Why Come to Church this Sunday? – The reality is that most of the people who see this were not in church last Sunday. We don’t share that to make you feel guilty, because we believe that you should not come to church out of some sort of guilt complex. That might have worked in the past, but a healthy, life-giving church is not one based on manipulating you to come with an “or else” you will feel guilty mentality. Rather we share this as way of invitation. We believe that you should join us this Sunday in worship at CLC because you are needed. Your face, your voice, your life, your presence adds to the life of our congregation. You should come because we believe that there is something life-giving that comes when you surround yourselves with other people who are joining together to offer our prayers and praise to God in a way that is honest, inviting and authentic. You should come because you want to be involved in a place that takes seriously the belief that we are God-driven to “serve in God’s world with Love,” and in worship we are affirmed that no matter who we are, what we have done, how much or how little we have – we each can be part of that mission, we each can serve in God’s world with Love (it just so happens that sometimes we can do it together too). We look forward to seeing you this Sunday, and if not this Sunday maybe next Sunday.

We welcome you to join us in worship at Christ Lutheran. We are located on County Road 4, just two blocks west of Highway 95 in Marine on St. Croix.

Call 651- 433-3222 for more information.  

Flower Sale for Mission Trip

 The Spring Flower and Bedding Plant sale will be on May 11^th 8 a.m.-2 p.m. and 12^th 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Rain or shine! Shop indoors! There will be bedding plants, hanging baskets, vegetable plants etc for you to purchase and plant in your own gardens. If you would like to pre-order, you can. Order forms are available at the church, but need to be turned in no later than Monday, April 23. See Sue Knefelkamp for more information. Mark your calendars now for the sale this May.  

Life Night

Wednesdays

What is Life Night?

Life Night is for Children.

Life Night is for Laughing.

Life Night is for Adults.

                  Life Night is for Praying.

Life Night is for Youth.

Life Night is for Exploring.

Life Night is for Singing.

Life Night is for Learning.

                     Life Night is for Families.

Life Night is for Community.

Life Night is for Sharing.

Life Night is for Growing.

Life Night….

Life Night

 EACH WEDNESDAY

Life Night is our Wednesday night children, youth and adult Faith Formation programming at Christ Lutheran.  Life Nignt includes faith formation classes for children in preschool- 6th grade, confirmation for those in 7th & 8th grade and an adult class. It also includes rehearsal time for Almost Angels, CREDO and Steeple Singers Choir, and it all begins with a community dinner. Even if you have not been able to be a part of Life Night so far this year, we invite you to come and be nourished and nurtured on Wednesday nights. Life night runs through May 9th!

I am…We are…Planning for Summer

This summer there will be many opportunities of mission and faith formation for the children, youth and families of our community. We know summer is still a few months away, but below are just a few things we have planned. We are currently looking for some adults and college age volunteers who are willing to lend a helping hand this summer with these or other ministry happenings.

Check out our website: www.clcmarine.org or see Pastor Joel for more information.

CLC Weekend/Week at WAPO

There is still time to register your child/youth to join with others from CLC for a week of camp at WAPO (Lake Wapogasset Lutheran Bible Camp) this summer. Spaces are filling up so register soon. Register directly through WAPO, and let them know you are with CLC in Marine on St. Croix.

SEEDS Weekend (July 20-22)– Children who have finished 2nd and 3rd grade are invited for a weekend camp experience.

WAPO Week (July 22-27)– Children in 4th grade through 9th grade are invited to spend the week at camp.

See brochures in Nyman Center for details and costs, or check out their website: www.campwapo.org

Youth Mission Trip

There is still time for youth (9th grade and above) to sign up for this summer’s mission trip to Waterloo, Iowa. Come and help us repair and restore homes while joining with youth for all parts of the country. The mission trip will be from July 14-21. See Sue Knefelkamp for more information.

Vacation Bible School

July 30-August 3

Olympic Spectacular

Join us for a week of learning about Christian practices from countries around the world. We are going to change our green space into an Olympic village. One day you might    venture to learn how Christians in China or South Africa, or France, or Japan, or Israel, or Russia, or Brazil, or Great Britain or Ecuador (names of actual countries are yet to be determined, but you get the idea) live out their faith. There will be faith-filled teachings, crafts, and of course tests of challenges of strength, speed and skill.

Mark your calendars now. Vacation Bible School is for all    children entering preschool—5th grade. Older children, youth and adults are needed as volunteers.

Watch the Sunday bulletins for more information.

