Upcoming
Special Events
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Mission to Costa Rica
New Mission Challenge-
A word about my future ministry in
Costa Rica.
What a privilege it is for me to go as a “return missionary” to a church that I helped found, and in a country that stole my heart, years ago. After eight years of serving our very loving and special congregation, Gloria Dei!, God has opened the door for me to go back to Costa Rica, to be a mission co-worker in the Lutheran Church of Costa Rica (ILCO). What excites me, and the thing for which I’m most grateful, is that I will be going with your support and prayers for this new mission challenge.
Costa Rica has done a great job at promoting tourism, so most of you have heard about its beaches and national parks, but what does it mean to serve there in the ministry of the ILCO? It’ll mean first and foremost, to work in a young, dynamic church that has made it its vision to share God’s love with people and communities that are easily forgotten by society: the poor, Indigenous people, urban youth, farm workers, refugees, persons living with AIDS. I will be joining the pastors and the churches of the ILCO in working in holistic ministries that dignify peoples’ lives.
It’ll also mean being very flexible. All church workers fulfill numerous roles, and I know that I may be responsible for social action projects as much as for Biblical formation. My job description may even change to fill a sudden need. No problem. I’m looking forward to learning new skills even as I make my current skills available there, for the extension of God’s Kingdom.
 As I said, what excites me most is to know that this is our common mission. I can’t imagine anything better than being your missionary, and going with your love and support. I look forward to communicating with you once I’m there, and sharing what’s going on. I hope we can plan some visits or mission activities that might be inspiring for our witness to the Gospel both here and there.
In the peace of Christ,
Pastor Ana Langerak
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Men's Breakfast
Different ministry name; same ministry
work
Aug 6th, 8:30 a.m.
The next Gloria Dei! Men's Group meeting is scheduled for Saturday, August 6th at 8:30 AM in the room off the narthex. We will start with breakfast, so please bring a breakfast food or drink to share. After breakfast, Jim Mumper has graciously offered to take us out on his boat, so we will car pool to the dock.
Space is limited to 12 people, so you will need to reply to this email or call Dan Milleville (410-757-7746) to reserve a spot. I'll keep you posted as slots fill up. We should be back to the dock around 10:30-11:00.
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Help Choose Where Thrivent Financial Gives Back:
If you are a Thrivent member, you may be eligible to direct dollars to Gloria Dei! and special programs that the Church Council has selected for these funds. Eligible members can participate in Choice Dollars. It’s simple and only takes three easy steps to direct these Choice Dollars:
Step 1: Visit Thrivent.com/choicedollars to begin. Or call 1-800-847-4836 and say, “Thrivent Choice.”
Step 2: Review and select the organizations (Gloria Dei! Is listed) you want to request funding for by directing Choice Dollars.
Step 3: Choose where you’d like to direct (hopefully Gloria Dei!) your designated amount of Choice Dollars. In the past, Thrivent Financial would provide matching dollars for things such as the annual flower sale or yard sale.
The matching program is replaced by the “Choice Dollars” program. So, if you are an eligible member and do not go to the web to make your selection, your eligible dollars will not be directed as you want and Gloria Dei! will miss out on this opportunity. Funds received from Thrivent Choice Dollars will be directed into our designated fund separate from the church budget.
Please contact Ted Kinkel at 410-279-4517 or contact your local Thrivent Financial Representative with questions.
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Prayer Chain
We all need extra prayers sometimes…. Please, be a part of our wonderful prayer chain ministry. For more information, please call Barbara Baur at 410-987-8299
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The Lighthouse Shelter needs supplies
Any non-perishable food donations, most especially peanut butter, jelly, pasta, cereals, etc. would be greatly appreciated. Please put them on the downstairs narthex table, near the Thrivent sign, and Jean Clarke will take them over this week.
We are also looking for people to help with dinners the first Saturday of every month from January through December! Please check out the sign-up sheet on the downstairs board or call Jean Clarke at 410-757-1245.
Thanks for all your support!
