June 2008

In John 13:34-35 Jesus says, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (NRSV)

We live in a world that is very confused about what it means when it says the word “love”. We use it to describe all manner of things. We say that we ‘love that dress’ even though a dress cannot return our love. Shouldn’t love be reciprocal? We use it to infer our preferences, as in ‘I love the color pink’. But surely, love is more than just something that we ‘prefer’. For many among us saying “I love you” means, ‘I want something from you…often something that you do not want to give…and I think I can coerce it out of you by saying that I love you’.

The ancient Greeks must have understood this. They had three words for ‘love’. ‘Eros’ which refers to romantic love, ‘philos’ which is the love of friendship and ‘agape’ which is the word that describes self-giving, forgiving, unconditional love.

The interesting thing about the word ‘agape’ is that it was around in the Greek language for centuries before the time of Jesus but it just wasn’t used much. Prior to the time of Jesus there are only a few instances of its use in all of the Greek written word combined. But the New Testament used it in almost every instance to describe the way that Jesus loves us and the way that Jesus calls us to love others. It’s almost as if God was saving the word to apply to Jesus and the kind of community that Jesus would build. This means that the best way to understand ‘agape’ love is to think about it as the kind of love that God always lavishes upon the creation. Every good gift from God, every loving gesture, every hope against hope is God’s agape love at work in our broken world. And in every self-giving, loving act, God is pleased! And God is glorified!

John 13 is a beautiful example. Jesus gives a new commandment that we ‘agape’ one another, that is, that we love each other with a self giving, forgiving, unconditional love. In a world such as ours where most people live selfishly to themselves, it is startling and powerful and much needed that we would open ourselves to love selflessly and unconditionally.

I want to challenge us to be awakened to ‘agape’ love in our midst. I pray that we will notice it in our day-to-day living and that we will live it in our day-to-day actions. Join me this summer in making note of as many instances of agape love as you can. And then as they say in advertising, “just do it”, just love others with self-giving, selfless, forgiving, unconditional love. Who will you ‘agape’ love today?

By the way, don’t take a vacation from God this summer. God never takes vacation from us!

Committees to Meet June 2

The next committee meeting night at church is Monday, June 2nd in the fellowship hall. The evening will start at 6:00 p.m. with a joint dinner meeting between the discipleship committee chairs and council. The discipleship committees will then individually meet at 7:15 p.m. There are numerous projects underway and upcoming activities, so please plan on attending your respective committee meeting. If anyone is interested in joining one of the discipleship committees, contact Tom Pairan at (859) xxx-xxx or education@gloriadei-nky.org.

Golf Outing Set for June 22

Are you ready for some golf, food, fellowship and a great day of fun benefiting a local charity?

The Annual Gloria Dei Golf Outing will be held on Sunday, June 22 at Boone Links Golf Course with tee times beginning at 3:00 p.m. The outing is a round of 9 holes and is for all golfers and non-golfers. Come out and join us in the fun!

This year, there will be several events throughout the outing to raise money for a local charity. We will also be having new memorable, tailor-made prizes for the winning team and the winners of the individual contests.

The format is a scramble and we will meet at Doug and Paula Ebert’s home after golf for dinner and fellowship. All food is provided - even desserts!!

will be staffed by Luther Road Camp this year. We need at least one adult volunteer to help each of the five staff member adults to work with our preschool-age participants, plus kitchen staff. If you are interested in serving, please contact Tom Pairan. This year's VBS will kick off Sunday evening, July 20, continue July 21-24 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and conclude Friday, July 25 from 9:00 a.m. to noon.

2008 VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

June Power Lab Report

Registration: Register today for our Power Lab Vacation Bible School program, July 20-25. We have a limited number of spots in the program, so if your child is interested in attending, please complete and return a registration form as soon as possible. Forms are available in the Narthex at church.

Volunteers: This year our VBS program will be led by trained “Luther Road” camp staff and our own staff. However, we still will need additional adults to assist the staff. If you enjoy working with children, please consider serving one or more days. We will also need kitchen staff each day to assist with preparing snacks and distributing sack lunches, as well as help with our Sunday evening kick off event.

Donations: In the coming weeks, we’ll be asking for donations for morning and afternoon snacks, as well ask donations for our ice cream social kick off. Check out the display in the Narthex for details.

For more information, please contact Tom Pairan at xxxx.

Farewell Reception June 1

After eighteen years of service each, Peggy Fisher and Delores Kreutzjans have decided to retire as the Co-Directors of our preschool. In their honor, a reception will be held on Sunday, June 1, following the 9:00 outdoor service.

