October 2025 Newsletter
Yom Kippur
In early October, our
Jewish neighbors will observe Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year.
Known as the Day of Atonement, it comes at the close of the High Holy Days, ten
days after Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Yom Kippur is marked by fasting,
prayer, confession, and worship, as individuals and communities seek
forgiveness from God and reconciliation with one another. In Jewish tradition,
it is a solemn yet hopeful day, rooted in the promise of God’s mercy and the
call to repentance.
But why does this Jewish
holiday matter to us Christians?
While Christians do not
observe Yom Kippur as a religious festival, the themes at its heart are deeply
familiar to us. The Old Testament describes the Day of Atonement in Leviticus
16, when the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies to offer sacrifice for
the sins of Israel. This points us forward to Jesus Christ, whom the New
Testament proclaims as our great High Priest (Hebrews 9:11–12). Through His
death and resurrection, He became the once-for-all sacrifice, accomplishing the
forgiveness and reconciliation that Yom Kippur foreshadowed.
For us as Christians, Yom
Kippur is an opportunity to reflect with gratitude: the cleansing, forgiveness,
and reconciliation longed for in that ancient observance is fulfilled in
Christ. It also reminds us of our ongoing need for self-examination, confession,
and reconciliation with God and neighbor. In this way, Yom Kippur can inspire
us to live more deeply into our calling as people of grace, mercy, and new
beginnings.
Organ Recital
On Sunday, September 29th at 2:00 p.m., our congregation and
some people from the community gathered in the sanctuary to celebrate the 45th
anniversary of our beloved pipe organ—an instrument that has faithfully led us
in praising God for nearly half a century.
The program began with words of welcome from Pastor Je,
followed by a fascinating lecture from Lisa Hutcheson on the history of the
pipe organ in general and the story of our own instrument in particular. We
were then treat
It was an afternoon filled with gratitude, music, and
fellowship. Photos of the celebration can be viewed on our church website or
through the link below:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/QvNsGzAb6XNHVbHp9
A view
of Sunday's Organ Recital is available on our YouTube page: https://youtube.com/live/_RM70HtNbX0?feature=share
It
includes timestamps to all of the musical numbers and also separately recorded
video of the performer's hands on the keyboard has been edited into this
version.
Much thanks to Lisa Hutcheson who organized this
celebration, and to Nancy Kincaid who prepared the lovely reception after the
program.
Clergy Renewal
Earlier this year, pastor Je applied for the Lilly Endowment
Clergy Renewal Program. This initiative provides pastors and their
congregations with the opportunity for extended sabbaticals, designed to
encourage rest, renewal, and new inspiration for ministry. The program supports
clergy in stepping back from daily responsibilities in order to deepen their
spiritual life, refresh their calling, and return with renewed energy for
service.
Although pastor Je’s application was not approved this
time—undoubtedly many strong proposals were submitted—he is taking this as an
opportunity for growth. He will not reapply immediately but plans to wait a few
years, using this time to further develop his writing and communication skills,
so that a future application may be stronger.
Sound Board Volunteer
Many of you know that Neal
Crouse is our go-to “tech guy,” faithfully managing everything from setting up
Wi-Fi to livestreaming our worship services on YouTube, and operating the sound
board each Sunday at the back of the sanctuary.
This October, Neal will be
away for three Sundays as he and his wife, Debbie, enjoy a Caribbean cruise.
Beginning next year, Neal also plans to take one Sunday off each month to sit
with his beloved wife during worship.
This means we need
additional volunteers willing to learn and serve as sound board operators on
those Sundays. If you are interested, please speak with Neal. He will gladly
provide training and guidance so you can feel confident in serving.
Your willingness to help
will not only support our worship ministry but also give Neal the opportunity
to share precious time with his family.
World Communion Sunday
On the first Sunday of
October, Christians around the globe observe World Communion Sunday. First
celebrated in 1933 by a Presbyterian congregation in Pittsburgh and later
adopted by the Federal Council of Churches, this day is now embraced by many
denominations worldwide.
World Communion Sunday is a
powerful reminder that the Lord’s Table is not limited by geography, language,
or culture. As we share in the bread and the cup, we join with millions of
believers across continents who also gather to proclaim Christ’s death and
resurrection.
