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

DECEMBER 2012

Merry Christmas!

It seems hard to believe that this will be our third Christmas together already. Wow, how the time flies. As we move into what can be a crazy and busy season, please allow me to share two things with you.

First, I am incredibly thankful for all of you. I appreciate your responding to Jesus’ call to discipleship. Thanks for your faith and your service. Thank you for the kindness that you have shown me, my family, and each other. Thanks for your willingness to step out in faith and serve through your time and your donations. Thank you for making St Thomas what it is.

Secondly, I am keeping you all in prayer. May this Advent and Christmas season be a time of joy for each of you. May you know God’s peace and hope. I am well aware that grief over loved ones not present, pain over strained and broken relationships, stress around an endless to-do list, and generally being frazzled at this time of year can be what we experience most. This year I am praying that each of you may experience genuine hope and joy in this season. Know that you are loved and valued. Merry Christmas!

Peace, Hope, Love, and Joy,Pastor Sean

CHRISTMAS SERVICES

CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP

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

Candlelight Worship with CommunionChildren's Sermon

The Music & Message of Christmas

ADVENT

It is Advent Season!Please join us as we prepare for

the coming of our Lord.

ATTENTION ST. THOMAS MEMBERSCONGREGATIONAL MEETING

A CONGREGATIONAL MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2, FOLLOWING THE 9:00 AM WORSHIP SERVICE. The order of business will be to approve the budget for 2013.

Please turn in your 2013 pledge card if you have not done so already. Also, please pick up your 2013 offering envelopes in the hallway leading to the fellowship hall.

SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS MUSIC

Music Sunday isDecember 9

and will include a variety of Christmas music.

We welcome all to come and

rejoice in song.

SUNDAY SCHOOLCHRISTMAS PROGRAM

THE CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM IS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16. Join us at 10am, between worship services, as the children present One Silent Night.  There will be a brief rehearsal after church December 2nd, and practice December 15th from 9:30-11am.  Children should be at church at 9am on the 16th to get ready for the program.  After the program (during the 10:30 worship) the kids will enjoy a party in the Sunday School rooms.  

YOUTH NIGHT SUNDAYS

The caroling on December 16th will take the place of our usual youth night activities, and then youth night will be on break for the rest of December.  Youth night will resume January 6th.  Merry Christmas!

CHRISTMAS CAROLING

Caroling December 16th 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.

WELCA COOKIE WALK

The St. Thomas WELCA is holding a Cookie Walk on Sunday, December 16 following both worship services. A sign up is on the board for those wishing to donate cookies. All proceeds go to the Rev. Edward R. Aller Scholarship Fun.

CHRISTNET WARMING CENTER

Grosse Ile Interfaith Council of Churches sponsors ChristNet the week of December 23 – 29. St. Thomas’ night to host is Sunday, December 23. All churches and their members can participate in hosting on Christmas Day. There is a sign up on the bulletin board. If you would like further information, please speak to Jeff Kline.

BAPTISM

On November 10 St. Thomas welcomed

Xavi Douglas Diaz-Flores into God’s Family

by infant baptism. Parents are Eduardo Diaz Flores and

Yvonne (Messer) Diaz-Flores.Godparents are Jim & Lorraine Sladich.

SYMPATHIES

Sympathies of the congregation are extended to the family of

Carol Pray, St. Thomas member, who passed away on

November 25. A memorial service is scheduled for

December 1 at 11:00am.

HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS!

The church offices will be closed the week of December 24-28. 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.

THANK YOU FROM LISA BLACKBURN

Thank you so much to my St. Thomas family for your support during the School Board Campaign. Your prayers and words of encouragement helped

keep me going during the months leading up to November 6th. I know many of you spoke to friends and relatives about my desire to be a

School Board Trustee. I really believe that word of mouth was a big part of my success in the election. I am looking forward to the next 6 years and being part of the process that continues the tradition of

educational excellence on Grosse Ile.Thank you,

Lisa Blackburn

BIRTHDAYSDuring the month of December we wish the

following a very Birthday.

