Ministry of Worship Worship God in proclamation of the Word and administration of the sacraments and through lives of prayer, praise, thanksgiving, witness, and service.
MARCH SCRIPTURE READINGS
Sunday,
March 7, 2010 Third Sunday in Lent
The warnings are plentiful and blunt on the third Sunday in Lent. Lent
is a season of repentance. Cut it out or get cut down! The warnings are
accompanied by God's invitation to attentiveness: "Incline your ear, and
come to me; listen, so that you may live." The landowner's ultimatum is
forestalled by the gardener's readiness to till the ground one more year. That
is good news for all of us. Thanks be to God! Isaiah 55:1-9, Psalm 63:1-8, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9
Sunday,
March 14, 2010 Fourth Sunday in Lent
The psalm sets the tone this day: "Happy are they whose
transgressions are forgiven, and whose sin is put away!" Happy are those
who have "become the righteousness of God" in the merits of Christ
Jesus. Happy are those for whom the forgiveness of God has "rolled away
... the disgrace" of former times. Happy is the father at the return of
his prodigal son. Happy are we that our sins are forgiven for Jesus' sake.
Rejoice! Joshua
5:9-12, Psalm 32, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
Sunday,
March 21, 2010 Fifth Sunday in
Lent The Lord our God makes all things new. In the first reading God promises
it. In the gospel Mary anticipates it, anointing Jesus' feet with costly
perfume in preparation for the day of his burial. In the second reading we
recall the transformation of Saul, the persecutor, into Paul, the apostle. In
baptism, God's new person (you!) rises daily from the deadly mire of trespasses
and sins. Isaiah 43:16-21, Psalm 126, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 12:1-8
Sunday,
March 28, 2010 Sunday of the Passion / Palm Sunday
The voice of the suffering savior, Jesus, can be heard in the prophet
Isaiah's words and the pleading of the psalm. We are invited into the agony of
our Lord in the extended reading of the story of Jesus' passion. In the second
reading, we who have put on Christ in holy baptism are urged to let the mind of
Christ be our own. Lent leads us to this holy moment. Embrace it. Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 31:9-16, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 22:14-23:56
Join us for a look at the
text for the next Sunday every Tuesday at 12 Noon
in the Hillside Room. All are
welcome!
Worship is an integral part of our life as a community of believers. Our service is composed of the traditional Lutheran liturgy with sermons that relate to every day life. Worship services are held at 10:00 a.m. every Sunday. Holy Communion is offered at each service.
Children are very welcome to attend worship services. Children are gifts of God and we want to include children of all ages in our worship life together as a family of faith. Part of our welcoming of young children and parents includes a children's message and "quiet bags" for children's use in the sanctuary during worship. Another available service is the nursery. Each Sunday, following the children's message, a nursery attendant will be in the narthex (back) of the church to meet any parents and children (usually age 5 and under) who would like to use the nursery. Following the sermon and the prayers of intercession, the nursery attendant will plan to return the children to worship during the sharing of the peace so they can participate in the remainder of the service. Thanks for bearing with us as we try this approach. If you would be willing to serve on a volunteer attendant rotation, please speak to Sherry Dalager or Pastor Carlson.
We strive to welcome visitors and familiar faces alike. All visitors and members are invited to join us downstairs in the Hillside room for coffee, refreshments, and visiting after the Sunday morning service. If you are interested in being part of the new member class (click here for more information).
Gloria Dei is a Reconciling in Christ Church. Our congregation has made a formal commitment to reach out and include gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender believers in all aspects of our church life.
The Worship and Music Ministry Meeting meets on Sept. 15th at 7am at the Duluth Grill. If you are interested in being part of this committee, please contact Karen Bockelman.
EUCHARIST AT KING MANOR Thursday, March 4th at 1:00 p.m. Each month, Gloria Dei conducts a service of Holy Communion and fellowship time at a senior residential home. We rotate between St. Ann's, King Manor, and Edgewood Vista. All are welcome to join us.
Sunday School: 8:30 -9:30am Adult Forum: 8:45-9:45am Sunday Worship Service with Holy Communion: 10:00-11:00am (our service is broadcast live on radio station, WDSM channel 710AM) Fellowship and Treats after Worship in the Hillside Room downstairs. All are welcome. Please join us!
LENT WEDNESDAYS, STARTING FEB 24, HOLDEN PRAYER AROUND THE CROSS - Join
us for worship during the Wednesday of Lent. A 12 NOON service of the word and prayer is followed by
lunch (contact Eldora to help serve a lunch). Also, a 7:00 p.m. worship arranged in the pattern of Holden
Village includes readings, Taize music and prayer in the sanctuary, inviting
everyone who seeks peace and new life to gather around the cross of
Christ. Come early for a Soup
& Bread Supper at 5:45 and study on the "Marks of Discipleship" from
6:15-7:00. A sign up sheet is near
the Hillside Rm. Kitchen if you can provide soup or bread. All are welcome!
