January 2017 Vol. 119 Issue 1

By Rev. Jeff Zell The Ten Commandments may be

found in two places in the Old Testament:

Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:1-21.

The two recitations are similar, but Luther

chooses to use Exodus 20 in his

catechism. In the Small Catechism, Luther

lists the first commandment as “You shall

have no other gods.” However, when we

look at the Bible passage from whence it

comes we see that additional words are

used:

Then God spoke all these words: 2I am

the Lord your God, who brought you out

of the land of Egypt, out of the house of

slavery; 3you shall have no other gods

before me.

4 You shall not make for yourself an idol,

whether in the form of anything that is in

heaven above, or that is on the earth

beneath, or that is in the water under the

earth. 5You shall not bow down to them or

worship them; for I the Lord your God am

a jealous God, punishing children for the

iniquity of parents, to the third and the

fourth generation of those who reject me, 6but showing steadfast love to the

thousandth generation of those who love

me and keep my commandments.

Luther has a gift for getting to the nub

of things. He possesses a gift for

verbosity, but also for succinctness. Here,

he is succinct. But, looking at the larger

passage helps us to discern the gravity

with which the Lord issues this command.

God reminds the people that He is the

one who was more powerful than pharaoh

and brought people out of slavery. God is

more powerful than the forces of nature

and separated the Red Sea. God provided

daily food and drink in the harshest of

environments. No image can convey

God’s majesty and power, so God warns

people not to try to create an image. God

is not bound by earthly matter, therefore

God cannot be contained in a wooden or

stone image.

The gravity of the command continues

with God’s warning that God can punish

the children, grandchildren and great-

grandchildren because of the wickedness

of parents. God is serious about the idol

business. The LORD God does not do

time-share with other gods. God demands

(Continued on page 5)

* Sunday, Jan. 29 * After service

*Catered Meal, Potluck desserts *Committee Reports

*Council Elections *Special Presentation

*Fellowship (REPORTS DUE TO OFFICE BY JAN. 16)

Epiphany is an ideal season of the

church year to emphasize Living Our

Baptism and discover the five gifts of

discipleship.

Affirming the gifts of discipleship in

Baptism during the season of Epiphany

could become a significant New Year’s

tradition. Commitments are made in

New Year’s resolutions, often relating to

health and well-being. But what about

our spiritual health and well-being?

What commitments do we make to

claim the gifts of discipleship?

The church celebrates the day of

Epiphany on January 6, twelve days after

Christmas. The church recalls the story

(found only in Matthew 2:1-10) of the

wise men who came from the East

searching for a king born under a star.

They met with King Herod in Jerusalem

and ascertained that a king was to be

born in Bethlehem. Herod directed them

to continue their search for this new

king.

When they saw that the star had

stopped, they were overwhelmed with

joy. On entering the house, they saw the

child with Mary his mother; and they

knelt down and paid him homage. Then,

opening their treasure chests, they

offered him gifts of gold, frankincense,

and myrrh. And having been warned in a

(Continued on page 2)

Our God not interested

in time-sharing, says Luther

Claim the gifts of discipleship

during the Season of Epiphany In this era of Fake News, believe this...

Returns Friday, Feb. 24 You have been warned!

NewsNotes Page 2

The funeral Eucharist for Nancy M.

Post was conducted at Gloria Dei Dec.

16 with Pastor Zell presiding. Graveside

services followed

at St. Joseph Valley

Memorial Park.

Nancy died Dec.

11 at age 80,

following a brief

illness.

A lifelong

county resident,

she also was a

lifelong Lutheran,

having been baptized

at Holy Trinity in South Bend before

joining Gloria Dei, where she spent

several decades in faithful service as a

Sunday School teacher, member of the

Altar Guild and WELCA, counter, and

remained active in Ruth Circle until it

Sara & Lorraina Doolittle, Al Saari (D. Scherer’s

brother-in-law), Judithellen

Larson, Jordan Cone, Suellen

Petersen, Ken Senn,

Samantha Croymans, Thelma

Nelson, Ken, David Post,

Judy Kepner, Al Gapinski,

Roland Sheneman, Mary Lou

Elder, Shirley Brunt, Eric Sult, Don Holmberg, Bob

Lutz, our shut-ins.

Those who have asked

for our prayers

include ….

dream not to return to Herod, they left

for their own country by another

road.The wise men risked much and

traveled far to pay homage to the king

born under a star in Bethlehem. They

came offering their gifts, only to be

overcome with joy, not grasping that it

was Jesus who provides the greater gift

to the world.

Aha! God was revealed to the wise

men!

The texts of the Revised Common

Lectionary used by churches throughout

the world during the Sundays after the

Epiphany include wonderful stories of

those who (like the wise men) have

“Aha!” moments.

We experience similar Aha moments

when we say, “So that is what God is up

to!” as we discover and claim the gifts of

discipleship in our baptism.

Here are other “Aha!” stories from

the Bible: Shepherds, Luke 2: 8-20;

Simeon and Anna, Luke 2: 25-38;

Parents, Luke 2:41-52; Unclean spirits,

Luke 4:31-37; Disciple, Luke 5:1-11;

Pete, Luke 9:18-20; Women, Luke 24:1-

12. From elca.org

Discipleship

(Continued from page 1)

was dissolved a few years ago.

