CONNECTING INDIVUALS TO JESUS AND TO ONE ANOTHER. Educating Minds Growing Faith Serving People

Transcription

1 S L PEOPLE TO PEOPLE A Publication of Saint Thomas Lutheran Church CONNECTING INDIVUALS TO JESUS AND TO ONE ANOTHER Educating Minds Growing Faith Serving People "UnPlugged" I realized I had failed the moment I woke up, before I even rolled out of bed. Why I did not do it the night before, I do not know. I had no excuse. Fortunately it was not too late to recover, but it certainly would make things more complicated. Every night when I go to bed I plug in my phone and ipad so that they are fully charged for the next day. Last night as I went to bed they were both in the 'low power' mode. The chargers were plugged into the wall, and the phone and ipad placed by their side. And when I got up this morning, there they lay, side by side, unplugged. Before I did anything else, I carried all four items with me to the kitchen and got the recharging started. I need the Bible on my ipad to write Thursday's Thirst! This puts me into a situation similar to a day that starts without some time in God's Word, or a week without joining God's people for worship. Unplugged I become undercharged. 'Low power mode' and shut down are a real threat. And I never have a good excuse here, either. Thankfully God is merciful. So, though I may have made my life more complicated, his word tells me, "It's not too late." Why is it so important to be regularly plugged into God's word? "(His) word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm ) "The sacred writings are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy ) Need more? "The gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes... for in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith as it is written, 'The righteous shall live by faith.'" (Romans ) "Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." (Romans 10.17) God wants nothing but the best for us. And, in his Word and Sacrament, he gives us his best... the righteousness of Jesus... redemption... forgiveness... guidance... power... courage... peace. "My child," he says to us, "If you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;...if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." (Proverbs 2.1-6) It makes no sense (to me) to go through life unplugged to this incredible source, yet I know many who do just that... I just checked my phone, it is already at 95% (so it doesn't take that much). Of course, it doesn't make much sense to leave my phone and ipad laying by their chargers unplugged, either. And now I hear that I used the wrong towel this morning... and I cannot find my car keys! Oh, my, how unplugged leads to complicated! Blessings from Pastor Mark Hetzner February 2018 Volume 12 Issue 5 Points of Interest: Message from Pastor Hetzner Lent Worship Holy Week Schedule Thrivent Action Teams Health News Congregational Connector Calendar GSRP Thrivent Financial On Line Giving Genesis Center Worship Opportunities

2 LENT 2018 SPEAKING of CHRIST on the CROSS Midweek Devotions every 1:00 p.m. SUNDAY 10:45 a.m. Romans - Room 206 Sunday s Gospel - Room 205 WEDNESDAY 6:30 a.m. Titus - men only Fireside lounge SATURDAY 8:00 a.m. Joshua - men only Fireside Lounge Tuesday & Thursday FHL s The Truth Project Tuesday is at 9:30 a.m. in the Fireside Thursday is at 1:00 p.m. in Rm. 101 Many throughout the week in homes, contact church office for more information Sunday at 10:45 a.m. - Children in Christ Age 3 to 5th grade - Opening in Church JC style Grade 6th and up - Room 211 MIDWEEK COMMUNION Wednesday, March 7 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. ELECTRONIC MEDITATIONS (Make sure we have your address) CHRIST Speaks from the CROSS Holy Week 2018 Palm Sunday with Communion March 25 th - 9:30 a.m. Maundy Thursday - March 29 th Journey to the Cross 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. & 5:30-8:00 p.m. Come when you can, stay as long as you want! Good Friday - March 30 th Service with Communion - 12:00 p.m. Tenebrae with Communion - 7:00 p.m. Easter Sunday - April 1 st Sunrise Service with Communion - 8:00 a.m. Easter Breakfast between 9:15-10:15 a.m. Festival Service with Communion - 10:30 a.m. SAINT THOMAS OFFICERS July June 2018 President Mr. Art Wensink Secretary Mr. Richard Cain Vice-President (need) Chief Financial Officer Mr. Mark Matheson Page 2

