“CARING, GROWING, SERVING” From The...
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1 Volume 53 Issue # 09 September 2014 Gloria Dei Lutheran Church “CARING, GROWING, SERVING” From The Pastor… heard about a ten year old (at another church, mind you) who when asked if he was going to Sunday School answered that he was too old. Somehow he had gotten the message that once you got to ten it was no longer necessary or important to continue learning about God. I’m wondering how that would work out in other areas of life: Because I am too old (pick any age, yours or mine or Willis Miles’ or Nicole Smay – that about covers all the bases!)… should I quit exercising since, after all, I’ll never play organized sports again anyway? …should I stop eating, since I’ve already reached (or is it exceeded!) my optimum weight for my height (I’m not overweight, I’m just under -tall!)? …should I stop being a student, because I’m sure I’ve learned everything that is important to know? Ephesians 4:11-14a says: The gifts he [God] gave were… to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. We must no longer be children. (NRSV) Today there are tests in numerous categories to discern whether you have “made it” or not. There are aptitude tests required of High School Seniors to determine whether they are eligible for graduation. There are tests administered at every school at specific ages to be sure children are learning the important things (or are they really to test the teachers?) There are written and oral exams for any number of professions required by government agencies in order to certify one’s profession. There are driver’s exams and hunting exams and any number of others. We tend to think of these exams as the final test, the one thing that says we’ve made it. But, in reality, they aren’t the end of something; they’re really just the beginning. If I took my dri ver’s test, and then never drove again, it wouldn’t make much sense. If I passed the test for high school and then let my brain atrophy by never using it again, I may as well die. As a matter of fact, our minds are made and equipped to continue learning our whole lives long. And even in the end, the last thing I will learn is how to die, so that I may live! Repeatedly in Scripture we are encouraged to learn more and more about who God is, who we are, what our purpose in life is, etc. Paul wrote that the Word God gives to the church is for a particular reason: to equip the saints; that is, to show each of us our purpose in the world and in the church, to build us up in that purpose, to unify the body so that it can work together, and ultimately to give us “knowledge of the Son of God” for the express purpose of being mature. How will we know when the process is complete? Again, Paul writes: When we reach the measure of the full stature of Christ. And that, my friends, is when we can finally say we have no further need of Sunday School, or small groups, or Bible reading, or what-have-you. Of course, if you’ve reached that point, I want to sit in the Sunday School class where you’re the teacher! I say all of this by way of invitation. From the youngest to the oldest, from the least to the most mature, from the ignorant to the intellectual, I believe we have provided opportunities for all to participate, in small groups throughout the week, on Sunday morning or Tuesday morning. Sooo, let’s encourage one another to be built up in the body. If you haven’t participated in Christian education for a while, or if you’ve never participated, or if you’ve always been right there, let’s all make plans to get together to grow toward maturity. Oh, and by the way, if you already meet the measure of Jesus, let me know, ‘cause I could sure use some additional training! Power to you, Pastor Pat I
Transcript of “CARING, GROWING, SERVING” From The...
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Volume 53 Issue # 09 September 2014 Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
“CARING, GROWING, SERVING”
From The Pastor… heard about a ten year old (at another church, mind you) who when asked if he was going to
Sunday School answered that he was too old. Somehow he had gotten the message that once you got to ten it was no longer necessary or important to continue learning about God.
I’m wondering how that would work out in other areas of life: Because I am too old (pick any age, yours or mine or Willis Miles’ or Nicole Smay – that about covers all the bases!)… should I quit exercising since, after all, I’ll never play organized sports again anyway? …should I stop eating, since I’ve already reached (or is it exceeded!) my optimum weight for my height (I’m not overweight, I’m just under-tall!)?
…should I stop being a student, because I’m sure I’ve learned everything that is important to know?
