Resurrection Bell Ringer
June/July, 2004
Days of Grace
Marriage: Brian Susemichel and Bridget Malarney were united in marriage on April 24th. God’s Blessings!
Death: Received by our Lord Jesus Christ to His eternal joy in heaven were Eleanor Rayback and Karl Christiansen. May the comfort and hope of Jesus’ resurrection sustain Eleanor and Karl’s families and all who mourn their deaths.
In Our Prayers
Recovering from Hospitalization: Karen Oster, Mikel Hoffman, Joyce Spillman, Lynette McCarty, Rita Matthews
In Sympathy: Mark Nelson, for the death of his mother, Agnes Nelson; David Stephan, for the death of his grandmother, Katherine Kurtz.
In Celebration: Ryan & Lynn Netter for the birth of their daughter, Maya Lynn.
Friends and Family of the Congregation in need of God’s presence and comfort: Joyce Hardwick’s brother, Jeff; Millie Otte; Emerson Ropp; Kyle LeBouef; Tim Craney’s sister, Mary Ann; Dawn Rupp; Mona’s friends George & Elsie; Joe Shue; Mary Forster; Karen Oster’s Uncle Bill
Regular / Semi-Annual Meeting
of the Congregation of
Resurrection Evangelical
Lutheran Church
June 6, 2004, 9:30am
1. Opening Devotions
2. Determination of Quorum
3. Acceptance of Minutes of Dec, 2003
4. Reports of Administrative Boards
5. Treasurer’s Report
6. Other Reports
Endowment Committee Report
Audit Committee Report
7. Dir. of Youth Discipleship Search Team
8. New Business
Introduction of organizing ministry
by our Vison, Mission & Values
(Bylaw changes in 2005)
9. Pastor’s Report
10. Adjournment
Plan to attend our next Congregational Meeting
on Sunday, June 6 at 9:30am in the Sanctuary!
From the Staff . . . .
Dear Friends,
This past weekend, Charisse and I attended the Indiana-Kentucky Synod Assembly in Evansville - where I served St. Mark’s Lutheran Church for seven and a half years prior to coming to Resurrection. It was great to see some old friends - and to see St. Mark’s folks serving all over the place. It hardly seems like it has already been two years for our family here in Indianapolis and at Resurrection.
Time seems to be flying along. Our Semi-Annual Congregation Meeting will take place on June 6th. When I consider all that has happened here during the past year, it is a wonder that our heads are not collectively just spinning around. Last June we affirmed our new Vision, Mission, and Values Statements. Since then we have been working on how to live into and out of those statements. Some of that has been quite obvious – most notably the “40 Days of Purpose” that we participated in during Lent. Some things you are probably aware of in a peripheral way – for example, our Vision, Mission, and Values have been front and center in our search for a staff person to succeed Scott Mikkelson. And there are still more things that have been in planning stages with staff and the Parish Planning Council – but we are now ready to share them with the congregation as a whole.
At our June 6 Congregation Meeting, we will be presenting a plan for how we can help people grow toward maturity in discipleship – a plan that has grown out of and is framed by our Mission Statement. In another development, the Parish Planning Council has been working for more than a year toward organizing our ministry around ministry teams. Pastor Dave and I have been engaged in numerous conversations and have attended several conferences – some together and some individually – all with an eye toward seeking a way to organize our ministry around our Mission Statement in such a way that frees up people to be involved in ministry rather than running an organization. We feel very good about the model we have synthesized from these conversations and have discussed with the Parish Planning Council. We look forward to sharing it with everyone at the Congregation Meeting.
It sure is exciting to be in ministry in this place. I find myself surrounded by people who want to respond to God’s blessings in their lives and to reach out and share God’s love with others. I look forward to seeing everyone at the Congregation Meeting on June 6th as we celebrate what has happened here in the past six months – and then take a look to the future.
Tuesday Evening Summer Bible Study . . . .
What are you doing Tuesday evenings this summer? Stop by RLC on Tuesdays and see what’s new for June and July! Beginning June 8th and running through July 27th, we will launch a one-hour Tuesday night bible study series, 6:30 – 7:30 pm. in the Sanctuary. Tim Ropp will lead in-depth studies from Matthew – A Framework for Discipleship (June 8th – 29th) and Ecclesiastes – Giving Up or Giving Over? (July 13th – 27th). Open to Youth through Adult – nursery child care will be provided. No sign-up required – attend any or all of these summer bible series sessions. Contact Tim Ropp 317-418-7036 or: tropp.in@netzero.net for details or questions.