3 Connie Sommers gave to the Food Pantry and the Kapelle in memory of Dorthy Sommers, her mother-in-law. Wednesday Men s FHL Group gave a thank offering to the Food Pantry. Tuesday FHL Group gave a thank offering to the Food Pantry. Thank You! Please remember to direct your dollars on behalf of the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Thrivent Choice program. STL receives a donation without effecting your accounts! Have you directed your dollars to STL? Thank you John Dalzotto, Vada Habermas, Roy & Irene Leidich, Kenneth Mertz, and Cynthia Mossner for your support with this donation program. HIS II (Hearts in Study & Hands in Service Women s Group) extend an invitation to all women, 18 and older, to study God s Word with them on the 4th Monday evening of the month at 7 p.m. in the fireside lounge. HIS II is a women s Bible study group and a service group, performing many services in and around St. Thomas. Our February Meeting is on Monday, February 26th. We will be discussing Easter breakfast, our March meeting date, and other service items. Pastor will take cookies to our shut-ins after Easter, so cookies will not need to be brought until our March meeting. Please come and join us! Outreach Saturdays Third Saturday of every Month Ministering to our community through food, clothing, and prayer Clothing Closet & Food Pantry** Open 11 a.m. 1 p.m. Holiday Food Baskets - March 31st Prayer Walking 11 a.m. Noon **Food Pantry closed during SASS** This Month - The food pantry could use your help with the following items this month: canned pasta sauces, canned beans, canned corn, boxes of scalloped potatoes and mac n cheese. Donations are also needed to cover the cost of the Hams we purchase for Easter. The food pantry is NOT open on the third Saturday of March, because we will be doing the Easter Food Baskets on the 31st of March. We will pack on Friday after the Good Friday service at 7:00 pm, and on Saturday, our community will come and pick up. Many hands are needed to make this happen. Please contact Tim or Elizabeth Kruse to volunteer your time or if you have any questions. "Some people are kind, polite, and sweetspirited until you try to sit in their pews." Woman of the Year Luncheon At this year's luncheon we will honor Kathy Smith, on March 20th at Wyndham Gardens in Sterling Heights. Doors will open at 10:00 am. Tickets are $24. If you would like to attend, contact either Judy Michelsen or Cheryl Phaneuf for your ticket. You can pay by cash or check. If paying cash, please have the correct amount. If paying by check, please make your check payable to HIS II. The last day to purchase a ticket will be Monday, March 5th. ARE YOU INTERESTED? "Tuesday's Text" A short passage from the Bible sent to your phone sometime during the day on Tuesday... Send Pastor Hetzner a text at Thursday s Thirst A little midweek encouragement every Thursday morning? Send your request to pastormarkhetz@hotmail.com. Page 3

