One of my favorite professors, Rev. Dr. Mark Powell said that the “mission of the church is to love Jesus, everything else is just strategy” (presentation at the IK Synod Assembly). Then he went on to make a list of things that we do if we love Jesus.

That’s why I am so struck by the Psalmist. He really knows how to love the Lord. For example, Psalm 150 reads. “Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his surpassing greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with clanging cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (NRSV)

First did you notice “where” we praise the Lord? The Psalmist says that we praise the Lord in the mighty firmament, which means all creation, but then there is also special mention of “God’s sanctuary”. I think that means that we are to praise God everywhere that we go but we are especially called to praise God in community. Contrary to popular modern notions, the Bible does not describe a faith in which it is casually “all right with God” to not gather for worship, fellowship and service. In fact, Jesus said, “whoever does not gather with me, scatters” (Matthew 12:30). We need each other. It is very difficult to maintain the faith without gathering with the body. And it is very difficult to worship alone.

Second, did you notice “why” we praise God? We praise God because God has done mighty things, because God is great. In other words, we praise God because God is worthy of praise! When we come together to worship or pray or serve, we usually get great things from doing that, but that is not why we do it. We do it plane and simple because God is worthy of our worship, prayer and service.

And finally, did you notice the variety of “ways” that we are to praise God? We do it with trumpet and lute and harp, with tambourine and dance, with strings and pipe, with clanging symbols, even clashing cymbals. This likely represents every instrument that was available to the people at the time. It means that we can and should use everything that we can use with honor to praise God and it makes me wonder if we aren’t a bit “praise deficient”. I know that I spend more time than I should worrying, fretting, trying to be perfect, complaining, arguing, wishing things were different. I spend more time being hurt or frustrated or uncertain. I’m starting to think that simply praising God would be a lot better use of my time. I don’t plan to quit paying attention to the issues around me. I don’t intend to stop caring about the things about which I think God calls me to care, but I am going to rejoice and praise God more, every chance that I get in fact.

Will you join me? Will you help end any “praise deficiency” that you have in your life and in this church? It is my call to you to mission.

Please take the special coupon with you so the youth can receive 20% of the days sales.

Spring Beautification Day Set for Saturday, May 5

Beautification Day? OK, it’s really the day we all join together to pull weeds, rake leaves, spread mulch, and whatever else is needed to make our church grounds looks their best. We’ll start at 9:00 a.m. and finish around noon with pizza and soft drinks to celebrate a job well done. Your help is needed. Please bring wheelbarrows, gloves, rakes, pitchforks, and any other gardening tools to help make the job go more easily.

Gloria Dei to Host This Year’s National Day of Prayer

National Day of Prayer was created by an act of Congress 55 years ago. Its intention was to encourage prayers for our country and its leaders. Since then many churches have extended this to also encourage personal prayers and recognition of God’s gifts as the result of prayer.

Gloria Dei will host its third-annual National Day of Prayer service on Thursday, May 3 at 7 p.m. Participants include members of the Prayer Group, Praise Band and Pastor Vicki. In addition to prayer, the service will include music, prayer reflections, praise and worship. All are welcome to join us as we, along with churches across the country, lift up our nation on this powerful evening of prayer.

Come to the Hungry Feast on May 5

The Eastern Kentucky Spring Assembly will be held on Saturday, May 5 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at Word of Hope Lutheran Church in Lexington. Kathryn Sime, Director of ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal will be the keynote speaker. Come join the feast! Be fed physically, mentally, and spiritually!

The Power of Prayer

“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:19)

Although personal time with God in prayer should be first & foremost, it can never take the place of prayer by a group of believers. So, why is group prayer so important as well? Because God promises when two or more believers bring requests before him in the name of Jesus, the effect of prayer is more powerful than we could ever imagine (Matthew 18:19). ALPHA founder, Nicky Gumbel, explains it this way in the following excerpt from his book, “Questions of Life”:

“As well as praying alone, it is important to pray with other people. This could be in a small group of two or three, for example. Jesus said, ‘I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you in heaven.’ (Matthew 18:19) It can be very hard praying aloud in front of other people. I remember the first time I did this, about two months after I had come to Christ. I was with two of my closest friends and we decided that we would spend some time praying together. We only prayed for about ten minutes, but when I took my shirt off afterwards it was wringing wet! Nevertheless, it is worth persevering since there is great power in praying together (Acts 12:5).

