September, 2004

David P. Schreiber, Lead Pastor

Mitchell D. Phillips, Team Pastor

Julie F. Peralta, Director of Youth Discipleship

Saturday Worship: 5:30pm

Sunday Worship:

8:00 and 10:45am

9:30am Education Hour

beginning September 7

Crossways Bible Survey Course . . .

           You are in for a feast! This is an unforgettable journey through the entire Bible, designed for adults and mature youth who want (at least once in their lives!) to work through the Bible in depth. Pr. Dave will use colorful and easy-to-understand transparencies and study guides in teaching, but the core of this experience is that the Bible itself is the primary text and tool. This will be (with breaks) a two-year journey – lengthy, yes, but one which participants almost universally report has changed their life. Crossways will meet on Tuesdays at 12:30pm-2:00pm and 7:00pm-8:30pm. Sign-up on the yellow response form in your bulletin or call the church office.

Important Information Inside . . . .

           • ChristCare – new groups forming

           • Olivet Retreat – Sept. 25-26

           • Golf Outing – sign-up now

• GroupWorks Camps – help is needed

           • Lost & Found Concert – get your ticket

• RLC Book Club – national bestseller

           • Adult Education – RLC Life Courses

From the Staff . . . .

Dear Resurrection People:

“With the Lord Begin Your Task...”

       So begins a favorite hymn of mine – and a timely reminder for us all as our fall ministry schedule takes off these September days. Choirs, youth groups, Sunday School and adult education opportunities, ChristCare and service ministries and much more all begin anew, thanks to hard work and visioning done by a host of folks this summer. Especially notable was our VBS in June, and the August Sunday School “launching” of the “S.S. Discipleship” for our children.

Nurturing Adults

       This summer – with some pride, I might say – I wrote to you lifting up the “nurture” in our congregational mission statement, giving thanks to God for all those gifted folks who nurture our children in faith. I also invited us to take just as seriously that aspect of our mission statement among our adults. I’d like to remind you of these opportunities:

Resurrection Life Courses

       In order to support our growth in maturity as disciples of Jesus Christ, we are developing a series of four six-week courses that parallel the four movements of our Mission Statement.

RLC ➀ will focus on Welcoming all people into the body of Christ. This will be an introduction to Lutheran Christianity that will be helpful both to those new to the faith as well as cradle Lutherans as it explores the core teachings of the Christian faith. This course will also include some information on our vision for ministry here at Resurrection. RLC 1 will be a requisite step for people who wish to make the commitment to move from being a participant in our ministry to becoming a member of the body of Christ in this place.

RLC ➁ will focus on Nurturing people in faithful discipleship. The six sessions will talk about the six marks of discipleship that we find in the PoWeR SuRGe model of discipleship.

RLC ➂ will help us Equip people for the work of ministry. This course will help us see how God has uniquely SHAPEd each of us for ministry through Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and our Experiences.

RLC ➃ will focus on how we can Serve others in the name of Christ. While good at “hands-on” serving, we Lutherans are not typically adept at verbally sharing our faith with others. This course will help us to intentionally exercise both kinds of service.

       RLC ➀ begins September 12th. The remaining three courses will follow in sequence after the first of the year. After this introductory year, we will offer the courses in an ongoing rotation. Because all of the courses will be discussion-based, the course will never be exactly the same the next time around.

Crossways! Bible Study

       Check out the detailed description of this two-year Bible survey course in this Bell Ringer. Both Pr. Mitch and I have taught this course in the past, and it is one of our favorites. I will be the principle teacher, with Pr. Mitch filling in as schedules dictate. We begin Tuesdays on September 7^th at 12:30pm and 7:00pm.

Bible Shorts

       In addition to these major new initiatives, our Adult Education Team, led by Tim Ropp, will continue offering shorter Bible study courses and topical forums. Sunday School Express is a drop-in, small-group-style, facilitated discussion that meets Sundays from 9:30 - 10:05 in the choir room off of the narthex. The half-hour time frame makes it a good option for some as well as an ideal “taste and see” experience. The current offering is “Reality Check: Christianity in the Workplace.” Coming soon is “Parenting the Heart.”

Tuesday Evening Bible Circle is also led by Tim, with 3-4 week studies complete with participant study guides and materials. The current study is “Ephesians 1-6: Our Riches in Christ” and coming soon is “Matthew 10: Framework for Discipleship.” These studies dovetail well with our mission statement and discipleship emphasis, and the shorter series length make it a great option to Crossways.

Here We Go!

This September Bell Ringer is loaded with lots more information and opportunities for ministry, fellowship, and growth . . . all to welcome, nurture, equip and serve that all may know God’s love. Read on!

                                          In Christ’s Service,

Bible Survey Course

Tuesday at 12:30pm and 7:00 pm . . . .

