Death: Received by our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal joy in heaven was Janice Ritchey. May the comfort and hope of Jesus’ resurrection sustain her family and all who mourn her death.

Baptism: Received in the joy of Christian community through Holy Baptism was John Robert Thompson, son of Ashley & Trisha Thompson. John was born on April 23, 2008.

A young man was picking up objects off the beach and tossing them into the sea. A second man approached, and saw that the objects were starfish. “Why in the world are you throwing starfish into the water? There are thousands of miles of beach and millions of starfish. You can't really believe that what you're doing could possibly make a difference!” The young man picked up another starfish, paused thoughtfully, and remarked as he tossed it out into the waves, “It makes a difference to this one.”

As the sun sets from a long day of canoeing, our camp site fills with the smells of a campfire. Under a star lit sky, the setting is wonderful for reflection. During the week with our Youth Group in the Sylvania Wilderness (located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula) I took time to reflect on our theme: “Weak but Strong.” Turns out, my reflections took me back twelve months as well as looking forward twelve months. Let me explain . . . .

A year ago I entered into a coaching relationship with The Youth & Family Institute. In this program, I was assigned a coach who would be my partner in ministry serving as a vehicle that would help me learn how to develop a theological framework for my ministry. Looking back it became evident that we, here at Resurrection, want to welcome people. We have a deeply rooted desire to learn about what Christ wants to teach us. We take our energy out to serve others in the name of Christ. From these callings we have begun the integration of faith formation strategies into home and church settings. These are some of the strong characteristics of a healthy RLC disciple.

On the flip side of my reflections at camp, I also found that we have some weak areas. The welcoming, nurturing, serving happen as stated above, but perhaps we are not as engaged to equip (teach) as effectively as we could. Moments of pondering in the wilderness “paddling on a canoe” are great for sorting through options. One of many ways to grow in equipping is for us, the people of Resurrection, to dig even deeper in our relationship with God and each other. Take, for example, the Four Keys of Faith Formation:

3. Creating Traditions – Lighting a candle, praying (something you do every time)

As the people of Resurrection we currently incorporate several of the Four Keys of Faith Formation through Christ Care Groups, FaithBuilders Small Group Ministry, Youth Group, and some team meetings; but we want more. How can the Four Keys of Faith Formation become part of our DNA? How can they transform our community of RLC to incorporate these Four Keys of Faith Formation in our daily lives? Stay tuned throughout the year looking for MEE! opportunities (Ministry Equipping Events – see next page.)

As the week came to a close on the lakes of the Sylvania Wilderness, I was reminded of God’s grace and love for us! We are doing some good things here at Resurrection, but how can we make them Great? I look forward to these ministry opportunities over the next few months of incorporating the Four Keys of Faith Formation through small groups, home huddles, and equipping events.

FB & YG Team Huddles . . . On Thursday, August 14 beginning at 5:45pm the FaithBuilders Ministry Team will gather in the RLC fellowship hall for dinner and an equipping event. On Sunday, August 17 beginning at 12:15pm the Youth Group Ministry Team will gather in the fellowship hall for lunch and an equipping event.

Video Ministry Team . . . .

If you are homebound and would like a DVD of the worship service and a bulletin mailed to you each week, please contact Alan Anderson at 885-8543 or call the church office at 881-7854.

RLC Attendance Figures

Date Sat 8:30 10:45 Total

5/25 68 80 93 241

6/1 42 93 144 279

6/8 18 98 200 316

6/15 32 129 115 276

6/22 31 90 132 253

6/29 54 87 95 236

7/6 47 63 103 213

7/13 50 93 122 265

7/20

Life Together Team Update

The Life Together Team continues to work on the grant proposal for the second half of the Life Together grant, based on the goals and objectives outlined at the June congregation meeting. The deadline for the final draft is September 15^th, but we are hoping to have final approval by mid-August so that we can receive the grant funds and begin our implementation.