Prayer is at the heart of Christianity, because at the heart of Christianity is a relationship with God. That is why it is the most important activity of our lives. As the saying goes:

Satan laughs at our words. Mocks at our toil. But trembles when we pray.”

If you shudder at the thought of praying in a group, much like author Nicky Gumbel in this illustration, you are not alone. But if you sense God has been calling you to meet with him in prayer, do not ignore it! He has promised to give you the abilities and strength you need to persevere if you are willing to respond and accept his invitation. And as is true of any new endeavor, it may take practice and a leap of faith, but there is no better place to leap than into the arms of our Lord and Savior who is waiting to spend time with you.

Easter Breakfast A Huge Success

Serving fresh fruit at the Easter breakfast. Brilliant! Having moist muffins and Danish along with all the other good food. Brilliant! The Men’s Group served a hearty and healthy breakfast to a record 143 attendees on Easter morning. We also had many new faces in the kitchen for our twentieth Easter breakfast at Gloria Dei.

Money raised from this event helps us sponsor the marionette show in December, and support the Angel Tree Christmas gift program. This year, the amount raised was $500 which included additional funds from Thrivent and other donors.

We have many to thank for the breakfast’s success. Thanks first of all to Jim Eason who took over leadership. Thank you to our volunteers: Jim Wolter, Gene Brown, Jim Corbit, Dan McCune, Duane Skavdahl, Dave and Erik Hanson, Warren Cato, Bob and Bonnie Handahl, Herb Wedig, Jim and A.J. Bianchi, Ed Budrick and Shawn Honnerlaw. Thanks also to Thrivent, other contributors and everyone who attended.

In May, we will conclude our study of Christianity and Islam. The session on May 6 is the last segment of a four-part DVD series that compares and contrasts the two religions, and poses thought-provoking questions. On May 13, we will hear an audiotape called “Ergun’s Story,” the tale of a young Muslim in America who converted to Christianity.

Be sure to join the discussion each Sunday at 9:45 a.m. in Room F-1 of the Fellowship Hall. May 13 is our last class for the school year.

Comings and Goings

“The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.” (Psalm 121:8)

This month I would like to write about The ONE Campaign which strives to make poverty history. The ONE Campaign is a collective effort by Americans to rally each other - one by one - to fight the global emergencies of extreme poverty and AIDS. This may seem like a lofty goal, but it IS within reach if we take action together as one! A major objective of The ONE Campaign is to direct an additional one percent of the US budget to address extreme poverty.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is a partner, along with many others, in The ONE Campaign. The ONE Lutheran Campaign challenges congregations to become a ONE Lutheran Congregation. Have I piqued your interest? Log onto www.elca.org/advocacy/one and then click on ‘Become a ONE Lutheran Congregation’. As a congregation, we are already doing two of the four congregational goals. Anyone interested in becoming a ONE Lutheran Congregation? We can make a difference. Let the church office know and they will contact me.

-Walda Helvie

March Wildflower Hike – A Beautiful Day In God’s Creation

Seven men and women journeyed to the Red River Gorge, deep in the heart of the Daniel Boone National Forest, to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation on the first Gloria Dei men’s and women’s hike. The weather cooperated and provided a wonderful dry day where the group observed some of the outstanding flora along the Whittleton Branch and Whittleton Arch Trails. The short trip up to the spectacular waterfall arch was an added bonus to the day. A short video is available for viewing at Bob Young’s ‘YouTube’ website. Check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKCUw7sYrCw) or you can see many of the still pictures at http://photos.yahoo.com/eukeofearl in the Gloria Dei March Wildflower Hike album. Enjoy.

