January & February 2018 | Volume 25 | Issue 1

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and Academy | Davie, Florida

American Heritage Girls

Lutheran Women In Mission

School News

Stewardship

Calendar

Birthdays and Anniversaries

GriefShare

Mission News

Bible Studies

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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05

06

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The word "Lent" simply means "lengthening" and it refers to "spring," that is, the lengthening of the days. In English, this word simply refers to the seasons; in other languages, however, the word for "Lent" means "forty"(e.g., Spanish: cuaresma; Portuguese: quaresma; French: careme, etc.). The word "forty" here refers to the length of Lent which is "forty" days. The Church created this as a reminder of Jesus fasting for forty days and nights in the wilderness. As our dear Lord hungered and was tempted by the devil, we remember that He did this for us! We join our dear Lord in His fight against the devil as we wait for Him to rescue us completely from sin, death, and condemnation. We observe forty days of Lent before Easter. As Christ fasted and hungered for forty days and nights, we too fast from singing "Alleluia" and hunger for the day we can sing it again at The Resurrection of our Lord. The saying goes, "You never really know what you got until it's gone." Well, the same goes for us—We learn what "Alleluia" means ("Praise God") when it's hidden for a time. For the Christian, after great grief comes great relief, after much sadness comes eternal gladness. Jesus teaches us what a joy it is to have His praises on our lips, what a blessing it is to shout Alleluia from our soul! We cannot "generically" praise God, we praise God "specifically" for giving us Christ, His only begotten Son, to suffer and die for us. We can only say Alleluia because of Lent; we can only praise God because of Jesus' suffering and death. His bitter passion gives a reason to rejoice, even while weeping. He promises that those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy—Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning!

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"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by

the devil. And after fasting forty days

and forty nights, he was hungry." Matthew 4:1-2

Lent begins:

Ash Wednesday, February 14

6pm: Soup Supper

7pm: Divine Service

Soup Suppers Every Wednesday in Lent

On December 21st, we had our Awards Ceremony, followed by the Troop Christmas Party. The girls, dressed in their Class A uniforms, were awarded several badges that they have been working on throughout the year, but the impressive part of the ceremony was the number of service hours recognized by the troop as a whole – nearly 200! After a group photo, we moved from the Sanctuary into the Fellowship Hall to enjoy the goodies. While the families mingled, the girls paired up for a get-to-know-each-other-better game. Some girls also participated in a gift exchange. It was a very enjoyable evening.

American Heritage Girls sponsors a Pen Pal Program for the girls. The girl can register in October/November and the national office matches her up with another girl of about the same age from another state. The girl is expected to communicate with her Pen Pal at least once a month and can write a letter or even send an email, though that is less common.

January 12-14 is our first of two camp-outs this year. We will be visiting Tree Tops Park again and will enjoy a two-night stay. Hope it warms up! Some of the girls will be working on the Camping Badge - creating our menu and shopping for us. We will also have a Flag Retirement Ceremony, as we did last year. This was the highlight of that particular camp-out – what a meaningful event. Saturday, the girls will participate in a Scavenger Hunt, staying in pairs to find various items located throughout the park, and taking a hike.

Continued on next page

Our first camping trip of the year was on January 12 – 14 at Tree Tops Park on the island. Over forty girls and family members participated and most of them stayed for both nights of primitive camping. Friday even-ing, we all set up tents then the girls played and explored the area. We even had a nice fire. Saturday, the girls cooked breakfast – sausage and eggs – and then most of the group went on a lengthy hike all around the park. We explored the boardwalk, searching for wildlife, saw a Burrowing Owl, and got to visit with some horses and their riders. After an easy lunch, there was some down-time when the girls played on the play-ground or around the island. Some even went out in the paddleboats or tried to improve their fishing skills from the bridge! The Tenderhearts put together a Fashion Show, showing us appropriate and inappropriate camping attire. Saturday night’s fire began with S’mores and visiting. We also had a Flag Retirement Cere-mony, which included all of the girls and most of the siblings and adults. We respectfully retired a large bag full of flags that were no longer in flying condition. Sunday morning was pretty chilly – a quick breakfast, a little devotion, and everyone started packing up and saying their good-byes. Our next camp-out is in March and we are all looking forward to it!!