For us, it is an invitation
to celebrate our unity in Christ, even amidst diversity. The Apostle Paul
reminds us, “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we
all partake of the one bread” (1 Corinthians 10:17, NRSV). On this day, we
remember that we belong to a global family of faith, and we look forward to the
great banquet of God’s kingdom where people from every nation will feast
together in joy.
Per Capita 2024
Per Capita is annual due
for the members of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Per Capita connects PCUSA
congregations and mid councils with the work of the wider church. As the
primary source of funding for the Office of the General Assembly (OGA), it is
how Presbyterians mutually and equitably share the costs of moving the church
forward in the 21st century.
Per Capita giving makes it
possible for:
- Presbyterians to
discern and live out God’s call in their lives
- Churches to connect
with individuals seeking a call to ministry
- Staff support for
General Assembly committees and commissions
- Management and
coordination of General Assembly gatherings
- Presbytery and synod
leaders to gather for training and discernment
- Counsel and support
for churches in crisis (misconduct, legal matters)
- Presbyteries to
address matters of inclusion, participation, and representation at all
levels of church leadership and decision-making
- The denomination to
build connections with ecumenical partners around the world
- Presbyteries and
pastors to receive support on immigration issues
- Presbyterian history
to be cataloged, preserved, and utilized by future generations
Per
Capita 2025 is $44.66 per member. $30.01 goes to the Presbytery of Wabash Valley,
$3.81 goes to the Synod of Lincoln Trails, and $10.84 goes to the OGA. If you
haven’t paid yours, please do so before the end of this year.
New Ice Machine
Lori and Troy Rowe have donated an ice machine to be used by
the Preschool and Church. The machine is all hooked up and will be ready to be
used soon!
Gourmet Seekers
The Gourmet Seekers
met at the Tres Agaves on Friday, September 26th, having a great time and
having lovely fellowship. The next meeting will be one week earlier than the
regular date due to pastor Je’s vacation. The next gourmet seekers’ meeting
will be on Friday, October 17th at Gold Coffee Pancake House (2470 N Lebanon
St, Lebanon, IN 46052). You may come to church for rideshare at 11:30AM, or you
can directly come to the restaurant by noon.
Feast of Booths
In October, our Jewish neighbors will celebrate
Sukkot, also called the Feast of Booths or Feast of Tabernacles. This festival,
commanded in Leviticus 23:33–43, comes five days after Yom Kippur and lasts for
seven days. During Sukkot, Jewish families build temporary shelters
(sukkahs)—outdoor booths with branches for roofs—reminding them of Israel’s
wilderness journey after the Exodus, when the people lived in tents under God’s
care.
Sukkot is a joyful holiday, often marked by meals in
the sukkah, prayers of thanksgiving, and the waving of the “Four Species”
(palm, myrtle, willow, and citron). It celebrates God’s provision both in the
wilderness long ago and in the harvest of the present season.
For Christians, Sukkot highlights themes we also
cherish: trust in God’s provision, gratitude for creation’s abundance, and
remembrance that we are pilgrims and sojourners on earth (Hebrews 11:13). Some
Christians also see in Sukkot a foreshadowing of the promise in Revelation
21:3—“See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their
God.” Just as God “tabernacled” among Israel in the wilderness, He came to
dwell with us in Christ (John 1:14), and one day He will make His dwelling fully
with us in His kingdom.
Sukkot, then, reminds us of God’s faithful presence:
past, present, and future. It calls us to gratitude, joy, and hope as we live
under the shelter of His care.
Kelley Gibbs-Budd
Celebration of Life
A Celebration of Kelley’s Life will be held on Sunday,
October 19th, 2025, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Harmony Club, 1414
West 151st Street, Westfield, IN.
Children’s Home Breakfast
The Indiana United Methodist Children’s Home Annual
Breakfast and Awards was on Saturday, September 27th at their school gym. It
was a wonderful opportunity to learn about them and to see their efforts
getting fruitful in the lives of the young children. Nancy Turner, Jane
Myers, pastor Je and his family attended the breakfast.
Halloween
At the end of October, our
culture celebrates Halloween with costumes, candy, and pumpkins. Yet the day
holds deeper meaning in Christian history. The very word Halloween comes from
“All Hallows’ Eve,” the evening before All Saints’ Day (November 1st). On All
Saints’ Day, the Church remembers the great communion of saints—those who lived
and died in faith, both well-known saints of history and the faithful people
who shaped our own lives. It is a day of gratitude, hope, and assurance that we
belong to the family of God across all ages.
