Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Crestview Hills, Kentucky
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2718 Dixie Highway |
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Newsletter of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church 2718 Dixie Hwy. Volume XXIV, No. 1 From The Pastor,
“…in a world where chaos and a sense of existential meaninglessness often swirl around us, possessing the knowledge that we are part of a divine plan and have sacred purpose is infinitely comforting.” (Small Miracles for Women)
God has a plan! It is that you will come into salvation. God also has a sacred purpose for you life! The question is how will you find that sacred purpose? First, pray about it. Ask for God’s guidance. God is always trying to guide us into our “call” and purpose of life. It’s just that sometimes we don’t ask and often we don’t listen after we ask. Second, as Pastor Tom Duvall says, “Don’t say ‘yes’ if you won’t say ‘no’.” As soon as I heard him say that, its truth rang absolutely clear to me. No one of us is called to do everything. That’s why God has gifted us differently. So after you have prayed for guidance, say yes to the things that you believe God calls you to do, even if they hurt a bit, even if they call you out of your comfort zone, even if they make you stretch. But do not say yes to anything that you will do begrudgingly. After all, it is God’s work, the purpose is God’s, it is God who calls you. To begrudge doing it is to respond to God in a begrudging way. Third, honor the task to which God calls you, by doing the best job that you can and by being satisfied with both the call and the way that you answered the call, and then forgive yourself if you aren’t perfect. Remember also that there will always be someone who thinks that you should have done a better job or that they could have done it better, so rather than asking, “Did I please everyone?” ask yourself “Did I please God?” At the end of the day it matters more to God what your spirit for doing something is than whether or not you did it perfectly and it matters more what God thinks than what anyone, or everyone, else thinks. Fourth, place the same honor on the work that others do for the sake of the Kingdom as you do on your own work. Life will soon enough reveal who cannot be trusted or which people do not have the best intentions, but if you start out believing ill of others they will almost always seem to fulfill your expectations and you will be forced to live in an ever emerging negativity. Fifth, trust God to know what you need. God loves you more than you love yourself. God loves your family more than you love them. God loves this church more than you do. God loves this community, this country, the world more that you do. So go with what God wants and let go of your worries. Sixth, don’t be surprised if what God calls you to do changes and grows over time. Just like a child grows from learning the alphabet to reading, so it is with your work for the Lord. Jesus said, “You have been faithful in little, I will give you much.” Finally, remember that spiritual growth and awareness are connected to God’s purpose for you. You cannot grow spiritually without being involved in the work to which God calls you. And you cannot be involved in the God’s work, when it is really for God, without growing spiritually. Any good church is a little unwieldy because we are all, always, somewhere in the process of these parts. But, life in the church isn’t just about our final destination; it is also about the journey to our final destination. It is always about trusting and pleasing God! So share your gifts, your time, talent, energy, money, and whatever else God calls forth from you. God will use them for the sake of the world and you will have your purpose in life.
2006 Council Contact Information Jennifer Ables Nominating Division Craig Bluemlein Property Division Doug Ebert Personnel Division Denise Bosma Nurture Division Claudia Miller Education Division Lisa Huddleston Secretary / SocialMinistry Pauline Kendrick Outreach Division Steve Kieffner V.P. / Finance Division Bill Schein Music & Worship Division Todd Kuhse Communications Division Shelley Dick Safety & Boundaries Duane Skavdahl President Paula Ebert Financial Secretary Rebecca Brode Youth Director Kurt/Kay Freyberger Treasurer Debbie Hoydal Church Secretary Vicki Garber Senior Pastor
2006 Committee Chair Information Bette Wappner Communications Tim Moore Education Bob Frey Finance Sara Kieffner Nominating Len Hegna Nurture Donna Bianchi Social Ministry Stu Brown Personnel Greg/Mary Land Property Don Shattuck Safety & Boundaries Jan Schein Outreach Jim Bianchi Worship
Welcome Brigid Matlock to Gloria Dei as our new Nursery Attendant. Brigid began working in the nursery on November 27. Please feel free to stop by the nursery to say hello and introduce yourself. Brigid is very excited to be with us and is looking forward to serving our families and getting to know our children who use this service.
New Ministry Opportunity
Young adults are classified as anyone from the ages of 19-35. There is much that occurs during this span of life- college, graduation, first jobs, marriage, children and so much more. This group’s purpose will be to minister with each other through these important life decisions, as well as provide a support network and social outlet. There will be an information meeting on January 8 at 3:00 p.m. This will be a chance for you to share your thoughts and needs for this particular group. If you have any questions, please contact Rebecca Brode at 331-4694.
Top Secret
The Senior High Youth Group will be heading off to a destination unknown on January 15. We will spend Sunday night through Monday afternoon there, planning upcoming ministry events and getting to know each other. To prepare yourself for this event, be thinking of how you can help the youth group, and what you need out of it. If you have any questions please contact Rebecca Brode. I do promise that we will stay someplace clean that has running water! J
General Fund Financial Update
Through November the general fund has generated a surplus (income exceeds expenses) of $51,121. Offering for the 11 months of 2005 are approximately 8% greater than the same period in 2004. Expenses for this period are running 6.7% under budget and 10.9% less than the same period last year. Overall 2005 should be an excellent year financially for the general fund of the Church.
