From the Pastor:

During the Advent season we decorated our sanctuary in preparation for the great day of Christmas with greenery, a tree, the crèche, Advent candles and so on. It has been the season of preparation for his coming, remembering the past arrival in his incarnation; his present coming in the meal we celebrate; and his yet future coming on the clouds in glory. In the Nativity of our Lord, on Christmas Eve, worship arrives at the manger. The message is no longer anticipation of what is to come, but entry into worship there. Edith M. Humphrey’s book Grand Entrance: Worship on Earth as in Heaven (Brazos Press, 2011, pg.3) explores the idea of entrance in worship. Humphrey invites readers to think of worship primarily through the lens of entry into worship. She writes: “Here is my hunch: the rancor and fighting found among North American Christians when they discuss worship needs to be placed in the context of a bigger idea. Worship should not be considered only in terms of relevance for today, or in terms of beautiful music and good aesthetics; rather, worship is entry. It is entry into some-thing that is not primarily of our own making. Worship is entry into an action, into a company, into a reality that is ongoing and bigger than we are. When we worship, we are joining, or are joined to, something cosmic (even supercosmic!). I speak these words whenever we celebrate communion, right after the Great Thanksgiving and prior to the “Holy, Holy, Holy” (known as the Sanctus, Latin for “holy”), with some emphasis:  “It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, through Jesus Christ our Lord… And so with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn…” The fact is, the worship we raise before God in our Sunday morning service, or any time for that matter, is in addition to that worship which is already enjoined, which is constant before God’s throne, which proclaims God Lord of all and worthy of all praise. With “the hosts of heaven …we join their unending hymn.”

Luke 2:1-14 is a familiar text which describes the same thing. In the proclamation of the birth of Jesus, the shepherds hear an angel’s message of “good news of great joy” interrupted by the sudden arrival of the heavenly hosts accompanying him in praise: “Glory to God in the highest!” Then the shepherds hurry off to see the evidence of the birth of the Christ child and return, “glorifying and praising God” (Luke 2:20), adding their own voices to that great and constant acclamation. The entire text is a narrative of entry into worship, as Humphrey notes it in her book. As readers of the text, we are invited to travel with Mary and Joseph, and then shepherds, as the whole world centers in on a Baby worthy of worship. As we read the text we move with all of these characters toward that center, to that One worthy of worship, Jesus Christ. Then the text even offers us the song we are to sing with the whole heavenly hosts as we gather around the child, a concluding angelic doxology most churches now sing as part of their liturgy, called “the Hymn of Praise”: “Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth.” And we further exclaim: Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father,     we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God,     you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us;     you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,      you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,     in the glory of God the Father. Amen May we continue to join in, with great joy and praise to God for all that has been done for us, that great and unending worship before God’s throne of grace!                     Power to you! Pastor Pat

Our Prayers Are With You

Current Prayers Grieving Families Cheryl Garner’s sister Peggy lost her husband and grandson Bakken and Estioko family in the loss of Rose and Bailey’s grandfather Joyce’s nephew Mike who lost his father Sylvia Cox lost her husband while they were on a business trip to Kansas City New prayers Give David direction and discernment in the next steps for him Joyce’s cousin Brenda S. moved to hospice Joyce’s brother Duane and wife Janet with covid Ongoing prayers Rosemary and David Livesay for ongoing medical issues and needed rest Harald (AAse’s brother) has ongoing health issues after many surgeries Continued prayer for the Leadership and all of the congregation as we move forward in our discipleship Security and safety for ELC and Lord’s Pantry and all involve

We continue to pray for:  Ron Nuessle, Joan Rositano, Claudette Rezos, Eva Duffy, Rose Marie 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

Mike Glantz home recuperating after being hospitalized Thank you for the blessings of a wonderful Christmas with families

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord ~Psalm 150:6

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

Leviticus 19:14 Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the Lord.

