Voices of the Valley
The Monthly Newsletter of Lord of the Valley Lutheran Church
“That You May Know, Live, and Share the Love of Christ.”
July 2015
Volume 19, Number 7
______________________
Outdoor Worship
ALL ARE WELCOME
As a community of the people of God, the people of Lord of the Valley Lutheran Church are called to
welcome all people, regardless of age, economic status, ethnic background, gender, physical or mental
ability, race or sexual orientation. We affirm that in Christ “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither
slave nor free, there is neither male nor female.” - Galatians 3:28
Lord of the Valley Lutheran Church
PO Box 843 Granby, CO 80446
(970) 887-9252
email: [email protected] website: lordofthevalley.org
Church Office Hours – Monday – Thursday 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Rev. Brian Bergum – Pastor (531-4312)
[email protected]
Kris Kuhnel - Newsletter Editor / Office Administrator
Church Council Members:
Geoff Jurgensen 531-1325
Tom Marks 303-949-7214
Bill Tetlow 887-2548
Raymond Covington 970-846-9187
Chris Tinkum 887-3114
Bob Means 627-8978
Penny Dibble 887-3934
Jim Debevec 627-8154
Rick Riemenschneider 726-9303
The church council meets the second Monday of each month. All church council meetings throughout the year
are open to anyone. If you have something that you would like to present in front of the church council, or an
item of concern please contact one of the church council members listed above.
The next Church Council Meeting is on Monday, July 13th at 6:30 PM
Sunday, July 5th will be our annual outdoor worship
service this summer (weather permitting). Please
bring your folding chair and plan to enjoy an
informal worship setting. We will need some folk to
arrive early to help set up our portable canopies. If
any would like to come in and check them over
ahead of time for repairs, please let
Pastor Brian know.
God and Country
On Friday, July 3rd St John the Baptist Episcopal
Church will host their annual God and Country
presentation. This service will begin at 6:00pm at St.
John the Baptist Church. There are patriotic readings
and songs. This ecumenical service will have people
from several faith communities taking part in the
readings, prayers and music.
Looking For a Way to Deepen Your Worship Experience?
I share with you the statement ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton wrote in
response to the killings in Charleston, SC. As Bishop Eaton encourages, now is a time for
us to reflect on the reality of racism in our nation. As we prepare to celebrate the
founding of our nation and the principles and values upon which it is built, let us pray
that these become reality for all of our people. Please read prayerfully.
June 18, 2015
It has been a long season of disquiet in our country. From Ferguson to
Baltimore, simmering racial tensions have boiled over into violence. But this … the
fatal shooting of nine African Americans in a church is a stark, raw manifestation of
the sin that is racism. The church was desecrated. The people of that congregation
were desecrated. The aspiration voiced in the Pledge of Allegiance that we are “one
nation under God” was desecrated.
Mother Emanuel AME’s pastor, the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, was a graduate
of the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, as was the Rev. Daniel Simmons,
associate pastor at Mother Emanuel. The suspected shooter is a member of an ELCA
congregation. All of a sudden and for all of us, this is an intensely personal tragedy.
One of our own is alleged to have shot and killed two who adopted us as their own.
We might say that this was an isolated act by a deeply disturbed man. But we
know that is not the whole truth. It is not an isolated event. And even if the shooter
was unstable, the framework upon which he built his vision of race is not. Racism is
a fact in American culture. Denial and avoidance of this fact are deadly. The Rev. Mr.
Pinckney leaves a wife and children. The other eight victims leave grieving families.
The family of the suspected killer and two congregations are broken. When will this
end?
The nine dead in Charleston are not the first innocent victims killed by
violence. Our only hope rests in the innocent One, who was violently executed on
Good Friday. Emmanuel, God with us, carried our grief and sorrow – the grief and
sorrow of Mother Emanuel AME church – and he was wounded for our
transgressions – the deadly sin of racism.
I urge all of us to spend a day in repentance and mourning. And then we need
Continues on next page…
For many people, looking at the Bible readings before Sunday helps put the message in context of
their lives. As you read the lessons, ask yourself: Is there anything in the readings that relate to
your life right now? Is there anything that surprises you in the readings? Disturbs you? Try
doing this for a couple of weeks, see if following this on a weekly basis strengthens your personal
faith life, and deepens your worship experience.
