Weekly Newsletter

Glimpses of Glendale Glendale Lutheran Church Newsletter August 7, 2025 Mysteries - article by Joel Hempel   Marcia and I love a good mystery, a whodunit where the murderer is not revealed until a twist at the end of the movie. But this article is not about that kind of mystery. Have you ever wondered how two people so in love end up hating each other? Then there is the opposite: two people who have hurt each other, fallen apart, only to find each other again and rebuild their lives together. One of the marvelous mysteries is when someone is broken and beaten up by life, but then, by God’s grace and hard work, finds their way back to wholeness. Mysteries! Many of us have played a leading role in one of the above or other life mysteries. But all of us have been both the villain and hero or heroin in our salvation history. Scripture teaches that we came into this life as natural-born villains. That natural way is hell-bent on getting our way, whatever the cost. But Scripture also teaches that God offers life-changing, spiritual surgery on our souls, turning us from villain to hero. This radical change in our spiritual DNA, however, did not come free of charge. It cost what the wealthiest among us could never afford. It was paid by means of a mystery beyond human comprehension. The Creator of the universe, the Almighty God, sacrificed His Son – Himself – so that all people who believe and trust in His grand act of grace could flourish in life and approach death with peace and anticipation. And why did he do it? In a word, LOVE. The Love of God is incomprehensible. But the result is not. In a single life-shattering and life-giving event while hanging on the cross, God changed us from enemies to friends. From villains to heroes and heroines. And as his heroes and heroines, we now get to live our lives for God. We now get to love as He has loved us, and live self-sacrificially as He sacrificed Himself for us. Yes, we have to admit we don’t always act like heroes and heroines. Too often, we are self-serving and other-ignoring. But the grace that changed us from enemies into friends CONTINUES to embrace and empower us to be the protagonists he needs us to be in our personal stories and the church’s mission. Discerning God's Will for GLC   Please enter the following dates in your schedules: The three consecutive Sundays we will be discerning God’s will for our church will be September 7, 14, and 21. As your pastor, I encourage you to participate in this Bible-based, discerning process. I believe you will find it both faith-building for your personal life and mission-revealing for our congregational life. Pastor Scott Sign-up is available on the kisok, or contact: Jennifer Buchholz buchholzje@yahoo.com 314-302-5630 (text, call or vm) Joel Hempel jhempel411@gmail.com 314-591-1403 (text, call or vm) Prayer Partners   The following are prayer partners who were partnered at random on Sunday, August 3: Nickie Boehme and Sandy Barbercheck Becci Lauber Sasser and Vicki Devenport Mary Ann Crabtree and John Brugere Cathie Albers and The Bentzingers Tom Crabtree and Josh Boehme Mike Toney and Joel Hempel Kathy Brugere and Pastor Scott If you want to be a prayer partner but forgot to put your name in the box, we encourage you to reach out to a friend or find a person of interest in the church directory and ask that person to be your partner. Please pray for Discerning God’s Will for GLC, and for all other concerns that God places on your heart. Dates to Remember   September 7, 14, 21: Discerning God’s Will for GLC: Small Group Bible Studies. August 17: Sign-up begins for Small Group participation in Discerning God’s Will for GLC. [NOTE: For those who are unable to participate in-person, you will be able to do so remotely. Let Pastor Scott or Joel know, and arrangements will be made. You and the Spirit’s input are needed.] August 31: Small Group Participants and their Facilitator will be revealed. October (and perhaps beyond): Pastor Scott, the process administrators (Andy Ryan and Joel Hempel) with the facilitators meet to seek a first draft of God’s Will for GLC, with the hope that we will have a concrete direction to bring to the congregation by Reformation Sunday, October 26 – which the congregation will then prayerfully consider.  2025 Glendale Congregation Hymn Sing   "Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us."  - Martin Luther I do not know a time without music - specifically the music of the church. Having been raised in church my entire life, I have heard and sung various styles of music in worship, including: southern gospel, classical masses and requiems, Christian praise songs of the 90s and even the worship songs found on contemporary Christian radio today. All of these have a story to tell and a purpose for the Church of God in our present day. Some songs turn our focus upward to God and celebrate who He is. While others tell stories of the human experience and how God works on earth to bring comfort and hope.  To celebrate the rich heritage of music in the church, we will worship with a Congregation Hymn Sing on Sunday, August 31. We want to sing the songs that mean something to you! If you click on this link you'll find a form to fill out. Please submit any and all hymns you'd like to sing that day. Together we will remember all of the ways God has met us through the music of the church. I look forward to our day of celebration on August 31! Choir Rehearsals Return!   Join us on Tuesday nights at 7:00pm for choir rehearsals. We will be working on anthems for worship this fall and even looking ahead to the holidays! Rehearsals will resume on Tuesday, August 19. See you then! Summer Potluck   Join us on Wednesday, August 13, for summer potluck! From 5:30 to whenever, join us in the Family Life Center for an evening of good food and fellowship! Please bring a dish to share. Finance Update Next Sunday's Bible Readings Jeremiah 23:16-29; Hebrews 11:17-31; Luke 12:49-53 Worship Leaders This Sunday - 8/10 Lector: Greg Frimel Children's Message: Janet Leet Communion: John Steele & Seminary Student Greeters: Greg & Karen Frimel Sound/Video: Paul Barbercheck Ushers: Ken Clark, Ron Froesel, Jack Hurley, Rodger Lubben Next Sunday - 8/17 Lector: Ann Jonas Children's Message: Jon Spagnuolo Communion: Tony Petzoldt & Seminary Student Greeters: Paul & Sandy Barbercheck Sound/Video: Ken Clark Ushers: Gerry Lucas, Tony Petzoldt, Steve Phelps, Mike Toney The Word Within the Word Online Calendar Glendale Lutheran Church Monday-Thursday 8:00 am-4:30 pm (314) 966-3220 glendalelutheranchurch@gmail.com Connect With Us:

Glendale Lutheran Church | 1365 North Sappington Road | Glendale, MO 63122 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice