Matthew 27:57-60 says, “When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away.”

Have you ever considered how much courage and self-sacrifice it took for Joseph of Arimathea to do what he did? And Joseph had a lot to lose. He was a rich man, undoubtedly a man of considerable influence in the community, to side with Jesus might well have cost him his position in the community as well as the respect of his colleagues. And then there was the matter of his tomb. He had purchased a brand new tomb in a popular site. Maybe he was himself nearing death. What if Jesus was still in the tomb when Joseph needed it for himself? It certainly wasn’t politically expedient to go to Pilate and ask for the body of Jesus. In so doing, Joseph might have been accused of being in cahoots with Jesus. To be in cahoots with Jesus could have cost Joseph his life. The Romans were well known for executing as many members of a movement as they could find. It was a security measure. When the general public saw a lot of rebels hanging on crosses it kept them in line. Surely, Joseph must have been afraid.

So why did Joseph do it? Wouldn’t it have been easier for him to just keep his mouth shut, stay quietly out of the picture, protect his assets and his reputation?

No one knows for sure because we don’t know much of anything else about Joseph. Perhaps he was just a really nice man who didn’t want to see the body of a Rabbi desecrated in such a way. Perhaps it wasn’t personal to him, he was just so against leaving a person on a cross that he was willing to risk everything to get the body down from there. Perhaps he had figured out some way to have a gain for himself by giving Jesus a resting place. But I like to think that Joseph was a person of faith and that he let his faith give him the strength that he needed to make the choices that he made. I like to think that because that’s how I think faith works. For most of us it doesn’t come naturally willing to risk our lives for the sake of another or even for a good cause, but we might make such a risk for the sake of the Gospel and because we love Jesus have faith in him.

There is a popular myth afoot in our culture that if you are ‘right with God’ nothing bad will ever happen to you, that it will bring you material wealth and lots of good ‘stuff’. Theologians call it the “Prosperity Gospel”. But the Christian faith is challenging. First of all, we are right with God because of what the Lord does (die on the cross) not because we some how deserve it. The prosperity gospel puts the ‘action’ of salvation on the wrong person, us. And secondly, the one who calls us to faith also said, “If you want to be my follower, take up your cross and follow me.” It means that we risk something for the sake of the gospel. It means that we give of ourselves for the sake of the mission of Jesus. Sometimes, it may even mean that we give our lives. There is a real and genuine prosperity to the real and genuine gospel. It is the prosperity of a life lived with divine purpose. It is the prosperity of meaning and hopefulness and joy and everlasting life.

And by the way, the opposite of fear is not courage…it is trust. Do you trust the Lord? Will you pick up your cross and follow? Will you risk your influence and your reputation to do what God calls you to do? Joseph did it, will you?

Come and Follow Christ

Thank you for your generous support of Come and Follow Christ. Commitment Sunday was glorious. It was an incredible “mountain top” experience of reaching 87% of our goal – 150 pledges and $741,287 - in one day. When pledges are received from people who weren’t there, we are sure to meet our goal. If you have not made a pledge yet, please do so as soon as possible checking the narthex or contacting the church office for a pledge card.

The campaign leadership team thought Come and Follow Christ would be a great theme for our capital campaign, but actually it was an invitation from God. An invitation to be all that God has called us to be.

It is not always easy to follow Christ. It can be hard to simply be still and listen for the voice of God. But when you do listen, as each of you has done, you recognize the voice of God and you begin to become whom God intended you to be. And God leads you in the right way. Gloria Dei Lutheran Church is becoming all that God intends us to be because you have listened to God and you accepted the invitation to Come and follow Christ.

Maybe the best way to thank everyone is simply to thank God for you. On behalf of everyone who worked so hard on this campaign, we thank God for bringing you to Gloria Dei, a glorious place where we love God beyond any measure. Where we love each other and where we follow Christ wherever He may lead us.

-Becky Sittason,

Come and Follow Christ |Co-Chair

Committee Night Set for April 7

The next discipleship committee meeting night is Monday, April 7th. As in the past the evening starts off with the joint committee chair and council dinner meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall. The individual committees then meet at 7:15 p.m. Our church has many projects underway with a great deal of information to share, so we hope everyone can attend their respective committee meeting.

