THE DEILY NEWS-
GLORIA DEI LUTHERAN CHURCH
NEWSLETTER August 2009
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Dear Friends,
One of the strongest images I carry with me from this summer happened our last evening at Confirmation Camp. During that evening, the kids are led down to the boathouse by counselors bearing drums and guitars. They sing raucously at first – all those camp songs they’ve now come to know and love - and then at dusk, the songs slow down. Three canoes with torch bearers paddle across the lake, illuming our way in the darkness with representative light of the Trinity, and as the canoes reach land, the torch bearers lead all to worship. The three torches join their fire in one Christ candle in the sanctuary, and the singing continues. The camp counselors act out monologues of Bible characters who answered God’s call when they were the same age as many of our campers – Samuel and Mary the Mother of God, for example share their faith stories, and the spiritual gifts God has empowered them with to accomplish their mission, and then communion is shared and candles are distributed to everyone to hold as the worship concludes in singing and prayer. During the recessional song, the campers are dismissed outside the chapel, gathering with their cabin members in small circles. The camp counselors make an arc, still holding their candles, and the ministers and youth leaders meander among the campers, continuing to hold our candles and singing.
One by one, then, each of the campers are called to join their counselor who has been their chaperone, their mentor, their constant companion throughout their camp journey, begins to witness to the camper what spiritual gifts he or she has seen in them during the week. The conversation always ends with the counselor praying for their camper, that the gifts they’ve named may continue to grow in them as they seek to find their place serving in God’s Church.
The campers return to their groups very often speechless, with tears streaming down their faces. After the last student is called, in what is always a humbling moment, the counselor then approaches the minister whose children they’ve guided all week, and begins witnessing to us what spiritual gifts they’ve seen in us! I know some of you are thinking, as ministers, shouldn’t we kind of know what gifts we have by now, but dear friends, God continues to work in ministers lives too, revealing new gifts and new calls, and it is one of the dearest moments of my year to hear the Holy Spirit’s call through the words and prayers of these counselors – these college students – we’ve traveled with all week!
This year, as I expected, that moment during the week was a “high” again among campers and ministers alike. It made me wonder also, how often we as a church declare for one another what spiritual gifts we see in each other, and then pray intentionally for each other to be able to develop and use those gifts?! Most of us have traveled now with one another far longer than the five days the counselors have with their campers by that point, so it seems we might have much to say to one another if we only take the time to intentionally do so.
In the next month, I will be writing notes to each of you personally to tell you about the gifts I have witnessed in you in our time together. Some of the gifts you may be well aware of; some may come as a surprise to you. I will also be praying for each of you that God’s Spirit continues to breathe life on you that you might develop these gifts.
I encourage you to also take time to share the spiritual gifts you see in one another and take the time to write someone a note, send an email, give a drop on facebook, zap a text, or even do it the old fashioned way – face to face – and encourage a member of your church family in their ministry.
A spiritual gift is not necessarily your job. It certainly can be part of it, and part of the tasks we undertake in our jobs, home, relationships and at church. But they can also be things like “You have a smile that brightens a room.” “You show up whenever you are needed.” “You amaze me and inspire me with the ways you share your resources.”
Spiritual gifts have no age limit and can grow and emerge differently in our lives. To think more intentionally about our gifts, I am also working on developing a program in which we might spend some time together in a course listening for what they are and how we might be called to use them.
