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Experience Resurrection LifeMONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS FROM RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH

OCTOBER 2019

445 EAST STOP 11 ROAD, INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46227 • (317) 881-7854 • RLCINDY.ORG

Fall Fun is for Everyone

Staff Contacts

Faith Formation for All

Vibrant Liturgical Worship

Community Engagement

Fellowship for All

Message from Our Leadership

Congregation Council

Life Transitions

New to Resurrection?

Activities Schedules

Monthly Calendar

IN THIS ISSUEI saved Halloween once when I was a kid. It’s true. The church my family attended had a vacant parsonage at the time, and the members of the youth group decided it would be a perfect place for a haunted house. The pastor, however, wasn’t so sure. He wasn’t so sure if Christians should have much to do with Halloween at all, let alone sanction it with a church-sponsored activity. As he wrestled with whether to allow the teenagers to proceed with their plans, he stopped four-or-five-year old me at church one day to ask, “Ryan, what do you th ink o f when I say ‘Halloween’?” As the story goes, my eyes lit up, and I didn’t hesitate before exclaiming, “Candy!” Thus the theological foundation for the haunted house was laid (in other words, he let them do it).

Wisdom is most often associated with age, but children can offer a pure perspective, unclouded by the sometimes-over-wrought concerns of adults. He had good intentions, of course, but I think that pastor from my childhood was overthinking things. For those church kids, Halloween was all about fun and had nothing to do with celebrating forces of evil. I’m glad I was able to help him see that with my unfiltered and impulsive response.

Autumn is an especially good time to follow the wise impulses of children,

because there’s all sorts of fun to be had. When the leaves begin to fall and the air turns crisp, some sort of magic is unleashed - and not just on the last night of October. It’s the season for hayrides, apple-picking and bonfires – a time to relish being outdoors after the humidity has gone and before the temps drop too far. It’s a time for festivals, homecomings and reunions. Don’t miss all these opportunities for togetherness and connection. I would say calendars are notoriously full in the fall, but I can’t think of a time when that’s not the case. So instead, let me advise you to include and prioritize some of the following on your to-do list in the weeks to come: drink some cider, carve a pumpkin, sit by an outdoor fire, go for a walk on a chilly morning, make a costume, eat some candy, take in a festival, sit under the Friday night lights at a high school football field, rake a big pile of leaves for someone small to jump into, walk through a corn maze or invent your own fun.

Some of these things you could do here at church or with RLC folks in some other place, and you can read about those opportunities in the pages that follow. Any of them would be a really good reason to invite some friends to join you for fun. Whatever you do this fall, don’t get so caught up (cont. on page 2)

Fall Fun is for Everyone

BY PASTOR RYAN BAILEY

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(cont) in grown-up concerns that you forget God gave us this life to enjoy. Autumn is a natural reminder that life isn’t forever, so it’s important to get out and savor good times whenever we can – especially in sweatshirts. This five-year-old-turned-pastor assures you that fall fun – even when it’s a little spooky – is extremely good for your spiritual health. ▪︎

Faith Formation for All BY PASTOR RYAN BAILEY

If you’ve been around RLC more than a few months, you may have noticed a slight shift in language recently. We try to be very intentional about what we c a l l t h i n g s , b e c a u s e l a n g u a g e s h a p e s o u r perception of what a thing is and what it is for. A ministry team is not the same thing as a committee, for instance, and you won’t

find a list of committees at RLC. You also won’t find the term “Sunday school” anywhere in print. It slips out in conversation sometimes, but for several years the time on Sunday mornings when adults and children gather to learn about Bible stories and topics related to faith has been called “Discipleship Hour.”

This didn’t happen by accident. “Sunday school” hearkens back to a by-gone era and conjures up images of flannelgraphs, worksheets and something, that, like sugary breakfast cereals, is “just for kids.” “Discipleship Hour” encourages more imaginative thinking about what we gather as people of faith to learn and includes all ages. But, it’s not immediately clear to everyone what discipleship means – especially to those who aren’t familiar with church lingo.

