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

SEPTEMBER 2011

Our Summer is quickly fading, and autumn is soon upon us. I will miss the warm (even hot) summer days. I will miss splashing about in my pool.

I do like autumn though. The leaves with all their colors are not only beautiful, but they remind me of a powerful lesson about God and God’s intentions for us. That lesson is that Change can be good.

Sometimes we do not like change. Change makes us uncomfortable. Sometimes change can seem like a mixed blessing. My daughter Abby starts 4th grade this week. Yikes! Sometimes I want time to slow down and her to stay just as she is but most of the time I am excited to see the wonderful young woman that she is growing to be. God wants us to change, both individually and as a congregation. God wants us to grow and develop in our faith and service toward others. To do this, this autumn we will join together in a Spiritual Growth Campaign. For this campaign we will use Pastor Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life book as a tool to guide us.

How does a Spiritual Growth Campaign work? A Spiritual Growth Campaign is a six week commitment that we make to each other to study God’s Word together and learn more about God’s purpose for our lives both individually and as a congregation. This will be meaningful, worthwhile, and fun. There are three main components to it.

First we commit to each other to be present for worship every weekend from September 25th

through all 5 Sundays in October ending the first

Sunday in November which is November 6th. Obviously travel plans might interfere, but then commit to watching the sermon on our website when you miss a weekend service.

Second we commit to read the Purpose Driven Life book together. Each day there is a short reading. This serves to take us deeper than the Sunday Sermon. The sermons and the book complement each other. This helps each of us with the discipline of

making time for God each day for prayer and study.

Third and finally we commit to be part of a small group for 6 sessions. The small groups will meet once weekly for each week beginning with Sunday September 25th and the last meeting happens following Sunday October 30th. Some people will resist making this commitment because of time crunch, shyness, or other reasons. I ask you to trust me that getting together with your friends from church for a brief time of watching a short DVD clip and then having some meaningful discussion will be something you end up being glad you did. Your faith life will be healthier for it.

I am excited to see where God is leading us. With Youth Night firing back up and all of our energy coming out of Vacation Bible School, I am thrilled to be a part of things here at St Thomas. I believe that this campaign will launch us into the future that God envisions for us! Come share the Spirit!

Peace, Hope, Love, and Joy,Pastor Sean

2011 VBS

Our vacation bible school this year was a huge success. Over 50 kids grew in faith, had fun and are ready to change the world! We spent the week learning about the parable of the sower, talking about how we are like seeds that God has planted and also learning to care for God's amazing creation. We had a wonderful and dedicated volunteer staff who shared God's love every day with our children. Many thanks to Betty Ruck, Maddy Davis, Nancy Graver, Lisa Blackburn, Kathie Kline, Katie Graver, Kate Bickel, Wendy Brozek , Gayle Withey, Justine Brozek, Erin Shelton , Sarah Abbott, Cindy Thompson, Darcie Bammer, Deborah Brown , Michael Landis, Devin Cemer, Brad Wagel, Liesa Finazzo, Kathy Benko, Danielle Thompson, Lizzie

Finazzo, Shelby Brumfield , Morgan Bammer, Shelby Seeley, Mia Kohler, Marissa Boucher, Tim Perry, Chelsea Karrar, Debbie Nykiel, Gayle Mitchell, Cheryl Finazzo, Katherine Wheeler, and Farmer Vic Lenhart as well as everyone who donated items to VBS. We couldn't have done it without you!!

Children singing at VBS

Farmer Vic joined us to talk

about his gardens

"Miss Krista tries watering Michael Landis to see if he'll grow"

A demonstration of how happy plantsgrow in fertile soil

WORSHIP SCHEDULE

FALL WORSHIP SCHEDULEBEGINS THE WEEKEND OF SEPTEMBER 10/11

Saturday Service is at 5:30pmSunday morning service is at 10:15am

Sunday School – 10:15amYouth Group – 5:00 – 7:00pm

Quilters begin Monday, September 12 at

9:00am.

10th ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11

Our services on Saturday, September 10

and

Sunday, September 11will be a time of remembrance and hope.

(Please note that Island churches will be doing individual services instead of community services

originally planned.)

SMALL GROUPS STARTING UP

Small Groups will be starting up again on Sunday, September 25. If you would like to be a part of a group focusing on “The Purpose Driven Life,” please indicate this on your Connection Card at worship or call or email the office. A copy of Purpose Driven Life is available now - $8 each.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Our regular Sunday School classes will resume September 11 with classes for kids from preschool through 5th grade. Children will leave after the Children's sermon and parents can pick them up from the classrooms after service. We'll be using a new rotation model this year, spending several weeks really exploring a story! Anyone interested in helping with Sunday School should contact Krista Ewbank at skewbank@yahoo.com or 307-3278.

YOUTH NIGHT

Fun, faith and fellowship for

kids 1st-12th gradesSundays 5-7

beginning September 11th

We all begin by sharing a meal together, then breaking into elementary, middle (Confirmation) and high school programming. For more information or to volunteer to help with meal making or any of the other areas of youth night (leading games, worship, working with the high school youth...) talk to Krista Ewbank at skewbank@yahoo.com or 307-3278.