Blessings of abundant spiritual gifts! PV
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: AUGUST
AUG 1 Rummage Sale
Luau @ Allees 7:00PM
Happy 5oth August & Phyllis Krueger
AUG 2 Worship 9:00AM
AUG 5 Stewardship 6:00PM
Worship 7:00PM
AUG 6 Bible Study 6:30AM
@ Gloria Dei
Glorious Young Moms 6ish
El Camino
AUG 9 Worship
AUG 11 Church Council 7:00PM
AUG 12 Worship 7:00PM
AUG 13 Bible Study 6:30AM
@ Gloria Dei
AUG 15 VBS
AUG 16 VBS Breakfast 8:15AM
Worship 9:00AM
AUG 19 Worship 7:00PM
AUG 20 Bible Study 6:00AM
@ Gloria Dei
AUG 21 Church Camp Out
AUG 22 Church Camp Out
AUG 23 Worship 9:00AM
Church Camp Out
AUG 26 Worship 7:00PM
AUG 27 Bible Study 6:30AM
@ Gloria Dei
AUG 28 Klingbeil/Crystal Rehearsal Off Site
AUG 30 Klingbeil/Crystal Wedding Off Site
AUG 31 Worship 9:00AM
Gloria Dei Book Clubs
The Book Club is reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett this summer. We will gather to discuss it on Tuesday, September 2.
Adult Bible Study Series @ 6:30am
The Thursday 6:30am Bible Study will be watching Jim Nestingen’s “Dusting Off Theology” Video Series during the month of August. We will meet at Gloria Dei. The series is about “Living With the Church” and each tape is about 45 minutes long which will leave us with some time for discussion. All are welcome to join the group!
Tape 1 - The People of God - The blessings and frustrations of living with the Church.
Tape 2 - Gathered – The Church as the Kingdom of God and as a human institution.
Tape 3 - Hear the Word – What the Word is, how we hear it, and how we speak it.
Tape 4 - Receive the Sacraments – The visible words and the controversy around them.
Vacation Bible School
VBS is planned for Aug. 15th-Aug. 16th. The children will be making breakfast for the congregation on the 16th. Breakfast will be served at 8:15 prior to the 9 am service. Please sign you children up for VBS by contacting Tara Leithold at 898-9098 or fill out a form at church.
Cookie Dough
Cookie dough Cookie dough is finally going to be delivered. It will be here on Wed. July 29th. The truck will be at church between8 -10 in the morning. Please come and pick up your dough on Wed. Bring you check book and pay for the dough. We will cash the checks on Monday Aug. 3rd. There is extra dough. We do need to sell it all. If you hae questions call Tara
Youth Group
Hello everyone. I will be having a youth group meeting, Weds. July 29th at 6:00 pm. I know it is the middle of summer already, but I think we can pull off a summer event or two yet. I would like to also figure a tentative date for chili supper. I would like to see as many youth group members and parents as possible attend so we can get a good idea what ideas will work the best. Please remember the youth group is open to grades 5-12. Thanks, Mike Stephany
Aloha!
It's time to for the annual luau, Saturday, August 1st. The party starts around 7:00. Hawaiian attire is optional, however, leis will be provided along with soda. If you want to bring a snack or hors'doervre to share, that's ok. New members, this is a fun opportunity to meet other members in a more casual atmosphere. Our address is 2119 Wisconsin Avenue in New Holstein. Any questions, talk to Don or Coleen Allee or call 920-889-1187.
Memorials and Gifts
Our Memorial and Gift program is one in which members of Gloria Dei can designate money in remembrance of people who have died (when you see, for example, “Memorials to be given…” in obituaries, often the option is to donate money to a specific or undesignated fund at church) or in honor of someone during a special occasion, such as births, weddings, graduations, confirmations and other celebrations of life. Dee Langohr and Mary Agnew are the chair persons of our Memorial and Gift Committee and periodically in the newsletter you will see memorial or honorarium gifts to funds such as: roof, coffee bar, worship supplies, church furniture, parking lot paving and undesignated (giving the committee a chance to confer about where the funds are most needed when distributing a gift.) We welcome you to utilize this as an option to remember and honor your loved ones. Pastor Vicki has donated gifts this month to the operating fund and building fund in honor of Jeremy and Tammy (Meyer) Aschenbach’s wedding and Sarah (Hageman) and Mike Gundert’s wedding!