This date also carries
significance for us as Protestants. On October 31st, 1517, Martin Luther nailed
his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg, sparking the Protestant
Reformation. He chose that day deliberately: the eve of All Saints’ Day, when crowds
would gather at the church to venerate relics. His bold action reminded the
Church that forgiveness is not bought or earned but is a free gift of God’s
grace through Jesus Christ. The Reformation brought us back to the heart of the
gospel: Scripture alone, grace alone, faith alone, Christ alone, to the glory
of God alone.
For us, these days are an
invitation to reflect. Halloween reminds us that darkness and death are real,
but in Christ they do not have the final word. All Saints’ Day reminds us that
we are part of a vast communion of believers who live by God’s grace. And
Reformation Day calls us to remain faithful to the gospel, ever reforming, ever
returning to the Word of God.
So as we see children in
costumes and prepare to celebrate the saints, let us also give thanks for the
reformers who pointed us back to the truth that “the righteous shall live by
faith” (Romans 1:17).
Love INC Annual
Banquet
Love INC will host their annual banquet on Thursday,
November 6th at Zionsville Fellowship Church. Doors open at 5:30
p.m.
The cost is $40 per person or $300 for a
table of eight. If you would like to attend, please contact Nancy Turner.
Stairway Under Repair
The stairway on the east
side of the church was crumbling down. The Property Committee has ordered
Archway Concrete LLC for repair and now it is under repair.
Peace & Global Witness Offering
On Sunday, October 5th, the collection of the PC(USA)
Peace and Global Witness Offering ends. This special offering supports the
work of peacemaking and reconciliation—locally, nationally, and globally.
A portion of the gifts
remains with our congregation to be used for peace and outreach in our own
community. Another portion strengthens the witness of the wider church across
our nation. The rest supports partners around the world who are working for peace,
justice, and healing in places torn by conflict and oppression.
The session in the last meeting, guided by the Mission
& Outreach Committee (chair: Nancy Turner), decided to support two local
agencies from this Peace & Global Witness Offering: Sylvia’s CAC and
Mental Health America of Boone County.
Sylvia’s CAC
The first local organization which we decided to help
from the Peace & Global Witness Offering is Sylvia’s CAC (Child Advocacy
Center), which is located right here in Boone County and was named in memory of
Sylvia Likens, whose tragic story calls us to action. Sylvia was from Lebanon
and is buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery. This center exists to protect children
who have suffered abuse or maltreatment in our community. Sylvia’s CAC does:
- Forensic
Interviews:
After abuse is reported, trained interviewers gently obtain factual
information from the child in a non-leading, age-appropriate way. These
interviews are recorded for use by law enforcement or child protective
services.
- Victim
Advocacy & Referral: Non-offending caregivers receive support
through court processes, as well as access to medical, mental-health, and
other necessary services.
- Multidisciplinary
Collaboration:
Sylvia’s CAC works alongside law enforcement, prosecutors, medical
professionals, child protective agencies, and victim advocates to ensure
that children and their families receive coordinated care.
- Prevention
Education:
They also focus on preventing abuse through education in our
community.
Through a few giant projects (such as Lilly, and
Facebook Data Centre), Boone County may be growing—even flourishing in many
ways—but abuse, neglect, and assault know no postcode or income level. Sylvia’s
CAC offers children a safer, kinder place to begin healing. If you want to know
more, please visit the website of Sylvia’s CAC: https://sylviascac.org/
Boone County Mental
Health Association
The second local
organization which the session and the Mission Committee decided to help from
the Peace & Global Witness Offering is Mental Health America of Boone
County (MHABC), a local organization committed to nurturing healthy minds and
lives in our community.
MHABC’s mission is “to
promote and develop programs providing safe refuge from traumatic life events
and address intellectual, emotional, physical, recreational, and cultural needs
of youth of Boone County and their families.”
They offer a broad range of
programs: mental health resources and referrals; before-and-after school
enrichment (B.A.S.E./Launch and Land); Young Scholars Preparatory Pre-K;
services for survivors of domestic violence including housing and support;
school break programs; and more.
They are also active in
crisis support—providing connection to the 988 Suicide & Crisis
Lifeline—ensuring that anyone struggling emotionally can reach out for help at
any hour.
