Get to know the staff and members of Christ Lutheran Church! Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, In Louisville, May means the Kentucky Derby. The two minute Run for the Roses draws the attention of millions of people from around the world. In fact it seems like the whole city stops its normal routine for a week in anticipation of this race. I must admit that I am excited about being at the Derby for the first time this year. I have a place on Millionaire Row working as a server – a fundraiser for the Seneca High School Band. I have been involved in other races throughout my lifetime. I have attended the Indianapolis 500 Time Trials – the other race in May. In my high school teaching days I coached cross country and track. In fact, as a teen I “ran” on the high school cross country team. In each case the crucial part of the race is endurance – not giving in but competing to the end. Hebrews 12:1-3 uses the racing metaphor to describe our life as a Christian. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.” Have you ever considered your life to be a race? Consider the “great cloud of witnesses” to be those who have gone before us and have passed on the baton of faith to us. Consider the “great cloud of witnesses” as those who are on the Christ team who are in the race with us – to carrying the Good News of the saving love of Christ to others. What an incredible support to encourage us on in the race of life. Consider those things that slow us down – hold us back from being all God intends for us to be. These are the “weights and sin that clings so close to us.” They are not easy to lay aside. Sinful habits are hard to break. Grudges and bitterness are hard to give up. Guilt and shame are hard to erase. But the grace that comes to us from Jesus – forgives and brings us back into the race – renewed – regenerated and ready to persevere to the end. Consider the pacesetter who goes before us. “Looking to Jesus – the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” This race in life is not something that we go alone. It is not in uncharted territory. Jesus leads the way. To keep our eyes on him, guards us from being distracted by the many temptations of this world. Keeping our eyes on Jesus shows us the way. And when we feel exhausted and we do not know if we can go a step further – it is Jesus who is there to help us on. When we consider what he endured for us, we can be motivated to go that extra distance and win the crown of glory. St. Paul put it this way in 2 Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on here is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” I look forward to continue running this race of life with you. It will take words of encouragement and exhortation from one another to keep each us in the race. May we always keep our eyes on Jesus – following him with perseverance until the day we receive our crown of righteousness. On your mark – get set – GO. To You God's Peace and Joy, Pastor Ron Poisel

MUSIC NOTES Many thanks are in order this month. A big hooray and thank you go to the members of the Youth Choir and their parents. Their year is finished, except for our end of the year event, and we already look forward to the fall start-up. The members of this group who made it all the way to the end were Alex Barmore, Anna Gillespie, Robbie Maddox, Chloe Schwarz, and Justin Schwarz. Another thanks goes to the Senior Choir for their hard work and good job on the Hammerschmidt Holy, Holy, Holy on Holy Trinity Sunday. This group will rehearse through June 4, and sing through mid-July before taking a month or so of well-deserved vacation. On a personal note, I plan to attend the national convention of the American Guild of Organists in late June in the twin cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul; and Helen Buehl will be playing for me on June 22. I always come back with new literature for the choirs and for organ, as well as some ideas for choir rehearsals, services, etc. A thank you to the congregation for helping defray some of the convention cost through my continuing education line in the budget! Ann Colbert Wade, Director of Music

