MISSION STATEMENT

† The Mission of Gloria de Cristo Lutheran Church is to proclaim and reflect God’s love as revealed through Jesus Christ. † As a community of the concerned, guided by the Holy Spirit, we will strengthen one another through Word and Sacrament, witness, learning and service. † We will share our gifts and talents to reach out and provide hope to all people.

THE EVANGEL Gloria de Cristo Lutheran Church 11273 E. 40th Street Yuma, Az. 85367

August 2020 Volume 28, Issue 8

GRACE AND PEACE TO ALL OF GOD’S PEOPLE! I would imagine that many of us who grew up attending worship often heard a pastor begin the sermon with the phrase: “Grace and peace to you…” There was never any variation in the order of the words, which made me won-der if there was a reason behind it all. Perhaps the pastor was simply quoting the Apostle Paul’s words at the beginning of some of his letters to the early church. Perhaps there was another reason. Then I read a simple and common sense answer! Without grace, you cannot have peace! Without God forgiving me and me forgiving another person, we can-not have peace between us! Updates Pastor’s Bible Study The 13 week study of the Psalms will end on Monday, August 10th. The Gospel of Mark study will begin on Monday, August 17th at Noon in the Fel-lowship Hall classroom. This will be the “meeting in person class”. There will be another option!

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ZOOM (ON-LINE OPTION) By the grace of God, and with Kate’s help, there will be a ZOOM option for the Gospel of Mark study on Thursday mornings at 10 am beginning August 20th! You will need a computer or Ipad for connection. You will be able to see oth-er people and have a small group fellowship! If this is a new experience for you, directions will be in the newsletter or you can call the office for a copy of directions that can be emailed to you. Kate will also offer assistance! LIVE-STREAMING WORSHIP The needed equipment has been ordered and will be installed in late August. We will use it “in house” for a few weeks to work out any glitches. By mid-September, we anticipate the Live-Stream becoming available on our YouTube page and on our Facebook page. A recording of it will also be avail-able on our website. Directions on how to access this will be posted on the website and on our Facebook page and in the bulletin! The service that will be live-streamed will always be the 9:30 am worship, so you will have to adjust that time to the time in your time zone! May Grace and Peace be central in your heart!

Bill Timm, Pastor

Please keep Bernie and Betty House in your prayers, They lost their

daughter Paula this month. If you would like to send your sympa-

thies to them, please contact the church office for the address. May

god surround them with comfort and peace during this time.

COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

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THE FUNCTION OF BIBLICAL FAITH IS TO TRUST GOD IN HIS LOVE TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO GIVE US WHAT IS GOOD FOR US. THIS IS GRACE IN ACTION!

July Council Highlights – for August Evangel - 2020 It was with regret that the council accepted the resignation of Roy Cavanaugh as President. He has been a strong and faithful leader and he will be missed on the council. Sharon Merz will fulfill the duties of the president for the remainder of the year. The Education and Fel-lowship Team Leader council positions are currently vacant. Prayerful consideration and any suggestions for someone to serve in these posi-tions for the remainder of the year would be appreciated. And Team Leaders do not work alone. Team members are needed and new ide-as are always welcome. Call the church office and leave your name and message if you will help. This month the council asked each person “What is God doing in My Life?” We were to answer in a single phrase, but found this difficult as each of us told what we felt God was doing in our lives today. The pandem-ic was a concern and there was plenty of thanks for continued good health. How do you answer “What is God doing in My Life?” As you consider this answer perhaps we should also consider “What am I doing for God in return for what he is doing?”

Statement of Income & Expenses for Gloria de Cristo Lutheran

FINANCIAL INFORMATON

FELLOWSHIP

YOU NOW HAVE THE OPTION OF “GIVING BY TEXTING” 928-756-0091. REQUEST QUICK GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS

FROM THE CHURCH OFFICE.

CURRENT MONTH YEAR TO DATE BUDGET

2019 2020 2019 2020 2020

REVENUE $18,363 $18,166 $191,688 $186,111 $197,718

EXPENSE 25,582 28,161 172,285 162,149 175,499

NET INCREASE

($7,219) ($9,995) $19,403 $23,962 $22,219

June

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Fellowship Hour after the 9:30 service is still continuing. We have coffee and juice available for you while you visit with one another after worship! Thank you to Curtis and Carol Roark who continue to help make this possible!

Thank you to all who helped contribute to the Organ Fund, we are blessed to announce that the Organ is officially paid off! Thanks be to God!!

