Life is full of symbols, visual images which remind us of something that has occurred. From your wedding you might still have the little statue from atop the cake, or the glasses from which you drank your toast. A letter jacket or dried flower arrangement may bring back long-ago memories from high school days.
Peculiar, what comes to mind when we consider symbols for Easter. None of the Gospel stories give us a symbol to hang a memory on, beyond emptiness. The hand of God doesn’t remind us of shaking Jesus awake; the Holy Spirit performs no mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Whatever occurred in that tomb is beyond understanding. So the primary image for Easter is a profound absence: just the empty tomb.
Even the tombstone rolled away is not for Jesus’ sake; it’s for ours. In his rising, Jesus moves again from whence he came, beyond the human limitations of time, space and death. Within hours he will appear to the disciples in a locked room, passing through its very walls! No, the tombstone is rolled away so that we might perceive the emptiness there, and by seeing, believe.
The images we’ve attached to Easter in our culture speak more about new life: brightly colored eggs, little cotton-tailed bunnies; or sweetness: jelly beans and chocolates. They remind us how our lives are now because he has been raised. Jesus’ victory over death was for us, for our salvation. New life is ours, and there’s a certain sweetness about that victory.
Why Easter? The reason is that Jesus must lay down his life in order to conquer death. He lays down his life, sacrificing himself for his sheep, that we might live. Paying the price for our sin, the perfect Lamb pours out his lifeblood, that we might receive the blood of life and live. And the action is only complete, can only be completed, in the conquering of death.
Luke records the resurrection with angels asking the question of the women who have come to finish the anointing of the corpse: “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He’s not here! [The tomb is empty; Matthew recalls that the angels said, “Look and see for yourself!”] He is Risen!”
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Here is the primary symbol of our faith: an empty tomb! No archaeologist will ever proclaim, “We’ve found the remains of Jesus!” No grave-robber will ever sell as relics the bones of our Lord! The greatest irony of the ages is that this newly-hewn tomb is only a temporary domicile, a short-term lease that gives us a whole new lease on life!
What does it mean, that Jesus has done this for you? How will you respond to his life-giving gift? What do you say to someone who has stepped into the executioners chamber for you? How shall we react to this gift of love, “for God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son…?”
Will it be with a cursory glance at the cross and a nod of acknowledgement? Will it be an annual or semi-annual gesture of thanks? Will it be a weekly venture, for a whole hour-and-a-half, to show that level of conviction? Will it be a real sacrifice, a tithe of my time, talents and money? Or will you give your life for the One who gave his life for you?
We are on a journey together, here in this Body called Christ’s, fed with one food and drink, filled with one Spirit, loved with, not an undying love really, but rather a dying love that will never pass away! Let’s make something of it! And then let’s tell others about this life-giver, so that they can come along! Disciples who make disciples who make disciples.
Power to you!
Pastor Pat
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Our Prayers Are With You
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We Pray for:
♦ Healing for: Rosemary Livesay, Kim Markie, Pastor & Ann’s great niece Sloan with Behcet’s syndrome, Barb’s sister for surgery and good outcomes, GA with lung cancer, Richard waiting for kidney transplant (Grace’s son), Don Rinerson, Ron (Donna’s brother-in-law) receiving cancer treatment, Jolene for health issues (Joyce’s niece), Lois (Steve Goldammer’s Mother) for continued healing, Cathy Mathis with heart issues, Jean Rinerson with eye surgery, Barb’s nephew Greg with Covid, Elizabeth DeHart recovering from surgery, Bob Gill with medical issues, medical issues for Patty (friend of Gail),Joyce’s neighbor Jim in rehab after suffering a stroke, Robert (Irene’s brother) as he recovers from his recent illness, Rich (Joyce’s brother-in-law) for continued healing from surgery and infection, Rama Naik (Lindsey Jacobson Naik’s mother-in-law) reaction to meds, Wendy’s friend Julie with breast cancer diagnosis, Pastor & Ann's son-in-law, Eric Ness's family after the death of his father.
♦ Covid-19: pray for those who are infected with or exposed to Covid-19. Pray for continuing progress in vaccinations and returning to some normalcy.
♦ Our shut-ins: Ron Nuessle, Joan Rositano, Claudette Rezos, Rosemary Livesay, Eva Duffy (not to mention all of us sheltering-in-place).
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♦ Pray for those grieving the loss of loved ones: The DeHart family for the loss of Mike DeHart, the Kling family in the loss of Dave’s father, The Estioko family in the loss of Rose Bakken’s aunt Emma, the Fadness family in the loss of Mel.
♦ Struggling families for: Job & business stability, for those out of work and wondering what comes next
♦ Teachers and students enduring difficulties in education processes.
♦ Strength and rest to the caregivers who assist in the care of others.
