FROM THE PASTOR

Delight yourself in the LORD; and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Ps. 37:4

What is your biggest desire in life?  What are the things you think about the most?  Maybe you’ve made a bucket list of those things you desire to do in life.   Maybe you’ve never done this, or have judged it to be too worldly, but face it, we need to make choices in our life.  If this has caused you to think about what your real desires in life are then maybe you need to also consider that, “Our actions will show our desires”. In other words, people will know our desires by what we do and how we act.
 
    Why does this matter? Because ultimately it comes down to two choices. You either are going to live for worldly desires or you’ll live for the Lord. When we delight in the Lord, without hesitation, we put everything in his hands and ultimately trust Him for the end results.  David knew this, that’s why he wrote in Psalms 40:8, “I desire to do Your will, my God; Your law is within my heart.”  If you go on and read the rest of this Psalm you can also see the confidence and the joy this brings David and us as we delight in the Lord. David in his worst of times found delight in the Lord. To put this into today’s perspective it’s not hard to see how many individuals are overly concerned about world conditions and their own personal problems, but fail to take time and delight themselves in the Lord.  To help you keep from getting caught in this dilemma I have laid out  seven areas of our walk with the Lord for you to seriously consider implementing into your life. So Delight yourself in the Lord… 

1. In your Thinking - Isaiah 26:3   “You will keep in perfect peace  those whose minds are steadfast,  because they trust in you.”  . Don’t allow evil thoughts to linger in your mind. Instead think on these as Paul states in Phil. 4:8-9. “…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.”

2. In your Looking to God - Hebrews 12:1,2  “…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangle and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”  Many people look to see the faults and failures in others instead of looking to find the fingerprints of God in the good in people and in our own circumstances.

3. In your Hearing from God - Isaiah 55:3 “Incline your ear and come to Me;  listen, that you may live.  I will make an everlasting covenant with you,  My faithful love promised to David.”   The Lord speaks to those who listen. your not going to hear from the Lord unless your listening for Him, and wanting to hear from Him.  He still speaks through prayer, His word, and the Holy Spirit. Listen to what Paul says in Rom 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ”

4. In your Talking about the Lord - Psalm. 105:2 “Sing to Him, sing praise to Him;  tell of all His wonderful acts” If we really think about it, we talk about many different topics in a day. News, family, past events, neighbors and etc.  But ask your self this, How much do I talk about the Lord?  As David writes, how much do we Speak of His wonders?  We should making others thirsty for the Lord, by telling them all about His goodness and greatness. sharing with them that He still renews, revives, and releases us from the pressures of daily life.

5. In your Doing for God - Hebrews 13:20-21  “Now may the God of peace… equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory.”  A question that we need to ask ourselves daily, at the end of each day is, did I keep myself busy with personal pursuits or did I accomplish God’s work for me today?  Here are some very simple ways you can expand your doing God’s will to others. Giving a smile to everyone you see, saying a kind word to someone down and out, or meeting the need of someone through good deeds. Through each and everyone of these, God will be glorified; others will be encouraged; and you will be blessed.

6. In your daily preparation to live for God Colossians 3: 12-15 “…Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. From the time you get up in the morning and get dressed, the Christian motivation is to not   engage in anything that cannot be done in Christ's name. This covers the whole life. It applies to conduct, to places of resort, to secular calling. If doubtful, see if you can on your knees ask Christ to go with you and bless you in what you are about to undertake.

7. In your Going with God - 2 Corinthians 5:7  “For we live by faith, not by sight.”  I’m sure that each of us could say that many of our days are on the go. Going here and going here, but how much time do we spend going around for Christ or with Christ.  Consider walking by faith and expanding your going with God, to go out and visit the lonely, make a phone call to someone in need. And more importantly, take the opportunity to go and visit someone who is spiritually lost and in need of Jesus. When others see the joy of the Lord manifested in us, as we delight in the Lord, they will want Him too. Because what they will see, they will come to know that the world can not give them anything like it!!! One of the greatest rewards is when we see others come to the throne of grace and trust Christ.

50+/KOA  October 20th at 12 noon.  Our theme will be “Talents & Hobbies”. Since we are having a talent show this month, let’s talk about interests, talents and hobbies. You can bring items or pictures to show.  Bring a lunch … dessert will be furnished.

MEALS ON WHEELS
We have a group of people who deliver meals to the homebound on Thursdays.  This month our date is the 6th.  If this is something you would like to get involved in, please contact Shelly Lausche.

EPIC YOUTH STILL COLLECTING CANS!  Proceeds go to support our sponsored Missionary Rev Jake GILLARD’s Ministry
 in Uganda! ALUMINUM CANS ONLY, PLEASE!

SENIOR HEALTH & RESOURCE FAIR
Tuesday, October 18, 9 am to noon
1700 2nd Street NE, Minneapolis
Free health screenings, flu and pneumonia shots (bring your insurance card and photo ID)
Guest speakers

• 9 am – Fairview Home Care & Hospice
• 10 am – Joan Kennedy

“How to Avoid the Aging Trap”

FOOD  FOR  SALVATION  ARMY:
Please remember those less fortunate by filling our grocery cart.  Things that are needed are canned fruits & vegetables, soups, crackers, spaghetti sauce & noodles, canned beans, macaroni & cheese, peanut butter, jelly, cereal, etc.     Due to the economy, we need food more than ever! 174 lbs. of food was delivered this month! Thanks for your donations!  

CAMPBELL'S SOUP LABELS
are still needed.Thanks to Bev Swanson & Thelma Bastian for cutting, preparing these labels. They help support Trinity First Lutheran School.

