Our History is Important.

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It has been said that “we cannot know where we’re going until we know where we’ve been”.  Historical perspective brings us to celebrate great leaders such as Martin Luther.  He struggles with the meaning of the Bible, his rise in society, his struggle to serve our God, and much more.  All questions we ask ourselves daily have been questions asked through the ages. 

 

Despite Luther’s separation from the Catholic Church, he maintained an appreciation for history.  Continuity led him to retain as much of the historic Roman liturgy as possible, together with music, vestments, lights and symbols not contrary to the spirit of the gospel.  Whereas the reformers simplified many liturgical elements, Luther fearlessly sought to preserve the good and the Biblical.

 

Even going back further in time, we learn the struggles of the Apostle Paul in establishing a new church based upon the beliefs in our Savior.  How to find a balance between the old (Jewish traditions) and a new way offered by Jesus that came to be known as Christianity.

 

History provides much more than understanding our rich heritage as members of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.  It provides much stability and nurturing in understanding our future role as a congregation and ambassadors to our community.  The Bible serves as our compass, the Holy Spirit as our guide, and the Lord Jesus as our teacher and inspiration to serve.  These are just a few reasons why our history is important.  We honor our sixty years as a congregation.

 

In the Beginning

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The beginning of Lutheranism was rooted long before the foundation of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church was planted.  The history of the Lutheran church even predates the beginning of the cities of Coos Bay and North Bend.  The Lutheran church in the Coos Bay area began in 1884.  From the humble days of 1884 when Pastor Peter Carlson organized the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Coos Bay Congregation of Marshfield to the formation of Gloria Dei, the heritage of a Lutheran church adapted to the needs of the communities and flourished.

 

The Creation of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church occurred April 13, 1958, when the members of the Trinity Lutheran Church of Coos Bay the First Lutheran Church of North Bend (established in 1908), met together at a special congregational meeting to become one unified body.  The name of the church was also selected at this meeting.  Gloria Dei comes from a Latin term meaning Glory to God alone.  From that meeting, May 1, 1958 was chosen as the birth date of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.  Before Gloria Dei opened its door to the church body and citizens of Coos Bay-North Bend, it was admitted to the Columbia Conference of the Augustana Church in April 1958

 

Initially, two services were held on Sundays, one at each church building with an average communing attendance of 145 members.  The official church office was at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 337 Commercial Street, Coos Bay.

 

The young church wasted no time to herald the theme “Raise Up and Build”.  On June 15, 1958, a special meeting attended by 46% of the members approved the purchase of 275 acres of property owned by Ray Hosking and the Coos Bay Dredging Company for $8,500; to establish the site of the building in which we worship and enjoy fellowship.

 

In June of 1958 a men’s breakfast group was formed consisting of seven men.  They met on the second Wednesday of each month at the Timber Inn restaurant in Coos Bay at 6:45a.m.  Their motto was: “Strengthen our belief in the Living Jesus Christ and broaden our horizons through Christian fellowship and endeavors”.

 

On October 6, 1958 Pastor Eugene H. Kindschuh was installed at Gloria Die.

Construction of the church building began in October 1959.  By the end of 1959, the total confirmation and baptized membership of Gloria Dei was 634.  Active organizations within the church included the Luther League (high school youth group), the ALCW (Augustana Lutheran Church Women’s group) and the men’s breakfast group.

 

Growing Through the Years

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The Sixties:

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As a turbulent secular society erupted during the sixties and the moral fabric disintegrated, those rooted in the Grace of our Father flourished at Gloria Dei.  The sixties brought forth many changes to this youthful and growing congregation.

 

The first important piece of history is that of our building, dedicated October 9, 1960.  The building, like the congregation has faced many changes and most importantly growth over the past fifty years.  Reverend A. G. Fjellman, Chairman of the Board of American Missions, preached the Service of Dedication Sermon.  The Presentation of the Keys was conducted by Gloria Dei’s Pastor Eugene Kindschuh: Oliver Olson, architect: Lyle Weston, contractor: John Heydon and Hal Merrill, Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Building Committee.  Doctor S. L. Swenson, President of the Columbia Conference, led the Rite of Dedication.