Each fourth Friday of the month, we have a get-together – the FFF (Fourth Friday Fun) in January was hosted by the Tender-hearts. We met at the church at 6:30 with our games and snacks, and spent the next couple of hours playing games and enjoy-ing getting to know each other better…and eating.

Please spread the word about your troop. If anyone is interested in more informa on, they can contact Jim or Debbie MacGregor at 785‐207‐3796 or send an email to ahg.fl1483@gmail.com or email Darla Schulte at darla_schulte@bellsouth.net.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Sacrament of Holy Baptism was celebrated on December 10, 2017 for Kaylee Rae Bray,

daughter of Janelle Bray.

The Sacrament of Holy Baptism was celebrated on January 21, 2018 for Carter James Ryan,

son of Terrell and Patricia Ryan.

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." Psalm 116:15

It has pleased Almighty God to call home to heaven His servant Martha Hollingsworth. Please keep in your prayers her mother, Meta along with her twin brother, Michael, and

all family members. Eternal Rest grant her, Lord.

The Sacrament of Holy Baptism was celebrated on December 24, 2017 for Judah Ezekiel,

Jubilee Esther, and Jedi Emmanuel MacFarlane, children of Christopher and Donna MacFarlane.

Continued from previous page

Lutheran Women in Mission!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Blessed Epiphany! Can’t it be a new year? 2018 already? Where did the me go? Have you made any resolu ons or goals for this year? Is one of your resolu ons to a end more Bible studies? Then we can help! The women of Gloria Dei have several opportuni es to study God’s word. On Wednesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. the Joyful Hearts Bible Study meets in the chapel. They are star ng a new study on Proverbs. 1st and 3rd Saturdays of every month the LWML (Lutheran Women in Mission) have a breakfast/Bible study that starts at 9:00 a.m. and meets in the chapel. They use Bible studies from the LWML Quarterly magazine and have some great food.

Lutheran Women’s Quarterly, magazine of the LWML, subscription renewal is here! What a great gift for your prayer partner, yourself or a friend. The cost is $5.00 for 4 issues. The Quarterly has some wonderful articles, and event of the LWML, along with wonderful Bible studies and devotionals. If you would like to get a subscription please see Gayle Caruso.

Keep sending in your mites! Our year to date total is $ 1,100.00 these mites go to fund the Mission Grants that we support by the District and National. For more information on the Mission Grants that the LWML supports please go to www.FLGALWML.com and www.lwml.org

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." Psalm 116:15

It pleased Almighty God to call unto Himself His servant, Robert (Bob) Kohler. Bob along with his wife Elsie have

been long time members of Gloria Dei. Please pray for his wife, Elsie along with their adult daughters Sheryl and

Barbara and their family members. "Eternal Rest Grant him, Lord"

Soup Suppers

Each Wednesday beginning Ash Wednesday, February 14th a variety of soups and desserts will be offered for your enjoyment beginning at 6 PM in the Fellowship Hall. This is special time of sharing and fellowship. A free will offering will be taken.

If you would like to contribute your favorite soup or dessert, please see the sign-up sheet in the bulletin or call Gayle Caruso at 954-475-0683 ext. 112

We have had a busy December at the school.

Kindergarten students became inventors. Their task was to create a device that would

keep an egg from breaking when dropped from the second floor of the two story building. The

school children from the other levels came to watch as they tested their inventions. Many

different containers and methods were used to keep the eggs safe. They were all successful!!

Our students were also busy preparing to lead worship at the Advent services. Our 3 and 4 year old students shared songs of Christmas at the 2nd week of Advent service. The K—7 grade students shared the message from the hymn “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” during

the 3rd week of Advent service.

“I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:8-9).

Without commands or even arm-twisting, St. Paul encourages, even challenges, the Church in Corinth to demonstrate the sincerity of their faith by their generosity in giving. He does this because giving generously is a gift of the Spirit given to us through the Gospel.

St. Paul wrote: “But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving” (2 Corinthians 8:7). In other words, just as we grow in faith and speech and knowledge of eternal things by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God, so also do we grow in giving from the same Spirit through the same Word.

