THE DEILY NEWS-
GLORIA DEI LUTHERAN CHURCH
NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2009
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Dear Friends,
I want to let you know how much I am enjoying writing to each member a letter sharing with you the spiritual gifts I’ve seen within you during our seven years together. If you have not received your letter yet, do not even consider that I have forgotten you; I’ve been putting a lot of time and thought into each one, and am realizing my original goal of completing the task in a month was far too ambitious. I started with the church council and their families and now will continue working my way through the alphabet. Please know what a gratifying experience it has been for me devotionally to remember you in prayer and recall the times in which I have witness you shining in making Christ known! I believe a more realistic goal is to have this project completed by Christmas – so look for your letter between now and then.
Considering you each as individuals has been stirring in my heart what we implore in prayer each week during our prayer time in worship – O God, what are you up to at Gloria Dei?! What ways are you calling us as a faith community and as individuals to do, as our current ELCA mission statement proclaims, God’s work, Our Hands?!
As a continuing process of the visioning process we began with Associate Bishop Joy Mortensen-Wiebe last fall, our church council continues to listen for the ways our congregation can best use the gifts of its members to discern our call to serve.
This newsletter is full of opportunities for you to do God’s work using your hands in our faith community, in our surrounding communities and in our world! Please hear an invitation in each announcement to become involved in what captures your attention and imagination, and in what areas YOU are discerning you have gifts to share!
I look forward to sharing with you many serving opportunities, milestones of faith and always in Christ’s abundant joy!
Blessings in Christ, Pastor Vicki
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: SEPTEMBER
SEP 1 Book Club 7:00PM
THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett
SEP 2 Worship 7:00PM
SEP 3 Bible Study 6:30AM
@ Terre Verde
Glorious Young Moms 6ish
El Camino
SEP 6 Worship 9:00AM
SEP 7 Happy Labor Day
SEP 8 Church Council 7:00PM
SEP 9 Choir Rehearsal 6:00PM
Worship 7:00PM
SEP 10 Bible Study 6:30AM
SEP 11 We Remember Patriot Day
SEP 13 Worship 9:00AM
Alex Jeanty baptism
Rally Day Activities
Walk for Hunger 12:00PM
Ecumenical Bake Sale 1:00PM
SEP 16 Confirmation Orientation 5:30PM
Choir Rehearsal 6:00PM
Worship 7:00PM
SEP 17 Bible Study 6:00AM
SEP 20 Worship 9:00AM
Rotation Sunday School 10:15AM
Adult Forum: Facebook & Faith
SEP 23 Confirmation 5:30PM
Choir Rehearsal 6:00PM
Worship 7:00PM
SEP 24 Bible Study 6:30AM
SEP 27 Worship 9:00AM
SEP 30 Worship 9:00AM
Rotation Sunday School 10:15AM
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 1.
President’s Thoughts
Is Bible Study For You?
Do you have to be an expert of the Bible to participate in the Gloria Dei Bible Study? Before Carol and I joined the Bible Study group about a year ago that’s what we thought! I thought I would be embarrassed because I didn’t know the Bible that well. Thankfully we found out that was not the case; you do not have to be an expert of the Bible to participate in Bible Study!
We at Gloria Dei take scripture from the Bible; we read it, each of us offers our understanding of what it’s speaking to us. We try to see how this scripture relates to the present. It’s surprising to me how scripture written long ago can be so meaningful today! Our Bible Study Group finds that members have different angles of hearing the scripture, which helps us to grasp a broader picture of how God’s word is heard. I’ll say I never thought of it that way before! The Bible scripture becomes very personal to each of us!
The Bible Study takes has taken three different forms! (Used at different times).
- We read scripture and discuss its meaning.
- We have read the book “Shack” and discussed it.
- We have listened and discussed video tapes by Dr. Nestingen.(He has a unique way of explaining thoughts and gives easy understanding of the Bible)
- The Ten Commandments.
- People of God Gathering.