 

From the Dedication Program: On The Design

 

A Church building makes possible four essential functions of a congregation-worship, education, fellowship and pastoral service and administration.  The master plan of this building, two-thirds of which is represented by the present structure, will adequately fulfill these basic functions for years to come.

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As is suggested by the basic layout of the master plan, a church building becomes a witness to what a Christian congregation believes is important in its faith and in its mission to the community and the world.

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All of the above mentioned four functions are bound together by a common purpose and a common faith in Christ. Though separate functions may be held in each unit simultaneously without disturbance to each other, each function is bound together with the other, in fact, as well as in principle, by the narthex of the Church, from which access is possible to each unit.  The fellowship hall, most versatile of the units, will be used as an educational unit, for the time being.  However, its construction and atmosphere testify that Christian fellowship is important to the life of a congregation and that it may be pleasant and cordial and readily apparent and available to all.  Construction of the future classroom addition will await the necessary funds.  The administration wing is readily available at the main entrance of the church, signifying that the service which this Church performs though its office staff and its Pastor, is eagerly extended to all.

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Towering above the entire structure is the Sanctuary, with it vaulted ceiling and its cathedral-like proportions, an invitation to all to worship God through Word and Sacrament.  The dominance of the Sanctuary is a witness that worship is the central function of a congregation’s life and that it is the worship experience, with its Gospel proclamation, which gives meaning to education, fellowship and pastoral service.

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The Sanctuary lamp, which is suspended from the ceiling in the chapel, is never extinguished, burning night and day as a symbol of the external presence of the Holy Spirit.  The alter, which is the visual focal point and center of the Sanctuary, symbolizes God, who is the center of all life.  It is the place where through Word and Sacrament God offers His gifts to us, and we bring ourselves to Him.  It occupies the most prominent and honored position in the church.  The pulpit from which the same Word of God is proclaimed, likewise occupies a prominent place, on the "Gospel side of the chancel, with the Epistle Lecturn, on the Epistle side”, serving as the place where the Epistle lesson is read and where other talks and addresses are given.

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The face of the exterior chancel wall, which greets each one who approaches the site, includes an impressive profile outline of Christ, the Teacher, in declaration that this is a Christian house of Worship.  It is a symbol of the open invitation this church extends to all to share in the message and the blessed Presence of the Master.

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Towering above the main entrance to the building is a cross, beneath which each one who enters must pass.  The cross above the alter on the interior chancel wall dominates each worship—all this in the hope that each one who enters this House of God may be led to say in truth, “Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand: the shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land; a home within a wilderness, a rest upon the way, from the burning of noon-tide heat and burdens of the day.”

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At the time of dedication, membership of the congregation consisted of 410 adults and 245 children.  The 2.87 acres site, not within the incorporated boundaries of North Bend or Coos Bay, was located in the exact center of the bay area with ninety percent of the members residing within a two-mile radius of the church.

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The congregation said farewell to Pastor Eugene Kindschuh and his family on October 29. 1961.  Pastor Darrell Carlson was installed in January 1962.

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Building upgrades continued during 1962 including the laying of the tile in the sanctuary and the installation of a new baptismal font.  A major event of 1962 was the creation of the Lutheran Church of America (LCA) formed for the combination of our national synods: the Suomi (Finnish), United {German}, Augustana {Swedish} and American Evangelical (Danish}.

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As a result of the merger, Gloria Dei became part of the Pacific Northwest Synod.  One of the immediate results of this new merger was the elimination of the old system of Deacons and Trustees.  The Deacons had been charged with the spiritual welfare of the parish, while the Trustees were in control of all business and financial matters.  In addition, a separate body called the Board of Administration met monthly to oversee the entire work of the church.  The constitution of the newly formed LCA provided for one church council to be responsible for all matters concerning the congregation. Specific committees were established.

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Members of the council were expected to function on one of the committees, choosing from education, worship, evangelism, finance, property, social concerns or memorial.

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The new women’s group, Lutheran Church Women (LCW) was also affected by the formation of the LCA.   The new constitution suggested that parishioners support their congregations through their offerings rather than ask for community financial support.  Thus the bazaars and merchant lunches were eliminated.  The LCW met monthly using skits, parodies, and creative programming to present social issues and current topics to the women of the church.  In addition, there were several women’s guilds that met monthly for Bible study and fellowship.  The Elizabeth Guild continued meeting until 2007 when they disbanded.  Activities for missions abroad included soap collecting from local motels and making hospital gowns and bandages for Africa.  On the local level, missions were served by a hospitality committee that sponsored coffee hours and provided food, assistance and care for families in need in our congregation.