The problem is that the grace of generosity often grows cold in us. It’s not so much that we stop giving, but we don’t put it first. We treat it like all the other bills that must be paid. It becomes a chore, just one more thing to check off a list of things to do. That empties it of its spiritual power and robs us of the joy that Christ and the Scriptures assign to it.

On top of that, since this generosity is linked to faith and knowledge of divine things, a lack of excelling in giving is a sure sign that our faith and knowledge of God are under attack as well.

Thus St. Paul points to the foundation of generosity: the generosity of Christ Himself. Even though He was rich, He became poor so that we who are poor might become rich. Thus, the incarnation, suffering, and death of our Lord on the cross is the reason, source, and driving force for our generosity in giving to the church.

And since Christ who was rich became poor so that we might be rich in His grace—of which generous giving is part—so we also who are rich in His grace can excel in pressing His grace into service toward the gracious work of the church.

Pay attention to what you give to the church so that you may excel at it. And if you find that your heart has grown cold or indifferent toward it, immerse yourself in God’s Word. Read it at home. Attend Bible Class. Hear and listen to it preached in the Divine Service.

Be reminded of what Christ has done for you in His incarnation, suffering, and death. For this will strengthen your faith and knowledge. And where that excels, so will the grace of giving excel also.

LCMS Stewardship Ministry http://www.lcms.org/stewardship-ministry

WORD ON STEWARDSHIP

Please keep our seminarian families in your prayers:

*Sam, Leah, Ben and Charlotte Sessa, 9D Founders Way, St. Louis, MO 63105

*Devin, Melissa, Penny, Devin, Jr. and Jamie Murphy 15 Founders Way Unit B, St. Louis, MO 63105

*Alex, Annie and Evelyn Blanken, 2715 Northgate Blvd., Apt 6, Ft Wayne, IN 46835

February 2018Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 5pm-American Heritage Girls

2 3 8am-Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study 9am LWML Breakfast & Bible Study 9:30am-1:30pm Thrift Shop Open

48am-Divine Service 9:30am-Sunday School 10:45am-Divine Service

5 9:30am-1:30pm Thrift Shop Open 7pmMonday Night Bible Study

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

8 9 10 8am-Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study 9:30am-1:30pm Thrift Shop Open 6pm-AHG Daughter/Daddy dance

11 8am-Divine Service 9:30am-Sunday School 10:45am-Divine Service

12 9:30am-1:30pm Thrift Shop Open 7pmMonday Night Bible Study

1310:30am-Prayer Shawl

14Ash Wednesday 9:30am-Joyful Hearts—Women’s Bible Study 10:30am-4pm Thrift Shop Open 6pm-Lenten Soup Supper 7pm-Divine Service

15 5pm-American Heritage Girls

16 17 8am-Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study 9am LWML Breakfast & Bible Study 9:30am-1:30pm Thrift Shop Open 1pm-GriefShare

18Blood Drive 8am-Divine Service 9:30am-Sunday School 10:45am-Divine Service

19 9:30am-1:30pm Thrift Shop Open 6:30pm-School Board 7pmMonday Night Bible Study

20 6:30pm-Church Council

21 9:30am-Joyful Hearts—Women’s Bible Study 10:30am-4pm Thrift Shop Open 6pm-Lenten Soup Supper 7pm-Divine Service

22 23 24 8am-Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study 9:30am-1:30pm Thrift Shop Open 1pm-GriefShare 6pm-Bunco and Pie

25 8am-Divine Service 9:30am-Sunday School 10:45am-Divine Service

26 9:30am-1:30pm Thrift Shop Open 7pmMonday Night Bible Study

27 28 9:30am-Joyful Hearts—Women’s Bible Study 10:30am-4pm Thrift Shop Open 6pm-Lenten Soup Supper 7pm-Divine Service

