From the Pastor:

I heard about a ten year old (at another church, mind you) who when asked if he was going to Sunday School answered that he was too old. Somehow he had gotten the message that once you got to ten it was no longer necessary or important to continue learning about God. I’m wondering how that would work out in other areas of life: Because I am too old (pick any age, yours or mine or, by the way, who is the oldest among us now? – that about covers all the bases!), should I quit exercising since, after all, I’ll never play organized sports again anyway? …should I stop eating, since I’ve already reached (or is it exceeded!) my optimum weight for my height (I’m not overweight, I’m just under-tall!)? …should I stop being a student, because I’m sure I’ve learned everything that is important to know?

Ephesians 4:11-14a says: The gifts he [God] gave were… to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. We must no longer be children. (NRSV) Today there are tests in numerous categories to discern whether you have “made it” or not. There are aptitude tests required of High School Seniors to determine whether they are eligible for graduation. There are written and oral exams for any number of professions required by the government in order to certify one’s profession. There are driver’s exams and hunting exams and any number of others. We tend to think of these exams as the final test, the one thing that says we’ve made it. But, in reality, they aren’t the end of something; they’re really just the beginning. If I took my driver’s test, and then never drove again, it wouldn’t make much sense. If I passed the test for high school and then let my brain atrophy by never using it again, I may as well die. As a matter of fact, our minds are made and equipped to continue learning our whole life long. And even in the end, the last thing I will learn is how to die, so that I may live! Repeatedly in Scripture we are encouraged to learn more and more about who God is, who we are, what our purpose in life is, etc… Paul wrote that the gifts God gives to the church are for a particular reason: to equip the saints; that is, to show each of us our purpose in the world and in the church, to build us up in that purpose, to unify the body so that it can work together, and ultimately to give us “knowledge of the Son of God” for the express purpose of being mature. How will we know when the process is complete? Again, Paul writes: When we reach the measure of the full stature of Christ.  And that, my friends, is when we can finally say we have no further need of study. Of course, if you’ve reached that point, I want to sit in the class where you’re the teacher! I say all of this by way of invitation. We continue to offer opportunities for growth and learning in our small groups meeting throughout the week. We have focused a great deal on what it means for us to be a church after Jesus’ design, since, after all, it is his church. I hope you will take us up on the prospect of growing in faith and stature, rather than laying fallow or shrinking away. Sooo, let’s encourage one another to be built up in the body. Oh, and by the way, if you already meet the measure of Jesus, let me know, ‘cause I could sure use some additional training! Power to you,  Pastor Pat

Our Prayers Are With You

Current Prayers Don Rinerson in radiation treatments. Claudette is now in a rehab center in Mt. View after being in the hospital with anemia. May Rose Marie have continued success for ongoing medical issues. Give both she and David much needed rest.  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. Pray for protection, guidance and direction for our leadership as we move forward in our discipleship Lord’s Pantry: may the repairs finish quickly so they may resume operations as usual ELC: security and protection for all involved and for new students as the new school year has begun. Safe travel for Pastor Pat and Ann as they go on vacation. May they have a relaxing time and enjoy the much deserved alone time together. Vicki is facing kidney failure, currently on dialysis in need of a transplant. Pastor Jose’s wife (IMDC) with covid. Dennis is home from the hospital after suffering an injury to his back. Pray for continued healing. For all who grieve lost friends and family.  Fire victims and the safety of firefighters. Continued healing for Kari (Libby’s friend Vickie’s daughter) after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. Tammy and Tim in Wyoming healing from a very bad car accident. We pray for the people in Afghanistan and their families who lost loved ones. We especially pray for the families of the 13 US service members who died. Watch over them and give them your peace and comfort.   Libby’s friend Loanne having some neurological issues and dealing with pain.

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

Praise and Thanksgiving We rejoice in the baptism of George DeHart.  Welcome him into our church family.

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

Your Benevolence Gifts at Work The World Mission Prayer League

History of the World Mission Prayer League Henrik and Patty Christopherson were missionaries from the World Mission Prayer League in Peru for many years. They are now retired. The World Mission Prayer League grew out of a God-given burden to pray for the unreached interiors of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. By the mid-1930’s, a band of students, pastors and friends in the Minneapolis area joined together in prayer that the Lord of the harvest would send laborers into his harvest (Luke 10:2). Soon some of them felt called to join the harvest themselves. They organized themselves along simple lines to accept volunteers and send them into areas of special concern by founding the South American Mission Prayer League in Minneapolis on May 25, 1937. They were committed to finding a way to send and go in mission, without the constraint of budgetary limitations; to providing a way for lay participation in mission, without the requirement of ordination; and to complement the regular work of the Lutheran synods, without diverting means or personnel from their programs. Within a year its first global workers were sent out: John Carlsen and Ernest Weinhardt were on their way to Bolivia. Soon other volunteers were sent to Central Asia, and eventually to Africa and Eastern Europe.

