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December 2011 Newsletter |
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We have some members who are not able to be with us on Sunday mornings and other activities which are held at Gloria Dei. Below is the list of our shut-in and home bound members. Their addresses and phone numbers are not listed in order to protect them from predators. If you would like a list with address and phone numbers please contact the church office. Remember them with a note of cheer or a phone call. |
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Advent marks the beginning of the new Christian year. Advent is not a season for pomp or decoration, but for simplicity. Advent historically has been to Christmastide what Lent is to Eastertide: a season of solemnity and simplicity, and at some time, even a season of penitence. Although Advent is now less frequently penitential, it is no less solemn. And like Lent, Advent remains a time for getting back to the basics. The basics may be simple, but they are not simplistic. They are frequently hard to live into and require diligent attention and practice. Ask any coach or music teacher. Get the basics right, and everything else can fall into place. Advent is a season for remembering and practicing the basics, and the first of the basics is to know our end and know it well.
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“In Him was life and that life was the light of men” A short while ago I was sitting in a restaurant and there was a sign saying that if anyone could work out this this puzzle, they would receive a free dessert. The puzzle was simple – it was only the letters - “DIMARK”. This was enticing (desserts can do that to me!!) so I pondered on it and because I finally cracked it, I received my free dessert. I had spent the whole dinner preoccupied with the riddle until I’d worked out that it said: “I’m in the dark!” (For those who don’t see it --- the I’M is in the middle of the word DARK) Some may still be in the dark about this….. but I digress….. The metaphors of light and darkness feature prominently in the Christmas story. Already in Isaiah we read: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light” as well as “on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned”. It seems to me that most of us have a sense that light and darkness are somehow symbolic of the meaning of Christmas. A brief drive down some of the streets of the Twin Cities reflects this understanding as people light up their homes and their Christmas Trees with Christmas lights and their Christmas tables with candles. Light and darkness are key images to unlocking the meaning of Christmas. So what do light and darkness signify? When we talk about ‘being in the dark’, we generally mean that we are ignorant or misinformed or that information is being kept from us. In Biblical language, darkness signifies ignorance, false beliefs, ungodly practices or put differently, sin. Darkness also refers to times of suffering, despair and even death, especially spiritual death. An obvious example can be found in the 23rd Psalm where the psalmist talks of passing through the valley of the shadow of death”. The darkness, the absence of light, is a physical and spiritual reality in the Bible. Darkness is also an apt symbol of some of the most profound human experiences. “With approximately two hundred references, darkness is a major actor in the biblical drama.” Perhaps most intriguing is this. Unlike virtually all other biblical images, darkness is unambiguously negative. There are no good aspects or manifestations of darkness in the Bible. Perhaps it is reasonable to be afraid of the dark! The passage from John’s Gospel at the top of this article recognizes that the world is spiritually dead and so is enveloped in spiritual darkness. In contrast, the light is both life-giving and protective. It represents goodness and blessing. Light is the symbol of truth. God himself is light. The church is a community of light, made up of disciples who are to be the light to the world. It isn’t hard to see how the light becomes a symbol of salvation. In Biblical language, light signifies life, wisdom, truth and purity or holiness. We recall from the book of Genesis that light was the first thing that God created: “Let there be light…. and there was light…. and God saw that the light was good.” So the metaphor of light is established from the start. Its purpose was to dispel the darkness that covered the earth. Light is seen as the antidote to darkness and is thus an image of life, of salvation and of holiness. Perhaps it is for this reason that artists like Raphael have generally painted halos around subjects noted for their holiness. Light shining in the darkness is a central image in the Gospel stories about the birth of Jesus. It is most obvious in the star shining in the night sky leading the wise men of the gentiles to the place of Jesus’ birth. It is also used in the imagery of the shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night when the glory of the Lord shone around them and the heavenly host of angels appeared. So light is the symbol of God, his nature, his wisdom and truth and his reign over the earth and his presence in the world. Light is a metaphor for God’s illumination of life’s path: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). Through the Gospel accounts (actually through all of Scripture) we are lead to see that Jesus is the light shining in the darkness: “The true light , which enlightens everyone”. This is the truth of the theme of light in the birth stories. By implication those who live or who are in