Beginning with the first Sunday of October and continuing through November, I will be focusing my messages on the book of the Bible entitled “Acts” or “The Acts of the Apostles.” A few notes before we get started… The title “Acts” was not originally attached to the book – that didn’t come about until the second century. Originally Luke and Acts were two volumes of a single work. Then in the second century, when the second volume began to circulate independently, it gained the title “The Acts of the Apostles.” Thinking about that, note that the story is not really about all of the apostles – only three of the original apostles are even included – Peter, James, and John – and the latter two are only mentioned in passing. You might say that the Book of Acts is really about two of the apostles, so it might be called “The Acts of Peter and Paul.” Going further, you might note in reading the book that Peter is practically dropped from the story after his arrest and deliverance at the hands of an angel in chapter 12. The following 16 chapters revolve around Paul and his missionary journeys. That makes sense, as Luke is identified as a disciple and traveling partner with Paul.
One thing to remember is that Acts is not a history of the early church – it leaves out far too many details to be a faithful accounting of the early church: the rise of elders in the church isn’t fully explained; how Jesus’ half-brother James comes to the fore in Acts 15 isn’t divulged; what Paul did in Tarsus after his conversion is left in the shadows. Indeed, we read nothing of where the other apostles carry the message, though we know from history that it extends from Spain to India to North Africa before the end of the first century. The point is, rather than a history of the early church, Luke is relating a story which describes the main impetus as the church is extended from Jerusalem to Rome.
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The primary emphasis in the book of Acts is the activity of the Holy Spirit. This is especially significant when you think that in the two volumes of Luke’s writing, the first volume, “The Gospel of Luke,” focused on Jesus in the “days of his flesh,” as Hebrews 5:7 identifies them, while the second volume continues that ministry through the work and presence of the Holy Spirit. Luke summarizes the gospel he wrote in Acts 1:1, saying, “The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach…” That’s the Gospel of Luke. He then emphasizes in this introductory portion of his book that Jesus tells the disciples to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit, already promised, when he says, “… you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) One might make the case for titling the book instead 'The Acts of the Holy Spirit'!
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By the way, Theophilus, the recipient of this book, is also identified in Luke 1:3 as “…most excellent Theophilus,” which might indicate that he was a prominent man of high rank and possibly a Roman. Little is known about him for certain, and indeed, since the name literally means “lover of God,”it may even be a generic term on Luke’s part to indicate any who desires a deeper knowledge of God through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Your guess is as good as mine!
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The Open Bible (New American Standard) summarizes: “Acts is our best guidebook in understanding the working of the Holy Spirit through the Church and in the world… Acts gives us a profound understanding of the nature and mission of the Church.” And I think that’s as good a reason as any to search through and understand our own mission as Christ’s church in this place!
Power to you!
Pastor Pat
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Our Prayers Are With You
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Current Prayers
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Pray for continued healing and relief from pain for Eva.
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Don Rinerson in radiation treatments.
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Kim Markie with health issues
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Bob Gill with health issues.
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May Rose Marie have continued success for ongoing medical issues. Give both she and David much needed rest.
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Church Doctors team and also our process with them that we may continue to grow as disciples. May the upcoming event being planned for October be successful.
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Pray for protection, guidance and direction for our leadership as we move forward in our discipleship
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ELC: security and protection for all involved
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ELC and Pantry combined fundraiser... may it be successful.
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For all who grieve lost friends and family.
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Remember Kim Markie in the loss of her brother.
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Ian Macintosh had surgery for possible cancer and awaiting results.
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Harold (Aase’s brother) with cancer and treatment pending.
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We continue to pray for:
Ron Nuessle, Joan Rositano,
Claudette Rezos, Eva Duffy,
Rose Marie Livesay,
Joan Beecher,
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
We can still worship in person in our Sanctuary in spite of the virus
The Lord’s Pantry has the green light to reopen!!! Hallelujah!
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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
Lutheran Bible Translators
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Rob and Eshinee Veith have served with
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Rob assists in the development of print and non-print materials used for encouraging more indigenous forms of worship, evangelism, and discipleship. He also does audio recordings of translated Scripture for local use in oral preference language communities and for distribution in digital media. Since 2006, he has assisted with the development of Scripture and worship materials in 14 languages in 6 countries.
Eshinee came to an awareness of the profound need for Bible translation while a missionary with YWAM in the 1990s. In early 2011, she assumed the role of Linguist Exegete working towards a publishable Shiyeyi New Testament. In 2017, she became the training coordinator for all of Lutheran Bible Translators global work, identifying and implementing training needs for missionaries, international partners, and office staff.
