“The world is like a drunken peasant. If one helps him into the saddle on one side, he will fall off on the other side.” — Martin Luther (Luther’s Works, vol. 54, pg. 111).

Sometimes the Church can be “like a drunken peasant” too.

Jesus says, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). This text comes at the end of the account of Jesus’ visit to Zacchaeus’ house. Zacchaeus was just the sort of unlikely character that Jesus sought out, and boy did the “religious experts” complain about it (v. 7). But Jesus declared, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (vs. 9–10).

Luke’s gospel makes a particular, joyful emphasis on the “the lost who are found.” In the parable of the wedding feast (Luke 14:7–11), the “master” invites the guests to the great banquet. Those invited repeatedly come up with excuses, so the master commands that his servant go “to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled” (Luke 14:23). Then follows the sobering teaching: “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27). And after that comes the parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:1–7). The point? “There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7). Next the woman finds the lost coin. “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost. Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:9–10). Then the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11–32) with its fabulous conclusion: “‘This my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found’” (v. 24). Throughout all of these, who does the finding? It is certainly God the Father and also God the Son in these and many other texts.

Continued on Page 2

EASTERTIDE: “KEEP US SOBER AND ON THE HORSE”

April 2016 | Volume 23 | Issue 4

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and Academy | Davie, Florida

American Heritage Girls

Higher Things Conference

Principal’s Corner

Easter Lillies

Seminarian News

Calendar

Birthdays and Anniversaries

Mission

Bible Studies

LWML News

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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With great joy and enthusiastic affirmation, the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Congregation extended a Divine Call to the Rev. Roberto Rojas, Jr. of Gotha, Florida to be Associate Pastor of Gloria Dei. Pastor Rojas currently serves as Pastor of Zion-New Life Lutheran Church in Winter Garden, Florida. The election of Pastor Rojas took place at the Gloria Dei formal Congregation Meeting between the two Sunday Divine Services on Palm Sunday, March 20, 2016.

Over the past 12 months, the Gloria Dei Council, Elders and Pastor Poulos have been discussing and planning the long range ministry needs and goals for Gloria Dei. Subsequently, the Call Committee made the unanimous recommendation of Pastor Rojas to present to the Gloria Dei Congregation for Call consideration.

Please remember Pastor Rojas and his wife, Erica, during these days of prayerful deliberation. Also, as we remember our own congregation in prayer, please remember our brothers and sisters in Christ at Zion-New Life Lutheran Church, Winter Garden, Florida. We expect to receive formal notice of the decision of Pastor Rojas by the end of April, 2016.

GLORIA DEI EXTENDS A DIVINE CALL FOR AN ASSOCIATE PASTOR

Continued from previous page

How did Jesus in His earthly walk “seek the lost”? He went! He preached! He healed! He also appointed apostles (“sent ones;” Luke 9:1–6), and the 72 (Luke 10:1–12). The Book of Concord rightly states, “The office of the ministry [preaching office] stems from the general call of the apostles” (Treatise 10, German). But folks who encountered Jesus and who did not have a vocation as an apostle also had a tremendous hand in “seeking the lost.” Think of the woman at the well. She went home, told others about Jesus and “Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony” (John 4:39). Or consider the Gerasene. After Jesus sent the demons named “Legion” into the swine, “The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away . . . And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him” (Luke 8:38–39). These lives were radically changed by Jesus’ Gospel, and they stayed in their communities, told others and many believed.

Here’s the “drunken peasant” part. We are prone to pit the glorious gift of the spiritual priesthood of all believers (with its right and privilege of speaking the Gospel in the context of everyday life) against the Office of the Ministry, which has the responsibility of serving at the behest of Christ through the call of a congregation. The former exists so “that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). All of us as spiritual priests have the right and responsibility to speak of Jesus to those in our lives and communities and to invite them to church! As pastors, some are given the responsibility of shepherding, proclaiming the Word and giving the Sacraments to the gathered flock. Both activities are part of the mission of Jesus “to seek and to save the lost.” When we pit these two offices or vocations against each other, we are on the wrong track.

To fall off one side of the horse is to say, “Lay people don’t have the right and responsibility of speaking the Gospel” or worse, “The Gospel is only effective when spoken by a pastor.” To fall off the other side is to assert, “We don’t need pastors. And men who are regularly preaching the Gospel and administering the Sacraments don’t need to be pastors.”

God keep us sober . . . and on the horse!

By: The Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison, President, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod

The Rev. Roberto E. Rojas, Jr.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Long time Gloria Dei member, Dorothy (Dot) Cronise, died on April 2, 2016. She moved to Jacksonville, Florida to live with one of her daughters in hopes of successful rehabilitative care. A funeral service in Jacksonville will take place on April 16. Then, on April 30 at 11:00 a.m. there will be a Memorial Service in remembrance of Dot at Gloria Dei for family and friends. Please continue to remember in prayer Dot’s daughter, Gloria Dei member Kristy Friedman, and the entire family during these difficult days.

The Sacrament of Holy Baptism was celebrated with Keah Persephone Wright at the Vigil of Easter, March 26, 2016. Keah is a second grade student in our Gloria Dei Lutheran Academy.

After formal preparation classes and study taught by Pastor Poulos, 6 Gloria Dei youth were admitted to the Sacrament of the Altar for their first Holy Communion at the Vigil of Easter, March 26, 2016. This process, as prescribed by the rubrics of the Lutheran Service Book Agenda, requires the informed confession of faith as prescribed in the Scriptures and Luther’s Small Catechism. We rejoice with these youth and their families.

(Back Row, L to R) Bu Yun Zheng, Benjamin Carl Singley, V, Pastor Poulos

(Front Row, L to R) Abigail Keelan MacGregor, James Edward MacGregor, Daniel Mark Poulos, Zoe Vanina Brehm

Rite of First Communion

Eternal Rest

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American Heritage Girls is a Christian-based group for girls in Kindergarten through 12th grades. The Mission Statement of AHG is “Building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country.” AHG does this by giving girls opportunities for spiritual development, social development, life skills enhancement, character development, and opportunities that build confidence and develop team-working skills.

