Installation of Pastor Brian Bergum

The congregation and community of Lord of the Valley Lutheran Church invite you celebrate the Service of Installation for Pastor Brian Bergum on Sunday, March, 13. The service will begin at 9:30 

a.m. and Bishop Allan Bjornberg will officiate. Your presence is also requested at the brunch immediately following the service. All are welcome.

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Faith Alive In The Home Conference

Come explore together how Faith Alive In The Home is a partnership between congregation and families that can be lived 24/7.... Together! Bring the whole family and whole ministry teams to Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, located at 12099 Lowell Boulevard in Broomfield, CO (80020). The event will take place April 8-9, 2011. Keynote speakers are Andrea Fieldhouse (Building Bridges) and Lyle Griner (Full Circle Training).

Registration is now open and you are invited to register online.

Cost: $60.00 for 1-2 persons

         $55.00 for 3-4 persons

  $50.00 for 5 or more persons from the same

  congregation

(Includes lunch, resources and take-homes)

FREE childcare is available!

Details can be found on the Rocky Mountain Synod ELCA website: www.rmselca.org/FaithAliveInTheHome or you may call Pastor Leta Behrens (303-570-1366) with questions. Check out the relevant, worthwhile and fun workshops!

The event hosted by the Rocky Mountain Synod, ELCA.

2011 Sky Ranch Summer Theme: Journey!

"And remember I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Matthew 28:20b

For the 2011 camping season, our program fees have been reduced by up to 20%! To take full advantage of these savings, we encourage you to register by March 15. Download brochure.

Tingling Ears Retreat

 Hearing God's Word in a an Age of
Hypertext and the Hyper-real

Join Jeremy Myers, Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Augsburg College, for the Tingling Ears Retreat from March 20 - 21, 2011 at Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp.

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Understanding Adolescence - Youth Director's Retreat

Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp is offering a FREE retreat to all full and part time professional youth directors from March 21-23, 2011. If you need more information in order to plan your time at the camp, please check out the brochure. Why wait? Register online today!

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Spring at RTLC   

 March 24-27, 2011   

Put your feet up and unwind at this Spring Retreat! Michelle Okes, long time Rainbow Trail camper, former staffer, mother of two summer staff members will lead a weekend of thought provoking Bible Study, worship, crafts, hikes (or snowshoeing if the weather permits), cooking with Chris, relaxing with the massage therapist, and enjoying the sisterhood in Christ.  Michelle is a great friend of Rainbow Trail will bring a great passion for ministry, experience as a life coach, a relational approach to deep knowledge of the Bible to the retreat.  More information is available on the Rainbow Trail website or by e-mailing Laura.  

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 Men's Fly Fishing Camp at RTLC  

April 7-10, 2011

Take some time to step out of the stresses of ordinary life and into the refreshing waters of the Arkansas River. This weekend of fly fishing, hanging out with the guys, and amazing worship and conversation is led by Pastor Dave Risendal. He has a deep love of fly fishing and the gospel and will help you re-center and deepen your faith. You'll expand your fly fishing skills with instruction from Greg Felt, owner of Ark Anglers Fly Shop, fly tying workshops, and advice from other seasoned fishermen. Whether you are an experienced angler or have just always wanted to try fly fishing, this is a weekend you won't want to miss!  More information is available at the Rainbow Trail website or by e-mailing Carl.

Watch as gifts of livestock help the Lingson family in Malawi end hunger.The one-time gift of livestock has provided the Lingson family, and their community, with food to eat, fertilizer to grow crops and offspring to sell on the market. See www.elca.org/hunger/video.

Regional representative sought in West Africa.

This position is responsible for assisting the ELCA in fostering relationships with companion churches, ELCA mission personnel and programs in West Africa, with a focus on Theological Education and Interfaith Relations. Preference will be given to applications received by March 15, 2011. Start time is July 2011. See www.elca.org/globalserve and click Global Service Opportunities to search the database for "West Africa."