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HAVE YOU INCLUDED GLORIA DE CRISTO LUTHERAN CHURCH IN YOUR WILL? Many churches, including Gloria de Cristo, are blessed by members who have conscientiously included the church in their estate planning because these planned gifts enable some very important and powerful ministry to occur. Please consider including Gloria de Cristo Lutheran Church, which has served you these many years, in your estate planning. You will enable this congregation to serve many, many more people in years and generations to come!

News from Dave Anderson from Shepherds Canyon

Hi friends. I am going to lead two Fellowship Tours next year….to places I have been many, many times. You may/may not be interested in going to Scandina-via or Australia, but you might know someone who would like to join us for one or both of these adventures in Christian fellowship, fun, and sight-seeing. Both tours will include overnight stays with Christian families—two in Scandinavia and four in Australia. Those are tour highlights! Thanks very much. Dave Anderson If this is something that interests you, and would like more information please email Dave at:

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Mental Health Ministry Mental Health Ministry

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Overview Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event. Most people who go through traumatic events may have temporary difficulty adjusting and coping, but with time and good self-care, they usually get bet-ter. Getting effective treatment after PTSD symptoms develop can be critical to reduce symptoms and improve function. Symptoms Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms may start within one month of a traumatic event, but sometimes symptoms may not appear until years after the event. These symptoms cause significant problems in social or work situa-tions and in relationships. They can also interfere with your ability to go about your normal daily tasks. PTSD symptoms include: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions. Symp-toms can vary over time or vary from person to person. Intrusive Memories • Recurrent, unwanted distressing memories of the traumatic event • Reliving the traumatic event (flashbacks) • Upsetting dreams or nightmares about the traumatic event Severe emotional distress or physical reactions to something that reminds you of the traumatic event Avoidance • Trying to avoid thinking or talking about the traumatic event Avoiding places, activities or people that remind you of the traumatic event Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood • Negative thoughts about yourself, other people or the world • Hopelessness about the future • Memory problems, including not remembering important aspects of the traumatic event • Difficulty maintaining close relationships • Feeling detached from family and friends • Lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed • Difficulty experiencing positive emotions • Feeling emotionally numb

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Changes in Physical and Emotional Reactions • Being easily startled or frightened • Always being on guard for danger • Self-destructive behavior, drinking too much, or driving too fast • Trouble sleeping and concentrating • Irritability, angry outbursts or aggressive behavior Overwhelming guilt or shame The most common events leading to the development of PTSD include: • Combat exposure • Childhood physical abuse • Sexual violence • Physical assault • Being threatened with a weapon An accident Many other traumatic events also can lead to PTSD, such as fire, natural disaster, mugging, robbery, plane crash, torture, kidnapping, life-threatening medical diagnosis, terrorist attack, and other extreme or life-threatening events. Post-traumatic stress disorder can disrupt your whole life ― your job, your relationships, your health and your enjoyment of everyday activities. Having PTSD may also increase your risk of other mental health problems, such as: • Depression and anxiety • Issues with drugs or alcohol use • Eating disorders Suicidal thoughts and actions Prevention After surviving a traumatic event, many people are unable to stop thinking about what's happened. Fear, anxiety, anger, depression, guilt — all are com-mon reactions to trauma. Getting timely help and support may prevent nor-mal stress reactions from getting worse and developing into PTSD. This may mean turning to family and friends who will listen and offer comfort. It may mean seeking out a mental health professional for a brief course of therapy. It is also helpful to turn to one’s faith community. Support from others may help prevent you from turning to unhealthy coping methods, such as misuse of alcohol or drugs. Resource: https://www.mayoclinic.org

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National ELCA Youth Gathering Update!

This is the update from the ELCA YOUTH Gathering committee: After much prayer and consideration, we have decided to postpone next summer’s ELCA Youth Gathering to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering will be held July 24-28, 2022, in Minneapolis, with the two pre-events, the Multicultural Youth Lead-ership Event (MYLE) and the tAble, scheduled for July 21-24, 2022. We give thanks for your prayers and patience as we have worked through the details with our partners in Minneapolis and across the country. We hope that by postponing the Gathering for a year, indi-viduals and congregations will feel more comfortable and prepared to attend the Gathering in 2022. We will be updating our website and social media as more details become available. We look forward to seeing you and experiencing the boundlessness of God in Minneapolis in 2022! #ELCAYG2022 We have informed the boys planning to go, and there is a positive silver lining here, now that it will be 2022, All 4 of the oldest boys will be eligible to attend! As our oldest will be an outgoing senior and the youngest and incoming freshman! So we have an entire extra year to raise money for the 4th attendee! Thank you to all who have helped contribute to helping these kids to be able to attend a once in a lifetime event!