Building Design Team

The Building Design Team (BDT) has been working on selecting an architect to work on designing a building expansion and renovation. The team prepared a Request for Proposal that was sent to sixteen firms. Ten firms responded and six were selected to make a presentation. The presentations took place on July 8^th and 10^th. From that group of six, the BDT has selected three finalists for further consideration. The team will visit the studio of each firm on August 5^th to clarify some questions and meet with the team that would be working with us. The BDT hopes to make a recommendation to the Congregation Council soon after those visits, with at least the cost of developing a new Master Plan to be included in the second half of the Life Together grant.

Everyone is invited for a hot breakfast in the fellowship hall, participating in a rotation station, learning what the Fall rotations will be, meeting the Crew Leaders, and signing up to be a Crew Leader and/or Shepherd, along with opportunities to preview some Fall team ministries.

As we return from summer break, we invite you to re-energize your involvement in Creation Care!

Please join us at the Discipleship Hour for 3 weeks of discussion focusing on the first “R” in Reduce, Re-use, Recycle. We will be engaging the congregation in a dialogue around how we can be better stewards of Creation through practicing a more simple and humble lifestyle. We will be exploring both the Biblical underpinnings of this, plus discussing practical ways to reduce consumerism, motivate yourself to action, and measure your progress.

Again, this is meant to be a dialogue and therefore the workshops will be structured in such a way to encourage your participation and thoughts. The agenda for the series is as follows:

Week 2 (August 24, 9:30am): Getting off the train you are on – finding simpler living

– Creating a community of interest within RLC where ideas and questions can be shared

M E E !

Ministry Equipping Event

August 6, 6:30-8:30pm

“Well, I’d like to do _______(fill in the blank), but I don’t know how . . . .”

One of the many things we learned during our World Cafe’s this past year was that a good number of folks are interested and willing to serve in various ministries, but never step forward because they feel inadequate or ill-equipped to “do” ministry.

So: RLC will be hosting the first “Ministry Equipping Event: MEE!” on Wednesday, August 6 from 6:30 to 8:30pm. Our program staff is envisioning an ongoing series of these events that will open with a review of our vision, mission, and values statements accompanied by practical training and learning about how a specific area of ministry fits into our vision.

On August 6^th the “MEE!” evening will focus on nurturing ministries with our children (9:30 Discipleship Hour Crew Leaders, Confirmation FaithBuilders, Youth Group, etc.) as well as the welcoming ministry of our ushering teams.

“Want to help nurture our kids?” Or: “Want to help provide welcome by ushering?”

Then come to the first MEE! on August 6^th. Childcare will be provided. If you have any questions, please contact Julie Peralta.

Training for Joyful Ringers . . .

Young people 3^rd grade and up are invited to join Joyful Ringers at RLC! Come join Mr. Andy in the fellowship hall on Sunday, August 10^th during the 9:45am gathering time for some basic training on handbells. You will learn how to ring and control sounds before choir practices officially begin on Wednesday, August 20^th. We practice most Wednesday evenings at 5:15pm (new time). If you have any questions please contact Andy Peralta (696-6632). We look forward to having a musical year!

Wednesday, August 20

All Choirs

will resume rehearsing!

All are welcome!

♪Joyful Ringers – Children’s Handbell Choir - 5:15pm (3^rd grade and up)

♪Grace Notes - Handbell Choir - 6:10pm

♪Children’s Choir - 6:15pm (3^rd- 6^th grade)

♪Cherub Choir - 6:30pm (those who turned four by 8/1/08 thru 2^nd grade)

♪Senior Choir - 7:15pm (high school thru adult)

Summer

Discipleship Gathering . . . .Come join and lead the elementary kids in a fun morning of games on Sunday, August 3 or computers on Sunday, August 10! If you are interested in helping the Discipleship Hour Operations Team on either August 3 or 10 please contact Margie McCoy or Julie Peralta. Thank you to all who have helped so far this summer . . . Adrien Paquin, Teresa Hoffman, Angi Johnson, the McCoy’s, the Condon’s, Faith Builders, and Youth Group! Remember the Bon Voyage will be on Sunday, August 17!

