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GLORIA DEI LUTHERAN CHURCH
1290 Thompson Road
Coos Bay, OR
97420 541-267-2347 http://www.gloriadeifamily.org/ office@GloriaDeiFamily.org Jon
Strasman, Pastor
Mission Statement “Gathered in Christ, we are called to bring light to our community.”MAY
2010 NEWSLETTER
From the PastorDid you ever wonder why we “Share the Peace” during worship? I know some of you wonder this. You have told me so. I know some you wish we didn’t share the peace at all. I know others (i.e. my children) who think this is the best part of worship. Before you make a judgment, let me humor you with
some research I found to show that sharing the peace isn’t something we
made up, but a rich theological tradition used in Christian worship since
the mid-first century. So where did it come from?
Where can you find it in the Bible? It originally started out as a kiss (aren’t you
glad we don’t do that anymore?).
In Romans 16:16 and 1 Corinthians 16:20, the Apostle Paul concludes
his letter to early churches with, “Greet one another with a holy kiss.”
In First Peter, the author concludes, “Greet one another with a
kiss of love. Peace to all of
you who are in Christ” 1 Peter 5:14. Jesus suggests in the Sermon on the Mount to make
peace with one another before we come to the altar.
“So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember
that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there
before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and
then come and offer your gift” Matthew
5:23-24. Jesus uses the formula, “Peace
be with you” in his second resurrection appearance in the Gospel of John
when he appears to the fearful disciples in the locked room.
He says it three times in John 20. The Roman Rite of liturgy that
Martin Luther scaled back for Lutheran use incorporates the gesture of peace
as a transition or hinge just after the “Prayers of the People” and
before the “Offering” and “Holy Communion” liturgy.
So before we go up for communion we are to share a gesture of peace
with our brothers and sisters in Christ, which can take the form of a kiss,
a hug, a bow, or a handshake, accompanied by the words “Peace be with
you” or “God’s peace be with you”.
You can greet your neighbor or seek out someone you should reconcile
with before you commune. We also have to remember that
when we worship we enter an alternative kingdom.
This is different than any other community we participate in.
When we invoke God’s name: Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit, we enter the Kingdom of God.
Therefore we can offer peace to those whom we struggle with.
We can commune at a table where all are equal and all are welcome.
We can offer our spiritual gifts without needing human recognition or
applause. In this Kingdom God
is the audience and we are the actors. What I discovered in this
research is that the “Peace” was meant to be used in the communion
liturgy. And back then,
communion was meant to be shared every week.
Because of human tradition, communion took on a more infrequent form.
We share communion here on the first and third Sunday’s of the
month. I also discovered that not
everyone has to participate in the peace in such an intimate way.
I would suggest that if “Sharing the Peace” is a piece of the
liturgy that you do not want to participate in, please remain seated or
acknowledge the peace with a head nod or pray during that time.
Also, to the others who love this tradition, please respect those who
choose to remain seated. There
are many reasons why people do not want to participate in sharing the peace
(e.g. germs, feel it is contrived, physical abuse in their past). It is our job to honor them. We do plan to continue “Share
the Peace” in worship. I hope
you learned a little something in this newsletter.
I enjoyed researching it as the Masters golf tournament was streaming
into my office as I was writing.
And if you liked this format or have questions about why we do what
we do in the Lutheran church, just ask.
It may end up in a future writing. See you in church, Pastor Jon
“LIVING
THE VISION” May
Friendship Day, sponsored by Church Women United, will be held at the Coos
Bay Methodist Church, 123 Ocean Blvd SE, Coos Bay, on Friday, May 7 at 12:00
noon. A salad lunch will be
served. The
theme, “Living the Vision,” shows how women can work together to
transform communities and the world, following the vision of our founding
mothers. May Friendship Day
2010 gives us the opportunity to look at who we are as a movement, and who
we are as Local Units. The logo
depicts blank building blocks, which represent all that makes up Church
Women United: prayer, outreach, sisterhood, sharing, worship, celebrations,
etc. As the Celebration
unfolds, participants will literally be given the opportunity to share
ideas, thoughts and prayers that will be written on “blocks” to build a
wall. The book of Nehemiah provides the model for this action, as
we learn how the wall around Jerusalem was rebuilt through prayer, people,
and planning. The service was
written by Marilyn Lariviere, Janis Hoyle and the Rev. Pamela J. Cole, all
who reside in the United States. Also,
May Friendship Day is the Annual Ingathering for the Fellowship of the Least
Coin. This international prayer
movement is a way for women around the world to share in prayer, giving
tokens of that prayer to be used for grants for women and children around
the world. In one sense we do
not “join” Church Women United. We
are members of different churches and Church Women United gives us a channel
through which we work together. We
welcome all who wish to share in responsible action through Church Women
United. This
Celebration also honors valiant women.
