Newsletter Date Volume 2020, Issue 8

A colleague recently shared this reflection from Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. He was a French Philosopher and Jesuit priest in the early 20th century, dying in 1955. As she read this to me, I thought of you. I thought of how we are in a time of transition. For us, it is not only the death of Pastor Ray and the need to call a new pastor. It is also not knowing the full implications of the COVID-19 pandemic and living with restrictions as well as a growing awareness of the need to dismantle white supremacy and racial injustices.

There might be a desire to rush through these days to avoid this messy middle of unknowing and grief. There might be great discomfort for some folk not having all the answers or seeing a clear way forward. Let the words of Chardin remind us of God’s presence and invitation in this intermediate stage. Remember the long journey of the Israelites through their 40-year journey in the wilderness. God was with them, with a pillar of fire at night and a cloud by day. We are never alone. God is with us, inviting us through this time into a land promised to be flowing with milk and honey. I am grateful to be in this time of transition together. Let us hold one another in prayer as we imagine and explore how God is inviting the Creator community into new life.

Above all, trust in the slow work of God.

We are quite naturally impatient in everything to reach the end without delay. We should like to skip the intermediate stages.

We are impatient of being on the way to something unknown, something new.

And yet it is the law of all progress

that it is made by passing through some stages of instability— and that it may take a very long time.

And so I think it is with you;

your ideas mature gradually—let them grow,

let them shape themselves, without undue haste. Don’t try to force them on,

as though you could be today what time

(that is to say, grace and circumstances acting on your own good will) will make of you tomorrow.

Only God could say what this new spirit gradually forming within you will be.

Give Our Lord the benefit of believing that his hand is leading you,

and accept the anxiety of feeling yourself in suspense and incomplete.

–Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Hearts on Fire

Blessings of Hope,

Pastor Janell

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Bishops Thoughts ....................3

Spiritual Disciplines ................5

Church Council Highlights ......5

COVID Care Team Updates .....8

Happy Hour Info………………...10

SE PDX Youth Collective .........11

Ministries…………………………...12

August Creator Connection

Creator Lutheran Church

PASTOR’S THOUGHTS

“When your word is opened it gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”

Psalm 119:130

A PDF of the worship bulletin will be emailed each Thursday. If you would like one US

mailed to you, please let the office know. Included in the email is an introduction to Sunday

worship. There are questions to ponder as you prepare your heart and mind for worship.

For many of us, we worship in the same space we work or study all week. We are

encouraged to create an intentional sacred space as we prepare for worship to set this time

and space apart from the rest of our day. You may wish to set down a cloth, light a candle,

and gather flowers. You may choose to gather a sketch book or a prayer journal to engage

through the service. Feel free to look away from the camera, turn your video off or even

stand up and move around. The service does not have our customary stand up/sit down

format, but you are still welcome to do so! We receive Communion each week believing we

are the body of Christ gathered online throughout the area. You are invited to gather bread

and wine or grape juice for our time of Sacrament. As we gather you are invited to enter the

prayers of your heart into the chat.

Recognizing a discomfort for some in using their own bread and wine/grape juice for

communion at home, we have pre-packaged communion kits that are consecrated for folks

to use in their home worship. Pastor Janell’s office hours are Monday from 1:00-3:00 pm

and you are more than welcome to come by then and pick them up.

Coffee Hour happens each Sunday following worship. Everyone can greet one

another, hear updates, and share stories.

We continue to explore ways to make online worship more engaging and participative.

Please share any suggestions with folks on the Worship and Music committee: Ari Dayton,

Jan Mallory, Susan Nolte, Shirley Peterson, Gary Schulstad, Matt Weirs and Pastor Janell.

WORSHIP AT CREATOR

PREPARING FOR WORSHIP

We continue to have worship on Zoom each Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Here is the

information that you will need to join the Worship Service:

To join Zoom worship:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85410987746?

pwd=SUdpWjNBNlR5YlV5QUxobFZMOTErZz09

Meeting ID: 854 1098 7746

Password: 889548

Phone +1 253 215 8782

DID YOU KNOW??

When you open the

newsletter on your computer

you can use your mouse

and click on the blue links in

the articles and it will take

you where you need to go.