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The Seamen’s Center opened in October 1963 with Gloria Dei as one of the participating church.  Churches provided food, recreation and fellowship opportunities for foreign seamen entering the Port of Coos Bay.  In 1993 the Seamen’s Center served 3,200 seamen.  Over the years, the number of seamen entering the Port of Coos Bay declined and the center was closed in 2002.

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The Bay Area Council of Churches was formed in 1964 with Gloria Dei as a charter member. Continuous improvements were made to the church during the 1960’s including the purchase of pews in 1965 and the exterior painting of the building in 1967.

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A number of special activates took place during 1986.  In January, the old bell from Trinity Lutheran Church was transferred to the roof of the sanctuary and covered, where it remained in use each Sunday for a number of years.  A pantry for the needy was set up in the church and maintained by Helen Velure, Leona Putman and Emma Danielson.

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Jim Von Stein, one of the Gloria Dei’s youth, designed and made the tile inserts for the pulpit and lecturn to correspond to the seasons of the church year.  Another youth, Mike Ford, designed and tiled the Baptismal Font.  Both of these young men received their God and Country awards in Scouting for their accomplishments.

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On May 5, 1968, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church celebrated its 10th Anniversary.  Pastor Darrell Carlson chose the theme “Blueprints” for the event: “as blueprints were essential before this impressive church building was erected, so we must plan to lay ‘blueprints’ for the future growth of this congregation…in building the Kingdom  of God.”

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An Open House and Tea was held on Mary 4, 1968 featuring displays of historical importance and exhibit of local artists.  That evening a banquet was held at Pony Village Motor Lodge.  The Anniversary banquet speaker was Pastor Eugene Kindschuh.  Gloria Dei’s first pastor.  The following day, Dr. A. G. Fjellan, President of the Pacific Northwest Synod, led the Anniversary worship service.  His sermon was entitled “Instruments of Thy Peace.”

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Pastor Carlson resigned in May 1969, to enter a program to become an institutional chaplain.  With the assistance of Dr.  Fjellman of the Pacific Northwest Synod, Reverend Robert Osmun was called to begin his work in August 1969.

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Pastor Osmun was the first pastor to purchase his own home, which allowed for the sale of the parsonage, located at 2061 W. Juniper, Coos Bay.  The asking selling price was $14,800.  The sale of the parsonage paid some of the outstanding bills and began to stabilize the financial condition of the congregation.  Extensive work began on the building to create a better use of the facility.  The social hall was partitioned to create the fireplace room and the nursery area.  It was carpeted and draperies were installed.

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Pastor Osmun introduced the wearing of the alb to the congregation.  The beige alb was a change from the traditional black clerie robe previously worn by pastors.  He also introduced the chasuble, a red cape worn by some pastors over the alb when serving communion.

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At the close of the sixties there were 439 confirmed members of Gloria Dei; 247 of which received communion during 1969.

 

The Seventies

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With a growing congregation there was inadequate space for the Sunday school.  The beginning of the seventies led to the addition of a Sunday school wing.  Robert “Bud” Lee, a member of Gloria Dei, constructed the wing by effectively using the exterior west wall of the building as part of the new addition.

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In October of 1972, a second service was added on Sunday mornings.  This was a more contemporary service and was held in the fireside room.  On the first Sunday of the month this service met in the sanctuary for communion.

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One important project, which took place in 1973, was called “Key 73”.  This involved group meetings for the reading and distribution of the Good News to Modern Man, the New Testament in modern English, to the members of the community.

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In 1975 Gloria Dei Lutheran Church began communing fifth graders following a period of instruction.

Over the years, modifications to worship services have been made as new hymnals have arrived on the scene including the green hymnal in 1978; The Holden Evening Vespers in 1986; With One Voice in 1995 and most recently the Evangelical Lutheran Worship Book.  Gloria Dei has participated in various services with other churches in the community including a Maundy Thursday Seder dinner with Faith Lutheran Church; World Day of Prayer; & pulpit exchanges during Lent; and Easter Sunrise & Christmas Eve services at the beach.

