If you cannot preach like Peter, if you cannot pray like Paul,
You can tell the love of Jesus and say, “He died for all.”
These familiar words from the African American spiritual “There Is a Balm in Gilead” (With One Voice #737) catch my attention every time I sing them. Who of us considers ourselves in the same league with the Apostles when it comes to preaching, praying, or witnessing for Jesus? After all Peter had all that time in Jesus’ very presence, three years long, to learn about him and have an example to copy. And Paul, well, he was highly educated, a disciple of Gamaliel before Jesus even got hold of him.
I’ve been focusing on the book of Acts lately, preparing a sermon series for the Fall. Acts is conveniently (if not too simply put) divided into a “Peter section” (Acts 1-12) and a “Paul section” (Acts 13-28). In these chapters we witness the preaching and prayer life of both Peter and Paul, and far from scaring us off, it ought to bring us great comfort to find that these great examples of faith had to deal with their own shortcomings and foibles just as we do. The difference for us is that we have them as examples to follow. (Paul writes elsewhere, “follow my example as I follow Christ’s example.” 1 Corinthians 11:1) But that’s where the differences end.
Acts begins with a promise made to the first disciples but extended to all who will take up that discipleship which begins in baptism. Jesus promises, “…You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses…” (Acts 1:8) Without the gift of the Holy Spirit, Peter might as well have gone back to fishing for Mrs. Paul’s; Paul may as well have kept sewing tents for Coleman! If either one of them were present with us today, they’d tell us that it wasn’t their great talent or skill that made them so effective. It was the Holy Spirit’s presence in a disciple who made himself available. And even at that, Paul (read that, Saul) could hardly be labeled “available” as he roamed around incarcerating Christians!
Peter writes, “As you come to him, the living Stone – rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him – you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame…’” (1 Peter 2:4-6). Peter, the Rock, led by the Spirit, writes about his own experience. He himself knows about rejecting the cornerstone; he understands being built up; he has come to trust in Jesus in everything, whether it’s preaching (Pentecost, Acts 2), praying (while imprisoned, Acts 12), or leading the fledgling church in Jerusalem (Acts 1).
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Paul later writes, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners— of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:12-16) Paul records his personal experience of a God of grace who, out of mercy, saved even him, the worst of sinners, called him, empowered him and sent him. And he reminds us that we are also saved, called, empowered and sent in the same way.
No, maybe we can’t preach like Peter, nor pray like Paul. But we can tell the love of Jesus and say, “He died for all!” We have the same Spirit at work within us, with the same purpose: spreading Good News to our world, inviting others to share in the kingdom of God’s glory (Gloria Dei). Let us take up the mantles of Peter and Paul, through the same power of the Holy Spirit, considering the “Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the world” to which we have been sent, looking beyond our sanctuary doors and into the world around us for the sake of Jesus Christ and his kingdom!
Power to you!
Pastor Pat
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NEW SMALL GROUP OFFERINGS!
A New Series of Small Group Offerings Started Sunday, July 25
BUT it's NOT TOO LATE to JOIN
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Healthy Churches Thrive! “Kingdom Community”
teaching series, with Kent Hunter
Sunday mornings at 11:00– with Pastor Pat
In this study we will discuss 27 Kingdom Concepts that are not new; they come from the New Testament. They are major paradigm shifts– and may seem very new, “feel” different, even make you uncomfortable, however, these 27 Kingdom Concepts represent several areas where Christianity has “drifted” from the biblical culture designed by God. That biblical culture, when practiced, is powerful and effective. The whole point of the Healthy Churches Thrive! adventure is to restore our thinking and behavior to the biblical model God intends– which works, to impact our world. God’s Kingdom grows when we return to the biblical basics. We cannot improve on God’s plan!
Offload— your biases, your assumptions, your past,
your insecurities, your fears.
Let Go— Let God grow you, renew you, challenge you,
discomfort you, use you, transform you!
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“Everything Course” with David Stroud
Monday mornings at 10:00– with Pastor Pat
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Wednesday evenings at 7:00– with Dick and Libby Nelson
As followers of Jesus, we are called to seek the renewal of our world. Whether that’s in our families, communities, work or places of study, we believe it’s part of our call to both pray for our world, and to shape our culture for the common good.
Designed to give us both the biblical foundation and practical application for how we can all play our part in the renewal of culture, the Everything Course explores the theme of cultural renewal with a different focus each week.