Here are a few words from their most recent newsletter
Far Trekkin' News from Rob and Eshinee Veith
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Marking the Moment by Eshinee
In early July, I flew to Concordia, MO for the Concordia Mission Institute. This was both my first work trip since early 2020 and the first time that CMI was held in-person since July 2019. CMI had been entirely online last year, using the Zoom and Canvas platforms. This year, given that there were still many people who were unable to travel to the US, we decided to hold a hybrid event; all sessions were simultaneously attended in rooms and broadcast online as Zoom meetings, with the presenter’s laptop acting as the camera for the broadcast. It was a wild idea that (mostly) worked, though not without both the challenges one would anticipate… and many that I did not. Still, by most reports, the event was a success. A highlight for me was narrating and directing the Rocky Soil Scripture Show, a live reading of the entire Gospel of Mark.....
To read more from Eshinee and see
the entire newsletter CLICK on the Link Below
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Not a Doctor by Rob
Things still haven’t returned to normal for us, but in recent months, we’ve had a few experiences which suggest a potential return to our ministries as they were. In July, Eshinee went to Concordia, MO to help in the coordination of the Concordia Mission Institute (CMI), Lutheran Bible Translators’ annual gathering of missionaries and staff (she talks about her experiences there in the other article in this newsletter). I did not attend CMI this year because it coincided with the Global Consultation on Arts and Music in Mission (GCAMM), a biennial gathering of those of us who work in the field of ethnodoxology. While CMI met in person this year, GCAMM occurred online, with participants “zooming in” literally from all over the planet. I last attended GCAMM in Nairobi as a presenter. It was great to be able to attend with no responsibilities.....
To read more from Mark and get
the entire newsletter CLICK on the Link Below
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Join us October 2nd for the
Food Truck & Flea Market Festival
A Fundraiser for the Lord's Pantry
and the Children's Early Learning Center
BRING YOUR FAMILY INVITE YOUR FRIENDS
AND JOIN IN THE FUN!!!
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Psalm 84:11
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord bestows favor
and honor; no good thing does He withhold from
those whose walk is blameless.
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Immune System Health
It sounds as if when we walk a blameless life
we should have good immunity.
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6 Ways to Keep Your Immune System Healthy
Your immune system plays a vital role in keeping you healthy. It’s your personal line of defense against sickness, infection, and disease. You can keep your immune system strong by practicing healthy habits.
Here are steps you can take to help keep your immune system healthy.
1. Protect yourself from infections
When your immune system is working to kill a virus or disease, it can take a toll on your overall health. So, it’s important to avoid infections whenever possible. Simple things you can do to help protect yourself include:
Practice proper hygiene
Wash your hands, avoid touching your face, and shower or bathe regularly.
Get vaccinated
One of the best ways to strengthen your immune system is by staying up to date on your vaccinations — especially during this year’s flu season. Getting your flu shot will reduce your risk of getting the flu, which will help keep your immune system healthy. And if you haven’t already, remember to get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you can.
Get recommended health screenings
Health conditions like heart disease or type 2 diabetes can weaken your immune system. But these diseases can often be prevented — especially if the warning signs are caught early. Going to preventive care visits may help your doctor catch the early signs of a disease before it causes serious health complications.
2. Eat healthy
Studies have shown that malnutrition — or a poor diet — can weaken our immune systems. To keep your immune system strong, give your body the nutrients it needs to thrive. This means eating a variety of vegetables, fruits, grains, and lean proteins — while limiting saturated fat, added sugar, and salt.
3. Exercise regularly
Maintaining a consistent exercise routine can help you build strength and endurance. And when your body is strong and healthy, your immune system can run at peak performance.
Just make sure not to push yourself too hard. Excessive exercise can have the opposite effect by wearing down your body, so you have less strength to fight infections. Aim for at least 150 minutes (or 2½ hours) of moderately intense exercise every week. It can be a brisk walk, online yoga class, or HIIT workout.
4. Stress less
Stress can put a strain on your immune system and your body’s ability to effectively fight disease. You can help your immune system by taking steps to control your stress levels. Activities like journaling, deep breathing, and yoga can reduce stress. And research suggests that meditating may help improve your immune system.
5. Quit tobacco
Smoking, vaping, or using tobacco products damages your body. Tobacco use — like smoking cigarettes — may cause inflammation which can impact your immune system’s ability to do its job. Quitting tobacco can be tough, but there are many resources and programs available to help you.
6. Get enough sleep
Sleep is important for both your physical and mental health. Giving your body the time it needs to rest can help keep your immune system healthy.