As an example, in the

“Worship at Creator” article

above you can click on the

blue link for the “To Join

Zoom Meeting” and it will

take you right there.

Test it out!

So save your Newsletter on

your computer and when

you want to join one of the

meetings just click on the

blue link and it will take you

right there.

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July 28, 2020

Dear People of God,

You already know this - these days are challenging. Most of us are feeling isolated and alone, facing economic

uncertainty, wishing for reunions that feel far off, yearning for worship, for the bread and body of Christ, all while

grieving our multiple losses and perhaps, grieving the lives of our loved ones.

Me, too. I have been praying for you and for your congregation, and for all those in Oregon and beyond. I too

find myself craving the simple hug, a hymn, the hand held during the Lord’s Prayer, and a “hello" from a fellow

member of the Body of Christ.

At the same time, as your bishop, I have been praying that your pastor urges you to stay home and stay safe.

After nursing homes and care centers, churches have been one of the primary means of Coronavirus transmis-

sion. Hot spots don’t surface where we expect but where we least expect. And both nationally and locally, inci-

dents are up. In Oregon in one week in July we experienced as many new cases as in the entire month of May.

COVID-19 has taken down one of our Oregon Synod pastors, who was hospitalized for a week in intensive

care, and now struggles to breathe and to sleep enough to heal. It has taken the lives of vital and wise lay lead-

ers in our churches. It has decimated our friends in the Yakama Nation, and in other distinct populations.

COVID-19 is serious and it is here.

We know we are not the first followers of Jesus to face hardship. The earliest disciples lived under Roman

occupation. Plagues haunted Martin and Katie Luther’s lives. Poverty, hunger, torture and war were close com-

panions of many of our relatives throughout recent centuries. Yet, throughout these unimaginable horrors, God

never failed. Our elders reminded others of these simple words of Jesus: “Love the Lord your God with all

your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.

And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”

There will come a day when we can be reunited with song and hugs, bread and wine, bodies and souls together

in one place and in one prayer. Until then, I suspect that for many of us loving our neighbor means staying

home, missing what we miss, serving those we can serve, and adapting to seeking God in the ten-thousand

ways that God comes to us. Still.

With you in these precarious times, and grateful for your faith,

Bishop Laurie Larson Caesar

BISHOP LAURIE’S THOUGHTS

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FATHERS HEART/CLACKAMAS VETERANS - Chris Heard

For the month of August for Father's Heart we are going to continue serving Slop-

py Joes, bananas, cookies and water. They enjoy this meal and it packages well for

take out.

Additionally for the Clackamas Veterans Village we will be serving a full meal of our

wonderful Sloppy Joes, coleslaw and home made dessert. We always try to give

them extra bagels and bread from our free point system at the Franz Bakery outlet.

This month Toni and Rick Hartung have donated funds through their Thrivent card.

Thanks so much for applying for this and helping our community.

Mary and Doug will supply the funds to buy buns and cookies. I will pick them up as

we still do not want Mary and Doug out in the stores. Thank you both so much for your continued support in buy-

ing these items.

This month we will be adding 1 additional person to our team. We have determined with our new time frame we

just are not able to work at a reasonable pace without one more person. In order to follow the social distancing

guidelines at the church we will have 1 person stand in the fellowship hall and work from that location.

We will be delivering the meal at 10 am again so they have time to assemble the lunches. Joe will be delivering all

of the food again this month. I know they have a big hi for him when he walks in the door.

This month our team will be Joe, Janet, Kim, Sherrie and myself We are looking forward to the day when the

whole team can be together again and do God's Work with Our Hands!!. I will let you know how delivery goes and

if Joe brings back any news to share.

SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES

The Daily Examen is a technique of prayerful reflection on the events of the day in or-

der to detect God’s presence and discern his direction for us. The Examen is an an-

cient practice in the Church that can help us see God’s hand at work in our whole ex-

perience.

The method presented here is adapted from a technique described by Ignatius Loyola

in his Spiritual Exercises. St. Ignatius thought that the Examen was a gift that came

directly from God, and that God wanted it to be shared as widely as possible. One of

the few rules of prayer that Ignatius made for the Jesuit order was the requirement

that Jesuits practice the Examen twice daily—at noon and at the end of the day. It’s a

habit that Jesuits, and many other Christians, practice to this day.