Joan DeByle 12/04Seana Schade 12/08Paul Luoma 12/10

Sue Brittain 12/12/12!Janice Hurschmann 12/13

Lauren Sargent 12/13Jim Brittain 12/16

William Sargent 12/18Christine Schade 12/18

Michael Krzeczkowski 12/19Doug Kujala 12/21Marta Fekete 12/25James Brittain 12/26Robert Malone 12/26Donald Fekete 12/27Gayle Mitchell 12/28

One of many positive comments about the All Saints Day Remembrance which was held November 4: "...the All Saints Day portion of your service last Sunday was the best one ever held. The scrolling of the names... the photographs ...and going to the altar, lighting a candle, placing it on the altar, saying the name(s), and returning to your seat was a very meaningful act of involvement. It was very personal. The brightness of all the candles glowing on the altar during the rest of the service was a constant reminder of the theme of the day. Thank you so much..." Please visit our website, www.sthomasgi.com to view the All Saints Day Remembrance Video. 

PROPERTY

The roof project is still planned to start soon.  The project will include replacing the fellowship hall roof and adding venting.  The contractor will check suspect areas in flat roof area to determine if any work needs to be done.  The contractor will prep for possible future replacement of the flat roof.  Some minor work will also be done on the gutters. Property Group

OTHER ITEMS OF NOTE

ELCA Good Gifts – Honor friends and loved ones with gifts that grow the church, fight hunger and transform lives in under-privileged countries. Visit ELCA.org/goodgifts. $10 will buy baby chicks; $50 a goat; $40 school fees for girls.

St. Thomas Logo clothing available to order – see order forms in the narthex at the church.

St. Thomas Guitar Group will be performing prior to the December 21 Jersey Boys play from 6:30-8:00 in the lobby of the Fisher Theatre!

We thank the following for providing Poinsettias for the 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 Ann Bevak

Ken & Joan Debyle

Pete & Sandi Loso in memory ofDick and Valere Carr

Pete 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

Cindy & George Thompson in memory ofCarl & June Bloetscher

and Edna & Clair Thompson

The Arndt Family in memory ofRev. Steve Dewey; Clifford Gronda;

and Bob & Margaret Arndt

Richard & Sandra PappBill & Doris Swasey

Kathy Bartos and Mike & Lori BartosIn memory of Tom Bartos

The Shelton FamilyIn memory of Margie Bowen and

Oliver & Rose Shelton

A NOTE FROM LAUREN RAGEN

Greetings from Sunny California,You all are probably wondering why I am in

California. Some of you may have met my boyfriend, Brad, last spring around Easter. When I went out to visit him in California this past October (he is serving his internship in Davis, CA), he proposed at the airport! It was all very romantic; he wrote me a poem and read it and then asked. We decided to get married this

January 6th at his internship church in Davis. So, I will be a married woman in about a month.

In light of these recent developments, I have made some decisions that I want to share with you all. Firstly, I have decided to switch from the MDiv to the MTS degree for the time being. I made this decision after conversation with my parents, my fiancé, and my candidacy committee. The conversations led me to reconsider the timing of my candidacy and my pursuit of the MDiv degree. At this point, I believe it best to finish my time at Trinity with the MTS (Master of Theological Studies) degree, after which point I will look for work in teaching. From the beginning, I have felt called to teach (I perceive ministering/pastoring as a form of teaching). The MTS, then, will not only provide me with a richer, deeper understanding of academic material (which will be of great help in my teaching), but will also will allow me the opportunity to grow in my relationship with God and take steps forward in my spiritual journey. This is not to say that I have lost my desire to earn the MDiv, or that I no longer want to be a pastor; rather, some time will allow me to have more experience in the church and will allow me to grow into all the changes that are taking place in my life. Time, then, will allow me to ultimately return to the candidacy process as a more seasoned candidate. My candidacy committee supports this decision and encourages and looks forward to my returning to the process at a later point.