B2K . . . .

The next B2K (Birth to Kindergarten) event will be Saturday, August 23, immediately following 5:30 worship service. We will meet in the fellowship hall for popcorn and a movie. As always, older siblings are welcome to join us.

Nursery Open House

and Registration

Sunday, August 17 at 10:00am

Remember we need many hands to play with our children in the nursery on Sunday mornings! No diaper changing – we have a staff for that! Only playing with the children, reading books, coloring, building blocks, etc. Sign-up on the sheets on the bulletin boards across from the nursery!

three-year-olds through 5^th graders

Fall Discipleship Hour

The fall rotations will be divided by month! Our first rotation will be for 2-weeks, August 24 and 31. The second rotation will be the month of September!

These two rotations will be focusing on Jesus, the Storyteller. We learn about God through a variety of experiences during our lives, but the core of the learning is the Bible. Beginning on page one with creation and throughout all the Hebrew Scriptures and New Testament, there is example after stunning example of God appearing, speaking, and acting among and for people. Sometimes these events involve divine intervention in history; other times God comes to us in the words of the prophets, and of Jesus.

Jesus’ parables are like riddles that grab our attention and give us glimpses of God at work. As believers we simply trust that God is present with us every moment, creating a new community, but as wondering humans we seek to understand God too. These surprising stories crafted by the master storyteller and recounted in each of the Gospels, engage us in a vision and encourage us to sign on. To what? Growth. Promise. Choices. Responsibilities. Love. Surprises never ending!

So come join the Discipleship Hour Operations Team and the children for a fun-filled two-rotation series about Jesus, the Storyteller!

Is God Calling You to Become a Trained ChristCare Leader?

New Training Group

begins in Late August

Small groups are essential in a growing congregation. Two key reasons are that they provide a means for people to grow in discipleship and it strengthens the sense of community in a growing church. ChristCare is the primary – thought not the only – model for small group ministry here at Resurrection. In order for this ministry to continue to grow, we need people to be trained as ChristCare Leaders.

The training takes place over sixteen weeks, for a total of about forty hours. During training the participants form an actual ChristCare group and engage in the usual ChristCare activities of Community Building & Care, Prayer & Worship, Biblical Equipping, and Missional Service. In this way, even those who have never participated previously in a ChristCare group, finish the training feeling fully prepared to lead a group. The training topics cover everything from group dynamics to how to lead groups in the four essential ChristCare activities.

Pastor Mitch will lead a new ChristCare Leader training group beginning in late August. If you would like more information about ChristCare Leader training, check out the bulletin board and table in the narthex across from the restrooms. There you will also find applications for serving as a ChristCare Leader. For more information, you can call or e-mail Pastor Mitch: 881-7854 or PrMitch@RLCIndy.org.

Through the month of August, WELCA (Women of the ELCA) is gathering supplies for School Kits for Lutheran World Relief. Each Kit will contain:

✏ 1 pencil sharpener

✏ 10 #2 pencils

✏ one box of 24 crayons

✏ 1 pr. of small blunt tip scissors

✏ one large eraser

✏ 1 ruler with inch and centimeter markings

✏ 10 sheets of colored construction paper

✏ one spiral notebook with at least 150 pages.

Please put items in the wooden box in the narthex. Thank you for caring!

Women’s Bible Study . . . .

The WELCA Women's Bible Study will meet Thursday, August 14, with continental breakfast at 9:15am and study beginning at 9:30am at RLC. We will continue the study from Lutheran Woman Today (a copy is available in the RLC library.) All women are invited!

RLC Golf Outing . . . .