Global Links is the e-newsletter of ELCA Global Mission.

ELCA Health Plan Members: Take the 2011 Health Assessment by 

Let's do it this year!
Let's earn the discount!

The Rocky Mountain Synod has yet to earn the 2% discount incentive when 65% of plan members take the health assessment! In 2011, help yourself and help the synod! Overall synod congregations would save $43,500 synod-wide! And you receive $150 directly! Currently 47 have taken the assessment, and 137 more are needed to reach our goal.

If you have ELCA-primary health coverage, take the health assessment today for your synod, your congregation and yourself. You'll earn your $150 personal wellness account credit and can begin using your personal health summary to make small changes to improve your health.  It's easy to start. Take it now!

MAY 12-14, 2011

• Assembly in Colorado Springs.

Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp   

Take as Continuing Education or for Academic Credit 

Offered through a Partnership for Education And Knowledge by Wartburg Theological Seminar, Rocky Mountain Synod, and Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp. Immerse yourself in this 10-day course and develop a deeper understanding of children's faith development. Led by faculty from Wartburg Theological Seminary this course may be taken for academic credit or continuing education. Details can be found in the color brochure but if you have questionS, please contact Ben Larson or Linda Staats by email.

for more

information (303-332-1263).

Western States Youth Gathering - "In the Balance" 

July 1-5, 2011

at California Lutheran University

For more information, please check out the website.

Lutheran Men in Mission Triennial Gathering

July 22-24, 2011 in Denver! 

Called! Equipped! Sent!

For information and registration

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Egypt

October 10-26, 2011

Details: www.pilgrimageholyland.blogspot.com or contact Jan Miller by email. Reservation deadline is April 1.

Children and Communion:

When is the Best Time to Start?

For Reformation Sunday 2010, Pastor Matthew Bolz-Weber and intern Trey Daum of Holy Love Lutheran Church in Aurora responded to sticky notes that were posted to the sanctuary walls (think of the symbolism). Presented here is one of the questions and the associated response as printed in Holy Love's Mission Bell newsletter.

Question

Is it necessary to let young children receive communion at the railing when they haven't been through formal training? Even though parents feel it's alright to let their children take communion without formal understanding of what it's all about. Some kids think it is a game. Children don't always need to receive things that they want. Sometimes making them wait will help them appreciate it all the more when they receive it!

Response

This question has two parts. The first is" Who is communion for?" And the second is: "What should one do, know, be, or understand, in order to receive communion?"

When Christ first instituted His Supper, you may remember he was with a group that was at best confused and lazy, and at worst deceitful, betraying and full of denial. Some of them, we might say, felt as though the whole thing was a game. Did they really understand what Jesus was doing? Were they appropriately appreciative? Maybe or maybe not. We don't know and scripture doesn't say.

Holy Love Lutheran Church, like many other churches, believes that God's gift of Bread and Wine given as the Body and Blood of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins should be available to all baptized persons regardless of age, understanding, statute, or ability. Parents, as primary persons in children's life, should thoughtfully and prayerfully discern with pastoral and congregational care when they would like to have their children take communion. 

So, to answer the question, who is communion for? Well, it's for you for the forgiveness of your sin. And what should one do, know, be, or understand? One should simply believe that it's for who Christ says it's for and does what Christ says it does. --Intern Trey Daum

 Planning meetings on March 8 and 14 

Let us come together, act together, and love together; to be the hands, the feet, and the heart that responds to the most basic need of those who are hurting in our community. Come and organize as a community to ensure that no one is going hungry! An event is happening on September 11, 2011 and your planning assistance is needed:

Help us design this tremendous metro-wide event, sponsored by the faith communities on Monaco and Hampden. The planning meetings will take place on March 8 and 14, 2011, beginning with breakfast at 7:30 a.m. at Metro CareRing office, 1100 East 18^th Avenue in Denver (80218).