The MTS degree has provided me with some latitude and flexibility it terms of scheduling. After the end of this semester (the semester ends mid-December), I will only have 18 credits to go until the degree is completed. I will be completing six credits each semester for the next three semesters (Spring 13’, Fall 13’, Spring 14’). This next semester, I will be completing my coursework online from California. Brad and I will return to Columbus in August, at which point we will both complete our degree requirements in the 2013-2014 academic year. We will both graduate in the Spring of 2014.

I know that this is a lot to take in- a lot of changes to be sure! I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank y’all for all the support you have given me from the very beginning. It has been such a blessing to be part of such a supportive and uplifting community. You all have been so encouraging, gracious and loving, supporting and affirming my calling at every turn and at every bump in the road. It has truly meant the world to me. I look forward to seeing you all again this summer.

Peace, Lauren Ragen

DECEMBER 2012 SERVANTS OF ST. THOMAS

DATE SERVICE GREETERS USHERS

10:00 AM

COFFEE HOST

LAY READERS

ALTAR

CARE

COMMUNION ASSISTANTS

NURSERYSUNDAY SCHOOL

ACOLYTES5:00PM YOUTH MEALS

Dec. 2Advent 1

9:00am * Judy Cemer, Sonny

Ouellette, Bill Swasey, Bob Arndt

*Jim

Schiesel

Marcia Steger

and Grace Biggar

Need Volunteer

*Justine Brozek

*

10:30amThe

Swamy Family

Kathy & Lori

BartosBob Arndt

Darcie & Corey

Bammer

Nancy Graver

Lisa Kohler

Jeff & kathie Kline

Dec. 9Advent 2

9:00am * Matt Shelton, George

Thompson, George Nelson

Judy Cemer

Need Volunteer

*Anna

Finazzo*

10:30amThe

Bammer Family

Harvey & Doris Nissley

Dan Sanquist

Dan Sanquist &

Al Skrocki

Morgan Bammer

Kate BickelJoyce Bickel

Dec. 16Advent 3

9:00am *Fred Karn,

Elke Malcomson

, Carol Viazanko,

Rob Holmes

* Art WahlNeed

Volunteer

Christmas

Program

Ryan Blackburn

*

10:30amJohn & Cheryl

Shelton

Cooke Walk

George Thompson

Sal & Cheryl Finazzo

Kathy Benko

10:00am Christma

s Program

Allie Graver

Judy Cemer/

Christmas Caroling

Dec. 23Advent 4

9:00am *Al Skrocki,

John Shelton,

Sandi Loso

* Ethel YopsNeed

Volunteer* Kate Bickel *

10:30am

Grace Biggar &

Diane Bloetscher

*Diane

BloetscherMark &

Nancy GraverNatalie Wallace

No Sunday School

Emma Blackburn

No Youth Night

Dec. 24 Christma

s Eve5:30pm *

Stuart Keeler & Denise Keeler

* *Need

Volunteer*

Matt Graver Katie

Graver

*

10:00pm *

Corey Bammer,

Paul Smolak, Adam Bickel, Aaron Bickel

* *Need

Volunteer*

Danielle Thompson, Ryan Blackburn

*

Dec.309:00am * Judy

Cemer, Sonny

Ouellette, Bill Swasey, Bob Arndt

*Bill

SwaseyMarcia Aller *

Haley Swamy

*

10:30amBev Gover

& Ethel Yops

Judy Cemer

Grace Biggar

Erin Shelton & Volunteer

Allison Schmit

No Sunday School

Collin Bammer

No Youth Night

Please prayerfully consider your participation in one of the areas for the Sunday 9 & 10:30 am services: greeters, ushers, communion set up, lay readers, communion assistants, and sound booth operators. Please indicate your willingness to help by letting the church office know or writing on the connection card available at the church services.

MEN’S LUNCHMark your calendar for December 5 at 12:00 noon to enjoy a holiday lunch provided by Pastor Ted Aller.

