Regardless of the day of the week, we are made to know of God's love in Christ's life, death, and resurrection; we are able to experience His love in the bread and wine which Christ gave us to celebrate the promise of forgiveness and in which the Holy Spirit strengthens us and stirs us to greater service to our neighbors. So please come and celebrate our life in Christ this summer at Gloria Dei on Wednesday or Sunday or both, and know that God made the Sabbath--not so a bunch of people would make God feel important, but rather that we need to hear how God calls us important and loved. We gather to hear God's Word because God knows that we need it and that we are strengthened all the more when we hear it together.

I thank you for the ways in which you have let me be involved in your congregation's life. It wasn't a conventional internship; it wasn't an easy internship; but it was certainly a good internship. It was not without confusion and uncertainty, but life is full of (in the words of an ancient, famous prayer) "ventures of which we cannot see the ending." One of my favorite Bible verses and a verse that was important to me this year, especially when things felt uncertain, is Romans 8:26: "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words."

That Spirit is with you and me wherever we go and is at work in many ways. I was blessed to see the Spirit at work here.    

God's peace, Dan            

Prayer Concerns 

If the status of you or your loved one changes or if you prefer that a name no longer be printed in the bulletin or newsletter, thank you for notifying Rick in the church office (243-2301).

Our faith family. Joy Anderson, Allan Bogert, Jessi Enstice, Candace McGowan, Dick Booth, Lynn Hobson, Joan Booth, Joyce Schuerger, Gene Emery, Gerri Bergstrom, Joyce McGowan, Ingrid Omdal, Emily Schock, Faye Weber, Janie Henderson, Hilde Jensen.

Other family and friends of the congregation. Michelle Bowzer's cousin, Laura Ruekert's uncle George, John Papuga-Barb Schmidtman's brother-in-law, Bobbi Shibe, Ken-Kristen Munson's father, Tyler Larimer-Al & Joyce Schuerger's grandson, Phyllis & Keith Mack-Phyllis Swanstrom's sister-in-law and brother, Haley Lorenson & family-friend of Hans Rodvik, Sarah Magera-friend of the Shewman Family, Amy Sierer-Aaron Shewman's sister, Ted Evanson-Janie Henderson's brother, Bill Ross-friend of Grant & Janie Henderson, Jan Wardleigh-Janie Henderson's godmother, John Gregory-Barb Friese niece's husband, Janie Henderson's friend Joelle, Evelyn Given's daughter LaVelle, Jim Moeller-Cindy Hemry's dad, Ann Northcutt-our bookkeeper, Roy Brash-Betty Anderson's brother, Kathy Hittle's brother Paul, Helen Pierson-Abby Simonson's grandmother, Norma Budahl, Faye Hevner-Debbie Jeffery's sister.

Sympathy to the family and friends of Randy Roosdett. Randy passed away on May 14; his funeral was held at Gloria Dei on Saturday, May 25, with Intern Pastor Dan officiating. May God grant his family comfort in their time of loss.

Our June prayer partner. Central Lutheran, Anchorage

Our July prayer partner. Brevig Memorial Lutheran, Brevig Mission

2013 Scholarship Recipients  

Please join us at the 9:30 a.m. worship service on Scholarship Sunday, June 9, in congratulating those students who will each be awarded $1,000 scholarships for the 2013-2014 academic year. During the past nine years, the Nick Indahl Memorial College Scholarship committee has awarded a total of $96,000 to eligible Gloria Dei youth. This year's recipients are the following young people:

Note from Jess - Why we do what we do

Essentially, church is all about community--about the inclusion of every member of that community. From the oldest to the youngest. From the loudest to the quietest. From the rowdiest to the most reserved. This place is for everyone. As soon as one group is removed from the equation, this message changes. For a child, this is especially profound. When children are removed from the worship setting, the message they hear is "this is not for you." Studies have shown that these kids do not lose this feeling as they get older, and very few remain in the church as adults. Intentional or not, these actions carry heavy consequences.

At Gloria Dei, children are not just welcomed into worship, they are embraced! Each Sunday I watch as you go out of your way to share the peace with them, call them by name, and ask them about their lives. Your smiles are genuine and your welcome is heartfelt. You constantly show them that they are an important part of this community by supporting their fundraisers and encouraging them in their ministries. A few weeks ago when Clayton Gellerman, son of Scott and Gwen Gellerman, led us in the Psalm, I noticed that I was not the only one tearing up.

Gloria Dei has a rich history of supporting their children in their faith. What an incredible gift to hand to the youngest among us! Thank you.

- Jess Throlson

Farewell to Dan, Dorisa, and Oskar

As the time nears for our intern pastor Dan Nelson to return to Minnesota to complete his seminary education, we must prepare to say our goodbyes. Dan will remain in Alaska a week longer than the rest of his family, so the Intern Committee has planned a send-off for Dorisa and Oskar on Sunday morning, June 16. Everyone is invited to gather after the 9:30 worship service to wish them farewell in the way we do best--a potluck! So bring a dish to share and join the fellowship in the fireside room, where we'll be lining up for a turn to hold Oskar one last time before they head out.

Then on June 30, Dan's last Sunday at Gloria Dei, plan to join us for a BBQ brunch after 9:30 worship to wish Dan "Bon Voyage." Again, bring some food to share and enjoy some grilled deliciousness. We'll be outdoors (pray for sunshine) and in the fireside room--come and wish our intern well as he moves on to his next adventure!

Transition Update

Two Updates from the Church Council: First, the Mission Development Committee has finished a draft of the congregational survey that will be an important milestone in the interim process before our congregation can call a new pastor. The Council will complete a final review of the survey in the next few weeks. The Mission Development Committee meets again on Tuesday, June 4, and will be reviewing the next steps included in the instructional materials on the interim process provided by the Synod.   

Second, the Council has been dealing with the complicated issues of trying to be more strategic and more efficient as well as considering how to reform some of our constitutional committees which are currently not functioning. Our goal is to work toward supporting them in some of the work of the church.

Please stay tuned for more information!

Barb Jones

Church Council President