Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Home Page

Gloria Dei is a welcome place for all people! We gather together with enthusiasm to worship our Lord Jesus Christ and to care for one another and our world.

If you are searching for meaning and purpose in your life, and if you are asking the question "Shouldn't there be more to my life than just this?", then Gloria Dei is a place to come and explore with others the deeper meaning of life.

If you are looking for life-affirming, morally grounded fun, come be a part of this fun-loving community.

If you want a place to work or a place to make a difference in the world, come. There is much to be done, and we invite you to help.

If you desire to know God or to know God more fully, come join us in the exciting journey of loving God.

What's so special about Gloria Dei?

At Gloria Dei, our door is always open to you. The Holy Spirit is actively leading God's people to spread the good word - that Jesus is Christ the Savior and that everyone is invited into a personal relationship with Christ.

Why We Exist

Gloria Dei exists to worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We believe that through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God has richly blessed us with the promise of salvation as a gift.

And Gloria Dei exists to be the gathered people of God for mutual encouragement and faith building.

And Gloria Dei exists to participate in the Mission of Jesus Christ. We are called together to witness to the Gospel; to give of ourselves in work, word, deed, gifts, talents, and money; and to serve our Lord’s world as we have been uniquely called to do.

And Gloria Dei exists to be a beacon of the Gospel in the community, for witness, hope, wholeness and service.

History

Gloria Dei traces its roots all the way back to 1916 but it came together as “Gloria Dei” on October 31, 1982, when Zion Lutheran and Faith Lutheran voted to merge. At that time we selected the new name “Gloria Dei” which means “Glory to God.” We have gone through several building expansions to provide us with our current facility. We have been served by many fine pastors, each with their own unique gifts for ministry. Our current pastor, Rev. Vicki Garber, was called to the position of Senior Pastor in the summer of 2000 and began her ministry here on November 1, 2000.

In December of 2005 we hired Rebecca Brode to fill the position of Director of Youth, Family and Group Ministries.

Join us to be a part of an ongoing history that always makes room for the new pages that we will write together.

Music Ministry

Gloria Dei has been blessed with a marvelous music ministry and dedicated musicians. The Director of Music is committed to giving music a faith base.

Gloria Dei has three choirs. The two children’s choirs meet during the Sunday School hour and are directed by Mindy Barrett. Mindy devotes herself to teaching the children new music that is fun and inspirational. The Chancel Choir meets on Wednesday evening at 7:30. The choir brings us consistent and beautiful musical addition to worship. The Praise Band practices on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 and leads the contemporary worship service each week.

Synod and National Affiliation

Gloria Dei is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in American and the Indiana-Kentucky Synod of the ELCA.

We actively participate in the ministries of the wider church both by individual member service on synodical committees and through our benevolence dollars. Our commitment to the work of the larger church enables us to participate in a large array of ministry, such as efforts to start new churches, work on hunger campaigns, and many other important ministries.

If you are interested in participating in the ministry of one of the largest denominations in the country (the ELCA), Gloria Dei is a great place to plug in.

Group Ministry

Four Women’s Circles, three youth groups covering the span of youth from grade K -12, the Young Adult Group, Seniors, Quilters, Knitters, and Marriage Enrichment all meet monthly. Each group has a different format and mission to meet the diverse needs of the congregation.

Other groups meet as scheduled: Men’s Group, A Young Family Group, Grief Recovery, Spiritual Formation Discipleship Teams.

Gloria Dei is always open to the development of additional group ministries. Contact Rebecca Brode. @ 331-4694 for group information.

Prayer Ministry

Gloria Dei has an active and growing prayer ministry. Each week we provide an intercessory prayer book where worshipers can request prayers during the worship service. Prayer cards are also available in the bulletin for ongoing prayer during the week. Monday through Thursday we meet for Morning Prayer at 7:30 AM. (Please call the day before as occasionally Morning Prayer is canceled due to hospital visitation or other reasons.)