LENT - HOLY WEEK - EASTER 2010
Worship Service Schedule
Season of Lent
Sundays During Lent
Feb. 28, Mar 7, 14, 21 - 10:00 am Worship with Holy Communion
11:30 a.m. class for new members and seekers with lunch in the Lakeside Room
Wednesdays During Lent
Feb. 24, Mar 3, 10, 17, 24 - "The Marks of Discipleship"
12:00 noon teaching time and worship with lunch in the Hillside Room
5:45 p.m. soup and bread supper
6:15 p.m. teaching time in the Hillside Room
7:00-7:30 p.m. Evening Prayer in the Sanctuary
Holy Week and Easter Sunday
March 28 - Passion/Palm Sunday
10:00 a.m. Worship with Holy Communion, procession with palms and reading of the Passion According to St. Luke.
The Three Days
(broadcast live at 7:00p.m. on WDSM Radio AM 710)
April 1 - Maundy Thursday
7:00 p.m. Worship with foot washing and Holy Communion
April 2 - Good Friday
7:00 p.m. Worship with the reading of the Passion According to St. John, prayers, and the veneration of the cross
April 3 - Vigil of Easter
7:00 p.m. Worship with the service of light and readings, Holy Baptism and Affirmation of Baptism, and Holy Communion
April 4 - Resurrection of Our Lord - Easter Sunday
(broadcast live at 10:00 a.m. on WDSM Radio AM 710)
10:00 a.m. Festival Worship with Holy Communion and special music
Devotional - Submitted by Patti Maguire
By Pastor Kerri Nelson Click here to read.
Unity in a Book
Since I've been involved in the Renewing Worship project, I've heard more than once person ask the question, "Why are we doing a new book? These days, with ... Click here to read more....
ALTER GUILD - Our meetings
are on the second Sunday of the monthin
the Lakeside Room. Please join us and hopefully bring an interested possible
new member. Once again we have had to say farewell to a very faithful member
who has completed her journey on earth. Edna Mattson spent many years as a
member of the Altar Guild and contributed rugs and dozens of Raggedy Ann and Andy
Dolls for our Christmas festivals.
FIRST COMMUNION INSTRUCTION The age when children
begin to receive Holy Communion varies among Christian denominations
and even different Lutheran churches, from infants to confirmation
age. (Click here to read more.)
A beautiful cross with symbolic depictations was painted by Carol Uecker, and built by Pastor David. Special boxes for candles were made by Conrad Nelson. Here is a brief explanation from Carol of the symbols
depicted on the cross for this prayer service: The four
"ends" of the cross, Christ's head, hands and feet, a reminder
that Lent is a prelude to crucifixion and resurrection. The
symbols within the vine are reflections of Jesus' "I am" statements: I am the vine
and you are the branches (grape vine), I am the Good
Shepherd (shepherd with hand resting on sheep), I am the door
or the gate (Christ at the door), I am the bread
of life (wafer and wine of communion), I am the way,
the truth and the life (the anchor for hope or grounding; the cross, the
way to salvation; and "amen" meaning this is true), I am the light
of the world (oil lamp and flame), and I am the
resurrection and the life (butterfly and an empty cross, both resurrection
symbols; alpha and omega beginning and end found also in the designs of the
altar at Gloria Dei).
If you have questions regarding the Christian faith, becoming a member of Gloria Dei, or you would like to speak with Pastor David, please call the church office at 722-3381. We would love to have you join our Gloria Dei Family! (Click here to read about the next new member classes coming up.)
SPECIAL EVENTS... On the First Sunday of Every Month
INVITE A FRIEND SUNDAYS The Evangelism Team invites you to invite a friend to worship every Sunday, and on the first Sunday of the month we especially remember to do this. Please take and wear a nametag on the first Sunday, introduce yourself to others, and take time to visit during coffee hour afterward.
WHAT IS DISCRETIONARY SUNDAY? For a number of years, the first Sunday of each month has been given this designation to provide direct assistance to needy people through the Gabriel Project, a ministry that pools discretionary funds from several Central Hillside churches. In addition to regular offering envelopes, members and friends of Gloria Dei are encouraged to contribute to this effort by writing an additional check with "Gabriel Project" in the memo, or by an additional contribution of cash since all loose money in the offering plates will go toward this important outreach ministry. Many thanks to those who regularly contribute, and may God continue to bless your prayerful consideration of support.
"Empowered by Christ's love, Gloria Dei reaches out as an inclusive, welcoming church through worship and social action."