BIRTHDAYS February / March

Lucy Livengood 2/2

*Abigail Lehman 2/4

*Rev. David Preus 2/4

Wendy Yost 2/4

Joy Reitsma 2/8

Chloe Schmaus 2/10

James Poulos 2/11

Devin Murphy, Jr. 2/11

Ronnie Reitsma 2/12

Jason Jackson Schulte 2/18

Jax Rubin 2/27

Judy Herman 3/2

Sal Gianseracusa 3/3

Chris Saitta 3/4

*Leif Preus 3/7

Nancy Hughes 3/8

Barbara Kronk 3/8

Ginger Poulos 3/10

Donna Croup 3/13

George Mueller 3/13

Michel Conner 3/15

*Rev. Adam Lehman 3/16

Osvaldo Estrada 3/16

Walter Bork 3/17

Jennifer Cusumano 3/17

Coco Zheng 3/19

Daniel Brehm 3/20

Lucille Muklewicz 3/20

Shelby Dammann 3/21

Marie Harbar 3/21

Tami Maisa 3/21

Victoria Schweiger 3/22

Melina Guerrero 3/23

Jonathan Vonada 3/23

Ina Henry 3/25

Nicholas Grillo 3/27

Joan Lee 3/27

Andrew Livengood 3/27

Zella Serian 3/27

Ava Grillo 3/28

Gayle Caruso 3/29

Sadie Kern 3/29

Jim MacGregor 3/29

Vincent Wilson 3/29

*Missionary Family

ANNIVERSARIES February / March

Nicholas and Vera Babzien 02/06

David and Jeanne Smith 02/12

Pastor George and Ginger Poulos 02/12

Dennis and Sharon Adams 02/16

John and Jackie Geromanos 02/21

Bruce and Gayle Caruso 02/22

David Inman & Colleen Gilchrist 3/1

Greg and Toni Grillo 3/1

Sal and Michelle Giansiracusa 3/17

Bill and Carol Jones 3/26

James and Doris Gilchrist 3/29

*Missionary Family

FEBRUARY

Remember God’s love and will for children and families as you pray:

1. for all Christians, that theywould help and defend theorphan and widow, the poorand lonely, the helpless andoppressed.

2. The purification of Maryand the Presentation of Our Lord:for mothers, that they mightrejoice in their vocation and raisetheir children in the Lord.

3. for adoption and foster-careagency workers, that they wouldmake good and right decisionsconcerning what is best for allinvolved — enabling them to findproper families and resources to

meet the needs of the children they serve.

4. for all children, that theymight be brought to the waters ofBaptism and taught God’s Word.

5. Jacob (Israel), Patriarch,thank God for Jacob, throughwhom came the promise of theMessiah and the 12 tribes ofIsrael: for fathers, that they mightraise their children in the Word.

6. for men as they grow up,that they may be godly in theiryouth and their adult years.

7. for orphanages around theworld, that they might receive

proper funding, food, resources and godly caregivers so that they can provide the best care possible to the children entrusted to them.

8. for orphanage workers,that they might be refreshedby Your Word and be good rolemodels and teachers as theyprovide loving care to those intheir charge.

9. for all orphans, that theymight find Christian families whowill nurture them with the loveand knowledge of Christ.

10. Silas, Fellow Worker ofSt. Peter and St. Paul, thankGod for Silas, lesser known,but essential to the work of theKingdom: for all church workers,that all might work as God callsthem to serve Him.

11. for all foster children, thatthey might find peace among thechaos as they wait for a properfamily to be established.

12. for all who suffer fromdomestic violence, that the Lordwould deliver them from dangerand comfort them with His peaceand forgiveness.

13. Aquila, Priscilla, Apollos,thank God for these examples ofearnest learning and meditationin the Word of God.

14. Valentine, Martyr, pray thatthe love of Christ might be thelove celebrated above all loves.

15. Philemon and Onesimus:for all Christian workers andthose in authority, that all mightserve God in their vocations.

16. Philipp Melanchthon(birth), Confessor: thank God forthe Augsburg Confession and theother writings of Melanchthonthat proclaim the truth ofthe Gospel.

17. for all caregivers, thatthey might raise children in thetruth faith.

PHOTO: LCMS COMMUNICATIONS/ERIK M. LUNSFORD

Pray For Us CalendarCHILDREN AND FAMILIES — FEBRUARY 1–29

“Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God,” Jesus says in Luke 18:16. God wants all His children to have faith in Him, yet sin and brokenness permeate the lives of His people. Children are orphaned, and families are ripped apart. Over the years, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has reached out to care for God’s precious children through the mercy ministries of congregations, missionaries and Recognized Service Organizations (RSOs).

THE LUTHERAN CHURCH—MISSOURI SYNOD

18. Martin Luther, Doctorand Confessor: thank Godfor Luther’s proclamation ofsalvation by grace through faithfor Christ’s sake.