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The congregation took on the responsibility of sponsoring a Vietnamese family of 11 in 1975.

In November 1976 Pastor Osmun resigned from Gloria Dei to accept a call to Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Billings, Montana.

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In Feb 1977, Pastor James K. Borzin was installed as a Gloria Dei’s fourth pastor.

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The twentieth anniversary service was held in May 1978. During 1978 new communion ware was purchased, a new sign was placed on Thompson Road, and a church library was begun.

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Our worship services were enhanced by the addition of new alter paraments and banners during the 1970’s.  The congregation began raising money to purchase a new organ.

 

The Eighties:

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After a three-year endeavor a new pipe organ was purchased.  The 682 pipe, ten-rank custom organ was designed, built and installed by the Balcom and Vaughn Company of Seattle, Washington.  The organ, dedicated on October 5, 1980, provided a reunion for Gloria Dei with former Pastor Kindschuh.   He assisted Pastors Lano Thelin and Jim Bornin in the dedicatory service with Beverly Kindschuh serving as organist.

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A processional cross, made of myrtlewood, with a brass orb was donated to the congregation and dedicated in February 1982.

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The year 1984 marked the 100th anniversary of the Lutheran Church in the Coos Bay-North Bend area.  Gloria Dei marked this anniversary with three special events: The first of these events was held in August when, Pastor Kindschuh, the first pastor of Gloria Dei, returned to Gloria Dei and delivered the sermon for the service of celebration retiring the church debt.  Following the sermon all of the founding members in attendance were invited to the chancel for the burning of the mortgage.

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At the end of the service the pastors led the congregation in outside to dedicate the newly paved parking lot.  The second event was an Anniversary service held September.  Pastor Paul Swanson, Assistant to the Bishop presided and the afternoon festivities included an organ recital, a tea, and an open house featuring a 100-year time line of news clippings, photos, and artifacts.  The third event was a Scandinavian Potluck in late September at which former Pastor Robert Osmun and his wife Iris were the guests of honor.  In honor of the Centennial, a 32 page history of the Lutheran heritage for the Coos Bay area was published.  The editorial staff of Wally Johnson, Jean Monsebroten, Dorothy Foss and Derrill Allen provided an excellent written and pictorial history encompassing the first 100 years of our Lutheran Heritage.  We have gleaned a great deal of information from that history for use in this historical information.

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During the 1980’s Pastor Bornzin and Pastor Steve Torkko of Faith Lutheran Church in North Bend established an annual Easter sunrise and communion service held at Horsefall beach.  In more recent years these services were moved to Sunset Bay and a Christmas Eve service was added.  They also worked together on a joint confirmation program for our youth, which included a one-week confirmation camp each summer at Camp Lutherwood.

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In late 1985 Pastor Jim Bornzin resigned from Gloria Dei to enroll in a clinical pastoral education program in Spokane, Washington.

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Pastor Paul A Teyler was installed as the sixth Pastor of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church on May 14, 1986.  During Pastor Teyler’s nineteen years of service, Gloria Dei showed a dramatic increase in community involvement.

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One of the first community activities Pastor Teyler became involved in was the T.H.E House (Temporary Help in Emergency).  He served on its board for many years as did Irene Sund, one of our members.  Several of the members of our congregations helped serve meals there.

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Pastor Teyler also took the Stephen Ministries training in 1987 and together with Pastor Torkko of Faith Lutheran Church began a class to train Stephen Ministers.

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Another major event in the life of the Lutheran church took place in February 1988, when the Lutheran Church in America (LCA), including Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, and the American Lutheran Church (ALC), including Faith Lutheran Church of North Bend merged to form the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA).  In honor of this occasion members of Gloria Dei and Faith Lutheran processed from their respective churches to Boynton Park at the corner of Sherman and Newmark Avenues for "Tying the Knot” ceremony.

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As the eighties came to a close, Gloria Dei’s baptized membership increased to 638, with 247 communing members, 248 active members and nine members who were serving the military.  The average Sunday attendance was 143.

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The Nineties:

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Bay-Area Extended Housing was launched in January 1990 with Gloria Dei, and six other local churches offering homeless families a hand up- and not just a hand out by providing short-term housing.