She and her husband Dave raised their

daughter Patti and son Michael in the

church. They survive, along with four

grandchildren.

Nancy retired in 1991 from Valley

Screen Process and also volunteered for

the Northern Indiana Historical Society.

She enjoyed painting and craft work,

which she shared with her children and

grandchildren.

Her skill as a seamstress was greatly

appreciated by the Ruth Circle, whose

projects often required knitting and

sewing.

Nancy’s deep and abiding love for her

church was evident to all who knew her;

her soft voice and warm demeanor will

be missed.

Contributions in her memory may be

made to the Building on Faith fund.

Nancy Post

Nancy Post, lifelong Lutheran, devoted

member, loving mother and wife

Wednesday a.m.

‘Bible scholars’ begin

study of Luther

The Wednesday Bible Study will

resume at 10 a.m. Jan. 4 with a study of

Martin Luther following the Great

Courses study program. The class will

include introductory remarks by Pastor

Zell, a presentation of 30-minute lecture

and follow up discussion.

There are recommended readings for

each session. Pr. Zell has many of these

resources and will provide copies for

those who would like one.

The January schedule is as follows:

1/4 – Luther’s Gospel; 1/11 – The

Medieval Church: Abuse and Reform;

1/18 – Augustinian Paradigm of

Spirituality; 1/25 – Young Luther against

Himself

Congratulations to Cora Kazmier-

zak, who was named Lucia Queen at

the 60th annual Sankta Luciafest Dec.

11. She served as primary hostess for

the reception that followed and also

placed the Christ Child figures in the

manger on Christmas Eve.

Cora was joined on her court by

Kendall Kuhns and 2004 Lucia Queen

Nikole Oliver Scherer. Serving as

Maidens of Honor were future Lucia

Queen hopefuls Mackenzie Miller,

Amelia Marek and Madison Weldy.

Erik Miller portrayed the Star Boy;

Goat Boy was Tyler Marek, the Kings

were portrayed by Christian Yahle,

Dylan Marek and Garrett Miller. Liam

Boyd was Herrod.

Jenn Weldy was soloist and sang

the Hymn to Sankta Lucia.

Cora Kazmierzak reigns as 60th Queen of Luciafest

NewsNotes Page 3

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fr i Sa t

1 Name of

Jesus

2 3 No Mary

Circle

4Bible Study,

10 a.m.

5 6 Epiphany of

Our Lord

6:30 p.m.,

Gloria Dei

7

8 Baptism of

Our Lord

9 10

Congregation

Council, 6:30

p.m.

11 Bible Study,

10 a.m.

12 13 14

15 Epiphany II

SOCIAL

MINISTRY

16 Committee

reports due for

Annual Meeting

17 18 Bible Study,

10 a.m.

Confession of

Peter

19 20 21

22 Epiphany III

23 24 25 NN Deadline

Bible Study, 10

a.m.

Confession of

Paul;

FELP board

meeting, 6:30

p.m.

26 Hope

Dinner,

Social

Ministry

27 28

29 Epiphany IV

ANNUAL

MEETING after

liturgy

5th Sunday,

Portage Manor

30 31 NN Mailed

January

NewsNotes Page 4

Jan. 1

Name of Jesus

10:30 a.m.

Jan. 6

Epiphany

6:30 p.m.

Jan. 8

Baptism of

Our Lord

10:30 a.m.

Jan. 15

Epiphany II

10:30 a.m.

Liturgical

Assistant

Patty Carr Dan Lindborg Leslie Miller Brian Saine

Servers and

Acolytes

Tyler Marek

Dylan Marek

Thomas Zell Thomas Zell

Garrett Miller

Michelle Megyese

Colin Dreher

Bell Ringer Amelia Marek Mackenzie Miller Liam Boyd

Lector Jim Carr Ginny Brummitt John MIller Patty Carr

Communion

Assistant

Mary Ann Sorocco Dolores Miller Melinda Foley

Sunday

School

Leslie Miller

Greeters Carol & Bob Larson Dorothy Anderson

Jean Petersburg

Lindy Dreher

Phyllis Thompson

Altar

Flowers and

Sanctuary

Lamp

F: Poinsettias

L: Open

F: Open

L: Open

F: Open

L: Open

F: Open

L: Open

Altar Guild Lindy Dreher,

Phyllis Thompson

Lindy Dreher,

Phyllis

Thompson

Patty Carr, Peggy

Niedbalski

Patty Carr, Peggy

Niedbalski

January Ministry Schedule

Ushers: Harvey Holmes, Stephen Saine, Russ Buysse.

Counters: Jan. 1: Sorocco and B. Saine; Jan. 8: Lindborg and Fortson; Jan. 15: Forslund and Taylor;

Jan. 22: Miller and C. Saine; Jan. 29: Post and Suter

Ushers scheduled by Russ Buysse, counters by finance committee; Altar Guild by Patty Carr, Sunday

School teachers by Worship & Music; all others by Jack Seifer (jwseifer@juno.com)

NewsNotes Page 5

Jan. 22

Epiphany III

10:30 a.m.