Days and times vary. Spiritual Formation Groups have a strong prayer focus as well.

At the beginning of every Season of the Church Year we hold a Prayer Vigil where members are invited to come and spend an hour or more in prayer. Prayer Vigil’s generally last for 12 hours except for The Lenten Prayer Vigil which is a 24-hour vigil.

If you would like a closer walk with God in your prayer life, come join one of the many prayer ministries of Gloria Dei.

Social Ministry

Social Ministry is one of the leading growth areas in the ministry of Gloria Dei. Gloria Dei members are actively involved in many community organizations.

Gloria Dei is an active supporter of United Ministries. UM provides food, assistance and other services to the needy in our area. We support UM with both financial gifts and volunteers.

We participate in Welcome House, with a congregational member sitting on its board. Welcome House houses and feeds the homeless in our area.

Other opportunities for service include: the ELCA World Hunger Appeal, The Women’s Crisis Center, Northern Kentucky Interfaith Commission, Yom Hashoa (Holocaust Remembrance), Dress for Success, Seminary Support, Redwood, Northern Kentucky Campus Ministries, Lutheran Social Services and others.

Gloria Dei also makes its facility available for Social Ministry concerns that are in line with our mission and vision such as The American Cancer Society, the Boy Scouts, the Family Nurturing Center, Hospice Support Group, and Special Olympics.

Education

Gloria Dei has an ever expanding educational ministry. Sunday School for all ages is offered during the school year from 9:50 AM to 10:45 AM Sundays.

Additional adult classes are offered at 6:30 PM on Wednesdays, 10:15 AM and 12:10 PM on Mondays. These classes cover pertinent Bible topics and theological questions of concern and generally run from four to ten weeks per topic. Friendship Bible Study for mentally impaired adults meet on Thursdays at 7:00 PM.

Confirmation classes are offered for 7th and 8th grade youth. The goal of the Confirmation Ministry is to teach the tenets of the faith and to give the youth a meaningful faith and service experience.

First Communion classes are offered several times throughout the year for children 6 years old or older who are not yet communing.

Inquirers classes are offered at regular intervals for those who are considering the possibility of membership at Gloria Dei.

Gloria Dei is home to one of the area’s best rated faith based Pre Schools. With an enrollment of 175 students the Pre School, under professional direction, strives to provide the best possible education for its youngsters.

Worship

Gloria Dei has a rich and diverse worship life. Each and every worship service centers on Jesus Christ and on living the transformed life of his followers.

During the school year we meet for worship Sunday mornings at 8:00, 9:00 and 11:00 and Sunday evening at 5:30. The 8:00 worship is a Contemporary Liturgical service the 9:00 is contemporary with a praise band, while the 11:00 worship is a Traditional Liturgical worship using the Lutheran Book of Worship. The 5:30 worship is a casual and contemplative (quiet). Holy Communion is celebrated weekly at all service.

Whatever your preferred “style” of worship, join us weekly for uplifting and inspirational worship.

Special services are also held during Advent and Lent. (Call or click here for times and dates.)

Opportunities for Involvement

Gloria Dei encourages active participation in the life and ministry of the congregation! Everyone is invited! From the youngest to the oldest, from those who are just visiting to the founding members.

We believe that the Good News of Jesus Christ calls forth from us a RESPONSE. Whatever your gift, we trust that God gave it to you to be used for work in the Kingdom of God. Let us match your gift with the ministry and mission of the congregation! Call 331-4694 to volunteer.

And More . . . .

New opportunities are always popping up. We are excited that the Lord continues to bless us with new challenges to share the good news. We look forward to an opportunity to welcome you this week. If you have any questions, call the church office, send an e-mail, or continue to explore our web site.

Our Mission

We are saved by Grace through Faith and are called by the Holy Spirit to Make Christ Known. In joyful response we strive to:

The cost of hosting the Gloria Dei web site this month was donated by:

Sue Abramis

For the Glory of God

Welcome to the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Homepage!

Welcome to Gloria Dei!