Consistent with our practice of intentionality and our desire to use language that is clear and accessible, we now call our Sunday morning learning time just that: the Learning Hour. Please don’t fear a citation from the language police if you slip up and call it discipleship hour or even (gasp!) Sunday school. Just know there’s a good reason you’ll be seeing Learning Hour from now on in electronic and print communications from the church. You may also see variations like Sunday Morning Learning for Adults and Sunday Morning Kids taking the place of the insider terms “Adult DH” and “DH Kids.”

Most importantly, please accept the invitation implied by this new name to keep learning always – and especially on Sunday mornings with one another. ▪︎

Sunday Learning Hour Opportunities October offers a wide variety of opportunities to grow and learn together during the Sunday morning Learning Hour from 9:30-10:30 a.m. (cont. on page 3)

Worship Times

SUNDAY WORSHIP 8:15 a.m. 10:45 a.m.

LEARNING HOUR 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Staff Contacts

Director of Worship & Music Sherry Andersen sherry@rlcindy.org

Parish Administrator Tabatha Sutton parishadmin@rlcindy.org

Pastor of Community Mitch Phillips prmitch@rlcindy.org

Pastor of Faith Formation Ryan Bailey prryan@rlcindy.org

Community Engagement Julie Jessee community@rlcindy.org

Digital Strategy Mark Tisdale digital@rlcindy.org

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Sunday Morning Kids RLC Kids had lots of fun on S u n d a y m o r n i n g s i n September. We kicked off by meeting our new teachers and creating our fantastic owl tree.  Check it out on the bulletin board across from Rooms 5 and 6. 

We have enjoyed our Sunday morning openings in the sanctuary as we sing some familiar songs and learn some new ones. If you are hanging out in the narthex, feel free to come join us in singing - the kids would love to have you sing along!

• New in October: Sunday, Oct. 27 is "Bring a special person to class” day. Have your child begin thinking about who they would like to invite to come to class with them.  We will have our normal lesson and snack, but there will also be an additional activity for those joining us. This is a good way to engage another adult in your child's sticky faith foundation.

• Service Project: Our fall service project is making place mats for Meals on Wheels meals. All are welcome to make a place mat to send - feel free to ask for supplies. We will collect the place mats during October, laminate them and then they will be delivered in November. 

Contact Jennifer Prickel, jlynne2001@yahoo.com ▪︎

Pumpkin Painting Bring your little ones to Resurrection’s Room 6 on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. for pumpkin painting with RLC’s Youngest Friends Club (birth to age 5). A small snack will be provided. Sign-up (so we have an approximate headcount) using the yellow Connect Card in the Sunday bulletin. Contact Laura Mueller, valpaura@gmail.com ▪︎

Trunk or Treat RLC’s annual parking lot Trunk or Treat is Sunday, Oct. 27 at 4 p.m.  Round up your scariest, silliest or sweetest costume and dress up to hear those "ooos" or “ahhs" from everyone gathered! Take it a step further and decorate your trunk in a festive way to impressive our tough judges. Best trunk (chosen by the kids) wins a prize! Please arrive no later than 3:45 p.m. for set-up and a group picture. All ages, guests and drop-bys welcome - stick around afterwards for more Fall Fest fun! Contact Joy Garrett, 317-270-4568 or Laura Mueller, 317-371-8068 or valpaura@gmail.com ▪︎

Connect with Us

Website: rlcindy.org

Facebook: @rlcindy

Twitter: @rlc_indy Instagram: @rlcpride

Vimeo: @rlcindy

The Wired Word Drop in for The Wired Word adult learning every Sunday in Room 9. This is  a new option for adults during the Learning Hour and is a weekly discussion connecting current events with faith and scripture. Come grow relationships and think critically about faith. ▪︎

Inquirers Class Our next Inquirers Class begins Sunday, Oct. 6 at 9:30 a.m. in Room 10 and runs five weeks through Sunday, Nov. 3. Led by the pastors with guest appearances by RLC staff and leaders, this class is for both m e m b e r s a n d n e w c o m e r s t o Resurrection. It’s the perfect place for you to bring questions and curiosity – and to meet new people. We’ll learn

about some of the dis t inct ive characteristics of Lutheranism and how we live that out at Resurrection. At completion, those who are not yet members have the option of being part of our reception of new members on Sunday, Nov. 10. Contact Pastor Mitch, prmitch@rlcindy.org or Pastor Ryan, prryan@rlcindy.org ▪︎