The Train of Life

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THIS IS VERY BEAUTIFUL

AND I AM HONOURED TO HAVE RECEIVED IT.

NOW, ON TO YOU MY FRIEND!

At birth we boarded the train and met our parents, and we believe they will always travel on our side.

However, at some station our parents will step down from the train, leaving us on this jour-

ney alone .

As time goes by, other people will board the train; and they will be significant i.e. our siblings, friends, children, and even the love of your life.

Many will step down and leave a permanent vacuum. Others will go so unnoticed that we don't realize they vacated their seats.

This train ride will be full of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hellos, goodbyes, and farewells.

Success consists of having a good relationship with all passengers requiring that we give the best of ourselves.

The mystery to everyone is:

We do not know at which station we ourselves will step down.

So, we must live in the best way, love, forgive, and offer the best of who we are. It is im-portant to do this because when the time comes for us to step down and leave our seat

empty we should leave behind beautiful memories for those who will continue to travel on the train of life.

I wish you a joyful journey on the train of life. Reap success and give lots of love.

Lastly, I thank you for being one of the passengers on my train.

(By the way, I am not planning to get off the train anytime soon but if I do, just remember I am glad you were part of my journey.)

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PROPERTY

STEPHEN MINISTRY

SUMMER SIZZLING MONDAY SEWING GROUP

“Why Don’t You Try This?”

When you’re going through tough times, everyone has advice. But often it

isn’t advice you need— it’s caring. Stephen Ministers are trained to give this

care by listening instead of telling you what to do. If this is the kind of care

for you, please contact the office or Pastor Timm.

We do the hard work – We bring people together – We solve problems. It takes all of us but God is with us as we go on in these hard times. My Thanks to all who work hard as we finish all our projects, it just takes one phone call and it is complete. We are in the process of making plans for the upcoming months if you see a project that needs attention please let me know. We will have a clean- up day in the fall. My phone number is E mail:

~Doreen Caldwell

Not only was July a Sizzling Hot Month, but the Monday Sewing Group was also Sizzling. The month of July produced 145 Christmas Socks (to be given to Crossroads Mission, Amberly’s Place and others), 139 Face Masks (for YRMC), 52 Face Masks (for Life Care), 21 Dog/Cat Beds and 3 large Dog Blankets (to be donated to the Yuma Humane Society). We have 7 steady gals on campus on Mondays and 3 “pick up gals” (they stop by and pick up projects). A Special Thank You goes to David Donaldson who has made face masks for YRMC and for Foothills Veterinary Clinic. The month of August we will be working on lay-ing out blocks for quilt tops and sewing quilt tops. Remember we stop at 10:00 am for coffee and treats. Come join us and make August another Sizzling month!

WORSHIP, MUSIC & ARTS

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We received a Thank you letter from Crossroads Mission for our many donations. Our donations help support those who need to be fed, and also need a safe place to sleep. With all the hungry and homeless at the Mission during this global crisis they are more thankful than ever for our continued support. We also received a Thank you letter from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary for our continued support of their ministries.

Thank you’s

STEWARDSHIP

We Are in need of offering counters for the rest of the year. If you are able and available to count the offering for Septem-ber, October, November or December, please call the office at 928-342-6002. There is a very specific process that needs to be followed, but it is easy to learn! Please prayerfully consider volunteering! Thank you!

Altar~ I am so grateful to the ladies that have stepped up to continue helping with the Altar. I am still learning so it is nice to have ladies to let me know when I need to do something. I have lost some helpers this summer, so if you would like to help, please contact me. Greeters and ushers and readers are doing a great job and we have a couple of new ones stepping up. Thank you to all of you! Shirley is still working with the music solos and ensembles for the summer and others are helping out. She sure could use more voices, if you would like to at-tend a practice any Sunday right after 9:30 am worship! Always keep all us in your prayers. We miss all that are not able to come, and many prayers are being said for you.

Lynette, chairman of Worship, Music, and Altar.

WORSHIP ASSISTANTS FOR AUGUST

PERSONAL VISITATION BY PASTOR ..

