Saint Thomas Lutheran – connecting individuals to Jesus

Prayer ListOur Primary Prayer focus for this week is on Christ’s people on earth: For the Holy Spirit to be at work enriching faith through our Barnabas Ministry. Giving us hearts that are growing in the joy of giving generously to the mission of STL. For children to be raised in the nurture and encouragement of the Gospel. For new individuals to become members of the STL Prayer Chain. [...]

June 4, 2023 BulletinThe Athanasian Creed proclaims that its teachings concerning the Holy Trinity and our Lord’s incarnation are the catholic faith. In other words, this is what the true church of all times and all places has confessed. More than 15 centuries later, the church continues to confess this truth, confident that the triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, has given himself for our salvation. [...]

Heavenly PoursOver the past year – or so – different people have suggested that something I could do – in retirement or before – was to put into book form – or something similar – some of the stories and memories I have shared during my years of ministry. This is an activity I am seriously considering, though “retirement life” will need to slow down considerably if this is to happen. If, though, I were to start on the project today, the title I would give it would be “Heavenly Pours”. [...]

May 28, 2023 BulletinWe poor sinners confess unto You that we are by nature sinful and unclean and that we have sinned against You by thought, word, and deed. Wherefore we flee for refuge to Your infinite mercy, seeking and imploring Your grace for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. O Lord God, grant us remission of all our sins; and by Your Holy Spirit increase in us true knowledge of You and Your will, and true obedience to Your Word, to the end that by Your grace we may come to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. [...]

May 2023 Congregational Connectorthe Call Committee is in receipt of a new list of pastoral candidates to be the next senior pastor of St. Thomas. Based on the information presented, the list has been trimmed to four candidates and interviews are now being scheduled with each of those four (either in-person or remotely). Based on the outcome of the interviews, the Committee will present the candidates to the congregation for their approval to move forward with a call [...]

May 21st, 2023 BulletinWe confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against you in thought, word and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways to the glory of your holy name. Amen. [...]

Joann Woodard ObituaryWOODARD, JoAnn Maria (nee Sorentino). Beloved wife of the late Charles W. for 31 years. Current companion of Victor Reynolds for over 20 years. Cherished mother of Helen (John) Garrity, Charles D. (Anita) Woodard, Cheryl (the late Gary) Witt and Carol (Harold) Lambert. Loving grandmother of Kelli (Chris), Matt (Kari), Dan (Heidi), David (Bobbiejo), Jennifer (Mike) and Jacob. [...]

May 14th, 2023 BulletinNow who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. [...]

Taking a BreakIs there such a thing as “taking a break” when all you were doing in the first place was nothing? Perhaps that is something like a retired person – who is basically on vacation all the time – taking a vacation. Well, how does this sound? I, a retired person, earlier this week took a little break to get ready for a vacation! And I am glad I did. [...]

May 7, 2023 BulletinAlmighty God in his mercy has given his Son to die for you and through his blood redeems you from sin, death and the devil. As a called and ordained servant of Jesus, and by His authority, I forgive you all your sins, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. [...]

Life Line ScreeningThe mission of Life Line Screening is to provide advance, yet affordable and convenient health screenings that supplement your traditional healthcare. [...]

PlagiarismPlagiarism is no more appropriate for pastors in their sermons (or emails of spiritual encouragement) than for college students submitting papers to their professors. Thus, on a morning like this when I wish to get a word of encouragement out but have been too busy to write something original, it is important that I let you know the author of what you will find below. Last week’s Thursday’s Thirst carried something I wrote. This week’s is a devotion written by my cousin, Tim Hetzner. [...]

April 30, 2023 BulletinWe confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. [...]

PaintingI am in the midst of painting the main living areas in our condo: scaffolding and ladders, ups and downs, bending and lifting, brushing and rolling, moving and cleaning … the whole nine yards day after day. Thus, I really do not have the time nor the energy to write anything. However, since this project gives me the precious opportunity to reflect upon the wonders of our creation and redemption, I will simply share with you part of something I started writing years ago. I call it “Basic Questions of Life and Faith.” [...]

April 2023 Congregational ConnectorPlease plan on joining us on May 23, 2023, in the church sanctuary for the regularly scheduled Voters Assembly where we will discuss and vote on the balanced budget for next fiscal year as well as the slate of officers running for the various board positions. [...]