Ephesians 4:11-14a says:
The gifts he [God] gave were… to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. We must no longer be children. (NRSV)
Today there are tests in numerous categories to discern whether you have “made it” or not. There are
aptitude tests required of High School Seniors to determine whether they are eligible for graduation. There are tests administered at every school at specific ages to be sure children are learning the important things (or are they really to test the teachers?) There are written and oral exams for any number of professions required by government agencies in order to certify one’s profession. There are driver’s exams and hunting exams and any number of others.
We tend to think of these exams as the final test, the one thing that says we’ve made it. But, in reality,
they aren’t the end of something; they’re really just the beginning. If I took my driver’s test, and then never drove again, it wouldn’t make much sense. If I passed the test for high school and then let my brain atrophy by never using it again, I may as well die.
As a matter of fact, our minds are made and equipped to continue learning our whole lives long. And
even in the end, the last thing I will learn is how to die, so that I may live! Repeatedly in Scripture we are encouraged to learn more and more about who God is, who we are, what our purpose in life is, etc.
Paul wrote that the Word God gives to the church is for a particular reason: to equip the saints; that is,
to show each of us our purpose in the world and in the church, to build us up in that purpose, to unify the body so that it can work together, and ultimately to give us “knowledge of the Son of God” for the express purpose of being mature. How will we know when the process is complete? Again, Paul writes: When we reach the measure of the full stature of Christ.
And that, my friends, is when we can finally say we have no further need of Sunday School, or small
groups, or Bible reading, or what-have-you. Of course, if you’ve reached that point, I want to sit in the
Sunday School class where you’re the teacher!
I say all of this by way of invitation. From the youngest to the oldest, from the least to the most
mature, from the ignorant to the intellectual, I believe we have provided opportunities for all to participate, in small groups throughout the week, on Sunday morning or Tuesday morning.
Sooo, let’s encourage one another to be built up in the body. If you haven’t participated in Christian
education for a while, or if you’ve never participated, or if you’ve always been right there, let’s all make
plans to get together to grow toward maturity.
Oh, and by the way, if you already meet the measure of Jesus, let me know, ‘cause I could sure use
some additional training! Power to you, Pastor Pat
I
The September 2014 Messenger
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LORD’S PANTRY NUZ
STATISTICS FOR JULY 2014
PROVIDED
Blankets = 0 Layettes = 9
MONTHLY FEEDING
a. Families 1306
b. Adults 1598
c. Children 1227 d. Seniors 890
Sub-Total 3715
e. Homeless 181
TOTAL 3896
YOUTH ACTIVITY
Youth Director: Burt Bún
Good Day Family!
What a beautiful day it is today! Our Youth Group trip to Kidder Creek was an utter
success! Besides zero reception on my cell phone and a few fires, all could not have gone better!
Things could have been far worse and overcoming a bit of real world adversity was just another
lesson to be learned. Whether we were climbing trees and overcoming literal obstacles or
conquering the rapids of the Klamath River we stuck together and had fun! We also learned from
a devotional book from one of my favorite authors Mike Yaconelli entitled: “You Don't Have to Be Perfect to Follow Jesus: A 30-Day Devotional Journal.” What an awesome easy way to get in
some scripture, a message and some journaling all in one! Add in some worship music from some
talented youth and we had a recipe for a great time! (Smores didn’t hurt either) I’m sure we all
appreciated hot water a little more after the camping trip, but hopefully we also learned to
appreciate something else: each other!
We continue in our King David curriculum and continue to perfect our Frisbee skills.
Everything is a work in progress and we wouldn’t want it any other way!
In Christ! Burt Bún Director of Youth Ministry
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Upcoming small group studies and
discussions
We will postpone our study of The Lord’s
Prayer
September 1, 3, 4 Begin a 6 week study
Each group may choose their own study or use
a study guide we have on hand and do one of
the Purpose Driven topics:
• Connecting with God’s Family
(Fellowship)
• Growing to be Like Christ (Discipleship)
• Developing your SHAPE to Serve Others
(Ministry)
• Sharing your Life Mission Every Day
(Evangelism)
• Surrendering your Life for God’s
Pleasure (Worship)
October 12 Begin a 6 week study of The
Lord’s Prayer
Study guide by John Ortberg
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Gathering of the Minds
Sunday, September 7 6:30 p.m.