The Big Picture . . . .

Crossways walks through the entire narrative of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation. Participants can finally “put together” disconnected Bible stories and understand the context and background of the entire Bible.

Visual Tools . . . .

“A picture is worth 1,000 words.” Crossways contains 147 color illustrations that symbolize key events and themes -- making learning, remembering and sharing the Bible’s message much easier.

Sound Theology . . . .

Written by Lutheran scholar Harry Wendt, Crossways presents Jesus as the final Interpreter, and His mission as the final Interpretation, of all Scripture. It stresses grace as the key word, and Jesus’ call to servanthood as the response to grace.

Depth and Detail . . . .

Crossways is designed for adults and mature youth who want to work through the Scriptures in detail. Taught in six sections of 10 units each, the course is usually a two-year adventure.

Great Teaching Model . . . .

“Tell me, and I will forget. Show me, and I will remember. Involve me, and I will understand.” Though Pr. Dave and Pr. Mitch will be the leaders, Crossways is not a lecture course. Each week, a study sheet helps students dig into the biblical text prior to each group section. Then, at the session, visual and oral presentations will lead a discussion of the text. A written summary of the biblical section will then be distributed. By the end of the course, each participant will have a bound reference book of nearly 1,000 pages, including a fold-out color time-line that places each book of the Bible into its historical context. Note the rhythm of the teaching: prepare by reading the Bible, engage the Bible with pictures and discussion with the teacher and others, and review the meaning of the Bible with the Crossways materials.

A Great Investment . . . .

The sessions will last an hour and a half, from September to late May, with several weeks off (holidays, etc.) Though the time commitment is not insignificant, the rewards are tremendous. Many people report that Crossways has changed their lives – because, of course, the Word of God is at the heart of this experience. Since the course was launched in 1979, it has been translated into more than 35 languages and used by all major Christian denominations in 60 countries. RLC will assist anyone who cannot afford the $30 per year ($60 total) fee for all the materials -- which will become a permanent part of each participant’s own library.

Crossways will be held Tuesdays at 12:30-2:00pm and 7:00-8:30pm. Please call Pr. Dave with any questions at 881-7854 or PrDave@RLCIndy.org.

Mark your calendars ahead . . . .

     October 10          RLC Hayride

       October 31          Trunk or Treat

       November 24       Thanksgiving Pie Feast

       December 4         Progressive Dinner

       December 18        RLC Children’s Christmas Program

Many Thanks . . . .

       You, our new family at Resurrection Lutheran Church, created a great atmosphere for my Commissioning Service as an Associate in Ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. There are so many people to thank, that I will not begin naming each of you, because I know I will miss someone. Just know from the bottom of our hearts we are thankful for your support, prayers, and enthusiasm of our presence. Andy and I are both looking forward to more festivities, events, and ministry options throughout the years. I also want to thank you for making my family and friends feel welcome! We are a welcoming and nurturing people of God.

Many Thanks – In Peace – Julie & Andy Peralta ☺

       Thank you for your support of Prison Congregations of America and especially those who bought a colorful pin. The mission of PCA is to establish a congregation in every prison system in our country so that inmates might hear the Gospel of Christ and prepare them to return to society as productive citizens. Pray for the inmates in our prisons. – John Moe.

(If you would like to buy a pin, see John Moe or call him at 888-2647. )

       Thank you to our Lost Sheep/Lost Coin Rotation Team:

             Computers:    Rich & Vicki Hoffmann and Pr. Mitch

             Movies:           Kim Dunn and Bobbi Poore

             Drama:           Julie Anderson and Chris & Bruce Rasmussen

             Games:           Robin Fleet and Andrea Bohanon

             Art:                Ashley & Tricia Thompson and Kathy French

             Cooking:         Margie Ropp and Chris LeBouef

             Pre-K Shepherd: Connie Wiernicki

             K Shepherd:    JoAnn Scheidelmeier

       As special thank you to all those who donated their time, ideas, and enthusiasm in preparing our building for the S.S. Discipleship in extraordinary ways, especially Chris Wise, Richard Messing, Tom and Craig Welch, Jim Locke, Daryl Huber, Rich Hoffmann, and Eddie & Stephanie Deitz.

2 Sunday Adult Classes . . . .

       Sunday School Express: (9:30-10:05 in the Choir Room) Do you need a Reality Check? Come join us in a casual, small-group atmosphere as we study contemporary Christian topics using the book Reality Check by Christian author Verla Gilmore. No sign-up required, jump in anytime. We have the books (free). We have the room. All we need is you. Contact Tim Ropp 418-7036 with questions.