Fore! Saturday, September 6 is the date for RLC’s annual golf outing to benefit the Good Samaritan Fund. The Fund benefits individuals or families in financial crisis resulting from unusually high medical bills. This is the eighth annual benefit tournament. The previous outings have raised a total of $53,000. The family we are assisting this year is the LeBouef family. Their youngest child, 10 year old Ryan, was diagnosed with a brain tumor (Supratentorial Premitive Neuroectodermal Tumor) last June. Since then, Ryan has had surgery to remove the tumor, followed by radiation and chemotherapy. Additional information about Ryan’s progress is available on his website: www.caringbridge.org/visit/ryanlebouef.

We are soliciting individuals or foursomes to play golf at a donation of $85 per person, hole sponsors at $150 per hole, in-kind donations for our prize pool, or just a monetary gift to the fund. Registration forms are available in the narthex. You may complete and mail the form as indicated (on the form) or turn in to the church office. The form is also online at our web site: www.rlcindy.org.

For those unfamiliar with this outing, it is a Florida scramble type format with a shotgun start. There will be gifts for participants, drawings for prizes, a hole in one contest on one par three, closest to the pin contests on other par threes, a skins contest, and, of course, prizes to the winners. Check-in starts at 1:00pm, with our tee time set for 2:00pm at Valle Vista Golf Club on East Main Street in Greenwood. Dinner in one of the conference center banquet halls immediately follows golf.

If you have any questions, feel free to talk to a member of the Golf Committee: Dick Benjamin, Greg Crow, Dale Duckworth, Jim Locke, Michael McCarty, Ron Tatum, Michael McCoy, John Eaglesfield or Craig Welch.

Mark your calendar for a good time and a good cause.

Men’s Breakfast

The August Men’s Breakfast will meet Saturday, August 9^th at 7:30am. We will be reviewing chapter 5 of Quiet Strength – Men’s Bible Study entitled “What is your significance?” Breakfast begins at 7:30am; Bible Study starts at 8:00am and we conclude by 9:00am. All are welcome!

Olivet Retreat Weekend

Mark your calendars for September 13-14 for our annual congregation’s Olivet Retreat in the rolling hills south of Bloomington. This is a wonderful fellowship event for all ages over a Saturday night. Picnic lunch . . . fresh air . . . activities . . . evening meal . . . devotions . . . campfire . . . singing . . . starry night . . . bunk beds . . . big breakfast . . . outdoor worship service with communion. If you have not attended this retreat, it is a wonderful tradition to begin with your family! Watch your Sunday announcement page for more details.

S.A.M.’s Club . . . .

On Tuesday, August 19 the Senior Adult Ministry invites all adults to meet at RLC at 10:00am for a tour of Franklin College. There are free golf carts for touring between buildings if you choose. We will have lunch at Aunt Judy’s Restaurant in Franklin. All adults are welcome!

WELCA QuiltMakers . . . .

RLC-WELCA QuiltMakers will meet again in Pat Hamby's basement sewing room at 410 Crosby Drive on Monday, August 18 at 1:00-4:00pm and 6:30-8:30pm. We will be sewing quilt top kits, cutting blocks and strips for quilt tops, and sewing backings. Call Pat Hamby, 889-9218, for directions.

Many ❝Thanks❞ . . . .

✿ We would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to your church members who adopted us as strangers to help during the aftermath of the flood of June 7 in our neighborhood at Bluff Acres. Your members (Paul Wessel, Byron Daugherty, and many others) worked so tirelessly; we will always remember you. God Bless! – Dale & Marty Hilbert

✿ Like St. Paul, “I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.” The beautiful outpouring of love and compassion in so many forms during Harry’s illness and passing was appreciated more than words can express. Harry loved the RLC people and it was surely returned 100 fold. – Mary Gillespie

✿ I would like to thank the members of RLC for their prayers and the pastors for their prayers, calls and visits during my recent hospitalization. – Dottie Lawson

Mark Your Calendars . . . .