(cont. on page 4)

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Learning with Bridges Alliance of Johnson County Don’t miss a special Learning Hour opportunity on Sunday, Oct. 20 in Resurrection Hall as representatives from Bridges Alliance of Johnson County speak about the real cost of poverty. This organization is a collaboration of businesses, agencies, churches and residents of Johnson County focused on ending poverty by providing proven tools, resources, support and relationships to foster stability and independence. Their goal is to help program participants go from surviving to thriving. Contact Julie Jessee, community@rlcindy.org ▪︎

Special Learning Event with Matthew’s Voices Save the date for a very special Learning Hour event on Sunday, Nov. 24 in Resurrection Hall. We will have guests and music from Matthew’s Voices along with a pitch-in breakfast. Matthew’s Voices is a choir - but not a typical choir. It is a music ministry engaging with people living on the streets of Indianapolis through the restorative power of song. Contact Julie Jessee, community@rlcindy.org ▪︎

Fall Adult Bible Study Pastor Ryan leads our Fall Bible Study, The Bible in History: How the Texts Have Shaped the Times, where we will explore how various parts of scripture have shaped movements and moments in history. Gather at RLC in Resurrection Hall on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. from Sept. 30 through Nov. 18. Contact Pastor Ryan, prryan@rlcindy.org ▪︎

Monthly Men’s Breakfast RLC’s monthly Men’s Breakfast and Bible study resumed in September! We meet from 7:30 – 9 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month, September through May. Breakfast is served at 7:30 a.m. with Bible study starting at 8 a.m. Bibles are provided, and you are welcome to bring you own if desired.

Member Michael McCarty typically cooks the breakfast, and member Adrien Paquin leads the Bible study. There is no pressure to come every month – guests and drop-ins are always welcome! Michael, who started the Men’s Breakfast years ago, shares a few reflections:

I've being doing this Men's Breakfast for so long I'm not sure I know when it all started. We could be going on 20 years. Clearly, I’ve broken a lot of eggs during that time!

The breakfasts started with a pretty small group of men and has continued to grow. We typically have anywhere from 7 to 14 participants. Some people come every month, others drop-in when they can. I’ve always had a passion to try and help men as they worked through issues in their lives, and I remember saying, ‘The Men's Breakfast will be here whenever you can attend, no pressure.’

Sometimes you impact people without ever realizing it. When member Dick Frazze passed away, he said in his obituary that he was a member of Resurrection’s Men's Breakfast. So you really never know the impact of a ministry. (cont. on page 5)

Upcoming Activities

THE WIRED WORD Every Sunday 9:30 a.m.

FALL BIBLE STUDY BEGINS Monday, Sept. 30 6:30 p.m.

INQUIRERS CLASS BEGINS Sunday, Oct. 6 9:30 a.m.

MEN’S BREAKFAST Saturday, Oct. 12 7:30 a.m.

PUMPKIN PAINTING WITH YOUNGEST FRIENDS CLUB Saturday, Oct. 19 10:30 a.m.

LEARNING: BRIDGES ALLIANCE OF JOHNSON COUNTY Sunday, Oct. 20 9:30 a.m.

TRUNK OR TREAT Sunday, Oct. 27 4 p.m.

The Men's Breakfast will be here whenever you can

attend, no pressure. - Michael McCarty

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Community Meals Turns Five! RLC’s Friday evening free Community Meals ministry celebrates five years of continuous service on Friday, Oct. 4! Share this special occasion with our volunteers and guests. Meal service is from 5:30 – 7 p.m. and includes a special cake to recognize the occasion. Don’t miss this special celebration! Learn more about serving with our Community Meals ministry in the September newsletter. Contact Brad Condon, brad_c_condon@hotmail.com ▪︎

(cont.) RLC member and frequent participant at Men’s Breakfast, Larry Moore shared his thoughts as well:

I have thoroughly enjoyed every Men’s Breakfast I have attended. I love that some Saturdays we have men representing six or seven decades of life, and we always learn from the variety of perspectives. Also, I know that I can share anything without judgement and in complete confidence.