Both Peggy and Delores began teaching at the preschool in 1989, the first year that the preschool was open. During the early years of the preschool, the Director, Sharon Laughlin, had very limited funds for purchasing equipment and supplies. Sharon, along with the staff and parents (including Sara Kieffner, Val Eason, Mary Beth Eichinger and Jeri Reddick) made lots of the manipulatives used by the children and scoured the area for bargain supplies. In 1997, Peggy took over as Director, and the next year Delores joined her as a Co-Director. The two have been guiding our preschool ever since. During their nine years together, they put the preschool on a sound financial footing, replaced all of the ‘homemade’ equipment with sturdy, made-for-schools equipment, established a large library, organized the manipulatives to make them more available to teachers, and refurbished rooms in the educational wing to make them more inviting for the children.

When asked “What’s next?” Delores said that her husband recently retired and that they have a long list of travel dreams. They have already planned a trip to Belize, to participate in a mission opportunity. She is interested in taking classes in photography and since her two daughters are both expecting babies in September she will have plenty of opportunities to use her photography skills. Peggy also has lots of plans for her ‘free’ time. She loves art and plans to take painting and photography classes. She is in the midst of writing two novels and hopes to finish them soon. Like Delores, she is expecting a new grandchild this fall and plans to squeeze in time for a mission trip to help the people hurt by hurricane Katrina.

We owe Peggy and Delores a debt of gratitude for the tremendous dedication they have shown in guiding our preschool. It has grown and flourished under their direction and they have helped more than 1500 children from Northern Kentucky to experience the love of Christ right here at Gloria Dei.

Please join us at a farewell reception in honor of our Peggy and Delores. We are planning a reception in their honor on June 1st, following the 9:00 outdoor worship service. If you would like to give a gift to honor their service, a donation to the Memorial Fund with a note that this is in honor of Peggy and Delores is suggested.

Congratulations Confirmands

Confirmation marks the completion of the congregation’s program of confirmation ministry, a period of instruction in the Christian faith as confessed in the teachings of the Lutheran Church. Confirmation includes a public profession of the faith into which the candidates were baptized, thus underscoring God’s action in their Baptism. Congratulations to our May 18 confirmands: Drew Freyberger, Christina Heilman, Josh Lorenz, Paige Miller, Danny Mlinarik, Adam Nicol, Brendon Vando, Amanda Williams, and Justin Youtsey.

Sunday School Superintendent Needed

Help! We're still looking for someone to co-chair the Sunday School Superintendent position for this fall’s school year. It involves lining up the teachers, participating on the Education Discipleship committee (meetings every two months), and coordinating special events for the children’s Sunday School. Please prayerfully consider whether you might be able to contribute your time and talents to helping out this year. If you are interested, contact Claudia Miller, 859-491-2972 to find out more.

Opportunities to Get Involved…

Men’s Reading Fellowship – will meet on Tuesday, June 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the Boone County Main Library on Route 18. The book for discussion is “Legacy of Ashes” by Tim Weiner. Read the book and come share your thoughts. If you have any questions, call Ed Budrick at 727-6543

Exploring Your Faith Through Writing – is an ongoing group open to anyone interested in writing. Sandi Gaines will continue to facilitate the group with a variety of writing prompts. The class meets the first and third Tuesday of each month from 11:00 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. beginning Tuesday, June 3. For more information call Walda Helvie at 344-0103 or whelvie@gloriadei-nky.org.

I-K Synod Assembly – needs volunteers June 5-7. Volunteers do not need to pay a registration fee. Pay only if attending any assembly sessions, events, or meals (exception: the opening worship service and reception following are open to anyone). Please call or e-mail Walda Helvie for more information and to sign up for the volunteer position that you would like.

Prayer Service – the second prayer service has been scheduled for Sunday, June 8 at 2:30 p.m. Please join us as we go out into the surrounding community to gather prayer requests that we will lift at the service. We will meet directly after the 11:00 service. Lunch will be provided and Pastor Vicki will have a short training session. Please contact Walda Helvie to sign up for this rewarding experience.

Social Ministry News

Women's Crisis Center in Northern Kentucky is committed to the empowerment of survivors of domestic violence, rape and child sexual abuse. Services are provided to women, children, teens, older adults, immigrants, disabled individuals and male victims of partner abuse, rape and sexual assault. Services are also provided to non-offending parents.

WCC also shelters family pets while their owners are seeking the assistance they need for the family to remain safe. The Social Ministry Team will be collecting items for the Women’s Crisis Center’s Northern Kentucky Shelter (please read list below) during the months of June and July. Collection bins will be placed in the Narthex. Please support the Women’s Crisis Center’s important work with your prayers and donations.

