We are a Christ-centered community that lives, shares and celebrates God's grace with all people!
Welcome to St. Thomas Evangelical Lutheran Church. St. Thomas is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). We celebrated 47 years of ministry in the Bloomington and Monroe County, Indiana area in April 2007. We celebrate the Eucharist every Sunday and encourage visitors from other Christian traditions to join us at Christ's "open table."
(Fall/Winter Schedule effective August 26, 2007)
8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Sunday
Nursery care is provided at each service
Enjoy coffee or other refreshments while visiting in the narthex/lounge or on the patio. Many regular participants keep their own mugs at the church, but there are always plenty of visitor cups. Our washable mugs are symbols of commitment to care for God's gift to us of the planet and our coffee is from Lutheran World Relief's Equal Exchange Coffee Project.
Friendship Trek, our 2008 VBS, will be held July 27-31 with supper from 5:30-6 and fun activities from 6-8. If you'd like to participate either as a student or as a leader, please sign up in the narthex on Sunday morning or contact Tiffany Shupe or Sharon Fawbush. We're looking forward to a great time learning about Jesus, our Forever Friend!
The mission committee is considering forming a variety of interest
groups surrounding important mission related topics, as a way to
encourage broader and deeper participation. You do not need to be a
member of the mission committee to join these interest groups. Some of
the first potential interest groups being formed are:
1) Sister Parish
Interest Group - be involved in discerning the best direction for this
relationship with our Sister Parish in Chichipate, Guatemala. Contact:
Dorothy Soudakof;
2) Micro Loans Interest Group - help have an impact
on poverty by providing direct loans to entrepreneurs around the
globe. Consider joining an interest group to discuss and make these
investment decisions together, connecting with the entrepreneurs via
the internet. To learn more, contact: Chris Ogan;
3) Missionary
Interest Group - We are considering forming a Missionary Interest
Group to sponsor an ELCA missionary, support them in prayer and learn
about what they are doing. If you are interested in helping form this
interest group, please contact Lyman Hitchcock for further
information.
4) Please contact any member of the Mission Committee if
you have other ideas for interest groups.
The Worship Committee thanks Jim Halvorson for his recent contributions of crafsmanship for the benefit of our worship space.
In addition to the new ceramic tiles Jim recently created for the flower stand, he has now added four items. A new and lighter processional
cross, constructed of wood and sheet metal, stands next to the lecturn. A large ceramic baptismal bowl is ready for the new font (still
in production by Jim Doering). And a crown of thorns and four nails adorned our altar on Good Friday.
The congregation is grateful for these offerings of time, skill, and love.
Congratulations to Sue Berg for being awarded the Lifetime Contribution Award by the city at the 23rd annual Women's History Month Luncheon. Sue has been an extension educator for 27 years. Previously, she taught high school, ran a preschool and taught Lamaze classes. Sue said it was very humbling, mainly because there are so many strong, passionate women in the community who deserve it.
The newly-formed Mission Committee has a blog for their latest news.
Keep up with the Youth Group on their blog.
Please note: Due to construction, no outside groups were scheduled for facility use for several months. We welcome community groups again to schedule the use of our facility.
ELCA News: ELCA Presiding Bishop Comments on World AIDS Day, December 1
Professor David P. Fidler, of the IU School of Law, has given us more information to follow up on his Adult Forum on the HIV/AIDS pandemic and how we can work together to stem the tide. Please read this important document soon. World AIDS Day is December 1.
Have you remembered to bring your gifts of food to church?
MCUM's pantry needs food:
pasta, meat sauce, crackers, applesauce, beans, peanut butter, jelly,
macaroni and cheese, canned chicken are just a few items needed.
Everything is now needed except tuna, green beans, corn, peaches and
cake mixes. They cannot accept perishable, home-canned, opened
packages, or expired food.
Please don't forget: all sizes of underwear, socks and diapers,
cleaning supplies and personal items are needed too.
During an average week, the pantry distributes 140 bags of
groceries, filled to the rim with household staples and a five-day
supply of nutrition for each family member.
You have
been generous in the past and we know you will help again. St. Thomas members gave over 1000 pounds of
food last year, one of the top amounts from city churches. Please
continue to bring your donations to the basket in the narthex to
support this important service.
Last update: Sunday 11 May 2008 14:52