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Lutheran World Relief
Prayers and Help for the people in Nigir and Darfar who are suffering.We are so blessed with all we have and let us not waste it. We would like to join the Lutheran World Relief organization in their relief effort. Please take a moment to put your donation in the basket in the narthex and on the table in the Praise Café. To see their efforts go to Lutheran World Relief .
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Women's Book Club
Book Club will resume September 14th at 7 p.m. at Angie Hilz's house, 273 Kings College Court. The book is Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. Please contact Laurie Frueh at lauriefrueh@yahoo.com or Kristin Dubinski
at dubin1@comcast.net.if you would like to attend.
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Early
Morning Bible
Study
Thursdays, 6:30 - 7:30 a.m.
Need a spiritual pick-me-up during the week? Come and join our Thursday morning Bible Study. We are just beginning a study of Isaiah so it's a perfect time to start! We meet Thursday mornings in the parlor (room off the narthex.) from 6:30 - 7:30 a.m. Come start your day with us. If you have any questions, contact Marcia Milleville@ 410-757-7746 or mkmilleville@gmail.com.
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Community
Outreach Committee
Different ministry name; same ministry
work
Feb 13th, 7:00 p.m.
In
an effort to more accurately identify our role, the
Social Ministry Committee has decided, with the
approval of the Church Council, to make a name change.
It will be called the Community Outreach Committee.
The new designation reflects the ministry goal of providing
support to the members of our local community through
a variety of service projects. We will continue to
support many of the same programs as in the past, e.g.
providing meals for the Lighthouse Shelter, organizing
food distribution in conjunction with My Brother's
Pantry, and creating the Angel Tree to provide gifts
for families at Christmas. Anyone interested in this
type of ministry is encouraged to become part of the
Committee.
Souper Bowl
On Sunday Feb. 6th, millions of Americans will tune into the Super Bowl Football Game. There will be parties with abundant food, friendship, and fellowship. At the same time, there will be peopleworrying about staying warm, finding shelter, and having a hot meal.
The Community Outreach Program is on a mission to fight hunger! YOU CAN HELP! Please bring a can of soup to church or drop $1.00 into the soup pot as you leave worship on Sun. Feb. 6th.
All donations will be given to My Brother’s Pantry.
Also, these items are always in demand:
Peanut Butter
Jelly
Pasta,
macaroni and cheese,
bread mixes,
or any non-perishable food items.
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Get Out Your Grocery List
My Borther's Pantry is quite empty and needs some
replenishing. The neediest categories are: canned vegetables,
macaroni and cheese, tuna and other canned meat beans.
Just place your contributions on the cart next to the
coffee in the narthex. And thanks again to all of you
who keep contributing food on a regular basis to serve
the community and keep the pantry full. It is so easy
to just add a few extra groceries to your own grocery
shopping list each week, and then bring them to church
with you when you come.
No clothes or shoes except baby clothes and no large appliances please. Use this as a opportunity to clean out some unneeded clutter and put it toward this good cause. With the current down turn in our economy its more import to keep selves stocked with food for those less fortunate. Please consider this opportunity to serve and or make a donation of saleable goods.
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Notes from the Music Ministry
Summer Special Music Needs Your Talent
Over the summer, many of our choirs and music groups take a much-deserved break. Fortunately, Gloria Dei! is blessed with many talented members. Singers, instrumentalists, small ensembles are encouraged to sign up to present Special music at the two services in the main sanctuary each week. We hope that our college students will also be able to share their talent with us at this time.
Please speak with Debbie Greene (410-349-3244) or Tom Richardson (302-945-4196) to schedule your participation. You may also contact Debbie at Drgpiano@aol.com. We look forward to having you share your talents and God given gifts with the members of Gloria Dei!
WESUS (who ever shows up sings)
Folk Group Rehearsals
Mondays, 7:30-8:30
p.m. - Santuary
If you like to sing or play the guitar, flute, bass or other instruments, come join WESUS (Who Ever Shows Up Sings) and have great fun making music. WESUS is an adult music group that performs mostly acoustic music in a variety of styles including contemporary, folk, traditional hymns, gospel and world music. It is not necessary to be able to read music to sing and the chords for most instruments are provided. We practice on Monday nights from 7:30 until 8:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. WESUS sings the 3rd Sunday of the month at the 8:45 a.m. service. Call Bill Leahy or Kathy Hays at 410-544-0192 (evenings) for more details or email us at haysleahy@gmail.com.
