Advent 2017 – God Creating Anew: Continuing the Reformation in Restoration

Following the theme of the renewal program this summer, reflections will center on Advent themes related to the sabbatical focus: Consulting the genius of the place. Here are the topics:

12/3 & 6 Gift vs. Commodity

12/13 Creation & Reciprocity

12/17 & 20 Gratitude

Join in worship on Sundays at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. as well as on Wednesdays at noon and 7:00 p.m. We’ll continue with the Haugen Vespers on Wednesdays.

Let Us Give Thanks While this poem/prayer is popular at Thanksgiving, I recommend reflection upon it as act of Advent devotion, relevant to the scripture texts we ponder in this season of preparation.

Let us give thanks for a bounty of people: For children who are our second planting and, though they grow like weeds and the wind too soon blows them away, may they forgive us our cultivation and fondly remember where their roots are.

Let us give thanks: For generous friends, with hearts as big as hubbards (squash) and smiles as bright as their blossoms; For feisty friends as tart as apples; For continuous friends, who, like scallions and cucumbers, keep reminding us we’ve had them; For crotchety friends, as sour as rhubarb and as indestructible;

For handsome friends, who are as gorgeous as eggplants and as elegant as a row of corn—and the others—as plain as potatoes, and so good for you. For funny friends, who are as silly as brussel sprouts and as amusing as Jerusalem artichokes, and serious friends as complex as cauliflowers and as intricate as onions; For friends as unpretentious as cabbages, as subtle as summer squash, as persistent as parsley, as delightful as dill, as endless as zucchini, and who—like parsnips—can be counted on to see you through the long winter; For old friends, nodding like sunflowers in the evening-time, and young friends coming on as fast as radishes;

Let us give thanks: For loving friends, who wind around us like tendrils, and hold us despite our blights, wilts, and witherings; And finally, for those friends now gone, like gardens past, that have been harvested—but who fed us in their times that we might have life thereafter; For all these we give thanks. [by Max Coots]

May the Christ for whom we wait become and remain for us a loving friend, who winds around us like tendrils and holds us, regardless of our shortcomings, and who feeds us that we might have life here and hereafter.

Grace and peace, Pastor Lyle

Advent Evensong & Dinner, Sunday, December 3

All ages are welcome for any or all of the evening. Come when you can, leave when you must! There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex to RSVP and also to help provide food and help with set-up, serving, and clean-up.

4:30pm – Organ Prelude 5:00pm – Evensong Worship - A service of readings, scripture lessons, and canticles 5:45pm – Dinner 6:30pm – Family Project - create your own Advent craft to take home 7:30pm – Sending Blessing with take home spiritual resources for the whole season of Advent.

On Sunday, December 10, at 5:00 pm, the St. Thomas Adult Choir, along with guest musicians, will offer a Festival Service of Advent Lessons and Carols (Organ Prelude begins at 4:45pm). This year's Lessons and Carols service will focus on the messages of comfort, hope, peace, and joy, found in the writings of the Old Testament prophets, as they proclaim the coming of the Messiah. The musical selections for this service, consisting of anthems, carols, and hymns, represent the many and diverse cultural musical traditions which have influenced the Lutheran Church from its earliest days to the present age. Following the service, we will have an opportunity for fellowship, with a reception in Heritage Hall. Please join us as we prepare for Jesus's birth through this beautiful service of scripture

and song.

The Children's Christmas Pageant

The Wonder of Christmas

Book and Lyrics by Grace Hawthorne Music by Terry Kirkwood

Sunday, December 17th at the 11:00 Service. Directed by Catharine Rademacher.

Upcoming Youth Events

This month, our youth group gatherings will be incorporated into our family events! I encourage you to attend as a family, if you are able!

December 3: Advent Evensong & Dinner

Schedule: 4:30 pm Organ Prelude 5:00 pm Evensong Worship 5:45 pm Dinner 6:30 pm Family Projects 7:30 pm Sending Blessing

"Come when you can, leave when you must!"

December 17: Christmas Caroling & Hot Chocolate

5:00 pm Meet at church 5:15 pm Caroling 6:30/7:00 pm Snacks, hot chocolate, cider at church

We will need parents to help drive to the various members we carol for.

In early January (during Winter Break), we will be having a daytime youth event. Watch for an upcoming email with details! Ideas so far: Tubing at Paoli Peaks, Laser Tag at Laser Light, or trampolines at Urban Air.

Adult Forums for December

Living the Question series continues on December 3 and 17th at 9:45 in the Conference Room. Study guides for each week are available on the counter in the church office.

On December 10 Andrew Rhoda, Curator of Puzzles at Lilly Library will be the guest speaker.

There will be no adult forums on December 24 or 31st.

Lively Older Lutherans

Several members of our congregation have expressed interest in the Lively Older Lutherans group starting again! This group would be a time for socializing and sharing a meal for folks aged 60 and above. We would like to potentially start this group on Wednesdays during Advent, after the noon Advent Service. A light soup-and-bread lunch would be served.