Pictorial Directory pictures will be taken November 4-8 this year. Mark your calendars and remember this when planning your Christmas gift giving.

Thank you for your prayers and financial support for the RLC Youth as they traveled to upper Wisconsin. We were divided into three different groups exploring God’s creation. One group explored the Cloquet River in Minnesota near Lake Superior; another group canoed the rapids of the Brule River in Wisconsin that emptied into Lake Superior; the other group portaged from lake to lake in the Sylvania Wilderness of the U.P. in Michigan. Join us on Sunday, August 3 during the 9:45am gathering time to hear more and view photos.

The following are thoughts from some of the youth regarding the Pilgrimage Trip . . . .

“It was a truly great experience, growing closer to each other and God while surrounded by the beautiful wilderness. Nothing could ever beat that!” Conner Moore

“I had a wonderful time at Amnicon! I want to thank my amazing group of Jason, Ricky, Rich, and Emily. Also our guides Nissa and Kelley! It was so fun and a great experience!” Ali McCarty

“Besides the beautiful country and thrilling rapids, I was really impressed with all of our kids. Even those that are not necessarily the “roughing it” type never complained and seemed to really enjoy themselves the entire week, even when they were spending more time in the water than in the canoe!” Mike Wise

“This trip was one of the most incredible experiences ever and I would love to do it again! I think one of the reasons why it was so awesome was because of the people I got to share it with!” Jessie Edelman

“My recent trip to Camp Amnicon helped me grow closer to the youth and I was able to get to know them better. I really enjoyed seeing all of the lakes, loons, and bald eagles! The staff was very helpful and made the trip very exciting!” Blair Richards

“Our group bonded and grew as a small group that included the guides from Camp Amnicon. We had time to enjoy the wonder of God’s nature – frogs that still have tails, dragonflies hatching, deer and eagles, even the singing of the birds was noted. Our talking stick was worn smooth from changing hands again and again. (Personally I enjoyed the time talking with my son and I think he did too!). It is hard to sum up the week or express our feelings in a couple of sentences!” Rich Beedle

“The experience I had at Amnicon was unforgettable, life-changing, and made me realize how much God has blessed me with!” Emily Deitch

Tips from the RLC Creation Care Ministry Team . . . .

CFL's – compact fluorescent lights: The big knock against these is the mercury content. There is good news. Traditional incandescent lights end up generating 2-10 times more mercury than CFLs when you figure in the mercury emissions from the coal plants that usually power them. The average American home has about 45 bulbs; replacing them with CFLs could save $180 per household per year on electricity bills. The bulbs last a very long time. Many places are accepting them to recycle (including the Southport Home Depot – ask for someone in the lighting department for assistance).

Jesus Justice Jazz

ELCA Youth Gathering 2009 New Orleans

Information huddle Sunday, August 10, 9:45am

Compassionate justice is less about what we want to do and more about what God is already doing – stirring up new life for all – God’s work, our hands!

As you may remember it has been over two years since Hurricane Katrina forced people from their homes and congregations in New Orleans and other points along the Gulf Coast. Although rebuilding and recovering continues to happen, some parts of the area still resemble a war zone and some community systems remain in shambles.

Throughout the long recovery period, the Church, the body of Christ, has been with the people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. When other agencies have seemingly abandoned them, God’s people brought tangible goods, picked up hammers and shovels, made meals, and listened to stories of pain, loss, and hope! Everyone has a story, and their stories are our stories.

In 2009, youth of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America have the opportunity to enter into the stories of God’s activity in New Orleans, and recognize themselves as participants in God’s story. Youth will have the opportunity to be public witnesses of their faith by learning about and practicing compassionate justice. Compassionate justice includes studying scripture, praying, knowing the world around us, actively helping, and truly caring about others.

If you are interested in participating in the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans during July 21-27, please come to the information huddle on Sunday, August 10 during the 9:45am gathering time in the youth room. The gathering is open to all 9^th-12^th graders as of August 1, 2008.