Memorial Contributions Update

Thanks to the generosity of many people three of our loved ones were remembered in their passing. Earl Pfarner was remembered by Mary and Clyde Middleton with a donation to the Memorial Fund, Undesignated. John Crouse was remembered by Gail and Warren Cato by giving to Pastor’s Helping Hand in the Memorial Fund. Bill Schein, Michelle Giron and The Cruse Family donated to Evangelism in the Memorial Fund. Chad and Sue Thornton gave to Undesignated. Al Ungru was remembered by Ralph and Barbara Lawrence, Don and Arlene Frey and others from their building, Eloise Link, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Dietz, Mary and Clyde Middleton, Erma Stidham, Steve and Janet Simon, and Nancy Himmler Brinkman. Their donations went to Undesignated in the Memorial Fund.

Tom and Mary Chapin made a donation to Pastor’s Helping Hand. In addition, Bill Schein made a donation to the Memorial Fund

The following people made donations in honor of Warren and Gail Cato’s wedding anniversary: Catherine Nestheide, John and Alice Lewin, Charlotte Davis, Shirley Benken, and Lem and Delores Cox. Thank you,

-Geneva Reimer, Memorial Fund Secretary

Sunday collections have been improving. We are not yet at budget but have been closing the gap. Please look at your pledges and commitments. Thanks to those who have caught up.

The finance committee recommended and the congregation approved repairing the Narthex roof and replacing the air-handling unit in that area by using General Funds.

Please talk to our Financial Secretary Paula Ebert if you are interested in checking account deductions of your contributions on a regular basis.

WELCA would like to thank all those who supported the Lenten dinners this year- the wonderful cooks who donated all the food and those who came to partake of it. $670 was raised for charities (this does not include the dinner put on by the Youth Group). Thank you all so much!

Mary Circle – will meet on Thursday, May 17 at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Ginny Huenniger. Beverly Broomhead will have an interesting program. All ladies are welcome to join us for fellowship.

Ruth Circle- will meet on Thursday, May 3 for the National Day of Prayer. We will be attending the 7:00 p.m. service at church followed by dessert at Max & Erma's. Be sure to bring your Max & Erma's discount coupon and help support the Youth Trip!

Martha Circle – will meet on Monday, May 21 at the home of Val Eason at 7:00 p.m. Please note the date change due to Memorial Day. Paula Ebert will co-host and give the devotions. The program will be assembling Health Kits for Lutheran World Relief. Please plan to join us!

WELCA Ladies to Support Diapers for Honduras Project

The ladies of Martha Circle will be spearheading a project to provide desperately needed diapers made from tee shirts to hospitals in Honduras this summer. Large and extra large sized, used tee shirts will be needed. They can be any color and may have printed logos. Please go through your family’s supply of old tee shirts and bring them to church. There will be a collection box in the narthex. We will also be looking for sergers, sewing machines, scissors, and volunteers to assemble the diapers on Monday, August 27 at church. For more information, contact Val Eason at 344-6675.

Volunteers for May

8:30 Service	May 6	May 13	May 20	May 27
Acolyte	Paige Miller	Callie Budrick	Katie Stinebruner	Ashley Raney
Lay Assistant	Donna Schelby	Dan McCune	Doug Wolff	Dan Zuziak
Reader	Fred Miller	Todd Kuhse	Doug Wolff	Rhonda Zuziak
Ushers	George Hurley Tracy Hurley	Betsy Budrick Mike Nicol	Terri Stinebruner Mary Jane Wolff	Carri Chandler David Chandler
Communion Asst.	Margaret Berwanger	Betty Baker	Harold Sauser	Donna Lancaster
Visitor Hosts	Bob Johnson Judy Johnson	Bill Himmler Charlotte Himmler	Jack Mitchell Fran Mitchell	Erv Moses Jane Moses

9:45 Service	May 6	May 13	May 20	May 27
Reader	Valerie Goldston	AJ Bianchi	Hansel Ramathal	John Sweeney
Ushers	Bradley Schmidt Kristin Schmidt	Lynn Colomb Nan Swanson	Dorothy Little Jon Little	Tom Youtsey Ty Youtsey
Communion Asst.	Emily Barker Jean McCarter	Paula Kiser Geneva Reimer	Leslie Barrows Joan Rylee	AJ Bianchi Peggy Fisher