       See Through the Scriptures: (Sept. 5: 9:30-10:25 in the Sanctuary) A “Preview” of Crossways! Come for a “sample” of the Bible survey course Crossways! which begins on Tuesdays after Labor Day. The Sunday morning overview will focus on a colorful time line, placing the books and people of the Bible in their historical context. Contact Pr. Dave 881-7854 with questions.

       RLC ➀ (Beginning Sept. 12: 9:30-10:25 in the Sanctuary) An introduction to Lutheran Christianity for those who wish to become members of RLC and those who wish to study the core teaching of the Christian faith.

RLC Book Club . . . .

       Be sure to read this month the next selection for the RLC Book Club. On Monday, October 4^th at 7:00pm at Border’s Café we will discuss the national bestseller, Peace Like a River by Leif Enger.

Contact Lesley McDougal at

lesleymcdougal@yahoo.com if you have any questions. See you there!

2 Tuesday Adult Classes . . . .

Tuesday Evening Bible Circle: mid-week bible study continues Tuesday evenings 6:30 - 7:30, right here at RLC. Emphasizing Discipleship and sharing Christ effectively, we’re offering in-depth, 4-5 week studies from various books of the Bible, beginning with Ephesians 1-6: Our Riches in Christ. Interested Youth are always welcome. No sign-up required – attend any or all sessions of a study. Nursery child care provided. Contact Tim Ropp 418-7068 with questions.

Crossways! 2-year Bible Survey Course: Never studied the Bible? Afraid to participate in “Bible Studies” because of lack of knowledge? Is the Bible confusing to you? Beginning September 7, we launch a two-year learning adventure with identical sessions in the afternoon (12:30-2:00pm) and evening (7:00-8:30pm). Using the Bible as primary text with visuals and materials by Lutheran author Harry Wendt, participants will emerge with an understanding of the “big picture” of the Bible, and will own a bound reference book of nearly 1,000 pages, with their notes and a fold-out color time line. Sign-up is required for this course. Nursery child care provided. Contact Pr. Dave or Pr. Mitch 881-7854 with questions.

Teachers Are Needed . . . .

We are still in need of teachers for the next rotation of Sunday School (Creation) which begins October 10^th and runs through November 21^st. You can sign-up on the bulletin board outside the youth room.

Tentative Olivet Retreat . . . .

       Tentative plans have been made for a wonderful RLC family retreat at Camp Olivet in Greene County September 25 and 26. This is a wonderful and relaxing family experience at a beautiful camp setting. We will have both planned activities, relaxing time, outdoor worship service, fellowship around the campfire, great food, and a great time. We will meet at 10:00am at Camp Olivet. We will return sometime after lunch on Sunday. The tentative planned cost is $12 per adult and $10 per child, with a $40 maximum per family. Cabin space is limited, so sign-up early.

       Items to pack for the weekend include picnic lunch for your family on Saturday; one gallon of Kool Aid, Lemonade or Iced Tea to share; toiletries and toilet paper; Bath towels; flashlights; bug repellant; marshmallow sticks, lawn chairs; sleeping bags; pillows; old shoes for kids, outdoor games and balls.

       Final plans need to be made SOON by the leadership team, so if you are interested in attending, please call the church office or Margie Ropp at 859-1279

Be a Life-Saver . . . .

       The following donations are needed for the S.S. Discipleship:

      costumes such as scarves, suit jackets, old robes, vests, ties, etc.

      2 liter bottle with cap – washed with label removed (each child will be making a terrarium so we need lots of bottles)

      We would also like to borrow props for our science lab!

If you have any questions or suggestions, please call Martha Andersen at 882-3964.

GroupWorks Clean-Up . . . .

Were you impressed by our youth’s experiences in Puerto Rico’s WorkCamp? Did you miss Resurrection’s GroupWorks camp in Indianapolis last summer or the two camps this summer? Want to get a “taste” of this servant ministry?

John Eaglesfield, who helped organize the Indianapolis GroupWorks camps, has a half-dozen homes from this summer’s camp that are in need of some finishing touches. Most are painting of gables, trim, or garages, and would take two people about four to five hours to finish. Call the church office or John Eaglesfield 373-3502 (day) or 634-6445.

Tee Time Reminder . . . .

This is a reminder that the 4^th Annual RLC Golf Outing to Benefit the Good Samaritan Fund is scheduled for Saturday, September 11^th at Valle Vista Golf Club in Greenwood. Tee time is 2:00 pm, with registration to begin at 1:00. Dinner follows the completion of golf. We have room for hole sponsors and golfers. You may register as an individual and be placed in a foursome, or you may form your own foursome. Registration forms are available in the Narthex and need to be turned in by September 3^rd. You may mail in as indicated on the form, or turn in to the church office. Net proceeds, after golf expenses, are donated to the RLC Good Samaritan Fund to benefit needy families debilitated by unusually high medical expenses. Come join us to have a good time for a good cause.