Everyday Miracles

It is my hope that I can impart the beauty of this story and to be exact as to how it occurred.

It was late in the evening (2002) as I went toward my praying chair next to the balcony door. I sat down to talk to God, much like usual. Only I was slightly troubled and I asked God for an unusual request. I said, “Please send me a sign so that I know you are always with me.” This is not a normal request for me, as it does not show my strong belief. It is more indicative of the fear and doubt that creeps into my life from time to time. I really didn’t think much more about that prayer. I just laughed at myself because I thought what more could God do that He has not already done?

That night I had a peaceful night’s sleep and when I arose, I felt refreshed. After my morning prayers, I headed downstairs and went into the kitchen. In the kitchen is a very tall corn plant that was just a small “baby” plant when we moved into our home about 12 years prior but now it loomed large. Nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to see. There hanging from the corn plant were dozens of flowers that smelled like heavenly gardenias. They were in full bloom. I almost cried from the shock of it. I said quite joyfully, “Thank you God.” There is nothing that God could have done to send me a clearer sign.

It is hard for me to put down how I felt at that moment. I was so touched to think our Heavenly Father would show His love in such a kind and clear way. It left no doubt. It lifted my heart. I actually couldn’t believe what I was seeing, but I knew deeply the power and meaningfulness of those beautiful flowers as they all but reached out and sang to me. I smiled and thought what a compassionate way for God to say,” There you are Susan!” The fragrant flowers stayed with us for a week. Inside, I was so cheerful.

Friends, that could have been the end of a lovely story ... but there’s more.

This year, what I would call a problem arose. As our daughter Denise would say, another blessing came into our life. Denise was diagnosed with stage IV cancer. It is only a blessing because Denise says that everything that happens to us in life is a blessing. Her sentiments humbled me. It turned my life even more deeply into one of prayer and meditation.

The next part of the story begins (4 years later) after we got the “news” of Denise’s diagnosis.

Late in the night, when I was alone and praying (not on my usual praying chair) I was in prayer but it was not at all a peaceful prayer. It was a sad and disquieting prayer. Then it went to a lamenting prayer. In that moment, I saw God looking at His only Son dying on the cross. I found myself grieving for God. I felt alone, when suddenly this familiar fragrance surrounded my chair, the scent grew stronger and stronger. I got up and looked at the corn plant. No flowers were apparent. I sat down to pray but the smell began to overpower me. It was so strong and sweet. I felt God surround me with His love. I felt comforted as I once again looked at the corn plant. Yes, on the back of the corn plant was a stalk of flowers. God showed me that tie was right there with me. What special gifts! The corn plant is now 16 years old.

After a week, the fragrance went away, the flowers died; I was left with knowing that God is with me, sending His love.

I would say this is the end of the story but again it didn’t turn out that way.

During the past several months I felt there is something I would like to be doing. At the end of every prayer I asked and offered, “I would like to contribute more. I will act on the first good thing someone asks of me. I will act unhesitatingly and I will know it is your will.”

Last Sunday, after church, I was talking to a dear friend. She said something that lead me into telling her the flower story and to describe the impact the story had and continues to have on me. She then requested that I write this story and share it with others. I told her I was not a writer but she encouraged me to at least write it for the people of our church. As I left, I realized that this is the first request I have received. I knew that God had called me to write this story. So, here is it.

For anyone who might read this, it may seem like the end of the story, and for now it is. This story will live forever in my heart and now that it is down on paper perhaps someone might read it and it will make them feel happy too.

May we rejoice in the miracles of God’s love.

Author: Susan Thornton

This year’s Women’s Retreat will be held March 24 and 25 at St. Anne’s at a cost of $55.00 per person.  There is a sheet to fill out by the sign up sheet in the narthex.  Please complete it and place it in the Memorial Fund mailbox in the workroom.  The money is due March 1.  If you decide to attend after the March 1 due date has passed, contact Geneva Reimer at 356-7911 or Marjorie Mueller at  331-5266.

‘Souper’ Bowl Sunday

After morning services on Super Bowl Sunday, February 5, the Gloria Dei’s Men’s Group will be selling chili to raise money to send Angel Tree children to summer camp. Last year Gloria Dei was the only church in Kentucky to sponsor children for camp. Twenty volunteers are needed to each bring five quarts of chili to church on February 5.  A sign up sheet will be in the narthex and containers will be available on January 22.  Bring your favorite chili (spicy, mild, etc.) to be sold to hungry congregational members for $5.00 per quart.  Our goal is $500, and we will receive additional funds from Thrivent.  Be sure to buy enough chili for your Super Bowl party, or for freezing to have with meals this winter. Call Bob Handahl at 331-7137 if you have any questions.

