Sermon clips from Christ Lutheran Church - Highlands Ranch, CO
44s
#LoveLikeJesus
“So don't be afraid to respond out of love, the love that Christ has put in each and every one of us to try to keep someone alive. And so my dear siblings in the faith, Christ wants us to be prepared for his coming indeed. But also for us to be prepared for the caring of those in our community who may have deep, often unseen hurts and pain.”
“Keep awake therefore. So how can we help? By paying attention and being God's faithful people. It's important to remember that what may be a warning sign for one person may not be a cause of concern for another, and that's what makes this so complicated. This is why I truly believe God has called us to be in relationship together so that we get to know one another. So that we know when someone is off, even a little or a lot.”
“The number one thing that I teach all of the first responders that I work with when they're doing their co responder work is this. Don't be afraid to ask directly, are you thinking about suicide or do you want to hurt yourself? It is not going to make someone want to hurt themselves or kill themselves. And actually, for most, is going to be heard as a word of care or concern. And if someone does hear it as offense, respond with, I just truly care.”
The website doesn’t give a standard service length. In the recording, worship is described as having just ended at about 56:32, so that example is roughly an hour—but the usual duration isn’t specified. ([56:32 from November 09, 2026])
What is the worship format, and does it vary by service?
Worship music varies somewhat by service. The Crossroads Band & Vocalists lead both weekend services, while the Celebration Choir usually sings at the Sunday 9 a.m. service and occasionally at Saturday’s 5 p.m. service. Carillon Ringers lead worship about once every six weeks, typically at both Saturday and Sunday services. The website doesn’t specify whether the rest of the service format differs. (https://www.clchr.org/music)
Can someone attend while exploring Christianity or questioning their beliefs?
Yes. Christ Lutheran Church welcomes both firm believers and “wondering seekers,” so you’re welcome to attend while exploring Christianity or questioning your beliefs. (https://www.clchr.org/resources)
Is registration required, or can someone simply arrive?
Registration is requested: the church says to submit the camper registration form online. It doesn’t mention whether walk-ins are accepted, so contact youthandfamily@clchr.org if you’re unable to register ahead. (https://www.clchr.org/vbs)
Do children need advance registration, and can visiting families participate?
Yes. For VBS/Day Camp, children should be registered in advance by submitting the online registration form. Visiting families can participate: registration is open to all, and the church welcomes families to its events. (https://www.clchr.org/vbs) (https://www.clchr.org/youth-family-ministry)
The church does not present a formal list of core beliefs in the material provided, but it emphasizes that **new life and forgiveness come through Jesus Christ as a gift of God’s love and grace—not something earned**. It describes people as both “sinner and saint”: people who stray from God’s calling, and people whom God restores to relationship through grace and mercy. (https://www.clchr.org/copy-of-about)
It also identifies faith in Jesus Christ, his work of redemption, and forgiveness of sin as gifts from God, and says spiritual gifts are received through baptism. The church also stresses that God welcomes and cherishes people’s diversity. (https://www.clchr.org/resources; https://www.clchr.org/copy-of-about)
Women can serve in church governance and ministry leadership. The church lists women as council secretary and as ministry liaisons—for example, Liz Lambert as secretary, and Amy Hill and Karrie Witkind as liaisons. (https://www.clchr.org/copy-of-about)
What are its stated policies concerning LGBTQ people?
The website does not state a specific LGBTQ policy or explicitly address LGBTQ people. It does say that people of all backgrounds are welcome, including their families, spouses, and partners, and that the church celebrates people’s diversity and uniqueness. (https://www.clchr.org/resources)
Who leads the church, and how are leaders accountable?
Christ Lutheran is led pastorally by Rev. Eric J. Allert, the Lead Pastor. The church’s Council provides congregational leadership; its listed officers include a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer, with members serving as ministry liaisons. (https://www.clchr.org/copy-of-about)
Council accountability includes meeting monthly, serving two-year terms, and seeking congregational input to help guide the church’s direction. The website invites members to contact staff or Council and notes open Council positions. (https://www.clchr.org/council)
Which recent sermons would help someone understand the teaching?
The recent sermon excerpt available is on **Matthew 25:1–13**, the parable of the ten young women and the call to “keep awake.” It connects being ready for Christ with staying attentive to people around us and responding with care. ([06:05 from November 09, 2026])
We teach that this care can mean listening without judgment, noticing when someone may be struggling, and serving neighbors in need. The sermon gives practical examples related to mental health, including asking directly whether someone is thinking about suicide or self-harm. ([31:01 from November 09, 2026])
How does the church talk about sin, confession and forgiveness?
