MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR:

I am glad the retreat took place as we had planned, although the time was short in the executing of it. We weren’t sure of how many people would sign up and take part. The results were astonishing and turned out to be a blessing for everyone who went. We learned from the exposition of Hebrews 5:11-6:6, led by retried missionary Dr. Robert Neff who is an excellent speaker. Elizabeth Brandes introduced us to a useful and fun filled session of discovering our own personal characteristics/strengths that everyone enjoyed thoroughly (some are still talking about it!). I gave a closing and summed up the basis of our gathering together, and reminded all of us not to neglect to keep in close fellowship with God Himself who is the source and power for our daily Christian living.

My personal goal and objective for the retreat are simple: to have members of the church to come together for a time of bonding, fellowship and regrouping in order that we might be able to move boldly forward facing a new chapter in the life of our congregation. In brief, this had been achieved over and beyond my expectation! God has been good to us and He worked mightily in the background while we were singing, listening (to the speakers and to one another), praying, interacting (with fun games) and eating our meals together (the food was excellent).

Where do we go from here?

First, we want to have another retreat next year to ride on the tail wind of this successful retreat. A small planning group is in the process of being formed. We are looking for a couple more volunteers (this is my way of ‘on the job training’) to come on the planning team - let me know.

Second, we were challenged at the retreat to be bold and not be shy or overly reserved about our personal faith. As Lutherans, we are proud of our theological and historical heritage. We are given the precious ‘treasure’ (2 Cor. 4:7), that is, Law and Gospel, the proper understanding of God’s Holy Word and the people of this world need to hear this clear testimony as God would use us to reach them. I encourage you to be bold about your faith.

Third, we are glad to see our members cultivating the desire to reach out to their friends, neighbors, and family who are non-believers or unchurched. Keep up the good work and don’t stop.

Fourth, we must make the most of our time as we have been energized by the Word and power of the Holy Spirit to grow God’s people at Christ Lutheran to love one another in the love of Jesus. I have a strong feeling that God is preparing us for something wonderful to come and we must wait patiently with great anticipation for His blessing upon our congregation!

With this in mind, I cannot wait so see what God has installed for us in the coming year and am looking eagerly to next year’s retreat! Hope you are planning to join us!

In the name of Jesus,
Pastor Lim

WAYCROSS RETREAT WRAP UP

On July 31-Aug 1, 2009, we had a wonderful church retreat at Waycross Retreat Center in Morgantown, IN. More than 30 people gathered together learning, interacting (fun games) and fellowshipping with one another under the theme: "Empowered to Serve". The speaker, Dr. Bob Neff, gave 4 inspiring sessions from Hebrews 5 & 6 captivating the attention of everyone with his solid teaching, great sense of humor and his varied experiences as a missionary in Asia and currently a Bible professor/teacher. We thank those who helped make this a success, especially Elizabeth & Andrea Brandes. Due to the overwhelmingly positive feedback, we will have something similar next fall, so please look out for details!

FEEDBACK/RESPONSE ON CONGREGATIONAL RETREAT

“It was great! Everybody at the facility was exceptional and the speaker was informative.” - Pat Doane
“I loved the setting! It lent itself so well for us to be receptive. He (Dr. Neff) was such a dynamic speaker - I loved being there!” - Margaret Abbot
“Awesome!” - Alice Zuroske
“Energizing! Pastor Neff made it so simple and the message was inspiring! I just loved him. He was great!” – Steve Wilson
“Pastor Neff’s sense of humor was a delight.” - Lorna Kos
“I will be back next year! I think the retreat brought everybody closer.” - Elaine Saglibene
“The retreat was designed to be a time for fun and a time for spiritual renewal, both individually and as a congregation. It really succeeded! ” - Peggy Brandes
“I really didn’t know what to expect at the retreat. I really enjoyed it, and the speaker was wonderful. I’m already looking forward to next year.” - Tom Walker

SPECIAL EUCHRE LESSON!

For those who would like to learn how to play Euchre or those who need a refresher’s course. This will take place after church on September 6th. Please contact Tom Walker if you have any question.

YUM!

The cookbook is still an active project. We need more recipes. We have a wealth of good cooks in our congregation and it’s time to share it. There is a large manila envelope in the hallway under the mailboxes where you can put your recipes or you can give them directly to Mary May.