4 Portals of Prayer is NOW an App! Same Portals of Prayer, New Delivery Wherever God takes you, you can take His Word. Listen to audio recordings of each day s devotion while you re commuting, running, exercising or just relaxing. You can search for past devotions, up to 1 year, listen to the day s bible readings, devotion and prayer. It provides easy to read devotions you can do anywhere, anytime. Go to or it is available at the App Store or Google Play. Mark your calendars for Life Line Screening will be at STL on May 1, 2018 Pasta Dinner Looking for a fun evening for a great cause? Save the date for Saturday, April 21st, from 6-8 p.m. and join us for the 21st Annual Pasta Dinner and Auction sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 1478, located at St. Anne s Catholic Church in Warren. Dinner includes all you can eat pasta, salad, roll, dessert, and drink. Pre-sale tickets are available until April 10 for $8 adult, $4 child (4-12), free for 3 and under. At this time, we are also seeking donations of items for our live auction. For your tax purposes, we are a 501 c- 3 organization, and all donations are tax deductible. All proceeds from this event directly fund our troop s camping program, including monthly campouts and a full week-long summer camp. For more information, or to make a donation or purchase tickets, cont a c t L i s a Q u i n n a t ( ) or quinn918@sbcglobal.net. Thrivent Action Teams Are you a Thrivent member? Did you know you can take part in an Action Team and receive money for any fund raising activity? Thrivent Action Teams are a terrific opportunity to have a Collective Impact and make a significant transformation to our world! Thrivent Action Teams make it easy for you to bring people together to make a positive change in your community! When you see a need, apply to lead a volunteer team and bam! Once your idea is approved, a Thrivent Action Kit is delivered to your door. It s packed with everything you need to help make your project a success. It even includes $250 in seed money to help get your project started. This passion-powered program is brought to you by Thrivent Financial because we believe that being wise with money and living generously go hand in hand. All Thrivent members are eligible to lead a Thrivent Action Team. However, the number of teams each member can lead per year depends on his or her membership type. Benefit members are eligible to lead two Thrivent Action Teams per calendar year, and associate members are eligible to lead one per calendar year (maximum of three). Check your member status at or call your representative. St. Thomas is looking for Thrivent members to step up to the plate and become an Action Team Leader and apply for the seed money for the many community service projects or for the CrossBridge Preschool. Projects can include the food pantry, SASS, MCREST, clothing closet or any of the ongoing ministries we have. Just like the matching funds, Thrivent money is available to us, we just need to ask for it. Go to You must have a personal Log-in that allows you to view your accounts with them. Log-in or go through the steps and establish a log-in. Once you Log-in you are on a Welcome page. Scroll down to My Member Network & Benefits. You will see Thrivent Action Teams. Follow the easy instructions for applying. If you have any questions or problems, contact Linda in the church office ( ). FaceBook Live Did you know our 9:30 a.m. Sunday worship is now on FaceBook Live? BECOME A FRIEND OF STL - and you can watch it over and over (LOL) [or you can use it as a tool to get God's Word out to someone who needs to hear.] Page 4

5 Handwashing Keeping hands clean through improved hand hygiene is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running water. If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol to clean hands. When should you wash your hands? Before, during and after preparing food Before eating food Before and after caring for someone who is sick Before and after treating a cut or wound After using the toilet After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste After handling pet food or pet treats After touching garbage Source: cdc.gov/handwashing Is it a Cold, the Flu or Allergies? When you start to feel tired and achy, how do you know if you have a common cold, the seasonal flu or allergies? Common Cold: Duration: Last up to 2 weeks Symptoms: Stuffy, runny nose, sore throat, cough Treatment: Rest, fluids, over-the counter (OTC) medicines to ease symptoms Seasonal Flu: Duration: Last 1-2 weeks Symptoms: High fever ( F, or higher in youngsters), headache, aches and pains, weakness, exhaustion, cough, chest discomfort Treatment: Rest, fluids, OTC medicines, prescription antiviral drugs Airborne Allergy: Duration: Lasts as long as allergens (such as pollen, pet dander) are present Symptoms: Stuffy, runny nose, itchy, watery eyes Treatment: Antihistamines, decongestants, nasal steroids Treatment depends on which you have. A health professional can help you choose the best therapy. Christ Is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!!! Please come and worship our Risen Lord and Savior at St. Thomas! Begin Easter morning by attending the Easter Sunrise service at 8. The sunrise service will begin on a more tranquil note and end with the glorious light of the resurrected Savior. Following the sunrise service will be an Easter breakfast, including delicious food, a children s table and activities for the children. Then, come and worship the resurrected Savior at the glorious Festival service at 10:30, filled with beautiful music presented by the Chamber Ensemble, trumpets, Kapelle and Handbells, in addition to congregational singing of Easter favorites! Also, the Cross raining and JC style students will be participating within this festival service. Spread the word! Invite your entire family, your friends and neighbors to celebrate Christ s victory over death by spending Easter morning at St. Thomas! You won t want to miss it!!!! Christ Is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed!! Alleluia!!! Patrons are needed for the Easter Festival Service to offset the cost of the professional chamber orchestra and the orchestral score. If you are interested in being a patron for the Kapelle, please bring your donation to the church office, or place your donation in an envelope marked "Patron for Easter" in the offering plate. Donations can also be used as memorials and thank offerings. Thanking you in advance for your continued support of the Kapelle, as they continue to edify the church through worship in song. Pray with us on the STL Prayer Chain St. Thomas Prayer Chain is seeking men and women to join us in praying. Would you consider joining the STL Prayer Chain in intercessory prayer? It is a simple process, uou will be ed prayer requests and all you have to do is pray. If you don t have an address the weekly prayers can be placed in your church mail slot. For more information or to sign up, contact Karen Dolan (mdolan421@gmail.com). Physical/Medical Supplies - Do you know that the church has wheel chairs, walkers and other physical/medical supplies (supply varies) that are available to borrow/use? If you re in need of any of these supplies to aid you in your everyday life, please contact the church office first before purchasing or getting from your insurance company. Page 5