The children will be singing on Sunday, April 20 and May 11. The last day of Sunday School will be celebrated on May 4 with cookies and punch. Please note that there will be NO Sunday School classes on May 11 but there WILL be singing practice with Mindy that day. We are looking for someone interested in serving as Sunday School co-superintendent. If you are interested, please contact Claudia Miller at 491-2972.

Adult Education

“Who Is This Jesus: Is He Risen?” is a video series we will have during the first two Sundays of April. It features bestselling author Dr. D. James Kennedy and veteran Hollywood actor Dean Jones. Enriched with scenes from the dramatic mini-series “A.D.”, this documentary provides explanations to some of the most important questions ever asked regarding the most controversial man who ever lived . . . Jesus Christ.

Because of the interest last spring in our study comparing Christianity and Islam, we will have a follow-up series on this subject starting April 20. The first of four sessions is from the perspective of a woman who converted from Islam to Christianity. Join us each week at 9:50 a.m. in Room F-1 for these enlightening presentations.

Easter Blessings

Many thanks to everyone who assisted with the Holy Week and Easter Sunday worship services, especially those who stepped up at the last minute. Easter Sunday services required nearly 60 volunteers, not counting the choir.

As our worship attendance grows, our need for volunteers grows as well. The people of Gloria Dei have many gifts to offer, and many opportunities to use those gifts to the glory of God. If you have not yet completed your Time & talent Sheet, please do so soon. The sheet can be completed online at www.gloriadei-nky.org/time_and_talent.htm

-Tom Pairan

Education & Volunteer Ministry Staff

Sometime this fall I will be moving out of the area and after more than 20 years as the editor of Gloria Dei’s newsletter must turn this responsibility over to someone else. I am asking you to prayerfully consider taking on this very important and fulfilling service project for our church. It is NOT a lot of work. Believe it or not, our newsletter is done as a Word document with easily downloaded artwork. It requires about 3-4 hours of time each month to basically copy and paste articles that are submitted by members of our congregation (mostly via e-mail). You don’t need to write articles yourself- just organize, edit for spelling and grammar, and add the artwork.

If you think you might be interested but fear you are not qualified, please keep in mind that I am self-taught in my newsletter editoring skills. If I can do it ANYONE can! And, I have thoroughly enjoyed producing the best church newsletter in Northern Kentucky all these years. It’s time for someone else to have that fun.

Please think about it and if interested, give me a call at 344-6675. There is still plenty of time to show you how it’s done and work on newsletter issues together for several months until you feel comfortable.

Again, please prayerfully consider helping your church, your congregation, and our future church members and friends.

-Val Eason, Gloria Dei News Editor

Comings and Goings

The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. (Psalms 121:8)

This is one of the months that I had a difficult time deciding what to write. If I find myself dwelling on this too much, I always turn to prayer so that the Holy Spirit can reveal what to write. After my prayer and during morning devotions, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 was quoted. The heading for this reading is “Life in a Christian Community”.

We have been on the mountaintop because we have trustingly lived out God’s command “Come and Follow Christ” through the success of Gloria Dei’s capital campaign. Now we must focus on God’s mission for us DURING all the building and renovation. How we handle this and all its frustrations, will be another test of our obedience to God’s call. This Bible reading tells us exactly how to live as a community grounded in trusting God’s faithfulness in His mission through us. God has called us to “Come and Follow Christ”. We have done this, and now Paul reminds us to:

· Respect godly people who work hard among us.

· Live in peace with each other.

· Encourage and help the weak-hearted.

· Be patient with everyone.

· Make sure that nobody pays back one wrong act with another.

· Always look for good in others and all things.

· Always be joyful.

· Pray about everything.

· Give thanks at all times, even when things are not going well.

· Pay attention to the leadings of the Holy Spirit.

· Lift-up God’s Good News.

· Test all things against God’s Word.

· Hold on to what is good.

· Stay away from every kind of evil.