How to continue strengthening my faith when away from “church” . . . Go to www.rlcindy.org, click on Home Devotions in the left column to be redirected to Ready-Click-Grow from the Youth & Family Institute. Here is an example from the option on the right hand column – specifically Boredom!

Indoor Bowling Alley: For families with preschoolers and elementary schoolers: You may think that your hallway is just a way to get around your home, but with a little help it can become an indoor bowling alley for your child.

Materials: 5-10 clean half-gallon (2 L) milk cartons, two-liter soda bottles, or other plastic beverage containers; Ball (playground, tennis or the like)

How to Play: Close all the doors in your hallway so that the ball won't escape. Stand the beverage containers at one end of the hall in the shape of a triangle with one point in the front. Give your child a ball and have him stand at the other end of the hall. The younger the child is, the closer he stands to the "pins." Show your child how to roll the ball and then have him take some practice turns. Say, "Roll the ball down the hall and see how many pins you can knock down." Older children can keep score by counting pins. Set pins up and play again.

Option: More than one child can play by giving each child a turn to knock down the pins or see how many they can knock down together.

Family Moment Tip: Always think safety when playing any game with your family!

Recycle

Cell Phones &

Ink Cartridges

Since 2004, Paul Wessel has been organizing at RLC the collection of used cell phones and empty laser and inkjet printer cartridges and turning them into cash for the Youth Group mission trips. The collections have off-set budgets for travels to Mississippi, Oklahoma, and other mission opportunities. Remember when you do not know what to do with your “retired” cell phone and empty printer cartridges, bring them to Resurrection placing them in the big wooden box located in the narthex near the nursery.

Paul is retiring from this ministry and the new contact person will be Cliff Mattox. We would like to thank Paul for his dedication and service over these years heading up this ministry, along with giving thanks to Cliff for stepping up to the plate!

FaithBuilders’ Overnight Retreat

It is time to gear up for our Fall gathering times to learn, serve, and have fellowship. Faith Builders (6th-8th graders this Fall) are invited to an overnighter to jump-start the year on Friday, August 22 beginning at 6:00pm and concluding on Saturday, August 23 at 8:00am.

Parents, FaithBuilders, and Guides will gather at 6:00pm for dinner in the RLC’s fellowship hall. Following the meal, the parents will have an informational huddle while the FaithBuilders begin Session One. Please bring a vegetable or dessert dish to share – the main entree and drinks will be provided.

Details regarding the overnighter will be coming via mail. If you have any questions please contact Julie Peralta via email: julie@rlcindy.org or call the church office. See you on Friday, August 22^nd!

RLC

Faith Stepping Stones

Faith Stepping Stones is a process that bonds parents and children into the body of Christ at crucial moments in parenting and leads them to incubate faith every night in every home.

Faith Stepping Stone #3

Entry into School

All parents and their children who will be entering Kindergarten this fall are invited to participate in a special “Entry into School” Faith Stepping Stone. Please watch for important information to arrive via mail within the next couple weeks from the Faith Stepping Stone Team! If you have questions please contact Julie Peralta: julie@rlcindy.org.

Faith Stepping Stones #4

My Bible

If you will be in the 3^rd grade this fall, we invite you and your parents to attend a fun-filled eight week Discipleship Hour time together learning to highlight your new Bible! We will begin meeting on Sunday, September 7^th at 9:30am and will conclude Sunday, October 26^th. Then during a worship service parents will present the kids their highlighted Bibles. Look for details to come via mail from Julie Peralta.

Faith Stepping Stone #7

Confirmation

Confirmands, parents, and mentors will gather for our second session on Sunday, August 10 from 5:30-7:00pm in the RLC Fellowship Hall – dinner included! Remember to bring a rough-draft copy of your Faith Statements and invite your mentors! If you have any questions please contact Julie Peralta: julie@rlcindy.org.