6 Congregational Connector February 2018 News from the Board of Directors 2018 CONGREGATIONAL THEME: Our major emphasis for the upcoming twelve months will be GETTING THE WORD IN. Under this mega theme, STL will give primary focus to: Promoting growth in our Faith Hope Love small group ministry. Promoting growth in our Cross raining ministries for children and youth. Distributing 1,000 New Testaments (with reading guides) in our community. Educating the entire STL constituency on core Biblical teachings on Christian living. SPRING ELECTIONS: Nominating forms will be available in the narthex through May 13. If you would like to nominate someone to be placed on the May ballot as a candidate for a congregational office or Board, all you need do is simply complete the form and return it to the church office. Before you return the nomination form, be sure to 1) have your candidate understand the commitment and sign the nominations form; 2) make sure your signature is on it too (If you are nominating yourself, please sign in both places). Direct your questions to any member of the BOD (One must be a voting member to serve on a Board). SUNDAY MORNING SECURITY: Starting on Sunday, March 11, the northeast (Kelly Road) church doors will be locked on Sunday mornings at 9:45 a.m. Those who arrive for worship after that time will be directed to park in the rear lot and enter through the northwest entrance. STL FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT: In 2017 God continued to bless STL through the work of the STL Foundation. Over the course of 2017 the Foundation granted $24, for STL ministries while growing its assets by 13% to $1,099, The Foundation has distributed $1,768, in grants since The Trustees have also pre-approved over $85, in grants for For more information on how you can make a tax-wise legacy gift to the STL Foundation, speak with one of the trustees: Ron Greve (chair), Keith Altenburg, Dale Edwards, Steve Kruse and Mark Matheson. FACEBOOK CAMERAMAN: We are looking for 1-2 more volunteers to assist with FaceBook broadcasts of worship services. If you think you might be interested, speak with Jay Perez or Paul Jatkowski (or the individual manning the camera from the sound room). MARCH 7 EVENING COMMUNION: Please mark Wednesday, March 7 on your calendar. On that day, at both 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. STL will host special Lenten Communion services. FINANCIAL REPORT Here is the report of our joint General Fund stewardship (family finances and congregational finances) from July 1, 2017 through January 31, Year to Date Anticipated Actual January Income $ 263, $ 315, $ 37, Expense $ 260, $ 323, $ 42, Net Excess (loss) $ 3, $ (7,965.41) $ (5,025.62) Balance of loan to General Fund from the Restricted Fund: $60, Mortgage Balance: $1,792, The Restricted Fund Balance is $72,669.40, with $12, available for use. Page 6