Women’s Crisis Center Northern Kentucky Needs Wish List (Please note that all Bedding and Clothing Items must be new):

Gift certificates, strollers, umbrellas, pillows, twin blankets, twin sheets, towels, women’s sleepwear, children’s sleepwear, robes, women’s sweat pants, women’s sweat shirts, slippers, travel soap holders, TANK bus passes, hair brushes, hair dryers, all size batteries, baby monitors, night lights, small lamps, gas cards, alarm clocks, cleaning supplies, vacuum sweepers, black garbage bags, kitchen garbage bags, non perishable food items.

WELCA Circle News

Ruth Circle - Mark your calendars! Thursday, June 5 Ruth Circle will be meeting at Linda Geisselbrecht’s home for a grill out (spouse or significant other included). Bring a covered dish and an appetite for dinner at 7:00 p.m. Call Linda at 331-7862 for directions. Ruth Circle wishes to thank everyone that participated and contributed to the Dress For Success campaign. The bake sales collected over $400 with Thrivent matching half. The Dress For Success organization was amazed at what was collected, and very appreciative. Our God is awesome! Dress For Success receipts are available on the WELCA bulletin board in the narthex for those needing proof of charitable contribution. Thanks, again!

Hannah Circle – will meet at Indigo Casual Gourmet Cafe in Fort Mitchell on Wednesday, June 25 at 7:00 p.m. Our service project for June will be collecting school supplies for the McCleary County schools. If you need information about this project or about Hannah Circle, please contact Tina Smith at 261-6030 or hannah@gloriadei-nky.org. Hannah Circle welcomes all women of the church to our meeting.

Martha Circle – will meet on Monday, June 23 beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Paula Ebert. Kathy Wuellner will co-host and give the devotions. Paula will have the program. Carpooling from church is always available. Contact Lisa Miller at 331-8655 for information.

The Quilters Need Your Help! Twin flat sheets – any color but white- are needed for the back of their quilts. Please leave them in the green bin near the grocery cart. Thanks!

Start saving your treasures for our yard sale! We will start taking donations at the church on Sunday, July 27 and the big sale days will be Friday and Saturday, August 1 and 2. Want to help out with the sale? See Rebecca Brode or Sara Kieffner.

Renovation Project Update

It is an appropriate time to provide the members and friends of Gloria Dei with some information about the building renovation project. I can now report that contracts with Ashley Construction and Egbers Land Design have been signed after some lengthy cost negotiations. We received three bids for the construction contract, and Ashley was the winning bidder, but the bid was still above our approved project budget. The negotiations included some compromises in the construction design around the skylight and electrical installation, but you shouldn’t notice these when finished. We ended up saving around $60,000 compared to the original bid. These negotiations have not been the primary cause of delays in getting the construction under way. The cause of the delay, which is about four weeks, was a problem getting the building permit issued. The initial permit application was rejected for fire protection issues. We received letters of support from the local fire department chief and filed an appeal for the permit. This appeal has been approved and we now have everything in place to begin construction.

You may have noticed that the new Outdoor Worship area is well under way. This has been done under the contract with Egbers, and did not require the building permit to be issued, to a point. They were able to get the Preschool playground moved with only a couple of days that the children couldn’t use it. The grading has been done and the new shade trees have been planted. It is going to look great when completed, and will be a new wonderful area to enhance our worship of the Lord.

The Finance Committee has entered into a loan agreement with Thrivent Financial to cover the costs of the renovation. As reported, the “Come & Follow Christ” campaign has been very successful, and the Congregation has been extremely generous in supporting the project with pledges. The loan is needed because the construction costs will all happen this year, but the pledge receipts will occur over a three year period. The loan has very favorable terms for the Congregation, and will be paid down as campaign pledges are collected.

For more details on the project and financing, please see the Council minutes on the Church website, or to get real time information about the construction progress, visit:

Finance Update

Pledges continue to trickle in. We would appreciate it if you have not pledged to please do so. We also accept one-time gifts to the program if you cannot pledge at this time.

Summer is coming. Please keep up your contributions. Many pay in advance when they will be gone for a period of time.

As financial secretary, my job is to enter all contributions/pledges into the correct Gloria Dei fund and provide periodic statements to our members. Statements for the first trimester are now available in the narthex. Please look them over and contact me, Paula Ebert, at 525-7042 or financial@gloriadei-nky.org if you have questions or would like to make a correction.

From time to time, members ask questions about how to contribute to Gloria Dei. My answer is usually, “Whatever works best for you.”