Our next Men’s Breakfast is Saturday, Oct. 12. We hope to share this time with you!

Questions? Not receiving our monthly email reminders? Contact Michael McCarty, memccarty@simon.com or Adrien Paquin, adrholpaq@gmail.com ▪︎

Vibrant Liturgical Worship One of the hallmarks of worship at Resurrection is the large number of people involved in worship each Sunday – and the vast number of people taking turns filling those roles. In August and September, we held information and training sessions for all of our worship roles, and in the coming weeks, you may notice new people helping support our worship life.

Our acolytes are middle schoolers involved in our confirmation ministry. All of the other roles are open to anyone who is interested: assisting minister, crucifer, scripture reader, communion assistant, altar guild (set the altar and prepare the bread and wine for communion), usher, and A/V team (sound board, PowerPoint operator, video recording).

Another hallmark of our worship is the number of people who help enhance worship through music. We have two bell choirs and vocal choirs for adults and children. We also have instrumentalists who share their gifts in worship.

Interested in serving in any of the worship roles or in our music ministry? Contact Sherry Andersen, sherry@rlcindy.org

Upcoming Worship Festivals We are deep into what is often called “Ordinary Time” in the liturgical year. These Sundays after Pentecost will continue until a new liturgical year begins on Dec. 1 with the First Sunday in Advent. In the coming weeks, however, we will celebrate two liturgical festivals.

Reformation Day is Oct. 31 – and when that does not fall on a Sunday, we celebrate Reformation Sunday on the Sunday before, which will be Oct. 27 this year. Reformation Day is the anniversary of when Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the Castle Church door in Wittenberg, Germany in 1517. This event is widely regarded as the spark that launched the Protestant Reformation.

All Saints Day is Nov. 1 – and when that does not fall on a Sunday, we celebrate All Saints Day on the Sunday following, which will be Nov. 3 this year. All Saints Day is when we remember those who have gone before us in the faith. Our worship at Resurrection includes tolling a bell as we name the members of the congregation who have died since the last All Saints Day. ▪︎

Community EngagementCommunity at Work

Community Meals Turns 5 page 5

DMKA Cultural Fair page 6

Breadbox Donation Center page 6

Bread for the World Sunday page 7

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New Breadbox Resurrection’s new food collection structure outside of Resurrection Hall, completed in September, deserves a worthy name. So Breadbox is now the official designation. Biblically, we know that bread is more than food. It is what sustains us physically, emotionally and spiritually. The Breadbox not only holds food that will nourish the bodies of those in need, it also shares hope and caring with our community. Drop

by the Breadbox for hunger ministry updates on the monitor, messages on the door, words of thanks from recipients - and of course to drop off any donations for our hunger ministries. Shelves are labeled so you know where to leave your donations.

Wednesday Weekender’s 2019 Packing Dates

• OCTOBER 2 & 23

• NOVEMBER 6 & 20

• DECEMBER 4

DMKA Cultural Fair Mark your calendar for the 3rd Annual Cultural Fair at Douglas MacArthur Kindergarten Academy (DMKA) on Thursday, Nov. 14 from 6-7:30 p.m. All are encouraged to attend the event! There will be international foods to sample, fashions from around the world, fun crafts and activities and adorable kindergartners performing songs in multiple languages. It’s a wonderful celebration of the diverse cultures represented at the Kindergarten Academy and in our Perry Township community. If you’re interested in serving at the Cultural Fair, watch in October for opportunities to sign-up.

Help Plan the Cultural Fair: A team is needed to help plan the Cultural Fair. Planning Team members will organize activities, arrange catering from local restaurants, help manage volunteers and assist with activities at the event. The team meets 2-3 times in person and also works independently on selected tasks. Interested in joining? Sign-up using the yel low Connect Card in Sunday’s bulletin or contact Julie Jessee at community@rlcindy.org by Friday, Sept. 29. ▪︎

Breadbox in October

Food Pantry Ministry: Donations in October will be given to IPS Eleanor Skillen School #34 food pantry. The school helps 25 families once a month with a box of food which includes canned vegetables, cereal, pasta sauce & pasta, soup, toilet tissue, soap, peanut butter & jelly, eggs, milk and bread. It is supported by churches such as Resurrection, families at the school and by community donations.

