Larkridge Church | Church News Page 1

Lung cancer educator dies after long battle

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Photo by Sammy Dallal

Susan DeWitt, a Superior mom who made a widely distributed DVD about her family's struggle with her lung cancer, died Wednesday. She was 43.

"She died at home with her family members holding on to her," said DeWitt's husband, Randy.

DeWitt, a Boulder County court reporter for eight years and founder of the Susan L. DeWitt Foundation for Extended Breath, was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer in 2004 at the age of 39. Although DeWitt was a light smoker in her teens and 20s, she quit in 1992. After her diagnosis, she made it her mission to warn young people that even casual smoking can cause cancer. The DVD "Lung Cancer, Through My Children's Eyes” begins with this line from her son, Cody, then 19: "There are some things in life that people shouldn't have to go through."

Then this from his sister, Gabrielle, then 13: "I was afraid to go to sleep at night."

The film, now on You Tube as well as available on DVD through the foundation, has been distributed to school districts in Colorado and around the country. The family has subsequently made music videos about the subject.

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http://www.susanldewitt.com/

McHendry: First Starbucks coffee,

now chicken sandwiches

By George McHendry

Friday, December 21, 2007

I've previously mentioned one of the neat features about attending Larkridge Church is the Starbucks coffee. I've discovered when you attend these days you get a flier advertising its worship series that includes a coupon for a free Chick-fil-A sandwich at the store a couple of miles from the church.

Lead Pastor Rob Harter is full of great ideas when it comes to worship. When you walk into one of the services (9 and 10:45 a.m.), there's a big box of comfy cushions, in case you find their chairs a bit uncomfortable.

The church is at Vista Ridge Academy, near Colo. 7 and Sheridan Parkway. There's not much out there except Vista Ridge Academy, so if you look for a school building with loads of cars parked up and down the streets, you'll have no problem making your way to Larkridge.

The worship style is contemporary, and the Worship Pastor is Kory Brunson. Brunson came to Larkridge from Colorado Ridge a couple of years ago, and Sunday he played a combination of old Christmas favorites and familiar contemporary songs. One of my pet peeves at contemporary services is they "butcher" beloved Christmas carols to give them a contemporary sound. Brunson didn't do that. He kept the original feel of the songs I remember from my childhood and how we sing them at Eastlake.

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Larkridge Church hosts Mexican fiesta

By George McHendry

Saturday, June 7, 2008

I try and get out to Larkridge Church to hear my friend Rob Harter as often as I can. I got an e-mail from Rob letting me know Sunday might be a good time to visit since the church was serving Mexican food to raise money to send of mission delegation to Mexico, and he was right. Not only did the lead pastor deliver a wonderful message, titled "Larkridge's DNA," but following the service I joined the nice folks and helped them consume tacos, beans and Mexican rice.

Larkridge is officially in Erie, but it's right on the north edge of Broomfield, near the corner of Colo. 7 and Sheridan Parkway. Worship is at 10:15 a.m. Sundays at Vista Ridge Academy, 3100 Ridgeview Drive. From Colo. 7 and Sheridan Parkway, just look to the northwest and you can't miss it. The school sticks out all by itself, but since it is expected an estimated 100,000 new residents will be living in that area in the next 10 years, it probably won't be all by itself for long.

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McHendry: Larkridge Church stays involved in community

By George McHendry

Thursday, April 3, 2008

I've known Rob Harter for a number of years, and it has been wonderful to see the growth at Larkridge Church.

After initially moving around to different worship locations, the lead pastor finally found a home for his church at Vista Ridge Academy in Erie. Vista Ridge is a new facility and ideally suited for Sunday worship. The Broomfield base of the church is large, and even though it is technically in Erie, it's location near the intersection of Colo. 7 and Sheridan Parkway (3100 Ridge View Drive) makes it a short commute from Broomfield.

Sunday was special to the church, as the center of attention was Susan L. Dewitt and the Susan L. DeWitt Foundation for Extended Breath. Susan, along with husband, Randy, and their three children, attended Larkridge. At 39, Susan was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer and succumbed to the deadly disease on Oct. 3.

Randy and their three children were at the Sunday morning service, as well as the Sunday evening Concert For Life. The worship pastor at Larkridge is Kory Brunson, and his band performed in a concert to raise money for the foundation. Prior to the concert, there was a Guitar Hero competition for teenagers, with the grand prize being a beautiful electric guitar. The event was co-sponsored by Larkridge Church and KYGO 98.5 FM.

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