This is a version of the five-step Daily Examen that St. Ignatius practiced.

1. Become aware of God’s presence.

2. Review the day with gratitude.

3. Pay attention to your emotions.

4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.

5. Look toward tomorrow.

For details about each step of the Examen, read How Can I Pray? (https://

www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-examen/how-can-i-pray/)

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CREATOR BOOK STUDY

A new book study starts Wednesday, August 12th at 6:30 pm!

The book is entitled “Turning My Mourning into Dancing: Finding Hope in Hard Times” by

Henri Nouwen.

Jesus spoke, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)

From the book cover: “They’re familiar words, and reassuring ones. But the surprising truth

at the heart of their promise, writes Henry Nouwen, is the reality of how the comfort comes.

That “how” is the heart of this book. Ever practical, never pat or simplistic, it focuses not on

how we can “get over” our pain, but how we keep our sights on God and followed him more

closely through our difficulties – discovering, as we go, new depths of divine blessing and

grace.

Wednesday, August 12 – Preface and Introduction

Wednesday, August 19 – From Our Little Selves to a

Larger World

Wednesday, August 26 – From Holding Tight to Letting

Go

Wednesday, September 2 – From Fatalism to Hope

Wednesday, September 9 – From Manipulation to Love

Wednesday, September 16 - From a Fearful Death to a

Joyous Life

You can join the class here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82819592266

Meeting ID: 828 1959 2266

Dial by your location +1 253 215 8782

Jan Mallory, from the COVID Careteam, presented the team’s recommendation that the church

locks be rekeyed to help keep track of who can access the church. The front door lock

has been hard to open, the youth room lock doesn’t work, and the locks have not been changed

since the church began. Considering all this, the Council agreed with the recommendation. To

move forward on implementing this Creator currently needs volunteers for a Facilities team.

Other outstanding work, that could be accomplished by a Facilities team, has been identified as

well. Please contact a council member, Pastor Janell, or the office if you are interested in

volunteering.

Debi Stromberg, from the Creator Immigration Team (sometimes called Sanctuary Team), made

a presentation asking Creator to support a Pandemic Emergency Economic Relief (with the

acronym PEER) grant that was made in conjunction with Lot Whitcomb Elementary school, and

in partnership with Trinity UMC, one of our partner Youth Collective churches. The Creator

Immigration team applied for and received $500 to start a relief fund to assist in the rent backlog

for 3 local Spanish speaking families identified by a social worker who knows and works with

the Madres de Corazon families at Lot Whitcomb Elementary school. This rent relief supports

some of the same families that Creator supports with our Save Our Students (SOS) food

donations. The council approved the team’s proposal. Debi will send a link to the congregation

that can be shared with all our member’s social media friends to support this fund.

In recognition of a new national interest in social justice and inclusivity, Creator's Worship Team

proposed adding an Honoring Land and People Affirmation to the worship service. The council

made some rewording recommendations. Look for this affirmation to be introduced in an

upcoming worship.

FS Mobile LLC, a food truck vending company, asked the Creator Council for permission for

one bubble tea food truck to use Creator''s parking lot to conduct business. The company has a

business liability insurance policy that will assume all liabilities caused by the business within

Creator's property. They also agreed to follow all the procedures the COVID Careteam

mandated. The council voted to give the company permission to use the Creator parking lot.

There was a council discussion on next steps in the call process and on when to form a Transition

Team. To broaden potential volunteer interest and build the team effectively, the council decided

to use the time before Rally Day to encourage the congregation to communicate with each other

and build up engagement in our current worship. Look for an upcoming letter and questionnaire

to be sent from the council. Your completed questionnaire will help shape Creator's present and

future ministries.

Gary Schulstad

Creator Council President

JULY CHURCH COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

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PRAYER CHAIN - Patsy Salisbury

The Creator prayer chain committee consists of 10 individuals including me. We

answer prayer requests that come from congregation members for family, friends,

and any problems or concerns that one may have.