7 ~ 2018 ~ Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 1p FHL w/pm 7p Handbell Practice 2 7:30p Alanon Meeting 3 8a FHL for Men 9:30a FPU@STL 4 8:15a Kapelle Practice 9:30a Communion Service 10:45a Cross raining/fhl 7p NA Meeting 11 Daylight Saving Time Begins 8:15a Celebration Singers Practice 9:30a Communion Service 10:30a Blood Pressure Checks 10:45a Cross raining/fhl 7p NA Meeting 18 8:15a Kapelle Practice 9:30a Communion Service 10:45a Cross raining/fhl 12p Communion Service 7p NA Meeting 25 Palm Sunday 8:15a Kapelle Practice 9:30a Communion Service 10:45a Cross raining/fhl 7p NA Meeting 5 7:30p Communion Service 12 7:30p Coffee Hour Mtg 7:30p Communion Service 19 7:30p Communion Service 26 7p HIS II 7:30p Communion Service 6 9:30a FHL w/pm 6:30p Elders 6:30p Fitness 13 9:30a FHL w/pm 6:30p Fitness 20 Spring Begins 9:30a FHL w/pm 10a Women of the Year Luncheon 6:30p Fitness 7p Board of Directors 27 6:30p Fitness 7 6:30a FHL for Men 1p Lenten Midweek Devotional 6:30p Kapelle Practice 7p Grief Share 7p Lenten Service w/communion 14 6:30a FHL for Men 1p Lenten Midweek Devotional 6:30p Kapelle Practice 7p Grief Share 21 6:30a FHL for Men 1p Lenten Midweek Devotional 6:30p Kapelle Practice 7p Grief Share 28 6:30a FHL for Men 6:30p Kapelle Practice 7p Grief Share 8 1p FHL w/pm 7p Handbell Practice 15 1p FHL w/pm 7p Handbell Practice 22 1p FHL w/pm 7p Handbell Practice 29 Holy Thursday 11:30a "Journey to the Cross" 5:30p "Journey to the Cross" 9 7:30p Alanon Meeting 16 7:30p Alanon Meeting 23 7:30p Alanon Meeting 10 8a FHL for Men 9:30a FPU@STL Kelly Road, Eastpointe fax: web: churchoffice@stl-eastpointe.org 17 8a FHL for Men 9:30a FPU@STL 11a Clothes Closet Open 11a Prayer Walking 24 8a FHL for Men 30 Good Friday 31 12p Service w/communion 8a FHL for Men 7p Tenebrae w/communion 10a Set up for Easter Breakfast 7:30p Alanon Meeting 11a Easter Food Baskets 8p Easter Food Pack Up

8 ATTENTION FREE PRESCHOOL FOR 4 YEAR OLDS St. Thomas has a wonderful Great Start Readiness Program Preschool for 4 year olds. We are taking applications for our fall class. Our preschool is all day from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday through Thursday, and it is FREE. This is a great opportunity for your 4 year old to start their lifetime of learning! Call TODAY to make an appointment to enroll. The program fills up FAST! Call Michele Future Pastor or Deaconess Have you ever considered becoming a pastor or deaconess? If so, Rev. Bill Wrede from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis would like to meet with you. Rev. Wrede is interested in meeting with prospective students of all ages - elementary school age through adults. He will be in Michigan February at different locations (see his schedule on the east hallway bulletin board). Appointments are individual, informal, and family/friends are welcome to come with you. Appointments are not necessary but encouraged. If you are interested in scheduling a specific time, please contact Rev. Wrede at or wredew@csl.edu. Christian Estate Planning If you have any questions or would like assistance reviewing or getting started with your Christian Estate Plan, our church office and we will connect you to a STL Foundation Trustee. Or, also with no cost to you, the Church Extension Fund would like to help you put your Plan in place. To see some helpful resources go to their website at and click on Gift Planning. You are invited to the Lutheran High School North 20th Annual Fashion Show Spring Fling Thursday, March 15, 2018 Door open at 5:30 p.m. for entertainment & participation in the Silent Auction, Luck of the Draw, Mystery Draw and the Diamond Draw. Dinner is served at 7:00 p.m. Make reservations by going to lhn.lhsa.com. AARP TAX-AIDE HELPS TAXPAYERS FEBRUARY 1 THROUGH APRIL 13, 2018 Free tax counseling and preparation for taxpayers with moderate and low income is available from AARP Tax-Aide from February 1 through April 13. You do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use this service. ITEMS TO BRING **Picture Identification :DRIVER S LICENSE, and SOCIAL SECURITY CARD** Social Security cards for ALL dependents 2016 Federal & State returns 2017 tax documents: Social Security, 1099-R Pensions, IRA, annuities s Interest, Dividend, Miscellaneous, Unemployment, Sale of stocks including purchase price, date purchased, and date sold Property taxes 2017 summer & 2017 winter statements with property taxable value Home heating costs for 2017 listed on your Nov., Dec., or Jan. bill. Affordable Health Care statement 1095-A (Will be issued at the end of January) Itemized Returns: You must have receipts and totals for medical, charities, 2017 paid property taxes..) Cancelled or voided check for direct deposit. Call our toll-free number: or visit our web site at to locate an AARP Tax-Aide site near you. Page 8