Small Groups Being Formed: Jesus left us a model for Small Groups, in Matthew 18:20 he said; "For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them." Small Groups, gathered in Jesus’ name, become a gift of God, a means of grace. Christ creates this Christian community, and how we use this gift is up to us. CLC wants to encourage the development of Small Groups to create a stronger sense of Christian community within the congregation and as a means for spiritual development and faith formation. Small Groups can also help in ministering to unchurched persons, and incorporating new members into our community. We ask that everyone, whether a member of CLC for fifty weeks, fifty months or fifty years to prayerfully consider joining one of these new Small Groups. Please know that joining these Small Groups involves a commitment of time, energy, study and prayer but the commitment will aid a person in his or her spiritual journey. THE SMALL GROUPS The Small Group with Lisa Leitzey as facilitator will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday mornings at the church starting on September 4 and is scheduled to last six weeks. Their initial topic will be the Bible study, Fruit of the Spirit, by Hazel Offner. The Small Group with Brian Schwarz and Renate Fish as facilitators will meet at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday evenings starting on September 9 and is scheduled to last ten to twelve weeks. Their initial topic will be a Bible study on the book of Hebrews. Their first meeting place will be determined later. The Small Group with Sandy Poisel and Beth Brown as facilitators will meet at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday evenings at the church starting on September 16 and is scheduled to last eight weeks. Their initial topic will be "How Do I Discover More About the Bible" from the "Akaloo" program. The Small Group with Joe Kipp as facilitator will meet at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evenings starting on September 10 and is scheduled to last six to eight weeks. Their initial topic will be a Bible study on the book of Luke. Their first meeting place will be at Liz and Joe Kipp’s house at 119 Tanglewood Trail. Registrations will need to be completed by August 31. Each group is limited to twelve people. Please look for more information along with sign up sheets in upcoming Sunday bulletins and in the display in the narthex. Hope you are able to sign up for one of these Small Groups. Any questions please contact Vernon Jones, 448-8532 or one of the facilitators. Discipleship Program "For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope." Jeremiah 29:11 How do we know Gods plans for us? How do we know that God walks, leads and talks to us daily? How do we become better disciples on our spiritual journey? There are no easy answers to these questions. However, we will be offering, in September, a course to give some helpful aids on what the scriptures and some scholars have said regarding these topics. When we are willing to invest time and emotional energy into Bible study, reflection and prayer, the Holy Spirit opens our hearts to God’s love and direction and gives us the vision to see opportunities for further spiritual growth. "Discipleship----A Spiritual Journey" is an eight-week course being offered to help you with your spiritual journey. It will offer support to those already involved in their present spiritual journey, and hopefully encourage those who would like to do more in developing good spiritual/discipleship habits. Part of each session will include break out groups for more in-depth study. The discussion leader will be Vernon T. Jones, Director of Small Group Ministries. There will be eight weekly Thursday sessions from September 11 through to October 30 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Church. Topics: Sept. 11, "Striving First for the Kingdom of God–Repenting/Turning Around" Sept. 18, "Striving First for the Kingdom of God–Where We are Today" Sept. 25, "Prayer---How, What and Why" Oct. 2, "Types of Prayer" Oct. 9, "The Holy Spirit" Oct. 16, "Discernment" Oct. 23, "Hope" Oct. 30, "Faith Equals Trust" Those who sign up for the course will be asked to meditate and reflect on certain passages during the week prior to each meeting. Prior to the Sept. 11th session, Mark 1:14-15, Ezekiel 14:6-8, and John 3:1-8 should be read and reflected upon. Please call the office by Sept. 8th to register, or fill out a registration form found in the narthex; if childcare is needed please note the ages of the children. Why should you come to this? It’s a good way to be intentional in your desire to grow spiritually. It may give you some tools and the necessary encouragement to become a better disciple. Pray about this and see if the Holy Spirit directs you to take part in this program. Any questions please call me at 448-8532. Hope to see you there! Vernon T. Jones - Director of Small Group Ministries

Why I Go To Church There are many reasons why I go to church. The main one is to praise and honor God. Also to receive the Lord’s Supper, to be renewed in forgiveness. I’ve been comforted many times in sickness and at the deaths of loved ones. My church family was always there to pick me up when I’ve been down. It is also a good feeling when I can be there also for them. You can always feel God’s love through the people around you. Their care overwhelms you. Pastor’s sermons give you guidance for the future. It is good to be with fellow faithful believers. I thank God that he sent his son, Jesus, to take our sins away if we only confess them. No matter how much love you receive, Jesus’ love is the greatest of all. Myrtle Ory I go to church to thank God for His many gifts. Offering the sacrifice of worship is one way to thank him in addition to prayer. I go to hear the word of God read and the proclamation of the Gospel in the homily. But most of all I go for Holy Communion assuring the forgiveness of sins now and strength for the future. John P. Schmitt Contact us today to receive Volume 2 of "Why I Go To Church" written by CLC's members.