How can this organization develop all of these fine traits in girls? AHG provides many opportunities for community service (Honor Flight, Parades, Clean-up Days) which encourage the girls to put others before themselves. There is a multi-level troop structure which gives older girls opportunities to mentor and lead the younger girls, sharing their experiences and leading by example, while the younger girls learn to follow those with more experience, and all of the girls learn how to work with people of varying ages and abilities. There are many opportunities to earn badges, exposing the girls to new experiences that may develop interests or tap into skills they didn’t even know they had. There are also fun activities – camp-outs, lock-ins, movie nights, mother-daughter teas, father-daughter dances, family fun nights, museum trips, and most anything the girls can think of that they want to do!

The leaders who volunteer their time to work with the girls are Christian men and women who mentor and care for the girls. These people are usually the parents or grandparents of the girls, but any volunteer is welcome. Each adult volunteer goes through leadership training as well as a background check to ensure the safety of the girls. These volunteers are also expected to continually work to grow their faith in Jesus Christ and to spread Christ’s love to the girls and everyone involved in the program.

From a girl’s perspective…

My name is Kylie MacGregor. I am in 12th grade, which means I am at the Patriot level in American Heritage Girls and about to “age out.” I started my scouting career as a Brownie in Girl Scouts and remained in Girl Scouts until a few months before my fourteenth birthday, after which I joined Ventures, BSA. I was fifteen before my family discovered American Heritage Girls, but despite the short time I’ve been a part of this program, I can still confidently say that it has been my favorite of the three.

I love American Heritage Girls for many reasons, but one of the most important is how the leaders openly follow Christ and encourage the girls to do the same. There are so few youth programs that have maintained the strong Christian values that most of them were built on and that isn’t good news for my generation. American Heritage Girls has given me the opportunity to mature in my faith as I pursue valuable skills and discover new talents, all while I am surrounded by my Christian peers.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as an American Heritage Girl and have not regretted any of it. From swatting at bugs during camp-outs to making cinnamon rolls for fellowship on Sunday, the past two and a half years have been a wonderful experience. I would strongly encourage every girl to join American Heritage Girls.

Informational Meetings:

Monday, April 18th from 7 - 8pm Saturday, April 23rd from 9:30 - 10:30

If you have questions, please contact Jim MacGregor at ahg.fl1483@gmail.com or 785.207.3796.

Gloria Dei Troup #1483

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Got Books? We are collecting new or gently used childrens books for the

children of Davie Elementary School. The books should be for K-5th grade.

Childrens chapter books are especially needed. The donated books will be given to students

at the end of this school year in order for them to have books to read over the summer.

Have no childrens books? No problem! You can donate with monetary gifts also! Please mark your donation “Book Drive” and place it in the offering plate. All donations need to be in on or

before May 22.

SAVE THE

DATE

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2016

JUNE 13TH – 17TH 9:00 AM –NOON 3YRS. – 5TH GRADE

The flagship magazine of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, The Luther-an Witness offers synodical news, reports from Lutherans around the world, feature articles, columns, Q&As, a Bible study, and more. The Lu-theran Witness is a monthly publication with a June/July combined issue. If you are interested in receiving the Lutheran Witness Magazine please contact Gayle Caruso 954-475-0683 or Gayle.Caruso@Gloria-Dei.org The subscription price is $11.00

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Why Higher Things® conferences? The mission of Higher Things® is to assist parents, pastors, and congregations in cultivating, encouraging, and promoting a distinctively Lutheran identity among their youth and young adults. The most direct way we do this is through our annual youth conferences. Since the year 2000, Higher Things® has held a total of 31 Lutheran youth conferences! 2016 will add three more conferences to that list. We hold multiple conferences each year, in different areas of the country. While the conferences are essentially the same in schedule, programming, and worship, each has its own unique "personality" and dynamics.

We do all this because we are convinced that youth need solid teaching and experiences that will nurture lasting Christian faith. Rather than treating youth as an adolescent subculture and confusing them with once-in-a-lifetime "mountaintop" experiences that cannot be replicated outside the conference events, Higher Things® believes in challenging youth to learn the pure doctrine of the Christian faith. By teaching them the same message that they are already hearing at home and at church, youth grow in the fullness of the Christian faith as they come to appreciate historic liturgical practice and its unique focus on God's gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation for us delivered in Word and Sacrament.

What does the 2016 conference theme, "Bread of Life," mean? Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst."

Jesus is the Bread of Life. He is the bread that came down from heaven. Our fathers ate manna in the wilderness and they all died. Jesus is the bread that a man may eat and never die. Believing in His Words and promises, receiving His Body and Blood, we live forever.

We are very excited to announce that the 2016 Higher Things conferences will rejoicing in Jesus being the "Bread of Life." We will receive His Words. We will eat His Body and drink His Blood. We will live forever.

All interested please contact Pastor Poulos at 305-219-1403 or Pastor.Poulos@Gloria-Dei.org

BREAD OF LIFE June 28 - July 1

Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN

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PRINCIPAL’S CORNER My students wrote about their favorite holiday. I am giving my space this month to the writing of Keah Wright, second grade. This year Keah was baptized during the observance of Easter vigil.

Easter Sunday is my favorite holiday. I get to wear my Easter dress. (I try on a lot of Easter dresses throughout the week.) We have an amazing Easter Sunday dinner. We have special foods in it and fancy silverware. I go to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. After church, I do Easter egg hunting at school and at home. I feel happy. I feel like it should be Easter every day, because Jesus loves us every day.

Sharon Vonada Interim Principal, Academy

When: Saturday, April 30th, 2016 Time: 6p.m.~8 p.m.

Who: Everyone 3rd grade to 99! Come enjoy food, fellowship, games and more!