Christ Lutheran describes people as both “sinner and saint”: sinners when they stray from the Lord’s calling, and saints because God, through love, brings them back into relationship by grace and mercy. New life in Christ is not something people earn; it comes from Jesus’ love. The church also speaks of helping one another forgive and receive forgiveness. (https://www.clchr.org/copy-of-about)
The website identifies forgiveness of sin as a gift connected with faith in Jesus and his work of redemption. It does not specify a particular practice or form of confession. (https://www.clchr.org/resources)
How does the teaching approach community and honesty with others?
We approach community as a relationship of attentive, practical care, and honesty as making room for people to speak openly and asking compassionate questions when we’re concerned. We teach that being in relationship helps us notice when someone is struggling, and that listening without judgment can help someone feel seen and heard. We also encourage asking directly if a person is thinking about suicide or self-harm, explaining that the question can communicate care rather than cause harm. ([27:54 from November 09, 2026]) ([29:36 from November 09, 2026]) ([31:26 from November 09, 2026])
That care is reflected in the church’s Caring Connection: volunteers offer meals, visits, calls, cards, prayer, and pastoral listening, and do this work confidentially. (https://www.clchr.org/caring-connection)
We welcome doubt rather than expecting people to have everything figured out: the church says there is a place for both “firm believer[s]” and “wondering seeker[s],” and grounds belonging in God’s love and grace—not in having all the answers. (https://www.clchr.org/resources) (https://www.clchr.org/copy-of-about)
We approach suffering through shared life, compassionate listening, and practical care. The church describes being alongside one another in celebration and sorrow, and in a sermon we urged people to notice when someone may be struggling, listen without judgment, and ask directly about thoughts of suicide when concerned. ([24:07 from November 09, 2026]) ([29:36 from November 09, 2026]) The sermon also describes empathy—including sometimes being silent so someone who feels unseen can be heard—as a way to care for neighbors in pain. ([31:01 from November 09, 2026])
Christ Lutheran connects faith with work by treating abilities, resources, and service as ways to participate in God’s work and care for others. The church describes spiritual gifts as abilities received through baptism, to be used to strengthen the Christian community and grow God’s kingdom. (https://www.clchr.org/resources)
That practice includes volunteering in worship, maintaining the church, supporting local families and a neighboring school, and helping with needs locally and abroad. The church also describes giving as an act of worship that helps make God’s work more effective. (https://www.clchr.org/outreach-opportunities) (https://www.clchr.org/giving)
We also emphasize staying attentive to people in need: keeping our “lamps” full means being ready to listen, show empathy, and serve neighbors in crisis. ([31:26 from November 09, 2026]) The materials focus on service and care rather than giving specific guidance about faith in a particular workplace.
Is an answer based on an official statement or an interpretation of sermons?
It depends on the source: information stated on the church website is an official published statement; conclusions drawn from a sermon are interpretations of that sermon, not necessarily official church policy. For example, the website explicitly says all are welcome and that staff can assist with life events such as baptisms, weddings, funerals, and pastoral counseling (https://www.clchr.org/resources). In a sermon, the speaker interprets “keep awake” as a call to notice and care for people in crisis; that is a sermon application, not a separate official policy statement ([30:23 from November 09, 2026]).
The website lists these regular meeting and rehearsal times:
- **Youth Group:** Sundays after worship at the church. - **Confirmation** (grades 7–8): Wednesdays, 6:30–8:00 p.m. - **Sunday School** (kindergarten–grade 6): after the Sunday 9:00 a.m. worship service. (https://www.clchr.org/youth-family-ministry) - **Celebration Choir:** rehearses Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.; sings at Sunday 9:00 a.m. worship and occasionally Saturday at 5:00 p.m. - **Carillon Ringers:** rehearses Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. - **Crossroads Band & Vocalists:** rehearses Saturdays at 4:00 p.m. and leads worship at weekend services. - **Children’s & Youth Music:** rehearsals are usually after Sunday 9:00 a.m. worship when scheduled. - **Festival Choir:** rehearses as needed, typically during Thursday’s 6:30 p.m. choir practice. (https://www.clchr.org/music)
Are there groups or introductory gatherings open to newcomers?
Yes. Christ Lutheran welcomes people who are new to the faith or still exploring. Its First Bible Class invites kids, teens, and adults to learn how to use and understand the Bible; it meets in the spring, with announcements for the next class. (https://www.clchr.org/youth-family-ministry)
There are also groups newcomers can join, including Mission Quilters, which meets on the first and third Mondays and welcomes new members. (https://www.clchr.org/outreach-opportunities)
Can someone join groups or volunteer before becoming a member?
Yes—nothing on the website indicates you need to become a church member first. It invites people to volunteer in worship, maintenance, and community outreach, and says new members are welcome in Mission Quilters. You can contact the Volunteer and Care Ministry Coordinator at volunteer@clchr.org to find a fit. (https://www.clchr.org/outreach-opportunities) (https://www.clchr.org/signups)