If this format interests you, please consider joining us in Bible Study! We meet every Thursday morning at 6:30 a.m. Generally, we meet at Terra Verede Coffee House in Chilton Please check with Pastor Vicki if you are interested. Michael Field
Rally Day Sunday Festivities
Please join us for Rally Day fun on Sunday September 13! We will be unveiling a new twist to our rotation Sunday School and hope all parents and children can celebrate with us and register your kids following worship! We will also be having a community pot-luck that day to kick off the school year! Sign up on the kiosk!
Lutheran World Relief Needs
We are currently collecting school supplies and full sized bar soap to be sent around the world to bring aid to those in need by Lutheran World Relief. We also need people to sew bags to put the supplies into. Please take a supply list or a bag pattern from the narthex and return items to the red school house in the narthex. Sarah Muermann
Walk for Hunger formerly Youth Walk
Please join our area ecumenical churches in a walk for hunger on Sunday, September 13 to help support our area food pantries! The walk begins at noon.You can donate non-perishable goods to the big basket in the narthex, make a monetary donation, make baked goods to share in a bake sale that will be held at our church, the mid-point of the walk where everyone will stop for a snack and bathroom break, show your support by walking, and/or volunteer to work at the bake sale or snack tables! Please see Mike Stephany and the kiosk for more details!
Green Bay Gamblers Game
On October 3rd we will be going to the Green Bay Gamblers game. Tickets are $7.00 for adults and non-youth members. Youth group members will be free. Please sign up on the sheet posted at church, which also has more details on it. Mike Stephany
Youth Chili Supper – Save the Date!
Sunday November 8th the youth group annual chili supper will be held. We hope to have all of our youth group help in the event – see the kiosk for sign up details and Gloria Dei friends – mark your calendars to come enjoy meeting and eating! Mike Stephany
PLEASE SIGN UP ON THE KIOSK TO BRING TREATS FOR FELLOWSHIP HOUR FOLLOWING WORSHIP
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.
Confirmation Date
Our 9th graders will be confirmed on Sunday, October 18th! A confirmation worship service planning meeting will be at 5pm on Wednesday, September 30th! Parents and students please plan to attend. Students consider songs and worship helper jobs you would like to participate in during the service.
Confirmation Class and Orientation
Confirmation orientation for 7th and 8th graders will be on Wednesday September 16th at 5:30pm. A mentor huddle will be on Wednesday, September 9th at 5:30pm at El Camino.
A Confirmand’s Evening with the Bishop
The Manitowoc cluster churches have scheduled an evening with Bishop Jim Justman during our confirmation class time on Wednesday, October 21 at Faith Lutheran Church in Valders. We will gather for worship at 6pm and listen to Bishop Justman present on his trip from 7:15-8:15PM. All members are invited to attend!
Confirmation Monthly Mentors
Back by popular request is the monthly mentor confirmation program. The program aspires to pair an adult mentor with a confirmation student of the same gender. Once a month, the mentor and student meet to do any activity of your choice for at least, but not limited to, one hour. Some mentors have chosen always to meet at church for an hour. Some have met for breakfast, lunch, dinner, cookie baking, golfing bowling, church outings. I suggest that at least two of your meetings be working on a Gloria Dei service project together – like serving at dinner theater, the chili supper, highway clean up, Shrove Tuesday pancake supper, soup suppers, etc. The only thing you need to bring to these one hour meetings only once a month?! Yourself. The number one thing the students have reviewed as a favorite part of confirmation is getting to know an adult at church; at having someone look forward to spending time with them or just saying hello on Sunday mornings. The first meeting we will have together, to “get to know” one another and set a date for the next month’s meeting, during our Wednesday, October 21 class time. Join us for dinner. Sign up on the kiosk – we are always especially in need of male mentors – so DO IT!
***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
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 memory of Bob Kurowski, step-father of Greg Ruechel, in memory of Remy Field, sister-in-law of Mike Field and in honor of Amber and Danny Christel.
