Glory of Christ Lutheran Church Lutheran Church Missouri Synod

4040 County Road 101 No.

Plymouth, MN 55446

Office phone763-478-6031 www.gloryofchrist.org Pastor: Rev. Klemet Preus Asst: Jo Ellen Braun

Assistant Pastor for Missions: Rev. John Fehrmann Visitation Pastor: Rev. Dean Weibel

Organists: Carla Claussen, Zelda Malo, Maddie Marshall & Sarah Miller, Adult Choir Director: Carla Claussen

Bell Choir Director: Brenda Richards, Music Coordinator: Zelda Malo, Children’s Bell Director: Ellie Leimer

May 2011

Timely Thoughts from Bishop Bo Giertz

Pastor Preus Cell Phone: (763) 438-2375 (Pastor can be reached anytime on his Cell phone)

Church Office Telephone: (763) 478-6031 Church Fax: (763) 478-3970

Church e-mail: joellen@gloryofchrist.org

Pastor’s Home Telephone: (763) 519-0459

“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in

heaven”

Church Elders: Church Elders: Church Elders: Church Elders:

Bill Anderson Carl Hartness Dave Koosman Garry McCreary Mike Olson Bruce Paradis Jason Paradis Ben Rolf ******************* President of Congregation:President of Congregation:President of Congregation:President of Congregation: Roger Hargreaves Treasurer: Treasurer: Treasurer: Treasurer: Jesse Huber Secretary: Secretary: Secretary: Secretary: Brenda Richards Church Council: Church Council: Church Council: Church Council: Lori Beck Travis Dorweiler Eileen Esget Marcus Olson Mike Lindh Russell McBroom Chuck McGriff *******************

In 1939 the well known Swedish Bishop Bo Giertz wrote a brief book entitled “Christ’s

Church: Her Biblical Roots, Her Dramatic History, Her Saving presence, Her Glorious

future.” In this short book Bishop Giertz cautioned against a mindset within the church of

his day which had already become apparent 150 years earlier. He said,

• “Ever since the 1790’s strong forces have been in motion which did not want

to acknowledge the church’s past and instead more or less intentionally aspired

to attain a new reformation.” P. 86

• “Anything which could restrain individuality was rejected.” 87

• “Freedom of conscience became the same as each man’s right to be saved in

his own way.” 87

• “While Luther knew that that reason is blinded and the will is in bondage, it

was now said that reason is the right guide and that man’s will is a wonderful

power of creativity which in an ever ascending curve leads the development of

culture upwards.” 88

• “God’s church and His Word were summoned to answer before man’s court.

The Bible was degraded; its authority disappeared in the jumble of voices

asking the church to adjust to modern things. Reservations were made

everywhere in the creed. The sacraments were beyond understanding. All too

palpably, they indicate the necessity of salvation, proclaiming that God came

to earth to save and redeem us lost and condemned beings. One ceased

kneeling and making the sign of the cross at worship. The creed was no longer

said in unison.” 88

• “The old vestments which can be traced back to the days of the apostles, went

out of use more and more. In a strange way, one began…to lose the sense of

the joy and solemnity of the liturgy. Maybe that happened because the mass no

longer was the heavenly feast of joy, where the congregation meets her King,

but rather an occasion for enlightenment of the people. One also preferred to alter the nave (the

Sanctuary) so as to more resemble a high school auditorium. Many of the old churches built in the

Middle Ages when Christianity came to Sweden were torn down.” 88

Wow, this sounds like it could have been written today about some congregations of the Lutheran Church

Missouri Synod. There are forces which are getting rid of the liturgy, throwing away vestments, using

auditoriums instead of the nave of the church for services. Most of this is done because we “do not want to

acknowledge the church’s past.”

So, where is the Lutheran Church of Sweden today? It has all but disappeared. Why? Because when you

forget the past, your heritage, your roots and your “ethos” you cannot long survive. Thank God that both

Glory of Christ and the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod live and thrive on the Scriptures, the Sacraments

and the wonderful heritage with which God has blessed us.