“God is the God who gives peace. May He make you holy through and through. May your whole spirit and body be kept free from blame. May you be without blame from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes. The One who has chosen you is faithful. He will do all these things.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

OWLS

There’s no better way to spend out April 13 meeting than at the Gloria Dei ground breaking for our new addition.

Friday, May 9, we are going to the Stained Glass Theater in Newport to see "Children of Eden", a musical based on the book of Genesis. See Gail Cato for the $16.00 tickets. Sign up on the bulletin board in the narthex if you would like to go with us. We will have dinner first at the Green Derby, a block from the theater. We have done this for several years and have always had a good time.

The Power of Prayer

God says His Word, “shall not return to Me void, but it will accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it…” ( Isaiah 55:11)

The Bible - Love Letters From God?

Have you ever thought of the Bible as a love letter from God? It really can be considered as such because every word was written under the direction of His Holy Spirit out of love for the children He has created. Like any good parent, our Heavenly Father longs to guide us in all we do with loving lessons to teach us about Himself and His will for our lives, so we can walk worthy of Him in all we do.

The Word of God is powerful, and when combined with prayer it becomes a truly undefeatable weapon. He reminds us in 1 John 5:14 that “if we ask anything according to His will (which is His Word) He hears us.” This passage, along with many others, is a steadfast PROMISE for every believer.

When we use His Word in prayer, we are speaking the language of God, a language near & dear to His heart. It shows our love and respect for Him as Lord of our lives. As we lift His Word to him in prayer, He responds and we receive His answers more clearly because His Word is “quick, powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword…” (Hebrews 4:12). His Words bring power to our prayer requests and concerns.

God wants us to pray His Word because it shows Him that we desire to know & understand Him and the loving lessons His Word teaches. It pleases Him to see our obedience as we seek to apply his promises to our lives and our prayers. It lets Him know that we are dedicated to learning more about Him and His ways, while at the same time proclaiming our love for Him.

As the book, “Bible Prayers for All Your Needs” reminds us…”God wants to meet every need we have and Scripture based prayers enable us to meditate upon God’s promises, believe them, receive them and pray them. When we turn God’s promises into personal prayers, we begin to understand more fully and deeply how much God loves and wants to bless us.” His Word, love letters to us- our prayers, love letters to Him!

I-K Synod on Our Home Turf

Let’s show our southern hospitality by volunteering at the I-K Synod Assembly that will be held on our “home-turf”…Lexington, KY June 5-7. There are many volunteer opportunities in which to serve. Come to the Eastern Kentucky Conference Spring Assembly, April 19 at 2:00 p.m. in Frankfort and find out everything you will need to know about volunteering at the I-K Synod Assembly. If you can’t attend, please call Walda Helvie at 344-0103 and she will answer your questions and sign you up for this wonderful opportunity to serve at the synod level.

About Your Synod: What Is a Synod?

The word synod is a combination of two Greek words: “syn” which means “together”, and “hodos” which means “path”. As Lutherans, we walk together to carry out the mission of the ELCA. We join together as baptized children of God to develop an understanding of the gifts that the Holy Spirit has given us so that together, we can build up the whole body of Christ.

In the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, we gather together as God’s children in 10 conferences, five campus ministries, and three camps. We worship in 225 congregations with 400 pastors and roster lay leaders.

· We are Christ centered

· We are mission focused

· We are ministry focused

· We are committed to collaboration

· We are open to taking risks

· We are committed to excellence

· We are people focused

· We are open to resources

· We share decisions

· We share accountability

Finance Report, April 2008

The finance committee is happy to report that the final Treasurer’s Report for 2007 showed the following outstanding results rounded to the nearest $1000:

Income of $512,000 up $12,000 from budget and 8% greater than 2006.

Normal spending of $482,000 versus a budget of $504,000.

Surplus before building repair and renovation related items of $30,000.

Building repair and renovation of $79,00

Net Reduction in General Fund of $57,000 to finish with Fund Balance of $90,000*

*Excludes $20,000 owing to the new building addition and renovation fund.

Thanks again to Kurt and Kay Freyberger for their outstanding leadership and service to Gloria Dei as Church Treasurers.