OFFICIAL ACTS New Members:

Rev Gerald Peterson -  transferred from Lutheran Church of the Triune God,  Brooklyn Center, MN

Sandra Price  - transferred from West Portal Lutheran Church, San Francisco, CA

Operation Christmas Child
The Board of Social Ministries is sponsoring Operation Christmas Child this year.  In Christian love and spirit, please consider giving a shoebox to a child overseas who may not otherwise receive a gift this Christmas season.  Here is what you do:

• Get a shoebox  (if you have a shoebox to share, bring them to church!)
• Fill the box with items for children
• Bring the filled shoebox back to church together with $7 for shipping.
• Keep these children in your prayers.

Boxes will be collected Sunday, October 16th through Sunday, November 11th.  Below is a sampling of items for you to fill the shoeboxes:

TOYS - Small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch-A-Sketch, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries)

SCHOOL SUPPLIES - Pens, pencils crayons or markers, sharpeners, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books.

HYGIENE ITEMS  -Toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.

OTHER - Hard candy and lollipops (please double bag all candy), mints, gum, T-shirts, socks, ball caps, sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights  (with extra batteries).

A PERSONAL NOTE - In a separate envelope, you may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. (If you include your name and address, the child may write back.)

DETERMINE WHETHER YOUR GIFT WILL BE FOR A BOY OR GIRL, and the child’s age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Use the appropriate boy/girl label. Mark the correct age category and tape the label to the tope of your box. These labels will be available on the table at church.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

BAKED POTATO DINNER & TALENT SHOW
Get ready for an evening of great food and delightful entertainment at Gloria Dei.  Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 22nd at 5:00.  The evening will begin with a Stuff Your Own Baked Potato Dinner followed by a Talent Show featuring members of Gloria Dei.  You will be treated to delicious pie and ice cream following the Talent Show.  Ticket prices are $7.50 adults and $5 children ten and under.  Tickets can be purchased in the entryway on Sunday, October 2nd, 9th and 16th or in the church office during those weeks.  Tickets will be sold “IN ADVANCE ONLY.”    Please come and enjoy an evening of fun and fellowship!

The Board of Evangelism is looking for people to share their talent at the upcoming Stuff Your Own Baked Potato Dinner.  We will be making posters for this event, so for those who will be participating in the talent show, we will need the name of your act as well as the people performing in your act.  This information is needed by Saturday, October 22nd.  A sign- up sheet will be posted in the entryway.  If you are interested in sharing your talent or have questions please contact Verlayne, Diane or Renata.   Thank you.  

We are in need of pies for the Stuff Your Own Baked Potato Dinner. Would you be willing to donate a pie for the event?   It’s an easy way to share a favorite pie recipe and help out in a big way at the same time!  Any flavor pie, whether baked or bought would be appreciated.  A sign-up sheet will be posted in the entryway.  Thank you from the Board of Evangelism!

MEALS on WHEELS HOSTS FOURTH ANNUAL MISSION NUTRITION
Mission Nutrition, the live music and raffle hoopla and veritable who's-who in Northeast Minneapolis, is taking place 7:00 p.m., Saturday, October 8th at the Ritz Theater, 345 13th Avenue NE Minneapolis.  Featured bands include The Mighty Mofos, Alicia Corbett's Tea and Sympathy, Sister Gin, and Screaming Vermilion. The surefire Midwest favorite, a Meat Raffle is taking place, as well as a raffle run by Northeast favorites Craig Drehmel of Gastro Non Grata and Jim Grell, owner of the Modern Café.  You can take a load off and with a small donation enjoy a chair massage compliments of Hart Lake Massage owner Jennifer Pyper-Muno.  Northeast Dinner Bell's cause of delivering nutritious meals to elderly and homebound persons gets folks together annually to raise funds at Mission Nutrition.  Admission is a $10.00 donation.

FALL IN LOVE ALL OVER AGAIN!
Attending a Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekend gives you the time and tools to revitalize romance, deepen communication, and nourish the spirituality in your marriage. In a relaxed atmosphere, four presenting couples, including a Lutheran clergy couple, give a series of presentations followed by questions you discuss in the privacy of your hotel room. There is no counseling or required group sharing.  The Fall Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekends in Minnesota.

CURRENT FINANCIAL STATUS

A detailed report is available if you call the office

THE MASTER GREETER

Actions that Build a Friendlier Church

Read through the Bible in 365 daily readings

This is a daily Bible reading plan that invites you to share in all the benefits of a regular, steady diet of God's Word. The arrangement of this full-text Bible into 365 daily readings makes it easy for you to delve into these sacred words consistently. So if you are hungry for God, come, be fed!

WORSHIP SCHEDULE FOR OCTOBER

NEW WEDNESDAY MORNING BIBLE CLASS!

Starting Wednesday morning, October 5th, we will begin a study of the book of Revelation! 

The book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ to John was written by John, who was one of Jesus' disciples. In Galatians 2:9, Paul wrote that John (along with James and Peter) was considered a pillar within the church and a minister to the holy-people (Christians).  As we read and study this book, we will clearly see that the Lord Jesus Christ revealed this prophetic information to John so that... not only the holy-people living during this age but also the people living during the next age would be able to read and understand what the Lord Jesus Christ is doing now and what He will do in the future with reference to the realm of mankind and the spirit realm.

Happy Anniversary:

• 4th - Rudolph & Shirley Holzinger
• 5th - Pastor & Diane Gade
• 7th - Derald & Christine Hadrath
• 16th - Ed & Renata Idarraga
• 23rd - Duane & Karen Arens