Matthew Chapter 10 – A framework for discipleship
When Jesus sent the twelve disciples on their first missionary assignment around Galilee, He equipped them with a Gospel message consisting of just six words: “The kingdom of Heaven is near.” Though simple, these words raised the dead, gave sight to the blind, caused the division of families, and sent Jesus to his crucifixion. Jesus knew both the incredible joy and troubles the disciples would face when they carried His name into the world. Come learn what our Lord taught the first twelve disciples, and us, about the realities and rewards of discipleship and ministry in the world. Open to Youth through Adult.
June 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th Meets in the sanctuary. Nursery child care provided.
Questions? Contact Tim Ropp 418-7036 or: tropp.in@netzero.net
Ecclesiastes Chapters 1-5 – Cool water beneath parched ground
Sometimes called the “barren wasteland” of the Bible from its portrayal of the ‘futility of life,’ many people wonder how such a book made it into the Bible at all. Much like the desert in July, Ecclesiastes can make you feel like fleeing to greener Scriptures. But it is actually a book of encouragement! Far from telling us to give up on life, it is about giving over control to God, and the resulting freedom we have to serve Him. Come see how He is richly woven through every chapter of this remarkable book, as we discover together God’s refreshing encouragement and hope waiting just below the parched surface of Ecclesiastes. Open to Youth through Adult.
July 13th, 20th, and 27th Meets in the sanctuary. Nursery child care provided.
Questions? Contact Tim Ropp 418-7036 or: tropp.in@netzero.net
Vacation Bible School June 14-18 . . . .
Our Vacation Bible School will be June 14-18 from 9am-noon at Resurrection for children from the age of 3 (by July 1, 2004) through entering the 5th grade. This year we are going on a Lava Lava Island trip to discover Where Jesus’ Love Flows. It’s going to be awesome, with all kinds of fun games, interesting stories, crafts and cool snacks. Be sure to register for Vacation Bible School online at RLCIndy.org under VBS.
We need your help getting ready for VBS!
1. Our success is dependent upon volunteers. We are needing 20 more crew leaders to bring our children from site to site for a week of fun from 8:30am to 12:15pm! We specifically need Crew Leaders to help bring a group of 5 children to each site. A Crew Leader is a friend and helper, someone who offers children choices, and someone who encourages children.
2. We are also needing several items to be donated. We have a board next to our youth room full of cards listing items to donate. If you are taking a card please put the card and the donated item into the Room Marked VBS down the education wing. Your help is greatly appreciated.
3. We also need items brought in for VBS craft projects by June 5th! (Please place these items in boxes labeled in VBS room):
*160 clear plastic water bottles;
*60 Empty Large Pringle can w/o lids;
*50 Empty Paper Towel Rolls;
*175 lids from Pringles, small butter tubs, cream cheese, or the like.
If you have any questions, please contact Lynn Wolff at 859-8920.
We truly do appreciate everyone's help in making this another successful VBS!
Plan to attend the Vacation Bible School Luau on Saturday, June 19 at 6:30pm.
Father/Son Outing . . . .
NCAA Hall of Champions Tour: Join us for our Father/Son outing at the NCAA Hall of Champions on Sunday, June 13th. Men attending will get to participate in an interactive tour and a Hall of Champion Challenge Scavenger Hunt. Cost is $3.50 per person. The tour is from 2:30–4:00pm. Parking is available in the White River State Park Garage. Please contact Penny Welch at 861-3948 with any questions. An accurate count is needed by June 10th. Sign-up to attend at church, or call the church office.
Men’s Breakfast . . . .
The Men’s Breakfast will meet Saturdays, June 12 and July 10 with breakfast at 7:30am and the Bible Study from 8:00-9:00am. The series, Loving Your Wife – Strengthening Your Marriage in a Fallen World continues with a discussions entitled “Live with Your Wives in an understanding Way” and “Husbands Ought to Love Their Wives, Just as Christ Loved the Church.” There is no limit to who can come, and all you need bring is a bible and a willing heart. See you on June 12th at 7:30am.
QuiltMakers . . . .
