February 2012 Messenger - Gloria Dei Lutheran Church

The Gloria Dei Messenger
February, 2012
Volume 48, Issue 2
Dear members and friends of Gloria Dei,
Inside this issue:
By the time you read this, the first 2012
Semi-Annual Meeting of the Congregation will have taken place. We will have
reviewed the reports of the many faithful
people who have served us this last year.
We will also have seen if we are not careful we might even have a balanced budget
this year. As the first full year of my ministry among you has concluded there are
indeed hopeful signs. I pray that 2012 will be a year when this basic hope will be fulfilled.
Ball in the
House Concert ............... pg. 5
A word that I often use when I think of ministry in any of the
places I have served is climate. One thing you might know about
me by now is that I’m a guy who looks at the glass as ¾ full. Climate is a feeling word. A word that describes especially what a visitor senses when they come to
worship for the first time. Climate describes how
we treat each other as brothers and sisters
in Christ. Climate in its good sense
grasps our Lord’s call to always look
to the future with hope and anticipation as to what the spirit is doing
among us. I pray that we can grow in
a loving, compassionate, faithful way
as we go forward. If they know we are Christians by our love, we
will indeed continue to grow in numbers and in faith.
Hope
Circle .............................. pg. 6
Lent is soon here, spring is around the corner. Let us gather in
worship and learning and find out what God has in store for us.
Red Cross
Blood Drive ................... pg. 4
Peace,
Pastor Joe
Box Tops
for Education ................. pg. 6
Church Mouse ............... pg. 2
Clothing
Rack ................................ pg. 6
Family
Bingo Night ................... pg. 3
February
Birthdays ........................ pg. 2
Hospitalization ............... pg. 4
Kid’s
Page ................................ pg. 7
Lenten
Soup & Study ................ pg. 4
Memorial
Gifts ................................ pg. 4
Messenger
Deadline ......................... pg. 2
Pastoral
Availability .................... pg. 2
Preparing
for Worship .................... pg. 2
Shared
Ministry .......................... pg. 8
Weather
Cancellations .................. pg. 4
WELCA ......................... pg. 6
Preparing for
Worship
February 5
5th Sunday after Epiphany
The Lord heals the brokenhearted.
Isaiah 40:21-31; Psalm 147:1-11, 20c;
1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39.
February 12
6 Sunday after Epiphany
th
My God, I cried out to you,
and you restored me to health.
2 Kings 5:1-14; Psalm 30;
1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Mark 1:40-45
February 19
Transfiguration of Our Lord
Out of Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth in glory.
2 Kings 2:1-12; Psalm 50:1-6;
2 Corinthians 4:3-6; Mark 9:2-9
February 22
Ash Wednesday
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love.
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 (or Isaiah 58:1-12); Psalm 51:1-17
2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
February 26
First Sunday in Lent
Your paths, O Lord, are steadfast love and faithfulness.
Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25:1-10;
1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15
Pastoral Availability
Pastor Joe is available every day
except Friday. He can be reached
on his cell phone at (860) 5931154, at home at (860) 673-0707,
through the church office at (860)
582-0629, or through email at
JBrandelle@GDeiChurch.org.
The Messenger Deadline
The deadline for the March issue of
The Messenger is Wednesday,
February 15th. Remember, all
submissions must be made in writing,
we cannot accept articles over the phone. Articles
submitted by e-mail or on disk are greatly
appreciated (but not necessary) Thank you!
The Gloria Dei Messenger is published monthly, except August, by
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 355 Camp St., Forestville, CT 06010
February 2012
A big Happy Birthday to our
80+ members including:
Lois Allaire (2/5),
Jerry Jensen (2/10),
Irene Burzler (2/11),
Dorothy Ludlum (2/14),
Kathy Albert (2/17), and
Kay Kalwat (2/21).
That’s all for this month! I know you folks are up to
things, why not keep your church family informed?