The Lessons for Worship in July
These are the Bible readings that we will hear during our worship services this month. They are
provided that you might use them for personal devotion and meditation.
July 5th – Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Ezekiel 2: 1-5
2 Corinthians 12: 2-10
Mark 6: 1-13
July 12th – Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Amos 7: 7-15
Ephesians 1: 3-14
Mark 6: 14-29
July 19th– Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
Jeremiah 23: 1-6
Ephesians 2: 11-22
Mark 6: 30-34, 53-56
July 26th – Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
2 Kings 4: 42-44
Ephesians 3: 14-21
John 6: 1-21
Ministers of Worship in July
July 5
Greeters – Joe and Julie Cunningham
Ushers – Harry Kottcamp, Terry Jonason
Readers – Roger Odneal, Bill Tetlow
Communion Assistant –Susan O., Bill T., Amber Tl
Acolyte –Marie Jurgensen
July 19
G- Steve and Andrea Peters family
U – Harry Kottcamp, Steve Peters
R –Penny Dibble, Pat Edwards
CA –Lucette Kottcamp, Charlene Heins, Pat Edwards
A –Mark Peters
July 12
G – Jerry and Edna Anderson
U – Kenn Johnson, Steve Gall
R – Muriel Johnson, Jerry Anderson
CA – Muriel J., Marla G., Edna A.
A – Abby Smith
July 26
G – Bob and Kathy Means
U – Bob Means, Raymond Covington
R – Chris Tinkum, Kathy Means
CA – Carmen C., Kathy M., Chris T.
A –Ella Hubbard
If you are unable to help be a worship minister on the particular day, please
try and find a replacement to take your place or to switch days with you.
Thank you for sharing in the ministry of Lord of the Valley.


Only use starter fluid made for charcoal grills.
Before using a gas grill, always check the connection between the propane tank and
the fuel line – if you suspect a leak (don’t use a match to check it!), turn the gas off
immediately and don’t attempt to light the grill until the leak is fixed.
 Never bring a barbeque grill indoors, or use in an unventilated space (both a fire and
carbon monoxide hazard).
Swimming safety and pool maintenance:
 Always practice adult supervision around any body of water – don’t leave older kids
in charge of younger kids at the pool.
 Install four-sided fencing that blocks direct access to the pool from the home – pool
fencing should be at least five feet high and have self-closing/self-locking.
 Position gate latches out of the reach of young children.
 Never prop the gate open or disable the latch.
 Keep the pool area free of debris, clutter and pool toys – enforce a “no running or
pushing” rule.
 Use plastic glasses or cups at poolside, never glass.
 Always keep pool and hot tub covers locked when not in use, and remove covers
completely before swimming.
 Require poor or inexperienced swimmers to wear a life vest while at poolside.
 Keep poolside rescue equipment close by – including a sturdy, lightweight pole (1012 ft. long) and a ring buoy with attached line – teach kids that these are safety tools,
not toys!
 Lock all pool chemicals in a secure cabinet out of children’s reach – chlorine-based
pool care products can be explosive if not handled correctly, so follow
manufacturer’s instructions for use and store away from heat sources.
For more valuable tips on home safety, go to
www.homesafetycouncil.org
www.statefarm.com/learning/be_safe/home,
or simply “google” Home Safety Tips… these and other websites provide resources to help
you teach family members and folks at work about safety – you can access a variety of tools
and checklists about preventing fires, falls, choking, drowning, and a variety of other
dangers in our homes.
“Health Notes” by Marla Lichtsinn, RN, MPA, FCN, Parish Nurse
Monthly Blood Pressure Checks
Don’t forget that we offer free blood pressure checks following our
worship service once a month. The next free blood pressure check
will be on Sunday August 2nd.
to get to work. Each of us and all of us need to examine ourselves, our church and
our communities. We need to be honest about the reality of racism within us and
around us. We need to talk and we need to listen, but we also need to act. No
stereotype or racial slur is justified. Speak out against inequity. Look with newly
opened eyes at the many subtle and overt ways that we and our communities see
people of color as being of less worth. Above all pray – for insight, for forgiveness,
for courage.
Kyrie Eleison.