Jan. 29

Epiphany IV

10:30 a.m.

Liturgical

Assistant

John Miller Lisa Suter

Servers and

Acolytes

Tyler Marek

Dylan Marek

Thomas Zell

Garrett Miller

Bell Ringer Amelia Marek Mackenzie Miller

Lector Dan Lindborg Bob Suter

Communion

Assistant

Don Holmberg Peggy Niedbalski

Sunday

School

Donald Holmberg

Greeters Mary Ann & Joe Sorocco Carol & Brian Saine

Altar Flowers,

Sanctuary

Lamp

F: Open

L: Open

F: Open

L: Open

Altar Guild Gloria Buysse,

Jill Seifer

Gloria Buysse, Jill Seifer

January Ministry Schedule Pt. 2 BUILDING ON

FAITH REPORT To Nov. 30, 2016

YTD

Receipts for November $ 2,085 Mortgage paid for December 2,379 Loan principal on Dec. 1 83,306 Mutual Bank bal. on Dec. 1 5,572 ___ Total paid from scrip sales 52,900

__ At present, 87% of each payment reduces the principal. Current interest rate is 4.95 percent . Mortgage termination date is June 2020. Forty-two payments remain. Pledges totaling $150,543 were received in a 2014 fund drive. Congregation should continue making regular contributions and purchasing scrip.

Report prepared By Dan Lindborg

Dec.13, 2016

Pastor prepares

PowerPoint; Joan

escapes Tenn. fires

At the Council Retreat in November,

Pastor presented a brief PowerPoint

presentation that the council found

useful.

The council asked Pastor to present

this to the congregation at the Annual

Meeting on Jan. 29. ...

Social Ministry committee welcomes

anyone to help serve at the Jan. 26 Hope

Ministries meal. Please let Nikki Scherer

knows. ...

We also have placed a plastic tub in

the Gathering Area and are collecting

winter socks for distribution at Hope and

Broadway Christian Parish. Heavy

weight socks, black or white, are

welcome. ...

Pr. Zell received correspondence

from Joan Hartman in December. Joan

lives in Tennessee near her daughter

Cheryl Guyberson.

Joan is adjusting to her new

environment. She has not been affected

by the recent fires in the state, although

she did experience ash falling down.

She misses Gloria Dei and wishes

everyone a blessed holiday and New

Year.

compete allegiance. And, as Luther

explains, “We are to fear, love, and trust

God above all things.”

The Old Testament is filled with

examples of the people of Israel turning

toward other gods. 1 Kings 18 tells a

story of people choosing to follow a god

called baal. But, do we in the 21st

century have other gods? Yes, they are

all around us. Gods do take all manner of

shapes. Basically, a god is something that

takes most of our time and energy and

changes the way in which we think and

behave. A god will encourage us to not

be devoted to the One True God revealed

in Holy Scripture. A god will entice us to

not practicing “loving our neighbor as

ourselves.” A god will challenge us to

only think about ourselves and our own

fulfillment, journey, interests, etc. at the

expense of the Christian community in

1st Commandment (Continued from page 1)

which we are baptized, confirmed, and

meet our Lord at the Altar.

Christian literature over the centuries

warns us that the gods that the LORD

warns us about are often as slippery and

tricky as the Serpent that first tempted

Eve and Adam. We must be vigilant.

And, thanks be to God, Scripture is also

full of stories of people who realize they

have sinned by turning their hearts to

idols and then repent. Every single time

God welcomes the repentant sinner back.

Now, that is Good News.

The BiggesT Bowl of ‘em All

Sunday, Feb. 5

NewsNotes Page 6

Rev. Jeff Zell, pastor

Hours by appointment

Jeff.Zell@yahoo.com

—

Dolores Miller, office administrator

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday

8 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Friday

1:30 p.m.-4 p.m.

Dolores is off on Wednesday.

Office phone: (574) 288-5266

www.gloriadei-in.org ——

NewsNotes is a monthly publication for

members and friends of Gloria Dei Lutheran

Church, 225 E. Haney Ave., South Bend, IN

46601 The deadline for submissions is printed

in the monthly calendar.

—

Please submit information for the weekly

bulletin in writing by noon each Wednesday.

—

NewsNotes Editor: John Miller e-mail: jdmiller10@hotmail.com

Non-Profit Organization

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Gloria Dei Lutheran

Church

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RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Celebrating 136 years of faithful ministry of Word and Sacrament.

Those celebrating birthdays and wedding

anniversaries in January include...

Please notify the church office if a special occasion is missed

January Birthdays

January Anniversaries

Jeanette Taylor Jan. 16

Madeline Buysse Jan. 8

Karen Swanson Jan. 16

Pr. Jeff Zell Jan. 24

Patty Carr Jan. 24

Susan Ulrich Jan. 25

Tony Schmidt Jan. 28

Anniki Lute Jan. 29

Jeanette & Laurence Taylor Jan. 15

Darlene and Paul Scherer Jan. 23