9 Time for a financial checkup! A changing life leads to changing finances - make sure you re up-to-date For most of us, checkups are a regular part of life. Dental visits, auto maintenance appointments and even glances in the bathroom mirror all help us monitor performance, catch potential problems and assure us that all is or will be well. What's true of teeth, engines and grooming is also true of finances: regular checkups are recommended. Why? Changes both great and small affect the strategies people have developed to help achieve their financial goals. Unfortunately, too many people act as though once their financial program is in place their work is done. But this isn't the case. As a general rule, Thrivent Financial recommends you review your financial program at least once each year. Certain life changes the birth or adoption of a child, a change in marital status (married, divorced or widowed), the death of a family member or changes to your health should serve as reminders that a financial tune-up is in order. Other changes in personal economics can also have a huge impact on financial programs. These may include shifts in employment status or salary (e.g. loss of job or a pay cut/freeze), home ownership changes, significant changes in total assets or debt, the receipt of an inheritance and tax law changes that can all make previous strategies obsolete. If you have a do-it-yourself mentality, a number of print and electronic resources exist to help you monitor your finances on a regular basis. However, most can benefit from the knowledge, experience and insight that financial services professionals can offer. Qualified financial professionals can help people evaluate their present financial strategies and stay current on new laws, regulations, products and economic developments. Even more important, financial professionals can challenge the unrealistic assumptions that people may have and help them overcome money management's greatest threat: procrastination. To live is to experience change. How and when change will appear is impossible to predict, but a financial checkup is one sure way to help your financial objectives and your sense of financial confidence keeps pace with all that occurs. This article was prepared by Thrivent Financial for use by local area representative James M. Riske, CFP, MSF, LUTCF. He has offices at Lakeside Circle Suite 250 in Sterling Heights and can also be reached at (586) ext About Thrivent Financial -Thrivent is a not-for-profit membership organization that helps Christians be wise with money and live generously. It offers its more than 2 million member-owners a broad range of products, services and guidance nationwide. For more than a century it has helped members make wise money choices that reflect their values while providing them opportunities to demonstrate their generosity where they live, work and worship. For more information, visit Thrivent.com. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter. Insurance products issued or offered by Thrivent Financial, the marketing name for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Appleton, WI. Not all products are available in all states. Securities and investment advisory services are offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., 625 Fourth Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55415, a FINRA and SIPC member and a wholly owned subsidiary of Thrivent. Thrivent Financial representatives are registered representatives of Thrivent Investment Management Inc. They are also licensed insurance agents/producers of Thrivent. For additional important information, visit Thrivent.com/disclosures. Neither Thrivent Financial for Lutherans nor its respective financial representatives and employees provide legal or tax advice. For complete details, consult with your tax advisor or attorney. Contact:James M. Riske, CFP, MSF, LUTCF james.riske@thrivent.com Phone:(586) ext. 227 Page 9