* * *

The Social Ministry Disciples will also be participating in the Souper Bowl of Caring on Sunday February 5.  We will be collecting monetary donations as well as soup and stew donations to benefit Welcome House.  Look for the large green bucket in the narthex for soup and stew donations and the soup kettles for monetary donations on February 5.

On February 5, we will complete the Focus on the Family series called “Faith Lessons on the Promised Land.”  This is a very popular video series filmed on location in the Holy Land and taught by Ray Vander Laan.  During the remainder of February, we will study a new DVD series by this talented historian / teacher called “Faith Lessons in the Dust of the Rabbi: Becoming a Disciple.”  The video was filmed in Israel and Turkey. Join us each Sunday at 9:45 a.m. in the Conference Room as we learn together what it really means to be a disciple.

 

Family Ministry News

 

Family ministry can be defined in many ways.  The way that I see it, a family is all-inclusive.  A family is a married couple with or without children.  It can be a single member, or someone whose children are grown up and have children of their own.  We are all a family in Christ.  Activities that designed, and labeled as Family Ministry events are open for everyone. We will try to put together activities that are exciting for all ages.  I hope you will join us in the many activities planned for family ministry.

Sr. High Bible Study & Fellowship Time

 

Hey youth, here is a great opportunity for you to hang out with your friends, talk, and grow in faith with your peers.  We will meet on Thursday nights at 7pm at the Panera in Crestview Hills.  Bring your friends, your Bible and questions you might have.  We will meet for an hour.  Plus, you get an hour away from doing homework!

Young Adult Gatherings

 

A new group is forming on Tuesday nights.  If you are someone seeking time to discuss issues going on in your life with your peers, this is a great opportunity for you.  The youth adult group will be meeting on Tuesday night at 7pm.  We will be traveling around to various locations, to find one that fits our needs.  The gatherings are set up to discuss issues in a faith-based environment, and to provide a social outlet.  If you have questions about this group, feel free to contact Rebecca Brode via email, youth@gloriadei-nky.org or by phone, 496-6962.

Upcoming Locations:

Jan 31 - Starbucks in

Crestview Hills Mall

Feb 6 - Reality Tuesdays

Feb  14  -  we’ll   take

this  Tuesday   off

Feb 21 - Kenton County Library

Feb 28 - Panera in Crestview Hills

 

Editor’s Note:

The following articles were inadvertently omitted from January’s print edition of Gloria Dei News.  My apologies to those who submitted them.

-Val Eason

Angel Tree Ministry

 

Thank you to all who helped to make Angel Tree a success this year.  First I thank WELCA for allowing me to speak at the annual WELCA meeting and ask for volunteers to sponsor a child.  Forty-two Gloria Dei members sponsored one or more children.  Thank you also to the 15 volunteers who delivered the gifts on December 17: Ed Budrick, Esther Shaffer, Walda Helvie, Bob Young, Peggy Fisher, Geneva Reimer, Bob and Bonnie Handahl, Dick Mueller, Greg and Mary Land, Jan Skavdahl, Rebecca Brode, Ben Kieffner and Kim Stowers. 

Angel Tree Kentucky is also grateful for the money that Gloria Dei contributed. We sent $500 from Thrivent and the Men’s Group, and $500 from an anonymous Gloria Dei family.

Fifty children received gifts and a loving message from their parent in prison, as well as the Christmas gospel.  All of this was made possible through the love and generosity of Gloria Dei.  I thank all of you for helping me carry out this ministry.

-Bonnie Handahl

Marionette Show A Big Success

 

“This is my favorite marionette show!”

 “My family has looked forward to coming to the show for the last three years!” 

 

These were just two of the comments heard during this year’s production of “Hansel and Gretel” by the Frisch Marionette Company.  Ninety children and parents were treated to our tenth anniversary show, which was again sponsored by the Men’s Group and Fellowship Committee.  For the third year, funds raised were donated to the Angel Tree Ministry.

Thanks to so many Gloria Dei and Preschool families for your support.  A big thank-you to Len and Brett Hegna, Bonnie Handahl and Kyra Lorenz for the refreshments, Bob Handahl for planning the event, and Garry Gerlach for securing Thrivent funds.

Meet the Gloria Dei Praise Band….

 The members of the Gloria Dei Praise Band would like to begin by wishing you all a very Happy New Year and pray that 2006 will be filled with the joy and peace of the Lord! 

Since Paul and I arrived at Gloria Dei this past summer to serve in the new 9:45 service, it has been such a joy to meet so many of you and share in this worship experience together.  You have all been so welcoming and this has made the transition into this new worship setting such a blessing.  At this time, we are still trying to put names with faces so we can get to know you better. We were thinking you might be feeling the same, so we thought that maybe we should officially take this time to introduce ourselves.