If you have a prayer request that you would like to be prayed for, please call or text

me at 480-220-4632 and I will add it to the prayer chain. Once received then I will

get in contact with the committee members and start people praying. If you are una-

ble to reach me or you would like to connect with Pastor Janell, feel free to contact

her and she will let me know the prayer request.

Additionally, if you would like that prayer to be included in the Sunday prayers as

well, let me know and I will forward the information to Pastor Janell and DeLynn.

Prayers for the Sunday bulletin prayer list will be posted for 4 weeks. If you would

like your prayers to be extended past the 4 weeks, please contact me or DeLynn and

we can extend it.

If you have an interest in joining the prayer chain committee, please let me know.

As we journey through this time of uncertainty together please know that Pastor,

DeLynn and I love and care for you and we are here to serve you.

My cell / text number is: 480-220-4632.

SOS - Sherrie Clements

Thanks to everyone who so generously donated food/and or cash to our August food drive.

We raised over $1,275. That, along with donated food, enabled us to feed 6 families this month. Each family received a half a

trunk full of fresh veggies, fruit and non perishables. Some cleaning and personal hygiene products were included this time

around. They were all so very appreciative. We still have quite a bit of money left over, so we are all set for next month as

well.

Feeding 6 is a time consuming and labor

intensive job….shopping, boxing and

delivering. A big thank you to Julie

Gerritsen and Mary Lou for helping with

packing and delivering! We are in need of

strong arms for next month too!

Please call Sherrie Clements or Chris

Heard to help with shopping or delivering!

Love will help us and others get through

this!

COVID CARE TEAM UPDATE

We are all anxious to return to Church together, but we need to slow down. We want you to know that we feel a

heavy responsibility to keep you and all who worship and gather at Creator safe including your family, friends, and our

community. The church building is closed for the foreseeable future to all non essential activities until we have more

information that will ensure the safety of everyone.

We review guidelines from our Oregon Synod as well as current information (July 7, 2020) from the Oregon Health

Authority that consults with epidemiologists. Below is the information from the Oregon Health Authority.

Protecting our congregation decreases the risk of worshipers from contracting the virus and then exposing oth-

ers.

Transmissions during the pre-symptomatic period and asymptomatic exposure have been estimated to be as

high at 50% of positive cases.

Concerns about ongoing increased exposure in our younger population since the re-opening.

The increasing percentage of our younger population who have risk factors, specifically obesity, diabetes 2 and

hypertension.

Covid-19 death rate is currently 2.18% of positive cases in Oregon.

“Covid-19 has caused twice the number of deaths in 4 months in the U.S. than the 2019-20 flu season did in 6

months.”

Covid-19 causes more illnesses than the flu and has a broader spectrum of illnesses than the flu.

People that are Covid-19 positive in the age group of 0-19 years have a hospitalization rate of 12%. The age

group of 0-29 years is a hospitalization rate of 32.6%

Fatalities are highest in our older population, but there is increasing concern for severe illness in our younger

population, including stroke, neuropathy, severe lung damage and prolonged recovery time for both Home Care

and Hospitalized patients.

7/10/2020 OHA press release: “Covid-19 is spreading faster than expected since the state re-opening. Orego-

nians haven’t done what is necessary to contain the spread."

Some unidentified folks are asking when and how we will go back to worshipping. We want to remind you that we are

worshipping every Sunday, it happens to be online using Zoom. Starting this Sunday, our Zoom worship will be fed

through Facebook Live as well. We are following the guidance of our authorities (Oregon Synod, CDC, Oregon

Health Authority) and our insurance company so we must comply for the safety of our congregation. It is complicated

to meet in the church building and we also noticed how difficult it was to maintain social distancing when we gathered

in the parking lot to celebrate Toni’s retirement.

We are a very loving church family and it is difficult to not hug, shake hands and gather. We have addressed other

worship possibilities. Under the current guidelines this is an example of what we were be looking at:

One idea we have considered is “drive in” worship in the parking lot. It would look like this:

Folks would remain in their vehicle with windows closed. If a window is rolled down folks will be wearing a mask.