Child care will be available. Please bring a gift for Lifenet4families

They are looking for: Travel size toiletries, spray deodorant

White socks and underware for men and women (all sizes) Diapers size 4

Gently used rolling suitcases. Please RSVP to the church office, 954-475-0683.

Sponsored by the Lutheran Women Missionary League and the Men’s breakfast/Bible study group

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Thank you to the following for their contributions towards the cost of the Easter Lilies decorating

the Sanctuary so beautifully on Easter. Your generosity is appreciated.

Dennis and Jan Adams In memory of our parents and our son, Bob

Patricia Brown In memory of her husband, Thomas Brown

Walter and Idoris Blanken In memory of Helida Capote and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Blanken, Sr.

The Brehm Family In memory of Nurys Pujols and John Brehm Sr.

Edgar and Elaine Carstens In memory of Albert and Frances Zella and Paul and Elna Carstens

The Caruso Family In memory of loved ones

Ruth Comottor In memory of loved ones

The Diehl Family In memory of Fritz Diehl and Ruth Gonske

Lynne Donnelly In memory of parents and grandparents

John & Sharon Flynn In memory of Amy Honkanen and Duane Flynn

Wil Gifford In memory of parents Wilbur and Charlotte Gifford

Marcia Gomulka In memory of her parents, Harmon and Marie Hern

Leif Gren In memory of Edmar and Ingred Gren and Karin Gren

Debbie Groome In memory of her son, Daniel Groome

Lori Hines In memory of Hal Herring and Mack and Marian Herring

Bill and Peggy Janzer In memory of our dear friend Joe Block

Dionne Josephs In memory of Winston Josephs and Lucille Bisasor

Bill, Judy and Rachel Klockow In memory of Dolly Klockow

Kurt and Debby Larsen In memory of Debby’s mom, Ann Sizeland and Kurt’s parents Phebe and Clifford Larsen

Linda Malone In memory of Helen, Bill and Billy Castellano

The McLeod Family In memory of Elmer Hodge

Gary and Diana Paynter In memory of Special Agents, Jerry Dove and Ben Grogun, fallen in the line of duty

Ainsworth and Millicent Patterson In memory of our parents, brother and friends

Pastor and Ginger Poulos and family In loving memory of

Ginger’s maternal grandparents,

Arnold and Helen Hulting

Ginger’s paternal grandparents,

Frederick and Thomasina Seers

Pastor’s parents,

George Evangelos & Nina Mary Poulos

Pastor’s “Lutheran –father”

Thomas Ray Russell

Pastor’s Aunt Mary Poulos Gasparis

Pastor’s Cousin, Cathy Chewning

Pastor’s Uncle & Godfather, James Poulos

Pastor’s Uncle & Aunt John & Hilda Poulos

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Sandy Saikley In memory of Paul, Mary and Mike Holycross

Michele Staley In memory of George (Bud) Staley

Friz and Karin Schmidt In memory of loved ones

Leslie Sponder In memory of her family, Donald, Helen and Christine Dawson and Dr. Fred Gunion

Colleen Timmins In memory of Lily Diekman and Janet Diekman

John White In memory of his wonderful parents Dorothy and Ira White

John and Kathy Woodrum In memory of our fathers Manuel Mays and John Woodrum

Amy Yost In memory of Ruth, Patricia and Jim Yost, Randy Yost & Ann Carter

Wendy and Everett Yost In memory of Richard and Elvira Wiedelman and Ruth, Jim and Patricia Yost

Patricia Brown In honor of her parents Thomas and Florence Walker

Mike and Rosemarie Geisler In honor of their children Michael, Eric and Emily

John and Jackie Geromanos In honor of Family and Friends

The Hayles Family In honor of Theresa and The Josephs and Hayles Families

Sharon Babzien Joiner In honor of her parents Nick and Vera Babzien

Bill and Carol Jones In honor of God’s abundant blessings

Dionne Josephs In honor of the Lord’s grace, peace and mercy.

Pastor and Ginger Poulos and family In honor of Daniel Mark’s Godparents, Joan and Decker Lee

John Reese In honor of his mother Daryl Reese

Zella Serian In honor of God’s word of comfort and of courage

Cheryl Smith In honor of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Amy Yost In honor of Aria Brand Mercado

Coco Zheng In honor of Mrs. Lee, Happy Birthday!

Nick and Vera Babzien To the Glory of God

Marcia Gomulka To the Glory of God

Marcia Agriesti In thanksgiving for all of God’s blessings

Pastor and Ginger Poulos and family In thanksgiving to God for His countless blessings

In honor of

Gayle Caruso from your Prayer Partner

Donna Croup from your Prayer Partner

Ina Henry from your Prayer Partner

Lori Hines from your Prayer Partner

Martha Hollingsworth from your Prayer Partner

Debbie MacGregor from your Prayer Partner

Linda Malone from your Prayer Partner

Adoline Northrup from your Prayer Partner

Diana Paynter from your Prayer Partner

Darla Schulte from your Prayer Partner

Carolyn Talpasz from your Prayer Partner

SEMINARIANS MURPHY AND SESSA AWAIT VICARAGE PLACEMENT ON APRIL 26

By: The Rev. George Poulos

Gloria Dei members Devin Murphy and Sam Sessa, currently in their second year of Seminary, will receive their Vicarage assignments on Tuesday, April 26 at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Savings time) during “Call Day” at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri. The “Call Day” Service will be shown on “live stream” for anyone from around the world to view. ( http://callday.csl.edu/ ) At that web-site, you are also able to “click on and view or print” the printed service. This is an exciting milestone in the lives of all seminarians as they eagerly anticipate learning the place to which they will be assigned to serve Jesus Christ and His Church for their Vicarage.

The Seminary education for students in pastoral formation is a four year Graduate program of studies. Upon completion of the Master of Divinity Degree, and approval by the seminary faculty, the Graduate is eligible for placement into their first Call from a Congregation, Mission Board or Ministry entity by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Council of Presidents. Traditionally, the third year is the Vicarage. Devin Murphy, his wife Melissa and their children, Penny and Devin, Jr. and Sam Sessa, his wife Leah and their children, Benjamin and Charlotte will move from their apartments on the seminary campus to the location of Vicarage assignment.

