Helping the Families of New Hope during Oktoberfest

As part of our celebration on Sunday, October 1, we will be sharing our own bounty with New Hope for

Families, a local program which offers shelter and child care to homeless families while they acquire new

housing and stabilize their lives. We will help fill Baskets of Hope (basic cleaning and home supplies given

to each family as they transition to their new homes) and Totes for Tots (supplies for children in the New

Hope childcare program). Lists of needed items are available on the table next to the weekly annoucments.

October, 2017 XXXIX, Issue No. 10

Transformed by

Grace, Faith and Love

Please look for devotions and other items related to our stewardship program in coming weeks. A letter,

pledge cared, and “Time & Talent” sheet should have arrived by mail already.

Commitment Sunday is October 22nd. Please return your pledge card and Time & Talent sheet on that day;

simply place them in the offering plate as it is passed at worship. Additional pledge cards and “Time &

Talent” sheets are available on the Welcome Table in the narthex.

AN INVITATION TO LIVING THE QUESTIONS

from those who have completed it.

Is God all powerful? Does God control everything that happens on earth?

Was creation a past event or is God still engaged in the act of creation?

Should we think of Biblical stories in literal or metaphorical terms?

Is God, and our thinking about God changing?

Does it weaken faith to even ask such questions?

We will consider these and other spiritual questions in “Living the Questions.” a study and discussion series

beginning Sunday, October 22 at 9:45 in the St. Thomas Conference Room.

Don’t worry. These are not one-hour lectures. They are brief video presentations (12 to 20 minutes) by

theological scholars of various denominations, leaving plenty of time for discussion.

This offering is prompted by past St. Thomas participants’ reflections on how very much they had

appreciated the discussions around stimulating faith questions in an open, challenging way. This series will

be facilitated by Pastor Marie Fleming, assisted by Judy Bush and Jerry Smith, all of whom are veterans of

the study completed last spring.

The goal is not so much to find the “right” answers as to live with the challenges and mysteries posed by

the questions and to grow in faith. Having read this, you may be surprised to learn we also have fun

together. See for yourself. Join us October 22, at 9:45 a.m.

Marie Fleming, Jerry Smith, and Judy Bush

October 22nd at 12:30 pm

Olcott Park (after late service)

Sunday School Picnic Please join the Godly Play,

1-3 grade and 4-6 grade Sunday School classes for fellowship and fun after late service. Bring your own picnic lunch, chairs/blanket. Drinks and paper products provided.

Please rsvp to Stephanie at knipsteinhulett@gmail.com. God's Work, Our Hands Look at what your wonderful children have done!

We had a great time at God's Work Our Hands this past Sunday,

September 10th! Thank you to all the youth who came, as well

as Pastor Ellen, The Iversen's, and Victoria Hoppes!

To the right is a picture of the youth working on the Welcome Kits for

foster families that we put together. I will be delivering them to The

Villages in the next week!

Prayers and Best Wishes to Our Confirmands

Congratulations to our young adults who are completing the requirements for our

confirmation program at St. Thomas Church. They have engaged in class work, retreats,

memorization, and service to the congregation and community. They will be confirmed

at worship on Reformation Sunday, October 29th.

May God continue to bless them with wisdom, growth in faith, and a spirit of joyful

service to the Lord, the Church, and all creation.

Youth Group Schedule

October 15, 5:30 - 7:30 pm: Youth Group Movie Night at the Knipstein's!

October 22, 5:30 - 7:30 pm: Regular Youth Group at STLC

November 5, 5:30 - 7:30 pm: Regular Youth Group at STLC

November 19, 5:30 - 7:30 pm: "Thanksgiving"/Gratefulness at STLC

December 3, 5:30 - 7:30 pm: Advent Vespers & Dinner for Youth Group and their families

December 17: 5:30 - 7:30 pm: Christmas Celebration for Youth Group at STLC or Amy's house

January 3 (TBD): Youth Group outing at Paoli Peaks

Adult Forums for October October 1 - no adult forum

October 8 - Martin Luther Movie (DVD)

October 15 - CASA Presentation (Court Appointed Special Advocates for children): Amber Shride

October 22 - Living the Questions

The Genius Loci Paper Quilt

Over the summer, the Reformation 500 Committee invited us to name the places, spaces, and aspects of Creation that

are especially holy for us, wherever we live, and to share a few words about them on a post-it note on the east wall of

the narthex. Then, in September, some of us gathered for a printmaking workshop. Now, all of this creative output is

being used to create a paper quilt - like a quilt, but made of paper - to celebrate and affirm our common

connectedness to God’s holy creation. Look for the Genius Loci Paper Quilt in the narthex in early October!