We would be able to accommodate only 25 cars

Folks would have to make a reservation and arrive at that set time. An usher would direct you to your parking

spot and we would sign folks in for contact tracing

Pastor Janell would have to wear a mask, and/or a face shield and we would need to figure out a microphone

system

F-M transmitter would have to be purchased for sound to be transmitted to the car radio

8

We would still need to have the capability for the Zoom worship service for folks who are not the 25 registered cars.

We would need to figure out how music would be heard, and proper social distancing would be required between wor-

ship leaders.

Folks would bring their own communion or receive the individual communion cups as they drive into the parking lot.

Folks would either print out the bulletin ahead of time or use their mobile device for the service.

Folks would be singing in their cars. There would be no singing outside of a vehicle.

Restrooms would not be available for the congregation to use.

No coffee/social time, folks would drive away after worship

Bishop Laurie recently shared there have been more positive COVID cases in the last week than in the whole month

of May. As the team responsible for creating a safe worshipping environment, we are not eager to have drive-in wor-

ship until we see the numbers decrease. The complications of worshipping on the lawn are even more prohibitive.

Again, we understand the deep desire to gather in person. This virus is elusive and dangerous. Our task is to create

safe protocol and procedures for this community of faith.

We welcome your concerns, comments, suggestions, and reactions. We have heard that people have concerns and

we would like to respond to these concerns directly. Please contact us by emailing to covidcare-

team@creatorlutheran.org.

Until we can safely meet again, it is our responsibility to keep you all updated and safe.

In Christ’s Service,

Covid Care Team

Deb Hibbs

Mike Burmester

Jan Mallory

Irene McKenzie

Katie Cassatt

Pastor Janell

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VIRTUAL YOGA CLASS

Tawny is having Virtual Yoga Classes for Creator on Thursday

evenings starting at 6:00 pm and Sundays at 4:00 pm.

Cost is $10 per session or buy a 10 class punch card for $90.

You tune in via Zoom at the following link:

Use the Meeting ID: 190 470 791

or direct link below:

https://zoom.us/j/190470791?

pwd=U1R4SjFDYTNkT1EydnlrZDFsT2NYQT09

You have to include the password - 296027

Go stretch and relax then come over to the Happy Hour with the Crea-

tor Community.

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THURSDAY HAPPY HOUR

Come join a time of fellowship! It has been a fun experience and those that attended

have enjoyed connecting with a new group of people every Thursday. It is just a time to

relax, visit and enjoy your choice of beverage. Starts at 6:30 and goes to 8 sharp.

August 6th—Patsy Salsbury

August 13th—Sherrie Clements

August 20th—Pat Isaac

August 27th—Susie Comella

To join the Zoom meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84510356990?

pwd=ZTM5UFduNU5LRFpWaXZzM0NydnpWZz09

Meeting ID: 845 1035 6990

Password: 755407

Dial by your location - 253 215 8782

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SE PORTLAND YOUTH COLLECTIVE

ALL-YOUTH Serving/Learning WEEK: Aug 11-14

Re-imagining Caravan & City Camp during COVID,

we're offering THREE opportunities:

1) Movie discussion - John Lewis: Good Trouble - Tues 8/11, 5pm (Zoom link coming) In honor of the recent passing of this

legendary civil rights icon, we're inviting youth to download the movie on their own schedule ($7 on Prime Video, VUDU,

Google Play, itunes, etc.) and join us to share thoughts and learnings.

2) Distanced weeding & garden help @Bethlehem House of Bread Food Pantry Garden (9055 SW Locust St, Tigard), Wed

8/12 (9:30am - 12pm)

3) Donation drive for Blanchet House NOW thru Thurs 8/13 and Fri 8/14

*In the spirit of City Camp, Jeff is setting up socially distanced service projects options at Bethleham House of Bread and a

donation drive FOR Blanchet House! One of our best summer ministry partners is Blanchet House in downtown Portland.

Many of us can remember getting up super early to go serve breakfast. As you might imagine, during these Covid-19 times

the needs of houseless folks are great!

In an effort to support the ministry at Blanchet House the Youth Collective is doing at donation drive. Below is a list of needs.

Please look around your house, chat with your family and neighbors, grab a few items on your next trip to the store and put

the list out on social media to help us fill a van full of donations! Collect donations from your friends' front porch or ask them

to drop them off at your house. Then bring your neighborhood's donations to one of these drop off spots during our service/

learning week! Our leaders will take the donations to Blanchet House so they can be distributed to those in need. We hope

you will participate in this project - let your leaders know if you have any questions.