MEMBER PROFILE - INTRODUCING LOIS KINNAMAN

We want to introduce Lois Kinnaman and her loyal friend, Black Jack, a long-haired Dachshund, who comes to church every week with Lois and waits patiently in the back of her car in the parking lot. Lois got her dog from an owner who no longer could care for him. The dog goes everywhere with Lois except when she takes her car to be serviced. That's a friendship!

Lois was born and raised in South Dakota and attended St. Paul's Lutheran Church there. Marriage eventually moved her to our area. When she looked for a Lutheran church close to her home, she was drawn to Christ Church by our wonderful organ and former organist (Angela) and by her admiration of Pastor Lim. Lois' musical talent grew when she was young. With only one school year of piano training, she developed her skills playing at her aunt's empty house in South Dakota while her aunt was at work. Lois mostly played by ear and had a fondness for "pop" music. She currently loves playing for sing-a-longs and says she is "available."

Dr. Ken Wiesert, M.D. is her son who specializes in sleep disorders. He has two children who have given Lois three great-grandchildren. Her other son is Randy Wiesert who has worked as an environmental specialist. Other than her music, Lois concentrates on her gardening and enjoying her family. Of course, Black Jack is her constant companion.

CHILI COOK-OFF!

Think you make the best chili? Well, come and find out! We’re having our annual chili cook-off in conjunction with Euchre night on Saturday, Oct. 17th. All are welcome – bring your best pot of chili and compete for a prize! This year’s target? We’re out to dethrone the reigning champ, Andrea Brandes! And plan to stick around for some fiery Euchre games afterwards!

CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH T-SHIRTS NOW AVAILABLE!

We have printed up new t-shirts, white, with the words “Alive in Christ!” imprinted in navy blue on the front of the shirt and our church name and address with the LCMS cross on the back, also in navy blue. Volunteers at the 2009 Feast of Lanterns received a free t-shirt, and if you were unable to participate but would still like a t-shirt, they are available at a nominal cost. Adult sizes S-XL: $5.00 each, and adult sizes 2XL-3XL are $7.00 each. Wearing these t-shirts are a great way to help advertise Christ Lutheran in the community – pick some up for your family members today! Please see Elizabeth Brandes or Carol Chandler in the church office to purchase shirts.

MEN’S WORK GROUP

Every 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, the men’s group headed by Jack Dieck will gather to help do maintenance work around the church at 9:30 A.M. If you are available, please come and join us for work and fellowship!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

We are in urgent need of volunteers to help teach youth Sunday School. Several volunteers can alternate regularly! Please see Pastor or Yin Lim if you are willing to help us out. It’s important to provide this opportunity for all ages at Christ Lutheran, not just adults.

RUMMAGE SALE-SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19th

We will be hosting a second church rummage sale from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., followed by Euchre at 5:00 p.m. in the gym area. If you didn’t complete your spring cleaning by the 1st rummage sale deadline, we’d love to have your items this time around! Sale items may be brought to the church and placed on the stage in the gym area ahead of time. Set-up will take place the evening before, and volunteers are needed to help both with set-up and also the sale on Saturday. Please see Bonny for more details if you are able to help.

BARBERSHOP BONANZA

Circle City Sound, the barbershop chorus that rehearses at Christ on Monday evenings has given our congregation a tremendous opportunity. They have offered to perform a benefit concert with all proceeds donated to Christ. The concert is planned for Sunday, September 13th at 3 pm. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students. Proceeds from the concert would be used to purchase some much needed items. A reception will follow the concert.

OFFERING CONTRIBUTIONS:
July - $10,975.50 Aug. - $11,703.89

AVERAGE ATTENDANCE:
July - 53 Aug. - 66

IRVINGTON HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL

Christ Lutheran to Participate In the Irvington Halloween Festival Saturday, October 31st, 2009 from 9:00AM-5:00PM. We will need volunteers to man the booth during festival hours. We are asking for a lead person to coordinate set-up and tear down and someone to work on outreach materials to be distributed during the day.

UPCOMING SPAGHETTI DINNER AND CRAFT SALE

The annual Spaghetti and Craft Sale is in the planning stages and should take place some time in October. Volunteers will be needed for prep work, serving and clean up. Those among the congregation who enjoy crafts may start working on items that can be sold at the Craft Sale. We lost two of our regular contributors this year and we need people to fill the void. More information will be forthcoming.

JAN BENDER CONCERT

Our own Addie Yoder has graciously offered to provide an organ concert at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 1st in honor of what would have been the 100th birthday anniversary of German composer Jan Bender! W There also will be some guests attending the event from out of town. Please add this date to your calendar, and we are asking for a couple of volunteers to help coordinate a light “punch and cake” type of reception following the concert. Please see Elizabeth Brandes or Mary May if you can help.

