From the Pastor:

Although, with our journey through the Bible continuing on Sunday mornings, we are not currently reading the assigned texts for the liturgical year, still the texts will be familiar to you. In a past issue of Sundays and Seasons the author wrote, “A vision from the prophet Isaiah places natural enemies of the animal world next to each other in a peaceable kingdom. This vision has been rendered by artists and proclaimed by preachers. Hurting and destroying others is forbidden. The weak and powerless, the poor and sorrowful will have God as their advocate and deliverer. For at least the four weeks of Advent, the church sets this hopeful vision and divine promise next to stories of wars and conflict, demands for privilege, and muffled cries of the poor and powerless.”

The assigned Old Testament lessons focus on Isaiah’s prophecies regarding peace in the world. Peace is not simply the absence of armed conflict, but so much more – beating swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks; learning the ways of peace instead of the ways of warfare; inviting us to become peacemakers.

The Epistles of the season urgently call humanity to repentance. God has promised “the Coming One,” and God’s intent is to offer hope in the midst of trial and fear, even when, maybe especially when peace is evasive. The letter writer shares the benediction: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). It reminds us that we come with “the hopes and fears of all the years” to be met in Jesus Christ in the days yet to come, facing them with the joy and peace of faith. The “already” and the “not yet” collide in our world and we hold them in tension but we ourselves are held by our God.

The Advent Gospels warn us to “Be Prepared!” And they unavoidably point to Emmanuel, God in our midst, who pitches his tent among us. And it is this Good News that the angels are restrained to tell until that evening service late in the month.

In our world, Advent is shoved aside, getting ready for the happiest of holidays with frantic searches for just the right gift, late night regimens of “some assembly required,” a calendar about to fall off the wall from the weight of ink recording more and more to do. The stores have Christmas in full swing, even if they don’t quite get the gist of the message that the gift has already been purchased, lovingly wrapped, delivered and revealed.

I hear that in Israel during Advent, neither Christmas decoration nor present purchasing pressure decorates the season. It is there that the great promise of Advent is truly palpable. Look back at those Advent lessons: they challenge us regarding peacemaking and war-mongering; they remind us of the great needs of the poor, the disadvantaged, the disenfranchised, the powerless who need us to consider their plight more often than when we pass the Christmas kettles of the Salvation Army; they call us to radical repentance and transforming hope.

All of these lessons stir up a new vision, a vision of a world in which God comes into our midst. While the world tries to define Christmas in a way that mutes the Advent message, the church has the responsibility AND the opportunity to proclaim that Advent is not a wet blanket on festivity, but rather a house-cleaning that prepares us to celebrate the incredible gift God has given to us in Jesus Christ.

May this season of pregnant expectation give you time to reflect and recall the wondrous fulfillment of all God’s hopes and dreams in the coming of the Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. He is risen, indeed!

Power to you!

Pastor Pat

Current Prayers

New Prayers:

• Healthy pregnancy for Lindsey as they await the arrival of baby Penelope in February
• Persecuted Christians in Afghanistan and throughout the world
• Housing for John
• Health and healing for Marie
• Kandra’s friend Patsy awaiting lung transplant
• Grace's daugter-in-law Lucy being tested for liver cancer

• Grieving Families: 
• Rinerson family as they grieve the loss of Don
• Susan’s friend Margie and family in the loss of her husband Dave
• Reuben’s friend Pat and family after the loss of his brother Andy
• Gary Berkland and family in the death of his wife 
• Dennis’ sister Janet Bergherr and family in the death of her husband Jim
• May God’s peace and comfort be with the family of Janelle following her death
• Susan Olsen’s cousin Rick Georgeson’s family as they grieve his loss
• Jim Marcella and family in the death of his wife Linda

Prayers for those with ongoing issues:

• Ray Heckman making slow progress in rehab center after a fall 
• Donna’s brother-in-law Ron now in a rehab center getting care he needs
• Joyce’s cousin Janet with surgical hip wound not healing
• Grace’s son Richard improving and is back on transplant list
• David’s friend Nic Ford with liver cancer

Prayers for continued healing after surgery:

• Shannon will be starting radiation soon after Thanksgiving
• Libby’s neighbor Janis recovering from lung cancer surgery
• Kim’s brother Frank is improving after more toe surgery and now waiting for stent in his leg
• Wendy as she continues to heal after surgery on her arm

Ongoing Empowering Prayers:

• Be with the leaders and people throughout the war torn areas of the world. Grant them peace, comfort, healing and the wisdom to make good decisions.
• Give guidance and peace to so many with mental health issues
• Continue to keep the prayer thread partners, call and transition teams in prayer as the call process continues

† Debbie doing very well after successful knee and carpal tunnel surgery

† Kathy Miller is approved to drive and will

be back caring for Joan in December

† Thank you for the joy of the coming baby, Jesus during this advent season

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 whose names are not published

Then Sings My Soul: Book 2

By Robert J. Morgan

We Sing, Emmanuel, Thy Praise

Paul Gerhardt might be called the “Charles Wesley of Germany,” for he was a prolific hymnist who gave Lutheranism some of its warmest hymns.

Paul grew up in Grafenhaynichen, Germany, where his father was mayor. This village near Wittenberg was devastated by the Thirty Years’ War, and Paul’s childhood was marked by scenes of bloodshed and death. But he had a good mind and heart, and he enrolled at the University of Wittenberg at age twenty-one.

After graduation, Paul found a job in Berlin tutoring children. During this time, encouraged by Johann Crüger, choirmaster at Berlin’s St. Nicholas Church, he began writing hymns. When Crüger published a hymnbook in 1648, Paul was delighted to find his hymns in it. Others were added to later editions. In all, Gerhardt wrote 123 hymns. His hymnody reflects the shift from the rugged theological hymns of Luther to the more subjective, devotional songs of German Pietistic revival. Best known are “Give to the Winds Your Fear,” “Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me,” and “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” (which he translated).

Paul was ordained into the ministry at age forty-four and began preaching in and around Berlin. In 1651, he became chief pastor at Mittenwalde, just outside Berlin, and later he returned to Berlin to labor at St. Nicholas Church alongside his mentor, Johann Crüger.

At that point, however, Paul became embroiled in a conflict with the Elector Friedrich Wilhelm, who wanted Lutheran clergymen to sign an edict limiting their freedom of speech on theological matters. Refusing, Paul was deposed from his pulpit in February of 1666. He was even forbidden to lead private worship in his home. During this time, four of his five children died, and in 1668, his wife also passed away.

Late that year, 1668, Paul assumed the pastorate of the Lutheran church in Lübben an der Spree, where he ministered faithfully until his death on May 27, 1676. He was buried in the crypt beneath the altar of the church where he preached. Today, the church is known locally as the “Paul Gerhardt Church,” and a monument at the entrance reminds visitors of the church’s famous pastor-poet.

This Christmas carol, “We Sing, Emmanuel, Thy Praise,” has a hauntingly beautiful melody that seems to express the sorrows through which Gerhardt passed. But the words are full of praise, every verse ending in an exuberant, “Hallelujah!” Just like Gerhardt’s life.

I will be glad and rejoice in You;

I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.

PSALM 9:2

We Sing, Emmanuel, Thy Praise

Tune: Nikolaus Hermannr

Text: Paul Gerhardt

We sing, Emmanuel, Thy praise,

Thou Prince of Life and Fount of grace,

Thou Flow’r of heav’n and Star of morn,

Thou Lord of lords, Thou virgin born.

Hallelujah!

For Thee, since first the world was made,

So many hearts have watched and prayed;

The patriarchs’ and prophets’ throng

For Thee have hoped and waited long.

Hallelujah!

Now art Thou here, Thou ever blest!

In lowly manger dost Thou rest.

Thou, making all things great, art small;

So poor art Thou, yet clothes all.

Hallelujah!

But I, Thy servant, Lord, today

Confess my love and freely say,

I love Thee truly, but I would

That I might love Thee as I should.

Hallelujah!

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those

who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18

Broken hearted people have a rough time. Sometimes they can’t even think of where to turn for help. The fortunate ones know to turn to God first. Other remedies may also be needed. During this week of Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness we hope to help those affected find needed help and know it may resolve once more sun is available. 

The information below came from: 

Seasonal Affective Disorder

Some people experience a serious mood change during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight. This condition is called seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. SAD is a type of depression. It usually lifts during spring and summer.

Symptoms

Not everyone with SAD has the same symptoms. They include

• Sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings
• Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness or helplessness
• Irritability, restlessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
• Fatigue and decreased energy
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions
• Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
• Changes in weight
• Thoughts of death or suicide

Get Help

SAD may be effectively treated with light therapy. But nearly half of people with SAD do not respond to light therapy alone. Antidepressant medicines and talk therapy can reduce SAD symptoms, either alone or combined with light therapy. 