10 Supporting the STL Mission in 2018 Offering envelopes for 2018 remain available from the Church Office. As the Spirit of God moves you to support the STL mission, we invite you to either use these offering envelopes or sign up for electronic giving. (see below) If you have any questions, please contact the church office at Your financial support will make a difference in the lives of many. On-line Giving We have several ways you can do on-line giving. Visit our web page at and Donate Now for ways you can use our on-line giving options. One of the ways is to scan this Quick Response (QR) code, with a QR decoder on your smart phone (or click on the QR on the web home page), it will take you to our on-line giving form, where you can have your mission support offering automatically take from your checking account, or use your credit or debit card. You can set up one time giving or a recurring gift to support STL s mission of getting the WORD OUT! Altar Flowers Every Sunday you have the opportunity to honor God and someone special in your life. In the west hallway on the Connecting to One Another bulletin board you can sign up for the Sunday of your choice. Each arrangement is $15. Part of this purchase helps the Altar Guild purchase candles for weddings, baptisms, and the center aisle for Christmas and Easter. Following the service the flowers are yours to give to that special someone. Please consider this as your anniversary, birthday or other special occasion approaches. If you have any questions, or are not at church to sign up and would like to order flowers, call Cheryl Phaneuf at or you can send me an at cjfp66@gmail.com. EASY WAYS TO EARN MONEY FOR SAINT THOMAS! Each of these will send a portion or contribute funds to Saint Thomas. SHOPAROO Download the FREE Shoparoo App on your Android or Apple Phone. (If you don t have this kind of phone, bring your receipts to the office and we ll scan them for you.) Link St. Thomas Lutheran to your account. Take PICTURES of your receipts, all of them. LINK YOUR KROGER PLUS CARD Go to and click Community then Community Rewards. Sign in or create an account and link St. Thomas (organization #68413) to your account. You MUST do this every year! Shop at Kroger and remember to swipe your plus card at the checkout! (This will not affect your fuel points in any way) AMAZON.COM Start your shopping at smile.amazon.com. Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice St. Thomas. The Altar Guild is the group who takes care of our altar area on a rotating basis, (about 3 times a year) by cleaning before services (on Friday or Saturday, flexible time) and then cleaning up after each service. This includes washing the communion ware, and dusting the altar area, replacing candles as needed, and making sure this area is Service Ready. You would work in teams of 2, and be teamed up with an experienced person to start. If this sounds like a way you can serve the Lord, please contact Cheryl Phaneuf at or you can send her an at cjfp66@gmail.com. The Altar Guild also needs a flower coordinator. You do not have to be a part of the cleaning crew to help with flowers. Meet Saint Thomas Interviews Would you like to know more about all the different things happening here at STL? Curious to hear about the many different ways we serve our community, opportunities to grow in your faith, the variety of programs we have for children? If your answer is yes, please contact our church office, and they will help you set up an appointment with our Meet Saint Thomas team who in turn will open many doors of information and opportunity. Page 10 STL People to People is a monthly publication of Saint Thomas Lutheran Church located at Kelly Road Eastpointe, Michigan

11 SUPPORT GROUPS FITNESS CLASS Join us every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the gym. You ll be glad you did. NA Meetings Sunday s in the gym beginning at 7:00 p.m. AA Meetings Monday s and Friday s In the gym Alanon Meetings Friday s In the Fireside Lounge Both begin at 7:30 p.m. Grief Share Wednesdays at 7 p.m. STL has a variety of prayer ministries, including a prayer chain that operates 24-7 and a ministry that prays for and with our community. For more information, please contact the church office. Genesis Center Located inside Saint Thomas Lutheran Church offices Psychotherapy Services Depression, Anxiety & Stress, Family Issues, Marital Issues, Anger Management, Parenting Skills, Substance Abuse/Dependence and more. Sometimes these can be overwhelming and interfere with our personal and family life. At Genesis Center we offer professional psychotherapy services by a trained staff with a focus on Christ-centered relationships. These services are offered on an ongoing basis and are available to all. No one is refused services due to lack of funds. A phone call to schedule an appointment starts the process. The initial assessment is always free. Fees for ongoing services will be negotiated. Genesis Center is a community service ministry of Saint Thomas Lutheran Church. In these times our community has many needs. We constantly assess and reassess the needs of individuals and work to provide what assistance is available. Would you like to receive this publication (and others) electronically in your ? Please call the church office and provide us with your address, this will add you to our electronic mailing list. Page 11

12 23801 Kelly Road, Eastpointe, MI Like us on facebook: Follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/stleastpointe To connect to the STL PRAYER CHAIN, contact Karen Dolan at JOIN US ON SUNDAY MORNINGS Family Friendly Worship every week WORSHIP 9:30 a.m. with Communion Faith, Hope, Love 10:45 a.m. Faith Conversations, Book of Romans or The Gospel of the Day DEVOTIONAL COMMUNION SERVICE - Third Sunday at NOON Sundays from 10:45-11:45 a.m. All children are invited! JOIN US FOR MONDAY PRAYER VESPERS 7:30 p.m. every week A less formal setting for hearing God s Word, receiving the Sacrament of the Altar, and joining together in prayer. Faith, Hope, Love gatherings throughout the week in homes and at church Call the church office for more information