New Members Class

Pastor McKee will lead a class for new members beginning on Sunday, October 8th following the 11:00 a.m. worship

services (12:30 – 1:30 p.m.) in the Conference Room.

The sessions will provide Lutheran perspectives on scripture, the sacraments, worship, and the Church, as well as offer

information about opportunities to learn and serve at St. Thomas.

New Book of Faith Series Begins

We continue our long-standing Book of Faith bible studies with an 8-session series on Paul’s epistles to the church in

Corinth. Paul's letters to this church provided guidance, for persons new to faith as well as those growing in faith,

about what it means to be a disciple of Christ. This study examines some of the "big questions" the church faced, and

that we still face today.

Join in the fun, fellowship, and learning. The first session is set for Tuesday, October 10th at 7:00 p.m. Study books are

available in the office.

A Romantic Hero: Luther At IU Cinema!

On Monday, October 30 at 7 PM, IU Cinema is showing Luther. Here’s their description of the film:

"Luther tells the story of a courageous monk who risked prison, death, and eternal damnation to defy a powerful church. This

classic rendition of the story of Martin Luther, founder of the Protestant Reformation, stars Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare in Love),

who portrays Luther as a romantic hero, inspired by crippling doubt as well as revolutionary zeal. Beautifully photographed by

Robert Frazier (Seven Years in Tibet), the movie explores the personal as well as the historical drama of religious reform. (HD

Presentation)”

The show is free but you need to reserve tickets in advance by going to the IU Cinema website

[cinema.indiana.edu/tickets]. IU Cinema is at 1213 E. 7th Street in the east end of the IU Auditorium building. The main

entrance is on the north side, facing the Wells Library

CAN YOU HELP?

Each month our food donations to the MCUM pantry are picked up and

delivered to their offices. We are in need of some substitute volunteers,

particularly for the MONTHS OF SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER. The pantry is

located at 827 W 14th Court, about 5 miles from St. Thomas. The food is taken

over following the last Sunday of each month. (For September any time after

September 24th.) While a van is useful at times, a sedan is most often sufficient.

If you can help volunteering in this way, especially in the next two months,

please notify the church office.

Stick it to LCM-IU You have seen the new trash and recycle bins being delivered around town. As Bloomington transitions to their new

recycle/refuse program, you may be left with unused trash stickers. The city is offering to buy these stickers back as

early as October 16.

This is your chance to stick it to LCM-IU! Over the next three Sundays, bring your unused stickers to worship at St.

Thomas. We will collect your contributions, head over to city hall, and submit them for reimbursement with all funds

going to LCM-IU.

A Few Pictures from the Confirmation Retreat

Greetings from Tisovec, Slovakia!

The school year is in full swing at the Evanjelické Gymnázium (Lutheran High School). After an irregular schedule during the first two weeks, Naomi and I have met all our classes. Naomi is teaching in the morning, several levels of English. I'm teaching history, philosophy/psychology, geography, and an English seminar. Philip has gotten to know his two babysitters, and he even talks to himself in Slovak (we think) occasionally. There is a lot to learn, but everyone has been very welcoming and helpful, and we're starting to feel more comfortable and familiar with the system. Andrej Kiska, the president of Slovakia, made an official visit to the first day of school and talked briefly with the staff and students. It was a testament to the school's high reputation, and to the long years of work by the outgoing director, Helena Pašiaková, and to its continued promise under incoming director Miroslava Štefániková. The weather has turned cold and rainy, but the landscape here is still beautiful. From our classroom windows we see sheep grazing on the slopes and mist on the mountains.

