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Newsletter of Gloria Dei Lutheran
Church
2718 Dixie Hwy.
Crestview Hills, KY 41017
March
, 2006
Volume XXIV, No. 3
From The Pastor,
Okay, I admit
it. Eeyore is my favorite Winnie the Pooh character. He just simply touches
me with his mournful-blue skin, pinned-on-(not permanent)-tail, droopy ears and
doleful eyes. I like the other characters too of course. I like Pooh for his
sweet nature, Tigger for his enthusiasm, Piglet for his insecurity. But Eeyore?
I like Eeyore in the depth of compassion because he reminds me of the genuine
suffering that I see in the world around me; and the disabling blueness,
droopiness, and uncertainty that suffering causes.
That deep sort of sadness, ‘soul sadness’, is
everywhere around us. It’s in people as they speed from one meeting to another,
cutting others off in traffic for no better reason than to be ahead of them at
the next stop light. It is in the disintegration of the many around the world
who don’t have food, and shelter, and other basic necessities of life. And it’s
in the inanity of a famous star who looked at pictures of starving people in
Africa and said that she’d like to be that thin, just without the flies. It’s
in the one who is dying and those who are left to pick up and continue their
lives after that death. It is in the things our youngsters actually say about
themselves on their computer sites and the helpless feeling of their parents to
impact such dangerous behaviors. It’s in the dysfunction of the Congress and
also in the frustration felt by those who go about their congressional duties
with all integrity, for they are often painted with the same brush as those who
care only for themselves. I see it in hospital rooms and shopping centers,
museums and television commercials, reports from the war and the memorials for
the victims of Katrina.
One of the
saddest “Eeyore-isms” (is that a word?) that I can think of is the
purposelessness, the lack of meaning, the apathy of our times. Meaninglessness
has special significance because it seems to permeate and worsen all kinds of
suffering. To suffer is one thing, to suffer meaninglessly is another thing.
Perhaps Eeyore’s ears would perk up, his eyes would light and his pinned-on-tail
would get a permanent position if he had more meaning, a greater sense of
purpose.
Fortunately
meaninglessness really isn’t necessary. It isn’t necessary because God has a
purpose for each one of us. Our lives have meaning because God loves us. God
is never apathetic towards us. If you feel like your life has no meaning, spend
a couple hours contemplating what it tells you that the creator of the universe,
redeemer of the lost, loves you and desires that your life will be fabulously
meaningful.
I have been thinking that I would like to
invite Eeyore to worship. No, seriously. Don’t laugh. I mean it. Worship is
the only place that I have experienced in my life that really does lift my
mournful spirit, opens my ears to goodness, puts a light of joy in my eyes and
gives me a sense that the rest of my life may not be pinned down but my future
in Christ is! Absolutely. And if I were to tell you what one thing would make
me happiest in this life it would be that some Eeyore, somewhere, would come to
know their purpose and meaning in Christ.
Invite someone
(maybe even yourself) into happiness, invite them to worship! See you Sunday.
-Pastor Vicki
Lenten Dinner Schedule
Lenten
Dinners will be served at 6:00 p.m. before the worship service each Wednesday
during Lent beginning Ash Wednesday (March 1). The cost is $3 per person, $2
for kids 12 and under, and a maximum charge of $10 per family. Please sign up
on the bulletin board in the narthex so we know how many people to plan for.
March 1st will be a
potluck. Desserts, rolls and drinks will be provided. Bring your favorite
dish to share.
March 8 – pork roast and all
the trimmings provided by the ladies of Ruth Circle.
March 15 – Italian anyone?
Prepared by the fabulous cooks of Hannah Circle.
March 22 – Enjoy a Mexican
Fiesta hosted by Martha Circle’s senoras.
March 29 – Come fill up on an
old fashioned fried chicken dinner provide by Mary Circle’s master chefs.
April 5 – Like surprises?
Come and eat a meal prepared by the Youth Group.
Angel Tree Camping
Many of you from Gloria Dei
showed your generosity in our fundraiser to send Angel Tree children to camp.
Because of your support of the Men's Group chili sale on Super Bowl Sunday,
four children from the Northern Kentucky area can go to a week-long Christian
summer camp. Prison Fellowship Ministries has already sent us Angel Tree
camping kits for the children, which include backpacks and camper's Bibles. We
raised $500 from chili sales, $155 from additional donations, and $300 through
Thrivent for a total of $955.