A new grand piano was dedicated in February 1990 with a concert, “Praise the Lord O My Soul”, which featured church members and other local musical talent.

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In May 1990, support for a local Habitat for Humanity program was in the planning process with Pastor Teyler serving as one of those planners and as the contact person and eventually as the Chairman of the ad hoc committee.

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Other ecumenical programs begun in 1990 included a summer youth program held at Faith Lutheran Church for children ranging in age from four years through high school; a grief support group and a tutoring program.

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In 1992 a sloped roof was built over the Sunday School wing, nursery and kitchen and a new heating system was installed.  That year also saw a “mugging” outreach program adopted by the Evangelism committee.  Armed with a coffee mug and a plate of cookies, they went to homes for a chat over coffee and cookies, leaving he mug behind.

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The Logos program was developed in partnership with Faith Lutheran Church of North Bend in 1993. This program was based on a theory that faith is caught, not taught.  Families came together on Wednesday evenings for a meal, fellowship activities and Bible study.  The confirmation class also met during the Bible study portion of the evening.

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On May 16,1993, Gloria Dei hosted the “Festival of Praise” concert composed of several church choirs and a mass choir.  This was the beginning of many such ecumenical choir festivals that continue to be held to this day.  Our choir director, David Aakre, has directed a number of the mass choirs.

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A new sound system was also installed at the church in 1993.

 

The fall of 1994, Pam Hall became the first paid Christian Education Coordinator, Kathy Whitwer and then Denny Schmidt followed her.  The Endowment Fund was also started in 1994.

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In the mid 1990’s marked the adoption of a new communion liturgy: “Now the Feast and Celebration”.  The congregation also began participating in the “Relay for Life”, cancer walks and began an outreach program at Ocean Crest Retirement facility.  Pastor Teyler participated in the Bay Area Hospital Chaplain program.  A children’s choir was also begun during this period.  In 1998 Memorial Funds were used to remodel the choir loft and replace the loft pews with chairs.

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Over the years, Gloria Dei’s outreach ministry has always been faithful in giving financial support to the Oregon Synod and to several of our Lutheran related programs including World Hunger, Camp Lutherwood, Holden Village, Pacific Lutheran University and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary.

The aluminum cross, located on the exterior west wall of the church, was constructed by Southwestern Oregon Community College under the direction of Ells Leegard.

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In 1999 a Sunday evening contemporary service called Even; Song was started.  This service was held in the fireside room and during the summer months was held at Mingus Park.

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Looking forward to the beginning of the Twenty-First century, a Bible reading program was initiated with the goal of reading through the entire Bible out loud.  This activity included about a dozen people who met in the sanctuary of the church on the fourth Sunday of each month from 4:30pm to 6:00pm.

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After many years of service, Bonnie Williamson retired as choir director in August 1999.  She continues to play an integral role in the worship and music life of Gloria Dei as the accompanist for the choir and as the church organist.  David Aakre began directing the choir September 1, 1999.  The 1990’s ended with a large influx of new members including over 60 new members welcomed on December 5, 1999.  This flux of new members continued over the next several years.  As the close of the nineties, the average Sunday service attendance was 171.

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The Twenty-First Century

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A group of youth under the leadership of Donna Tyler started a new ministry at Inland Point bringing service and communion oncea month to those in the facility.  For several years the youth have participated in raising money to combat world hunger through both a thirty-hour fast and taking a free will offering in a soup bowl on Super Bowl Sunday.  In 2004 Eric Thompson was hired to work with the youth until he left for college.  In 2005 Todd Warren was hired as our youth director.  Todd & his family returned to California in 2003.  Jeff & Eileen Ferry and Alan & Aurora Johnson took over working with the youth.  A number of our youth together with several adults attended the National ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans in 2009.

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On August 25, 2000 a Service of Ordination was held for Susan Halvor.  She was, at that time, the only member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church who has become an ordained Lutheran minister.  Our congregation generously supported Susan while she was attending seminary at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary through endowment funds and coffee hour fundraisers.  She is currently serving  as the manager of spiritual care at Providence Hospital in Anchorage, Alaska.

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The congregation has been very enthusiastic about the mid-week services that are held during Lent an Advent.  These services are preceded by a soup supper. During Lent we use the Small Taize service and during Advent we use the Holden Village Vespers service.

