Please join us this
Sunday. All are welcome! Our worship service begins at 10:00am. After our worship service, we meet for treats
and fellowship in our Hillside Room. (Except on Easter Sunday.)
Join Us this coming Sunday!
From September through May we also have Sunday School for youth at 8:45am on Sunday mornings. Adult Forum meets on Sunday mornings year-round at 8:45am. Please join us, all are welcome!
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.)
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.
JOIN US FOR EUCHARIST All are welcome to join us for worship and refreshments with some of our members and friends at nursing homes.
To find out our next upcoming visits.... call the church office.
We gather for worship with Holy Communion led by Pastor Carlson, followed by some fellowship with coffee and treats. Thanks to Carol Kelley, Eldora Recksiedler, and Elaine Wickstrom, members of the Health Cabinet, for helping to organize these events.
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 so many people doing worship folders on the computer, why do we need to spend money on a book?" Click here to read more....
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.)
Devotional—Submitted by Patti Maguire
By Pastor Kerri Nelson Click here to read.
~CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER~
Submitted by Pastor Carlson
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER If you have been lax about your family prayer time each Sunday, Rally Day would be a good time to start again. When everyone at Gloria Dei offers a prayer each Sunday evening, the Holy Spirit will surely move us! For new members, here’s how it goes, (each Sunday for about 15 minutes) select a set time to gather your family to pray together (7:00p.m.) You may wish to light a candle during this time. If you prefer to start with a Bible reading or re-read the Sunday lessons or other devotional material, that is your choice. Remember to include in your prayers, church, it’s members, those in need of healing, the work of the church, the pastor, etc...
Congregational Prayer is listed in our calendar for every Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m. Originally initiated by the team that attended the synod program Journey into Prayer with Normajean Strommen, it is intended to remind all members to pray regularly. Each Sunday, wherever you are, we invite you to pray. Click here for prayer ideas.
JULY SUNDAY SCRIPTURE READINGS Sunday, July 6, 2008 Eighth Sunday after Pentecost The mystery of God's ways is sometimes hidden from the wise and intelligent. Jesus associates with the lowly and those often excluded from the religious community. Like Paul, we struggle with our own selfish desires and seek God's mercy and forgiveness. We gather this day to be refreshed by Christ's invitation: "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens." In the Christian community gathered around word, water, and meal, we find rest for our souls. Zechariah 9:9–12, Psalm 145:8–14 Romans 7:15–25a, Matthew 11:16–19, 25–30
Sunday, July 13, 2008 Nineth Sunday after Pentecost Ninth Sunday after Pentecost God's word is like the rain that waters the earth and brings forth vegetation. It is also like the sower who scatters seed indiscriminately. Our lives are like seeds sown in the earth. Even from what appears to be little, dormant, or dead, God promises a harvest. At the Lord's table we are fed with the bread of life, that we may bear fruit in the world. Isaiah 55:10–13, Psalm 65:[1–8] 9–13 Romans 8:1–11, Matthew 13:1–9, 18–2 Sunday, July 20, 2008 Tenth Sunday after Pentecost It is an age-old question: why is there evil in the world? In the parable of the wheat and the weeds Jesus suggests that both grow together until the harvest. With Paul, we long for the day that all creation will be set free from bondage and suffering. Having both weeds and wheat within us, we humbly place our hope in the promises of God and from the Lord's table we go forth to bear the fruit of justice and mercy. Isaiah 44:6–8, Psalm 86:11–17 Romans 8:12–25, Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43
Sunday, July 27, 2008 Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost In baptism God promises that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. As Solomon prays for wisdom, we seek to more deeply know the treasures of faith, ancient yet ever new. In today's gospel Jesus offers images from everyday life that reveal to us the reign of God. It is like a tree that becomes a safe and sheltering home, like yeast that penetrates and expands, like a treasured pearl, like a net that gains a great catch. Even as we seek the riches of God's reign, the great surprise is that God's grace finds us first! 1 Kings 3:5–12, Psalm 119:129–136 Romans 8:26–39, Matthew 13:31–33, 44–52
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.
Music is a cornerstone to our worship experience. Our outstanding adult choir and special musical offerings are enhanced by our sanctuary’s extraordinary acoustics.
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.
Our Sunday service is also broadcast live over WDSM, 710 AM radio. This ministry began in 1942.