The Vicarage is often described as a Graduate level, one year internship. In reality, it is far more than that. Devin and Sam will minister in a local congregation under the direct supervision of the Pastor in that particular congregation for the full academic year. Upon completion of the Vicarage, the seminarians return to the Concordia Seminary Campus for their final year of studies.

Please continue to keep the Murphy and Sessa families in your prayers. Make contact with them by letters, email, texting or calling. Their contact information is always in our Sunday Bulletins and in every Gloria Dei newsletter. News from home is always welcomed by our seminary families. If you are able to send gift cards or financial support, you may do so directly or through church contributions noted for the seminarians. Every avenue of encouragement by you to them is so very appreciated.

Please send correspondence to the Sessa family at: Sam, Leah, Ben and Charlotte Sessa, 27A Founders Way, St. Louis, MO 63105 sessas@csl.edu

Please send correspondence to the Murphy family at: Devin, Melissa, Penny and Devin, Jr. Murphy, 7C Founders Way, St. Louis, MO 63105

The greatest surprise about Easter is not that Jesus is alive, risen from the dead, out of the grave, that He conquered death and hell, and comes to meet you as He promised. The greatest surprise is that He did all that and is not angry. There is no fear for us in His return because He is not angry. He bears no grudge. He seeks no vengeance. He comes to give peace, with mercy and forgiveness and salvation. Jesus lives and is not angry. Imagine that. He is not angry. He doesn’t blame those who killed Him. He doesn’t blame you. For no one takes His life from Him. He lays it down of His own accord. He gives Himself into death to win us back from sin, death, and hell. He does it willingly without coercion. He does it sacrificially, Him for us. He gave what was His to give. Thus His petition to the Father from the cross, “Forgive them” is granted to you in His resurrection. He comes alive out of death to forgive and to give His life to you. There is nothing to be afraid of because Jesus is raised from the dead and is not angry. Thus we are free—free from worrying about how to make it up to Him, and free to give as He has given to us. He gave Himself as a gift, His life in exchange for our death, willingly and sacrificially. And so it is that we are now free to give in like manner: willingly, sacrificially, with what we have been given. We give to the church because it is in the church where our eyes have seen and our ears have heard that Jesus lives and is not angry. It is here where we learn of God’s mercy and forgiveness in Christ. It is here where we continually receive that message of life, where He visits us to give peace, with mercy and forgiveness and salvation. So do not be afraid. Jesus lives, and He is not angry. The sacrifice has been made. The debt is canceled and forgotten. Righteousness is declared. Jesus lives. He lives, and He is not angry. You are restored. You are reconciled to the Father in the Son. Your future is assured: Jesus lives. It is not just death and Hell, the devil and his demons, that are undone. Your sins, your fear are undone. They are gone, forgotten, destroyed. Jesus lives. Hallelujah! Jesus lives. And because He lives, you are just. You are right with God, pleasing and delightful to Him. You are forgiven, clean, pure, holy, and filled with His good works and with His Name. He is not angry. He is glad to have you. He wants you. He loves you. He gave everything that is His to and for you, willingly and sacrificially. In faith and trust in Him, let us do likewise. LCMS Stewardship Ministry http://www.lcms.org/stewardship

WORD ON STEWARDSHIP

BLESSINGS OF THE NEW FUNERAL PALLS

The Gloria Dei family is pleased to have received the memorial gifts of two new funeral palls. A funeral pall is a cloth that covers a baptized Christian’s casket, coffin or an Urn for cremation remains at funerals. The word comes from the Latin “pallium” (cloak). The formal blessing of these two palls (one for casket and one for urn) was celebrated during our 8:00 a.m. Divine Service on April 3, 2016.

Apr i l 2016Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 8am-Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study 9am LWML Breakfast & Bible Study 9:30am-1:30pm Thrift Shop Open

38am-Divine Service 9:30am-Sunday School 10:45am-Divine Service

4 9:30am-1:30pm Thrift Shop Open 7pm-”A Longer Look at the Lessons” Bible Study

5 1:00pm-Timely Ministry 2:00pm-Prayer Shawl 6:15pm-GriefShare

6 9:30am-Joyful Hearts—Women’s Bible Study 10:30am-4pm Thrift Shop Open 7pm Divine Service 8pm-Christianity 102

7 7pm-American Heritage Girls

8 9 8am-Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study 9:30am-1:30pm Thrift Shop Open

10 8am-Divine Service 9:30am-Sunday School 10:45am-Divine Service

11 9:30am-1:30pm Thrift Shop Open 7pm-”A Longer Look at the Lessons” Bible Study

126:15pm-GriefShare

13 9:30am-Joyful Hearts—Women’s Bible Study 10:30am-4pm Thrift Shop Open 7pm Divine Service 8pm-Christianity 102

14 15 16 8am-Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study 8:30am-Work Day 9am LWML Spring Rally at Our Savior 9:30am-1:30pm Thrift Shop Open

178am-Divine Service 9:30am-Sunday School 10:45am-Divine Service

18 9:30am-1:30pm Thrift Shop Open 6:30pm-School Board Meeting 7pm-”A Longer Look at the Lessons” Bible Study 7pm-American Heritage Girls

19 6:15pm-GriefShare 6:30pm-Church Council

20 9:30am-Joyful Hearts—Women’s Bible Study 10:30am-4pm Thrift Shop Open 7pm Divine Service 8pm-Christianity 102

21 22 23 8am-Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study 9:30am-1:30pm Thrift Shop Open 9:30-American Herit-age Girls

24 8am-Divine Service 9:30am-Sunday School 10:45am-Divine Service

25 9:30am-1:30pm Thrift Shop Open 7pm-”A Longer Look at the Lessons” Bible Study

26 6:15pm-GriefShare

27 9:30am-Joyful Hearts—Women’s Bible Study 10:30am-4pm Thrift Shop Open 7pm Divine Service 8pm-Christianity 102