MEN’S LUNCH GROUP

Farmer Vic says it's time to harvest the crops.  Lunch will be; corn on the cob ,tomatoes, squash, cucumbers and onions in sour cream, radishes, onions, melon for dessert.  Note: a good friend of mine that lives in northern Ontario told me that he had over 200 muskrats in his freezer.  And, he will give me as many as I would like.  So let's talk about this at lunch to maybe be the main entree for the lady and girls dinner.  Let's keep this a surprise.  Mark your calendar for Wednesday Sept.7 at 12:00 noon.  Bring a friend.  See you there.

Dick Withey

DONATION REQUEST

The Worship & Music Committee is requesting the donation of a new or used small under counter refrigerator to be placed in the sacristy. It will be used for keeping communion supplies in the area where they are prepared and free up space in the kitchen refrigerators. Please contact the office if you know of one available.

 SYMPATHIES

Sympathies of the congregation areExtended to Pastor Sean, Krista, Abby, Mom DeEtte,

and sister Tamara, as his father, Norman Ewbank, passed away on

Sunday, August 14. A memorial service was held at Immanuel Lutheran Church on August 20

Sympathies of the congregation are extended to Ed & JoAnn Schwenk as Ed’s sister, Hedy Kasotis passed

away on July 18 on her 94th birthday, and his brother-in-law, George Moeller, who passed away on August

20 at age 93.

Sympathies are also extended to the Vergowven family on the sudden loss of Laurence’s sister, Dale,

on August 2.

BIRTH

Grandparents Dan & Pam Sanquist andSon, Kristofor, and his wife, Keshia,

Welcomed Ava Michelle Sanquist

On August 15, 2011 on her parent’s 2nd Anniversary

Congratulations to all!

INFANT BAPTISM

Granddaughter of Richard & Sandra PappVictoria Elizabeth Papp

Was Baptized on August 20 at St. Thomas

HEAR YE! HEAR YE!GROSSE ILE BOAR’S HEAD FESTIVAL

SIGN-UPS

Monday, September 12Tuesday, September 13 and

Thursday, September 15At Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church

6:00 - 9:00pm

The Boar’s Head Festival is a medieval renaissance celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ performed with great pageantry and solemnity with nearly 600 people involved in the production. It is endorsed by Grosse Ile Interfaith Council of Churches.

Sign-ups for all roles and adult and children’s choirs will be held on September 12, 13 & 15 from 6:00 – 9:00pm at the Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church, 7925 Horsemill. To obtain a singing roll, you must first join

in the choir. Auditions for singing parts will take place in October. Technical expertise that is needed: stage crew, sound and lighting, hand props, costumes, make-up, transportation, clean-up, hospitality, gathering space set construction. All persons must sign up whether cast or crew. Sign up forms are available at the church so you can fill them out before you go to sign up.

Performances are December 6, 8, 9, 10 & 11 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Grosse Ile. Tickets are available on line now at www.boarsheadgi.com.

INSTALLATION OF BISHOP DON KREISS

You are Invited to a celebration of the Holy Eucharist at the Installation of The Reverend Dr. Donald Perry Kreiss as Bishop of the Southeast Michigan Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. 11:00am Saturday, September 24, 2011 at Christ Church Cranbrook, 470 Church Road, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan – www.christchurch cranbrook.org. Gathering music begins at 10:25am. There will be a reception immediately following the service.

WOMEN’S CLUSTER FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY

On Saturday, October 1, a cluster women's trip is planned to Shipshewana.  The exact times are still being worked on, but we will leave in the morning (probably around 7) and return back to St. Philip around 9pm.  We are renting a tour bus, and the cost per person is $30.  Space is limited to 50 people, so sign up soon!  Checks need to be made payable to Pastor Heather Holland and can be sent to her at church--1790 Fort Street, Trenton, MI, 4818.  Please email revheatherholland@gmail.com or call 676-7141 to put your name on the list or if you have questions.

OTHER ITEMS OF NOTE

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! CROP WALK is scheduled for Saturday, October 1.

ST. THOMAS’ NIGHT FOR CHRISTNET 2011 is Sunday December 18. Opportunities to volunteer for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will also be available.

FROM GRIEF TO NEW HOPE: Free eight-week grief support workshop at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2650 Edsel in Trenton Tuesdays

beginning September 13. Registration and more information are on the bulletin board or call Jack Scola at 734-676-1565.

ST. PAUL CONCERT SERIES, Trenton – Sunday, September 18 at 4:00pm – Laugh All Night with Christian comedian Ryan Bomgardner presents a comedy concert designed for the entire family. To reserve your complimentary ticket call (734) 676-2942 or order from website: www.splconline.com. Doors open 1 hour prior to concert time for those with tickets. Those without tickets will be seated 5 minutes prior to concert time. A love offering will be taken at the concert.

WELCA

The St. Thomas WELCA – ladies group – will hold their next meeting on Thursday, September 15 at 10:00am in the fellowship hall. All ladies are welcome to join in.

