Eucharistic
Ministry
As an extension from
the Stephen Ministry, lay people trained in administering the Sacraments
of Holy Communion visit the homebound on a monthly basis.
Evangelism
Promotes outreach of St. Thomas' message and
assimilation of new members.
Food Pantry
St. Thomas houses this ecumenical ministry which
serves over 100 families every Monday morning from 10 am
to Noon by suppling them with food supplements received from a food bank, local
donations and grants. Baskets for receiving food donations are located
throughout the church. Envelopes in the pews can be used to make
monetary donations. Volunteers are always welcome to particpate and should call the church
(231-627-3167) for more information.
Homebound Visitatio
n
Our pastors visit the
sick and homebound on a weekly schedule, administering the Eucharist
on a rotating basis in conjunction with our Eucharistic Ministers.
Loving Hands - Loving Hearts
The St. Thomas Loving
Hands Quilt Bee gather once a month to create quilts that are sent
to Lutheran World Relief and distributed throughout the world. Quilts
are also given out locally to families who have lost their homes to
fire.
Prayer Chain
Those desiring particular
prayers and support may phone the church office (231-627-3167) to
be included in the Prayer Chain.
Stewardship
Endeavors to cultivate
a proper sense of use of time, talent and treasure.
Tape Ministry
Worship services are
recorded every Sunday and made available for distribution to those who
are unable to attend.
Together Lifting Children (TLC)
Together Lifting
Children is a ministry whose purpose is to assist local area school children in
need, by providing them with basic clothing and hygienic needs so they
can: attend school in comfort and dignity; better focus on their studies;
and interact more positively with their peers.
T.L.C. Directors: Valerie Jones 627-7386
Ricci Williams 627-4234
World Wide Ministries
Lutheran World Relief
Lutheran World Federation
Items are collected throughout the year for health kits, school kits,
layettes, etc., and assembled in the fall. They are delivered to the
nearest LWR dropoff point and distributed to people in need all over
the world.
Fair Trade
St. Thomas supports the fair trade initiative that allows farmers and
artisans all over the world to profit directly from the sale of their
wares, by eliminating the “middle man”. Members and friends
at St. Thomas enjoy delicious Fair Trade coffee and snacks at our weekly
post-worship coffee hours and can also purchase these items at the church.
In addition,
St. Thomas hosts an annual “Fair Trade Fair” at which
fair trade hand-crafts are offered for sale.
Operation
Christmas Child
St. Thomas supports
this ecumenical effort that provides children in need all over the
world with a shoebox of gifts at Christmastime and more importantly,
the message of the Gospel.
Global
Mission
NEW!! Water Catchment
Location!!
CLICK HERE TO
VISIT: "BURURE" IN ZIBABWE
Each year, a “mission partner” is adopted
by our Sunday school students and supported by the congregation through
a monthly “noisy offering” at which the students offer music they
have learned in their devotions to the congregation. Past partners include
Dar al Kalima school in Jerusalem and Augusta Victoria Hospital in Bethlehem.
In 2009, funds are being collected to support the building of a water
catchment system that will help to provide a village with clean
water.
ELCA "Mission Partners"
It is estimated that
120 million people in the United States do not yet know Jesus the Christ.
New missions are started and existing congregations strengthened to
share the message of Jesus with the unchurched people.
St. Thomas is a Mission Partner -
a congregation linked with another congregation through means of prayer,
finances, and/or people resources to empower and expand this outreach. Our
current Mission Partner is "Good Shepherd Lutheran" in the Holland
Michigan area. "Good Shepherd" began in 1994 with a group
of 13 people to discuss the formation of a second ELCA congregation.
In October 1998 the ELCA Churchwide leaders granted final approval for
Good Shepherd to be recognized as an official congregation of the ELCA.
Good Shepherd congregation is now in the planning phases for a new church
building. Please remember our Mission Partner in your prayers as they
plan, grow, and minister in the name of Jesus!
CHECK OUT
NEWS ON GOOD SHEPHERD'S BUILDING SITE BY CLICKING HERE!!
Worship
& Music
The ministry of worship and music at St.
Thomas has been blessed with the enhancement of a projector system
and praise band. The traditional Handbell Choir continues to add to
the worship experience
with their talented offerings.
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