W e
owe our success and thanks to the 20 volunteers who made chili, to the dozens
of members
who made a purchase or donated money, and to Thrivent for once again
offering matching funds.
Special thanks to those who helped in the promotion and sales for this event:
Tim Moore, Garry
Gerlach, Ted Miller, Mary Chapin, Bob and Bonnie Handahl, and Josh and
Kyra Lorenz.
Easter Lilies
Once again it’s time to order Easter
lilies
to adorn our worship area
for Easter
Sunday services. Please sign
up in the
narthex to donate a lily
in honor or
in memory of loved
ones. Your
$10.00 donation can
be paid by
check and
placed in the
offering
anytime up until
Easter
morning. Please
remember to note in
the
memo portion of
your
check that it is for
Easter
lilies.
Social Ministry Team
 We
will be collecting monetary donations for ELCA World Hunger during
Lent. There will be empty Easter eggs in the back of the sanctuary for you to
take and return with your donation. You may return the eggs to the Social
Ministry collection box in the narthex. Please make checks payable to Gloria
Dei and specify ELCA World Hunger.
Also, we are looking for
someone to head up a recycling program at church. It’s an easy job- if you’re
interested in helping, please contact Terri Stinebruner at 331-0226.
ADULT EDUCATION:
Adult
Education
Join us on March 5 and 12
for the last two sessions of our study called "Faith Lessons in the Dust of
the Rabbi: Becoming a Disciple." This popular video series was filmed in
Israel and Turkey, and brings new insight to what it really means to be a
disciple.
Then on March 19 and 26, we get into a four-week study entitled "Passion of
Christ: Following His Last Week." Come learn with us each Sunday at 9:45 a.m.
in the Conference Room.
Youth and Family Events
Confirmation youth don’t
forget about our lock in on March 3rd-4th. We will meet
at the clubhouse at The Farm in Taylor Mills any time after 6:00 pm. Our
topic for the lock in is the Lord’s Prayer, so you will want to make sure to
be there. Please bring a snack and drink to share. You might also want a
sleeping bag, pillow, comfortable clothes and a toothbrush. You don’t have to
worry about packing MP3 players, cell phones or any other distractions because
we won’t have time to use them! The lock in will end on Saturday morning at
9:00 a.m. If you have any questions, please email them to Rebecca at youth@gloriadei-nky.org
or call 496-6962.
½ of a Lock-In and One Full Night Lock-In. Confused? The elementary
youth will be having a lock-in on March 10th-11th
starting at 6:00 p.m. but there is an age limit. The full night is open for
youth in 4th-6th grades. All youth are welcome to
attend until 10pm on Friday night; most of the fun stuff will take place from
6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Please wear comfy clothes and bring a snack to share. The
lock-in for the older youth will end on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. If I have
confused you, please let me know, and I will try to explain it better email
youth@gloriadei-nky.org or phone 496-6962.
Enjoy the last bit of winter at Perfect North on March 12th.
We will meet at Perfect North at 2pm and ski or sled or drink hot chocolate by
the fire or whatever you like to do.
A word about Myspace.com
I know there has been a lot of talk in the news recently
over the live journal site, myspace.com. This is a site where people can post
pictures, thoughts, likes, dislikes and really anything else that you can
imagine. It is not censored or regulated. It is a free for all. With that
being said, it is a place where predators can be lurking.
Unfortunately, there are people out there who pretend to
be someone else. They will lie about their age, what they do, and where they
are from. This poses a threat/danger to those who place information about
themselves on the web. Please be careful that you don’t release too much
about yourself on these sites. Another down fall to this site, and those like
it, is the damaging effect it can have on one’s character. Colleges and
businesses are conducting internet checks on applicants. If you have a site
out there with things on it that would damage your character, it might put you
at risk from furthering yourself. Many college applicants have been turned
away from schools because of pictures or writings they have placed on live
journals.
These sites may seem harmless but you never know who is
reading your site. Myspace. com is not the only live journal out there.
There are hundreds of live journals; friendsters.com, yahoo360.com, and
facebook.com are just some of the more popular ones.