♦ Pray for the Holy Spirit to cover, protect and guide Pastor Pat and Ann in their ministry at Gloria Dei.
♦ The ELC as they continue to provide class for students. May they continue to grow and be a blessing for parents and students.
♦ The Lord’s Pantry, Mary, Elizabeth, and the volunteers, for peace, patience, and wisdom as they continue to provide food for our neighbors.
♦ The ministries we support with our benevolence dollars.
♦ World Vision, medical personnel, and frontline first responders in the battle against Covid-19, for their safety and protection.
♦ Provision & safety for the homeless.
♦ Gloria Dei for direction and motivation in our “Healthy Churches Thrive” spiritual adventure. Come Holy Spirit!
♦ Wisdom for leaders & provision for refugees from Central & South America.
♦ Our nation, to heal our division with truth, justice & honesty, & for the world. Help heal us, Lord. Bring comfort to those who suffer, compassion to those who’ve lost loved ones, and help world leaders make smart & timely decisions.
♦ Continued care and support for: Gilda & Julien Carlsen, Neita and Glenn, Lou and Aase Serra, Jill Korin, Ken and Marlene Swanson, Lisa Lomeli, Terry Sullivan.
♦ For wise leadership and positive outcomes regarding issues of racism & policing.
Lord in your mercy! Hear our prayers!
“Praise the Lord”
♦ Kim Markie has new housing.
♦ Rebuilding of Christopherson’s home.
♦ Rich (Joyce’s nephew) for 3 years cancer free.
♦ Lord’s Pantry is back in operation.
♦ Robert doing well after heart attack (Grace’s son).
♦ Donna had no lasting problems from fall.
♦ Tony and family recovered from Covid.
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To submit a prayer request:
Please contact Joyce Boddie,
Gail Castle, or Pastor Pat.
You may also email the church office
to add people to the Prayer List.
We Pray for many people
whose names are not published.
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Leadership Team Meeting was held on March 16, 2021
Here are some Highlights:
Healthy Churches Thrive— The Action Team has met again regularly to see that we are moving forward with our plans. The Prayer Pods continue to be actively praying.
Solar Project— The installation of the solar panels is scheduled for the week of March 23rd. It should only take 2 days. The plan was modified to have panels only on the Pantry and the south facing roof of Luther Hall.
ELC– School continues. New students are continuing to join. Work is planned on replacing the back fence. Pastor Pat continues to visit each week.
Lord’s Pantry— The Pantry continues to be busy. The Pantry was closed on March 3rd for Mike De Hart’s Graveside Services.
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Caring Ministry— Donna and her team continue to serve our community through home visits, and phone calls. 88 individuals were served—7 home visits, 75 phone consults, 1 transport, 5 convalescent or hospital visit via window. Health Ministry Corner articles are sent out by Constant Contact each week.
GDLC Finances/Budget— Income increased in February to nearly match last year. The Thrivent loan has been paid down $9,158 this year through February. Healthy Churches Thrive was paid 1k over planned expenditure through Feb from designated funds.
Please contact our Treasurer, Barbara McCalment if you have specific questions. As always, members are encouraged to use the “digital” platforms to make their tithes and offerings. If you need help with any of the plans, feel free to contact Dan Rinerson, who can help!
Worship Activities— We continue to worship online, either by live-streaming the service at 9:30 am Sunday, or later by Facebook or You Tube from the churches website. Our Small Group Studies continue through Zoom. We continue to do monthly “drive through” communion.
The Worship Team will begin preparing for opening up of the service, using guidance on specific requirements from the County.
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From the compilation
The One-year Book of Hymns
Edited by Kathryn S. Olson
The Strife is O’er
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Note the pattern of this hymn: negative undone, positive done, our response. In each triad, we see first the forces of evil that tried to conquer Christ but were beaten. Then we see a more positive expression of what has occurred. Christ has won, He rises, He opens heaven and frees slaves. Finally, we respond with songs and shouts of joy: Alleluia!
The text's richness is matched by the majesty of the music, written by the 16th Century composer Giovanni de Palestrina. He was a devout Roman Catholic who created many wonderful sacred works in churches and secular settings. This melody was adapted from a "Gloria Patri" in one of his choral works. It first appeared with Francis Pott's translation of this Latin text in 1861.
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“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
I CORINTHIANS 15:55-57
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A morsel from David:
When life's troubles linger and stifle, God's promise will prevail. Overcoming sin and death, He empowers us to praise!
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The Strife is O’er
From Symphonia Serenum Selectarum, 1695
(Giovanni de Palestrina)
Translated by Francis Pott
(1832-1909)
The strife is o’er – the battle done,
The victory of life is won;
The song of triumph has begun:
Alleluia!
The powers of death have done their worst,
But Christ their legions hath dispersed;
Let shouts of holy joy outburst:
Alleluia!