New Members Meal
If you are interested in exploring membership in Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, please share your interest with Pastor Vicki! I’d love to set up a time to meet with you and share information about our congregation as you are our guest in a meal. Blessings and welcome! 920-898-5333
C’Ya Later Halloween Costume Party
All adults are welcome to the C’YA Later – Christian Young Adults – Later – annual Halloween Costume Party at Al and Dianne Fett’s home on Saturday, October 31! Come dressed in costume and bring a snack to share. Soda will be provided. See Al and Dianne Fett for more details!
Adult Forum Technology and Faith Series
One of the things I find myself speaking with members about most frequently recently is the usage of things like facebook, Twitter, blogging, Linked in, ipod apps, texting, YouTube, Hulu, etc. Some of you probably think I’m talking another language here, but it is actually a language many of our youth, especially, are fluent in, and these sites and apps are part of their every day life. Many of these sites and apps, when used safely and properly, can be great tools for social connection, networking, job seeking, and yes, even faith enhancing. Once a month I’d like to tackle a topic people have questions about in an adult forum. We’ll start this month with the most popular one – facebook! Join me Sunday September 20th following worship to hear me present and join in conversation. Even if you aren’t interested in using these tools, it might be helpful for you to learn about what your children and grand-children are doing!
Gloria Dei Directory
We are pleased to announce we have scheduled time slots with Olan Mills for picture taking for a new pictorial directory on Wednesdays October 7 and October 14! Zion Lutheran Church in New Holstein is also doing a new directory, so if these time slots do not work for you, we may be able to send you to one of their available time slots! Please sign up on the table in the Narthex. We would like every member to participate! You are NOT required to buy pictures, but packages will be made available to you, including Christmas cards that can be purchased in time for this holiday season! Olan Mills has also changed their pet policy again, and pets are allowed for pictures. They must simply wait outside as to not disrupt those with allergies or who are frightened by animals. Broderick Barrett has done wonderful work spearheading this project and will with volunteers be making contact with every member to provide an opportunity to schedule a time slot. You can save him a stamp or a call by signing up on one of the sheets in the narthex! Looking forward to seeing your face J.
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.
Tables of 8
So what do I like best about Tables of 8? I know, you think it is getting to eat all those great meals. Wrong! For me the best part of Tables of 8 is getting to know other people in our congregation on a more personal level. It is an opportunity to make a friend of that person I smile at, and exchange a few words with, on a Sunday morning or Wednesday evening but really don’t get to know. I’d really like to encourage you to sign up for this year’s Tables of 8. You do not need to be part of a couple to sign up. The number 8 is just part of the name. We have had tables of 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. There is a sign-up on the kiosk and I would like interested parties to sign up by September 20th. That way I can get the group assignments out to you by the end of September. If we don’t get started right away we sometimes have difficulty getting groups together. Please include your email address when you sign up, as it is less time consuming to send out an email to all interested parties than it is to make all those phone calls. If we have 4 tables like we did the past 2 years we will need 12 hosts so please consider hosting. Sherry Wilberscheid
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!
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 Rachel Barrett and Sherry Wilberscheid for leading worship and preaching while Pastor Vicki was on vacation!
- To all of you who donated goods to the rummage sale or worked at the rummage sale and to Kris Stephany, rummage sale organizer!\
- To Don and Coleen Allee for hosting the annual C’YA Later Luau!
- To Broderick Barrett for planning the church camp out and to Wayne Zwart for reserving our sights!
- To Fred and Sarah Muermann for donating office computers!
- To Jerry Jensen, Al Fett and Barb Spiegel who’ve worked to negotiate a new copy machine and contract, with savings in our payment plan!
- To Randy and Julie Schumacher for donating our bulletins for this quarter!
Prayers of Healing
- Payton Lenhardt, brain injury
- Jarod Sabrowsky, serving in Iraq
- Braeden Rockow, radiation for spinal cancer
- Jim Welsch, lymphoma
Prayers of Comfort
- Ruechel family on the death of Greg’s step-father Bob Kurowski.
