Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Crestview Hills, Kentucky
Click here to fill out the 2008 time and talent form online. |
2718 Dixie Highway |
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Newsletter of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church 2718 Dixie Hwy. Volume XXIV, No. 12 From The Pastor, Recently, in a sermon, I quoted an article written by David G. Myers, “Wanting More in an Age of Plenty.” David analyses our culture this way, “We spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less. We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time; more medicine, but less wellness. We read too little, watch TV too much and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. These are the times of tall men, and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes, but more divorce; of a fancier house, but broken homes. We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life; we’ve added years to life, not life to years.” I believe that all of these maladies come from not knowing, loving and trusting God. Without God we can never actually experience “enough”. We will always realize somewhere deep in our hearts that there is something missing, that there must be more to life than this. And unfortunately, we often look in a myriad of wrong places to fill the emptiness of our souls. The truth is, nothing that this life has to offer; money, food, drugs, alcohol, clubbing, sex, hooking up, technology toys, a different spouse, a new hair do, shopping, cars, summer homes, higher education, or anything else that we could name in all of creation, will ever make us truly and deeply satisfied if we are away from God. Substitutes for the real thing just won’t fill the emptiness. This time of year is particularly dangerous for that because the fervor of shopping and the idea that we can make others happy by what we give them seems to put us on an almost unstoppable conveyor belt of consumerism. But step off the belt for a moment and think back over the years. Can you remember unfailingly every year in the past what gift someone gave you? Can you recapture the emotions that the gift brought forth? And the clincher, did you (and do you) really love the person who gave you the gift more after the gift than before the gift? I’m not suggesting that we stop giving gifts because to give helps us to embrace the idea of not keeping everything to ourselves and it also helps us to understand the nature of God, the great Giver, and to receive helps us to embrace letting others care for us. I am simply suggesting that we not allow the gift to be more important than the Giver. That we keep our priorities straight about what the gift means. And most especially I am reminding us that the most important gift in human history came some 2000 years ago in the form of a tiny child born in a stable. Open that gift! Make the Lord Jesus the most important part of your life. If you do that it will be enough, you will have enough, and you can give and receive and live and love with abandon.
Have a Christ Blessed Christmas and a God-filled New Year! -Pastor Vicki Wishing you a blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year!
Most of my life I made the bows for my Christmas packages out of the type of ribbon depicted on this paper. That’s why I chose this festive paper for my Christmas card to you. It reminds me of opening gifts on Christmas morning. We pray for you during this Holy Christmas season. As you celebrate, we pray that you will always keep the reason that we celebrate first in your heart and mind. Most especially we pray that you will open the most important gift of all, the gift of salvation! It is nothing short of incredible that the same God who created the universe would love us this much, enough to send Jesus to live among us, die for our sins and be raised from the dead. May that remarkable gift be the one gift that really matters this year and may the promise that comes with the gift guide this season and the upcoming year in your life.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Garbers; Pastor Vicki, Pastor Phil
Youth and Family Ministries December 2006
Family Ministry Zoo Lights December 9th 5pm Meet at Picnic Shelter #2 (by safari camp, where school buses enter) Cost: $10.95 adults, $6.95 child 2-12yrs.
Please sign up in the Narthex
A note from Rebecca….
Can you feel it? That special feeling that comes when one starts to think of the birth of our Lord. There is something that over comes a person, when they think of a birth of a child, and not just any child- the Son of God. I think that feeling, the hopefulness that comes during Advent, is what I long for all year long. So many times we get bogged down with other tasks that we forget that we are preparing our hearts, minds and souls for the birth of the Lord. We get a chance to celebrate this miracle with others. Every year we are reminded that we should not get caught up in the parties, shopping, baking, presents, and running around. Every year seems busier than the last but I encourage you to take a moment, breath deep, take in the joy and hope that is surrounding you. Remember that Christ’s birth comes first. Celebrate that with your family, share that with your friends and explore that with your neighbors. Happy Advent and Merry Christmas. Rebecca
Reflect on Traditional Christmas Symbols *Christmas lights make us think of Jesus- the Light Who came into the world. * Candy canes, remind us of a shepherd’s staff. *Decorative balls represent the world. *Window lights recall the journey of Joseph and Mary *The popped kernels in strings of popcorn stand for new life.
Holiday Schedule:
Advent Prayer Vigil – December 5 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Sign up in the narthex.
