Glimpses of Glendale Glendale Lutheran Church Newsletter | | | Every Sunday in Bible class I ask people about the best thing and the worst thing that happened to them in the last week. My best this week is that Sunday I visited Daniel DeFosset. As you know, last summer Daniel developed Guillain-Barre syndrome. He is a young man who all of a sudden couldn’t walk or use his hands. He was in the hospital for months and then rehab.
On Sunday, Daniel looked like his old self. He was walking without a wheelchair or a cane. He has orthotics from his knee to his feet to help him with stability. He is back working as a lawyer on his laptop from home. He may be able to drive soon. He is a walking miracle.
It brings me so much joy to see Daniel. It’s like seeing a blind man Jesus healed. His life is a testimony to God. Our church prayed countless hours for his healing. He put in countless hours of hard physical therapy. Doctors, nurses, physical therapists, his parents and all the rest helped him along the way. Daniel, his mom, Susan, and his dad, Dan, worship with us online. Daniel can’t be vaccinated because of his condition. They are part of the 20 households who join our broadcast. Praise God that he is healing Daniel. Praise God that he is keeping them connected to Word and sacrament. That is my best from this week. | | Annual Report
Glendale Lutheran's 2020-2021 Annual Report has been published. Hard copies are located on the wall next to the staff and council mailboxes, or it can be accessed via the "Annual Report" link on our website, or by clicking here. | | Thank You!
My Dear Glendale Family,
This is a combination thank you/love letter and hopefully I will be able to fully express my gratitude for each of you individually and collectively.
I chose not to name you for a variety of reasons, but mostly for fear of inadvertently leaving someone out - I know you understand.
I am writing this Sunday morning after listening to Pastor’s sermon on being called - and to say I understand we can be called for a season - in sickness or in health. Being on the receiving end of so many of your gifts has been a mixed blessing. I am so grateful that so many of you heard the Lord’s admonishment to minister to our household.
So many cards and sentiments of well wishes. So many calls - to hear your voices and pass the time. So much food - so delicious and a special thank you to those who offered and were turned down and did not get offended. We literally have a freezer and refrigerator well stocked.
The visits and the smiles and the care that came with them.
The gifts - some bought, some homemade - each to be treasured in the days to come.
Those who shopped for me so I could gift my family at Christmas and my resident gardener (she knows who she is).
The live streamed video of the church services and those who enabled them - you can’t know how meaningful they are until you need them. Also to those who had the vision and knowledge years ago to gift the church with the ability to reach out.
I will mention Jim our sweet organist whose music lifted my soul and filled my Sunday mornings.
I’ll sign off now praying that I have touched everyone of you with my gratitude and His Blessings.
Your humble sister in Christ - Carol | | Sin Boldly A few weeks ago, I finished a biography on Martin Luther by Eric Metaxas. It was interesting but too long for my taste. However, many fascinating events and dynamics of Lutheran and Renaissance history were highlighted. Among them was an exchange between Dr. Luther and his good friend and fellow theological genius, Phillip Melanchthon.
While Luther was hiding out in Wartburg (a castle-like fortress) posing as a knight to avoid arrest and burning at the stake by the pope, Melanchthon was left in charge of the Wittenberg (Germany) University Luther had founded. But because there were competing leaders in Wittenberg and because Melanchthon did not have Luther’s flowery personality or assertive manner, his leadership was challenged. He wrote to Luther expressing his concern that he might not be the man for the job. According to Metaxas, Luther responded that his colleague should continue presiding over the university and not be afraid of making mistakes. In fact, Luther emboldened, “be a sinner and sin boldly…”
Luther was encouraging his friend Phillip to live freely and courageously and not to be afraid of making a wrong decision, saying the wrong thing, or even sinning. Of course, Luther was not encouraging or endorsing sin. Instead, he was reminding Melanchthon that God’s grace covers all mistakes and even gross sins – those in the past and those yet to be conceived.
That is the freedom we have as Christians! We live in forgiveness, and God's forgiveness lives in us.
What is interesting to me is that a brilliant theologian like Melanchthon could forget this truth.
I suspect I am not only speaking for myself when I say we repeatedly need to not only hear about God's mercy, but we also need to receive it and make it our own by the power of the Holy Spirit working within us.
Be assured, Deacons – like all others at GLC – starting with yours truly, struggle with letting go of guilt and worry and remembering that the love of God holds us tightly. Therefore, we can be understanding as we walk and listen and pray with you. | | Looking for an In-Home Childcare Provider
This may be an unconventional request, but we know that often our friends and fellow congregation members have great recommendations or know someone in a particular field. So here we go . . . We are looking for an in-home childcare provider (daycare or babysitter) for our baby boy. Our sitter had some things come up and is unable to babysit. If you know anyone who provides childcare in their home in the Glendale, Kirkwood, Webster, Fenton, Maplewood, or Clayton area, we would love to talk with you and hear your recommendations! Please call Johanna Sowers at (314) 712-0522. Thank you! | | Altar Flower Sign-Up
You can sign up for dates to provide flowers by clicking here, or let Michelle know via phone or email (michellefiala1895@gmail.com, 314-966-3220) what date(s) you want to sign up for, and what the dedication will be.
If you have any issues with the online process, please let Michelle know! | | Offerings vs. Budget Update | | Next Sunday's Bible Readings | | Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a; Luke 4:16-30 | | This Sunday - 1/16 Lector: Miriam Lee Communion: Derek Don Greeters: Terry & Jennifer Buchholz S/V: Mike Toney Ushers: Kelly Climer, Laurel Don, Judy George Children's Message: Janet Leet | | Next Sunday - 1/23 Lector: Cathie Albers Communion: John Steele Greeters: Greg & Karen Frimel S/V: Tony Petzoldt Ushers: Lisa Grossenheider, Jeanne Lipinski, Becci Sasser Children's Message: Pastor Scott | | | Glendale Lutheran Church Monday-Thursday 8:00 am-4:30 pm (314) 966-3220 | | | | | | | |