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Building activities have included the completion of an addition to our educational wing in October 2000; the dedication of new narthex doors in 2001; the purchase of a new piano using memorial funds in 2002 and most recently the painting of the exterior of our building in 2008.

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In 2015 funds were raised through donations and fundraising events to remodel the kitchen.  This beautiful professional facility was completed in 2017.

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The Gloria Dei choir recorded a CD of anthem favorites in 2003, which were sold as a fundraiser for the choir. The CD was dedicated to the memory of Sandy Hardt, a choir member who passed away shortly after we began recording anthems for the CD.  The choir recorded a second CD in 2006.  With the funds raised through the sale of our CD’s and other gifts the choir has participated in workshops and started bringing their music and joy of singing to other Lutheran Churches in Oregon.  One of the choir’s first outings was to serve as a demonstration choir at a Mark Hayes workshop in Lake Oswego, Oregon.  The fall of 2008, the choir brought Deborah Govenor to our church for a music workshop.

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On January 7, 2004, following a winter storm, The World newspaper described Gloria Dei as a warm harbor.  Coos Bay-North Bend area, faced with a loss of electrical power, accepted the hospitality of Gloria Dei.  Our church was one of the few locations with electricity and we opened our doors to serve the community as a Red Cross Shelter.  Meals were served to 190 people and twenty people were given beds for the night.

The women of the church have re-established a W.E.L.C.A (Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) group.  Led by Dorothy Taylor, they meet the second Thursday of the month for a potluck lunch and Bible study.  The group has also been responsible for making up Lutheran World Relief school kits (260 were made in 2008) and sending quilts and material to Lutheran World Relief.

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A Parish Nurse program was started with a training session held at Gloria Dei. Those involved in the program provided blood pressure checks for members as well as health and wellness information.

Throughout the years our congregation has provided opportunities for fellowship for all ages through various groups known as the “Couples Club”, the “No-Name Group” and the “Fellowship Group”.  Some of our activities have included tips to Diamond Lake, Christmas tree decorating an attendance at local theater productions.

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On June 18, 2005 a farewell dinner was held for Pastor Paul Teyler, Elin, Karin & Christopher.  Many people from the community attended the dinner as we celebrated his nineteen years of service.  Pastor Teyler resigned from Gloria Dei to accept a call at Fairbanks Lutheran Church in Alaska.

Pastor Janelle Aldrich-Dale arrived July 5, 2005 to begin serving as interim pastor.  She continued to serve the congregation until December 31, 2006.

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The Prayer Shawl Ministry marked its beginning in 2006 with a goal of comforting and nurturing people in need and as an outreach of love and compassion.  A group of women, under the direction of Corrine Bunyard, began meeting on Friday afternoons to knit prayer shawls.  These shawls will be blessed by the Pastor during worship and are given out as the group discovers someone may have a need for one.  A card that includes a “prayer of blessing for the shawl” and is signed by the members of the group, accompanies each shawl. The church continues to participate in the annual ecumenical Thanksgiving dinner which rotates to Gloria Dei Church to host every 3 to 4 years.

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The past few years have seen the women continue their annual Christmas salad luncheon until 2015.    In 2007 the women worked on making new Christmas ornaments for the sanctuary Christmas tree.  The original Christmas ornaments had been made in the 1970’s.

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Pastor Jon Stasman arrived to begin serving Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in January 2007.  Under Pastor Strasman’s leadership the congregation established a mutual ministry Committee.  The purpose of the committee is to improve the relationship between pastor and people in our congregation and to provide assistance in the ministry at Gloria Dei.  Several mission pods (a term coined by Pastor Strasman for groups of people getting together with a similar interest) have formed such as the Abolitionist Pod, which encourages using Fair Trade products and most recently a Transportation Pod.

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In 2006 we began holding Vacation Bible School in the evening.  The program began with a meal, then following the meal there were classes for students as well as adults.

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New hymnals were purchased and we began using a new liturgy the summer of 2008.  The congregation has started sponsoring the syndicated Lutheran radio program, “Grace Matters”, on the K LIGHT radio station.

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We as a congregation, community and servants of our risen Lord, celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church on October 26, 2008.  This Reformation Sunday also served to introduce Gloria Dei’s new mission statement:

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“Gathered in Christ, we are called to bring light to our community”