A New Year’s Resolution…
Complete the 2006 Time and Talent Survey! By now, it is the hope of the Nominating Discipleship Team that you have completed and returned the survey. This information is vital in order that your gifts and talents can be properly communicated to those Ministries in which you want to serve. If you have lost or misplaced your survey, you can go online to www.gloriadei-nky.org and input your information. Help us to fulfill our goal of 100% participation of our congregation members serving our Lord!!!
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.
Adult Education News
Beginning January 8, we will revisit the Focus on the Family series called “Faith Lessons on the Promised Land.” This was a very popular video series filmed on location in the Holy Land and taught by Ray Vander Laan. In February, we will begin studying 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.
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.
-Lynne Goodridge
Gloria Dei Seniors
Oh, the weather outside is frightful But the Gloria Dei Seniors are so delightful And since we’re a fun group to join Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
When you make your New Year’s resolution To join us on the 2nd Sunday of each month What a fantastic time you will have All the way home you’ll be glad.
The fire is slowly dying And the Seniors are all good-bying Another day of fun and fellowship Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
The next meeting is Sunday, January 8 at church following the 11:00 a.m. worship service. Call Charlotte Davis at 342-8883 for more information and maybe an autographed copy of this song!
WELCA Circle News
Mary Circle – will meet on Thursday, January 19 at the home of Charlotte Davis at 7:00 p.m. Have you made your New Year’s Resolution? Come let’s talk about the New Year. All ladies are invited. Ruth Circle – will meet on Thursday, January 5 at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Pauline Kendrick for a potluck. Sue Schmidt will have devotions and the 2006 meeting schedule will be planned.
Martha Circle – will meet on Monday, January 23 at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Jonna Bluemlein. Kathy Murrey will co-host and give the devotions. Val Eason and Shelley Dick will have the program. All ladies of Gloria Dei are welcome to come join us as we begin a new year of fun and fellowship with old and new friends.
Dear Gloria Dei Community,
Thank you for being so welcoming. I am overwhelmed with your grace and love. You are an amazing community of believers, and I am very blessed to be a part of the ministry here. I look forward to getting to know all of you, and working with you. Please feel free to stop by my office, call or email me. I am here to serve and grow with you in Christ. If you have any suggestions, thoughts or funny jokes, please pass them my way! Again, thank you for the warm welcome.
Grace and Peace, Rebecca Brode Director of Youth & Group Ministry Email- rbrode@gloriadei-nky.org Phone- 331-2939
Three Kings Day
January 6 marks the day of Epiphany, the arrival of the three kings or wise men. The three kings were Gentiles who ‘Came from afar” to offer gifts to the Christ child. The meaning of the event is that Jesus came as Lord not only for Jews, but for Gentiles as well. Christ is the Savior of the world – the whole world.
Within The Congregation….
Bart & Sue Collins Lance and William Wadsworth 849 Niewahner Dr. Villa Hills, KY 41017 426-9669
George Bowman 1112 Fallbrook Elsmere, KY 41018 342-6195
John Moore 904 Monte Lane Covington, KY 41011
Bob Land 3073 Arbor Dr. Edgewood, KY 41017
Paul Lorenz 817 Eastland Dr. Villa Hills, KY 41017 331-2524
Kate Morgan 1521 Steffen Ct. #2 Ft. Wright, KY 41011
Matt Pease 9440 Marshall Rd. Ryland Heights, KY 41015 802-8960 We celebrate these baptisms:
Benjamin Aaron Clabes, son of Jacob and Tera Clabes on June 19, 2005.
Ellen Grace Bluemlein, daughter of Jason and Amber Bluemlein on July 10, 2005.
Caleb Matthew Mangus, son of Ed and Lisa Mangus on July 17, 2005. (Born June 8, 2005)
Sean Christopher Miree, son of Chris and Jane Miree on July 24, 2005
Darah Rae Chandler, daughter of David and Carri Chandler on August 7, 2005. (Born July 18, 2005)
Julia Lynn Riedmiller, daughter of Jason and Stephanie Riedmiller on August 7, 2005.
James Read Dye, son of Chris and Danielle Dye on August 14, 2005. (Born June 30, 2005)
Olivia Holt, daughter of John and Wendy Holt on August 14, 2005.
Fiona Skye Southers, daughter of Bruce and Julie Southers on September 25, 2005.
Angelina, David, Eliana, Austin, Billy, Chelsea, Kayla, and Nina, children of Dave and Julie Gregory on October 16, 2005.
Brayden Barckholtz, son of David and Pauola Barckholtz on October 30, 2005.
Hunter Gage Atkins, son of Brian Atkins and Megan Kendrick on December 4, 2005.
We mourn the passing of these beloved members:
Laura Miller on June 28, 2005
Dorothy Mahl on October 7, 2005
Bernice Mearns on October 18, 2005
January 2006 GLORIA DEI NEWS The Newsletter of GLORIA DEI LUTHERAN CHURCH 2718 DIXIE HIGHWAY CRESTVIEW HILLS, KY 41017 (859) 331-4694
Winter Volunteer Schedule Enclosed…
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 SERVICES
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.
GLORIA DEI NEWS
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.
CHURCH OFFICERS
Duane Skavdahl……………………………….……..President Steve Kieffner.…..………………………..……Vice President Lisa Huddleston...………………………………..…..Secretary Kurt & Kay Freyberger………………………...……Treasurer Paula Ebert……………………………...…Financial Secretary CHURCH STAFF
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………...…………………Senior 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 |
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