For More Information Visit the
"Everything Course" Website BELOW
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“The Bible Project”
Tuesday evenings at 7:00– with Jon and Wendy Kromrey
Bible Project is a nonprofit ed-tech organization and animation studio that produces 100% free Bible videos, podcasts, blogs, classes, and educational Bible resources to help make the biblical story accessible to everyone, everywhere.
From page one to the final word, we believe the Bible is a unified story that leads to Jesus. This diverse collection of ancient books overflows with wisdom for our modern world. As we let the biblical story speak for itself, we believe the message of Jesus will transform individuals and entire communities.
For More Information visit "Bible Project Website"
or take a look at "What is Bible Project" Video on YouTube
BELOW
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All groups will be held in hybrid fashion, either in person (at Gloria Dei for the Sunday, Monday, or Wednesday gatherings, or Jon and Wendy’s home – check your church directory for the address) or online through Zoom. If you would like to attend a group online, please request a Zoom invite for any of the groups, specifying which one or ones (Yes, you could attend all three different offerings!) at gdlcsj.office@gmail.com.
If you’re planning to attend in person
it would be helpful to please RSVP
[Call Wendy or Pastor Pat for that]
For more detailed information on these studies
see the EMAIL sent via Constant Contact or Check the GDLC Website
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Our Prayers Are With You
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Current Prayers
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Kris (Dick and Libby’s nephew) is in hospital with heart issues. Pray for healing and understanding of illness by doctors
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Helen with advancing Alzheimers and needing care
- Healing for Don Rinerson after his surgery and continued battle with illnesses
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Wendy (Susan Olsen’s cousin) home and continues to recover with covid related complications
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Cindy at home on hospice after chemo was discontinued
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Church Doctors team and also our process with them that we may continue to grow as disciples
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Pray for protection, guidance and direction for our leadership as we move forward in our discipleship
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Lord’s Pantry: may the repairs finish quickly so they may resume operations as usual
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ELC: security and protection for all involved and continued growth in the fall
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Jim (Joyce’s neighbor) in ICU after testing positive for Covid. Give him restoration and strength
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We ask healing for Wendy (Livesay’s friend in Lake Tahoe) and comfort for the family
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Healing prayers for Rosemary’s cousin Jose Luis as he continues to recover from surgery complications. Be very near to Jose and his wife Linda and children. Give him much needed rest and healing.
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We continue to pray for:
Ron Nuessle, Joan Rositano,
Claudette Rezos, Eva Duffy,
Rosemary Livesay, Gilda and Julian Carlsen
Remember our shut-ins.
Send them a card and let them know
you are thinking of them.
Addresses are in the directory
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Praise and Thanksgiving
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Sloan continues to have an improved report
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Mark (Wendy’s brother-in-law) home after minor stroke
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Irene (Claudette’s friend) had good outcome from melanoma surgery
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Thank your Lord that Calli is safely home and back to normal
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Vera (Donna’s friend) is recuperating at home
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Thank you for the glimmer of hope in CW’s life and the hope you have given his parents
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Kim Markie has completed her radiation treatments
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Neita and Glenn have transitioned to a nursing home and are doing well
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Don (Joyce’s brother-in-law) had a good report that his blood levels are normal, and will be undergoing more tests
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Let everything that has breath praise the Lord ~Psalm 150:6 |
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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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Your Benevolence Gifts at Work
SEEDS of HOPE
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I was first introduced to Seeds of Hope through a book that was assigned to those of us traveling together to Israel in 2019. The book was an autobiography of Tass Saada, entitled “Once an Arafat Man: The True Story of How a PLO Sniper Found a New Life.” After his conversion to Christianity, Tass founded a ministry in Jericho called Seeds of Hope. We visited its facility there during our trip. We had a presentation by its current CEO, Khader Ghanim, who told us about the beginning, growth and current status of the ministry.
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It was amazing to hear how this Christian backed ministry in the heart of an Islamic community was able to overcome prejudice, fear, and resentment through its multiple ministries, providing education in a nurturing environment and humanitarian aid including food distribution, primary medical care, and wheelchair distribution, as well as various programs for those with special needs in their community. |
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Their stated purpose, “Impacting the Lives of Children and Families Today to Bring Long-term Global Change,” is strongly evident as Christian, Jewish, and Islamic people work side-by-side in order to provide some of the most basic community needs in ways that break down ancient prejudices, and help to bring about change in attitudes and lives. It is a ministry that we have supported in the past, and one that I believe we should continue to support.
Pastor Pat
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To find out more about their ministry,
click the link below,
where you can subscribe
for updates
(at the bottom of their homepage)
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Psalm 74:17
It was You who set all the boundaries of the earth;
you made both summer and winter.