Weekly donation suggestions:

• Oct. 6: canned green beans and corn, canned meats • Oct. 13: spaghetti sauce, toilet tissue • Oct. 20: cereals, canned soups • Oct. 27: macaroni and cheese dinners

Second Helpings: Every week RLC collects your donations of pasta and long grain white rice for Second Helpings. Second Helpings provides meals, prepared at their center, all across Indianapolis to community centers, churches, homeless shelters and after school programs.

• Weekly donation request: pasta and long grain white rice

Weekender Backpack Ministry: This ministry team is off to a busy start for the school year.  We are currently providing 292 bags of supplemental weekend food each week for students at Douglas MacArthur Elementary, Douglas MacArthur Kindergarten Academy and Burkhart Elementary. So far, we’ve had two Wednesday night packings with great turnouts.

• October donation request: Jif "To Go" Snack Cups

We are in desperate need of people willing to help deliver bags on Thursdays. If you interested in helping, please contact Jennifer Prickel at jlynne2001@yahoo.com or 317-403-8556. Sign-up online at tinyurl.com/2019-2020-WeekenderDeliveries ▪︎

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Bread for the World Sunday The strength of Bread for the World is found in a shared commitment to address the root causes of hunger: poverty, discrimination based on race and gender, unemployment, immigration, mass incarceration and economic inequality.

Sunday, Oct. 13 is Bread for the World Sunday when we recognize and give thanks for the work churches, community groups and denominations are all doing to remove the obstacles that keep people from sharing in God's abundance. We celebrate the diversity of faith traditions across race, ethnicity and culture that are working together to end hunger. Moved by God's love in Jesus Christ, we reach out in love to our neighbors—and we help create a better future for all.

On Bread for the World Sunday, Resurrection joins other congregations in offering prayers for those who suffer from hunger in our own country and abroad. We pray for decision makers who can change the policies and conditions that allow hunger to persist.

Our prayers are especially urgent at this time. In the United States, one in six children faces the threat of hunger. Worldwide, nearly one in four children endures the lifelong sentence of stunting because of chronic malnutrition.

You will also have the opportunity to write to your senators and representative.  All necessary materials will be provided in the area around the Breadbox. You can write your own letter or add a personal statement to a preprinted letter. You don’t need to be a “writer” to write.

Please plan on joining us, Sunday, Oct. 13! Contact Jana Forster, janapforster@gmail.com ▪︎

Thank You!

On Thursday, Aug. 22, 326 people (representing 37 cities and towns) gathered together for a Bread for the World event, A Fair Shot for All Children, at Noblesville First United Methodist Church. Among other speakers, Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) expressed his support for increased global and domestic nutrition programs. 

Among the best-represented congregations was Resurrection. Approximately 20 Resurrection people came for the event. Thank you for your contribution to a successful event! Your presence made a real difference. ▪︎

Stay Connected All Year

Stay up to date on current topics impacting hunger and make your voice heard.

Visit RLC’s Bread for the World page to subscribe to text or email updates, to send prayers or to explore further advocacy opportunities.

rlcindy.org/serve/hunger/bread

Fellowship for All BY JULIE ANDERSON

What does fall conjure up in our minds as the leaves start to change and the pumpkins begin to appear? Sweatshirts, soups, children in Halloween costumes, falling leaves and roasting marshmallows (cont. page 8)

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(cont.) around the fire come to mind. Fall is a wonderful time for community togetherness through Resurrection’s Fellowship Team, Kids Club and Youngest Friends Club. Enjoy fall fun and fellowship as we gather for our Fall Fest on Sunday, Oct. 27 from 4 - 7 p.m.

Fall Fest kicks off with RLC’s annual parking lot Trunk or Treat tradition! The children have always looked forward to Trunk or Treat as families dress up in Halloween costumes to trick or treat around decorated car trunks. Watching the excitement of the children as they go trunk to trunk brings joy to everyone - not to mention the creative adults who decorate their trunks and themselves! All are welcome to participate: decorate your trunk, hand out candy, dress up or simply enjoy from the sidelines.vIf you are handing out candy, please arrive by 3:45 p.m. with your trunk decorated and with candy to hand out. As always, an award will be presented to the best trunk (chosen by the kids).