It's hard to imagine anyone would want to put a stumbling block in front of a blind person. The following information came from Glaucoma.org

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month An Important Time to Spread the Word About this Sight-stealing Disease

More than 3 million people in the United States have glaucoma. The National Eye Institute projects this number will reach 4.2 million by 2030, a 58 percent increase. Glaucoma is called "the sneak thief of sight" since there are no symptoms and once vision is lost, it's permanent. As much as 40% of vision can be lost without a person noticing. Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. Moreover, among African American and Latino populations, glaucoma is more prevalent. Glaucoma is 6 to 8 times more common in African Americans than Caucasians. Over 3 million Americans, and over 60 million people worldwide, have glaucoma. Experts estimate that half of them don't know they have it. Combined with our aging population, we can see an epidemic of blindness looming if we don't raise awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations to preserve vision. The World Health Organization estimates that 4.5 million people worldwide are blind due to glaucoma. Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that gradually steal sight without warning. Although the most common forms primarily affect the middle-aged and the elderly, glaucoma can affect people of all ages. Vision loss is caused by damage to the optic nerve. This nerve acts like an electric cable with over a million wires. It is responsible for carrying images from the eye to the brain. There is no cure for glaucoma—yet. However, medication or surgery can slow or prevent further vision loss. The appropriate treatment depends upon the type of glaucoma among other factors. Early detection is vital to stopping the progress of the disease. Types of Glaucoma There are two main types of glaucoma: primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and angle-closure glaucoma. These are marked by an increase of intraocular pressure (IOP), or pressure inside the eye. When optic nerve damage has occurred despite a normal IOP, this is called normal tension glaucoma. Secondary glaucoma refers to any case in which another disease causes or contributes to increased eye pressure, resulting in optic nerve damage and vision loss. Donna

JANUARY OBSERVANCES: Cervical Health Awareness, National Birth Defects Prevention, National Blood Donor, National Glaucoma Awareness, National Radon Action, National Slavery and Human Trafficking, Thyroid Awareness, & National Folic Acid Awareness Week 1/2-8  Healthy Weight Week 1/9-15

The December Leadership Team 2021 Although the Leadership Team did not meet in December, things were busy around the Gloria Dei campus during the month.

Here are some highlights of current activities around Gloria Dei:

Elections of Officers At the December Congregational Meeting on December 5th, the following slate of officers was accepted by acclamation: Team Leader– Jon Kromrey Treasurer– Barbara McCalment At Large Members– Wendy Kromrey, David Livesay, Dick Nelson, Libby Nelson Audit Team– Kim Markie ELC– Students prepared for the holidays and celebrated with a special presentation (and luncheon) on Friday December 17, 2021. The ELC will be closed for 2 weeks during the holidays. Lord’s Pantry– The December Food Giveaway was held December 15th, 16th and 17th. 200 Families received Christmas food baskets this year. A Gift Giveaway was held on the 16th and 17th. Parents were able to “shop” for gifts for their children. Gifts were provided for 72 girls and 81 boys.  Many thanks to all who contributed food, presents and their help.   Please keep the Pantry and its Clients in your prayers.   Care Ministry– Despite the ongoing Covid restrictions, Donna and the Care Ministry 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. “Coffee Hour” continues each week. A Cookie Sharing took place on Sunday, December 19th during Coffee Hour. We 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.  Facility Activities– Progress on the installation of the Security Fence is continuing. Until construction is complete, the Security Guard will continue being onsite in the nighttime hours. GDLC Finances/Budget– At the December Congregational Meeting on December 5th, the proposed budget was approved. We thank you for your continued donations. Please continue to give generously. 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! Save the Date Congregational Meeting, Sunday, February 6th at 6:30 We will be reviewing the Annual Reports and electing members to the Nominating Committee and the Benevolence Team. This will be a ZOOM meeting.

12 Ernie Moore 13 Kimberley Stern 15 Holly Hawkes & Claudette Rezos 27 Rosa Marie Livesay & Raina West 28 Libby Nelson 29 Jean Rinerson