Mental health struggles,
domestic abuse, and trauma often remain hidden due to fear or shame. MHABC
seeks to break down those barriers, creating a compassionate space where people
are heard, supported, and enabled to heal. Their work matters especially to us
as a congregation called to love our neighbors—to bind up the broken-hearted,
to offer refuge, to walk alongside those in pain. If you want to learn more
about Mental Health America of Boone County, please visit their website: https://www.mhaboonecounty.org/
PPM
Happy October! While we are excited for this change of the season with fun activities about leaves, pumpkins and community helpers; we are ready for a bit cooler weather as well. This past Friday we held our first chapel story for the school year. We meet in the sanctuary and for some kids, this is the first time they have ever been in a church. Sharing amazing stories from the Bible with these children is the best part of my job.
Our story was about Noah and the Ark, All the kids got to tell me what their favorite animal was. I heard everything from dogs, elephants, tigers, a few snakes and even a flamingo! This story always amazes me that Noah had so much faith in God and followed his instructions to keep his family and all the animals safe during the flood. Do you have faith that strong? I know for myself, I find myself slipping, and when I get to share this time with the kids that faith comes back stronger than before.
September is a busy
month, and we are getting excited for all the fun we will have in October.
We have some classes inviting Community Helpers for special story time,
field trips to Dull's and Becky's Market, our first Family fun Night and to end
the month Book Character Dress up Day.
PPM will be on fall
break from October 20th- 24th. Have a very blessed fall season, and pray that
your faith in God who told Noah to build that Ark continues to stay
strong.
Blessing,
Miss Lori
Pastor Je’s Vacation
Pastor Je is taking one week of
vacation synchronized with the Fall Break of the Lebanon Schools. That is from
Monday, October 20th through Sunday 26th. Pastor Je will take Samuel to Niagara
Falls (both US and Canadian side). Our usual pulpit supply, Benjamin Piper will
preach on the Sunday when pastor Je is away.
Ministry Formation Program
Leeza Finch is interested
in deepening her commitment to God and the ministry, especially the Youth
Ministry. The Presbytery of Wabash Valley has a program for non-clergy members
to engage in ministry, the Ministry Formation Program. The session met with
Leeza Finch at the last session meeting to examine her, and decided to endorse
and sponsor her. Leeza recently applied to this program backed by the session.
The Ministry Formation
Program is designed for Ruling Elders or other committed church members who
wish to deepen their faith and understanding, enhance their leadership, and
more fully engage in ministry—whether within their home congregation or elsewhere
in the presbytery.
It is a two-year process
with two tracks running simultaneously:
- An online track via
Columbia Theological Seminary (CT Seminary’s Center for Lifelong
Learning), which includes courses such as an Old Testament survey, New
Testament survey, Psalms, Reformed Theology & Confessions,
Presbyterian Polity, etc.
- A live cohort track
administered by the presbytery, featuring in-person gatherings (six per
year) hosted by congregations. These gatherings support the online work
through discussions, workshops, spiritual direction, leadership formation
(preaching, worship, conflict resolution, etc.), and pastoral care.
The cost is expected to be
about $1,200 over two years. This covers tuition (approx. $900), plus books,
travel, and related expenses. The session will sponsor Leeza and cover this
cost. Since she is interested in the Youth Ministry, the session will use the
Youth Fund to cover this cost.
By the end of this program,
Leeza (and other participants) will have strengthened theological foundations,
gained practical leadership skills (including in worship, sacraments, and
preaching), grown in ability to support their congregation, and possibly be
commissioned as ruling elders or take on other commissioned roles.
Youth Fund
We have two different funds
designated to Youth. The first is Thorpe Benevolent Gifts, which is a special
gift given years ago by the Thorpe family with the stipulation that it be spent
on “Youth organizations, youth related activities to spread the gospel to youth
in the community.”
The other is Youth
Restricted Funds which was originally established by, “Presbyterian Women
donations to youth programs, memorials restricted for general youth related
purpose use, youth mission trips scholarships.” And more recently it has also
been funded by the 40% of the Pentecost Donations that remain at our
congregation. At the last meeting, the session decided to use these Youth Funds
in meaningful ways:
- The first step was to
sponsor Leeza Finch’s participation in the Presbytery’s Ministry Formation
Program, as she pursues a call to Youth Ministry.