TRASH REMINDER

If you are organizing or hosting an event at the church, please ensure that all trash is bagged and removed from the kitchen and gym prior to leaving the building. Trash may be bagged and placed in the plastic containers outdoors near the back door of the church. If you are hosting Sunday fellowship hour, please ensure that all trash is bagged and placed near the street side of the railroad ties behind the rear parking lot for Monday trash collection.

PASTOR EDMUND T. LIM INSTALLED AT CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH OF IRVINGTON, INDIANAPOLIS, IN

The Reverend Edmund T. Lim was installed as Pastor on Sunday, August 9, 2009 at a special 2:30 p.m. service at Christ Lutheran Church of Irvington, Indianapolis, followed by a reception in Rev. Lim’s honor for all attendees. The members of Christ Lutheran are very thankful to the Lord that Pastor Lim accepted the call to serve there, and they look forward to supporting his ministry within the congregation and among members of the community. In conjunction with his part-time call to Christ Lutheran, Pastor Lim will also be deployed part-time to the Indiana District, LCMS to support mission and outreach efforts to Chinese communities in the local area.

The Rev. Lim, who is originally from Singapore, graduated from Concordia Seminary, Ft.Wayne and has served congregations in Singapore, Australia and in Indiana. His outreach work to the Chinese community also takes him to congregations throughout the United States and beyond. Rev. Lim and his wife, Yin, reside in Indianapolis and have four children: son Wei Yi works as an financial analyst at HSBC in Chicago, daughters Shi En and Shi Hui attend Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, and son Zun Yi is a recent graduate of Lutheran High School, Indianapolis, now preparing to fulfill his government military service requirement back home in Singapore.

“My family and I are very pleased to join the church family officially here at Christ Lutheran. We have many energized and willing members, and we are eager to begin the mission-based work ahead of us in the Indianapolis community,” said Rev. Lim.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SEPTEMBER
5-Board of Spiritual Counselors 10am
8-Ladies Bible Study 7pm
12-CCS Fundraiser Concert 7pm
15-Board of Directors Meeting 7pm
18-Rummage Sale #2 Set up 6pm
19-Rummage Sale #2 9am-3pm
19–Euchre 5pm

OCTOBER
3-Board of Spiritual Counselors 10am
10-Spaghetti Supper & Bazaar 5-7pm
10-CICSA Concert 7pm
13-Ladies Bible Study 7pm
17-Annual Chili Cookoff 4pm
17-Euchre 5pm
20-Board of Directors Meeting 7pm
31-Irvington Halloween Fest 9am-5pm

THOSE SERVING IN SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER

SEPTEMBER

Altar Guild: LaFuse, Glawatz, Klue

Counters: Bob & Alice Wildauer

Ushers: Lorna Kos

Greeters: 6th Alice Zuroske
13th Bob & Carrie Robinson
20th Alice Zuroske
27th Elaine Saglibene

Lay Assistants: 6th Nathanial Jones
13th Larry Jones
20th John Laprees
27th Bob Wildauer

OCTOBER

Altar Guild: D. Williams, Mary Myers,
Mary May

Counters: Ruth & Mary May

Ushers: Nathanial Jones (4,18,25)
11th Larry & Bonny Jones

Greeters: 4th Pat Doane
11th Jack & Mary Kay Dieck
18th Pauline Jefferson
25th Steve/Mary Helen Wilson

Lay Assistants: 4th Steve Wilson
11th Nathanial Jones
18th Larry Jones
25th Bill Glawatz

CHRIST LUTHERAN SHUT-INS

Would you like to send a note or a card to our shut-ins and those residing in assisted living facilities? If you would like to drop them a line or send them a word of encouragement, they would love to hear from you. Let them know that you care! Below is the list:

Jeanne Hartman
Woodview Healthcare Center
3429 East State Blvd. Rm# 320
Ft Wayne, IN 46805

John Craig
American Village
Washington Manor, Rm. W223
1503 E 54th St
Indianapolis, IN 46226

Fran Fagan
8122 Ecole Rd
Indianapolis, IN 46240

Jim Jones
8900 Spoon Dr. Rm 220
Indianapolis, IN 46219

Bernice Theriot
Community Nursing Rm #121, 5600 E 16 St.
Indianapolis, IN 46219

Marion Wiederoder
Community Nursing Rm 235B, 5600 E 16 St.
Indianapolis, IN 46219