After Trunk or Treat, stay for food, fun and fellowship as our Fall Fest continues. It’s a fantastic way to meet new people

and share the beauty of fall with friends. Come into Resurrection Hall for a pitch-in of delicious soups, chili, salads, desserts and snacks - be sure to bring your own fall favorites to share. If you would like to really put your cooking skills to the test, submit your favorite soup or chili for our goblins to taste as they vote on the best of each.

Stick around for costume, pumpkin carving & painting contests, games for all ages and various other activities to enchant you. See the graphic for a list of all the special planned activities!

How can you get involved? Just come and enjoy! The Fellowship Team, Kids Club and Youngest Friends Club all want YOU to attend so we can make this Fall Fest a success! Want to do more? Sign-up using the yellow Connect Card in the Sunday bulletin to help with set-up, clean-up, photography, games, judging and/or face painting. Watch for more details or contact Julie Anderson or Sherry Richards.

Let’s all find time for togetherness with ghoulish good times, the excitement of children and this beautiful season surrounded by community. Contact Sherry Richards, sherry8636@comcast.net or Julie Anderson, indyjamma@comcast.net ▪︎

Hiking Club Goes to Eagle Creek Park Come enjoy the fall weather, fellowship and fun exercise with RLC’s Hiking Club! Our next hike is Saturday, Oct. 19 at Eagle Creek Park (7840 W. 56th Street, Indianapolis). We will meet at the Earth Discovery Center parking lot at 8:50 a.m. There are a variety of hikes to choose from – most are rated easy. All are welcome! Sign-up to hike online at tinyurl.com/RLC-Hiking Contact Mary Moore, enufboys57@gmail.com ▪︎

Upcoming Events

FALL FEST & TRUNK OR TREAT at RLC, Parking Lot Sunday, Oct. 27

HIKING CLUB: EAGLE CREEK at Earth Discovery Center Saturday, Oct. 19, 8:50 a.m.

Fellowship Team

Julie Anderson Co-Chair

Sherry Richards Co-Chair

Diana Deitch Jackie Mitchell Erin Warrner Teresa Hoffman Natalie Ebaugh DeeAnn Habegger Peg Copenhaver

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Use Your Gifts on Your Schedule Do you have gifts that you would like to share with the church but struggle with fixed schedules or long-term commitments?

The Ministry Development Team is looking for people with special gifts to help various Ministry Teams with specific tasks as needed. By sharing your skills and experience, you can help all the ministries at Resurrection be more effective! When a request comes up, help if you can - or pass if you’re busy!

Do you have these skills or experiences?

• Promotion/Marketing • Writing/Editing • Event Planning • Using Google Forms • Creating activity sign-ups in Sign-Up

Genius, Eventbrite or Google Forms

Interested? Sign-up on the yellow Connect Card, or contact the team at mindevteam@rlcindy.org ▪︎

Congregation Council Updates Nominating Team: The September Council meeting included the appointment of a Nominating Team to prepare nominations for elections to Council and congregation officers at our semi-annual congregation meeting in January. If you have someone that you would like to recommend to serve on the Council – or would like to offer yourself for nomination – please contact one of the pastors or any member of the Nominating Team: Joyce Hardwick, Michael McCarty, Kim Toney, Andrew Weller, Jenna Williams and Mike Wise.

Financial Strategy: The Congregation Council continues to work toward developing a financial strategy for the congregation. Thank you to everyone who took part in the conversation during Coffee with Council on Sunday, Sept. 15. Your feedback and questions are valued highly. ▪︎

Meet Your Council Member I’m Rachel McKinney, and I work at Lilly and live in a town on the north side called Arcadia. I just got married last year, and we have two perfect pups: Clyde the golden doodle and Mollie the rescue mutt. I will be happy to talk for hours about Harry Potter, rescuing dogs or crafting. I have my own small business called "Craft But Not Least”, and I'm loving that! RLC means so much to me because it helped me create loving and

lasting friendships that I still hold dear today, and there's nothing more important to faith formation in a teen, in my opinion, than loving and supportive friends at church. ▪︎

Congregation Council

Melissa Nowotarski President

Andrew Weller Vice President

Rachel McKinney Secretary

Ken Beckmann Treasurer

Steve Browder Margie McCoy Kim Toney David Wantz

QUESTIONS? Email council@rlcindy.org

Upcoming Activities

COFFEE WITH COUNCIL Sunday, Nov. 10 9:30 a.m.