Thank you for your prayers and support! Nick & Naomi Sveholm

ELCA Global Missions

Slovak President's visit to the school

Concerts at St. Thomas this month: Bloomington Bach Cantata Project Himmelskönig, sei willkommen, BWV 182 Historical Performance Institute IU Jacobs School of Music Christine Kyprianides, director Daniel Melamed, lecturer October 8th at 2:30 pm

----------------- Zai Music Studio

PRESENTS

A Benefit Concert For

Interfaith Winter Shelter

COME FOR AN EVENING OF INSPIRING INSTRUMENTAL AND VOCAL MUSIC

DIRECTED BY

SULAIMAN ZAI

And

HELP TO SUPPORT A GOOD CAUSE IN OUR COMMUNITY

Friday, October 20th

,7:00 pm At St. Thomas Lutheran Church, ELCA

Reception following hosted by the Mission Committee of St. Thomas Lutheran Church For more information go to sulaimanzai.weebly.com or contact the church office at 812-332-5252

---------------

Pipes Spooktacular at St. Thomas

The seventeenth annual Pipes Spooktacular will be held Friday, October 27, 7:00pm at St. Thomas. Sponsored by the IU organ department and the Bloomington chapter of the American Guild of Organists, the Spooktacular is a family-friendly event featuring spooky organ music, costumes, candy, and even singing Pumpkin Carols! Wear your best costume and come early for a good seat -- the Spooktacular has become one

of Bloomington's most popular Halloween traditions! -----------------

Bloomington Bach Cantata Project Gott, der Herr, ist Sonn und Schild, BWV 79 Historical Performance Institute IU Jacobs School of Music David Rugger, director, Daniel Melamed, lecturer Presented in Celebration of the 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation

To the church family of St. Thomas Lutheran

May the Lord richly bless you for your servant acts

of charity to the friends and family of Evelyn

James. You welcomed her into the Lutheran

Church family, you visited her when she was sick,

you laughed with her, and blessed her with a

beautiful handmade quilt (Ruth Rives) (and she

appreciated pretty things).

You walked alongside her through the "dark

valley of death". You comforted her family and

friends with grace and truth, a memorial service

laying her to rest and a delicious meal prepared

by many. You loved us all in Jesus' name, and

we thank you and bless you!

You are a witness to Christ!

The family of Evelyn James

October Birthdays 10/4 Karol Anderson, Bailey Arnold, 10/5 Dan Rademacher 10/6 Walt Wood 10/9 Leah Iversen, Frank Nierzwicki 10/10 Charlene Braun 10/12 Randy Nye 10/13 Kathy Zellers 10/14 Bob Cutter, Ron Peters

10/16 Beth Berns 10/17 Mary Sasse 10/18 Paul Leber, Jan Sinn 10/19 Marta Deibert 10/20 Tim Smith 10/21 Lynn Coyne, Isaac Wyatt 10/22 Robin Hershberger 10/24 Debbie Selk, Noah Smith 10/26 Shirley Mingee, Christiana

Redman, Jerry Smith 10/27 Karen Cline 10/28 Sharon Fawbush 10/29 Rachel Bourkland, Rey Kante,

Nina Ost 10/30 Tish Llewellyn 10/31 Stephanie Hulett, Eric Klimpke

October Anniversaries Shawn & Gwen Caudill 10/4 14 years

Rance & Sharon Fawbush 10/6 44 years

David & Debbie Nixon 10/14 28 years

Mike & Jaydene Laros 10/23 46 years

MCUM Food Pantry Needs canned meats (salmon, beef stew, etc.) fruit juices, coffee, and other

beverages baking mixes (cornbread, pancake,

etc.) canned and dried fruit canned vegetables (carrots, greens,

potatoes, etc.)

Cleaning Supplies: laundry soap, general household cleaners, sponges & scrubbies, bleach, mops, trash bags

Our mailing address is: St. Thomas Lutheran Church, ELCA 3800 East Third Street Bloomington, IN 47401 www.stlconline.org

Unsubscribe from this list or update your preferences by emailing:

kayehill@stlconline.org

Needed For the SCS Christmas play: 4 similar

looking paint smocks and 4 portable easels. Please

contact the church office or Catharine Rademacher

cradkaisen@yahoo.com if you can help.

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 Worship at 8:30 & 11:00

2 3 4 5 6 7

Education Hour 9:45 am 12:30 pm

IU Docents 10:00 am Community Band 7pm

Altar Guild 5:00 pm Worship Com. 6:30 UClub Yoga 10am PRE Boot Camp 6:30

Friday Musicale Board 9:30 am

Adult Choir Rehearsal 7 pm

Swing Band 9:30 Property Co 10:00 Bach rehearsal 12:30

8 Worship at 8:30 & 11:00

9 10 11 12 13 14

Education Hour 9:45 am Martin Luther DVD showing New Members Class 12:30 Bach Cantata 2:30 pm Pipers Society 4:00 pm