11:00 Service	May 6	May 13	May 20	May 27
Acolytes		Derek Smith McKayl Barrows	Logan Spicer Felecia Johns	Callie Budrick Kyra Lorenz
Lay Assistant	Phil Schmidt	Hansel Ramathal	Tim Moore	Doug Ebert
Reader	Zandra Hoppe	Ched Thornton	Ellen Young	Nan Swanson
Children’s Sermon	Personnel	Safty & Boundaries	Outreach	Rebecca Brode
Ushers	Gail Cato Warren Cato Nan Swanson Geneva Reimer	Paula Ebert Steve Kieffner Dick Mueller Jim Murray	Mitch Boese Jeremy Cummins Marian Dietz Herb Wedig	Rob Bosma Jim Eason Betsy Budrick Shelby Budrick
Communion Asst.	Nancy Bunnell Tom Bunnell	Josh Smith Susan Thornton	Bill Schein Jan Schein	Linda Geisselbrecht Zandra Hoppe
Visitor Hosts	Jean Moeves Lou Moeves	Mary Middleton Marian Dietz	Bob Frey Judy Frey	Christy Lorenz Paul Lorenz
Nursery	Sandy Tubesing	Kristin Schmidt	Sue Schmidt	Jana Woods
Children’s Church	Kathy Duffy Christina Patterson	Christy Frey Susan Bunnell	Jennifer Ables Becky Sittason	Jennifer Schwierjohann Michelle Hammers
Counters	Paula Kiser Don Shattuck	Paula Kiser Don Shattuck	Jan Schein Terri Stinebruner	Jan Schein Terri Stinebruner

5:30 Service	May 6	May 13	May 20	May 27
Lay Assistant	Rebecca Brode	Sam Skavdahl	John Middleton	Mary Chapin
Reader/Communion	Leslie Hayes	Linda Geisselbrecht	Margaret Berwanger	Tom Chapin
Usher/Visitor Host	Jean McCarter	Don Shattuck	Paul Green	Suzanne Spicer
Music	Sara Kieffner	Jean Wetzler	Sara Kieffner	Alane Quant

May Friendship Day Dinner To Be Hosted By Gloria Dei

The Tri City Church Women United May Friendship Day Dinner will be held on Friday, May 4 beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Gloria Dei. The theme is “Friends Under God’s Wing” with inspirational music, speaker, and fun activities. All are welcome. The cost is $15.00 and reservations must be made. Call Charlotte Davis at 342-8883 or Mary Middleton at 331-1879 for more information.

We Need You! Your Gifts and Your Skills!

At the April Committee Meeting Night, the Spiritual Gifts Discipleship became aware of several volunteer opportunities that our congregation is need of at this time. Our God given gifts, our time and our talents are to be shared for the good of our community and congregation. Please discern if you are “called” for any of these positions:

ALTAR GUILD – set-up on Saturdays, ensures the altar is properly arranged and administered to before each service and cleaned after each service such as the filling and disposal of individual wine glasses, changing of linens, candles, etc. Contact Jim Bianchi at 491-7707.

NURSERY ASSISTANTS for 9:45 SERVICE – As this service continues to grow, so do our number of infants to 3 year olds in the nursery! An extra set of helping hands is needed to properly care for all our little ones! Contact Debbie at 331-4696.

HANDIMAN OR HANDIWOMAN – The Property Discipleship is always in need of someone who has the time and skill to perform odds and end jobs around the church and preschool. Contact Greg Land at 513-910-3010.

Information Needed for Gloria Dei’s 25th Anniversary

The Communications Discipleship has begun collection photos and other memorabilia for a display to commemorate Gloria Dei’s 25^th anniversary this fall. Please take some time to go through your photos and any other items that could help make this display complete. Place your information in an envelope with your name on the outside and leave it in the church office. Your photos will be digitally scanned and returned to you within a few weeks. Please help us make this celebration of Gloria Dei’s history one that everyone will enjoy!

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:

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 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.