***When You Desire a Hospital Visit***
Please read this!!! Because of the new changes in privacy laws, Pastor Vicki must be called by you or a family member if you desire a hospital visit. Even if the hospital asks you for your information, it is not always delivered, and when delivered, not always in a timely manner. Please call Gloria Dei’s office 920-898-5333 or Pastor Vicki’s cell phone 920-716-0661
Gloria Dei Church Camp Out
Its camping season again and time to sign up for our annual Chuch campout. This year we will be camping from Friday August 21st thru Sunday, August 23rd, the cost is $42.00 plus $6.30 for the reservation. Sign up is on the kiosk. If you have any questions you may call Broderick at (920)849-3991
Gloria Dei Directory
Its time to update our church membership directory. I will be forming a committee to help in this endeavor. If you are good at organizing or calling church members this committee is just for you! Please call Broderick if you are interested in helping. (920) 849-3991
Electronic Giving or Simply Giving
Please consider using "Simply Giving," or automatic cash withdrawal/deposit as your method of giving. Since January we've been in a cash flow crunch with our current expenses and the building fund. Simply Giving allows a somewhat more stable cash flow picture. Contact Colleen Allee for the "Simply Giving" info. 920-889-
Glorious Young Moms
We have a wonderful group of young moms meeting once a month at 6ish (because that’s the life of a mom!) on the first Wednesday of every month at 6ish at El Camino. All young moms are welcome!
Wednesday Worship Service
We now offer two worship services. In addition to our Sunday morning 9:00am service we celebrate worship on Wednesdays at 7pm. Holy Communion is served weekly at both services.
Gloria Dei Rummage Sale
Gloria Dei is currently accepting donations for our rummage sale which will be held on Friday July 31 and Saturday August 1! Please put all donations in the play room! Thanks!
Gloria Dei Book Sale
We have some wonderful readers at Gloria Dei so please be sure to purchase books during our book sale, Sunday July 26th! If you would like to make donations for the sale, please leave books in the play room! All books that aren’t sold on July 26 will be put in the church rummage sale!
Prayers of Thanks
• To Tara Leithold for conducting our cookie dough fundraiser!
• To Blanche Brenwall, Bev Thoma and Karren and Jaremy Cobble, our glorious gardeners who have donated much time and talent to beautifying our landscaping!
• To Roxie Ruechel and all the members of Gloria Dei who turned out for the Road America fundraiser!
• To all of you for your donations to the book sale and to Blanche Brewnall and the Gloria Dei book clubbers for organizing the sale!
• To Mike Hetzner and Sherry Wilberscheid for leading worship and preaching while Pastor Vicki was on vacation!
• To the members of Gloria Dei in the CCCT Production of Lil Abner for sharing the good news through drama in our community!
• To all of you who have been donating goods to the rummage sale and to Kris Stephany, rummage sale organizer!
• To Gary “Pete” Meyer and Joe and Miki Wise for being our confirmation camp drivers!
Prayers of Healing
• Remy Field, in hospice care.
• Payton Lenhardt, brain injury
• Pastor Tim Routh & Jarod Sabrowsky, serving in Iraq
• Braeden Rockow, spinal cancer
• Tyler Meyer, thyroid surgery
Prayers of Congratulations
• Jeremy and Tammy (Meyer) Aschenbach on their wedding!
• Mike and Sarah (Hageman) Gundert on their wedding!
• August and Phyllis Krueger on their 50th wedding anniversary!
Counter Schedule
August: 2- Allen Fett, 6- Julie Schaefer, 16- Karen Cobble, 23- Dean & Jayne Meyer, 30- Roxann Ruechel.
National Youth Gathering Live Feed
We have never sent our Gloria Dei youth on a trip to a National Youth Gathering – the national version of our area “JYG” and “SYG” that they are so fond of. We might want to begin to dream about making it possible some day! Even though we haven’t sent them now, you can enjoy a live video-feed of the events by tuning in to : http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Ministry/Youth-Ministry/Youth-Gathering/Live-Video.aspx
I’ve been watching in the evenings when I can and live tweeting/facebook messaging the 50,000 ELCA youth gathered in New Orleans!