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Sky Ranch
Pastor Brian will be accompanying several young people at Sky Ranch the week of
July 5th. They will leave after worship on the 5th. Pastor will return on Friday
afternoon, the 10th.
Thank you for Day Camp support
Thank you to all who helped make our Day Camp a great week for the children and
families involved. We had a wonderful week filled with energy and fun. The kids
enjoyed games and crafts and Bible stories that supported the theme A Love That
Never Ends. Bob and Kathy Means provided snacks each day. Penny Dibble and
Susan Odneal provided child care before and after the daily sessions. Jim and Mary
Mulholland, the Means and the Bergums each hosted our Sky Ranch staff for dinner;
Jim and Lisa Debevec provided an evening pontoon cruise on Lake Granby for our
middle school youth and friends. And the parents and grandparents of 20 children
shared their kids with us for all or part of the week!
25th,
Mission Nicaragua 2015
On June
29 people from Lord of the Valley’s Mission Nicaragua Team left for Somoto,
Nicaragua. While there they will support the Lutheran Church in Caculi, build relationships
and provide for the needs of families, provide medical clinics for dental, eye and women’s
health which includes evangelism for adults and children. Thank you for your support of
this Mission and Ministry. The group has brought many bags filled with supplies you
donated. Bibles from the Gideon’s arrived “in the nick of time” for our Mission Team
members in Hastings, Nebraska to pack up and bring to Nicaragua. We appreciate the
prayers for safe travel, a successful medical clinic, children and adult ministry and
demonstrating God’s love to people of all ages as they travel in Nicaragua. We look forward
to sharing our stories with you. Stay tuned for the Mission Team’s presentation, date to be
announced.
Our Mission Nicaragua Team includes the following:
Raymond Covington, Maintenance Technician, Carmen Covington, RN, Cheryl Mark, RN, NP,
Carl Peters, MT (retired), Mary Peters MT (retired), Deanna Dirks, Teacher, Ron Haase,
Engineer, Bryan Haase, Mechanic, Jane Fisher, Teacher (retired), Ann Klingner, RN
(translator), Rich Kittler, (Carpenter), Mary Jo Hargadine, RN, Carolyn Stahl, RN (retired),
Edna Anderson, Teacher (retired), Jerry Anderson Engineer (retired), Valesca Bybee,
Medical Assistant (translator), Lorena Martinez, College Student (translator), Carolina
Martinez, College Student (translator), Nicaragua team members who will join us: Dr. Rina,
Dentist, Dr. Luddy, Optometrist, Dr. Delsy, General Medical, Jose Musician, Pastor
Conception
City Market Community Rewards
Thank you to our families who signed up for the City Market
Rewards program. If you haven’t signed up go to:
www.citymarket community rewards.com. Once there, click on City
Market Community Rewards on the left side of the page. On the
next page click Enroll Now. Once you hit enroll now you must log
in or create a new account. Once you sign into your account you
will have the opportunity to View all Organizations and select Lord
of the Valley Lutheran Church. This is a quick and simple way to
support Lord of the Valley while doing your grocery shopping! In
addition you receive benefits from City Market such as reward
points toward gasoline discounts. A reminder: your enrollment
in the Community Rewards will expire after one year. It is
easy to re-enroll by signing into your account.
Lord of the Valley’s
Health and Wellness Ministry
Summer Safety
HOME< SWEET HOME… As we enjoy the warmer weather of summer, we also find ourselves
facing risks associated with warm weather activities – the swimming pool, barbecue grill,
gardening tools and chemicals, to name a few. What can we do to make our homes safer? The
Home Safety Council recognizes the need to educate and help us with tips for safer work and play.
Here are a few of the tips they offer to make your home safe from common hazards such as falls,
fires, and poisoning.
For the do-it-yourself crowd: In just one year, the State of Home Safety in America Report
noted that emergency departments report more than 300,000 ER visits due to injuries with
home workshop equipment! What you can do…
 Keep a stocked first aid kit nearby.
 Post emergency phone numbers, including the national Poison Control Hotline
(1-800-222-1222) by each phone.
 If you decide to install a fire extinguisher in your home, contact your local fire
department to learn how to select the right extinguisher and use it correctly.
 Keep hazardous materials out of children’s reach – place them in upper cabinets or
lock ‘em up!
 With any product, check warnings and content labels to identify hazards
 Follow manufacturer’s instructions!