Please RSVP to Pastor Glusenkamp by email or phone (303-758-2820) by March 3. Include which date works best for you. Don't miss this breakfast meeting at Metro CareRing as we plan for Denver's future.

CU Campus Ministry

Future College Students:
Come Check Out CU, Lutheran-Style    

An introduction to CU will be offered by students at Lutheran Campus Ministry-Boulder on Saturday, March 12, beginning with a noon lunch. Guided tours of campus and sharing stories of campus life will follow. Our student leaders also have camp leadership experience, so count on this being both a fun and informative event.  RSVP now by calling Pastor Dan Hays or Liz Gonzales at 303-786-7137, or email at lcmpastor@colorado.edu.

The Lutheran Chorale Plans Area Workshop and Benefit Concert

Join us for an area Choral Workshop! The Lutheran Chorale is sponsoring what we hope to be a first annual area workshop and concert. All proceeds will go to benefit the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem. The workshop will be March 12, 2011 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lakewood with a concert on Sunday, March 13 in the afternoon. Free will offering to be designated for the College music room project of Bright Stars of Bethlehem Program. In the meantime, please contact David Hodel or Linda Blandin for more information.

Augustana Vocal Ensemble Presents:

Come on board this first flight with AVE, as they soar to new heights with a unique new vocal blend. Still a foursome, they welcome two new members to this first ever Augustana Arts concert together. They guarantee to pilot you to some fascinating places in first-class musical style. This pleasurable flight will suit every taste - exceptional in style and luxury.

Augustana Lutheran Church 5000 East Alameda Avenue, Denver (80246)

$18 Adult / $12 Senior / $12 Student

Saturday, March 19 at 7:30 p.m.

Celebrating 100 Years in Ministry

Pastor Julie Brooks, the congregation and community of Saron Lutheran Church invite you to join them in celebrating their 100th year and the ministry of being the church in the Strasburg area.

On Sunday, March 20, we worship with Bishop Allan Bjornberg at 8:30 a.m., share brunch at 10:00 a.m., and enjoy a program with music at 11:00 a.m. Along with giving thanks for the past 100 years, we re-dedicate ourselves to know Christ's love, grow in Christ's love and go in Christ's love. During the program, there will be an opportunity for you to share remembrances and stories.

Please forward this invitation to your family and friends. You may RSVP to Saron Lutheran Church by email or phone (303-622-4303). Saron is located at 1656 Main Street (80136). 

Almighty God, grant us, our servants, the unity of the Spirit in bond of peace. Show us new ways to serve you and our neighbor. Make us worthy to bear the sign of the cross in the world and bring us at last into your kingdom of glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (LBW)

House for All Sinners and Saints Presents:Beer and Hymns

The congregation of House for All Sinners and Saints cordially invites you and the community to fellowship, beer and hymns at Hamburger Mary's Club M room on Saturday, March 26 at 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. so come out early and plan to have dinner in the Club M room. Hamburger Mary's is located at 700 East 17^th (Washington and 17^th Avenue). Everyone is welcome!

Gallery of Living Art:

Christ's Passion and Resurrection

First Lutheran Church of Colorado Springs once again announces it's widely acclaimed Gallery of Living Art now in its seventeenth year! The Gallery of Living Art is a Passion Play presented in a very dramatic and unique venue.

The story of Christ's Passion and Resurrection is told through a narrative reading of scripture, with a cast of over 90 men, women and children staging life size visual representations of sacred works of art enhanced by outstanding music performed by First Lutheran's seventy voice choir.  

Fourteen pieces of art, including the well known 
Leonardo da Vinci's "Last Supper",

Heinrich Hofman's "Christ in Gethsemane" and  

Michelangelo's  sculpture, "Pieta"
are beautifully portrayed on stage.

Friday, April 1, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 2, 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 3, 3:00 p.m.

Admission is FREE and child care is provided. First Lutheran Church is located at 1515 North Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs CO (80907).