Sean Ewbank, Pastor ST. THOMAS LUTHERAN CHURCHEdward R. Aller, Pastor Emeritus 9393 Church RoadGrosse Ile, MI 48138(734) 675-0005; (734) 675-8807Fax: (734)675-5068Pastor Sean: (734) 250-1655Emails: pastorsean@stthomasgi.com office@stthomasgi.com Website: www.stthomasgi.com

CHRISTMAS 2013/JANUARY 2014

Merry Christmas!!Happy New Year!

It is my sincere hope and prayer that as you read this, you are beginning to enjoy a wonderful Christmas season. It seems hard to believe but this will be my 4th Christmas here at St Thomas. I am so thankful for many things in my life. All of the St Thomas family is part of my prayers of thanksgiving as this year draws to a close.

We have had a wonderful celebration of our 50th anniversary. My thanks goes out to everyone who made our celebration what it was. My thanks also to all of the people who have already and continue to give to our capital fund campaign. Thanks also to all of you who engage in so many forms of ministry that make St Thomas what it is. Thank you, everyone.

As we step into our 51st year, may we do so with strong faith. Our first sermon series will be using Dr. Rich Melheim’s book Holding Your Family Together. Despite the word “family” in the title, it is a book for all people about strengthening our faith for the daily walk of life. The sermon series will begin the weekend of January 11th and 12th and will include an opportunity to meet together in small groups. If you are not part of a small group and want to be just indicate that on your connection card or let me know.

May 2014 be a wonderful year for each of you individually and for us collectively here at St Thomas.

Peace, Hope, Love, and Joy,Pastor Sean

CHRISTMAS SERVICES

CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP

5:30 pm & 10:00pmTuesday, December 24

Candlelight Worship with CommunionChildren's Sermon

The Music & Message of Christmas

NEW SERMON SERIES

New sermon serieswith small groups

begins January 11/12Books will be available for purchase

at the church $15

CHRISTMAS CAROLING

Caroling December 22nd

Everyone is invited to join the youth night participants as we take Christmas Cheer to our shut ins.  The more the merrier (literally) - no musical talent required! All carolers should

gather at the church at 2:30 to begin Caroling at 3pm.

SEASONAL MUSIC SUNDAYS

Thank you to all who provided the wonderful Christmas music on Sundays during December: Karen Skrocki and the Pics & Bows; The St. Thomas

Praise Team, Jay Blackburn, Morgan Bammer, Delaney Arndt, Dan Sanquist, Jeff Kline, Kiernan O’Connor, Camden Finazzo, Anna Finazzo, Emma Blackburn, the Children’s Orchestra, and Becky Arndt.

SUNDAY SCHOOLCHRISTMAS PROGRAM

Sunday School performed a wonderful program on December 15 called The Christmas Stranger. Thank you to all who were part of this service. Thanks also to Karen Skrocki for all her hard work in making this program possible.

Noisy Offering

Thank you to all who empty their pockets of change on the second Sunday of each month as the children collect coins for the Noisy Offering. For 2013, $819 was collected to be given to those in need.

ADVENTure series

Many families attended our ADVENTure Series program on Sunday evenings during Advent.  Participants of all ages were encouraged to make choices to "go without" so that others can have more... clean water, that is!  More pictures can be viewed on our website: www.stthomasgi.com

Josh Davis contemplates where to add himself into the Nativity during our Prayer Stations ADVENTure.

The Arndt family makes an advent wreath during our first ADVENTure.

Frank Gladowski, Maddy Davis, Logan Gladowski, Monica and Delaney Arndt wear the bishop mitres they made during our St. Nicholas ADVENTure.

CHRISTNET WARMING CENTER

Grosse Ile Interfaith Council of Churches sponsored ChristNet the week of November 17-23 at St. Thomas. On Wednesday evening Pastor Sean and the Praise Group held church service for the guests which included a baptism for one of the 30 guests. Thank you to the many who helped with chaperoning and/or providing food and to Jeff & Kathie Kline and Interfaith Council for coordinating.  

WELCA COOKIE WALK

The WELCA had postponed the December 15 Cookie Walk due to the heavy snow, but the service was still well attended and cookies were available so the sale went on – thank you Marcia Aller - $239 was raised to go towards the Rev. Edward R. Aller Scholarship. Cookie Walk#2 will be held December 22 as more cookies will be available. Thank you to all who donated the delicious treats!