QuiltMakers is now directing their attention to completing more wall hangings for the fellowship hall, combining the blocks made by the children with bright African fabrics. It will meet in Pat Hamby’s basement sewing room on the dates on the enclosed RLC calendars. For more information, call Pat at 889-9218.
Puerto Rico
Workcamp Update . . . .
The Youth Auction held on April 25th was a fantastic success. The fellowship hall was filled with all sorts of items – and people to bid on them. When all of the dust had settled – and Brian Hewitt finally got to rest his voice after nearly three hours of non-stop talking – more than $10,500 had been raised! Added to that is $1,600 in matching funds from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. A HUGE “Thank You!” goes to everyone who helped organize the event, provided items for auction or refreshments, and who purchased the items.
The second major fundraiser is the sale of “Shares” in the group. So far, over $4,200 in Shares have been purchased. The primary benefits of being a shareholder will be receiving daily e-mail updates from Puerto Rico and being invited to the Shareholders-Only Dinner upon our return – which will be the first opportunity for people to see our pictures and hear our stories. The balance of our fundraising goal is just over $1,000. If you would like to become a Shareholder, the IPO Letter and Application can be found in yellow folders in the middle of the bulletin board next to the main office.
Summer Worship Times
Beginning June 12th:
Saturday Worship: 5:30pm
Sunday Worship: 8:15 & 10:00
Christ Care Small Group
Ministry Update
We are currently forming a group of people to participate in training to serve as ChristCare Group Leaders. The training is very thorough and extensive so that Leaders are fully equipped to lead a ChristCare Group. If you have questions about possibly leading a ChristCare Group, or are interested in participating in the training, please speak to Pastor Mitch or Pastor Dave as soon as possible. The training will begin in June.
For those who have signed up expressing an interest in participating in a ChristCare Group, we thank you for that and now ask for your patience. We are currently surveying previously trained Leaders to see who is ready to lead a group again – and as mentioned above, we will soon begin training new Leaders. There may be some groups ready to form during the summer months, but it is more likely that we will begin a number of new groups as soon as the training is complete – probably in September.
Men’s Softball Schedule . . . .
June 7 9:30pm Mt. Pleasant Christian
June 14 9:30pm St. Roch
June 21 9:30pm Rocklane Christian
June 28 6:30pm Our Lady of Greenwood
July 5 9:30pm Mt. Pleasant Fellowship
July 12 TBA tournament
July 19 TBA tournament
Saturday, June 5th - 9:00am-2:00pm
Donations will subsidize the cost of the youth trip to King’s Island on Monday, June 7th.
Youth to Kings Island . . . .
Our Youth will travel to Kings Island for a day of fun on Monday, June 7th, departing church at 8:00am and returning approx. 12:00mid. Admission cost is $30. For every hour you work the carwash on the 5th, we’ll take $6 off the price of your admission – work the whole carwash and you get in free. Bring extra money for food and souvenirs. Sign up on the bulletin board opposite Scott’s office.
Drivers Needed . . . .
Any adult who will help provide transportation to Kings Island on June 7th will have their admission and parking paid from the Youth Budget. Sign up on the bulletin board across from Scott’s office.
New Sunday School Program . . . .
The Sunday School program is proud to announce the arrival of the S.S. Discipleship. It will be docking at RLC this August. A meeting is scheduled for June 8th at 7pm for those who are committed to teaching the first rotation plus anyone else interested in helping with the overall design plan.
The following if a list of items that we will need to outfit our ship:
DVD/VCR/Stereo/TV 36" min. for movie workshop (see Paige Huber or Martha Andersen)
Nautical theme items i.e. life preservers, oars, buoys, clothing, ropes, fishing nets, old poles
Computers – minimum 600mhz, 128MB RAM (see Pastor Mitch)
Camcorder - gently used 8mm or VHS -C
Biblical era clothing, jewelry, wigs, fabric
Theatre style popcorn machine
Wardrobe rack and coat . . . . . Three fake trees/palms
Mens button down shirts . . . . . Directors chairs
Ancient style large rugs . . . . . Vases/urns
Watch bulletin board by the Sr. High Youth room for additional needs at the beginning of July.
Please bring these items anytime and put them in the Sunday School hall.
Questions, call Paige Huber 862-6697 or Martha 882-3964.