To support people at the time of illness or injury, Pastor and other members do make personal visits in the hospital, homes, and Care Centers. Hospitals and Care Centers do not notify us that you are there. Please call if you want us to know. Do not hesi-tate to call the church office at 342-6002, if you have not seen Pastor and would like a visit. After hours, please leave a message on the church answering machine. We ask your permission before we include your name on our printed prayer list. (Fellow members are also encouraged to let the church office know if someone is in the hospital!)

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES: As you read through your Evangel each month, please take note of the businesses listed near the end. When and if you need the services in any of these areas, please consider contacting the one listed here. By purchasing the ad, they are paying for the printing of the Evangel and it’s nice of us to make use of them in return. Thanks for your support! Especially during this crisis, our local businesses need our support!

WEBSITE/EMAIL ADDRESSES… While you’re away from Yuma for the summer, be reminded to keep in touch with Gloria de Cristo by checking the website. Gloriadecristo.com It opens to the home page with a picture of our church. Scroll through it and see what you find. The Evangel Newsletter is there, lots of pictures as well as the weekly bulletin and the service or Sundays. Emails: Please use the following addresses to contact the staff

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Date Altar Ushers Greeters/Comm. Assitants

Reader

8/2 Joanne Bruce Burton Cheryl Preul D.Caldwell

8/9 Cheryl Dave Griffiths Nancy Griffiths Paul Ehler

8/16 Lynette Joanne Ausing Jim Neely Jim Neely

8/23 Doreen Marge Graham Dave Graham Dave Graham

8/30 Joanne Joyce Hoeft Doreen Caldwell D.Caldwell

** We have had to make a few adjustments, If you cannot serve

on the date you are listed, please contact the office and let us

know as soon as possible! Thank you! (928) 342-6002

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES

ALTAR FLOWERS FOR AUGUST 8/2 Given to the Glory of God by a Gloria de Cristo member.

8/9 Dave & Carolyn Lester in honor of their 29th wedding anniversary

8/16 Doug & Kate Harwood in celebration of Aiden’s 15th birthday

8/23 Jerry & Penny Scheflo in honor of their 59th wedding anniversary and

Jerry’s brother Myron’s 90th birthday.

8/30 Paul & Shirley Ehler in celebration of their 58th wedding anniversary

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5 Carl & Joey Christensen 21 Barbara & Wayne Fisher

5 Ben & Judy Skarbo 26 Jerry & Penny Scheflo

14 Charles & Bonnie Rothi 27 Paul & Shirley Ehler

17 Richard & Tammy Martin 31 Dave & Carolyn Lester

1 Lissi Grill 13 Betty House 20 Kirsta Marlatt

5 Dave Donaldson 13 Charles Rothi 20 Brian Neigum

5 Ted Duffy 14 Susan Hall 23 Mary Kay Monson

5 Mary Ann Olafson 14 Sandy Raasch 29 Louise MacPherson

7 Dave Hofslien 14 Becky Werner 29 Amber Pacewic

7 Robin Marlatt 15 Aiden Harwood 31 Linda Anderson

9 JoAnn Conrath 15 Linda Kasin 31 John Laird

11 Jennifer Akridge 16 Janis Suess

11 Tom Radke 18 Oakley Johnson

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NONPROFIT ORG.

US POSTAGE PAID

YUMA, AZ. 85367

PERMIT NO. 190

Gloria de Cristo Lutheran Church, ELCA 11273 E. 40th Street Yuma, Az. 85367 Phone: 928-342-6002 Fax: 928-342-7613 Website: www.Gloriadecristo.com

AUGUST 2020

PASTOR: Bill Timm

ORGANIST: Shirley Ehler

PIANISTS: Marie Ritten & Jean Abel

BELLS OF GLORY: Kay Lee Grunst

Chiristcare Equippers: Roy Cavanaugh, Jo Larsen, Carolyn Thorene

& Pastor Timm

Stephen Ministry Leaders:: Michelle Cegon, Mike Rosenberg &

Pastor Timm

Church Secretary: Kate Harwood

Nursery Attendant: Isaac Timm

CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBERS

PRESIDENT: Roy Cavanaugh

VICE PRESIDENT: Sharon Merz

SECRETARY: Kay Lee Grunst

TREASURER: Gil Richter

COMMITTEE CHAIR:

OUTREACH: Joe Johnson

EDUCATION:

FELLOWSHIP:

MISSIONS & SOCIAL CONCERNS: Ann Bird

PROPERTY: Doreen Caldwell

STEWARDSHIP: Paul Gross

WORSHIP, MUSIC,ARTS: Lynette Layton