From the Staff . . . .

Dear Resurrection People,

Back in the December Bell Ringer, Pastor Dave suggested that Advent be a time for us to “shut up and pray.” We had just learned that the adjacent land would not be available to us, and rather than pepper God with all sorts of questions and rush to try to discern our future, Pastor Dave suggested that we observe Advent for the season that it is: a time of waiting. He urged to put ourselves in the position of getting in tune with God and listening to God – for the time of seeking God’s answers would come later.

We have made our way through Advent and the twelve days of Christmas, and now find ourselves in the season of Epiphany. This season began on January 6^th, with our remembrance of the visit of the magi to the baby Jesus. This is a season for seeking, just as the magi went seeking the newborn king of the Jews. Now is the appropriate time for us to begin seeking God’s guidance for how we will address our facility needs.

But here’s the thing . . . we don’t need to go seeking for God out there. The miracle of the incarnation that we celebrate at Christmas, the baby Jesus born in humble surroundings, the Baptism of Our Lord that we celebrated on January 7^th in which Jesus is baptized to complete his identification with a sinful humanity . . . all of these point to the truth that God is found in the midst of God’s people. We don’t need to go chasing after a star like the wise men, trying to figure out where God’s light is shining out there somewhere. No, God is present right here in our midst. We need only to seek how God’s light is shining among us right now, seek to discern how God is already leading and guiding us.

So, this is not a time for us to come before God with our detailed questions and agendas. Rather, let us simply pray, “God, lead us.” Now, I don’t expect God to answer that prayer through a voice from the clouds or instructions written in the sunset. Rather, I believe that God speaks through God’s people – and that’s us! It is important for all of us to be praying, “God, lead us” – and then listen to God in our own lives – and then speak and listen to one another. Throughout the coming months, we will be providing opportunities for us to speak and listen to one another as we seek to discern how God is leading us. I am writing this just days before the EYE Workshop. In February, we will have some opportunities to debrief and discuss what comes out of that workshop. It will be important for all of us to participate, so that we might best hear God speaking in our midst.

I know and trust that God has already prepared a future for us as a congregation. That goes a long way toward easing my anxiety about what to do regarding our facilities that are now limiting the continued growth of our congregation. The key for us will be for all of us to come before God in prayer, seeking God’s guidance, and then speaking and listening to one another so that God’s will may be made known in these coming months of discernment.

Please join me in praying, “God, lead us.”

First Communion Class . . . .

Lent signals the beginning of our class for children preparing for their First Communion. The class will begin Feb. 25^th, and will meet immediately after the 10:45 Sunday morning worship service. This fun and fast-paced half hour is for both the child preparing and his/her parents. Most of the preparatory work is done, then, at home. At the completion of the six weeks, an individual interview session is held with Pastor, child and parents meeting together to determine if the child is ready to commune. Their First Communion will be Maundy Thursday, April 5^th.

The following 4^th & 5^th graders, as well as other youth not yet prepared are welcome. Please contact the church office if your child’s name should be added to this list.

Wil Albaugh Conner Andersen

Marissa Anderson Chad Burton

Alex Dile Benjamin Fleet

Madaleine Fleet Eric Mullinix

Taylor Rasmussen Ann Schnabel

Krista Toney Jacqueline Wiernicki

Feb. 21^st at 7:00 pm

A service of

repentance and renewal

with imposition of ashes

Beginning Feb. 28^th

Lenten Suppers . . . .

Lenten Soup Suppers are back! Beginning February 28^th at 5:30pm we will have soup and salad in the Fellowship Hall prior to the 7:00pm Wednesday evening Lenten Worship Service.

If you are interested in organizing an evening soup/salad meal, please sign-up in the narthex or contact Lynn Wolff at 859-8920. We are requesting to keep the meals simply soup and salad.

Please come and enjoy a simple meal and good fellowship. A free-will offering will be taken at the door.

Lenten Vespers . . . .

Our Lenten Vespers will be held each Wednesday night during Lent at 7:00pm, following the Lenten supper. This year, five southside ELCA pastors will have a round-robin, so that RLC will welcome a guest preacher each Wednesday evening.

Lenten Film Festival . . . .

Once again, Pr. Dave will be hosting a film festival during the season of Lent with the theme of “community” being the common thread of six exceptional films. Screened each Saturday night of Lent beginning Feb. 24 at about 6:30pm (after our Saturday night worship), we again will view two older classics, two family-friendly films, and two recent, more challenging works.

Bring Your Loose Change & Make Some Noise!

During the weekend of February 3 and 4 the Youth will be collecting a noisy offering in stock pots for the annual Souper Bowl of Caring Sunday. The I-K Synod Indianapolis Conference over the past year and half has been supporting Bethlehem Lutheran Church in New Orleans, Louisiana. Our offerings collected during the Souper Bowl of Caring weekend will be donated to support the mission of Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

Many ❝Thanks❞ . . . .

❤ Thanks to everyone for your prayers, cards, visits, and phone calls during my hospitalization. – Loren Hewitt & family

❤ Thank you Discipleship Hour Crew Leaders and Shepherds who helped us set sail during the month of January: Holly Paquin, Holly Dorris, Lesley McDougal, Kyle McDonough, Daryl & Paige Huber, Aaron & Kathy French, Michele Dew, and Joanne Scheidelmeier.

❤ Thank you to Dave Fleet, Byron Daugherty, Lisa Doughty, Kim & Martha Andersen, and Andy Peralta for assisting with the FB/YG fellowship trip to Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, Ohio. All 40 of us had a fun time splashing in the water and worshiping at a non-Lutheran church.