- Salzsieder family on the death of Scott’s father, Herbert Salzsieder.
- Mike and Carol Field on the death of Mike’s sister-in-law Remy Field.
- Rev. John Horner-Ibler and members of Cross of Life and Cordero de Dios churches as they mourn the loss of two youth of Cordero de Dios.
Prayers of Congratulations
- Mike and Annette Pleshek on their 25th wedding anniversary!
- Amber (Klingbeil) and Danny Christel on their wedding!
- Ruth Cammomilli on the birth of her grand-son!
- Fred and Sarah Muermann on the baptism of their grand-son Nicholas Girga (Beth and Kevin Girga).
- Bill and Peg Craig on Bill’s new job in Minnesota! We are also saddened by this news, as the Craigs will be leaving us. We rejoice that they will be nearer to their children and grand-children and look forward to their visits!
- Elaine Kildsig on getting her driver’s license!
Counter Schedule
September: - 6- Jerry Jensen 13 - Allen Fett, -20 - Julie Schaefer, 27 - Karen & Jaremy Cobble
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/
The July Book Fair and Rummage Sale
Ask the congregation of Gloria Dei to provide books for a Book Fair and, oh my goodness, did we get books,enough to fill the dining room to overflowing. Ask the Erickson and Kuske kids to help move boxes of books, furniture and then help unpack books and all was done in no time with laughter.
Thank you to all that donated books, to Adam, Amy, Jason and Carolyn for a couple of hours of work and finally to all who purchased books. The money total for just the book sale was $135.00. Many more books were then sold at the rummage sale. The remaining books are being donated to the libraries in our area for their book sales.
Then comes the cleaning out of your closets, garages and cupboards. Many thanks for all the donations. It is always an interesting mix of things when we open the doors on Friday morning. Thanks to everyone that helped sort, price and sell. The biggest job is the clean-up as everything left has to be hauled away. Hard work and we are always glad when it is completed.
The total for both sales was $1000.00. Thanks
Blanche Brenwall and Kris Stephany
A Message from Bishop Jim Justman Following the Churchwide Assembly
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ;
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
(Ephesians 1:2)
By now you may have heard of the decisions of our on-going Churchwide Assembly
regarding issues of human sexuality. We have:
~passed the Human Sexuality Social Statement.
~passed the “Bound Conscience” resolution.
~passed a resolution allowing our church to create a rite for the public recognition
of same sex, long-term, monogamous relationships.
~passed a resolution allowing our church to ordain persons in a same-sex, long-
term, monogamous relationship.
~passed a resolution attempting to set all this in order for our future life together.
These actions have been greeted with many emotions as you know. Some are heart-
broken. Some are filled with joy. Many are somewhere in between.
It will be good for all our leaders and members to take a bit of a breath over this. Please
consider…
~Turn the matter over to prayer between you and God.
~Find prayer partners to pray with for God’s wisdom and guidance.
~Use public worship opportunities to pray as a community of faith.
~Talk in small groups with others you respect.
~Gather information and facts. Share conversation with others.
~Talk with those who see things differently and pray together.
~Turn to God in prayer and faith again and again that you may be gifted with the
peace of Christ in all that you do and say.
Upon my return please know that I am most willing to gather with congregational
leaders, Conferences, Clusters, Rostered Leaders and congregations as we live together in this decision.
My prayers are with you. The hope of Christ is with you. As the writer of Ephesians
reminds us:
“Speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head,
into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament
from which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s
growth in building itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:15-16)
Remember, the world watches us now to see how we will respond. Let us respond with
the confidence of Christ and the promise of his unchanging grace in all that we do and
say. Peace be with you+
In Christ’s Undying Love,
Bishop James A. Justman
The Central Lay School
of the East Central Synod of Wisconsin
presents
“Listen to My
Teaching”
- Proverbs 2:1-2
A Day of Theological and Spiritual Refreshment
Saturday, October 24, 2009
8:30-2:30
St. Andrew Lutheran Church
h
3200 South Mountain Road
Wausau, WI
Come join us for a day of learning as we explore diverse topics in spirituality, theology, Bible study, and more. There’s something for everyone! Don’t miss it!