Frequency: Weekly, monthly, semi-monthly, quarterly, annually, following each paycheck

Means of giving: Personal check, cash, Simply Giving (direct deposit to Gloria Dei’s account – see me if interested), online bill pay through your bank, charitable trust, stock (see Mike Nicol)

Manner of giving: giving envelope, loose check, separate checks for each fund, one check for multiple funds (be sure to note how much for which funds).

Loretta Cummins, Mary Chapin’s mother, was remembered with donations to World Hunger by the following people: Sandy Lynch, Lee Schnieder, Gay Heidel Carol Hinricks, Pat Gulley, Terri Porter, Tom and Mary Chapin, Don and Joy Shattuck, Donna Schneider, Val Eason, Joyce Revack, Carolyn White, Part-time Lab Technicians, Corporate Food Technology Lab, Sandy Wenty, Geneva Reimer, and Anita Smith. Mona Chapin and Pat and Chris Mehling made a donation in Loretta’s name to the Memorial Fund.

Merrill Bunnell, Dr. Tom Bunnell’s father, was remembered by the following people with memorials to the Memorial Fund—Worship and Music: Christi Dressman, Harold and Zandra Hoppe, Sue Burreson, Tom and Jonna Bluemlein, Marcia H. Scherocman, Robert and Ann Marie Knutson, Paula and Doug Ebert, Fred and Shirley Schroeder, Cathrine H. Olson, Leonard H. Schoepp, Erma M. Morgan, R. Reed and Nancy Peterson, Robert Anderson, Mary and Clyde Middleton, Warren and Gail Cato (Hymnals), Frederick and Joan Von Heimburg, Gerbert and Janet Wedig, Jim and Mary Beth Eichinger, the Choir, Pat and Chris Mehling, Annie and Freddy Straus, John and Jinny Huenniger, Hartmut and Linda Geisselbrecht,

Ray Lynn Kennett’s mother was remembered with a donation to Memorials—Worship and music by the choir and Joy and Don Shattuck. Ivan Strich was also remembered by the choir.

Ruth Paulis was remembered by the following people with donations make the Memorial Fund—undesignated: Joyce Wolking, Mrs. Jo Whelan, Aristech Acroylics, Mary Brown, Rick Alley, Carol Wetter, Donna Beresford, Kim Zink, Stephen Holderness, Susan Poland, Ted Bowen, Ron Lun, Charlie Kirby, Andrea Farrington, George Farrington, George Chidester, Pat Ruggerio, Sue Tieben, Nathan Stroh, Jan Golfman, Gloria Dei Seniors, Mark and Christine Nutter, Susan Collins, Gary Weingartner, Ronald and Debbie Hurst, and Steve and Janet Simon.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Do you ever worry? No, it’s not a trick question! At some point in time, even the most laid-back person can experience a worry or two. It has been said that worrying and praying are essentially based on the same principle, only one is a non-productive activity while the other offers more positive & powerful results than we can even begin to imagine.

So, why do we worry? Because we are trying to resolve situations independent of God, depending on our own works and abilities instead of relying on Him for the answers. In the words of Joyce Meyer it is “the root problem of independence in trusting ourselves more than we trust God. The reason this happens is that God wants to help us, but He wants to do it His way and not our way—because our way usually involves a lot of worry, fretfulness, reasoning, anxiety, and excessive plotting and planning.”

Dependence is a difficult proposition in a world that teaches self-reliance and problem solving. The world teaches us that we need to come up with solutions. Jesus tells let go of our burdens and offers us His yoke, one that is designed to carry us through the rough, anxiety producing spots of life. Our Father tells us to “come unto Him and He will give us rest.” So, in essence, our job is to pray, depending and trusting in the One who has our best interests at heart.

Martin Luther used to say, “Pray, and let God worry.” It has also been said, “Pray twice as much as you fret.” So instead of wearing yourself out with worry, anxiety and unproductive activity, use that negative energy for something more productive and powerful…PRAY!

We are saved by Grace through Faith and are called by the Holy Spirit to make Christ known. In joyful response, we strive to…

SUNDAY SERVICES

Sunday worship services for everyone are offered at 8:00 a.m., 9:00 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. There will be no Sunday School during the summer months.

GLORIA DEI NEWS

The Newsletter of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church is published monthly. The deadline for articles is the 15^th of the month. Articles may be e-mailed to the editor, Val Eason, at newsletter@gloriadei-nky.org or faxed to 578-0273.

Committees to Meet June 2

Golf Outing Set for June 22

Farewell Reception June 1

Congratulations Confirmands

Sunday School Superintendent Needed

Opportunities to Get Involved…

Social Ministry News

WELCA Circle News

Renovation Project Update

Finance Update

SUNDAY SERVICES

GLORIA DEI NEWS

CHURCH OFFICERS

CHURCH STAFF

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