28 29 30 8am-Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study 9:30am-1:30pm Thrift Shop Open 6pm-Birthday Bash

BIRTHDAYS April / May 2016

Skyler Kern 4/1

Lourdes Bray 4/5

Nina Poulos 4/5

Susan Grimmett 4/8

*Jonah Lehman 4/9

Bruce Caruso 4/11

Linda Malone 4/11

Shannon Norris 4/11

Dale Devier 4/13

Anthony Gallardo 4/14

Debra Larsen 4/15

Pastor Poulos 4/17

Trish Shelton 4/17

Rebecca Jones 4/18

Helen Hadden 4/19

Ken Zugar 4/19

Joyce Cochell 4/21

Barry Vonada 4/26

Edgar Carstens 4/29

Barbara Martin 4/30

Sam Croup 5/1

Marisella James 5/3

Christina Grimmett 5/4

Christopher Robertson, Jr, 5/4

Cheryl Smith 5/4

Carol Chaddock 5/5

Natalie Gifford 5/5

Carol Jones 5/5

Huy Pham 5/5

Nick Babzien 5/11

Decker Lee 5/13

*Missionary Family

ANNIVERSARIES April / May 2016

Doug and Doris Roberts 4/01

Jose and Lori Urtecho 4/02

Jeri and Marisella James 4/11

*Rev. Adam and Christine Lehman 4/11

Ron and Barbara Reitsma 4/12

Russell and Lourdes Bray 4/15

Alex and Marie Harbar 4/17

Sean and Lea Hoyt 4/24

Joe and Deborah Meighen 4/25

Edgar and Elaine Carstens 5/01

Raymond and Maria Shore 5/07

Jamie and Erika Camino 5/08

Michael and July Wilbur 5/12

*Missionary Family

AP

RIL

2016

1. with thanksgiving for the gift of faithwe received at Baptism. Ask the Lord to continue to strengthen that faith — and the budding faith of our children — until we depart this life and are united with the Lord in heaven.

2. with thanksgiving for the Bible, the Book of Concord and the many teach-ing tools that God gives us, that we might learn about Him and our life in Christ. Pray that God would instill in each of His followers a sincere desire and passion for seeking Him.

3. for Christian families, that theLord would send them the assistance and tools necessary to overcome ev-ery challenge — big or small — that might drive them apart.

4. for strong Christian marriages,that husbands and wives would cling to each other despite life’s challenges and raise their children to walk in the way of the Lord.

5. for Christian parents, that theywould make teaching the faith to their children a priority. Please pray that they would set aside time to worship together, talk about faith issues, study the Bible and have family devotions.

6. that family members would treat each other with kindness and patience, so that each member might be built up in the family of God.

7. for our children and young people,who face daily assaults on their Christian beliefs. Ask that God would strengthen and encourage them to stand firm while engaging others with the Gospel.

8. for our churches, that they wouldprovide useful education and pro-grams to help equip people at every stage of life — teens, husbands and wives, parents, caretakers of aging parents and more.

9. that God would continue toprovide faithful church workers to serve as role models and teach people about their identity as a baptized child of God.

10. that church members would eagerly volunteer their time and talents to support the congregation’s educational programs, such as vaca-tion Bible school, holiday events and groups for young families.

11. that LCMS members would eagerly participate in Bible studies, small-group discussions and private study so that they may grow in their faith every day.

12. with thanksgiving for faithful parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers and other role models who help to “train up a child in the way he should go” (Ps. 22:6).

13. for the Concordia University System and the Synod’s two seminaries, that the Lord would bless their work in training new generations of work-ers to serve the Church.

14. for the Synod’s directors of Family Life Ministry, that God would bless their efforts to support healthy relationships in the families of our congregations.

15. that we might have hearts that are willing and eager to serve the Lord in every way.

Pray For Us CalendarThese prayer requests were submitted by coworkers in the Lord’s mission. Congregations and individuals are invited to copy these pages for newsletters or other distribution. Download at lcms.org/prayforus or call 888-843-5267 to request a copy.

Remember how God works to grow the faith of His people as you pray:

TEACHING THE FAITH — APRIL 1–15 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) believes education should address the whole person — body, mind and spirit — beginning in early childhood and continuing through adulthood. This month, the LCMS celebrates the many ways that God’s children are instructed, encouraged and strengthened in the faith. By teaching the faith, we nurture the faithful and reach the lost.

INVOLVEMENT IDEAS• Find a helpful infographic — titled“The Family Altar” — about teaching the faith in the home in the March-April issue of Lutherans Engage the World. Visit lcms.org/lutheransengage to read the magazine online.

• Does your congregation pray formembers of the military, honor veterans and seek to minister to people connected to the military? If so, you are already an Operation Barnabas congregation! Email lcmschaps@lcms.org to connect your congregation with the Operation Barnabas network.

• Visit lcms.org/armedforces to learn more about LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces, including how you can get involved with supporting U.S. servicemen and women.

Laurie Vogt helps her daughter follow along in the Lutheran Service Book during worship at Peace Lutheran Church in Sussex, Wis.

PHOTOS: LCMS COMMUNICATIONS/ERIK M. LUNSFORD

AP

RIL

2016

MISSIONARY & PERSONNEL BIRTHDAYSDownload the prayer cards of missionaries and other personnel from lcms.org/prayercards.

April 1 John Cima, Southeast Asia;Joshua Gale, Peru

April 2 Sarah Berta-Somogyi, Hungary

April 9 Katie Ziegler, Dominican Republic

April 10 Angela Sharp, Uruguay;Shauen Trump, East Africa

April 12 Gail Grieser, Macau;Eric Stinnett, Ethiopia

April 13 Benjamin Helge, Czech Republic

April 14 Megan Kincaid, Hong Kong

April 16 Melissa DeGroot, Philadelphia, Pa.

