We are an inclusive church. As disciples of Christ who value the faith, gifts, and ministry of all God’s people and seek justice, racial equity, and reconciliation, we welcome all God’s children to an inclusive community. This welcome is extended without exception and regardless of sex, race, national origin, educational background, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, physical and mental ability, age, or economic condition. St. Thomas has been a Reconciling In Christ congregation since the 1980s.
St.Thomas Lutheran Church is on the east side of Bloomington, at the southwest corner of the intersection of East Third Street and Smith Road. Our parking lot entrance is off Smith Road, immediately south of the intersection. Worship times are on the HOME page. A bike rack is available at the east entrance. Our building is fully handicap-accessible. Large-print bulletins and assistive-hearing devices are available.
We’re an ecumenical church – you don’t have to be Lutheran to worship here! Read about our ecumenical and interfaith ties.
There are two in-person worship services every Sunday, plus a Youtube livestream. Worship schedules and livestream links are on our HOME page. In Advent, at Christmas, during Lent, Holy Week, and Easter, there are special services at special times – we’ll list these on the HOME page as well.
There’s no dress code. You’ll find some women in hats and some men in neckties, but most of us don’t dress up so much. Please wear what’s comfortable for you and never, never feel that you have to buy special clothes to worship here. Help yourself to a cup of coffee in the narthex (that’s the entrance hall) and let’s start getting to know one another. We’re glad you’re here.
All of God’s people are welcome to share in Holy Communion. The table belongs to Jesus, not to us. Communion is offered at every Sunday service. Please don’t be concerned about whether you are standing in the right place, saying the right words, or doing the right actions. Come to the table and be fed.
Children are warmly invited to join the whole congregation at worship and are welcome to bring along quiet diversions. There’s a play corner with a rocking chair and we have activity bags available near the coffee bar for non-readers. Here’s our page on welcoming children at worship.
All children who are able to take solid food are welcome to receive communion at St. Thomas. Whether children receive the sacrament or a blessing from the pastor is entirely up to the parents. This is part of our honoring of Christian conscience. Classes are offered each year for children of any age who wish to gain a fuller understanding of communion. Here’s our page on welcoming children in worship.
A church is people, not a building, but we have worked lovingly to make our building a special place. Here are some places to explore at St. Thomas.
Because the Spirit reaches out to each one of us and awaits our prayerful response, our prayer garden, just south of the church, is a place for quiet meditation. Other good places for quiet prayer include the sanctuary itself, the Spirit Window in Heritage Hall, and the small labyrinth in the Community Garden on the hillside, south of the building.
Art and craft – often by our members – are part of our building. You’ll find handmade ceramics, handwoven vestments, and much more. Read about it here.
Since growth in wisdom and understanding is fundamental to Christian life, our parish library, just to the left of the main entrance, is open all week for study and reading. You’ll also want to get to know the Conference Room, where our adult study groups usually meet. Sermons offer an important view of this congregation’s values and our role in the Bloomington community. Along with the livestream videos, we also keep sermon texts online for members to read, think about and share.
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