News From Our Seniors
The
Gloria Dei Seniors are off to a great 2006 start. It's never too late to join
us, so mark your calendars for:
March 12 - meet at church for lunch
and games
April
9 - Cincinnati MuseumCcenter and Omnimax Theater
May
12 - (note change of date because of
Mother's Day) Stained Glass Theater in Newport to see "Enchanted Garden"
June
11 - meeting
June
21-22 - an overnighter to see the
outdoor performance of “Johnny Appleseed"
This is
our special invitation for you to join us. Call Charlotte Davis at 342-8883
for more information.
The Role of the Disciple
To fulfill our mission of making Christ known, the
Indiana-Kentucky Synod calls upon each member to pursue the life of a
Disciple. A Disciple is one who is names, claimed, and sent by God for a
special purpose. Baptism is the defining moment for the Christian, where we
are named as grace-filled children of God, claimed as a member of God’s
church, and sent out to carry God’s grace into the world. In our baptisms, we
hear Jesus calling us to “let our light so shine before others that they may
see our good works and give glory to our Father in Heaven.” Through the power
of the Holy Spirit, we are called to share the light of Christ by gathering
in, welcoming, and bringing others into the community of faith that continues
to shape and transform us all. And them together, as the renewed community of
Christ, we are called to teach out again to all of the world, by witnessing to
the love and Grace of God in every way.
Therefore, we call upon each
member of the synod to live the life of a disciple by:
- Praying
– A Disciple prays often. This person seeks to listen daily to the will of
God and to receive guidance from God in order to share the light of Christ
with the world. As a person of prayer the disciple will
- Devote
prime time daily for listening to God.
- Pray for
self, family, church, friends, co-workers, and community.
- Pray with
others at home and in small groups.
- Worship
frequently with the people of God for forgiveness, celebration, and
renewal.
- Trusting
God- A Disciple acts courageously. This person
entrusts life, family, church, and community to God. As a person of faith
the disciple will
Trust the promise of scripture that we are saved by grace through faith in
Jesus Christ.
Be prepared to suffer and sacrifice for the sake of Christ and the Gospel.
Look forward to the future trusting the promise that all things work toward
the fullness of God’s loving plan.
- Learning
the Faith- A Disciple learns to know God. This
person seeks to learn about God and God’s will for his people. As a student
of faith, the disciple will
Study scripture and share the faith with family and others in small groups.
Learn the faith of the church as proclaimed in scripture and witnessed to in
the confessions of the church.
Listen to Law and Gospel as proclaimed today by God through others.
- Sharing
the Faith – A Disciple shares the faith. This
person is ready at the appropriate time to share God’s story with others.
As a person willing to share faith the disciple will
Listen compassionately to the stories of others while sharing their own
story and God’s story.
Invite others to come and see what God is doing among the people of God.
Witness to God’s loving hand shaping our past, present, and future.
Work for reconciliation among all of God’s people.
- Serving
Others- A Disciple shares the gifts of God. This
person uses the gifts of God for the work of God. As a faithful steward the
disciple will
Work
with others to strive for justice, peace, and mercy for all.
Be faithful in fulfilling our roles in family, church, community, and work
place.
Disciple and mentor others to grow in their faith.
- Sharing
Gifts – A Disciple shares the gifts of God. This
person uses the gifts of God for the work of God. As a faithful steward the
disciple will
Discover and develop their spiritual gifts by sharing their time and talents
in daily life.
Embrace God’s challenge of tithing as our response to God’s generosity and
the never-ending need of the world.
Grow in generosity by sharing even more with others, and encouraging others
to grow in their giving and thanksgiving as well.
WWW.GLORIADEI-NKY.ORG
What is the Church’s fax
number? What is the Pastor’s e-mail address? What time is the Sunday evening
service? When are the Lenten services and dinners? What was that
announcement in last week’s bulletin? We missed last week’s service; is there
a recording of the sermon available? These resources and scores of others are
available at the Gloria Dei internet web site
www.gloriadei-nky.org. Here is a sampling of what is available:
- Bulletin
news, announcements, and schedule from last Sunday’s bulletin, including
the scripture readings for this Sunday’s service.
- Streaming
audio/video of the last 3 sermons by Pastor Garber
- Contact
Information:
- Church
phone, fax number, postal address and e-mail address
-
Pre-school phone and information
- Council
members’ names, pictures and contact e-mail addresses
- Staff
names, pictures and contact e-mail addresses
-
Directions and a map to the church
- The
current Gloria Dei Newsletter
- An
archive of the Gloria Dei Newsletters going back to September, 1999
- The most
current annual report
- Volunteer
Schedule for the next few months
- Church
Schedule for the next few months
- A Prayer
Request form
- Preschool
Information such as:
- Contact
Information
-
Registration Information
-
Student/Teacher Handbook
- Director
Information
- The
current and archived pre-school newsletters.