Lisa
February Birthdays
1. Angela Daley
2. Donald Namnoum
3. Shannon Adams, Stephanie Adams, Alison
Bredehorst, Luke Buslewicz, Bryan Capezzone,
Rachel Gomme, Scott Tyler
4. Gary Barber, Brenton Eckstrom, Paul Eckstrom,
Karina Klingner
5. Lois Allaire, Liam Collins, Bruce Fairservis Jr.,
Kara Kolavage
7. Wendy Colite
8. Tammy Thormahlen
9. Timothy Colite, Nick Jones, Ryan Palzere,
Samantha Peters, Bailey Womack
10. Erik Bauder, Jerry Jensen
11. Irene Burzler, Sandy Ewen, Michael Moore Jr.,
Annette Shippee
12. Jeanette Gumbulevich, Lauren Knaggs
13. Jim Hubbard
14. Dorothy Ludlum
15. Michael Bialek, Jeremy Thormahlen
16. Michael T. Kuczenski, Todd Lilja, Brian Murray
17. Kathy Albert
18. Clair Anderson, Andrew Knaggs, Nancy Palzere
19. Makaila Johnson, Jennifer Martel
20. Deborah Ahl, Alisa Mello
21. Andrew Bekstrom, Kay Kalwat, Joshua Kutarba,
Katherine Nguyen
22. Julie Hein
23. Sue Martel, Lonnie Nelson, Jeffrey Rosano, Mavis
Suchinski, Tracy Yuschak
24. Laurie Aldrich, Lance Miller, Arthur Westergren
Jr., Kate Zulauf
25. Melanie Norton, Louis Passaretti
26. Michael Thai
27. Kenneth Peters, Joe Sjogren, David Tyler
28. Robin Hein, Ella Ogonoski
29. Stephen LaBonte
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February 2012
Page 3
Lenten Studies
Please Join Us
The mid-week Lenten services
will be held on Wednesday evenings. We will be combining our
services with those of St. Andrew’s. We will continue to have,
as in years past, a light supper of
soup and sandwiches or soup and
bread at 6:00 followed by study,
discussion and a brief service. We will meet at St.
Andrew’s on February 29, March 14, and March
28. They will provide the supper. We will meet at
Gloria Dei on March 7 and March 21. We will
provide the supper. Easter Vigil will be held on
Saturday, April 6 at Gloria Dei.
Please, When Hospitalized...
When you must enter the
hospital, in order to have
Pastor visit you it is necessary to tell the admissions
person that you are a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran
Church. To protect your privacy as a patient, hospitals
are withholding information, even to pastors, unless the
patient makes this information known. Pastor Joe
would like to be available to you during your hospitalization. So, please give our church name and if possible,
inform pastor or the church office, especially if you go
to a hospital outside of Bristol.
Weather
Related Cancellations:
In the event of a weather cancellation, we will notify the
NBC 30 Storm Tracker system, and the WFSB 3 Early
Warning Network of any plans to cancel activities. Cancellations will be broadcast on TV and listed on the TV
stations’ websites - nbcconnecticut.com, and wfsb.com
respectively. We will also notify the Infinity Broadcasting
Storm Center, please tune your radio to WTIC AM 1080
or, you can check the web at wtic.com or wrch.com.
Whenever possible, we will also change the church answering machine message.
February 2012
Red Cross Blood Drive
Gloria Dei will host another Red Cross
Blood Drive on Thursday, February 9th
from 1-6 p.m. Please call 1-800-GIVELIFE (800-448-3543) or visit bloodct.org, and make an
appointment today. Remember: a single blood donation
costs you nothing, and can save up to three lives! The
American Red Cross thanks you on behalf of patients
throughout the state!
June Eldridge
Piano Fund:
Lillian Stitham, Elsa Bullock
Willie & June Eldridge
Piano Fund:
Scott & Sandy Ewen, Jane Logan
Leona K. Sullivan France
Thanksgiving & Memorial Fund:
Tracy Carlson
Dear Gloria Dei Friends,
It was so festive to receive the decorated canister of
home-made Christmas cookies which were delivered so
kindly by Al Gabrielson! Thank you for your kindness
- it was most appreciated!
May you all enjoy a Happy and Blessed New Year!
Viola Gustafson
A note of thanks has been received from the American
Red Cross for the donation of three afghans. The Red
Cross reports that the day after some of the Gloria Dei
afghans were delivered to them, there was a fire and the
afghans were all given away. All you knitters and crocheters get busy working on afghans if you have the
time! They are greatly needed and greatly appreciated.