CLASS OFFERINGS
Session #1 9:30-10:20
Genesis: Why Not Begin at the Beginning? - Pastor Sam Jackson
Tending the Ties that Bind: Your Ministry with Persons with Dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease - Pastor Karen Zutz Rendall
Spiritual Gifts for “Newbies” – Pastor Al Moen
ELW - Unmined Riches Galore! Part I Gathering & Word. –AIMs Marilyn Freeman & Becky Luett
Session #2 10:30-11:20
The Bible: A Realistic View of Its Authority – Pastor Todd Murkin
Just Justice – Pastor Brian Crocker
What makes a Church The Church? – Pastor Dennis Creswell
Session #3 12:30-1:20
Paul, Luther, and Galatians - a look at how and why Galatians was central for Martin Luther and is for us today – Pastor Steve Olson
Christ Approves Expensive Funerals! Really...? – Pastor Steve Gjerde
How to Get to Love Teaching Bible School Students in Belarus – William Kamke
ELW - Unmined Riches Galore! Part II - Meal & Sending
Session #4 1:30-2:20
Revelation - Breaking the Code – Pastor Kay Richter
Why do They do That?: An Introduction to Systems Theory – Pastor John Czarnota
What is Lutheran Spirituality? – Pastor Paulette Creswell
[Full class descriptions and a registration form may be found at www.wausaulayschool.org]
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Cost [lunch included]:
By October 1st - $25.00
Between October 2nd & October 15th - $30.00
$35.00 at the door (Lunch is not guaranteed with same day registration.)
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 September 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.
September October
Altar Set Up: Rachel Barrett Altar Set Up: Dianne Fett
Jayne Meyer Annette Pleshek
September 6 October 4
Greeters: J. Schaefer Family Greeters: Jensen Family
Acolytes Jenna Pleshek Acolytes: Austin Barrett
Abby Sabel R.J. Leithold
Lector: Roxie Ruechel Lector: Cari Sabel
Ushers: Jeremiah Schaefer Ushers: Dave Leithold
Scott Rickert Tara Leithold
Comm. Asst: Cheryl Heller Comm. Asst: Gene Telschow
September 13 October 11
Greeters: Wayne Zwart Greeters: Barb Spiegel
Acolytes: Emily Kolberg Acolytes: Max Kornetzke
Jenny Kolberg Nate Kornetzke
Lector: Barb Spiegel Lector: Jayne Meyer
Ushers: Jaremy Cobble Ushers: Allan Fett
Karren Cobble Dianne Fett
Comm. Asst: Allan Fett Comm. Asst: Mike Hetzner
September 20 October 18
Greeters: Argall Family Greeters: Pleshek Family
Acolytes: Hannah Schumacher Acolytes: Mariah Barrett
Haliegh Stephany Emily Anderson
Lector: Laurie Argall Lector: Rachel Barrett
Ushers: Cheryl Heller Ushers: Kira Ruechel
Craig Heller Roxie Ruechel
Comm. Asst: Sherry Wilberscheid Comm. Asst: Tara Leithold
September 27 October 25
Greeters: Barrett Family Greeters: Blanche Brenwall
Acolytes: Marilee Kresbach Acolytes: Trever Agnew
Dana VanDyke Christopher Jacobs
Lector: Jerry Sabel Lector: Peg Craig
Ushers: Dick Welsch Ushers: Heidi Sabel
Kathy Welsch Molly Sabel
Comm. Asst: Rachel Barrett Comm. Asst: Dianne Fett
A big thank you to all who volunteer their time and talent to assist with worship service.