darkness, meaning those who suffer from ignorance, false beliefs, ungodly practices or who are experiencing times of suffering and despair are the ones who are in need of God’s light who comes to us in the shape of the Messiah. From where I’m sitting, I reckon that pretty much covers all of us. Jesus is the light of the world who came to reveal the light of God and to guide people in the way of God’s wisdom and truth. However we learn from John’s Gospel, that though Jesus came bringing light, not all of us apprehend the light and many of us continue to live in darkness. This seems to me to indicate that we have a choice. We can either choose the light or continue to live in darkness. All of us experience darkness in its various forms during our lives. Some of us are struggling with the darkness that comes from a feeling that our lives lack meaning or direction. Some of us feel the darkness of grief over a loved one who has died or of a relationship that has ended or a dream that has come crashing down. Some of us feel the darkness of ignorance. We do not seem to have clarity at present about the next move we should make in our life’s journey. Some of us experience the darkness of guilt over something we have said or done. Some of us feel the darkness of rejection and judgment by others. This Christmas when we celebrate the coming of the Christ Child as the light of the world it is useful to reflect on the particular form of darkness that is part of our life experience at this time. If we are struggling with the darkness that comes from a feeling that our lives lack meaning or direction then perhaps we can claim Jesus’ promise that He comes into the world to give us life in all its abundance. He offers us purpose and meaning and direction when He calls us to follow him. He shows us how we can make a difference in people’s lives by loving them unconditionally as he loves us. If we are struggling with the darkness that comes from grief over a loved one who has died or over a relationship that has ended or a dream that has come crashing down then perhaps we can claim Jesus’ invitation to come to him all who labour and are heavy laden and he will give us comfort and rest. He promises that he will be with us always even to the ends of the earth. If we are struggling with the darkness that comes from feeling that we do not seem to have clarity at present about the next move we should make in our life’s journey then perhaps we can claim Jesus’ advice not worry because God knows what we need and is always there to provide for all our needs and more. Jesus also promises to give us the peace that passes all understanding. If we are struggling with the darkness that comes from guilt over something we have said or done then perhaps we can claim Jesus’ promise that he did not come to condemn the world but to save it and to offer forgiveness to all who truly repent. Finally, if we are struggling with the darkness that comes from rejection and judgement by others, perhaps we can claim the grace offered by Jesus that to all who receive him he gives the right to become children of God. The good news of Jesus Christ is not merely for a select few, but for all the world and that includes you and me, no one is excluded from his love and grace. The image of Jesus as light of the world is central to Christian theology and offers each of us illumination no matter what form our particular darkness might take. The Nicene creed of the Christian faith states about Jesus that He is “God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven…” Let us receive this gift of grace with thanksgiving and praise this Christmas.Pastor Dean W. Gade |
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GLORIA DEI NEWS |
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POINSETTIAS FOR CHRISTMAS SALVATION ARMY CHRISTMAS TREE SHOE BOXES FOR KIDS SIGN UP FOR ALTAR, FLOWERS and CANDLES Be sure and look for the 2012 sign-up sheets for Altar Care, Flowers and Candles on the entryway bulletin board. Find a partner and sign up for a month of Altar Care. Sign up early to get the month you want! Flowers can ordered through the church or you can bring your own. Candles are $6. How can you help to beautify the altar area at Gloria Dei? Thanks to all who helped with altar duty during 2011! - Pam Morelli & Patty Lyrenmann |
FROM THE GADE FAMILY KOA/50+ MEALS ON WHEELS FOOD SHELF EPIC ALUMINUM CAN DRIVE CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Walter Cutter Delores Wenzel |
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Last Sunday, Nov. 27th, we began a new Church year, so it is appropriate to say, HAPPY NEW YEAR!. Advent is the first season in the Christian Church Year. The word, Advent, from the Latin adventus ("coming"), marks the beginning of the Church year, comprising the four weeks before Christmas. It is a season of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent. Thus, Advent is far more than simply marking a 2,000 year old event in history. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to God. That is a process in which we now participate, and the consummation of which we anticipate. Scripture readings for Advent will reflect this emphasis on the Second Advent, including themes of accountability for faithfulness at His coming, judgment on sin, and the hope of eternal life. In this triple focus on past, present, & future, Advent symbolizes the spiritual journey of individuals and a congregation, as they affirm that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today, and that He will come again in power. That acknowledgment provides a basis for Kingdom ethics, for holy living arising from a profound sense that we live "between the times" and are called to be faithful stewards of what is entrusted to us as God’s people. So, as the church celebrates God’s promised breaking into history in the Incarnation, and anticipates the future consummation to that history for which "all creation is groaning awaiting its redemption," it also confesses its own responsibility as a people commissioned to "love the Lord your God with all your heart" and to "love your neighbor as yourself." It never ceases to amaze me why God could not have chosen "better" people to do His work in the world. Yet if God can use them, and reveal Himself through them in such marvelous ways, it means that He might be able to use me, inadequate, and unwise, and too often lacking in faith that I am. And it means that I need to be careful that I do not in my own self-righteousness put limits on what God can do with the most unlikely of people in the most unlikely of circumstances. I think that is part of the wonder of the Advent Season. |
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CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY
EXULTATE’S CHAMBER CHOIR /ORCHESTRA will present “Tidings of Joy”
Call 651-707-0727, order online at www.exultate.org for tickets or available at the door. Two free tickets are available – Call the Church Office for details. WEIHNACHTS GOTTESDIENST |
CHRISTMAS AT NORTHWESTERN
A concert filled with music, fellowship and fun for everyone! For tickets visit www.nwc.edu/tickets or call 651-631-5151 The National Lutheran Choir Christmas Festival concert “Gloria”
Well-loved carols sung by all, readings, choral music both familiar and new. Tickets for the Choir’s concerts are available by calling 612-722-2301 or order them online at www.nlca.com Doors open 45 minutes prior to performance. LOVE AND JOY PRINCE OF PEACE ACADEMY PRESENTS: “AWAY IN A MANGER” |
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DECEMBER - DAILY BIBLE READING PLAN Read through the Bible in 365 daily readingsThis 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!
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Dear Church Family, Now and again we find something in an old Portals of Prayer that we hand onto. One of those special keeps is a prayer for acceptance of life’s changes, printed on Page 112, Winter Quarter 2010. A year later, your reporter deals frequently with some negativity about changes. On a recent such morning, my prayer partner suggested dealing on that day with the things I was still able to do, the many things I was still blessed with. Still the thought persisted: “I u-sta-could”. (Sorry Webster!) In October Verlayne used as her theme for KOA “Hobbies and Interests”. Typical of most of our meetings, we deviate from the assigned theme and many of the responders chose to talk about how hard they worked, when younger; the huge batches of canning they did; sewing all of their children’s clothes; walking to school, uphill both ways; being super bowlers; roller skating for hours; and dancing all night! You would not believe how often that day I heard “I-usta-could”! In one way or another we are accepting, or will need to accept, life’s changes. None of us knows what loads other people carry in their backpacks. We have not walked their road, nor carried their load. On this particular morning, a floor nursing assistant approached me, with her usual cheerful smile “What’s up?” she inquired watching me look down the forever long hallway. “What a great area this would be for doing cartwheels.” “Go for it!” she said. You know there comes a time when what you’d like to do, has to be replaced by what you can do. Thanks be to God, I can still walk the walk – a can do! As I scribble here (newsletter deadline) I am fully aware that there are eleven days remaining before Thanksgiving. However, this behooves me in the column for our Christmas newsletter, to express Thanksgiving gratitude for the Christmas gifts to all of us in the past year and with the prayer that your physical, emotional and spiritual health will encourage you to keep sharing your many talents with us, long after Christmas of 2011.
The last line of our prayer for acceptance of life’s changes is “Give me a thankful heart that sings your praises. Amen” . A blessed Christ-filled Christmas! A Blessed Christmas! To God be the Glory! Miss Informed |
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THE LUTHERAN HOUR WCCO 830 AM Radio December 4 December 12 - "Waiting for Jesus; December 18 December 25 - "Something To Ponder" |
As of October 31, 2011:
Year to Date as of October 31, 2011:
Call the church office if you desire a detailed report. TIME OF GRACE Straight talk about God’s Word and real hope for this life. A strong gospel message delivered in an informal Bible study style. Pastor Mark Jeske
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Happy Birthday:
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Happy Anniversary:
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December ServantsElders:
Counters:
Greeters: OPEN Ushers: Bill Woll, Verlayne Sather, Wade Billmeyer Altar Care: Tom & Patty Lyrenmann |
December ProvidersFlowers:
Candles:
If you sign up for flowers or candles after the newsletter is published, be sure and let Jeannie know. We want to make sure that flowers are ordered and you are properly acknowledged in the bulletin notes. |
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“For unto us a Child is born… December 24 – Christmas Eve 5 pm December 25 – Christmas Day 10 am Celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior! Bring your family, bring your friends! |
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