Newsletter

Every Week

Sunday:

10:00 am – Sunday School

11:00 am -Worship

Wednesday:

7:00 pm – Bible Study

_______________________

Pastor’s Pondering

Another year has come and gone. In the church, as in business and other institutions there are year end reports that have to be submitted. The first week in January was spent writing several reports that include an annual report to the congregation, a report to the Bishop of the Southeastern Synod and finally a report to the ELCA Church offices in Chicago. The first week of a “new year” seems to be an odd time for past reflections.

Shouldn’t we be setting new goals and visions at the beginning of a “new year”? In the annual report to the congregation I have included some personal goals for the congregation in 2006. We will also be holding a Goals Conference in February, 2006. This conference will give all of you the opportunity to set goals for our ministry together. Goals alone do not insure success. How many times have you made “new years resolutions,” only to fail in following through? Just as in golf or other sports the key to success is in “follow through.” Another key to is to have a coach, or someone to hold you accountable.

All Pastor-developers in the ELCA have a coach. My coach is a retired Pastor in north Georgia. We talk for an hour each month. Part of his task is to hold me accountable for meeting goals both personally and professionally. He is a person I have admired and respected for many years and he pushes me when I need pushing, he asks questions when they need asking and he never ever does the work for me.

Gloria Dei is a growing congregation in many ways. Our continued growth will depend upon our commitment to the mission, and ministry into which God has called us and to each other. There are no guarantees that we will be successful in meeting our goals. However, by following through and being accountable to one another we increase our chances for continued growth. The possibilities in 2006 are great. Let’s take some leaps of faith together this year.

Pr. Don Vollenweider.

Council Highlights

The congregational council did not meet in December. The next scheduled meeting will be Sunday, January 22, 2006 following worship.

Congregational Meeting

Following Worship on January 29, 2006

The 2005 Annual Report will be submitted for approval by the membership. The meeting will take place immediately following worship.

_______________________

A Wonderful Advent and Christmas Season

We had an average of 11 persons attend each of the Advent session on Christmas the Real Story. This four week study was a real ground shaker for our traditional view of Christ birth. It was fun stretching our minds.

The Christmas Eve Candlelight Service filled our sanctuary with music and joy as we celebrated Good New of Great Joy. The sanctuary was also full of people. What an exciting site it was to have almost every chair filled. Maybe this year we will have to set up additional chairs.

_____________________

Anonymous Quotes

Make a friend, be a friend, bring friend to Christ

Evangelism is simply one beggar telling another where to find food..

WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS

SCHEDULE

Jan. 15th:

Usher Shannon Jenkins

Lay Reader Joshua McClung

Lay Assistant Dave Armstrong

Acolyte Erin Anderson

Flowers Open

Refreshments Kathy Andrew & Jutta Russell

22nd:

Usher Pat Armstrong

Lay Reader Tom Jenkins

Lay Assistant Margie V.

Acolyte Erin Anderson

Flowers Open

Refreshments Open

Jan. 29^th.

Usher Luke Closson

Lay Reader Mark McClung

Lay Assistant Mark McClung

Acolyte Naomi Griffin

Flowers Open

Refreshments Open

Feb. 5^th.

Usher Kathy Andrew

Lay Reader Dave Armstrong

Lay Assistant Dave Armstrong

Acolyte Naomi Griffin

Flowers Open

Refreshments Open

Feb. 12^th.

Usher Shannon Jenkins

Lay Reader Mark McClung

Lay Assistant Mark McClung

Acolyte Amanda V.

Flowers Open

Refreshments Open

Feb. 19^th.

Usher Raleigh Mote

Lay Reader Joshua McClung

Lay Assistant Dave Armstrong

Acolyte Amanda V.

Flowers Open

Refreshments Open

Feb. 26^th.

Usher Pat Armstrong

Lay Reader Tom Jenkins

Lay Assistant Chris Jenkins

Acolyte Erin Anderson

Flowers Open

Refreshments Open

Note: If you would like to volunteer for one of the open dates please contact the church office at 247-4014.

_________________________

AFFIRM 2006

June 18-23

AFFIRM 2006 is a five-day youth event of faith, fellowship and friends sponsored by the ELCA Southeastern Synod. Grounded in Scripture, the event offers youth the opportunity to develop the ministry/life skills that allow each individual to know and live out God’s affirming touch in Jesus Christ.

AFFIRM 2006 will be held at the University of North Alabama in Florence, Alabama. The cost including lodging, all meals and an event T-shirt is $325.00.

If you are entering 7^th grade or up and are interested please contact Pr. Don for an application and more detail.