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A Day of Sand and Surf
Get the Most Out of It
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Summer is ideal beach time for many. When it is sizzling hot in the city, the beach can be a cooler alternative. Be sure to take plenty of sunscreen.
Get the Most out of a Day Filled with Sand and Surf
By Holly Lebowitz Rossi
When my family drives out of the beach parking lot late on a summer afternoon, blissfully tired out by hours spent by the shore, I often say, with joyful sarcasm, “Well, this was no day at the beach!” The phrase, of course, is meant to contrast something stressful with the pure pleasure of a day spent eating picnic food, riding waves and gazing at the sea.
It might be the delirious feeling of a vitamin D infusion that makes me giggle at using the phrase ironically. But it’s also part of my way of marveling at the unique positivity of time spent on a beach. The phrase is a cliché for good reason—a day at the beach is better than a great number of alternative ways to pass a few hours.
However, a day at the beach isn’t immune from stress. We can get caught up in whether we packed enough sunscreen, whether the picnic will stay cold enough or whether the car is going to be filled with sand for the rest of the summer. How can we get back to that feeling of luxuriating in a seaside day? Try these four simple tips for a positive day at the beach.
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Image from "Beach House" by Deanna Caswell | Artwork by Amy June Bates
1. Pack Light, Pack Smart
There’s a fine line between having the right number of supplies for a beach day, and burdening yourself by dragging a back-wrenching load across the sand. Make sure you have a towel for each person, sun shade like an umbrella, a light meal and some beverages, an empty bag for garbage, a book or magazine, and sunscreen.
2. Don’t Bring the Valuables
If you aren’t ok with something getting coated with sand, leave it at home. That applies to electronics as well—if you want to bring your phone or an e-reader to the beach, wrap it in a zip-top plastic bag, or invest in a waterproof case.
3. Manage Your Temperature
On peak summer days, the sun can blaze uncomfortably. Even if you’re not a swimmer, dip your feet and legs into the water every now and then to bring down your body temperature. Make sure to spend some time in the shade, even if you’re wearing sunscreen, to keep from overheating. And hydrate—we sweat even when we swim!
4. Discover Something
Make sure you take the time to notice the beauty around you. In between folding towels and handing out sandwiches, seek out a natural discovery like a special shell, a pleasing slope of dune, or a bird helping itself to a seafood lunch.
Donna
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The Month of August offers these Health Topic Observances:
Cataract Awareness; Children’s Eye Health & Safety;
National Immunization; Neurosurgical Outreach; Psoriasis Awareness;
Relay for Life; and Spinal Muscular Atrophy
World Breastfeeding Week is 8/1-7
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HYMN FOR AUGUST
From the compilation
The One-year Book of Hymns
Edited by Kathryn S. Olson
Ye Servants of God
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In 1744, England was at war with France, and the British were expecting an invasion to dethrone George II and restore the House of Stuart to the throne. People suspected the Methodists of friendship with France and perhaps plotting to overthrow the king. Wesleyan meetings were broken up by mobs, and at times John and Charles Wesley themselves were arrested.
In the middle of the turmoil, the Wesleys published a collection of hymns to encourage their followers. The title was Hymns for Times of Trouble and Persecution. This hymn, “Ye Servants of God,” was published under the heading “To Be Sung in a Tumult.” The stanzas we have in our hymnals today do not suggest any turmoil. Still, one that was omitted reads, “Men, devils engage, the billows arise and horribly rage, and threaten the skies; their fury shall never our steadfastness shock, The weakest believer is built on a rock.”
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I saw a vast crowd, too great to count… standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb… And they were shouting with a mighty shout, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!”
REVELATION 7:9-10
Built on The Rock,
the Church shall stand!
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Ye Servants of God
Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Ye servants of God,
your Master proclaim,
And publish abroad
His wonderful name;
The name all-victorious
of Jesus extol;
His kingdom is glorious
and rules over all.
God ruleth on high,
almighty to save;
And still, He is nigh,
His presence we have;
The great congregation
His triumph shall sing,
Ascribing salvation to
Jesus, our King.
“Salvation to God,
who sits on the throne!”
Let all cry aloud and
honor the Son;
The praises of Jesus
the angels proclaim,
Fall down on their faces
and worship the Lamb.
Then let us adore and give
Him His right,
All glory and power, all wisdom
and might,
All honor and blessing,
with angels above,
And thanks never ceasing,
and infinite love.