How much sleep should you get? The standard recommendation is 6 to 8 hours of sleep per night. But how long you sleep is less important than how you feel when you wake up. You should wake up feeling refreshed and ready to start your day. If you don’t, then you can explore ways to get better sleep.
Donna
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There are many observances this month ~ This year the October designations are:
Eye Injury Prevention, Halloween Safety, Healthy Lung, Nat’l Breast Cancer Awareness,
Nat’l Celiac Awareness, National Chiropractic, Nat’l Dental Hygiene,
National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Nat’l Domestic Violence Awareness,
Nat'l Down's Syndrome, Nat’l Spina Bifida Awareness, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome,
and Talk About Prescriptions
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From the compilation
The One-year Book of Hymns
Edited by Kathryn S. Olson
Blessing and Honor
and Glory
and Power
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Do we seek to bless God in our worship?
That is the focus of this hymn by Horatius Bonar, based on the worship songs in the book of Revelation.
How do we bless God?
The original word for bless means to say good things to or about someone. Let us proclaim good things about God.
How do we honor God?
We honor our parents by obeying them and making them proud of us. Let us honor God by a life of obedience.
How do we give God glory?
It involves turning the spotlight on God and turning the light away from our selves. Let us shine the spotlight on God and His wonderful deeds.
How do we praise Him?
By telling Him everything we love about Him. As we come to worship our beautiful Lord, we must learn to focus on what we can give to God.
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Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. And they sang in a mighty chorus:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered – to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.”
REVELATION 5:11-12
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Blessing and Honor and Glory and Power
Horatius Bonar
(1808-1889)
Blessing and honor and glory
and power,
Wisdom and riches and
strength evermore
Give ye to Him who our
battle hath won,
Whose are the kingdom, the crown, and the throne.
Soundeth the heaven of the heavens with His name;
Ringeth the earth with His
glory and fame;
Ocean and mountain, stream,
forest, and flower
Echo His praises and
tell of His power.
Ever ascendeth the song
and the joy;
Ever descendeth the love
from on high;
Blessing and honor and glory
and praise-
This is the theme of the hymns
that we raise.
Give we the glory and praise
to the Lamb;
Take we the robe and the
harp and the palm;
Sing we the song of the
Lamb that was slain,
Dying in weakness but
rising to reign.
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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: Unknown
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August Leadership Team Meeting
was held on September 28, 2021
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Here are some highlights of current activities around Gloria Dei:
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Healthy Churches Thrive– We are in the process of scheduling an event with the Church Doctors for October 23rd– 24th. We’ll let you know the details as soon as they are confirmed. The Leadership Team continues participating monthly in the Healthy Leaders Thrive activities. Our Prayer Pods continue to actively pray, as seen in the Community of Prayer Updates, distributed through email. Remember to share your prayer concerns with the Team, and keep them all in your prayers, too! Our Small Group Studies continue through Zoom.
ELC– Classes at the ELC are in full swing. Currently, there are 14 students attending and 2 in-process. All the students are thriving under the direction of the loving staff.
Lord’s Pantry– Great news! Repairs on the damage to the Pantry will begin by October 4th. We will keep you posted on when we can re-open.
A Food Truck and Flea Market fundraiser for the ELC and Pantry will be held on Saturday October 2nd – Flea Market from 8AM to 3 PM, Food Trucks from 12PM to 7PM. Please contact Mary DeHart at 408-691-0628 if you are interested in having a booth at the Flea Market.
We will send out more information on items of need as the reopening occurs. Please keep the Pantry and its Clients in your prayers.
Care Ministry– Donna and her team continue to serve our community through over 160 informal visits at church, home visits, and phone calls. Health Ministry Corner articles are sent out by Constant Contact each week. Donna will be out of town for her vacation to Pennsylvania in October. Assistance is needed to pick up Brown Bag food and deliver to homes on one of the Wednesday’s she is gone. If you are available and interested, please contact Donna at 408-582-2698.
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. 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– Vandalism is continuing as a problem on our campus. The Leadership Team is actively working on getting a security fence for the entire campus. We are also looking to upgrade some of our computers.
GDLC Finances/Budget– Giving continues at a steady pace this month, and major expenses have been under control so far this year. We are beginning to plan for the 2022 Budget, which will be presented to the Congregation at our Annual Meeting, in early December. 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!
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October Birthdays
13 Eloise Martindale
4 Reuben Myers
17 Eva Duffy
& Ken Swanson
18 Pastor Pat
28 Katherine DeHart
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