Financial activity 2008 year-to-date shows collections to the General Fund about at budget. The budget calls for an increase in program spending of about $40,000. Thanks for all of you who are keeping your pledges. Remember that Simply Giving is a program to help you make your regular commitments through automatic payments from your checking account. See Paula Ebert to sign up.

Capital Campaign: $780,000 has been pledged including $25,000 in memorial funds, which represents 92% of our $850,000 goal. Our follow-up committee is continuing to contact those who have not yet had the opportunity to pledge and we expect the pledged results to improve.

If you have not yet pledged, please prayerfully consider how you can help Gloria Dei reach its needs. Drop your pledge in the plate offerings or send your pledge into the Church office. If you cannot find your pledge card, just attach a note of explanation or pick up a card at the church office.

We thank the many volunteers who worked in many different roles during the course of the Capital Campaign. God has truly blessed Gloria Dei with dedicated and talented stewards.

-The Finance Committee and

Capital Campaign Committee

Servants: Walking the Talk

Everyone is invited to attend the Eastern Kentucky Spring Conference Assembly on April 19 at 2:00 p.m. at Hope Lutheran Church in Frankfort, Kentucky. Our focus is: Servants: Walking the Talk. Pastor Vicki will talk about “servanthood” and Jan Philpy will discuss the volunteer opportunities for the I-K Synod Assembly, June 5-7. We will end the day with a dessert banquet prepared by the women of Hope Lutheran, in honor of ALL who serve the Lord. Do you need a ride or want to drive? Let’s organize a carpool from Gloria Dei. Please call the church office to let us know ASAP.

Attention Ladies:

Everyone is invited to attend the Eastern Kentucky Spring Cluster Gathering. This will take place on Saturday April 12 from 9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Lexington. A continental breakfast, devotions, Bible study and lunch is planned. Please contact Linda Geisselbrecht at 331-7862 ASAP for registration and carpooling. The cost is $5.00.

WELCA Circle News

Hannah Circle – will meet at Karlo's Bistro Italia in Florence on Thursday, April 24 at 7:00 p.. Our service project for April is still being finalized. Hannah Circle welcomes all women of the church to our meeting. Please contact Tina Smith at 261-6030 or hannah@gloriadei-nky.org if you need additional information.

Ruth Circle –will meet on Thursday April 3 at 6:30 p.m. in the church parking lot. We will pair up, and 'go out unto the world and spread good news' and cheer with our church family members that are home bound. After our visits we will meet at the Greyhound Grill, 2500 Dixie Highway, to have our meeting. Come join us for a wonderful evening. For more information call Pauline Kendrick at 384-6546.

Martha Circle – will meet on Monday, April 28 at the home of Judy Effler, 3282 Kruer Ct. in Edgewood. Sara Kieffner will co-host and give the devotions. Val Eason will have the program about flower varieties for successful gardening. All ladies are invited to join us. Call Lisa Miller at 331-8655 for carpool information.

Mary Circle - will meet at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 17 at the home of Delores Cox, 4287 Richardson Rd. Independence. Gail Cato will present a program titled "I'm Still Growing". Come learn how to keep growing regardless of your age. Call Delores for directions 371-3220 or Ginny to car pool 250-5180.

Quilters – remember to meet at church on Thursday, April 3 at 6:30 and Stitchers meet on Monday, April 14 and 28 at 7:00 p.m. You do not have to be a circle member to be a Quilter or Stitcher. All women are welcome. If you like to keep your fingers busy and chat at the same time, you'll enjoy these groups.

The Women’s Retreat – has been rescheduled for May 30-31. A new sign-up sheet will be in the narthex after Easter. If you have already registered, please call Sue Schmidt at 635-2006.