Page 4
February 2012
Page 5
Gloria Dei Women!
Hope Circle Meets: First Tuesday
of the Month
Where: The Oasis Restaurant,
Pine St., Bristol
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Menu: Breakfast of your choice.
We share fellowship, news of upcoming
happenings, time for sharing and caring together. It’s a
special way to start the week and the month.
Call Carol Roys: 860-582-9167
The Clothing Rack at 1st Lutheran
Church in New Britain...
is in desperate need of men’s clothing. First Lutheran is
uniquely situated between New Britain’s two main homeless shelters, a block from the New Britain Senior Center
and in a neighborhood with many working poor. They
are collecting cleaned & laundered coats, jackets
fleeces, heavy sweaters boots, scarves, hats, mittens,
sleeping bags and blankets. New items , especially hats
and mittens are always appreciated! Donations can be
placed in the marked box in Pearson Hall.
WELCA Coming Events
All women members of Gloria Dei are members of
Women of the ELCA. There are many opportunities
for you to take advantage of Christian Fellowship.
 First Tuesday of Each Month (except
during the summer) 9:30 a.m. Hope Circle at
The Oasis Restaurant, Pine Street, Forestville.
 April 27-29 - Region 7 Spiritual Retreat at
Purdy Center, Camp-of-the-Woods,
Speculator, NY
 May 5 - Spring Gathering, Faith Lutheran
Church, East Hartford, CT
 May 25-27 - Lutheran/Episcopal Women’s
Retreat - Enders Island, Mystic CT.
 October 26-27 - NE/WELCA Biennial
Convention at Camp Calumet
Personal Care Items
The food pantries and homeless shelters
are in need of a continuing supply of personal care items. Use the basket in the narthex.
Box tops and labels are collected in Pearson Hall for the benefit of Bethesda Lutheran Communities.
February 2012
Page 6
T
February 2012
Page 7
Our Shared Ministry - February 2012
February February February
5
12
19
Sue Allaire
Altar Guild
8:30 Jean Olson
Assisting
Minister
10:45 Elizabeth
Koerner
The Murray
Family
Coffee Servers
Tina
Burkholder
All Members
Carol Roys
Al Bredehorst
Dave Logan
1 p.m. - Kay
Kalwat
Esther & Jan
Gatzuras
10:45 Ellen Lyman
Dawn Beland
Judy Centurelli Lois Tillman
8:30 Curt Carlson
Greeters
10:45 Paul & Gail
Koerner
8:30 Ed Higgins
Head Usher
10:45 Al Bredehorst
8:30 Jean Olson
Lector
Ushers
The Higgins
Family
Sue Allaire
Jean Olson
Noreen Logan
Cindy
Guendert
February 2012
1 p.m. - Al &
Verla
Gabrielson
Scott & Sandy
Ewen
7 p.m. - Judy
Centurelli
Lois Tillman
Al Bredehorst
Ron Brodie
The Ron Miller
Family
Gary & Lori
Mankus
The Jones
Family
Sunday School
Class
The Colite
Family
Wayne Johnson Scott Ewen
Al Bredehorst
Jay Murray
Paul Koerner
7 p.m. - Ed
Higgins
Sivert Jacobson
Al Bredehorst
Dave Logan
1 p.m. - Kay
Kalwat
Sue Allaire
Sivert Jacobson Kay Kalwat
10:45
The Hynick
Family
Ruth Lipski
10:45
8:30 Dale Clift
Sue Allaire
Laurie McCary Judy Centurelli 7 p.m. - Valerie Cindy Guendert
Holcomb
8:30 Dave Logan
Ed & Peg
Elmer Madsen
Higgins
Communion
Assistants
February
February
22
26
Ash Wed.