Midweek Advent Services–December 6,13, and 20 Dinner served by WELCA at 6:00 with the worship service at 7:00 p.m.
Children’s Christmas Program – December 10 at the 11:00 a.m. worship service.
Chancel Choir Cantata – December 17 at the 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship services.
Christmas Eve Worship Services – December 24 at 2:00, 7:00, and 11:00 p.m.
Christmas Morning at the Garbers – 10:00 a.m. Please call 331-4694 to RSVP by December 20.
Sunday Morning Worship – December 24 and 31 10:00 a.m. only.
New Council Members for 2007
At the November 12 annual congregational meeting the following were elected to serve on church council. Church officers and discipleship chairs have been decided and are listed as well.
Duane Skavdahl – President Steve Kieffner - Vice President Todd Kuhse - Secretary Todd Kuhse - Discipleship of Communication Claudia Miller - Discipleship of Education Steve Kieffner - Discipleship of Finance Jennifer Ables - Discipleship of Spiritual Gifts Denise Bosma - Discipleship of Nurture Kelli Sittason - Discipleship of Outreach Doug Ebert - Discipleship of Personnel Craig Bluemlein - Discipleship of Property Don Shattuck - Discipleship of Safety & Boundaries Shelley Dick - Discipleship of Social Ministry Bill Schein - Discipleship of Worship Kurt & Kay Freyberger - Treasurer Paula Ebert - Financial Secretary
It’s time to order your beautiful, foil wrapped fresh florist quality poinsettias to help decorate our sanctuary for Christmas Eve services. Sign up in the narthex to reserve your plants. Your $10.00 donation may be placed in the offering anytime up to December 24. Please mark that it is for ‘poinsettias’ in the memo portion of your check. Plants may be taken home following the 11:00 p.m. service on Christmas Eve.
Frisch’s Marionette Show
Our annual performance by the Frisch Marionette Co. will be the double-bill “Peter and the Wolf” and “The Frog Prince.” Sponsored by the Men’s Group and Fellowship Committee, this year’s show will be presented on Sunday, December 3, at 4:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Refreshments will be served beginning at 3:30 p.m.
The cost is $12.00 per family. For the fourth year, money collected will be donated to Angel Tree Ministries to provide Christmas gifts for Kentucky children who have a parent in prison.
In this production, the marionettes are as large as the children. Before and after the performance the children will get to see these hand-crafted characters up close, learn how they operate and how the story has been put together. Join us for the fun!
Clergy Appreciation Month
In honor of Pastor Vicki, the congregation purchased matching stoles to go with the new paraments presented at the rededication service October 29. In addition, Pastor was given $1200 which she is contributing to "Healing in the Holy Land," an ELCA project that supports Lutheran World Federation's Augusta Victoria Hospital on the Mount of Olives. This is one of the few health care facilities in the Holy Land that provides quality medical care to Palestinians.
Angel Tree
There are almost 6,000 children in Kentucky who have a parent in prison, and Gloria Dei has agreed to sponsor 50 area children ranging in age from 1-15. If you would like to take part in this ministry, there are a number of options.
(1) You can sponsor a child. Each child receives two gifts, a toy and an article of clothing, each costing $15-20. (2) You can be on the delivery team. On Saturday, December 16, we will meet at Gloria Dei to deliver the presents and the Christmas gospel to the children. (3) You can make a donation to Angel Tree Kentucky to help purchase gifts for children who have not been sponsored by a church.
If you would like to help in any way, contact Bonnie Handahl at bbhand@fuse.net or 331-7137.
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| Actual | Budget | Last Year | |
| Offerings | $ 315,262.00 | $342,668 | $332,980 |
| Other Income | $ 13,374.00 | $11,701 | 12,601 |
| Expenses | $ 327,811.00 | $358,436 | 294,087 |
| Surplus (Deficit) | $ 825.00 | ($4,067) | 38,893 |
As can be seen, offerings are behind budget by $27,406 (8.7%) and $4,344 (1.6%) below the same period last year. Fortunately the operating expenses are $30,625 (8.5%) better than budget, resulting in the small year-to-date surplus. The operating expenses will increase with the beginning of winter along with the new debt service resulting from the renovation project.
