Why We Exist: To guide people into growing union with Christ.
What We're About
Meaningful Worship
Genuine Community
Formative Prayer
Generous Living
Pastor Garrett's Report
"We said when we came here that we wanted to set down roots and invest ourselves for the long haul. Please know how grateful we are to do that precisely here at CLC. We’re still pretty new, but we consider it our home, and we consider you our family."
Dear Friends in Christ,
Inside this report is a brief sketch of our mission and ministries from the past year. I think it’s safe to say that we’ve emerged from our Covid-era as a church. (Finally!) And I think the report you’re about to read tells the story of a church that has emerged financially healthy, spiritually vibrant, and missionally focused. This is a testament to (a) God’s kindness toward us and (b) your faith toward Him. I am grateful for both.
Pastor Matt's Report
"I count it as one of the highlights of my life to have started working here with you all!"
Dear Christ Lutheran,
Jesus’ grace to you.
Being the associate pastor here, I work closely with Pastor Garrett on several things. We share preaching and teaching responsibilities as well as counseling and confession. I have thoroughly enjoyed preaching, but I still see myself as learning the craft of preaching. I am responsible for 40% of the preaching, so I thank you for your grace and patience as I continue to learn how to do this! In addition to this, I am currently teaching a series on the life of David to the Confirmation and youth groups.
A look back at the past year at Christ Lutheran
Council President's Report
Hello CLC Family,
Starting a new year gives us a moment to both reflect on the past and look forward to the many opportunities that lie ahead. Our congregation has been through quite a journey the past few years — working through a transition of pastoral leadership and weathering the global pandemic — yet through it all, the Lord has brought us closer as a community in Christ. Taking a step back, it’s truly amazing to see God’s work through CLC. This past year felt very much like all the pieces coming together, with the addition of new staff (including our new associate pastor and his family), the return to normal operations, growing attendance, the growing children's ministry, our increased commitment to our benevolence partners, and more vibrant and active church ministries that allowed us to serve and grow closer to God.
2023 is going to be a joyous and fulfilling year for our congregation as we continue to grow and expand on the 5-year vision Pastor Garrett laid out for CLC back in October 2021, through Meaningful Worship, Genuine Community, Formative Prayer, and Generous Living. That means building on the foundational work of the past two years, expanding our ministries like the recent addition of Young Adult Ministries through Pastor Matt; increasing outreach to the surrounding community; finding deeper, more meaningful ways to connect; and growing in our commitment to Christ. But it’s going to take all of us coming together, giving our time, our commitment, and our resources to make CLC an example of Christ’s love in the world. If the past year is any indication though, we’re on our way to a great year ahead. Speaking for the Council, I can’t wait to see where we go from here.
In Christ’s love,
Craig Mitchell
Council President
Council Candidates
Angela Ilich
Angela has been a member of Christ Lutheran Church for 45 years. She was born, raised, and baptized Lutheran and completed both Holy Communion and Confirmation here at CLC. Growing up in the CLC family, she participated in various children’s programs as well as the junior high and high school youth groups. Both of her children were baptized at Christ Lutheran, and she loves watching them participate in the same types of programs she did … and more! She strongly believes in giving them a firm foundation of faith, and Christ Lutheran Church does just that.
Angela is eager to see the opportunities the Lord gives to create new connections and friendships at Christ Lutheran Church, and find new ways to grow its community and serve its congregation.
Risto Salo
Risto has been a member of Christ Lutheran Church for 15 years. He is currently involved with the 8:30 am Sunday coffee and usher ministries, and serves on The Kitchen team which hosts Wednesday night dinners. He has been also been a part of a weekly bible study for many years. He is grateful for the welcoming family atmosphere at CLC.
Spiritual Formation
The Prayer Chain continues to be a strong and vital ministry at CLC. Hundreds have been lifted in prayer for healing, strength, and peace. In 2022, Christ Lutheran provided opportunities for retreat, renewal, and worship for 4th – 6th graders, high schoolers, families, and women.
Outreach Ministry
Our congregation welcomed the opportunity to send a mission team to Black Mesa, Arizona, in September to help Pastor JR with the foundation for his new warehouse.
We held a coat drive earlier in the summer to gather coats for Pastor JR to distribute to those in need on the Navajo Reservation.
CLC offered an important service to many young foster teens by providing a study space with WiFi so that they are able to stay in school.
Together, we blessed SCV families with over 140 gifts through our Christmas Giving Garland.
Our Hope Gardens Women’s Ministry team began visiting the homeless women living at the Hope Gardens shelter, run by the Union Rescue Mission.
CLC's Family Ministry created over 70 cards to send Christmas cheer to those who have served or are currently serving our country.
Stages of Life Ministry
• 7 Baptisms
• 4 Confirmed
• 22 New Members
Staff
This fall, Pastor Matt was installed as Associate Pastor. This year, we also welcomed Ben Gordon as Worship Media Technician, Tammy Gordon as Children’s Choir Director, Shelley Kane as Facilities Manager, Kathy Kinney as Chancel Choir Director, Sarah Kolden as Children’s Ministry Director, and Sarah Scopio as Communications Director.
Social Ministry
Some of the many events we enjoyed as a church family, included:
Goodbye Lunch for Hill Family
Easter Breakfast
Egg Hunt
Trunk or Treat
High School Trip to Hume Lake
Women’s Retreat and Fall Gathering
Family Retreat
Baby Shower for Pastor Matt and Sarah Kolden
Pre-Thanksgiving Pie Fest
Sunday School Christmas Program
Sunday Circles
Men & Women Summer Fellowships
Service
Serving others is one key focus of our ministries at CLC. Service opportunities throughout the year included:
Serving meals at Bridge to Home
CLC Feeds SCV Food Boxes
Blood Drives
Giving Garland
Benevolence
Our benevolence funds support several causes locally, nationally, and around the world. We give 10% of the general offering to other worthy organizations and funds. We will be supporting the same organizations in 2023 as we did in 2022, with the addition of $5,000 available to support Lutheran organizations we may affiliate with. The recipients of Christ Lutheran’s benevolence funds this year were:
Bridge to Home
Fawzi House Egyptian Orphanage
Good Samaritan Fund
House of Joy, Navajo Nation
Lutheran World Relief
SCV Pregnancy Center
Community Mission & Outreach