Luther Hall
Now is the time to get in on the more detailed discussions for the remodeling of Luther Hall.
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us,
to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”
Ephesians 3:20
6
THINGS YOU MIGHT WANT TO KNOW
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HEALTH MINISTRY CORNER by Donna Zimmerman, RN, Parish Nurse
Matthew 25: 4 † “The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.”
† These wise ones were prepared in case they needed extra oil before the bridegroom came, but
they didn’t have enough to share with the others not foresighted enough. Otherwise, they would have run out as well. That is why it is important for everyone to be prepared for emergencies
of any sort. The following is from the website:
Since its inception in 2004, National Preparedness Month is observed each September in
the United States of America. Sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) within the Department of Homeland Security, National Preparedness
Month encourages Americans to take steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, schools, and com-munities. FEMA's Ready Campaign, the correlating public
education outreach campaign, disseminates information to help the general public prepare for and respond to emergencies, including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks. National Preparedness Month
is a part of a governmental effort to strengthen the United States' preparedness capabilities. The national preparedness architecture encompasses prevention, protection, response,
and recovery efforts to prepare the United States for all hazards – whether terrorist attack or natural disaster. Since September 11, 2001, the US Government has taken steps
to encourage all citizens to make their own survival preparations. September was chosen as
National Preparedness Month, as the tragedies of September 11, 2001 highlighted to the nation the importance of being prepared. As of 2009, the Citizen Corps
National Survey revealed that only 57% of Americans surveyed report having supplies set aside in their homes just for disasters, and only 44% have a household emergency plan. National
Preparedness Month serves to encourage individuals across the nation to take important preparedness steps including:
getting an emergency supply kit,
making a family emergency
plan, being informed about the
different emergencies that may affect them,
as well as taking the necessary steps to
get trained and become engaged in community preparedness and response efforts.
How quickly a company is able to get back to business after a
terrorist attack, a tornado, a fire, or a flood often depends on emergency planning and preparation done before the disaster strikes. The Ready Campaign highlights three steps
to Business Disaster Prepared-ness:
1) Plan to Stay in Business; 2) Talk to Your People; and 3) Protect Your Investment.
These steps underscore how important it is for businesses to:
document their property/
equipment, back up business-critical
information, and put a response team in place.
The month of September
offers these other health topic observances:
Childhood Cancer Month Fruit & Veggies Month Healthy Aging Month Leukemia & Lymphoma
Awareness Month National Atrial Fibrillation awareness Month
National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
National Cholesterol Education
Month National Yoga Awareness Month
National Pediculosis (Head lice) Prevention Month
National Sickle Cell Month
National ITP Awareness Month Newborn Screening Awareness Month
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Whole Grains Month
†
Health Sunday is September 7. As usual on the first Sunday each month, blood pressure screening is offered in Luther Hall after the service.