As everyone has seen, the renovation project is complete. The actual expenses haven’t been completely tabulated, but they are certain to be below the estimated costs thanks to the effective project management of the renovation task force. Therefore, including the surplus money borrowed from Thrivent to fund this project, the general fund’s cash balance is $139,352 as of the end of September.
The Communications Committee is organizing an archives project to help celebrate
Gloria Dei’s 25th anniversary. We are asking that you gather all of
your memorabilia- photos, videos, etc. of Gloria Dei members and activities to
help create a complete history of our church. Photos can be scanned by our
church member and professional Archival Librarian Paul Tenkotte allowing you to
keep your originals right after he scans them. It’s a big project and we need
everyone’s help. Please call Paul right away at 859-426-1776 to make your
scanning appointment and thank you for your cooperation in allowing us to use
your photos and miscellaneous literature to create a special album and DVD to
help celebrate the church's 25th Anniversary next year!
Mary Circle- will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the home of Mary Middleton on Thursday, December 21. Her program will be on Turkey, not the gobbling kind!
Ruth Circle - will be meeting on Friday, December 8 at the Five Seasons Country Club. We will have our Christmas party with spouse/ significant others. Drinks and greetings will begin at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 7:00. Come join us for a wonderful evening. For more information call Pauline Kendrick at 384-6546.
Martha Circle – will meet at the home of Judy Effler on Thursday, December 14 for their annual Christmas dinner and ornament exchange. Call Judy at 341-8190 to RSVP.
Dear Lord,
I have recently joined this wonderful congregation, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. The church has several members that I can really connect with and the Pastor and Director of Youth Ministries are awesome! The only problem I seem to be having, is trying to figure out what activities to get involved in. I have noticed that the church has many opportunities to get involved in such as leadership roles, outreach programs, and social events. What can I do to get plugged into some of these opportunities?
Signed,
Lost Steward/Volunteer
Dear Lost Steward/Volunteer,
You have thrown an easy question my way. First, many blessings to you for joining a congregation. Second, Gloria Dei has a form called a Time and Talent Survey, which lists all the volunteer opportunities at the church. You can fill out your survey online at http://www.gloriadei-nky.org/ or pick up a copy in the narthex. Remember I have blessed all my children with special gifts and skills, and I want you to use them in my name.
Faithfully Yours,
The Lord
MISSION STATEMENT
The family of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church accepts the call of our Lord Jesus to "go therefore and make disciples" and to fulfill this call by:
· Evolving the highest-quality worship experience
· Establishing community outreach that is Christ-centered
· Fostering spiritual growth
· Maximizing human and financial resources
· Transmitting our love for Christ to those in need
Sunday worship services for everyone are offered at 8:30 a.m., 9:45 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.
The Newsletter of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church is published monthly. The deadline for articles is the 15th of the month. Articles may be e-mailed to the editor, Val Eason, at newsletter@gloriadei-nky.org or faxed to 578-0273.
Duane Skavdahl……………………………….……..President
Steve Kieffner.…..………………………..……Vice President
Todd Kuhse…......………………………………..…..Secretary
Kurt & Kay Freyberger………………………...……Treasurer
Paula Ebert……………………………...…Financial Secretary
Rev. Vicki Garber…………………………….…Senior Pastor
Rebecca Brode…...……Director of Youth & Group Ministries
Debbie Hoydal……………………………....Church Secretary
Terri Chapman…………………………………..…..Custodian
PROGRAM DIRECTORS
Peggy Fisher & Dolores Kreutzjans…..….Preschool Directors
Anita Carmack……………………...………….Music Director
Ron Carmack………...…………..……Chancel Choir Director
Mindy Barrett………………………Children’s Choir Director
Bob & Bonnie Handahl…..Adult Sunday School Coordinators
Terri Stinebruner …Children’s Sunday School Superintendent
Nancy Mlinarik……Children’s Sunday School Superintendent
Send the Church Office e-mail at: office@gloriadei-nky.orgSend mail to the WebSteward with questions or comments about this web site.Subscribe to the Gloria Dei E-mail listClick Here To Send This Page to a Friend
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Another
New Year is soon upon us. If we are going to make resolutions that matter, let
us make them with regard to our God relationships. Let us commit ourselves once
again to love God above all else, to attend to our prayer and worship lives and
to live in ways that are pleasing and acceptable to God. If we do that 2007
will be the best year ever! Because after all, God, long ago, resolved to love
us beyond human understanding. 
A
Year in Review