Practice begins Sept. 13th at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.
Youth
Choir (Grade 5 and older)
Youth Choir: Attention all youth in
grades 5-12….the Youth Choir needs you! Rehearsals
begin in September on Mondays 7:30-8:30 p.m.
in the music room.
Come make some new friends, and renew friendships with those you haven’t seen over the summer. This year the Youth choir will sing the 1st Sunday of each month at the 8:45 service.
Our rehearsals are fun, our parties even better and our music well done. But ... a choir needs new members each year to replace those that
graduate and to expand and grow our music capabilities. For those of you who have conflicts with
your schedule, especially during fall sports and the
marching band, music can be provided so that you can work on your own and then join us when we sing. A commitment to having fun, learning to sing, or improving your music skills and serve your church are all that are needed.
New members will need to order a choir shirt. Please contact Mrs. Greene as soon as possible so that your shirt will arrive in time for our singing in October. Shirts will cost $25-$30 and will be used for the next 2-3 years. Consider your expected growth when ordering a new shirt. If you can’t be present on the 14th, have a parent stop by or talk to Mrs. Greene prior to the 14th.
Talk to your friends and bring them along for a wonderful year of singing in the Youth Choir. Our first Sunday to sing will be October 3rd. Schedules for the year will be provided at our first rehearsal. Any questions, please contact Mrs. Greene at home, 410-349-3244 or by e-mail, Drgpiano@aol.com.
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Calling All Acolytes
The word “acolyte” comes from the Greek word “akolouthos” which means a servant or attendant who waits on another.
The Acolyte ministry originated from Old Testament times. The Scriptures tell us of the prophet Samuel assisting Eli the priest and of Eli being assisted by Elisha.
The New Testament illustrates early Christian adoption of this custom, which has been carried forward to the present day.
Acolyting isn’t just “lighting the candles.” No worship service takes place without an acolyte as the first act of worship by the community. The flame which the acolyte lights the candles with represents God’s presence among us as we begin worship. This seemingly simple and insignificant job truly is very important and essential for each worship service.
Acolytes consist of boys and girls from ages 8 to Pastor Tom’s age (haha).
Being an acolyte is an important service to God and to the Church and is a great beginning for the youth to learn responsibility in an loving and caring place.
If you would like to join our group of acolytes please sign up on the bullentin board located in the Narthex or contact Paul and Dale Zick at (410) 647-6808 or email (PJZDJZ@verizon.net).
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Loving
Hands (Prayer Shawl Ministry)
First Saturday of the month from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Formerly
known as the Prayer Shawl Group, Loving Hands seeks
to provide the Church with a supply of shawls
that can be given to those in need of a little comfort.
The shawls are meant to offer a safe haven when times
are difficult. A few shawls have already been given
and Loving Hands' ministry is growing. Anyone interested
in knitting or chrcheting, or who is willing to learn
should join this prayerful group on the second Saturday
of each month from 12:30 until 1:30 p.m. in the Parlor.
Materials may be supplied but you are encouraged
to bring your own. To
learn more, please contact Mary Greene.
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2003
Mission Trip
El Salvador
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News
from El Salvador
El Salvador Mission Trip - July 13 - 20, 2009
The Mission team wants to thank the congregation for its generous support of –and involvement in- the Silent Auction for El Salvador.
It was a joy for our church to receive a bulging envelop with more than 6o welcome letters and drawings made by church members of Cristo Redentor Church, and school children and teachers of the Lutheran schools. “We are waiting to receive your delegation with open arms to thank you personally for your love and support, and to show you that your partnership has made a difference in our lives,” says an “official letter.” Our 2009 visit will take place from July 13-20. As a congregation, we will send the team off with prayer next Sunday, July 12.
El Salvador Visitor - September 2008
David Mena, Director of the Lutheran schools in San Salvador, visited us in late September. Those who are interested in helping, with this educational mission, please contact Annette Taylor (410-757-9659) or Pastor Anna.