- Forms by
which to send information to the Church Office such as Time and Talent
sheets, college student contact information update, various social activity
sign-ups and web site feedback
- Staff
Biographies
- Links to
various Lutheran and Biblical sites
- Streaming
Audio/Video of the Children’s and Senior Choir
- Sunday
School sign-up forms, pictures, and teachers
- Sign-up for
the Gloria Dei e-mail list for occasional announcements from the church --
including availability of the monthly Gloria Dei News newsletter.
- Additional
information from each of Gloria Dei Council’s committees
Now where is all that
stuff?
The main page of the web site
(Home Page
www.gloriadei-nky.org) is a great place to start. It has a graphical menu
at the top of the page with links to all of the major sections and other
frequently accessed pages of the web site. The “Committees / Divisions”
button will open a page with links for each Committee of the Church Council
having their own section dedicated to that Committee’s function. There are
additional links from each Committee page to the Sub-Committees covered by
that Committee and other frequently accessed pages pertaining to that
Committee.
Every page of the web site has
a common menu at the top with links back to the home page, to the web table of
contents, to the site search page and to the feedback form. Every page has a
common footer with links to the Church Office e-mail, the web steward’s
e-mail, as well as a link to subscribe to the Gloria Dei E-Mail list.
Another excellent place to
find the specific information you are looking for (or if you just want to see
a list of the pages available) is to choose the link at the top of any page
labeled “Contents”. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, use the link
at the top of any page labeled “Search” and type in a few keywords.
So, where do you get
started?
Just point
your web browser to
www.gloriadei-nky.org. This is the Gloria Dei Home Page and is designed
to explain who we are and invite potential worshipers to join us in worship at
Gloria Dei. (Don’t forget to select click the Favorites – Add to Favorites
menu to add the Gloria Dei Home Page to your favorites list.) This page also
has links to all of the major web sections and a link to create a map and
driving directions to Gloria Dei. Most of the buttons at the top are self
explanatory. Go ahead and click away to explore the site. Every page has a
link at the top to bring you back to the Home Page. The “News” button has the
latest information and a link to the announcements section of last Sunday’s
bulletin. The “Audio Video” button is where you would find the streaming video
of the last 3 Sundays sermons and some samples of the children’s and Chancel
Choir’s performances. The “Committees and Divisions” buttons has links to all
12 of the Church Committees and any information that they have provided. If
you are involved with one of these committees or just have some pictures,
announcements, or other information that you would like posted, just use the
link at the bottom of any page to send an e-mail to the web steward. Also,
if you find some information that is incorrect or out of date or a link that
doesn’t work, please use the link at the bottom of any page to shoot off an
e-mail to the web steward so that it can be corrected as soon as possible.
The cost of hosting the Gloria
Dei web site is $25 per month. You may host for a month or more the same way
as the vigil light and altar flowers are sponsored: with a donation. If you
wish to sponsor the Gloria Dei Web Page for a month or more please contact the
Communications Chairman at communications@gloriadei-nky.org. or the church
office at
office@gloriadei-nky.org.
The best way to learn more
about the resources available to you is to point your browser to
www.gloriadei-nky.org and start clicking! You might be amazed at what’s
already available to you on-line!
Mary
Circle- will meet on Thursday, March 16 at the home of Shirley Benken
beginning at 7:00 p.m. If you don’t yet belong to a circle or you miss your
usual circle meeting, please come join us!
Hannah Circle -
will meet on Tuesday, March 21 at 7:00 p.m. at Stone Oven Pizza in Hebron.
Please bring preemie or doll clothes for the service project.
Martha Circle – will meet on Monday, March 27 at
the home of Val Eason beginning at 7:00 p.m. Lisa Miller will co-host and
give the devotions. The program will be assembling Easter bags for the
Women’s Crisis Center. We always welcome new ladies who want to see what our
circle is all about. Please call Jean McCarter at 331-8894 for car pool
information.