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Ministry Services For SEPTEMBER
9:30 a.m. WORSHIP
ACOLYTES 09-07 Gabi Garcia 09-14 JT DeHart
09-21 Elizabeth Kromrey 09-28 Elizabeth Kromrey ASSISTING MINISTERS 09-07 Sheri DeHart 09-14 Joyce Boddie 09-21 Donna Zimmerman
09-28 COFFEE HOSTS 09-07 Robert Borregard 09-14 Joan Funk 09-21
09-28 COMMUNION ASSISTANTS 09-07 Susan Fragala 09-14 Kandra Tobin 09-21 Jane Hendricks
09-28 Sylvia Smith GREETER For the month of September: Dick Nelson
LECTORS 09-07 Ann Fitzgerald 09-14 Robert Borregard
09-21 Ann Fitzgerald 09-28 Robert Borregard POWER POINT 09-07 Michael Fragala 09-14 Gabi Garcia 09-21 Alex Kromrey
09-28 Alex Kromrey SOUND & LIGHTS. 09-07 Andrew Fragala 09-14 Joan Funk 09-21 Jean Rinerson
09-28 Pete Castonguay TELLERS For the month of September: Dan & Jean Rinerson
USHERS For the month of September: Wayne Hokanson & Dan Rinerson WORSHIP PREPARATION For the month of September:
Jill Korin & Jean Rinerson
ALTAR FLOWERS
Altar Flowers are given to the glory of God and:
09-07 In celebration of Daughter Renee’s 60th birthday, by Ron & Bonnie Nuessle. 09-14 by the Kromrey Family 09-21 09-28
iiiii SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS iiiii
1 John Rainville 2 Gary Smith 4 Sylvia Smith Ann Fitzgerald
6 Holly Ann Mlnarik 7 Daniel Larson 9 Karina Hokanson 11 Christopher Kromrey
19 Mike DeHart 21 Gabryele Garcia 28 Becky Heckman 29 Arlo Larson
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SEPTEMBER 2014 FACILITY KEY: Church Coordinator's Office = CCO; Ed Building; =
ELC Grass Area = On the Green; Luther Hall = LH; Lord's Pantry = PH;
Work Room = WR; Youth Room = YR
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30
Pantry & Church
Office Closed!7:00 PM G-12 IMDC
2:00 PM BULLETIN
DEADLINE
7:00 PM IMDC G12
9:00 AM B rown B ag/S
6:30 PM
Supper/LH7:00 PM The CODA/PH
7: 00 PM Small
Groups/LH & S
10:00 AM Worship @ Mt.
Pleasant Conv. Hsp.
4:00 PM Small Group/JB's6:30 PM Iglesia Music
Rehearsal/S
6:00 PM Iglesia/P H/LH/S 8:00 AM Mens' Breakfast/
Bible Study/LH
7:00 PM The CODA/PH
Celebrating Our
Community
Sunday8:30 AM W orship Prep/S9:30 AM W orship10:45 A M Coffee Fellowship11:00 AM Health Ministr y/LH1:30 PM Iglesia/S /LH2:00 PM LifeHouse Worship
6:30 PM Gathering of theMinds/LH
7:00 PM G-12 IMDC 10:00 AM Bible Study/LH
2:00 PM BULLETIN
DEADLINE
6:30 PM Lord's Pantry
Board Meeting/PH
7:00 PM IMDC G12
9:00 AM B rown B ag/S1:00 PM S TAFF MTG/O
6:30 PM
Supper/LH7:00 PM The CODA/PH
7: 00 PM Small
Groups/LH & S
10:00 AM Pantry Volunteer
Mtg./PH
4:00 PM Small Group/JB's6:30 PM Iglesia Music
Rehearsal/S
6:00 PM Iglesia/P H/LH/S6:00 PM FAMILY FUN
NIGH T/LH7:00 PM The CODA/PH
8:30 AM W orship Prep/S9:30 AM W orship10:45 A M Coffee Fellowship11:00 AM Cancer S urvivor s11:00 AM Chr istian Ed. for All
Ages:1:30 PM Iglesia/S /LH2:00 PM LifeHouse Worship
6:30 PM Leadership Team
Mtg./LH
7:00 PM G-12 IMDC
10:00 AM Bible Study/LH
2:00 PM BULLETIN
DEADLINE
7:00 PM IMDC G12
9:00 AM B rown B ag/S
11:00 AM Worship/Fshp/S1:00 PM S TAFF MTG/O
6:30 PM
Supper/LH7:00 PM The CODA/PH
7: 00 PM Small
Groups/LH & S
10:00 AM Worship @ Mt.
Pleasant Conv. Hsp.