Thank you to Bill Swasey for providing last month’s lunch and program. Twelve men who attended the lunch learned about the amazing Brown Myotis Bat and watched the beginning of a Charlton Heston video. This month the rest of the of the video will be shown. Please bring a friend and don’t forget your donation for the Sacred Heart food pantry.

Remember the fun we would have going to Bronner’s in Frankenmuth to enjoy the Christmas lights? Well, after lunch we will get the purple church bus out of the garage in the parking lot and travel to the Woodhaven Home Depot to view the Christmas decorations. ~Dick Withey

DECEMBER 2012Sun Tue Thu SatMon Wed FriJANUARY 30 9:00am Choir 10:15am Worship 10:15am Sunday School ANNUAL MEETING Coffee 5:00pm Youth Night

JANUARY 31 9:00am Quilters

7:30pm Guitar Group

12:00 Noon Men’s Lunch

9:00am Off ice Volunteers 5:30pm Worship (Communion)

9:00am Choir Rehearsal 10:15am Worship (Communion) 10:15am Sunday School Coffee NO YOUTH NIGHT

9:00am Quilters 7:30pm Guitar Group

6:30pm Church Council

9:00am Off ice Volunteers 5:30pm Worship

9:00am Choir Rehearsal 10:15am Worship 10:15am Sunday School Coffee 5:00pm Youth Night

9:00am Quilters Evening - Fellow ship Hall In Use 7:30pm Guitar Group

9:00am Off ice Volunteers 5:30pm Worship (Communion)

9:00am Choir Rehearsal 10:15am Worship (Communion) 10:15am Sunday School Coffee 5:00pm Youth Night

9:00am Quilters 7:00pm Worship & Music Committee

7:30pm Guitar Group

9:00am Off ice Volunteers 5:30pm Worship

9:00am Choir Rehearsal 10:15am Worship 10:15am Sunday School Coffee 5:00pm Youth Night

9:00am Quilters Evening - Fellow ship Hall in use 4-9pm

December 2012Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

5:30pm Worship

29:00am Traditional Worship10:00am CoffeeCongregation Meeting10:30am Contemporary Worship Sunday School 11:30am Christmas Program Rehearsal 5:00pm Youth Night

ADVENT 1

39:00am Quilters

4

7:00pm Guitar Group

5

12:00 Noon - Men's Lunch

69:00am Office Volunteers

7 8

5:30pm Worship

9 CHRISTMASMUSIC SUNDAY9:00am Traditional Worship10:00am Coffee10:30am Contemporary Worship Sunday School 5:00pm Youth Night

ADVENT 2

109:00am Quilters

11

7:00pm Guitar Group

7:30pm Church Council

12 139:00am Office Volunteers

14 159:30 - 11:00am Children's Christmas Program Rehearsal

5:30pm Worship

169:00am Traditional Worship10:00am Children's Christmas Program10:30am Contemporary Worship Cookie Walk before and after both services3:00pm Christmas CarolingNO YOUTH NIGHT

ADVENT 3

179:00am Quilters

7:00pm Worship & Music Committee

18

7:00pm Guitar Group

19 209:00am Office Volunteers

21 22

5:30pm Worship

239:00am Traditional Worship10:00am Coffee10:30am Contemporary Worship Sunday School No Youth Night

St. Thomas' night for ChristNet

ADVENT 4

245:30pm Christmas EveCandlelight Worship with Communion

10:00pm Christmas EveCandlelight Worshipwith Communion

25

VOLUNTEER FOR CHRISTNET

26 279:00am Office Volunteers

28 29

1:00pm Baptism

5:30pm Worship

309:00am Traditional Worship10:00am Coffee10:30am Contemporary Worship No Sunday School No Youth Night

Christmas 1

31

November January

DECEMBER HIGHLIGHTS December 2 – Advent begins/Congregational Meeting to approve

2013 Budget December 9 – Christmas Music Sunday December 16 – Children’s Christmas Program/Cookie Walk December 23 - ChristNet – St. Thomas Night December 24 – Christmas Eve Worship Services at 5:30pm and 10:00pm December 25 – Opportunity to volunteer for ChristNet