- The Session also
approved gifts of $1,000 each to two outstanding local organizations
serving young people: the Indiana United Methodist Children’s Home (iumch.org) and Teen Challenge
of Lebanon.
- In addition, we are
planning to invest in childcare equipment for our Sunday School, ensuring
that our youngest members have a safe and welcoming environment for
learning and growth.
The revival of this fund
represents our shared commitment to the next generation—encouraging their
faith, supporting their well-being, and equipping them for the future.
Teen Challenge
Teen Challenge is a
Christian-based ministry that offers hope and transformation for those
struggling with life-controlling issues, particularly addictions, through
long-term residential support, discipleship, mentoring, and spiritual growth.
They provide in Lebanon / Central Indiana:
- Residential and
mentoring programs for both men and women coping with addiction or other
life-controlling issues.
- An adolescent girls
program (ages 13-17) offering boarding school-style care, counselling,
Christian mentoring, education, and family involvement to help restore
emotional, social, physical, and spiritual well-being.
- A faith-centered
curriculum that emphasizes transformation (not just treatment), relying on
Christ, spiritual disciplines, accountability, and community life.
Too many individuals in our
community suffer silently from addictions and related struggles—often isolated,
ashamed, unsure where to turn. Teen Challenge offers not merely relief, but a
path toward lasting change: restoring relationships, identity, and purpose. It
aligns with our call to be God’s hands and feet—bringing light into darkness,
strength to the weak, and healing to the broken. With Teen Challenge, we are
making our town healthier and better for our youth.
Brainingstorming
Together
As many of you know, Eli Lilly’s new pharmaceutical
campus is currently under construction. This major development will include
corporate offices, manufacturing facilities, research laboratories, and
distribution centers. Once completed, it is expected to bring hundreds of
permanent jobs to our community.
This also means that many new employees—and their
families—may be moving into our town. In anticipation, Session has begun
discussing two important questions:
1. How can we warmly welcome
these new neighbors to our community?
2. How can we extend an
invitation for them to become part of our church family?
Because the construction will take a few more years,
we have time to prepare thoughtfully. Pastor Je and the Session now invite all
of you to join in this conversation. Your prayers, insights, and creative
ideas are essential as we consider how to embody Christ’s love to our future
neighbors.
Please share your suggestions with your Session
members or with Pastor Je directly. Together, let us discern how God may be
calling us to open our doors and hearts in this new season of opportunity.
Celebrations
Wed. Oct. 1st: Benjamin Piper’s Birthday
Sun. Oct. 5th: Bob & Phyllis Duff’s
Anniversary
Mon. Oct. 6th: Pam Dies’ Birthday
Tues. Oct. 7th: Doris Hayden’s Birthday
Wed. Oct. 22nd: Rob & Donna
Bevington’s Anniversary
Sat. Oct. 25th: Echo Nunley’s Birthday
Mon. Oct. 27th: Phyllis Duff’s Birthday
Bruce
McConnell’s
Birthday
Tues. Oct. 28th: Mary Beth Pauley’s
Birthday
Church Calendar
Thurs. Oct. 2nd: Yom Kippur
Fri, Oct. 3rd: 6:00pm Worship Team
Meeting
Sat. Oct. 4th: 11:30am Bible Study
Sun. Oct. 5th: World Communion
Sunday
Least
Day of Peace & Global
Witness Offering
Tues. Oct. 7th: Sukkot Begins
Wed. Oct. 8th: 1:30pm Faith Circle
Fri. Oct. 10th: 11:30am BYOB
Sat. Oct. 11th: 11:30am Bible Study
Mon Oct. 13th: Columbus Day
Last
Day of Sukkot
Fri. Oct. 17th: Gourmet Seekers
(Gold
Coffee Pancake
House)
Sat. Oct. 18th: 11:30am Bible Study
Sun. Oct. 19th: 2-5pm Kelly Gibbs-
Budd’s
Celebration of
Life
@ Harmony Club
Mon. Oct. 20th: Lebanon Schools &
PPM’s
Fall Break begins
Tues. Oct. 21st: 6:30pm Session Meeting
Sat. Oct. 25th: No Bible Study
Sun. Oct. 26th: Pastor Je’s on vacation
Benjamin
Piper will Preach
Fri. Oct. 31st: Reformation Day
Halloween
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