Donna

December Observances: Nat’l Drunk & Drugged Driving Prevention, Safe Toys and Gifts, World AIDS Day 12/1 & National Hand Washing Awareness Week is 12/1-8, Chron’s Disease & Colitis Awareness Week 12/1-7

Older Driver’s Safety Week is 12/5-11.

Here are some of the highlights of the current activities around campus:

ELC– Daily activities at the ELC continue going well. The student population is down a bit, but all is going well. A new teacher has been hired. A great new Play Structure was donated by Costco. Many thanks to the parent who arranged the donation and to Sal and Pastor Pat for delivering it to the ELC. 

Lord’s Pantry– Business continues to boom at the Pantry, as we continue to supply food to more of our neighbors. We are feeding 150-160 clients daily. Cash donations are at a very low level. Please consider donating if you are able, and encourage your friends and neighbors to support the Pantry and assist with continuing utility expenses. Thanksgiving Giveaway was held on November 17 and 18. The Christmas Giveaway (both food and presents for children) is scheduled for December 19, 20 and 21st. We will be sending out information about requests for donations for food and gifts soon. Please keep the Pantry in your prayers.

Care Ministry– Our Care Team continues to be very active with Informal visits at church, home visits, and phone calls. Over 110 clients continue being served each month. Donna continues to create Health Ministry Corner articles, which are sent out by Constant Contact each week and a monthly Messenger article.

Worship Activities– Attendance at worship on Sundays at 9:30 AM continues growing and we’re starting to see some new faces, too. Online worship, either by live-streaming the service at 9:30 am Sunday, or later by Facebook or You Tube from the church’s website, is going strong too. 

We continue to do bi-monthly communion (in person) on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. “Drive through” communion continues on the first Sunday only. Please watch your Constant Contact announcements for times.“Coffee Hour” continues each week. Coffee is always available but individuals provide the cookies, coffeecake, donuts, etc. If no one signs up, things get a little sparse. Please sign up to host a Sunday on the list next to the coffee center. Flowers really brighten up our service. Please consider bringing flowers (you take them home after the service) and sign up on the Flower Chart in the Narthex.

Christmas Eve services will be held on December 24th and this year Christmas Day is Sunday. The Worship Team is planning a special Coffeehouse service in Luther Hall with Carols and Stories. See Holiday Happening at Gloria Dei for more information.

Facility Activities– Since the fence has been installed, vandalism on the campus has been reduced significantly. Lots of activity takes place during the week to repair and update the Campus. Ben, Dennis and Sal have been doing lots of repair and maintenance work around the Campus. We continue in the process of revamping our website (for the Church and Pantry) to make it easier to use and more appealing. We’ll let you know when it’s up and running.

GDLC Finances/Budget– Contributions for the year continue to be on the low side. A Congregational Meeting to present the 2023 Budget was held via Zoom on Sunday, November 27th. We thank you for all your support for Gloria Dei. Our Treasurer, Barbara McCalment can answer any questions on the best way to give online. 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. A QR code is now available to make online giving easier. 

Call and Transition Team Activities– The 2 Teams are busy with activities in preparation for Pastor Pat’s retirement. The Call Team continues to work hard to find the right individual that God is calling. We have done a 2nd interview with one Candidate and continue looking for additional candidates.

More Appreciation Activities will be held in the next few months to thank all who work so hard for God’s glory at Gloria Dei.

Watch your bulletin, Messenger and Constant Contact messages for upcoming events.

ITEMS TO NOTE FROM OUR BUDGET MEETING

November 27, 2022

Thrivent Choice:

Thrivent no longer gives a reminder to us when we have money in our account that can be donated, so if you are wanting to do that, please note that it will be up to you to remember. Thrivent also seems to move things around on their website which can make finding the right spot for the process of donation hard to find.

The current steps to make a selection are:

• My Thrivent
• Membership overview
• Scroll down to Thrivent Choice
• Select direct Choice Dollars



Gloria Dei’s commitment for Healthy Churches Thrive has been fulfilled and further contributions toward that are no longer needed. When making the weekly/monthly donation, please adjust your designations on the offering envelopes. You are encouraged to change that to Forward in Faith to support our hope to completely pay off the loan by June. Support to our other missions is also appreciated. If you are making your contribution via Simply Giving, please contact Ernie Moore to make the adjustment.