October 31 News and Notes

Worship | 10/31/2025

Reformation Day

Always remember you are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, as taught in Scripture alone, on account of Christ alone!

Soli Deo Gloria!

Servant Shout-Out

Thanks to all of our volunteers who helped make ReformationFest a fun and festive time for all! We especially want to thank Paul Johnson, Pam Johnson, Pete Bolden, Bill McCartney, Theresa Bangel, Nancy Steele, Jan Mielke, Mitch Chapman, Deana Rincker, Jayne Queck, Carolyn Darnell, Peggy Rode, and Jacob Burbrink.

Lunch and Learn

will meet on Thursday, November 6, at 11:30AM in the Commons. We will hear from Emilie Sweet, Interpretative Naturalist from Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park. Ham will be provided for lunch, please bring a salad or dessert to share. See you there!

Annual Voters’ Meeting Date Change

Sunday, November 16 with a potluck beginning at noon. We encourage all voting members to attend, childcare will be provided in the gym. Two important items will be put forward for consideration, in addition to approval of the budget and election of boards for 2026.

Friday Night Fitness

Friday Night Fitness is offered every Friday at 5:30 in the gym. Join us for a Zumba-like fitness class, meet some new people, and have some fun being active. For more information or to be added to the group communication, please contact Beth Wheeler.

Shakespeare

The Shakespeare discussion group meets on Thursday mornings at 9:45 in the home of Rick and Shirley Reed (1982 Mann Drive, Beech Grove). We are starting Antony and Cleopatra and would welcome any participants who wish to join us in a no-pressure, rather fun exploration of the greatest poet in the English language. Don't worry about joining us after we begin, we proceed at a comfortable pace.

In addition, if you would be interested in reading and discussing Dante's Divine Comedy, Rick would like to start another group to pursue what many regard as the most important poem in the history of Christianity, outside of the Psalms. No meeting day or time has yet been set.

Men’s Breakfast Bible Study

Join your fellow brothers for food and fellowship the first Saturday of each month (Tomorrow, Saturday November 1) at 7:30 am in the teacher workroom. We are reading and discussing the book “Why Men Hate Going to Church”. Please RSVP to Rich O’Brien.

Jr. High Youth

The Mielkes will be hosting a Jr. High Bonfire on Sunday, November 2, at their house (7815 E Hanna Ave). All 7th-8th graders are invited to join from 6-8 pm. Hot dogs will be provided. Kids are asked to bring drinks and a dish to share. You can RSVP to Heidi Mielke.

SAVE THE DATE, LWML Fall Gathering

“Ready, Set, Go!” Saturday morning, November 8, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church, 6513 W 300 South, New Palestine. Registration at 8:45; breakfast and program, featuring Speaker and Author Christena Estby follows. Ingathering: Items for Emmaus Food Pantry, and $$ Offering for “Working for Wheels”.

Veterans Day Luncheon

The Ladies’ Aid cordially invites all veterans and their guests to attend the annual Veterans Day Luncheon and program honoring all veterans on Thursday, November 13, at 11:30 am in the Commons. Invitations to known member veterans were mailed, or pick one up on the Welcome Center. Please RSVP to Matthew Frick.

Basketball Season Tips Off

Good luck to our Lady Eagles this weekend, competing in the Indy Tourney at Lutheran High School!

Hurricane Melissa Relief

Several organizations affiliated with our church are working to provide emergency aid to those affected by Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean. If you would like to donate through one of these organizations which have a strong track record of making sure donations go directly to whom they are intended, click the links below:

Food Pantry Collection

We would like to remind our community that we regularly collect non-perishable food items that are donated to the Emmaus Lutheran Church food pantry. With Thanksgiving and the holiday season coming up, please consider purchasing a few additional items to contribute to our neighbors in need.

Additionally, with the suspension of SNAP benefits due to the government shutdown, some families in our community may be affected. If you or someone you know is experiencing food insecurity, or you would like to assist those who are, please contact Matthew Frick.

Surviving the Holidays

St. John’s GriefShare Ministry is offering a “Surviving the Holidays” session on Tuesday, November 11, from 6:00-8:00 pm in the school music room. This session offers practical help ahead of the holiday season for family members grieving the loss of a loved one. Enter through door C-9. Pre-register at griefshare.org. For more information call the church office or contact Dianne Boekankamp. There is no charge for this session.

Stephen Ministry

St. John has Stephen Ministers available to provide high-quality, one to one, Christ-centered care to people in our community experiencing life difficulties. If you or someone you know could benefit from this type of care, please contact Pastor Duling or leader Dianne Boekenkamp