Klemet Preus

Monday night service with Beer and Brats

June 6th at 8:00 PM at the Church

This summer Divine services will take place each Monday night at

7:00 beginning the sixth of June and continuing through the last

Monday of August (with the exception of July fourth). In order to

promote and encourage attendance at the Monday night services

during the summer, the elders of the congregation wish to invite the

entire church to a meal of Beer and Brats at the church after the

Monday evening service on June 6. Although the Brats won’t be

served until 8:00 you can come a bit early and enjoy the evening with

other members. Both Beer and Brats will be provided through the

generosity of the Elders.

At its meeting on May 17 the Board of Directors of the MNS district will probably be presented an

overture which calls for the sale of the property which has housed University Lutheran Chapel for

the last 62 years – a property from which the presence and work of confessional Lutheranism on the

campus of the University of Minnesota has taken place. The chapel is the place where God dwells

among his people at the university, for it is there that word and sacrament have been distributed to

his people.

If the Board of Directors decides to sell the property that will mean, for all practical purposes, that

the congregation which gathers at the chapel will have no worship place, will have to find and rent

space elsewhere and its very existence, at least as currently constituted, will be jeopardized. The

pastor will still serve the congregation but they will find it difficult if impossible both to pay him and

to find a suitable rental space. Further, the growth enjoyed by the chapel over the last twenty years

will probably be thwarted. Glory of Christ has supported the chapel with both gifts and prayers for

the past dozen years. Pr. Kind and Pastor Pless have spoken at our church. We have prayed for ULC

during divine services about six or eight times a year for the past ten years. If the Board of Directors

of the District should sell the property such support for the chapel will be needed even more.

The Bible does promise us that it is often only through tribulation and grief that his church is blessed.

And the church sings “through toil and tribulation and tumult of her war she waits the

consummation of Peace forevermore.” God also promises that “the church will never perish, her dear

Lord to defend, to guide, sustain and cherish, is with her to the end.” Christ will always defend,

guide, sustain and cherish his sheep. He is the good shepherd after all.

Please pray for the chapel, her pastor, her leaders, and her ongoing ministry. And pray that God will

move in the hearts of the district leadership to prevent them from selling the chapel property.

Klemet Preus

Spring Cleaning! On Thursday May 19th from 3-9 pm Spring work night.

We hope to accomplish indoor and outdoor clean up.

Please bring necessary equipment and tools for these

Projects.

Services in the month of May

May 8, Third Sunday of Easter, – Good Shepherd Sunday is a great time to think again

about Christ, both as he lays his life down for the sheep and as he speaks this message of his

sacrificial love to his church. These two emphases are taught in the Gospel, John 10:11-16.

May 15, Fourth Sunday of Easter – Christians will always have times of grief. And God

promises always to dry our eyes. This pattern is established by Christ himself who- through

his death, caused his disciples grief, but through his resurrection gives us great joy (John

16:16-22). You can count on grief. You can count more fully on Joy.

May 22, Fifth Sunday of Easter – John 16:5-15, the gospel for this Sunday, is Christ’s

promise that he would send a Counselor who, through the gospel, would lead us to a

knowledge of Jesus Christ. Christ’s promise is made possible by his death and resurrection.

His promised Spirit reminds us of the truth of the same. This Sunday anticipates Pentecost

when Jesus will send his spirit upon all flesh.

May 29, Sixth Sunday of Easter – John 14:1-14 is probably the clearest text in the Bible

regarding the way to heaven through Jesus Christ. It’s the famous passage where Jesus

promises to prepare a place for us. How does (did) He do that. What place is he talking

about?

OUR MUSIC STAFF:

Church Organists: Carla Claussen, Zelda Malo, Maddie Marshall, & Sarah Miller

Music Coordinator: Zelda Malo 763-972-3710

Adult Choir Director: Carla Claussen 651-697-1117 (practice Wednesday’s at 7:30)

Bell Choir Director: Brenda Richards 763-476-6981 (practice Wednesday’s at 6:30)

Children’s Bell Choir Director: Ellie Leimer 952-294-4200 (practice Wednesday’s at 4:30)

May 8th May 15th May 22nd May 28th

COFFEE SERVERS: E. Walter J. Koosman M. Olson B. Larson

A. Walter J. Braun D. Olson J. Larson

ACOLYTES:

9:00 AM Maddie Z. Sam Olson C. Sikorski S. Olson

ELDERS:

