Christ Lutheran Church - Valencia, CA

What if I'm not Lutheran?

Being a follower of Jesus is not about denominational brand names. To be a Lutheran simply means that we understand that the most important thing in our relationship with God is that we are saved by the work of Christ through God's mercy and that we respond to God's action on our behalf with faith and trust. We believe this because we find it in the Bible, God's word to us. As a result, we take the Bible seriously.

Christ Lutheran Church is for anyone who wants to be part of a Christ-centered community that celebrates God's amazing grace and wants to grow in their relationship to their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our faith community is made up of many people from many different religious backgrounds. We are united in one family by our love for Christ and for each other.

What does it mean to be a member of Christ Lutheran Church?

In becoming a member of CLC you are publicly declaring that you are a partner in the mission and ministry of this congregation. We encourage all people who are connected to CLC to become members, not for the privileges they receive, but because it is a formal and public way of saying that we can rely on each other and that we are together in the work of Christ.

We look for members of CLC to:

worship regularly;
connect in meaningful relationships;
actively seek to grow in their faith through study of the Bible;
participate in serving by consistently giving of themselves and their resources, both in terms of time and financial gifts, so that ministry can grow;
tell others about God's great love.

These are not rules to be followed in order to gain God's love. Rather, they are the result of being loved by God. They are tools for better enjoying your relationship with Christ.

My child has special needs, can they still participate in Sunday School and other children's programs?

We have many children in our congregation that, for various reasons, have a hard time participating in our children’s programs. We have qualified teens trained to be "shepherds” for these children, coming up alongside them and helping them as needed in Sunday School, Children’s Choir, KOK, Youth Adventurers, etc. If you have a child who may benefit from this program, or know a teen who would be a good candidate for this ministry, please let us know. Contact Kathleen Kahovec to arrange for a shepherd for your child.

How do I become a member?

We ask all people interested in becoming members to participate in a four-week class we call Basics of Faith. This class functions as the doorway into membership in the congregation. Whether you come from a long Lutheran background, are a current member in another congregation, or have no church background at all, you must be a part of Basics of Faith before you can join. We do this so that:

we all begin in the same place;
you can learn, or review, basic teachings of our faith;
you can discover what is unique about the ministry of our congregation;
you can begin connecting to others in relationships as well as becoming a part of a ministry.

Basics of Faith is offered three times per year, in the fall, winter, and late spring. It meets for four consecutive Sundays from 4PM to 7PM, with the final half-hour set aside for sharing dinner together. The dates of the next class offering are always posted on-line, in the Sunday morning bulletins, and in the newsletter. It is helpful if you sign up by calling the church office (661/259-0200) or emailing Robin Hyland, though registration is not required to participate.

What about baptism?

We believe that baptism is the way that God claims us as his own. In baptism God makes us his children and promises, in the words of a popular children's story, "I'll love you forever; I'll like you for always...” And because God has claimed us in baptism, he will not forget us. Forever.

Baptism not only places us into a relationship with God, it places us into a relationship with God's family, the church. It is the beginning of a life-long journey of faith that takes place as those who are baptized worship regularly, seek to grow in their relationship with God, and serve God and God's people.

All of this happens, we believe, through the water combined with the promises of God.

How do I arrange for a baptism?

Baptism is for all people: infants, children, youth, and adults. Because of the importance of baptism, and the promises with which we respond to God, all people planning a baptism, or parents planning a baptism for their children must first attend a baptism preparation class. These generally meet on the last Saturday of each month at 9AM. They usually last about one hour, and there is no need to register for them ahead of time. Following participation in the class, a baptism may be scheduled either by calling the church office (661/259-0200) or by filling out a registration form at the class which you attend.

What about communion?

Those who gather for worship regularly share in communion, also called the Lord's Supper, or Eucharist. In the bread and wine of communion Jesus promises to be fully present, sharing his very life with us. Communion is nourishment for our faith as we live out our lives as followers of Jesus in the world.

Baptized Christians who believe that Jesus is present in the bread and wine for forgiveness of sin are invited to participate. A training class to prepare children to receive communion normally takes place in the fall.

How do I go about arranging for a wedding?

We would be happy to help you arrange your wedding.

The marriage ceremony is first, foremost, and always a worship service giving praise and glory to God for his great gifts, not the least of which is the marriage of two people. For that reason the pastor will work with you on the appropriate selection of music, scripture texts, vows, and other such items as it relates to developing your wedding service. The pastor will also seek to help you explore a permanent relationship with our faith community.

To reserve a date on the church calendar it is necessary to make an initial appointment with the pastor. This can be done by calling the church office (661/259-0200). A date can be held temporarily, however it is not confirmed until after the first meeting with the pastor.

The wedding preparation process includes appointments with the pastor (usually about three) for the purposes of getting to know each other, discussing a Christian perspective on marriage, doing pre-marriage relational work, and planning the service.

The pastor will also refer you to a wedding coordinator. Use of our wedding coordinator is a mandatory part of preparing for a wedding at our church. She is a member of the congregation and will meet with you to assist you in making arrangements, work with you on details, and be the one to whom you can direct many of your questions.

A fee is charged to non-members to offset expenses incurred by the congregation when buildings, etc. are used for weddings and receptions, and to remunerate those people who invest their time in your wedding. Those fees are adjusted for CLC members to reflect their participation in the ministry of the church. For purposes of wedding fees, Christ Lutheran Church members are those who are considered to be currently active and contributing to the life of the congregation. Learn more about our Wedding Policy.

Can you help me with funeral arrangements?

Funeral and memorial services are designed to celebrate a life that was lived as well as proclaim our faith in the promise of eternal life offered to those who believe. Funerals for non-members can be arranged through the church office (661/259-0200). A fee is charged to non-members to offset expenses incurred by the congregation when buildings, etc. are used for funerals and receptions, and to remunerate those people who invest their time in the service.

How do I enroll in the preschool?

We are very proud of our preschool and its excellent reputation. As a congregation we invest ourselves in ministry and care for children, youth, and families and our preschool grows out of that commitment. Registration information is available by calling the preschool office (661/259-0302) or visiting the preschool website at www.christlutheranpreschool.com.