List of donation items to collect:

water bottles (new or gently used)

Clothing-adult sized clothing for men and women.

Cloth masks

Most needed items:

Men’s underwear. All sizes (boxer briefs preferred)

Women’s underwear. All Sizes.

Men’s jeans. particularly sizes 30-34

Men’s shoes. particularly sizes 10-12

Sweatpants. All sizes. Blankets. Sleeping bags.

Backpacks. Tents. Rolling suitcases

Blanchet House does not accept children’s clothing, business attire, suits, linens/pillows/towels housewares or books.

Drop Off Items at

Creator Lutheran on

Thursday, August 13th

from 4:00-5:00 pm.

More Upcoming Dates for virtual meetings during COVID-19:

Generally HS meet on 1st Sunday @3:30 (except Sept), MS begins meeting 1st Tues @7pm starting in Oct,

and MS/HS game nights are 3rd Sunday@5pm

Sun, Aug 16th, 5pm-6:15pm - MS & HS Game Night!

Start the Moreland Scavenger Hunt now & bring your results on the 16th, or just come for other games!

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ONGOING MINISTRIES

FOOD INSECURITIES—

If you or someone you know is experiencing food insecurity during this time

please contact Chris Heard at 503-320-3253. The Creator Community would

like to help anyone in our community who is insecure right now.

KINGS CUPBOARD—

Please contact the Oregon Food Bank to donate: www.oregonfoodbank.org

BACKPACK BUDDIES—

To help kids who are experiencing food insecurity, you can also donate to the

Wichita Center: https://www.storylinecommunitypdx.com/give-to-wichita-

center.html

CREATOR PIECEMAKERS—

Creator Piecemakers Quilt group is not meeting right now. Feel the need to

sew? Making masks is a great way to use up your scrappy fabric! There are a

number of patterns available on-line.

CLACKAMAS BOOKSHELF BOOK DROP -

While the church office is not open right now, the Clackamas Bookshelf would

still like your books. Hang on to them and bring them by the church when we

open up again.

Another way to support this valuable service is to shop in the bookstore

at Kraxberger Middle School im Gladstone, where proceeds are used to

purchase new books to distribute to children. And now it’s almost Au-

gust! And you know what that means at The Clackamas Bookshelf. The

famous TEN CENT SALE! This year it will look a little different, but all ap-

pointments in August will have all books for ten cents each. Don’t worry

about running out of choices either, as we have donations rolling in every

week, so there will always be a new selection! ***CASH ONLY PLEASE***

Here is the link to get your appointment. Please read all of the details in-

cluded regarding your shopping experience. https://

www.theclackamasbookshelf.org/appointment

Fred Meyer

Creator is now participat-

ing in the Fred Meyer

Community Rewards pro-

gram. If you shop at Fred

Meyer you can sign up for

the rewards program.

Our Organization number

is WM204. If you have

any questions, please

Creator Lutheran Church

welcomes you to come – as

you are, where you are, and

who you are – and join us in

worship, fellowship, and

ministry.

The Gospel reveals God's

astounding grace as an

unconditional gift of love for all

people, so ethnicity, socio

economic status, physical or

mental ability, sexual

orientation, gender identity, or

marital status are not barriers to

our invitation. Instead, as an

inclusive community grounded

in God's love and following

Jesus' example, we celebrate

the diversity of God's creation.

Pastor: Rev. Janell Bethke -pastor@creatorlutheran.org

Ministers: All the People

Music Director: Matt Weiers - matt.weiers@gmail.com

Church Council President: Gary Schulstad -

gary.schulstad@creatorlutheran.org

Bookkeeper: Kim Grand - kim.grand@creatorlutheran.org

Administrative Assistant: DeLynn Dellarosa - office@creatorlutheran.org

www.creatorlutheran.org

13250 SE Sunnyside Rd

Clackamas, OR 97015

Phone - 503-698-8081

PLEASE PLACE STAMP HERE

CREATOR LUTHERAN 13250 SE Sunnyside Rd Clackamas, OR 97015