 Use gasoline as a motor fuel only – only use outdoors, and store in a vented
container in a garage or shed, away from children’s reach.
 Consider wearing hard hats, safety vests, protective eye shields and ear plugs.
 If someone else is watching or helping you with your projects, insist they wear
safety gear too.
 Keep you work area free of clutter.
 Don’t wear loose or dangling clothing or jewelry that may get caught in moving
parts of machines.
 Unplug any power tool before troubleshooting.
 Follow basic ladder safety rules – place the ladder on a level surface, wear rubber
soled shoes to avoid slipping, and don’t place tools or paint cans on the ladder’s
steps (trip-and-fall hazards).
Grilling safety: According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), gas and
charcoal grills cause over 1000 building fires and 3400 outdoor fires on home properties
each year… to make sure your grill doesn’t go up in flames, they recommend the following:
 Designate the grilling area a “no play zone” until the grill is completely cool.
 Position the grill at least ten feet from the house or shrubs.
Continues on next page…
Annual Meeting
Our Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, August 9th following our morning
worship. This year we will ask our various ministry components to share a story or
two to highlight this past year. We will need each group or team to provide a
paragraph or two describing their ministry for the written annual report. As in past
years, the Congregation picnic will follow the meeting. We will have a sign-up sheet
for people to help with the picnic preparation.
Broome Hut
LOTV has the Broome Hut reserved for the night of July 19. There are 16 sleeping
spaces and many remain available. We will hike in on the afternoon of July 19. We’ll
stay overnight (bring a sleeping pad to go along with your sleeping bag). Then on
Monday we’ll do a day hike before coming down that afternoon. We will have a
planning meeting on Sunday the 12th of July after worship to plan our meals and
activities. The cost is $35 per person age 13 and older and $17.50 for those 12 and
under. Children will need an adult present to provide supervision. If staying
overnight doesn’t work, perhaps you would enjoy hiking in on Sunday afternoon or
join us on Monday morning. We have a signup sheet in the back of the sanctuary, or
call the office to sign up.
Project Sanctuary
This summer we have two more opportunities to
support the families on retreat with Project
Sanctuary by hosting them for a meal at Winding
River Ranch near Grand Lake. Project Sanctuary
holds retreats for military families after a
deployed member returns home. The intention is
to help the family reconnect in healthy ways. We
will be hosting on July 20 and August 3. If you are
interested in helping with this ministry this
summer, please sign-up and someone from LOTV
will call you with specific dates for you to assist.
The sign-up sheet is in the back of the Sanctuary
or you can call the church office, 887-9252.
Women’s Bible Study
The Women’s Bible Study sessions continue in June on Tuesday, July 7th and 21st at
6:00 pm. All women of LOTV are invited for a time of sharing, study and support
while enjoying a light supper. For more information please call Pat Edwards at 8872238 or Lucette Kottcamp at 887-9047.
Men’s Ministry
On Wednesday mornings at 7:00 we have a group of men who gather at Lord of the
Valley for breakfast, conversation, prayer and study. This group welcomes men to
join them whether for a week or two, a season or year round. Currently they are
completing their study of the Gospel of John. They take turns providing breakfast
for each other. Sometimes the conversations linger, but they understand if some
need to leave earlier. They seek to offer an encouraging, supportive time together.
Saturday Evening Worship
Join us for Saturday Evening worship at 5:30 pm. Remember this additional worship
opportunity as summer activities come your way. If you would like to assist with
this evening worship please talk with Pastor Brian. We will NOT have Saturday
Evening Worship on Saturday, July 4th.
Sunday Morning Fellowship
We would like to thank those who have generously hosted Sunday morning
fellowship in the past few months. It is an important part of our ministry as it is a
time to share in conversation and welcome guests. We have a few Sunday’s
available in July and August for those interested in hosting Sunday Morning
fellowship. Please see the signup sheet at the back of the sanctuary as well as a list
of responsibilities.
Home Devotions / Lutheran Magazine
Located on the table at the back of the sanctuary are home devotionals you are
invited to take and use at home. They are free, and they are a simple way to spend a
few minutes each day focusing on your relationship with God. Also, at the table you
will find information relating to our ministry at LOTV, the July issue of the Lutheran
Magazine. Feel free to take what you might find useful.