If you are interested in participating in this group, please contact Amy Balcam in the church office or at 928aab@gmail.com. We are also looking for a person (or two) to coordinate the lunch each Wednesday of Advent, and to provide a meal of soup and bread.

We will decide at the meetings if there is a desire to continue to meet beyond the Advent Season!

Poinsettias for Christmas

Order your poinsettias to decorate the sanctuary for Christmas. A sign-up sheet is posted in the narthex, with envelopes for your donation. Choose from among several colors: Red, White, or Marble -- or order one of each. The cost is $15.00 and the plants may be taken home after the 8:00 p.m. service on Christmas Eve. The deadline to order is Sunday, December 17.

The MUSH Tree

During this joyous time of giving and sharing God's love for us, the Youth of St. Thomas would like to provide a service to others in need. In the Narthex there is a MUSH Tree. The acronym stands for Mittens, Underwear, Socks, and Hats. It is our hope that the St. Thomas congregation will help us decorate the tree with MUSH, in children's sizes. The items will be given to Monroe County United Ministries to distribute to children enrolled in their preschool and to families receiving emergency relief.

Simply hang your gift on the tree or place underneath it. There is no need to gift wrap the items. There will also be a box to receive new and gently used winter coats for young children. These will be donated to MCUM Head Start.

The Greeting Tree

The "Greeting Tree" will be in the narthex throughout the Advent/Christmas season. This tree offers you the opportunity to hang an Advent/Christmas greeting to members and friends of the St. Thomas community without the expense of buying cards and stamps. You may choose from cards provided on the table or provide your own from home. Money thus saved may be given as a donation to Community Kitchen in the form of cash or check. Please make checks payable to: St. Thomas Lutheran Church with memo "Community Kitchen". There is a donation box provided on the table next to the "Greeting Tree".

From the Sveholms

The snow has been falling all day, tiny flakes that disappear on the pavement but lighten the grass more and more as the day progresses. It’s the third snow here and will probably be gone by tomorrow afternoon. We just celebrated Thanksgiving with the English Club here, a group of mostly first and second year students who gather once a week. Today we made hand turkeys and drank cider.

We’re becoming more embedded as the seasons change. Perhaps it began with the tab at the local restaurant, where we eat lunch many days at the teacher’s table. Or the attention shown our son, who chatters in English and Slovak as we walk down the street. However it’s happened, this town of 4,000 has continued to embrace us as the yellows and reds crept their way down the mountainsides, the smoke of wood-burning stoves filling the air, snow blanketing the grass and nearby basketball court.

One of my classes is constantly chattering in Slovak, but has somehow managed to practice when to use useful or user or usability between their classmate’s shushing when they get truly out of line. Students groan as they’re assigned homework, but do it anyway…most of the time. Nick received an “Oscar” for a bit part in a student video. Today’s costume contest brought a tall-haired Marge Simpson, a speckled deer, a Heath Ledger Joker, a cowboy, and a panda to one class, and our son wore Minnie Mouse ears and made faces in the mirror a bit later at English Club.

Perhaps our biggest concern was how well our son would adjust. Well, last week I left him in the library to observe a class outside of my regular working hours and after a few minutes, he took my hand and pulled me toward the door, chirping delightedly, “Bye bye, Mama! Have a good day!” I think he’s doing fine.

Tisovec from above, October 2017

In this season of thankfulness and warm feelings, we are feeling thankful. Thankful for the students and colleagues we’re learning more about each week. Thankful for the recent visit from the ELCA representatives and the upcoming visit from Nick’s family. Thankful for our son’s caregivers and their mutual excitement to see each other each day. Thankful for English-language devotions that set the tone for our Monday morning staff meeting. Thankful for laughter and shelter and good food and new friends. Thankful for the circumstances which brought us here.

Thankful for you and your prayers.

Wishing you the best in this season of thankfulness.

The Sveholms

2017 Offering Envelopes will be available for pick-up in

mid – December.

PLEASE NOTE: Church Office will be closed December 25 through January 1.

Voice and email will be checked periodically.

December Birthdays

3 John Harder, Jamie Crouch

4 Chris Ogan

9 Mike Witt

12 Vicki Polansky

14 Edwin Caldwell

15 Carol Seaman

17 Jean Brown

19 David Rohlfing,

Catharine Rademacher

21 Andrew Eichmiller

29 Katie Anderson, Matt Anderson

30 Betty Smith, Chris Arterberry,

Elaina Iversen

31 Mark Braun, Kent Unger

As we celebrate the birth of our Lord, Let us share with others the love Christ came to bring.

From the Staff of St. Thomas Lutheran Church

Pr. Lyle McKee, Amy Balcam, Mike Powell, Charles Prestinari, Melissa deGraafe, Kaye Hill, Susan Krieg, and

Debbie Selk

When The Song Of The Angels Is Stilled

When the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone,

When the kings and princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flock,

The work of Christmas begins: To find the lost,

To heal the broken, To feed the hungry,

To release the prisoner, To rebuild the nations, To bring peace to all,

To make music in our hearts.