19. for children and parentswho are deaf, that they mightknow Jesus’s voice and be filledwith His peace.

20. for widows, that they mightknow Christ as their faithfulbridegroom who will supply fortheir needs as they lives theirlives in prayer and purity.

21. for the homeless, that theymight find a warm and safe placeto lay their head, food for theirbellies, hope for the future andrest in the love of Christ.

22. for the unemployed, thatthey might find suitable andfulfilling employment, fair wagesand encouraging support.

23. Polycarp of Smyrna, Pastorand Martyr: thank God for thosewho continued the teachingsof Jesus and gave their lives forthe Gospel.

24. St. Matthias, Apostle: thankGod for his quiet witness andthose who gave their lives for theGospel without any recognition.

25. for the poor, that theymight find true riches in theWord of God and be blessed bythe generosity of others.

26. for children who aremissing, that the Lord wouldkeep them from danger, restorethem to their families and givethem His peace and protection.

27. for peace among siblings,that the Lord would help themlove and support each otherthroughout their lives, insteadof being divided by bickeringand jealousy.

28. for people with intellectualand developmental disabilities,that they might be treated withrespect and love as belovedchildren of God.

29. for families, that theymight attend worship to hearthe Word and receive theSacraments.

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.

FEBRUARY Pray For Us Calendar

PHOTOS: LCMS COMMUNICATIONS/ERIK M. LUNSFORD

We finished hos ng Group 28 of GriefShare on Saturday, Dec. 9 with a Finger Food me and a Candle ligh ng Ceremony remembering the loved ones who have gone to join Jesus in Heaven. We started the cycle on Saturday, August 26 with an Orienta on session and we also viewed the DVD “Surviving the Holidays” on Nov. 4. And yes, we have seen the tears back into September turn into Christmas Joy in at our Candle ligh ng Ceremony.

GriefShare is a non‐denomina onal, Scripture‐based, Christ‐centered, grief recovery support group which is sponsored only by churches worldwide and which entails a DVD presenta on, general discussion/sharing of the contents of the DVD, and some self‐study me in Scripture. Professionals in the grief recovery environment and peers are featured in the DVDs. A workbook, Tool Box (along with 14‐16 tools), a Gra tude Journal and a Resource Book are used in the program, as well as a Surviving the Holidays Devo onal. The par cipants also have access to our Lending Library which consists of books on the grief journey. We culminate our cycle with a Candle ligh ng Ceremony and Finger Food me. Yes, what is a gathering without food!!

We thank our members of the GriefShare Prayer Support Team for their prayers for this ministry and covering the weekly private prayers given them by our par cipants. Without their prayerful support we doubt that we would be able to minister to those who are grieving.

We are also seeking help in expanding the peer Team so that some of our facilitators can take an occasional break. If you are interested in assis ng us in this endeavor or you can recommend a member who might be interested in becoming a facilitator or be on the Prayer Support Team, please call or talk with one of us.

Please know that a person can join at any session since each segment is “self‐contained” and she or he can catch up through the audio CDs or by a ending a later cycle. One can also check to see some of the churches sponsoring GriefShare in our area by going to www.griefshare.org clicking on ”Find a Group” and put in your zip code. Or call one of us if you need someone just “to listen” or if we could be of help to you. As we are told in II Cor. 1:3‐4, we are here to comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we have received ourselves.

We will begin Group 29 on February 17 at 1:00 pm. We will con nue on Saturdays as this me frame has worked well for senior adults who do not wish to drive at night. The registra on fee which covers the materials remains at $25.00.

If you have any ques ons re GriefShare, our Team would be most happy to talk with you….just call or see one of us: Judy Herman, Millicent Pa erson, Linda Malone, Marilyn Mills or Marian Fowler. We pray for God’s blessings for each of you this coming New Year.