Community Band 7 pm

UClub Yoga 10am PRE Boot Camp 6:30 Book of Faith 7 pm

Adult Choir Rehearsal 7 pm

15 Worship at 8:30 & 11:00

16 17 18 19 20 21

Education Hour 9:45 am Living the Questions Interfaith Concert rehearsal 2 pm PRENA Annual Meeting 3 pm

Community Band 7pm Spinners/Weavers 7 pm

UClub Yoga 10am PRE Boot Camp 6:30

Adult Choir Rehearsal 7 pm

Benefit Concert for the Interfaith Winter Shelter 7 pm

22 Worship at 8:30 & 11:00

23 24 25 26 27 28

Commitment Sunday Education Hour 9:45 am IONA meets in HH SCS Picnic 12:30

Community Band 7pm

UClub Yoga 10am PRE Boot Camp 6:30

Adult Choir Rehearsal 7 pm

Pipes Spooktacular 7 pm

29 Worship at 8:30 & 11:00

30 31 Confirmation

Education Hour 9:45 am

Reformation Concert 2:30

IU Docents 10 am Community Band 7pm

UClub Yoga 10am PRE Boot Camp 6:30

October 8 October 15* October 22 October 29* November 5 * November 12 November 19*

8:30 AM 8:30 AM 8:30 AM 8:30 AM 8:30 AM 8:30 AM 8:30 AMASST MINISTER Lindsey Smith Kathleen Boggess Gail Seegert Kris Stewart David Rohlfing Lindsey Smith Kathleen Boggess LECTOR Lynn Coyne David Ellies Pauline Caldwell Kent Unger Sacha Arterberry Judy Bush Mary Lou NierzwickiACOLYTE Matthew Schacht Lilly Rademacher Madelyn Shupe Natalie Shupe Max Arterberry Matthew SchachtSERVER Jean Brown Mary Sasse Kent Unger Del Newkirk ML Nierzwicki Gail Seegert Martha SelkUSHERS D/D Nixon Gallien/Namy F/ML Nierzwicki J/M Doering G/G Laughman L/U Coyne D/D NixonGREETERS M/J Laros David Ellies G/G Laughman L/U Coyne J/J Bush David Ellies Jo Anne NamyCRUCIFER David Ellies

FLOWERS T/J Sinn F/ML Nierzwicki B/C Gallien B/C Gallien D/S Arnold D/S ArnoldErin Wyatt Kaye Hill

BREAD/WINE C/K McDonald Pauline Caldwell B/J Smith Evelyn Niemeyer D/S Arnold L/U Coyne T/J GarlCOUNCIL CO Keith Knipstein Cindy Gallien Tom Sinn Ashley Ahlbrand Dawn Bakken Keith Knipstein Cindy Gallien

Kim Filiatrault Dennis Baurle Dean Arnold Mark Carpenter Ashley Ahlbrand G Moehlmann Dawn BakkenALTAR GUILD Evelyn Niemeyer Ute Coyne Cindy Gallien Shirley Mingee Barb Unger Evelyn Niemeyer Ute Coyne

Charlene Braun Margaret Harter Pauline Caldwell Jan Sinn Mary Sasse Charlene Braun Betty SmithOctober 8* October 15 October 22* October 29* November 5 November 12* November 19

11:00 AM 11:00 AM 11:00 AM 11:00 AM 11:00 AM 11:00 AM 11:00 AM

ASST MINISTER Lyman Hitchcock Mark Carpenter Tim Smith Robin Hershberger Ashley Alhbrand Gary Ingersoll Lyman HitchcockLECTOR Kathy McDonald Chris Ogan Sharon Fawbush Jerry Smith G Moehlmann Jennifer Garl Mary SmithACOLYTE Kenna Dimick Birch Foley M Bourkland Irene Fogleman Molly Wyatt Truman Daleke Sam PolanskySERVER Katie Anderson David Daleke Sandy Arnold Ruth Rives Kathy McDonald Stephanie Biehn G MoehlmannUSHERS Dean Arnold Baurle/Filiatrault McDonald/Ohslund Kaye Hill P/L May Dean Arnold Baurle/FiliatraultGREETER Ruth Rives C/K McDonald Marie Kosakowski Chris Ogan J/R Steele L/A Madsen M O'ConnorCRUCIFER

OCTOBER - NOVEMBER VOLUNTEERS 2017