Link to Synod Newsletter
The East Central Synod of WI (the synod we belong to) is currently re-structuring their newsletters and websites, also to be mostly on-line! You can view their newsletter at: http://www.ecsw.org/ Choose “Visions” on the sidebar, and download any newsletter you like!
Gloria Dei on Facebook
I have created a group on facebook called “The Deis of Our Lives” – on which I post announcements every week! If you are a facebook member you can friend me – Vicki Simon in the Milwaukee network - or just link to the sight as another means of communicating! We have quite a community OF ALL AGES on fb, so feel free to join in! Also a reminder of our blogspot in which I paste the newsletter every month and occasionally post pictures and blog:
http://gloriadei-pv.blogspot.com/ One last little fun link for you – a Lutheran Church in MN had quite a joyful wedding procession recently! You may have seen the link on the Today show or on the news, and I’m linking it here to make you smile and rejoice at the great marriage feast we all participate within in the reign of God!
http://good.ly/yaip6
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
N1230 Seven Corners Road
New Holstein, WI 53061
(920)898-5333 princess_vicki@hotmail.com
Ministers: The People of Gloria Dei
Pastor: Victoria Simon
Keyboard: Doug Everson
Newsletter August 2009
WORSHIP HELPERS
It is difficult to conduct a service without these needed helpers. If you cannot fulfill your obligation on your appointed Sunday please make arrangements to switch with someone.
August September
Altar Set Up: Carol Field Altar Set Up: Rachel Barrett
Laurie Argall Jayne Meyer
August 2 September 6
Greeters: Hetzner Family Greeters: J. Schaefer Family
Acolytes: Haliegh Stephany Acolytes Jenna Pleshek
Dana Van Dyke Abby Sabel
Lector: Molly Sabel Lector: Roxie Ruechel
Ushers: Cari Sabel Ushers: Jeremiah Schaefer
Jerry Sabel Scott Rickert
Comm. Asst: Scott Rickert Comm. Asst: Cheryl Heller
August 9 September 13
Greeters: Jayne and Dean Meyer Greeters: Wayne Zwart
Acolytes: Christopher Jacobs Acolytes: Emily Kolberg
Trever Agnew Jenny Kolberg
Lector: Mary Agnew Lector: Barb Spiegel
Ushers: Carol Field Ushers: Jaremy Cobble
Mike Field Karren Cobble
Comm. Asst: Jayne Meyer Comm. Asst: Allan Fett
August 16 September 20
Greeters: Leithold Family Greeters: Argall Family
Acolytes: R.J. Leithold Accolytes: Hannah Schumacher
Austin Barrett Haliegh Stephany
Lector: Sherry Wilberscheid Lector: Laurie Argall
Ushers: Laurie Argall Ushers: Cheryl Heller
Tim Argall Craig Heller
Comm. Asst: Adam Ruechel Comm. Asst: Sherry Wilberscheid
August 23 September 27
Greeters: Telschow Family Greeters: Barrett Family
Acolytes: Mariah Barrett Acolytes: Marilee Kresbach
Emily Anderson Dana VanDyke
Lector: Steffi Sabel Lector: Jerry Sabel
Ushers: Bill Craig Ushers: Dick Welsch
Wayne Zwart Kathy Welsch
Comm. Asst: Barb Spiegel Comm. Asst: Rachel Barrett
August 30
Greeters: Allee Family
Acolytes: Nate Kornetzke
Max Kornetzke
Lector: Kira Ruechel
Ushers: Dean Meyer
Jayne Meyer
Comm. Asst: Carol Field
A big thank you to all who volunteer their time and talent to assist with worship service.
Friday, July 24, 2009
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