GRIEFSHARE

The Poinsettias that adorned our Sanctuary for Christmas were given by: In memory of:

Dennis and Jan Adams In memory of our son, Bob and our parents Marcia Agriesti In memory of her brother, Laurance Erbivelli Nick and Vera Babzien In memory of our parents William Bamman In memory of Bruce and Ethel Bamman Wilma Bishop In loving memory of her husband, Carl Bishop Lourdes Bray In memory of Julia Gonzalez Patricia Brown In memory of her husband Thomas Brown Edgar and Elaine Carstens In memory of loved ones The Caruso Family In memory of Rosalie Caruso, Bruce’s mother and

Ralph and Ruth Tulloch, Gayle’s parents Ruth Comottor In memory of loved ones The Clark Family In memory of Alvaro Schramm and Andrè Aclair Maxine Dietz In memory of Heather Dietz and Bill Dietz Lynne Donnelly In memory of Kathy Hogan Marian Fowler In memory of loved ones Leif Gren In memory of Ingred and Eddie Gren and Karin Gren Deborah Groome In loving memory of her son Daniel Perrotto Marcia Gomulka In memory of her parents, Harmon and Marie Hern Susan Grimmett In memory of loved ones Alex and Marie Harbar In memory of loved ones Bill and Carol Jones In memory of John and Joan Jones and George and Eleanor Neunzig Rebecca Jones In memory of Helen Schlauch Dionne Josephs In memory of Winston Josephs, Lucille Bisasor, Bill, Judy and Rachel Klockow In memory of Dolly Klockow Kurt and Debby Larsen In memory of Cliff and Phebe Larsen, Kurt’s parents Linda Malone In memory of Bill, Helen and Billy Castellano Joe Meghen In memory of Norm Sitter Marilyn Mills In memory of her parents, William and Frances Schaibley Ainsworth and Millicent Patterson In memory of family and friends Harry and Anne Pope In memory of our parents Pastor and Ginger Poulos and family In loving memory of

Ginger’s father, Walter Gravlin 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

Jean Ryan In memory of her sister, Betty Sandy Saikley In memory of Paul, Mary and Michael Holycross Claudia Schmaus In memory of Lily and Janet Diekman Fritz and Karin Schmidt In memory of loved ones Roger Schlie In memory of his wife, Jean Marie Emerson Zella Serian In loving memory of her mother and father Dave, Jeanne and Jason Smith In loving memory of their parents and friends Luanne Wallice In memory of Arlene Francis Vincent and Doris Wilson In memory of our parents John and Kathy Woodrum In memory of John Woodrum and Manuel Mays Amy Yost In memory of James and Ruth Yost and Ann Carter and Randy Yost Everett and Wendy Yost In memory of Richard and Elvira Wiedelman

Continued on next page

Continued from previous page

For 3rd grade students through adults.

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL! Saturday, February 24th at 6:30 PM

$5.00 per Person Please join us in the Fellowship Hall for a night of fun. Don’t know how to play Bunco? No problem. It is simple to learn and

no skill is required. You’ll be sorry you didn’t learn sooner because it’s just that much fun! Refreshments will be served and

there are prizes, too! Tickets can be purchased between services on Sunday mornings or in the church office. Invite your

friends and family .

Along with the Bunco fun the LWML will have a Homemade Dessert Pie Bake-off!

If you are interested in entering a pie (homemade only please) be sure to pick up an entry form at

the welcome center in the narthex.

There will be prizes for the first place winner and for the most crea ve pie. (Not to men on exclusive

bragging rights!)

So we have an idea of how many to expect please stop by and sign up!

If you would like to make a pie and not enter it that would be great too!

To the Glory of God:Marcia GomulkaEmilie MalinowskiPastor and Ginger Poulos and family In Honor of:Nick and Vera Babzien In honor of Pastor PoulosWilliam Bamman In honor of Ed and Elaine CarstensPatricia Brown In honor of her parents Thomas and Florence WalkerWillis and Dale Devier In honor of their granddaughters, Chloe and AvaLeif Gren In honor of Susie BainBill and Peggy Janzer Happy Birthday Jesus!Lee Ranger In honor of Michele, Mark and Michael RangerRon and Barbara Reitsma In honor and thankfulness for Joy and RonnieJean Ryan In honor of her grandson Carter and granddaughter IsabellaCheryl Smith In honor of our Christ our Lord and SaviorVincent and Doris Wilson In honor of our children, grand children and great grandsonIn Honor of Prayer Partner:Judy Cummings From your 2017 prayer partnerLori Hines From your 2018 prayer partnerMartha Hollingsworth From your 2018 prayer partnerKarem Munsey From your 2018 prayer partnerLaci Shoemaker From your 2017 prayer partnerSandy Saikley From your 2018 prayer partnerZella Serian From your 2018 prayer partner

CelebrationsoftheNewProperty,Pastor,andMembers!