April 23, 2023 BulletinMost merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen. [...]

Life Line ScreeningThere is a simple, convenient way for you to get preventive health screenings and learn your risk for stroke, heart disease and other chronic conditions. These painless screenings go beyond your regular checkup to identify dangerous plaque buildup or blockage, a major risk factor for stroke and heart disease. The screenings are accurate, affordable and will give you valuable information about your health that you can share with your doctor. [...]

Doubters No MoreThis past Sunday the sermon at the church I attended started with some audience-response questions. The pastor said, “I will say a word and then you respond with the opposite.” Then he said, “Heavy” and we all said, “Light.” He said, “Morning” and we said, “Night.” After a few more times where we were all in sync he said, “Believe” and I (and a few others) said, “Doubt”. Then, just as I was catching myself in my mistake, he called us out on it. The opposite of believe is not doubt, but rather unbelief (or non-belief). [...]

April 16, 2023 BulletinWe stand in the presence of the Lord as His redeemed people. Knowing God’s grace to us in Christ has made us even more aware of our sinfulness and our unworthiness to be in His presence. We make confession of our sins, trusting in His promise of forgiveness. [...]

Wasting TimeIt is just starting to settle into my mind how busy I must have been for the past +40 years … and how good it feels to be wasting time with the realization that those old deadlines and responsibilities will not catch up to me because of it. Vacations in the past, while providing needed time of refreshment and relaxation, also always included time for preparing and planning (not to mention the interruptions). Now when I get up in the morning the first pressure question of the day is, “What day is this?” [...]

Life Line ScreeningLife Line Screening, the nation’s leading provider of preventive health screenings, will offer affordable, non-invasive and painless health screenings at Saint Thomas Lutheran Church on Friday, May 19, 2023. [...]

April 9, 2023 BulletinWhen the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. [...]

Dead OpenerThe Tigers looked dead in their opener … and I’m not just talking about the first game, but the entire series. Many were lamenting – perhaps myself included – that this year was going to be worse than the previous, even though those three games covered only the first 1.7% of the season. They looked like the same old, lame kittens … striking out way too often, sloppy in the field, with pitchers hesitant to throw meaningful strikes. I think Tampa Bay outscored them by something like 20 runs over the three games, and the Tigers never had a lead. Talk about a dead opening! [...]

Season OpenerIf my math is correct, today is Season Opener #123 for the Detroit Tigers. Our son, Joel, and I, though we are members of the “elite” 1901 Society, will not be there … because the Tigers’ Season Opener this year is in Tampa Bay. One might say that we planned our return from Florida a week or two early. However, one week from today is the Home Opener … and the plan is that I will be there with our other son, Matthew. [...]

April 2, 2023 BulletinAlmighty God, you sent Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take our flesh upon Him and to suffer death on the cross. Grant that we may share in His obedience to Your will and in the glorious victory of his resurrection; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. [...]

Holy Week Activities 2023Saint Thomas Lutheran of Eastpointe cordially invites you to join us for the most important week of the year. [...]

Volunteers Needed! Stamp Out Hunger Food DriveSTL is a drop-off point for the postal food drive on May 13. Volunteers are needed to check in, date and put items away in the closet, all the food coming in from the postal workers. Volunteers are needed starting at 11:00 am until ?? Come when you can and stay as long as you’re able to. Any questions, contact Tim or Elizabeth Kruse. [...]

March 26, 2023 BulletinBlessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting. He is the God of our salvation who has defeated our enemies, atoned for our sins, overcome death and the devil, and authorized me to proclaim this good news to you: As a called and ordained servant of Jesus, I therefore forgive you all your sins, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. [...]

March 2023 Congregational ConnectorQuick recap on the calling efforts for a new Senior Pastor. A call was extended to Pastor Karl Strenge on February 15th. After much consideration, Pastor Strenge notified St. Thomas on March 4th that he was not accepting the call. As per the approval of the congregation, a call was made to the second candidate, Pastor Craig Donofrio, on March 9th. As of this writing Pastor Donofrio is prayerfully considering the call from St. Thomas. Please continue to keep Pastor Donofrio and St. Thomas in your prayers. [...]

March 19, 2023 BulletinYour Gift of love they crucified, They laughed and scorned Him as He died: The humble King they named a fraud, And sacrificed the Lamb of God. O Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God, I love the holy Lamb of God! O wash me in His precious blood, My Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. [...]