April 18 Robert Ferrin, Hong Kong

April 19 Valerie Stonebreaker, Togo

April 23 Kendra McNatt, Germany

April 26 Sarah Kanoy, Kenya

April 27 Gretchen Weesner Aguilar, Asia;Micah Wildauer, Togo

April 28 Markie Burch, Peru;Matthew Fick, Taiwan

April 29 Elizabeth Meissner, Belize

MILITARY CHAPLAINS WITH BIRTHDAYS IN APRIL: Chaplain Douglas Ochner, Fort Gordon, Ga., and Chaplain Matthew Mortenson, Fort Hood, Texas.

16. that God would bless and guide the work of Chaplain Craig Muehler, MAF director, and Chaplain Steven Hokana, MAF assistant director.

17. for Chaplain Mike Moreno, project manager of Operation Barn-abas. Ask God to guide his work tocare for congregations, veterans andmilitary families.

18. for LCMS military chaplains serv-ing on active duty for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. Allof our military chaplains are pastorsendorsed by the LCMS to serve inthe chaplain corps of our nation’sarmed forces.

19. for our LCMS Reserve and National Guard chaplains, especiallythose who have been mobilizedstateside or overseas and taken fromtheir parishes to extended activeduty assignments. Pray for thosedeployed, their families and theirhome parishes.

20. for those who suffer from battle stress and Post-Traumatic Stress Disor-der. Pray that God would bring heal-ing and renewal to those who haveserved or who are currently serving.

21. for increasing opportunities for LCMS chaplains to spread Christ’s mes-sage of salvation, hope and restoration to those they serve.

22. for all congregations that reach out to members of our military through Operation Barnabas, that they woulduphold them in prayer as they helpto meet their physical, psychologi-cal and spiritual needs through thetraining they have received and theLord’s provision.

23. for Operation Barnabas, whichis designed to meet the needs ofcongregations in the event their pas-tor/chaplain is mobilized. OperationBarnabas also seeks to assist veteransand military families during and afterdeployment.

24. for all chaplains returning home, that they would receive a hero’s wel-come for their sacrifice to this countryso that in freedom we can continueto openly worship the one true God:Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

25. for all chaplains who are sick or have sick family members, that theFather of all mercies and the God ofall comfort would look with favorupon them. As it pleases You, restorethem to health or give them thegrace to accept this tribulation withcourage and hope.

26. for all chaplains in harm’s way,that You would not let their heartsdespair nor their faith fail them, butsustain, guide and comfort them.

27. for all members of the military who were disabled during their duty,that our heavenly Father wouldmercifully guide, aid and strengthenall those with physical disabilities,enabling them to find fulfillment intheir lives and encouragement for alltheir endeavors.

28. with thanksgiving to God for providing LCMS chaplains to serve members of the armed forces. Pleasepray that military chaplains wouldhave every opportunity to share thesaving Gospel of Jesus Christ withmembers of the military and anyonewith whom they work and live.

29. for all military chaplains upon their return, that they would be re-united with their families, find gainfulemployment and receive all the carethey need to heal their minds, bodiesand souls. Grant that they wouldalways look to You, O Christ, as theirrock and their redeemer.

30. for those who minister to the armed forces, that by Your graciousworking, they may honor Christ andadvance the good of those commit-ted to their care, through Jesus Christ,our Lord.

Remember God’s work through LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces as you pray:

MINISTRY TO THE ARMED FORCES — APRIL 16–30 Since the Civil War, LCMS pastors have served as military chaplains. Today, the Synod’s Ministry to the Armed Forces (MAF) supports more than 160 active, Reserve, National Guard and Civil Air Patrol chaplains. MAF recruits, interviews and endorses all military chaplains and continues to support them throughout their entire careers. MAF also provides a network of care for our nation’s military members, families and veterans through Operation Barnabas.

There are a few things that are certain in life. One of these things is grief over the death of a loved one or friend. Facing death and dealing with the aftermath can be a traumatic experience, even for the toughest among us. But there is a way forward.

Everyone deals with grief differently. Some people cannot stop the tears; others have none. Some hold on to personal belongings for years while others will get rid of them immediately. Either path is okay. Some people take no time to work through grief while many others hold onto their grief for months, years and yes, sometimes decades. There is no special “fix”.

Hurt helps others navigate the painful road of grief – an often unspoken, but powerful aspect of mental, emotional and physical health. We teach our children to balance their checkbook or fill out an application for a job, but yet, death is inevitable and we are all, at some point going to be at that crossroad. Yet, within our culture, we do not discuss the painful paths of grief. Employees are given three or four days off to do what is necessary and to return to their jobs thereafter. And the grieving are expected to put their experience aside.

Grief differs from person to person, based on many factors including the relationship shared with the deceased or the manner in which he or died, etc.

By attending a GriefShare support group, participants learn to identify the various paths grief can and will take in their personal lives, develop an understanding of the multiple emotions attached to grief. They learn that pain and joy coexist. We address such topics as “Is this normal?......Why?.....Guilt and Anger….Stuck…..Lessons of Grief….What do I live for now?” just to name a few….

The foregoing thoughts have been expressed on our GriefShare Leadership Forum by many facilitators who share their failures and successes on a daily digest forum provided by Church Initiative, producer of GriefShare, DivorceCare, DivorceCare4Kids, Single Parenting, etc.

During a recent session regarding how grief affects our overall health, several participants immediately pursued making appointments with their physicians. Grief does affect one’s physical health.

Gloria Dei is in its 15th year of providing GriefShare to our church family and the surrounding communities. Group 26 meets each Tuesday in the Chapel. New participants are asked to come in at 5:45 pm for registration/welcome time. We open with prayer at 6:15 and are out at 7:45 pm. Registration is $25.00 which covers the cost of the accompanying workbook, Resource Book and Tool Box. Since each session is “self-contained”, anyone who has experienced a loss through death, can join the group and catch up during the next cycle.