Summer Stretch/Mini-Stretch

Summer Stretch - All youth entering  7^th-9^th grade are welcome to join with other youth from the area on Wednesdays (June 13-July18) for days of doing service projects and fun recreational activities. Each Wednesday morning  we will meet in Stillwater to do various service projects, then in the afternoon we will do fun activities. Watch for the registration form by the end of April. See Pastor Joel for information.

Mini-Stretch – this summer we are hoping to have Mini-Stretch for youth entering 4^th-6^th grade on    Tuesdays June 12 and June 19. Mini-Stretch will      include doing some service projects around Marine during the morning and then do some fun  activity during the afternoon.

Volunteers are needed to make both events possible.

See Pastor Joel if you interested in helping.

Snapshots of Grace
In the end all words fail to define Grace, for God's Grace is not a definition that we simply read. Grace is life lived. Grace is the Word becoming flesh. God's Grace is seen, heard, touched, tasted, experienced, shared and embodied. During these days of Lent we invited people to bring in a "Snapshot", a picture that in some way revealed God’s grace in their lives. We have posted these "snapshots" around the sanctuary. Next time you are with us take a few minutes to look at all the "Snapshots of Grace" and as you glimpse these snapshots may the Grace of God come and remind you that God is just getting started.

Celebrating 140 Years of Ministry

Christ Lutheran Church

Marine on Saint Croix, Minnesota

1872-2012

140 years young and giving thanks to God for who we were and the traditions of old,  

while making new traditions and being ever open to who God is inviting us to become...

140 years young and exploring the beauty and dynamics of God’s love through eyes of

wonder, creativity and imagination…

140 years young and God-driven into the world to “serve in God’s world with love”…

140 years young and welcoming everyone and we really mean everyone…

140 years young and growing... 

In 2012 we celebrate the 140_th year of mission and ministry of Christ Lutheran Church in      Marine on St. Croix. Throughout the coming months there will be several events that will bring us   together to celebrate and give thanks to God for the mission and ministry we share together. While some of these events will give opportunity to look back and “remember when,” most events will allow us to gather and give thanks for the many names, faces and voices who make up the church today. Each of which remind us that the church is a living thing that grows and changes. We hope you are able to join us in one of more of the anniversary events. In addition, we have invited all the living   pastors who previously served at Christ to join us on a Sunday sometime this summer or fall—we hope to have a schedule of who is coming and when available soon. Listed below are just a few of the events that we hope to have you put on your calendar. As they approach you will receive more information.

Sunday, June 17—Congregational Canoe Outing on the St. Croix

We will take advantage of our location for a group canoe ride on Sunday afternoon followed by a time of fellowship, hospitality and appetizers at a location TBD.

Saturday, July 28—Community Ice Cream Social and Talent Show (tentative 6-8pm)

Weather permitting we will gather on the lawn for ice cream and then enjoy the talents of people from the church and the            community. Start thinking now about what talent you might want to share (individuals, groups, duo’s etc. all welcome).

Sunday, August 26—140th Anniversary Congregational Picnic

Sunday, September 16—”Serving in God’s World with Love” Sunday

Check out our church newsletter...Click here

Christ Lutheran Church
150 Fifth Street
Marine on St. Croix, MN 55047
(651) 433-3222

I am...We are

Christ Lutheran Stewardship Theme 2012

              Why is it easier to talk about what we aren’t? Think about it, how often when you talk about yourself do you include words like, “I’m not really good at public speaking….or fixing things….or organizing….or singing…….or cooking….etc.” Is it because we don’t want to get a “big head”? Does it have something to do with our Scandinavian heritage? We seem to have the “I am not….” down pretty good, what we struggle with is defining who we are. What we struggle with it seems is finishing the statement, “I am….”

As part of our stewardship theme for this year you are invited to not only to finish the “I am….” statement, you are also invited to live it out more fully.

So if you finish the statement by saying, “I am really good with fixing cars.” The stewardship angle is how can you best use this ability fully in your life. Or maybe you would say, “I am a good listener.” How can you use your gift of being a good listener to better the world in which you live? If you would say, “I am good with problem solving,” how would you use that ability to make a positive difference in our community, in our church. I know most of you have never thought about it this way ~ but these are all stewardship questions. For if we believe that everything we have, everything we are is a gift from God ~ and how we live our lives is our response to God, then not only is finishing the statement, “I am….” say something about you, but it also says something about God. 

If you have questions, if you would like to set up a time to meet our teachers and tour our school, or for registration material call 651-433-3222
or email: redbridge@frontier.com

Please visit the Red Bridge preschool website at. www.redbridgepreschool.com for more information.