YOUTH

Our High School Youth who will be attending The Gathering Youth Retreat in Lansing December 27-30 are Lizzie Finazzo, Kate Bickel, Danielle Thompson, Maddy Davis

and Logan Gladowski. Also joining our group will be Martin Hansknecht. Our youth met Martin at Michi-Lu-Ca this past summer, and as no one else is going from his home congregation we invited him to join our crew!  Please keep these youth, as well as leaders Krista Ewbank and Lori Bartos, in your prayers that they may have a safe, fun and faith filled time.  

JOB OPENINGS AT ST. THOMAS

St. Thomas is looking for a Director of Youth and Family Ministry and also a Director of Hospitality. Job Descriptions for both positions can be obtained by contacting the office. If you are interested in either job, please speak to Pastor Sean by January 5, 2014.

We thank the following for providing Poinsettiasfor our Christmas Altar this year

Betty Hoeftin memory of Kenneth Hoeft

Ethel J. Yops in memory ofRobert C. Yops Jr. & Robert C. Yops, Sr.

Gayle Mitchell in memory of Carl & Dolly Geloneck,

Donna Black and Todd Horuczi

Paul Smolak in memory of Helen Smolak & Merle Solomon

Bob & Denise Malone in memory of Mrs. Hugh (Carol) Cameron

Art & Jo Wahl in honor of Rev. Phil Wahl

Pete & Sandi Loso in memory ofRichard and Valere CarrPeter and Elizabeth Loso

Bev Gover in memory of Ed Gover

Doug & Agnes Kujala

Harvey & Doris Nissley

Jeff & Katelyn Hubbard in memory ofGreat Grandma & Grandpa Hubbard and

Great Grandma & Grandpa Sweeney

The Arndt Family in memory ofRev. Steve Dewey, Clifford Gronda, and

Margaret & Robert Arndt

Kathy & Lori Bartos in memory of Tom Bartos

The Shelton FamilyIn memory of Marjorie Bowen and

Oliver & Rose Shelton

The Kevin Kohler Family in memory of Bill Kohler

Bill & Cathy Medick in memory of Bill Medick

Jeff & Sherel Karrar in memory of John Slocum & Marjorie Karrar

BAPTISMS

On Saturday, December 21St. Thomas welcomes into God’s Family by

baptism:

Jordan John SapiosSon of Andreas and Kathleen (Engler) Sapios

Grandson of John & Sue EnglerGodparents are Michael & Cleia Engler

Pastor Aller presided

On Sunday, December 22St. Thomas welcomes into God’s Family by Baptism

Jack Reginald HubbardInfant son of Jeff & Katelyn Hubbard

Godparents are Todd Hubbard & Lujin Zhang

NEW BABY

Congratulations to Jonathan & Jennifer Kline on the birth of their daughter, Kennedy Lee Kline on December7 in New York. Proud grandparents are Jeff & Kathie Kline.

LIVING WATERS MINISTRIES

2014 Camp Michi-Lu-Ca Summer camp program information is now available on the bulletin board for youth in grades 1-12.

BIRTHDAYS

During the month of January we wish the following a very Happy Birthday!

Joanne Reider 1/03Tate Dauter 1/04 Ann Wesley 1/06Kaitlin Karrar 1/07 Kyle Karrar 1/07Robert Holmes 1/10 Ursula O’Connor 1/10 Sean Wahl 1/11 Andy Wahl 1/11Shannon Loso 1/12Linda Parrill 1/13 Kent Kujala 1/15Kiernan O’Connor 1/18 Ava Benko 1/19

Jeffrey Kline 1/20 Anne Marie Rock 1/20 Nick Cameron 1/21 Emily Perry 1/22Justin Schiesel 1/26 Judy Chestnutt 1/29

DONATIONS to Sacred Heart's Food Pantry continues

Thank you to all who have been bringing in needed items. The third week of each month the donations are taken over to the Food Pantry at Sacred Heart. Collected are non-perishable goods such as Progresso Soups and Campbell Chunky Meals (used by the older population to add to their Meals on Wheels food). In addition to other canned foods, children's snacks such as small containers of applesauce, fruit, juice boxes, small bags of cookies, peanut butter & jelly are appreciated. Paper products and cleaning supplies are items that are greatly needed that cannot be purchased with the Bridge card assistance program.

