry about anything but in everything
by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your
requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6). God
invites us to pray for others.
Where Can I Sign up?
Sign-up boards will be in the Lower Commons and in the
back of Christ Chapel (Narthax). Please sign up for an
hour of prayer as a “supporter” for the Prayer Leader. If
you don’t sign up, just show up! Everyone is welcome!
Individuals! Small groups! Sunday school classes!
Prayer Path
The Prayer Path will be available in the Forum from
Maundy Thursday through Good Friday at 7 p.m. It takes
53 minutes to walk thru the Prayer Path. There are 13
Stations to stop at, reflect, and meditate.
You will listen to a CD (using a headset-provided for
you) where the words of Jesus are spoken to you. As
What Kind of Prayer Requests Will I See?
The prayer requests could be to pray for a loved one or friend you walk, you will listen to spiritual music and singing.
The room is darkened, lit by candles, and you follow a
who is sick, struggling through divorce, experiencing a job
“path” from Station 1 to Station 13.
loss or suﬀering from depression. It could be for guidance
or for a student in school or safe travel for someone who is
Please stop by the Forum and walk the Prayer Path. Take
traveling. It could be a prayer of praise to God!
time to “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
4• C HRISTLUTHERAN
Christ Connections
It’s Time to
Update Our
Church Directory!
Do you ever see people and wonder what their names
are? Have you ever heard an announcement regarding a
member and wished you could put a face with a name?
Are you a new member and wish you had something to
help you put names with faces? Help is on the way! We are
producing a new pictorial directory!
There is no cost to our church, and each participating
family will receive a complimentary 8x10 portrait and
directory and have the opportunity to purchase additional
portraits to share with family and friends.
Portrait sessions are as follows:
Wednesday-Friday
Saturday-Sunday
May 6-8
May 9-10
2 p.m. - 9 p.m.
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuesday-Friday
Saturday
May 12-15
May 16
2 p.m. - 9 p.m.
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuesday-Friday
Saturday
May 19-22
May 23
2 p.m. - 9 p.m.
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
June 5
June 6
2 p.m. - 9 p.m.
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday
Saturday
Sign up today!
Go to christelca.org and click
on the Lifetouch banner.
Legacy Planning
Do you have a will? Have you ensured the impact of your
legacy? Is it up to date? About 55% of adults in America do
not have a will. This means that their estate will be tied
up in probate for six months to two years with taxes and
fees eroding at the principle. For those who do have a will,
many have not updated it in the last five years to take
advantage of current legal and tax codes.
It can all be avoided with some planning.
Christ Lutheran would like to oﬀer basic estate planning to
our members. We have invited lawyers, financial planners
and insurance agents to help us sift through all the material
and answer your questions. They will not be soliciting
business but instead providing you with a checklist to put
your estate in order or that of your aging parents.
Each seminar will provide a lunch and presentations from
12:30 to 3:00 on the following Sundays at the church:
May 17, July 12, September 27 and November 28, 2015.
This is free of charge but you must RSVP so we can plan
ahead. Contact Connie in the church oﬃce, 704-366-1595.
Isn’t it time to put your financial house in order?
Christ Connections •5
Who You Gonna Call?
C HRISTLUTHERAN
by Pastor Tenny
The family and friends came from all over the country.
Members of the church had taken meals to the family
during the extended illness. And the funeral was a time
not only to express our grief, but was even more a time to
celebrate life and to support one another.
I’ve been to few funerals where the community showed
up in such great numbers, and stayed all day—traveling
from the church service to the cemetery, and then back to
the church for a meal. Everyone came together to laugh,
cry, reconnect, share stories and to help one another get
through a diﬃcult time of loss.
The church family was there, too. But it was only because
the family had called us from the very beginning to let
us know about the situation—even though they were in a
hospital out of town. For several weeks, we talked and
prayed over the phone lines, exchanging virtual hugs with
each other. We took meals to the family members who
were still here in town, and oﬀered pastoral care through
a variety of persons.