With faith in God’s promises, we envision a time when God is glorified and all people participate in his Kingdom. Mission Statement

A sister organization emerged from this same sending fellowship. The Lutheran World Crusade functioned alongside the Prayer League for a few years in the 1940’s. These two communities were formally merged and in 1945, as a reflection of growing involvements around the world, they were incorporated in the State of Minnesota as the World Mission Prayer League. In 1972, the American Board of the Santal Mission merged with the World Mission Prayer League. The American Board sent its first global workers from Minneapolis in 1904, to join a Scandinavian work already in progress among the Santal people in northern India. From these early beginnings, the World Mission Prayer League has inherited a particular concern for the Santal people of India and Bangladesh. Together with the Church and its partners in mission, the World Mission Prayer League seeks to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s fresh initiative in our world today. Prayer League members continue to pray that the Lord of the harvest would send forth workers, and that the Lord himself would sustain and uphold them. At its deepest and best, our community is simply a fellowship at prayer, gathered in service to the mission of God in the world. Handbook pg 35

Hello everyone, I hope that your summer went well. Gloria Dei Early Learning Center had a wonderful ending to the 2020-21 school year. Our summer program was a hit as well.  We are starting off the 2021-2022 school year with 12 students and we continue to grow! We've been able to complete great improvements to our school this year, thanks to the many families who contributed in a number of different ways, from supplies to monetary donations.  Our End of the Year Auction was a Great Success  We made $2,120 to use toward Beautifying Our School  Through the generous support of the auction and family donations, we were able to add new windows, a new fence and artificial turf.

Our school looks so beautiful!!! We hope to continue our growth and look forward to a wonderful new school year! If you are able to contribute, the following supplies would be greatly appreciated: Lysol Disinfecting Spray Disinfecting Wipes Non Powder Gloves, Size Med or Lg Paper Towels (Rolls) White Copier Paper  Thank you for all your love, prayers and support! Maria Nugent GDELC Director

Psalm 38:10a My heart pounds, my strength fails me.

September is National Atrial Fibrillation Month Here we present recent news stories discussing atrial fibrillation and associated conditions, including sleep apnea, heart attack, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and stroke.

Atrial fibrillation is a common cause of irregular heart rhythm. It is also a known risk factor for heart attack and stroke. The older you are, the higher the risk of developing atrial fibrillation, and that is why taking care of your heart health is so important.   Atrial fibrillation is associated with heart attacks, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and sudden cardiac death. Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat, which is well known to be linked to a higher risk of strokes. The researchers aimed to investigate the link between atrial fibrillation with non-stroke health events as well. The researchers analyzed the results of 104 studies involving over nine million participants. The researchers found that atrial fibrillation was associated with a wide variety of outcomes, including all-cause mortality, ischemic heart disease, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death. Additional analysis also shows that the associations between atrial fibrillation and these health outcomes was consistent.    The goal of atrial fibrillation treatment is resetting the heart’s rhythm and preventing blood clots, which could contribute to a higher stroke risk. The treatment your doctor chooses depends on whether you have other heart problems and if you can take certain medications to regulate heart rhythm. For some patients, more invasive treatment may be required, such as surgery. Resetting the heart’s rhythm can be done through electrical cardioversion or cardioversion with drugs. In electrical cardioversion, an electric shock is administered to the heart with paddles or patches, temporarily stopping the heart. When the heart begins to beat again, the hope is that it returns to a normal rhythm. Cardioversion with drugs is done with medications to help restore the heart’s rhythm. The medication may be taken orally or intravenously, depending on your health condition. Preventing blood clots is also accomplished with medications such as wafarin or other anticoagulants. Donna

The month of September Offers These Health Topic Observances:  Childhood Cancer, Fruit & Veggies, Healthy Aging; Leukemia & Lymphoma Awareness, National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness, National Childhood Obesity Awareness, National Cholesterol Education. National Yoga Awareness, National Pediculosis (Head lice) Prevention., National Sickle Cell, National ITP Awareness, Newborn Screening Awareness, Ovarian Cancer Awareness, Prostate Cancer Awareness, & Whole Grains