9:00 AM B. Anderson B. Anderson B. Anderson B. Anderson

D. Koosman D. Koosman D. Koosman D. Koosman

USHERS:

9:00 AM L. Albers J. Fahnhorst C. Olson J. Olson

Z. Albers C. Houck R. Olson J. Olson

ALTAR GUILD; J. Koosman P. Hemingway C. Kuenzel S. Karius

K. Swenson M Scharlau D. Kuenzel K. Skau

OFFERING C. Kuenzel J. Eickhoff T. Lavanger J .Justat

COUNTERS: D. Kuenzel J. Eickhoff R. McBroom M. Justat

BREAD BAKER E. McBroom B. Gruenhagen M. Lehnertz C. Smith

BREAD DELIVERER R. Decker B. Gruenhagen M. Lehnertz C. Smith

2011 Glory of Christ Men’s Retreat

Friday August 26th thru Sunday August 28th

The Elders have decided to organize a men’s retreat this year. Designed to be a fellowship

event with time set aside for bible study. The retreat will be in Crosslake MN (Whitefish

Chain of Lakes) on August 26th -28th. Starting on August 26th for anyone who wants to skip a

day of work. The Paradis and McCreary families have contributed the use of their

cabins. Activities will include relaxing, boating, fishing, sightseeing , golf and Christian

fellowship. We need the men of the congregation interested in attending to sign up as soon as

possible. The Elders need a head count so they can complete the planning. When you sign up

please indicate the day and time you plan to arrive. If you have any questions about the event

please ask one of the Elders.

5/01/000 Emily Fuchs Birthday

5/02/000 Arta Walter Birthday

5/03/000 Brad Schoolman Birthday

5/07/000 Kevin Berry Birthday

5/09/000 Eleanor Rolf Birthday

5/10/000 Kent Rudeedn & Janelle Franzmeier Anniversary

5/14/000 Malia Lehnertz Birthday

5/15/000 LeRoy and Betty Reinke Anniversary

5/15/000 Janet Karius Birthday

5/16/000 Charlotte Smith Birthday

5/17/000 John Wilinksi Birthday

5/17/000 Maciej Justat Birthday

5/26/000 Mike Olson Birthday

5/29/000 Dave Feneis Birthday

5/30/000 Travis & Kelly Dorweiler Anniversary

5/31/000 Barry and Emily Fuchs Anniversary

5/31/000 Mike & Lea Connealy Anniversary

QUILTERS: Last call for quilting until the fall. We will again be meeting on May 12th at 9:00 for a day of quilting. Bring your lunch and stay into the afternoon. If you have any cotton fabric appropriate for quilting, please bring that also. This is an opportunity to help make quilts and enjoy some great fellowship.

Vacation Bible School June 13 – 16, 2011 For children Pre-K through 5th grade in the Fall of 2011.

DAILY SCHEDULE:

Early drop off begins at 8:30 AM

VBS starts at 9 AM and goes until noon. Bible Story, Special Craft, Special

Music, Special Snack, Special Games – ALL GOOD FUN!!

Afternoon Adventures from noon until 5:00 PM: Adventures include: Water

Fun, Visits by exotic Animals, Inflatables, Face Painting, Special Music opportunities and more!!

Monday: “Big Basket Beginning” (Baby Moses Rescued)

Tuesday: “Rockin’ Red Sea Rescue” (Crossing the Red Sea)

Wednesday: “The Resurrection Race” (Peter and John run to the empty Tomb)

Thursday: “A Jeweled Journey’s End” (John’s Vision of Heaven)

5:00PM – 6:30PM: BBQ and Closing Program – entire congregation welcome and encouraged to attend (great

outreach opportunity!!) SUNDAY, June 19: Kids Share Songs at 9:00 AM Worship Service

ICE CREAM SOCIAL on Sunday, June 5th from 11:45 –

12:45 PM – good opportuinity to meet us and see the facilities, register and

get your packet of all VBS information.

Grab a postcard after church, invite a friend and join us!!

It’s FREE!!

On April 27, in what the National Weather Service called a “tragically

historic day of tornadic activity and severe weather,” hundreds of tornadoes

ripped across the South, killing more than 290 people, demolishing homes

and destroying belongings.