4:00 PM Small Group/JB's6:30 PM Iglesia Music
Rehearsal/S
6:00 PM Iglesia/P H/LH/S 7:00 PM The CODA/PH
8:30 AM W orship Prep/S9:30 AM W orship10:45 A M Coffee Fellowship11:00 AM Chr istian Ed. for All
Ages:1:30 PM Iglesia/S /LH2:00 PM LifeHouse Worship
6:30 PM Gathering of the
Minds/LH
7:00 PM G-12 IMDC 10:00 AM Bible Study/LH
2:00 PM BULLETIN
DEADLINE
7:00 PM IMDC G12
9:00 AM B rown B ag/S1:00 PM S TAFF MTG/O
6:30 PM
Supper/LH7:00 PM The CODA/PH
7: 00 PM Small
Groups/LH & S
4:00 PM Small Group/JB's6:30 PM Iglesia Music
Rehearsal/S
6:00 PM Iglesia/P H/LH/S 7:00 PM The CODA/PH
8:30 AM W orship Prep/S9:30 AM W orship10:45 A M Coffee Fellowship11:00 AM Chr istian Ed. for All
Ages:1:30 PM Iglesia/S /LH2:00 PM LifeHouse Worship
7:00 PM G-12 IMDC 10:00 AM Bible Study/LH
2:00 PM BULLETIN
DEADLINE
7:00 PM IMDC G12
Steve Oliphant Tammy Oliphant Victor Penman Becky Penman Joe Pereira Bill Perez
Martha Perez Don Phillips Norma Phillips John Rainville Marvin Rainville Karen Rainville John Ramirez
Andeline Reed Randy Rex Kyung Rex Claudette Rezos Dan Rinerson Jean Rinerson Don Rinerson
Greta Rinerson Virginia Romer San Rositano Joan Rositano Daniel Schwartz Aase Serra Gary Smith
Sylvia Smith Joah Smith Bill Strand
Au gu st
S M T W T F S
1 23 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 1617 18 19 20 21 22 2324 25 26 27 28 29 3031
Oc to be r
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31
Septnuz14 Please pray daily for the people listed on this calendar.
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This Newsletter will be delivered to the San Jose Post Office on or before 9/1, 2014.
SEPTEMBER 2014 Non Profit Org.
GLORIA DEI LUTHERAN CHURCH U.S. Postage
121 SOUTH WHITE ROAD P A I D
SAN JOSE CA 95127-2993 Permit #1114 San Jose, CA
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
TIME SENSITIVE INFORMATION~FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY
CHURCH OFFICE PHONE: 729-7563 GDLC Web Site: http://www.gdlcsj.com/
OFFICE HOURS: Tues., Wed, & Thurs – 1-5 p.m. except holidays
CHURCH STAFF IMPORTANT PHONE #’S
Accompanists: Paul Wanless ELC Preschool Director: Rose Marie Duffy PRESCHOOL: 272-0321/[email protected] , http://www.gloriadeipreschool.com/ Lord’s Pantry Director: Mary DeHart-Madson LORD’S PANTRY PHONE: 258-7563 or email [email protected] Music Director: David Bakken MUSIC DIRECTOR: Office Staff: Jane Arevalo OFFICE: 729-7563 FAX LINE: 729-7578 Parish Nurse: Donna Zimmerman PARISH NURSE OFFICE: 729-7563 X120 Lead Pastor: J. Patrick Fitzgerald PASTOR’S HOME PHONE: 899-4343 Sunday School Director: Wendy Kromrey SUNDAY SCHOOL DIRECTOR:
Youth Director: Burt Bún YOUTH DIRECTOR: 408-729-7563
In cases of emergency, please call Pastor Pat at 899-4343
DEADLINES FOR PUBLICATION!
Sunday Bulletin: Each TUESDAY by Noon!
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER: Due in the church office no later than the 12th
of the month.