Adult Discipleship Hour

in February

February 4 – Special Guest Sven Schumacher, Executive Director of Lutheran Child and Family Service, to talk about the social ministries of the ELCA including our local LCFS and Lutherwood.

February 11 – Changing Currents in Lutheran Worship – taking a look at the theological foundations of our new hymnal, Evangelical Lutheran Worship, and what has changed from the LBW

February 18 – Celebrating the ELW – on this day that we will dedicate our new hymnals, we will explore further some of the content in this rich resource for worship

February 25 – Resurrection Life Course III, Discovering how God has SHAPEd you for Ministry (see more details elsewhere in this Bell Ringer) – first of six weeks

Bible Study

Please come to the WELCA Bible Study on Thursday, February 8 at 9:00am. All women are welcome!

Vacation Bible School

Team Being Formed

Our 2007 VBS theme will be Avalanche Ranch – A wild ride through God’s Word. RLC’s week of Vacation Bible School (June 11-15) takes many hands. Our 2007 VBS team leader, Julie Peralta is beginning to form our team. If you are being called to be a part of the 2007 RLC VBS Team please contact her either by email or calling the church office: 881-7854 or julie@rlcindy.org. You may preview the themes at: www.group.com/vbs/2007/AvalancheRanch.

Mark Your Calendars Ahead

March 30. . . . . .Partners in Grace Mission Trip

April 5. . . .Maundy Thursday/First Communion

April 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Good Friday

April 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Easter Sunday

April 22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Youth Group Auction

June 11-15. . . . . . . . . . . . Vacation Bible School

June 18-22. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Confirmation Camp

July 6-14. . . . . . . . . . Sr. High Work Camp Trip

Sept. 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Golf Outing Fundraiser

Sept. 15-16. . . . . . . . . . . . Camp Olivet Retreat

Oct. 7. . . . .Confirmation & Statements of Faith

Auction Items Needed . . . .

This summer eighteen youth and six adults from Resurrection Lutheran Church will be traveling to Oklahoma to take part in a mission trip with Group Workcamps. Since 1977, Group Workcamps has been bringing enthusiastic teenagers into communities across the United States, Mexico, and Canada to help needy families rebuild their homes – and their lives.

On Sunday, April 22 we will be conducting a live auction to support our youth attending the Group Workcamps, other trips and another organization to be named (i.e. World Hunger, Lutheran Disaster Relief, etc.) We will be requesting donations that we would be able to use in our auction. Resurrection held their last auction in 2004 and the response was wonderful. If you have items to donate or wish to review a list of suggestions, please contact Julie Peralta at the church office: 317.881.7854 or email: julie@rlcindy.org.

Many people acting together in small ways

CAN help make the world a better place.

The Lutheran World Relief Coffee Project. Pick up an order form from the coffee host table, or contact Norma Blake (865-1132).

“… Truly I say to you, as you did it to the least of these, my brethren, you did it to me.”

– Matthew 25:35, 40

RLC Youth News . . . .

Faith Stepping Stone #6:

Surviving Adolescence . . . .

All 5^th graders and parents are invited to a Friday night/ Saturday morning Faith Stepping Stone sessions learning how to survive the adolescent years. Together we will learn the art of theological reflection and add this to the previous faith practices of confession/absolution, Bible reading, Highs & Lows, prayer and blessing. Please join us on Friday, February 2 beginning at 6:00pm; Saturday, February 3 beginning at 8:45am.

F.S.S. #5: Livin’ Forgiven . . . .

All 4^th graders and parents mark your calendar now for Faith Stepping Stone Livin’ Forgiven to meet March 16 & 17^th! Information will be forthcoming in the mail.

Children’s Discipleship HourWhat does it mean to be a Disciple? Who were the 12 Disciples that walked with Jesus? How are we Jesus’ Disciples? Curious . . . . come join the children (3-year-olds through 5^th grade) during our February Discipleship Hour rotation. We will gather in the Fellowship Hall at 9:30am for a 10 minute opening and then disperse to our designated stations learning more about The 12 Disciples. Children 3-years-old through 1^st grade need a parent to pick them up at 10:30am from their station.

Kids Club Schedule . . . .

Feb. 18 Movie Afternoon at RLC

12:00-4:00pm

Mar.18 Indy Island - Swimming 12:00-4:00pm

Apr. 15 Bowling 12:00-4:00pm

May 5 Family Picnic 12:00pm

Sign-up on the bulletin board across from Ms. Julie’s office each month. We have lunch during each gathering before departing for our fun activity.

Summer Church Camp . . . .

Dates have been set for summer church camps and brochures should arrive within the month. If you wish to attend one of our three Lutheran church camps in Indiana please contact Ms. Julie for an Outdoor Ministries Camp Brochure. FaithBuilders will be attending Campfirmation June 17-22 at Lake Luther.

YG/FB Looking Ahead . . . .

➔ February Fellowship Opportunities – Small groups may plan their own Super Bowl party or other fellowship gatherings together during the month of February. There will not be a designated Super Bowl party this year.

➔ March Service opportunity

➔ April Spring Break Trip? Youth group, we are thinking about taking a short trip over spring break to Ohio visiting Wittenberg and Capital Universities plus Trinity Lutheran Seminary. If you are interested in participating in this “low-cost” trip please contact Julie Peralta: julie@rlcindy.org.