Volunteers for April

11:00 Service	April 6	April 13	April 20	April 27
Acolytes	Clay Huddleston Lucas Huddleston	Markie Duffy Callie Budrick	Emily Bautista Shea Stivers	Nathan Nicol Adam Nicol
Lay Assistant	Bob Tubesing	Tim Moore	Ted Miller	Tom Pairan
Reader	Marjorie Mueller	Carole Gray	Stephanie Bautista	Jennifer Murray
Children’s Sermon	Pastor Vicki	Lisa Miller	Rebecca Brode	Rebecca Brode
Ushers	Gail Cato Warren Cato Ed Huddleston Sue Schmidt	Ed Budrick Betsy Budrick Shelby Budrick Christina Patterson	Nancy Brinkman Geneva Reimer Herb Wedig Robert Parrott	Dick Mueller Ed Frondorf Andrea Hegna Len Hegna
Communion Asst.	Bill Schwierjohann Jennifer Schwierjohann	Carla Smith Joy Shattuck	Michael Patterson Christina Patterson	Marian Dietz Donna Bianchi
Visitor Hosts	Jane Auge Pauline Kendrick	Paul Lorenz Anne Ellington	Joan Rylee Dick Mueller	Mary Middleton Herb Wedig
Nursery Asst.	Anna Sittason	Abby Lewis	Jennifer Hegna	Geneva Reimer
Children’s Church	Tom Pairan	Rebecca Brode	Lisa Miller	Rebecca Brode
Children’s Church Helper	Laura Beane		Julie Gregory	Lisa Harris
Counters	Don Shattuck Paula Kiser	Paula Ebert Ted Miller	Paula Ebert Ted Miller	Steve Kieffner Clyde Middleton

We are saved by Grace through Faith and are called by the Holy Spirit to make Christ known. In joyful response, we strive to…

SUNDAY SERVICES

Sunday worship services for everyone are offered at 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 5:30 p.m. Holy Communion is celebrated every Sunday at all services. A nursery is also provided at all services. Sunday School for all ages begins at 9:50 a.m.

GLORIA DEI NEWS

The Newsletter of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church is published monthly. The deadline for articles is the 15^th of the month. Articles may be e-mailed to the editor, Val Eason, at newsletter@gloriadei-nky.org or faxed to 578-0273.

8:00 Service	April 6	April 13	April 20	April 27
Lay Assistant	Tom Pairan	Rebecca Brode	David Quandt	Rhonda Zuziak
Reader	Rainer Jaeschke	Todd Kuhse	David Quandt	Dan Zuziak
Ushers	Harold Sauser Jack Mitchell	Todd Kuhse Sara Kuhse	Mike See Mike Nicol	Tom Himmler Linda Himmler
Communion Asst.	Betty Watts	Jane Nicol	Tom Watts	Bill Himmler
Visitor Host	Fran Mitchell	Erv Moses	Betty Watts	Charlotte Himmler

9:00 Service	April 6	April 13	April 20	April 27
Reader/Sacristan	Laura Clapp	Marjorie Mueller	Megan Fricke	Hansel Ramathal
Nursery Asst.	Jennifer McGlasson	Billie Lepisto	Jana Woods	Amy Honnerlaw
Children’s Church	Rebecca Brode	Rebecca Brode	Marsha Linnemann	Rebecca Brode
Ushers	Tim Little Hansel Ramathal Rob Bosma Andrew Bosma	Jeff Grimm LuAnn Grimm Jordan Miller Mitch Boese	Jean McCarter Leslie Barrows Mckayl Barrows Delaney Barrows	George Hurley Denise Hurley Taylor Hurley Jan Skavdahl
Candlelighter	Andrew Bosma		Delaney Barrows	Derek Smith
Communion Asst. & Visitor Host	Paula Kiser Jan Skavdahl	Peggy Fisher Kristen Schmidt	Shelley Dick Hansel Ramathal	Emily Barker Kathy Duffy

5:30 Service	April 6	April 13	April 20	April 27
Lay Assistant/Reader		Mary Chapin	Greg Land	Tom Pairan
Visitor Host/Usher	Sandi Gaines	Tom Chapin	Bob Land	Kevin Davis
Altar	Margaret Berwanger	Greg Land	Bonnie Handahl	Mary Land

Come and Follow Christ

Committee Night Set for April 7

Adult Education

The Power of Prayer

I-K Synod on Our Home Turf

About Your Synod: What Is a Synod?

Finance Report, April 2008

Servants: Walking the Talk

WELCA Circle News

Volunteers for April

SUNDAY SERVICES

GLORIA DEI NEWS

CHURCH OFFICERS

CHURCH STAFF

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