Clarence
Murdock
Sunday School 7 p.m. - Skip
Class
Burritt
Gail Koerner
Curt Carlson
Sunday School
Class
Page 8
February 2012
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday Thursday
1
2
Friday
3
4
8:00 Men’s
Breakfast
7:00 Inquiring
Minds, Boy
Scouts
5 5th after Epiphany
8:30 Holy Communion
9:00 Children’s Choir
9:30 Coffee Fellowship,
SCS, Adult Forum
10:45 Holy Communion
12:00 Boy Scout Meatball Grinder Sale
12 6th after Epiphany
6
7
8
9
9:30 Hope Circle
6:00 Confirmation,
6:30 Cub Scout
Bell Choir
Den Meetings 7:00 Boy Scouts
7:00 Adult Bible
Study, Youth
Choir, Plainville Choral
13
14
7:00 Adult Voice
Choir
15
8:30 Holy Communion
9:00 Children’s Choir
9:30 Coffee Fellowship,
SCS, Adult Forum
10:45 Holy Communion
Messenger
Deadline
16
Family Sunday
8:30 Holy Communion
9:00 Children’s Choir
9:30 Coffee Fellowship,
SCS, Adult Forum
10:45 Holy Communion
6:00 Sunday Night
Youth
20
21
22
6:30 Cub Scout
Den Meeting
11
4:30 Family
Bingo Night
6:30 Cub Scout
Den Meeting
17
18
8:00 Men’s
Breakfast
6:00 Confirmation,
6:30 Cub Scout
Bell Choir
Den Meetings 7:00 Council, Boy 7:00 Adult Voice
7:00 Adult Bible
Scouts
Study, Youth
Choir
Choir, Plainville Choral
19 Transfiguration
9:00 Lay
Ministry
‘til 3
10
8:00 Men’s
Breakfast
1:00 Red Cross
Blood Drive
5:00 Worship &
Music
6:30 Congo Life
7:00 Adult Voice
Choir
23
10:00 Altar Guild
26 First Sunday in Lent 27
28
Pack 432
Pinewood
Derby
5:00 Pinewood
Derby set-up
6:30 Cub Scout
Den Meeting
24
25
8:00 Men’s
Breakfast
9:00 Messenger
Assembly
6:00 Confirmation,
6:30 Cub Scout
Bell Choir
Pack Meeting
7:00 Adult Bible
Study, Youth
Choir, Plainville Choral
Saturday
9:00 Blanket
Making ‘til
5 p.m.
1:00 Holy
Communion
7:00 Holy
Communion
29
8:30 Holy Communion
9:00 Children’s Choir
9:30 Coffee Fellowship,
SCS, Adult Forum
10:45 Holy Communion
6:00 Confirmation,
6:00 Lenten Soup
Bell Choir
6:30 Cub Scout
& Study at
7:00 Adult Bible
Den Meetings
St. Andrew’s
Study, Youth
Choir, Plainville Choral
7:00 Adult Voice
Choir
Cub Scout
Blue & Gold
Dinner
And now faith , hope , and
love abide, these three; and
the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13
February 2012
Ministers: ........................ All members of Gloria Dei
Senior Pastor: ................ The Rev. Joseph Ekeberg
Minister of Music: ............................. Todd Helming
Secretary: ........................................... Lisa Michaud
Sexton: ................................................ Mark Hynick
Contact Info:
Church Office: ................................... (860) 582-0629
Fax: ............................................ (860) 314-2629
Website: ........................................ gdeichurch.org
E-Mail: .................... gdeichurch@gdeichurch.org
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
355 Camp Street
Bristol, CT 06010
Pastor Joe (cell) .................................. (860) 593-1154
Home: .......................................... (860) 673-0707
E-mail: ....................... jbrandelle@gdeichurch.org
Officers
President ..................................................... Dale Clift
582-9795
Vice President ......................................... Sue Allaire
583-6336
Secretary ................................................ Ellen Lyman
585-8053
Treasurer ......................................... Wayne Johnson
Council Members
583-1932
Rachel Bekstrom
Ron Brodie
Tom Burkholder
Wendy Colite
Valerie Holcomb
David Logan
Laurie McCary
Jean Olson
Commission Chairs
Congregational Life ................... Peg Higgins - 678-7983
Outreach & Witness .......... Joanne Madsen - 582-7167
Property ........................... Gary Carlson - 582-9869
Finance .............................. Carl Johnson - 674-9065
Gloria Dei’s Mission
Nourished by our worship
together and in response to
God’s love, Word, and grace
through Jesus Christ and
empowered by the Holy
Spirit, we the members of
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
are working together to share
God’s salvation with all.
Come share with us!