For more information regarding GriefShare, check out www.gloria-dei.org or you can visit www.griefshare.org; click on “find a group” for local churches who sponsor this ministry. Or call the Church Office or Marian Fowler (954-961-4460) if you have any questions.

In His Service, the GriefShare Team (Judy, Millicent, Linda, Rachel and Marian)

GRIEFSHARE

This letter will keep you up to date as we continue overseas mission service.

Lehman Family Newsletter

This letter is hitting the press a bit later in the month than they are normally published, but for a good reason, I promise. We have been waiting to release this letter until we could share our very good news with you, and that long-awaited day has finally come. We are now officially residents of Spain!

It has been quite a long process (just shy of a year!) but after lots of paperwork, lots of very official appearances at government buildings, and lots and lots of walking…we are now legal residents.

This means that we are able to put even more time, effort, and energy into proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ crucified for the forgiveness of sins, and less time into the bureaucratic process.

And I would certainly be remiss if I didn’t take this opportunity to say how grateful we are that the Lord has provided us with our fellow missionaries and friends, Pastor David and Shelee Warner. They have made a difficult process much less difficult!

The newest official residents of Spain!

The kids at Plaza de España

In our June 2015 Gloria Dei Congregational meeting, we formally adopted the Rev. Adam Lehman family as our missionaries to Spain.

How to Contact and Support

Pastor Lehman Blog:

www.staticadventures.wordpress.com

Follow on Facebook: Like the page

“To Spain, With the Lehman Family”

Email: adam.lehman@lcmsintl.org

Giving Page: www.lcms.org/lehman

You may support my work with a tax-deductible gift on my Giving

Page (listed above), or with a check payable to “The Lutheran

Church—Missouri Synod.” Be sure to include “Lehman-Spain” on the

memo line, and send to:

Mission Central, 40718 Highway E-16

Mapleton, Iowa, 51034

******************************** To have your name added or removed from the newsletter

mailing list, simply send an email to adam.lehman@lcmsintl.org

and include either “ADD” or “REMOVE” in the subject line.

********************************

Coming Up Next The kids have really hit their stride in school and have made many friends, are beginning to grow much more comfortable with the Spanish language, and are already proving to have what it takes to be proclaimers of the Gospel, no matter what country or language they find themselves living in!

Christine and I continue to attend our Spanish language classes every morning, and we are both very encouraged by the progress that we have already made. I continue to grow more and more comfortable with the Services in Spanish, yet I long for the day when I am totally comfortable with the Spanish language. Well, as they say, “poco a poco” (little by little).

Prayer Requests As always, thank you for your continued prayers and support for me and my family. It is such a wonderful thing to see the Body of Christ, the Church, working together to make sure that every person on earth will hear the good news of Jesus preached. And, of course, thank you for taking the time to read this letter.

Please say a prayer of thanksgiving for the Lord’s faithfulness to us, and that we have been granted residency here in Spain. Please continue to pray for me and my family, for Pastor David and Shelee Warner, and for all of your brothers and sisters of the Iglesia Evangélica Luterana Española (the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Spain).

The Lord bless and keep you during the remainder of this Lententide, and may you all have a very Happy and Blessed Easter!

Your servant in Christ,

Pastor Adam Lehman

www.lcms.org/preus

Meanwhile… Here’s what the Preus family is

up to these days: 1. Jenny is about half way to

carrying our seventh child to

birth. Any ideas for boy

names?

2. Jenny is working hard

homeschooling the kids and

keeping Leif from destroy-

ing everything else at the

same time. (Leif has only

recently entered that fear-

some phase known as “the

terrible twos.”)

3. David is writing his disserta-

tion on a theologian from

the seventeenth century by

the name of Balthasar Meis-

ner. (Hmm. That’s one idea

for a boy name.)

4. David is also gathering

books for the library of

Seminario Lutherano El Re-

formador in Palmar Arriba.

This is a critical step in the

gradual formation of our

theological seminary.

5. Next month David will

travel to the DR for a “foro,”

Spanish for “forum,” to dis-

cuss the work of our mission

with partners from around

the world.

6. David, Jenny, and the older

kids continue to study Span-

ish as time allows.

7. The entire Preus family is

healthy, thankful, and wait-

ing with joyful anticipation

for Easter Sunday.

¡Gracias por sus oraciones! Dear friends, thank you for your prayers as we continue to wait for our departure to the Do-

minican Republic. Although waiting can be a difficult and trying time, we are comforted to

know that God always provides and cares for us, and this purely out of fatherly divine good-

ness and mercy without any merit or worthiness in us. The same God who saved us by His

grace will bring us safely to the mission field in His good time.

Waiting for Easter I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope.

My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning

— yes, more than those who watch for the morning (Psalm 130:5–6).

As each day grows longer than the next,

and the sun rises by degrees over the dark-

ness of winter and brings the good tidings

of spring, we prepare to hear the good

news of Easter. This is no idle waiting.

We are not like those sitting out in the

cold “hoping” against better odds. Ours is

a certain hope, a confidence. We are al-

ready home—safe and sound in the

Church, constantly warmed by God’s

promises. We wait where God’s Word is

preached purely, where Christ’s teaching

is heard attentively, and where the sacra-

ments are administered faithfully. Our

hope touches solid ground in the midst of

Lent, because we have been gathered by

the Spirit of God’s Son in anticipation of

His Easter absolution.

Jesus, God’s Word made flesh, is our foundation. Through his perfect obedience and total

faithfulness to God’s will, Jesus gained the affection of our heavenly Father. By the purity

of His living and the innocence of His suffering He won over His fatherly heart for us. He

personally bent his gracious ear to our prayers. If the Lord should mark iniquity, he won’t

find it on us. It was already found on Jesus Who bore the ugly stain of all sin. Look at the

innocent Lamb lifted high on the cross, falling deep into the depths of human shame, be-

coming a worm of a man, a reproach of men, and despised by the people (Psalm 22:6).

In the midst of all that, Jesus waited for His resurrection and the opportunity to proclaim to

His brothers (Psalm 22:22) the good news that our sins have been completely paid for.