Ruth Circle - will meet on Thursday, March 2 at
7:00 p.m. at the home of Marjorie Mueller for dessert. Jan Skavdahl will give
devotions and Pastor Vicki will present a bible study. Come and join us for a
fun and interesting evening. For directions, call Marjorie at 331-5266.
Volunteers for March
|
8:30 Service |
March 5 |
March 12 |
March 19 |
March 26 |
|
Acolyte |
Ashley Raney |
CJ Shaffer |
Ty Youtsey |
Matt Miller |
|
Lay Assistant |
Hansel Ramathal |
Mary Chapin |
Jim Bianchi |
Kelli Sittason |
|
Reader |
Terri Stinebruner |
Jennifer Simpson |
Amy Trolley |
Doug Wolff |
|
Ushers |
George Hurley
Tracy Hurley |
Tom Chapin
Betsy Budrick |
Dan Zuziak
Rhonda Zuziak |
Mary Finch
Jennifer Ables |
|
Communion
Assistant |
Rhonda Zuziak |
Sue Abramis |
Donna Bianchi |
Judy Millar |
|
Visitor Host |
Carol Grey |
Don & Arlene Frey |
Jack & Francis
Mitchell |
Paul & Pam Caylor |
|
9:45 Service |
March 5 |
March 12 |
March 19 |
March 26 |
|
Reader |
Shawn Honnerlaw |
Hansel Ramathal |
Margaret Berwanger |
Donna Kimball |
|
Communion
Assistant |
Amy Honnerlaw
Shelley Dick |
Jane Auge
Karin Gerlach |
Peggy Fisher
Joan Rylee |
Maragert Berwanger
Shelley Dick |
|
Ushers |
Mike Nicol
Leslie Barrows |
Roger Auge
Geneva Reimer |
Mike Nicol
Geneva Reimer |
Barry Dick
Sue Schmidt |
|
11:00 Service |
March 5 |
March 12 |
March 19 |
March 26 |
|
Acolytes |
Josh Smith
Kelsey Middleton |
Brendon Vando
Richard Vando |
Drew Freyberger
Ryan Stivers |
Ellen Wappner
Josh Lorenz |
|
Lay Assistant |
Phil Schmidt |
Robert Tubesing |
Tim Moore |
Ted Miller |
|
Communion
Assistants |
Zandra Hoppe
Lisa Huddleston |
Gail Cato
|
Valerie Goldston
Claudia Miller |
John Middleton
Ryan Bianchi |
|
Ushers |
Judy Grey
Bob Frey
Jan Schein
Steve Kieffner |
Chris Mehling
Bill Schweirjohann
Donna Bianchi
Phil Schmidt |
Bill Schein
Joy Shattuck
Nancy Bunnell
Tom Bunnell |
Paula Ebert
Lisa Miller
Steve Kieffner |
|
Reader |
Sara Kieffner |
Robert Tubesing |
Val Eason |
Ted Miller |
|
Visitor Hosts |
Christy Frey |
Judy Frey |
Mary Anne Hanson |
Andrea Hegna |
|
Nursery Attendant |
Jennifer
Schweirjohann |
Sandy Tubesing |
Sharon Frondorf |
Jennifer Simpson |
|
Children’s Church |
Sharon Frondorf |
Rebecca Brode |
Jennifer
Schweirjohann |
Rebecca Brode |
|
Children’s Church
Helper |
Gail Cato |
Ryan Bianchi |
Marsha Linnemann |
Mary Anne Hanson |
|
Counters |
Jan Schein
Terri Stinebruner |
Jan Schein
Terri Stinebruner |
Donna Bianchi
Lynn Holcombe |
Donna Bianchi
Lynn Holcombe |
|
5:30 Service |
March 5 |
March 12 |
March 19 |
March 26 |
|
Lay Assistant |
Jane Ellen Jarrell |
Ashley Brown |
Michael Gregory |
Mary Chapin |
|
Reader |
Michael Gregory |
Donna Kimball |
Joy Shattuck |
Jan Schein |
|
Visitor Host |
Angie Green |
Steve Kieffner |
Margaret Berwanger |
Esther Shaffer |
|
Music |
Alane Quant |
Sara Kieffner |
Jean Wetzler |
Bill Schein |
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
Paula Ebert……………………………...…Financial Secretary
CHURCH STAFF
Rebecca Brode…...……Director of Youth & Group Ministries
Debbie Hoydal……………………………....Church Secretary
PROGRAM DIRECTORS
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