She is a woman who has given service to Church Women United, her
church and her community. It is
also the time when men and young women are recognized for church and
community service. For
more information on May Friendship Day, call Nancy Dehart at 541-756-6615. BOOKS
FOR TROOPS Don’t
forget we are still collecting books for the military! Thanks for all you have given in the past and keep ‘em
coming! Some of the books donated have gone to Camp Adder where our local
National Guard was stationed.
PLEASE PRAY FOR.... Gordon
Gates Friends and Relatives: Dolores
Cadwallader (Chris McCollum’s mom) Serving Our Country: Glen
Christensen (Jo & Roy Homedew’s grandson)
SERVING
YOU IN MAY Altar
Flowers: May 2:
June Taylor Altar
Guild: Lois
Serviss Communion
Assistants: May 2: Lay
Readers: May 2:
Dee Ross Greeters: May 2:
Coffee-Hour
Hosts: 8:30
Worship May 2:
Stephanie Kahanek 11:00
Worship May
2: Team 13 – Bob & Dorothy Miller, Joe & Connie Griffis, Billie
Siler, Russ & Jinx Gieseke, BJ Nordquist, Gail Common May
9: Team 14 – Dave & Susan Jordan, Fritz & Kathy Gross,
Bill Moriarty & Elaine Dunham, Bev Macpherson, Doris Smith, Henry &
Mary Scheirman, Debbie Wright May
16: Team 1 – Rudy & Joyce Bjorkquist, Dave & Mo Aakre,
Lee Adams, Bernice Hassel, Denny & Marilyn Schmidt, Bob & Dorothy
Taylor, Judy Mogan May
23: Team 2 – Don & Corrine Bunyard, Carol Bender, Lorraine,
Johnson, Helen Hockemeyer, Gavin & Amy James, Boyd & Barbara
Bjorkquist, Gary & Barb Grassham, Josh & Jamie Scheirman May
30: Team 3 – Dave & Janice Bowman, Gladys Eason, Roy &
Jo Homedew, Bev Peterson, Eric & Melissa Stallings, Susan Paterson, Mike
Boehme PARISH
WELLNESS TIPS The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology offers these suggestions to help prevent dry skin:
WALK
FIT RETURNS With Spring in the air the walking
group is once again meeting at the North Bend High School track. All are
welcome to come walk at 10:00 a.m. each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. PARADE
OF PONDS Thrivent
Financial for Lutheran Central Oregon Coast Chapter Fundraiser for Habitat
for Humanity Parade of Ponds will take place May 15th and 16th.
The cost is $10.00 per person and Thrivent will match up to $700.
Tickets will be available around town and after church services the first
part of May. Donations will also be accepted at that time. Look for more
information to come in the Sunday bulletins. Any questions contact Debbie
Cox 541-756-2250. FOOD
CUPBOARD UPDATE
VACATION
BIBLE SCHOOL Vacation Bible School is coming
soon. Really! June 21st through the 25th will be here quicker than you
think. We have an African theme this year called Baobab Blast featuring many
activities and lessons to bring God’s word to our young people. Once again
we will feature a family style event in the evening. Starting with dinner
and then on to music, lessons and fun. We are again asking for some extra congregational support in one of three ways to make this another success. 1) We always ask for your prayers in support of our efforts 2) We can’t run the event without adult and teen volunteers to fill the many roles needed or 3)
Monetary support to help offset the cost of meals. We have many areas
where you are needed; the kitchen crew, teaching, Group leaders,
decorations, and registration and general go-fers. Please see Denny about how best you can help.