From the compilation The One-year Book of Hymns Edited by Kathryn S. Olson Lord, Speak to Me

When Frances Havergal was a child, her father nicknamed her “Little Quicksilver.” She had a quick and hungry mind and, as a child, memorized long passages of Scripture. Her mother died when Frances was only eleven, but one of the last things her mother said to her was, “Pray God to prepare you for all He is preparing you for you.” Shortly before she wrote this hymn at the age of thirty-six, she wrote a letter, “O am always getting surprised at my own stupidity… If I am to write to any good, a great deal of living must go to a very little writing.” About the same time, she also wrote, “I feel like a child writing. You know a child will look up at every sentence and ask, “What shall I sat next?” This is what I do. Every line and word and rhyme comes from God.” She called this hymn, “A Worker’s Prayer.” Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. 2 TIMOTHY 2:15 Thoughts from David: Prayer is so personal and can happen in many different settings. When I’m finally quiet mentally, I have a chance to hear God’s still, small voice. It is in those moments that I pray that “I may speak in living echoes of Thy tone.” This hymn really speaks to me. Peace to you. Lord, Speak to Me Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879) Lord, speak to me, that I may speak In living echoes of Thy tone; As Thou hast sought, so let me seek Thy erring children lost and lone. O teach me, Lord, that I may teach The precious things Thou dost impart; And wing my words that they may reach The hidden depths of many a heart. O fill me with Thy fullness, Lord, Until my very heart o’erflow In kindling thought and glowing word Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show. O use me, Lord, use even me, Just as Thou wilt and when and where; Until Thy blessed face I see, Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share.

© 2017 by Robert K. Brown and Mark R. Norton – All rights reserved Paraphrased by Music Director, David K. Bakken, Ed.D. IMAGE: GDLCSJ|MarCom

August Leadership Team Meeting was held on the 17th, 2021

Here are some highlights of current activities around Gloria Dei: Willow Creek Summit— 6 individuals attended live on Thursday August 5th. Only 1 on Friday. Online viewing was used by at least 4 individuals in the week following.  The Leadership Team discussed and agreed to donate $1000 to the Global Leadership Network using Benevolence Funds. We will not purchase our usual 10 tickets for 2022, but will use the budgeted funds to help defray costs for any members who are able to attend the Healthy Churches Thrive event in the UK in 2022. Healthy Churches Thrive— The Leadership Team continues participating monthly in the Healthy Leaders Thrive activities. Our Prayer Pods are actively praying, 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 will resume in late August. Our Director, Maria Nugent, is hoping to have a full roster of students shortly. She has been continuing to improve the facilities for the school and has been able to replace the sod in the playground with artificial turf, and replaced the fence. A new play structure has been added. Take a peek over the fence when you are on campus. It looks great. Lord’s Pantry— Unfortunately, the Pantry has had to reduce hours further. They will only be open once a week. All clients have been given the Food Bank numbers and information about other pantries. Mary and some volunteers are onsite to maintain and clean as needed. 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.

Care Ministry—Donna and her team continue to serve our community through over 150 informal visits at church, home visits, and phone calls. Care 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 on Facebook or YouTube from the churches website. We continue to do monthly Communion (in church 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.   Music/Streaming— Our Sound Crew is working with a sound consultant to help improve our sound. Keep listening, both live and online! Facility Activities—  Vandalism continues to be a problem, although improved after the homeless encampments have been moved. The Leadership Team is actively working on a security fence for the entire campus.   GDLC Finances/Budget— Giving is down slightly this month, but expenses have been under control so far this year. 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!

This phrase came up a few months ago when we were encouraged to pray every day for Gloria Dei.  At the time I thought it was a good idea to set a timer for a specific time each day to do just that. Well, guess what, the best laid plans to do so seemed to get lost in the daily business of life. I would like to invite you to join me in reestablishing this plan to “stop and pray every day”. Pick a time that you can stop whatever you are doing for 5 minutes every day and pray.  These words from James 5: 13-18 can offer inspiration    The Power of Prayer 13 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. 14 Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.  16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. 17 Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! 18 Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops. PRAY PEOPLE PRAY

September Birthdays 1 John Rainville 4 Sylvia Smith & Ann Fitzgerald 9 Ligia Oliveira 12 Chris Kromrey 17 Deborah Alg 21 Gabi Garcia 29 Arlo Larson

SEPTEMBER 2021 PDF