We often find that there are times when families would
welcome a pastoral visit, a phone call from a concerned
church member or a note of encouragement. But sometimes,
we just don’t know about the situation. We’re constantly
surprised at the number of times we (the church staﬀ)
find out about someone being in the hospital, or about the
struggles of someone dealing with an aging family member
in another state, an accident or some other kind of loss—not
directly from the church member… but from Facebook! It’s
amazing what we share with people on Facebook, but we
don’t think to share with our church family.
So, if something is going on in your life, we ask that you
remember (as you’re typing in your post on FB) to let the
church know also. Call us. We want to help. We want to
pray with you and for you. But we need to know.
Upcoming April Events
Sunday April 19th • 12:45 p.m.
Lunch at Qdoba
8200 Providence Road – Suite 100
Look for the SALT Table – this is Christ Lutheran’s
Sunday at Qdoba.
Saturday April 25th • 5:30 p.m.
Dinner at Treehouse – Southpark
4423 Sharon Rd.
Email SALT@christelca.org for questions, to
RSVP to events or to join our mailing list.
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill
the law of Christ. -Galatians 6:2)
Special Thanks
The residents at Trinity Place,
a Lutheran retirement home in
Albemarle, NC thank you again
for the wonderful Christmas gifts!
The residents so appreciated
your kindness and generosity.
We appreciate your making their
Christmas so special. -Trinity Place
Thank you to the volunteers and the Thursday Morning
Women’s Bible Study who helped me move recently. Your
kindness is most appreciated! -Peggy Jennings
6• C HRISTLUTHERAN
Christ Connections
The Charlotte Knights
ARE BACK!
Christ Lutheran Church is hosting
another night of baseball with
the Charlotte Knights! We have
secured a special price of $16
per ticket to the May 2nd
game against the Scranton
Rail Riders (minor league for
the New York Yankees).
Tickets will be on sale
at Cornerstone Gifts starting
April 19th. Limit 5 tickets per
person. See you at the ballpark!
Agapé Kure Beach Ministries
Spring Opportunities
Spring Golf Outing • Monday, April 20th at Lochmere Golf Club,
Cary. Help us send kids to camp. This event raises campership
funds to help those who otherwise could not financially aﬀord a
week of Faith Formation at a Christian Camp.
Camp Agapé Work Day • Saturday May 2nd from 9 a.m. to
3:00. Great day to focus on Servant learning for youth and
families. Help us prepare camp for summer!
Mother/Daughter overnight May 8 & 9, at Camp Agapé.
Come and celebrate the joy of life with other moms and
daughters. Activities will include worship, devotions,
singing, Bible Study, crafts, relaxation, great food
featuring a fancy breakfast banquet and more!
AGAPÉ-GANZA/Open House • Sunday, May 17th from
1:30 - 5:30 p.m. Hike the trails, meet the staﬀ, enjoy nature
activities and learn about the 2015 summer camp program. Win
a Campership in a fun Ball toss. Activities are FREE. It will be a
fun family day! Bring a Pie for the pie-tasting contest, and get
your youth to enter the Gaga Ball Tournament!
SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION – Now is the time to get
your children signed up for a Christian Camp experience!
Visit our website for more information. Campership funds
are available.
For more information, go to agapekurebeach.org
Agapé Kure
Beach Ministries
1369 Tyler Dewar Lane
Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
(919) 552-9421
email
agape@agapekurebeach.org
C HRISTLUTHERAN
Christ Connections •7
{YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS}
Elementary students with Kevin Vandiver as Moses
at our recent Stepping Stone Story Day event.
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Charlotte, NC
4519 Providence Road • Charlotte, NC 28226
return service requested
Christ Connections
April 2015
Scott Suskovic, Senior Pastor
Drew Goodson, Pastoral Care
Tennyson Shifley, Welcome and Music
Mark Glaeser, Minister of Music
Kevin Vandiver, Director of Family Ministry
Amy Daniels, Director of Service and Outreach
Gregg Huether, Director of Property and Finance
Christ Lutheran Church
4519 Providence Road
Charlotte, NC 28226
christelca.org
phone 704|366|1595
Permit No. 1741