JANUARY SERVANTS OF ST. THOMASSERVICE DATES

AND TIMES GREETERS USHERS

COFFEE HOST

10:00AM

LAY READER

ALTAR CARECOMMUNION ASSISTANTS NURSERY

SUNDAY SCHOOL ACOLYTES

YOUTH MEALS5:00PM

January 5Epiphany

Of Our Lord

9:00am

*Fred Karn,

Elke Malcomson,

Carol Viazanko

Marcia Aller

Elke Malcomso

n

&

Bev

Gover

Al Skrocki & Marcia

Aller* * David

Torosian *

10:30am The Karrar Family Becky

Arndt

Mark & Nancy Graver

To be scheduled

To be scheduled

Matt Graver

Darcie Bammer

January 12 Baptism

Of Our Lord

9:00am

* Al Skrocki, John

Shelton, Sandi Loso

Art WahlAl Skrocki & Marcia

Aller* *

Lisa Kohler

10:30amBob & Denise Malone

Ethel Yops Jay & Lisa Blackburn

To be scheduled

To be scheduled

Ryan Blackburn

January 19 Epiphany 2

9:00am

* Stuart & Denise Keeler

Judy Cemer

Maryellen Nelson

Carol Viazanko &

Marcia Aller

* * Joe Davis

10:30amHarvey &

Doris Nissley

Judy CemerSandi Loso

& Erin Shelton

To be scheduled

To be scheduled

Haley Swamey

January 26Epiphany 3

9:00am

* Corey Bammer,

Paul Smolak, Adam Bickel

Sal FinazzoSal &

Cheryl Finazzo

* *Anna

Finazzo

10:30am The Graver Family Erin

Shelton

Stuart & Denise Keeler

To be scheduled

To be scheduled

Allie Graver

HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS!The church offices will be closed the week of December 23-27. Phone messages & e-mails will be checked regularly.

Should there be an emergency, please call Pastor Sean at 734-250-1655 or Carol Cameron at 734-934-1964.

This holiday season, we greatly thank everyone who has supported St. Thomas this past year with their time, talent and financial contributions and look forward to support from all of our members in the year ahead. If you plan to make an additional gift before the end of the year electronically, we encourage you to do so by December 27 to allow time for bank processing. Visit www.stthomasgi.com or contact

the church office for more information.

JANUARY HIGHLIGHTS

January 11/12– Holding Your Family Together sermon series begins.

January 5 Sunday School & Youth Night resume. Quilters resume January 6.

s JANUARY 2014

January 2014Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

2014

HAPPY NEWYEAR

29:00am Office Volunteers

3 410:00am Praise Team Practice

5:30pm Worship

59:00am Traditional Worship10:00am Coffee10:30am Contemporary Worship 10:30am Sunday School5-7pm Youth Night

CHRISTMAS 2 EPIPHANY

69:00am Quilters

7

7:00pm Guitar Group

8

Evening - Fellowship Hall In Use

99:00am Office Volunteers

7:30pm Praise Team Practice

10 11

5:30pm Worship Noisy Offering

Holding Your Family Together Sermon Series begins

12Sermon Series Begins9:00am Traditional Worship10:00am Coffee10:30am Contemporary Worship - Noisy Offering 10:30am Sunday School5-7pm Youth Night

BAPTISM OF OUR LORD

139:00am Quilters

14

7:00pm Guitar Group

15

Evening - Fellowship Hall In Use

169:00am Office Volunteers

7:30pm Praise Team Practice

17 18

5:30pm Worship Baptism

199:00am Traditional Worship10:00am Coffee10:30am Contemporary Worship 10:30am Sunday SchoolAfternoon fellowship hall in use5-7pm Youth Night

EPIPHANY 2

209:00am Quilters

21

7:00pm Guitar Group

22

Evening - Fellowship Hall In Use

239:00am Office Volunteers

7:30pm Praise Team Practice

24 25

5:30pm Worship

269:00am Traditional Worship10:00am Coffee10:30am Contemporary Worship 10:30am Sunday School5-7pm Youth Night

EPIPHANY 3

279:00am Quilters

28

7:00pm Guitar Group

29

Evening - Fellowship Hall In Use

309:00am Office Volunteers

7:30pm Praise Team Practice

31

December

S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10111213 14

1516 171819 20 21

2223 24252627 28

2930 31

February

S M T W T F S

1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10111213 1415

16 171819 20 2122

23 24252627 28