Our roots are in Hebron Lutheran Church where we served in their praise band, Table 4 Twelve, for the past seven years and have provided special music for their traditional worship services.  I have also been involved there with the Adult Worship Choir as a choir member and accompanist, as well as Vocal Ensembles, Youth Music and Children’s Choirs over the years.  Together, Paul and I have led music in a variety of worship settings including ALPHA, LENTEN WORSHIP and their weekly prayer service.  Both of us sing while Paul plays acoustic guitar and I play keyboards.

We give God thanks and praise for providing us with some outstanding musicians with which to begin this project.  All are current members of Gloria Dei.  Jeremy Cummins is a well- rounded vocalist/musician with skills on the bass as well as acoustic and electric guitars.  Amy Trolley is one of our vocalists (as well as a pianist) with a lovely voice and a great ear for music.  Nathan Wesley is an NKU student who rounds out our sound on background vocals and acoustic guitar. We also have two alternate musicians, Megan Fricke on flute/vocals and Kevin Fogarty on bass.

Our vision as a band is to provide a time of worship that is pleasing to God, not only spiritually, but musically as well.  Right now, we are praying that God will expand this ministry in His time and according to His plans.  To anyone who may feel God has put it upon their hearts to join us, we ask that you feel free to contact either Paul or myself at 586-8514, or speak to Pastor Vicki.   

-Lynne Goodridge

 

United Ministry Needs

 

For the month of February, we will be collecting  toothpaste and toothbrushes, shampoo, small boxes of laundry detergent and cleaning products.  Please place your donations of these items in the shopping cart located in the narthex.

 

Discipleship Meeting Dates for 2006

 

All the Discipleship Committee meetings will be held in the fellowship hall and/or one of the education rooms at Church.  The Discipleship Chair and Council joint meeting will start at 6 pm, and then the Committees will meet at 7:15 pm.  Childcare in the nursery will be furnished for every meeting beginning at 6 pm.  Please mark the following dates on your calendar:

 

February 6, 2006

April 10, 2006

June 5, 2006

September 11, 2006

November 6, 2006

Memorial Fund Donations

 

The following Memorial Funds donations were received recently:  Greg & Joann Witte to Pastor’s Special Projects, Herb & Jan Wedig, and Joy & Don Shattuck to Worship and Music.  Dorothy Mahl is remembered by Ron & Anita Carmack with a donation to Worship and Music in the Memorial Fund. 

News from Our Seniors

 

Sunday, February 12 the Seniors will meet at church following the 11:00 a.m. worship service.  The Cato’s and Shirley Benken are preparing the lunch.  You can always count on something delicious from them, then fun and games.  Next meeting will be March 12 at church.  See you then.

 

 

Preschool News

 

During the month of December, the children visited the City of Bethlehem via our Dramatic Playroom. They had their choice of costumes- Mary or Joseph, the Angel Gabriel, the Three Wise Men, shepherds, and even the camels or donkeys from the manger. There were also several Nativity Sets to help the children reenact the night Jesus was born.

 

After reading the story "A Church-mouse Christmas" by Barbara Davolo, one of our teachers asked each child in her class "What is the best
gift you could give baby Jesus for His birthday?"  Here are their responses:

Abby D: Being Nice. Ian: Sharing with my friends.
Abby P: A toy.  Isabella: My love.  Anthony:  Happiness.   Konner:   My heart.  Chase:  A rattle.  Nathan: A baby toy.  Emily:  A happy face. Olivia:  An Easy-Bake Oven

 

It’s registration time again for Preschool.  Packets with information regarding registration are available in the narthex of church for all church members, alumni, and the public. Registration forms for church members are due back to preschool now and can be mailed or brought into preschool. 

WELCA Circle News

 

Mary Circle- will meet on Thursday, February 16, at the home of Beverly Broomhead at 7:00 p.m.  If you aren't in a circle at present, come check us out.  We welcome you!

 

Hannah Circle- has a new meeting night - the second Tuesday of each Month.  In February, we will be meeting at Stone Oven Pizza in Hebron (The Jescke's wonderful restaurant that catered for the Annual Meeting) at 7:00 on Tuesday, February 21.

 

Martha Circle- will meet on Monday, February 27 at the home of Val Eason, at 7:00 p.m.  Debby Rieselman will co-host and give the devotions and the program will be assembling Health Kits for Lutheran World Relief.  All ladies are welcome and invited.  Call Val at 344-6675 for directions and car pool information.