Howard Thurman

Wedding Anniversaries Jim & Kay Eagleman 42 years

Matt & Tiffany Shupe 21 years

MCUM Food Needs for December

Pudding Mix 1-2 lbs bags of flour 1-2 lbs bags of sugar Baking mixes

Non-food items: Laundry Detergent Diapers sizes 4, 5, 6

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

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December 2017 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 2

Choir rehearses

10 am

3 Worship at 8:30 & 11:00 4 5 6 7 8 9 Education Hour 9:45 am Living the Questions 9:45 am Hanging of the Greens 12:15pm Advent Evensong 4:30 pm

Community Band 7pm Book of Faith 7:00 pm

UClub Yoga 10am Piano recital rehearsal 4:15 pm PRE Boot Camp 6:30 Book of Faith 7pm

Friday Musicale Board 9:30 am Advent Worship Noon & 7pm

Adult Choir Rehearsal 7 pm PRE Boot Camp 6:30

Decorating HH Piano Student Recital 6 pm

Choir rehearses 10 am

10 Worship at 8:30 & 11:00 11 12 13 14 15

16 Education Hour 9:45 am Adult Forum Lilly Library puzzles Choir Concert & Reception 5pm

Community Band 7pm

UClub Yoga 10am PRE Boot Camp 6:30

Advent Worship Noon & 7pm

Adult Choir Rehearsal 7 pm PRE Boot Camp 6:30

Voice Recital 7pm Fiber Arts 10 am

17 Worship at 8:30 & 11:00 18 19 20 21 22 23 Children's Christmas Program 11am Service Education Hour 9:45 am Living the Questions 9:45 am Piano Students recital 4pm

Community Band's Christmas Party 7pm

UClub Yoga 10am PRE Boot Camp 6:30

Advent Worship Noon & 7pm

Adult Choir Rehearsal 7 pm PRE Boot Camp 6:30

24 Worship at 9:30 25Blessed Christmas 26 27 28 29 30 Family Worship at 4:00 pm Candlelight Worship 8:00 pm

31 One Service at 9:30 am

Church Office Closed

December 3* December 10 December 17* December 24 December 24* January 7* January 10

8:30 AM 8:30 AM 8:30 AM 9:30 AM 8:00 PM 8:30 AM 8:30 AMASST MINISTER Robin Hersberger Gail Seegert David Rohlfing K Boggess R Hershberger David Rohlfing Gail SeegertLECTOR ML Nierzwicki Mike Laros Del Newkirk Barb Unger Margaret Harter Sacha Arterberry Kent UngerACOLYTE Madelyn Shupe Natalie Schacht Max Arterberry Lilly Rademacher Leah Knipstein Natalie Schacht Max ArterberrySERVER Gene Laughman Jean Brown David Ellies Kris Frampton Mitchell Knipstein Del Newkirk ML NierzwickiUSHERS J/M Doering Gallien/ L/U Coyne D/D Nixon J/M Doering F/ML Nierzwicki Gallien/GREETERS C/S Arterberry M/J Laros Mary Sasse Margaret Harter Gail Seegert K/B Unger D/L NewkirkCRUCIFER Mitchell Knipstein

FLOWERS Melissa de Graaf B/C Gallien D/S Arnold

BREAD/WINE D/K Rohlfing J/S Halvorson J/R Steele T/J Sinn Vicki Polansky Jean Brown D/L NewkirkCOUNCIL CO Sam Eichmiller Tom Sinn Cindy Gallien Cindy Gallien

Kim Filiatrault Dennis Baurle Ashley Ahlbrand Dean Arnold Ashley AhlbrandALTAR GUILD Shirley Mingee Jean Brown Gail Seegert Mary Sasse Mary Sasse Ute Coyne

Charlene Braun Betty Smith Margaret Harter Pauline Caldwell

December 3 December 10* December 17 December 24 December 31 January 7 January 10*

11:00 AM 11:00 AM 11:00 AM 4:00 PM 9:30 AM 11:00 AM 11:00 AMOne Service

ASST MINISTER Tim Smith Ashley Ahlbrand Gary Ingersoll Kris Stewart Lyman Hitchcock Lindsey Smith Tim SmithLECTOR Stephanie Biehn Sandy Arnold Ashley Ahlbrand Peter Iversen David Ellies Susan Koutiel David DalekeACOLYTE Nina Daleke Noah Smith Koral Dimick Kenna Dimick Matthew Schacht Irene Fogleman Molly WyattSERVER Lyman Hitchcock Sandy Arnold Sharon Fawbush K Boggess Charlene Braun David Daleke Chris OganUSHERS Kaye Hill P/L May Dean Arnold G/G Laughman McDonald/Ohslund Kaye Hill P/L MayGREETER G Moehlmann T/J Garl Kari Esarey C/K McDonald Ruth Rives Baurle/Filiatrault Deb MooreCRUCIFER

VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE FOR NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017