Births Rhett Wallace Tatum, the third child of Ben and Morgan Tatum, was born on Sunday, Aug. 25 at 3:50 a.m. He weighed 8lbs 7.6oz and was 22" long. Wallace is the maiden name of great-grandmother Lillian Tatum.

Griffin Mark Burks, the second child of Nick & Lindsay Burks, was born on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 11:36 a.m. He weighed 7lbs 2oz and was 19.5" long. ▪︎

Baptisms Murphy Ebiye Bittinger, daughter of Zach and Ebisinde Bittinger, was welcomed into God’s family as she was baptized on Sunday, Aug. 25. ▪︎

Life Transitions

Message from Our Leadership

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Reformation Day - 502 Years & Counting In the early 1500’s, a Roman Catholic monk named Martin Luther was becoming increasingly disturbed by some practices of the Church, especially the selling of indulgences. Luther saw this practice as preying on people’s fears related to the church’s teaching about purgatory, which was the place where a person was purged of their sins following their death before entering heaven. Indulgences were authorized by the Pope and were certificates of forgiveness that could be purchased by individuals to lessen their time in purgatory by a certain number of days – or to shorten the time of a deceased relative. Some indulgences – sold for a considerably higher price – promised the entire forgiveness of one’s sins and an immediate release from purgatory.

Martin Luther was disturbed by this practice, being convinced that God’s grace and forgiveness was not for sale, but freely given. One of his roles as a professor at the University in Wittenberg, Germany was to arrange academic debates. He prepared 95 theses – or statements to be debated – regarding the virtues of indulgences. He posted this invitation to debate on the Castle Church door in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517. This was the church associated with the prince and the University – and the door was the equivalent of the community bulletin board. November 1st is All Saints Day - and therefore a day of religious obligation for Roman Catholics – so Luther knew that the entire community would be coming to worship on that day.

The date for the academic debate came and went with nobody showing up to engage in debate. However, with the rapidly increasing use of the printing press and no concept of copyright, printers were soon reproducing copies of the 95 Theses and within two months they were being read across Europe. It was the 16th century equivalent of something going viral. Historians point to the 95 Theses as the spark that lit the fire of the Protestant Reformation.

Martin Luther’s goal was to correct what he saw as an abuse in the Catholic church. He never wanted to cause a split in the church and he was appalled at the idea that the Reformers came to be called “Lutherans.” However, a perfect storm of religion, politics, culture, and technology had been building for years and the result was the Protestant Reformation.

So, why do we Lutherans still observe an event over five centuries old with a special worship festival on Reformation Sunday? It is not a time to cheer our Lutheranism and claim superiority over other denominations. Rather, it is a reminder that we are a congregation formed out of the rich reformation tradition. We are not reformED – but are to always be reformING – always asking the question of how God is calling us to reform our teaching and actions so that we may faithfully proclaim the good news of God’s love and grace in this age and in our current context. ▪︎

Statement of Welcome

We welcome the full inclusion of all people in the life and ministries of Resurrection Lutheran Church as we journey toward reconciliation through Christ. We affirm that all people are worthy of God’s love and grace, for all are created in the image of God and are beloved children of God.

God welcomes all! Therefore, we welcome all, including those of all races, cultures, or nationalities; those of all sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, or relationship statuses; those of all ages, whether babies, children, adults, or those with more life experience. We welcome all without regard to addictions, physical or mental health, impr i sonment , soc io -economic circumstances, or anything else that too often divides us.

We recognize that there are differences among us, but believe that although we may not think alike, we can love alike. We especially proclaim this statement of welcome to any who have known the pain of exclusion or discrimination in church or society. As beloved people of God, we invite everyone to join us on this journey of reconciliation toward greater love, understanding, and mutual respect.