GreetingsintheNameofourLord,JesusChrist!

WepraythatyouallhadablessedAdventandChristmasseasoncelebratingthebirthofourLord.

NovemberandDecemberflewbyforthemissionhereinSpain.InthemiddleofNovember,wehadtwoveryimportantevents.First,wecelebratedthededicationofournewchurchpropertyinSeville.TheeventbeganwithabriefhistoryofaboutSpanishLutheransandthenwasfollowedbyaVespersServiceanddinnertogetherafterwards.ThesecondeventwastheOrdinationandInstallationofthesecondSpanishpastorinSpain,JoseLuis.PeoplecamefromtheUnitedStates,DominicanRepublic,France,PortugalanddifferentpartsofSpaintocelebratethesejoyousoccasions.ThechancetoworshipandbeinfellowshipwithsomanyLutheranswasawonderfulblessing.Itwasindeedajoyoustimeforall!

DIDYOUKNOW?Valladolid,Spain

ValladolidissituatednorthwestofMadrid.Itwassettledinthepre-romantimesbytheCelticpeopleandthenlaterbytheRomans.ItisalsotheplacewhereChristopherColumbusdied,in1506.

BelowisapictureofPlazaMayor,inValladolid.ThisisthesquarewheremanyofthefirstSpanishLutheranswereburnedatthestakefortheirconfessionoffaith.

OrdinationofPastorJoseLuisdeMiguel

SERVINGTHELORDIN

SPAINNEWSFROMTHELEHMANFAMILY

PlazaMayorinValladolid,Spain

adam.lehman@lcmsintl.org

www.lcms.org/lehman

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

HowtoContactandSupportPastor

Lehman

Blog:www.staticadventures.

wordpress.com

Email:adam.lehman@lcmsintl.org

GivingPage:www.lcms.org/lehman

Youmaysupportourworkwithatax-deductiblegiftonmyGivingPage(listedabove),orwithacheckpayableto“TheLutheranChurch—MissouriSynod.”

Besuretoinclude“Lehman-Spain”onthememoline,andsendto:

MissionCentral40718HighwayE-16

Mapleton,Iowa,51034

****************************Tohaveyournameaddedorremovedfromthenewslettermailinglist,simplysendan

emailtoadam.lehman@lcmsintl.organdincludeeither“ADD”or“REMOVE”inthesubject

line.****************************

WethankourLordforeachofyou,andwethankyoufortakingthetimetoreadthisnewsletter.

ThepeaceofChristbewithyoutodayandalways!

- TheLehmanFamily

TheDedicationofaNewChurchandanOrdination!

Sinceourlastnewsletter,wehavewelcomedtwonewmembersandanotherjustpassedhiscatecheticalexamandwillbeconfirmedasamemberinFebruary.CamilaisalifelongLutheranfromFinland,whohadbeenlivinginSpainformanyyearswithoutachurch.ShewasthrilledtofindLutheranswhereshecouldworshipandreceivetheLord’sSupper.BrianlivesinGranadaandwasconfirmedlastSunday.Carlos,whoalsolivesinGranada,willbeconfirmedinFebruary.PastorLehmanwasalsoblessedtoperformabaptismforafamilythatliveinRota,Spain.TheseareexcitingtimeshereinSpain!TheLordcontinuestoblessandgrowHischurchhere.Andwethankyouforyourcontinuedprayersandsupport!

NewmembersBrian(top)andCamila(Bottom)andBaptism.

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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!

All Sisters-in-Christ… Joyful Hearts Bible Study group invites you to join us each

Wednesday morning at 9:30 a.m.

in the chapel as we learn of the blessings we have

through “Proverbs—God’s Gift of

Wisdom”

PASTOR POULOS LEADS THE FOLLOWING BIBLE STUDIES

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

Wednesday evening bible study will continue after Easter.

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

They are studying: “God’s Word for Today: Genesis Rooted in Relationship”

Everyone is welcome!

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 information contact Bruce Caruso

at 954-962-4186

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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

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954-475-0683

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