The three sad days have quickly sped,
He rises glorious from the dead;
All glory to our risen Head!
Alleluia!
He closed the yawning gates of hell,
The bars from heaven's high portals fell;
Let hymns of praise His triumphs tell:
Alleluia!
Lord, by the stripes which wounded Thee,
From death’s dread sting Thy servants free,
That we may live and sing to Thee:
Alleluia!
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© 2017 by Robert K. Brown and Mark R. Norton – All rights reserved
Paraphrased by Music Director, David K. Bakken, Ed.D.
Photo by Jess Lee – at: jessleephotos
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"Man is like a breath; his days are like fleeting shadows."
Psalm 144:4
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I had a friend in high school, who, as a young adult, died of heart failure. His younger brother had a heart transplant 15 years ago and continues to do well. Dave died too early, before transplants were available. Chuck was more fortunate and is doing very well with his new heart. The following information came from the website Donatelife.net/ndlm:
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National Donate Life Month (NDLM) was established by Donate Life America and its partnering organizations in 2003. Observed in April each year, National Donate Life Month helps to encourage Americans to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and to honor those that have saved lives through the gift of donation.
UPDATE: DLA National Donate Life Month
COVID-19 response:
With the ongoing spread of COVID-19 and the incredible speed at which things are changing around us, Donate Life America is encouraging the public and the donation and transplantation community to cancel all in-person events for National Donate Life Month (April). Our priority is the safety and health of both the public and professional Donate Life communities. In accordance with the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we ask that everyone take this action to help slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Donate Life America will be taking an online approach
for April Donate Life Month observances
Please join us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and DonateLife.net to help us honor donors, recipients, and their families and caregivers. We will also be recognizing the clinical teams continuing their dedicated work during this time to help honor the gift of donation and save the lives of those waiting for a second chance at life.
National Donate Life Month 2021: Garden of Life
Based on the positive feedback from the community regarding the 2020 theme and in light of the impact of COVID-19, we will be continuing with the “Garden of Life” theme for National Donate Life Month 2021.
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Donate Life America was inspired by the springtime scene of a garden. A garden and the insects within in it serve as symbols of hope, courage and transformed life — themes repeatedly found within the donation and transplantation journey.
The Donate Life garden depicts an ecosystem of plants, insects, and other components working together to form an interconnected living system. Similarly, we each have the potential to nurture and enrich our communities through organ, eye and tissue donation. This National Donate Life Month, we ask you to be a part of this lifesaving and healing garden by registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor; becoming educated about living donation; and championing the Donate Life cause.
We wish you a Happy National Donate Life Month. Thank you for your efforts in promoting organ, eye and tissue donation and the importance of registering your decision.
Donna
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The month of April offers these health topic observances: Alcohol Awareness Month, Cancer Control Month, National Autism Awareness Month, National Child Abuse Prevention Month, National Donate Life Month, National Distracted Driving Month, National Facial Protection Month, national Humor Month, National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month, National STI Awareness Month, Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month, Irritable Bowel Syndrome Mo., Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Sports Eye Safety Awareness Mo. |
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Aero Program Status Update
by Robert Borregard
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Hello Gloria Dei Members~
Greetings from the airport where the air is fresh and clean!
The Aero Classes, which meet Sundays at 2 pm, have resumed as of December 28, 2020. Masks and appropriate safety precautions are observed and our classes remain outside — as usual.
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Current Attendees
Andres Lopez, 19 yrs and Dan Weishmire, 26 yrs from NASA Ames are working to complete qualifications for their FAA Mechanics Certifications.
Speaking of the FAA Mechanics Certification, Andrew Fragala did pass all his written and practical exams, and is now an FAA Certified Airframe and Power plant mechanic.
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Mr. Fragala is presently working in Japan where his experience is appreciated and the license essential.
He sends his many thanks for your support over these many years. And so do I! Thank you for your support, thoughts and prayers for now and in the future.
Very Sincerely Yours,
Robert
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April Birthdays
1 Danny Shewey
2 Nicole Smay
4 Leslie Ferguson
5 Irene Barker
8 Sandy Shewey
11 Don Rinerson
& Bob Gill
14 Lessa Hawkes
25 Kandra Tobin
26 Donna Zimmerman
29 Mary DeHart
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Good Friday Reflections
Even as when the slain sun fall in the purple West,
The moon stands weeping, white and ashen
So when His wounded head drops heavy on His breast,
Behold, the sad, pale face of her compassion.
~Joachim Smet
O. Carmelite
1915-2011
Easter Sunrise Reflections
HE has Risen!
"The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid,
for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
He is not here; HE has Risen,
just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.' "
Matthew 28:5-6
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If you are interested in viewing or printing the "Print Version"
of the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Newsletter you may do so below
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