Approved by the Congregation Council December 2016

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I wear to worship? Come as you are! Wear whatever is comfortable for you.

Who can take communion? The Lord’s Supper is Christ’s meal and we welcome anyone who confesses Jesus as their Savior to share this meal with us.

New to Resurrection?

BY PASTOR MITCH PHILLIPS

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Faith Formation Schedule

Fri, Oct. 4 • 7 p.m. Thompson ChristCare Group

Wed, Oct. 2 • 6 p.m. Weekend Warrior Packing

Sun, Oct. 6 • 9:30 a.m. Inquirers Class • 5 p.m. FaithBuilders and Youth Group

Fri, Oct. 4 • 5:30 p.m. Community Meals: 5 Year Anniversary

Celebration

Mon, Oct. 7 • 6:30 p.m. Fall Bible Study: The Bible in History

Fri, Oct. 11 • 5:30 p.m. Community Meals

Tue, Oct. 8 • 9:30 a.m. Women's Bible Study

Fri, Oct. 18 • 5:30 p.m. Community Meals

Wed, Oct. 9 • 1 p.m. Hewitt Care Group

Wed, Oct. 23 • 6 p.m. Weekend Warrior Packing

Sat, Oct. 12 • 7:30 a.m. Men's Breakfast Bible Study

Fri, Oct. 25 • 5:30 p.m. Community Meals

Sun, Oct. 13 • 9:30 a.m. Inquirers Class

Mon, Oct. 14 • 6:30 p.m. Fall Bible Study: The Bible in History

Fri, Oct. 18 • 7 p.m. Thompson ChristCare Group

Sat, Oct. 19 • 10:30 a.m. Pumpkin Painting, Youngest Friends Club

Sun, Oct. 20 • 9:30 a.m. Inquirers Class • 9:30 a.m. Learning with Bridges Alliance of Johnson

County • 5 p.m. FaithBuilders and Youth Group

Mon, Oct. 21 • 6:30 p.m. Fall Bible Study: The Bible in History

Wed, Oct. 23 • 1 p.m. Hewitt Care Group

Sun, Oct. 27 • 9:30 a.m. Inquirers Class • 9:30 a.m. Breakfast Club

Mon, Oct. 28 • 6:30 p.m. Fall Bible Study: The Bible in History

Community Engagement Schedule

Current as of Thursday, Sept. 19. For a more up-to-date schedule, please visit rlcindy.org/about/weekly-calendar

Monthly Schedules & Calendar

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Special Events Schedule

Sun, Oct. 13 • Bread for the World Sunday • 9:30 a.m. Write letters to legislators

Wed, Oct. 2 • 5:15 p.m. Joyful Ringers • 6 p.m. Children's Choir • 6:15 p.m. Grace Notes • 7:15 p.m. Senior Choir

Tue, Oct. 15 • 8 a.m. O.W.L.s Fly to Covered Bridge Festival

Wed, Oct. 9 • 5:15 p.m. Joyful Ringers • 6 p.m. Children's Choir • 6:15 p.m. Grace Notes • 7:15 p.m. Senior Choir

Sat, Oct. 19 • 9 a.m. Hiking Club Goes to Eagle Creek Park

Wed, Oct. 16 • 5:15 p.m. Joyful Ringers • 6 p.m. Children's Choir • 6:15 p.m. Grace Notes • 7:15 p.m. Senior Choir

Sun, Oct. 27 • Reformation Sunday • 4 p.m. Fall Fest with Trunk or Treat

Wed, Oct. 23 • 5:15 p.m. Joyful Ringers • 6 p.m. Children's Choir • 6:15 p.m. Grace Notes • 7:15 p.m. Senior Choir

Wed, Oct. 30 • 5:15 p.m. Joyful Ringers • 6 p.m. Children's Choir • 6:15 p.m. Grace Notes • 7:15 p.m. Senior Choir

Music & Choirs Schedule

Current as of Thursday, Sept. 19. For a more up-to-date schedule, please visit rlcindy.org/about/weekly-calendar

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Member congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America