Confident of this we, too, are happy to wait every single day with joyful anticipation until

the Sun of Righteousness rises over us and scatters the night of death.

“My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morn-

ing—yes, more than those who watch for the morning.” Meanwhile…

as they say in Spanish, “Vale la pena.” “It’s worth it.” It’s worth the

wait. Every single day lived in God’s forgiveness is a day well spent.

~Mission and Mercy~ The Preus Family in the Dominican Republic

In our June 2015 Gloria Dei Congregational meeting, we formally adopted the Rev. David Preus family as our missionaries to the Dominican Republic.

Mission and Mercy Mission and mercy go together, and so

do our new missionaries, Rev. Dr.

Jonathan Naumann and his wife, Dea-

coness Cheryl Naumann (to the right).

Jonathan will serve as chaplain to us

American missionaries in Latin Amer-

ica. He will also serve as theological

educator along with me. Cheryl will be

an instructor of future deaconesses.

She will teach them the Christian art of

caring for people’s bodily needs. We

are very excited and grateful that the

Naumanns will be joining us in the

Dominican Republic!

Reflections from Home…by Jennifer This month we’ve stayed close to home and doubled-down on homeschooling for the four

older children. Everyone has been healthy and in higher spirits again now that we’ve ad-

justed and recovered from the turn of events with our departure plans. On that note, the

new baby is doing well. Two ultrasounds at 18 and 20 weeks have shown the baby is grow-

ing well and measuring as he should be. We are all very excited to meet him in mid-July.

We celebrated the second birthday of our little Leif earlier

this month. As with everything he does in life, he dove

into his chocolate cake voraciously and with full abandon.

As for the others, Hans and Rolf have taken an interest in

Lego robotics lately, and have built a few models at their

workshop in our basement. Søren pretty much imitates

anything his big brothers do and works hard to impress

them with his budding sense of wit and humor. The

girls—Rebekah and Lena—are as social as ever, using

every bit of their free time to play dress up, house, dolls,

or freeze-tag with their friends. I am feeling good and

keeping busy with daily homeschooling, mission outreach,

and home-keeping tasks.

We have been in communication with the team in the DR where they are preparing our

home for us, recently adding necessary fences to the perimeter and making some purchases

for home appliances and fixtures. We thank you all for your continued thoughts, prayers,

and encouragement!

Prayer Requests

Give thanks for the work

that is already being done in

the Dominican Republic by the

grace of God.

Pray for the pastors, deacon-

esses, and the entire missionary

team currently working in the

Dominican Republic, along

with their families.

Pray for the Preuses, and

especially their unborn son, as

they prepare for their mission

work in the DR.

Pray for mission and mercy

to abound in the Dominican

Republic and throughout the

world.

Support Our Work

Share this Newsletter with

friends and family.

https://www.facebook.com/

Preus.Dominican and check out the Latin American

facebook page at:

https://www.facebook.com/

LCMSLAC

Support our mission work

financially. (See bottom right.)

¡Hasta luego! We hope you are all having a blessed Lent and a joyful Eastertide! We appreciate every-

thing you have done and continue to do for us. Until next month…see you later!

In Christ’s love,

Rev. David Preus

To support our work financially, you may send a tax-deductible gift to:

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

P.O. Box 66861

St. Louis, MO 63166-6861

Make checks payable to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod or LCMS. Include

“Preus-Dominican” in the memo line. Gifts can also be given securely online through

the LCMS website at www.lcms.org/preus.

21

BIBLE STUDIES

Please join the women of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary

League

1st and 3rd Saturdays at 9 a.m.—11 a.m

for Breakfast/Bible study We will meet in the chapel.

All women are invited!

Joyful Hearts Women’s Bible Study Meets on Wednesday

9:30 a.m. in the chapel.

All women are welcome!

PASTOR POULOS LEADS THE FOLLOWING BIBLE STUDIES

Sunday mornings, 9:30 a.m. "Bible Foundations!" Why we believe what we believe!

Wednesday Nights, 8:00 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. "Christianity 102:”

The Lutheran Difference

Monday Night Bible Study meets each Monday in the chapel at 7 p.m.

They are studying “A Longer Look at the Lessons”

Delve deeper into each week's three Scripture readings with “A Longer Look at the Lessons.” This Bible study is based on the lectionary in the Lutheran Service Book, and provides information about the readings and their contexts.

For more information please contact Elaine Carstens 954-587-8394

Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study Every Saturday 8 a.m.in the Fellowship Hall, Followed by Bible Study in Room 32 Hot Breakfast $4.00 For more info contact Bruce Caruso at 954-962-4186

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LUTHERAN WOMEN’S MISSIONARY LEAGUE

Mark your calendars! Gold Coast Spring Rally

“Bloom where you’re planted” Where: Our Savior Lutheran Church 8001 NW 5th Street, Plantation, FL

When: Saturday, April 16th 9:00 am – 12 p.m.

(registration starts at 8:30 am) Cost: $5.00

All women of Gloria Dei are invited! Car pool is available. Please sign up on the bulletin board above

the purple table.

Our mighty mites keep rolling in! Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Several mission grants still need to be funded like A Church Bus for the Lutheran Church in Nassau and Muslim Mission Society.

Upcoming Events: May 15: Soup and Bake Sale July 30: Summer Time Movie Break September 29 – Oct 1 District Convention, PGA National Resort and Spa, Palm Beach Gardens, FL

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YOUR COMPREHENSIVE SOURCE FOR NEWS, INFORMATION & TRUTH...Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken and produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL. You can listen to what you want when you want at www.issuesetc.org and on the new Lutheran Public Radio mobile app.

www.LutheranPublicRadio.org

www.worldvieweverlasting.com

www.whatdoesthismean.org

The owners of these businesses and professional services provide this monthly

newsletter at no cost to Gloria Dei families.

Please contact them and make use of their services or products.

7601 SW 39th St. Davie, Florida 33328