Water
is on its Way to Cabanitas with help from Gloria
Dei!
News
in coming in almost weekly from El Salvador. Pastor
Francisco and folks from the communities around
our sister church in Cabanitas are working tirelessly
to solve their water problem. With money we raised
from the sale of bottled water, they are holding
fairs in the neighborhoods to create more awareness.
They're also getting legal advice On August 9th,
the community leaders petitioned the government
water agency with the full presence of TV and radio
reporters. As a result, many areas are starting
to be supplied with water at 4 p.m. rather than
11 p.m.
Pastor Francisco is deeply grateful for our spiritual
and material support. "When we think about water,
we think about you all," he says.
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Thank
You for the Banner
Since
mid-June, the beautiful banner that Marilou Heverly
created for the church in Cabanitas, El Salvador,
has been on display there. The following words
of thanks were recently received by Pastor Ana
and Marilou: |
| "The
Redeemer Church is very grateful for the beautiful
banner from Gloria Dei! that expresses
the joy and hope of our partnership. God truly
inspired you, Marilou, to create such a visible
and permanent message of encouragement to us.
We're admiring it all the time. We're blessed
to count you're the accompaniment. Greetings
and love to all the congregation." |
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LWR
Coffee Project
Around the world coffee and fellowship come together where we share
community. A warm pot of coffee is often the centerpiece of fellowship,
As the second most heavily traded commodity in the world, coffee
is a direct link between our communities and farming communities
in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Through the LWR Equal Exchange
Coffee Project, we can help build a more just world for small farmers
in developing countries. The farmers earn a fair price for their
products and are able to invest in education, health care, and
agricultural improvements in their communities.
Gloria
Dei! is a proud sponsor of this project.
Have you noticed the coffee cart located
in the Narthex? We offer a variety of flavors,
whole bean and drip grind. And our freshly
made coffee on Sunday mornings is part of
the program also. So, the next time you are
hankering for a good cup of java, check out
Gloria Dei!'s own coffee shop. It ranks right
up there with Starbucks, but without the
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Coffee may be purchased directly from the cart located in the hallway off the Narthex across from the coffee pots. Coffee is just $6 per bag and tea is $3 per box. The same Equal Exchange Fair Trade coffee products are now being sold in Giant stores for $8.49 per bag.
Stop by the cart and pick up your Fair Trade coffee and tea and save money NOW, while supporting small farmers earn fair price for their product. If you have any questions or coffee requests, please contact Linda Nelson (410-757-7095)
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Heifer
Project - Over one
billion people will go to bed hungry tonight.
With more than 50 years experience, Heifer has
a proven approach to helping people obtain a
sustainable source of food and income. Heifer
animals (and training in their care) offer hungry
families around the world a way to feed themselves
and become self-reliant. Children receive nutritious
milk or eggs; families earn income for school,
health care and better housing; communities go
beyond meeting immediate needs to fulfilling
dreams. Farmers learn sustainable, environmentally
sound agricultural techniques.
During Lent 2008 each
the Community Outreach Committee and the Sunday School classes are raising money and will select
a gift to give through the Heifer Project. This
is an ongoing project and all donations are welcome.
During
the 2003 Lenten season, the Sunday School classes
raised money to send to Heifer International. Hungry
families use Heifer livestock and training to alleviate
hunger and poverty and become self-reliant for
food and income. Heifer’s unique approach
also promotes strong communities, sustainability,
environmental protection, and education and peace.
The Sunday School classes made a superb effort
and enthusiastically endorsed the project. The
classes combined effort raised a total of $1,607.95.
With this money the following purchases will be
made: 3 sets of chickens;
3 sets of ducks;
2 sets of rabbits; 1 sheep;
4 llamas;
2 water buffalo; and two large Easter baskets which
contain a share of rabbits,
a flock of chicks, a trio of ducks,
and a flock
of geese. This was a richly rewarding effort
given by Gloria Dei! Sunday School. Thank you to
all who participated.
During
the 2004 Lenten season we filled
an Ark.
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