St. Thomas Lutheran Church, Bloomington IN (ELCA)

Indiana-Kentucky Synod Office closed so that staff may attend the funeral of Bishop Stuck's mother.

Communion Hymn: In Christ There is No East or West (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 650)

Sending Hymn: The Church of Christ, in Every Age (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 729)

Sunday Church School from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.

Age 3 through Kindergarten in the Godly Play Room

SPARK SCS Program — "The Burning Bush" (Exodus 3: 1-15)

1^st and 2^nd Grade in Room 14 (Cindy Ohslund)

3^rd through 6^th Grade in Room 16 (Ronna Papesh and Tiffany Shupe)

Adult Bible Study in Room 11 — We will be studying the Gospel of Luke, with emphasis on the words spoken by Jesus

Communion Hymn: In Christ There is No East or West (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 650)

Sending Hymn: The Church of Christ, in Every Age (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 729)

The celebrations of our 50th anniversary begin! Pr. Bill Veith (Trinity Lutheran, Alton, Illinois) will be our guest holmilist. Bill and his wife Karen and sons Nathan and Jonathan are former members. Following the 11:00 service there will be the Oktoberfest, a catered dinner by the Schnitzelbank of Jasper, Indiana, with music by the Pavolka Polka Band!

"Now Thank We All Our God" - A common thread in St. Thomas's 50 years of worship. Many of the landmark worship services held at St. Thomas have included the singing of the hymn "Now Thank We All Our God" (ELW 840). It was sung at the 1959 service that called a mission developer, the 1963 sanctuary dedication service, and the 1999 organ dedication recital. This hymn is perhaps one of the most well-known in the entire world. The text was originally written as a table blessing for his family by German clergyman Martin Rinckart (1586-1649) in 1636. The powerful, uplifting nature of the text is all the more remarkable when considered along with Rinckart's personal circumstances: Eilenburg, the village in which he lived and worked, was ravaged by the ongoing Thirty Years' War (1618-1648), and was nearly decimated by an outbreak of the plague in 1637. It is believed that Rinckart buried almost 4,000 people that year. One is struck by the optimism and gratitude expressed in the text, in spite of the worldly circumstances surrounding its creation. The famous tune we associate with the hymn was not paired with the text until about 1647, first published by Johann Crüger in his collection Praxis Pietatis Melica, which was the most important Lutheran hymnal of the 17th century.

The text and tune of "Now Thank We All Our God" are woven into the fabric of today's worship service. Both organ voluntaries are based on the tune, and the Adult Choir's anthem is a setting of the tune and text (in German) by Johann Pachelbel. -Patrick Pope

We welcome through holy baptism, Allison Faith White, daughter of Brian & Misty White. Allison was born on June 20. Julie Wilson is Allison's sponsor.

Entrance Hymn: God of Grace and God of Glory (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 705)

Hymn of the Day: O God of Mercy, God of Light (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 714)

Communion Hymn: We Come to the Hungry Feast (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 479)

Sending Hymn: God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 678)

Sunday Church School from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.

Age 3 through Kindergarten in the Godly Play Room

SPARK SCS Program — "Mannah, Quail, and Water" (Exodus 16: 1-18; 17: 1-7)

1^st and 2^nd Grade in Room 14 (Cindy Ohslund)

3^rd through 6^th Grade in Room 16 (Ronna Papesh and Tiffany Shupe)

Confirmation Class finishes up on the First Commandment and begins on the Second this week. Don't forget your home"work" - the First Commandment says that we shall have no other Gods except for God, but what does it mean to make something a "god" or to worship it? Where is the line between having/liking/loving something and making it a "god" in our lives?

High School class will relive a couple of Sundays from their youth in this Sunday's Book of Faith section. The five Lutheran insights that help us to understand the Bible will bring back (hopefully happy) memories from Confirmation days. The insights are great- ones that we need reminding of all the way into adulthood. Bring your trusty Lutheran Handbooks if you think of it- they'll come in handy.

Adult Bible Study in Room 11 — We will be studying the Gospel of Luke, with emphasis on the words spoken by Jesus

Entrance Hymn: God of Grace and God of Glory (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 705)

Hymn of the Day: O God of Mercy, God of Light (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 714)

Communion Hymn: We Come to the Hungry Feast (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 479)

Sending Hymn: God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 678)

Discussions with Bishop Jim Stuck and staff about the actions taken by the ELCA 2009 Churchwide Assembly will take place at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, Speedway, Ind. at 7:00 p.m.

Indiana-Kentucky Synod Finance Team meeting at 10:00 a.m. in the Synod Lutheran Center Chapel

Indiana-Kentucky Synod New to Roster Gathering at Pleasant View Lutheran Church, Indianapolis IN

Discussions with Bishop Jim Stuck and staff about the actions taken by the ELCA 2009 Churchwide Assembly will take place at Bethany Lutheran Church, LaPorte, Ind. at 7:00 p.m.