Alabama and Mississippi suffered the most. “There are hardly words to

describe the damage,” said Rev. Glenn Merritt, director of Disaster Response

with LCMS World Relief and Human Care (WR-HC). In Cullman, Ala., St.

Paul’s Lutheran Church and its accompanying school experienced extensive

damage.

As assessment of need continues, the LCMS stands ready to assist, bringing

“mercy and reassurance to our members, districts and congregations,” says

Merritt.

Your gifts provide LCMS WR-HC with the capacity to supply food, drink

and shelter as well as the comfort and consolation of the Gospel. Please join

us in praying for and financially supporting those who have lost so much and

who are in profound need of the comfort of the Gospel.

You Can Help!

Pray: Please pray for those who have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods.

Please pray that Lutheran disaster-response efforts bring comfort to those

who so desperately need Christ’s mercy.

Connect: To learn more, visit www.lcms.org/worldrelief, or find us on

Facebook and Twitter.

Give: Donations are urgently needed. Your gifts will support disaster response

efforts to Lutherans in the affected areas.

• Mail checks (noting “Tornado Relief” in the memo line) to:

LCMS World Relief and Human Care

P.O. Box 66861

St. Louis MO 63166-6861

• Phone toll-free 888-930-4438 • Go online to http://givenowlcms.org Any funds not needed for this relief effort will be used for other disaster purposes as determined

by LCMS World Relief and Human Care. Your gift is tax deductible to the extent permitted

by law.

Looking for another way to support the VBS effort? We are looking for the following items.

There is a collection box next to the palm trees:

Craft donations:

empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls

Pony beads

Beading thread- jute or hemp

Small religious themed rubber stamps

Religious themed stickers

Fine point paint pens

Decorations to borrow:

artificial vines, (ie ivy or grape vines)

Stuffed jungle animals

Other Items to borrow:

Large coolers (need 4) for keeping lunches cold

Check the poster in the narthex for an updated list of needed items.

Lately a number of people have expressed curiosity on how the elders choose the mission

projects which are recommended for congregational support at our annual voters meetings

which approves the budget. A chief criterion employed is a questionnaire which is sent to

any potential recipients of Glory of Christ mission dollars. This questionnaire was developed

in 2001 and revised slightly in 2003. Every agency which receives mission support from

Glory of Christ has expressed written or verbal agreement with the questionnaire. In case

you also are curious the questionnaire is printed below.

Glory of Christ Lutheran Church

Questionnaire of Mission Support

Do you believe that the Bible is the Word of God in whole and in all its parts, verbally inspired by

God, without error and the only final source and norm for the church’s doctrine and practice?

Yes___________ No_____________ Unsure_______________

Do you believe that the Confessions of the Lutheran Church are a correct exposition of the word of

God and do you promise never to teach or allow any teaching which conflicts with these

confessions?

Yes____________ No_______________ Unsure______________

Do you believe that the doctrine of justification for Christ’s Sake by grace through faith is the

central article of the Christian faith and the doctrine upon which the church stands or falls?

Yes_____________ No_____________ Unsure __________________

Do you reject as unbiblical the practice of ordaining women into the pastoral ministry, or of

allowing women publicly to preach, teach or administer Christ’s Sacraments in the Church, and do

make sure that those under your authority hold to the same?

Yes_____________ No______________ Unsure_________________

Do you encourage and promote the practice of closed communion in which only those are

communed who have been instructed in and accept the teachings of the Lutheran Church and who

are members in good standing of congregations in fellowship with yours?

Yes_____________ No____________ Unsure_______________

Do you encourage uniformity in the use of the historic liturgy as a reflection of the church’s

common doctrine?

Yes______________ No____________ Unsure__________

Name_______________________________

Address_______________________, ____________________________, ___________

Glory of Christ Lutheran Church Lutheran Church Missouri Synod

4040 State Hwy. 101 No. Plymouth, MN 55446 Office: (763) 478-6031 www.gloryofchrist.org

Rev. Klemet Preus – Pastor Jo Ellen Braun– Admin Asst.

Service Schedule

Sunday Service 9:00 am

Bible Class 10:20 am

Sunday School 10:20 am

Saturday Night 5:00 pm