Comings And Goings

 

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

 

I was struck by this saying as I viewed an inspirational movie on-line a few days ago.  “A journey of 1,000 miles begins with one single step.”

 

I often feel overwhelmed by the number of people dying each day from starvation, and hunger-related diseases.  I grieve for the families that are physically driven from their homes and left to exist with nothing more than the clothes on their back, a few cooking pots and maybe a sleeping mat.  To see “homes” located under dead, leafless trees from which all earthly belongings hang, brings tears to my eyes.  How can anything I do even make a ripple in the massive river of poverty, hunger and disease?  I am grateful for the thousands of people who have taken that first step.  My first steps into the world of “hunger” were slow and tentative.  I was unsure where they would take me.  I continue to stumble and fall; but Jesus’ love picks me up and sets me on my feet again.

 

Throughout our life long journey, whether we work to alleviate hunger, visit those in prison, or take care of the sick and the dying, Jesus walks with us every step of the way.

-Walda Helvie

 

Information Needed for Gloria Dei’s 25th Anniversary

 

The Communications Discipleship has begun collection photos and other memorabilia for a display to commemorate Gloria Dei’s 25^th anniversary this fall.  Please take some time to go through your photos and any other items that could help make this display complete.  Place your information in an envelope with your name on the outside and leave it in the “IN” basket located in the narthex.  Your photos will be digitally scanned and returned to the “OUT” basket within a few weeks for you to pick up.  Claudia Miller is also working on a scrapbook for the anniversary celebration.  If you have photos you could donate (they would not be returned) please place them in her mailbox in the church office.

Help us make this celebration of Gloria Dei’s history one that everyone will enjoy!

 

 

 

Financial News

 

Simply Giving®   - Electronic Giving Program

Save time, simplify your life, and support our congregation!  We’re trying to keep up with the times by offering our members a new way to help our ministry.  Our Electronic Giving program is an automated program that will allow you to make contributions without having to lift a pen to write a check or reach into your wallet for cash.

 

Here is how it works:  You authorize a specified amount of money to be electronically transferred directly from your checking or savings account to Gloria Dei’s account.  You also specify the frequency of the transfer.  It is fast, safe, and easy!  The electronic transfer will cost you nothing and you save the cost of the check.  The church will issue you an annual donation statement for your tax records, and your bank statements will provide you with a record of transfer as additional proof of your contributions.  Of course you can cancel or change your automatic transfer at any time by notifying us in writing. A simple authorization form is available on the bulletin board.  Completed forms along with a voided check or savings withdrawal slip should be turned in to the church office.  If you have any questions, please contact Paula Ebert, Financial Secretary (525-7042). 

 

Thank you for your prayerful consideration of this new giving opportunity!

Recent Memorial Fund Donations

 

Several individuals have made donations to the Memorial Fund to remember or honor someone or just to make a loving donation.  Gail and Cato Warren made a donation designated to Worship and Music. Bill and Jan Schein and Ron and Carol Oliver made a donation to Evangelism.  Sara and Steve Keiffner made a donation in memory of Dennis Huber’s mother.  Megan Bosma made a donation directed to education.  Julie Southers gave a donation to Evangelism.  Linda Hall made a donation to Pastor’s Helping Hand.  Dan Wolff was remembered by the following people with a donation to the Memorial Fund designated to Worship and Music:  Clyde and Mary Middleton, John and Jinny Huenniger, Mubea, Don and Joy Shattuck, the Choir, Paula and Doug Ebert, Harold and Darla Grossman, Dan, Dorothy, and Tim Pauli, and Ched and Susan Thornton.  The Choir also made donations in memory of Stat Watson’s mother and Vickie McDaniel’s step-father to go to Worship and Music. 

                       -Geneva Reimer, Memorial Secretary

The Power of Prayer

 

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.” (John 14:6)

 

       Prayer is a privilege.  When Christ made the agonizing choice to sacrifice His life to save the world from sin, He forever opened the doors of prayer to our Heavenly Father for us.  His blood washed away the one obstacle that blocked the way for our prayers to reach the listening ears of God, our sin. 

       In order for our own prayer lives to be powerful, we must begin by making things right before God.  The first step is to accept Christ as our personal Lord and Savior.  Next, we must recognize and confess our sins before God.   Ronnie Floyd explains it this way:  “You cannot approach God in your own name.  You cannot approach God in your own ability.  You can approach God only in the name of Jesus Christ.   He is the gateway, the entry point, into the presence of God.  This initial entry point takes place at your salvation experience.”

       It is also written in the Bible that we cannot communicate and have a personal relationship with our heavenly Father without His Son, Jesus.  To take prayer seriously, we must always remember to bring everything we want to share with the Father, our thoughts, concerns and requests, to Him in the name of His Son.  It is only then that His power is unleashed to intervene on our behalf.

       God loves the name Jesus.  It is the most powerful name in all heaven and earth, and by acknowledging this fact, you are pleasing God.  It also demonstrates the depth of your faith and trust in prayer as you lay everything before Him in the name of His Son, Who is the Truth and the Way an abundant life with the Father, today and forever.

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On Sunday, July 8, eleven of us went to Rising Sun, Indiana, to see the musical "Music Man".  It was a great production and we all thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

On Sunday, August 12, we will be hosting the Senior group from Hebron Lutheran Church for lunch.  This will be held in our Fellowship Hall.  Following lunch we will be entertained by Tim Moore with his portrayal of Simon Kenton.

                                                         -Shirley Benken

WELCA Circle News

 

Martha Circle – On Monday, August 27 Martha Circle members and friends will meet at TGI Fridays in Crestview Hills for dinner at 5:30 p.m.  After dinner they will return to the church fellowship hall to work on the Diapers for Honduras project (see accompanying article).  Lots of help is needed so please come!

 

Hannah Circle - will be working on a project for Welcome House in August.  The date and more details will be available soon.

 

Mary Circle – will meet in the home of Charlotte Himmler on Thursday, August 16 at 7:00 p.m.  The program will be “The Rest of the Story” on Ginny Hueninger’s recent trip to Germany.

 

Ladies!  Mark your calendars for Friday, March 7^th and Saturday, March 8^th for the women’s retreat in 2008 at Queen Anne’s convent in Melbourne.  This is a great time for our ladies, young and old, to enjoy Christian fellowship, and to learn from several of Pastor Vicki’s excellent lessons.  It is a great time for sisters, mothers and daughters, mothers and daughters-in-laws, friends, grandma’s and daughter and granddaughters, or any other combination I may have omitted.  Please mark your calendars and save that time to join us.  We would love to see you there.  Questions can be directed to Geneva Reimer, 356-7911, or any lady who has attended in the past.

 

WELCA Ladies to Support Diapers for Honduras Project

 

The ladies of Martha Circle will be turning used tee shirts into diapers for hospitals in Honduras.  Thanks to the many people who have donated shirts and a special thanks to Sue Scmidt who made a generous donation of shirts from United Ministries’ supply.  Many helpers will be needed on August 27 to cut, assemble, and sew the diapers.  If you have a serger, sewing machine, scissors, or cutting board, please plan to come and help out.  If you would like to cut shirts ahead of time from home, instructions and shirts will be available from Val Eason.  Please contact her at 344-6675.

GlobalFest A Huge Success

 

Perfect weather and a huge crowd made GlobalFest a highlight of the Global Mission Event recently held in Columbus, Ohio.  Thanks to Walda Helvie, coordinator and all her volunteers for their hard work and dedication.  Below is a photo of Walda at the Tanzania display.