LUTHERAN
WORLD RELIEF Since 1945, U.S. Lutherans have provided material resources by the ton for people in need around the world. The quilts, school kits and soap travel through a well-coordinated, intercontinental pipeline to get from our congregation to the women, children and men who so deeply appreciate your gifts of comfort. In 2009 LWR delivered the following to over 20 countries in need around the world: Quilts: 378,050 School Kits: 231,360 Health Kits: 93,111 Sewing Kits: 25,875 Layettes: 68,890 Pounds of soap: 33,750 A detailed report of where the items went can be found on Lutheran World Relief’s website at: http://lwr.org/beinvolved/how.asp OFFICE
HOLIDAY CLOSURE Please note that the church office will be closed Monday, May 31, for the Memorial Day Holiday.
Hi everyone! Well it is that time of month again, time for you to put on your thinking caps and try to figure out who this months Mystery Church Member is.
-- B.J.Nordquist P.S. March’s Church Neighbor was Dee Ross (guessed first by Jean Monsebroten) and April’s was Kelly and Tammy Northcutt (guessed first by Leslyn Danielson). Logos Players, the Drama Ministry at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, will present John Van Druten’s popular family play, I REMEMBER MAMA on Friday, May 21 at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday afternoon and evening, May 22, at 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. in the church social hall. This is the group’s fourth full-length dinner theatre production. “I Remember Mama” is the classic story of an immigrant Norwegian family living in early 1900’s San Francisco. This warm-hearted drama tells of their struggles and successes and delivers a powerful message about the importance of family. Dave and Susan Jordan are directing this production, which will use the largest set created by the Logos Players yet. The cast features Carolyn Agee as Katrina, the daughter who remembers Mama through her childhood stories; Becky Bell-Greenstreet as “Mama”; David Danner as “Papa”; Bev Petersen, Lynn Danner, and Kim Cox as the “Aunts”; Chris McCollum as “Uncle Chris”; Elizabeth Grassham, Kirstin McCollum, and Tony Slingland as the “children”. Additional roles are played by Becca Ruley, Andie Jensen, Dorie McCollum, Ken Denton, Jacob Valelli, and David Jordan. The Norwegian Smorgasbord Dinner by Sally Hampton and volunteers (no lutefisk, but pickled herring will be available!) will begin at 5:30 p.m. During the intermission, the popular Special Dessert Auction will be held. Half of the proceeds from the production will go to help needy and homeless children and families in our area. Tickets go on sale Sunday, May 2. They will also be available in the church office (541-267-2347), Tuesdays through Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., plus after church services on Sunday mornings. Adult dinner tickets are just $10, and children under 12 pay only $6. Show only and Saturday matinee tickets are just $5. Circle the dates on your calendar so you won’t miss this wonderful show! FROM
OUR INTERN “So
whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of
God.” I encountered this verse from first Corinthians in one of my
devotions recently, and its stuck with me. At first the whole concept of
eating and drinking and every mundane activity glorifying God seemed a
little out there, so I spent some time pondering what it would truly look
like to live our lives this way. I concluded that in a major way it’s
about gratitude. It would mean starting each day thankful for the gift of
another day of life. In a world where more and more people struggle to find
viable ways to support themselves it would mean remembering what a privilege
it is to be able to get up and go to work in the morning, and finding
fulfillment in whatever Gods vocation is for us. It would also mean
cherishing the people God has given us and living faithfully in our
relationships, as well as taking time to care for ourselves, body mind and
soul. I think we live our lives to the glory of God by remembering that all
we have is a gift to be treasured and used faithfully. It seems to me
a very worthwhile endeavor to focus on praising and proclaiming God in all
that we do, both for our own sakes and for the sake of the kingdom. If
we can manage to live our lives even a little more in accordance with this
verse it will not only allow us to glorify God in every aspect of our lives,
but also to appreciate and live our lives more fully.
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