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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.
IMAGE: Revelations 7
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July Leadership Team Meeting
was held on July 20, 2021
Here are some highlights of
current activities around Gloria Dei:
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Willow Creek Summit— Each year we send 10 people to Church on the Hill, here in San Jose, to attend a simulcast of the Willow Creek Summit from Chicago, IL. This year we have the option of attending at Church on the Hill or watching virtually from home. It’s an amazing, inspirational event! If you are interested in joining us, please contact Libby Nelson or Pastor Pat.
Healthy Churches Thrive— The Leadership Team continues participating monthly in the Healthy Leaders Thrive activities. Our Prayer Pods are actively praying. Remember to share your prayer concerns with the Team, and keep them all in your prayers, too! Our Small Group Studies continue through Zoom.
Solar Project— The Solar System is UP and Running. We expect to see significant decreases in our PG&E bill in the next couple of months.
ELC— Summer School has been running smoothly at the ELC. Our Director, Maria Nugent has been continuing to improve the facilities for the school and is working on replacing the grass play yard in the back area with artificial turf. Fence replacement is also on the agenda and will be starting soon. The play yard pergola and sunscreen have been repaired.
Lord’s Pantry— Lots going on. The Pantry is serving limited hours. Currently, they are open Monday, Thursday and Fridays from 9 am until 11:30 am. During this time they hand out bread, bakery items, canned items and products shared from other pantries. This is a very helpful service to the clients who cannot go to other pantries due either because of transportation or loyalty. All clients have been given the Food Bank numbers and information about other pantries. Being on site 3 days a week is also giving volunteers community service hours when needed and time to clean in all the outside corners.
Pantry staff are still unable to receive full capacity delivery from the Food Bank but on occasion do get small truckloads of bread and leftover items from Brown Bag to also giveaway to clients. They are meeting the needs of clients still coming and clients understand the hard time the Pantry faces from the fire as well.
Complete reopening of the Pantry continues on hold as approval for repairs for the structure await insurance approval. We will be sending out more information on items of need as the re-opening occurs. Please keep the Pantry and its Clients in your prayers.
Caring Ministry— Donna and her team continue to serve our community through informal visits at church, home visits, and phone calls. Health Ministry Corner articles are sent out by Constant Contact each week.
Worship Activities— We continue to offer worship “Live” Sundays at 9:30 AM and online, either by live-streaming the service at 9:30 am Sunday, or later by Facebook or You Tube from the churches website. We continue to do monthly communion (actual and “drive through”) for the time being.
We have returned to offering 'Coffee Hour' each week and depend on the generosity of our members to supply the treats to have along with our coffee. Please sign up to host a Sunday (share with another member, too) on the list next to the coffee center.
Music/Streaming— our Sound Crew and our IMDC volunteers continue to work diligently to bring the best sound/streaming to our service. We will be having a media consultant onsite soon to help improve our performance.
Facility Activities— This month a lot has been happening on the facilities. Our focus has been on the homeless problem and our water usage. Our sprinkler system has been repaired and reset to water the front lawn and shrubbery at the “twice a week” regime required during our drought. The Leadership Team will be prioritizing facilities projects that need to be completed including island landscaping and security fence.
GDLC Finances/Budget— Giving continues at a level pace so far this year. We thank you for your continued generosity.
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 Ernie Moore, who can help!
Church Administrator Position— We have a great new Church Administrator, Ligia Oliveira. Her current working hours are Monday thru Thursday from 10:30 to 12:00. We’ll be introducing her at an upcoming Service. Please drop by and say "Hi," if you are around during her hours.
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Greetings from Dan & Jean Rinerson |
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Dear Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Family—
We Have a New Address…. Finally!
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We are happy to say that we are new homeowners in the Sun City Lincoln Hills community. It was quite fascinating to see how God’s hand was in the details– from selling our old house to directing us to this new house with few or no other offers! In this market, we call that a God thing!
We are excited to see what retirement is really all about! We are only about 6 miles from Don & Greta, and 7 miles from Dan’s sister, Robin & Jack. We are happy to be closer to the folks to help out with Dr. Appts, etc.
Be sure to look us up if you are heading northbound on Hwy 80 – or 50, for that matter!
Here’s our contact information:
Jean & Dan Rinerson
1946 Creekcrest Lane
Lincoln, CA 95648
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August Birthdays
8 David Bakken
14 Bob Martinez
18 Ron Nuessle
20 Saundra Zimmerman
24 Joyce Boddie
29 Karen Hokanson
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