YOU ARE INVITED TO AN EVENING OF MUSIC, INSPIRATION & FAITH

One last concert –JAMIE GRACE - Sunday, Sept. 18th at 7pm

remains in the Summer Contemporary Christian Concert series at DTE Energy Music Theatre sponsored by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. This sponsorship means that Thrivent members can purchase tickets for themselves and their guests at discounted prices. Discounted Ticket Price Options are: $32.00 Pavilion Tickets ($7.50 off of the regular price of $39.50) or $20.00 Pavilion Tickets ($5.00 off of the regular price of $25.00) or $10.00 Lawn Tickets. Tickets can be ordered on-line at: RedeemOnlineNow.com/Event ID: Thrivent/ Password:

GreatLakes. Invite your friends and family! Questions can be directed to Downriver Associates Dan Dickhudt or Chris Hawk at 734-284-1838.

 IDENTITY THEFT WORKSHOP

The Central Wayne County Chapter 3000 of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is hosting an educational 50-minute workshop entitled “Identity Theft: What you need to know” on Saturday, September 17 at 10:00am at Guardian Lutheran Church, 24544 Cherry Hill in Dearborn. It is open to all adults and free to attend, but attendees must be pre-registered so that we may order enough materials for everyone - email Marsha at MarshaSueMarshall@gmail.com or call 313-274-2589 by September 7.

Southern Downriver Right to Life’s 1st Annual Golf for Life Outing

Monday, September 19, 2011West Shore Golf & Country Club

22843 West River Rd., Grosse Ile The First Annual Golf for Life Outing is the primary event to benefit Southern Downriver Right to Life in 20ll. Southern Downriver Right to Life is an affiliate of Right to Life of Michigan.18 Hole Scramble; Registration @ 11:30 am; Shot-Gun Start @ 12:30 pm; Cocktails @ 6:00 pm followed by Dinner @ 7pm; Sponsor Options Available! Please contact Joe Connors for more info at joec@monroeplumbing.com or at 734-24l-4277. Registration forms are available on bulletin board and in the church office. Hole in One Contest Sponsored by Gorno Ford. **Individual Golfers Welcome**

September 2011

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

19:00am Office Volunteers

2 3

12:00 Noon - Baptism

NO SATURDAY SERVICE

48:00am Worship (Communion) 10:15am Worship (Communion) 10:15am Sunday SchoolCoffee

PENTECOST - 12

5

Office closed

LABOR DAY

6 7

12:00 Noon - Men's Lunch

89:00am Office Volunteers

9 10 FALL SCHEDULE BEGINS

11am Private Memorial Service/ Luncheon

5:30pm 9/ 11 Remembrance Worship Service

119:00am Choir Practice10:15am 9/ 11 RemembranceWorship Service (Baptism)10:15am Sunday SchoolCoffee5-7pm Youth Group

129:00am Quilters

Boar's Head Sign Ups at GIPC 6:00 - 9:00pm

7:30pm Church Council

13

Boar's Head Sign Ups at GIPC

6:00 - 9:00pm

14 159:00am Office Volunteers

10:00am WELCA Meeting

Boar's Head Sign Ups at GIPC 6:00 - 9:00pm

16 17

5:30pm Worship (Communion)

189:00am Choir Practice10:15am Worship(Communion)/ (Baptism)10:15am Sunday SchoolThrivent Update/ Lunch

PENTECOST - 14

199:00am Quilters

7:00pm Worship & Music Committee

20 21 229:00am Office Volunteers

23

Fellowship Hall in Use - Evening

2411:00am Installation

ofBishop Don Kreiss in

Bloomfield Hills

5:30pm Worship

259:00am Choir Practice10:15am Worship 10:15am Sunday SchoolCoffeeSMALL GROUP SERIES BEGINS

PENTECOST - 15

26

9:00am Quilters

27 28 299:00am Office Volunteers

30

August October

SEPTEMBER SERVANTS OF ST. THOMAS

DATE GREETERS USHERS COFFEE HOST

LAY READER

ALTAR CARE

COMMUNION ASSISTANTS NURSERY SUNDAY

SCHOOL ACOLYTES

September 3/4, (Communion)

Agnes Kujala & Joan DeByle

Fred Karn, Judy

Cemer, Elke

Malcomson

Diane Bloetscher

Judy Cemer

Maryellen Nelson

Bill Stevenson (8am)/

Stu Keeler, Judy Cemer

(10:15am)

Volunteer Needed No Class Volunteer

Needed

September 10/11 The Graver Family

Al Skrocki, John

Shelton, Sandi Loso

Volunteer Needed

Marcia Steger * * Erin Shelton Mia Kohler

September17/ 18 (Communion)

Kent & Karen Kujala

Corey Bammer,

Paul Smolak, Adam Bickel, Aaron Bickel

Volunteer Needed

Allison Schmit

Maryellen Nelson

Vic Lenhart (Sat.)/

Al Skrocki, Marcia Steger

(Sun.)

Cheryl Finazzo

Danielle Thompson

September24/ 25 Dick & Gayle Withey

Stuart Keeler, Denise Keeler,

Jim Quick

Volunteer Needed

Diane Bloetscher * * Morgan

Bammer Anna Finazzo

SEPTEMBER 2011