Indiana-Kentucky Synod Finance Team meeting at 10:00 a.m. in the Synod Lutheran Center Chapel

Hymn of the Day: Let Us Ever Walk With Jesus (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 802)

Communion Hymn: Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 712)

Sending Hymn: Christ is Made the Sure Foundation (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 645)

Sunday Church School from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.

Age 3 through Kindergarten in the Godly Play Room

SPARK SCS Program — "Deborah" (Judges 4: 1—5:31)

1^st and 2^nd Grade in Room 14 (Cindy Ohslund)

3^rd through 6^th Grade in Room 16 (Ronna Papesh and Tiffany Shupe)

Adult Bible Study in Room 11 — We will be studying the Gospel of Luke, with emphasis on the words spoken by Jesus

Hymn of the Day: Let Us Ever Walk With Jesus (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 802)

Communion Hymn: Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 712)

Sending Hymn: Christ is Made the Sure Foundation (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 645)

CROP Walk's purpose is to raise funds and awareness to help eliminate hunger and poverty. Some of the funds remain here locally to support MCUM, Hoosier Hills Food Bank, Mother Hubbard's Cupboard, Shalom Center and the Community Kitchen. The walk begins at MCUM and travels past several of the food related ministries in our community. Look for the CROP Walk table in the narthex and support us by walking, praying or financial support. We hope you will join us!

Book of Faith Series meets at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room — This second session we'll begin reading the first chapter of Making Sense of Scripture. Books are still available for those who would like to join.

Discussions with Bishop Jim Stuck and staff about the actions taken by the ELCA 2009 Churchwide Assembly will take place at Christ Lutheran Church, Jeffersontown, KY at 7:00 p.m.

Discussions with Bishop Jim Stuck and staff about the actions taken by the ELCA 2009 Churchwide Assembly will take place at Risen Savior Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, Ind. at 7:00 p.m.

Discussions with Bishop Jim Stuck and staff about the actions taken by the ELCA 2009 Churchwide Assembly will take place at Lutheran Church of the Cross, Muncie, Ind. at 7:00 p.m.

Entrance Hymn: A Mighty Fortress is Our God (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 504)

Offertory Anthem: Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, BWV 80: "Chorale" — Johann Sebastian Bach

Communion Hymn: Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 517)

Communion Hymn: Word of God, Come Down on Earth (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 510)

Sunday Church School from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.

Age 3 through Kindergarten in the Godly Play Room

SPARK SCS Program — "God Calls Samuel" (1 Samuel 3: 1-20)

1^st and 2^nd Grade in Room 14 (Cindy Ohslund)

3^rd through 6^th Grade in Room 16 (Ronna Papesh and Tiffany Shupe)

Confirmation Class skips ahead to the 4^th Commandment (always a favorite of parents, for some reason). We'll go back and hit the 3^rd next weekend.

High School Class (now featuring 9th graders!) begins actual methods for Bible study, complete with a practice session. The appetizer is behind us, now on to the main course.

Adult Bible Study in Room 11 — We will be studying the Gospel of Luke, with emphasis on the words spoken by Jesus

Entrance Hymn: A Mighty Fortress is Our God (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 504)

Offertory Anthem: Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, BWV 80: "Chorale" — Johann Sebastian Bach

Communion Hymn: Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 517)

Communion Hymn: Word of God, Come Down on Earth (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 510)

The rose on the altar announces the birth of Kiplyn Boggess Hanna, son of Laura and Shane Hanna and granson of Darrell and Kathleen Boggess. Kiplyn is also welcomed by his sister Teagan and brother Brogan.

Discussions with Bishop Jim Stuck and staff about the actions taken by the ELCA 2009 Churchwide Assembly will take place at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Evansville, Ind. at 7:00 p.m.

Discussions with Bishop Jim Stuck and staff about the actions taken by the ELCA 2009 Churchwide Assembly will take place at Faith Lutheran Church, Lexington, KY at 7:00 p.m.

Come in costume and listen to spooky organ music, sing pumpkin carols, and perhaps some candy following the performance (and you could win a door prize for scariest costume!). This is a family-friendly event sponsored by the Bloomington chapter, American Guild of Organists.

An unholy legion of organists (Bernadette Wagner, Brian McNulty, Catherine Elliott, Hillary Sullivan, Loralee Culbert, Nick Drabik)

A murderous muddle of organists (Brian McNulty, Elena Paradis, Loralee Gulbert, Mason Copland, Nick Bergin, Patrick Kronner, Samantha Koch)

Indiana-Kentucky Synod Mission Roundtable from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Synod Office Chapel

Indiana-Kentucky Synod Worship for Mission Event "A Still More Excellent Way" from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Come2go Ministries in Fort Wayne IN

St. Thomas Evangelical Lutheran Church

3800 East Third Street

Bloomington, Indiana 47401

News & Events — October 2009