A couple of weeks ago, I was “baking” in the mid-afternoon sun out in my garden. I was working on a project that had me out there for about 4 solid days. It was so hot that by dinner time on the last day, I wasn’t even hungry. I just wanted some water and a place to cool off. So, we packed up the minivan with swimsuits and towels and went over to our local pool. It felt heavenly to float in the cool water and relax after some long days in the sun.
As I was relaxing, a group of kids were gathering at the edge of the pool. They lined up, put their goggles on, and declared, “Cannon ball!!!!” and they jumped in right next to me. My relaxing float was over, and their joy was just beginning! I couldn’t help but laugh right along with them. I remember doing that to grownups in the pool all the time when I was a kid and it brought a big smile to my face.
I hope and pray that you all have had a relaxing summer and that you have a couple more weeks of relaxing summer planned. But I am also smiling with joy that our programming here at Gloria Dei is about to begin for the 2025-2026 year. I can’t wait for the sound of children and families to fill the hallways on their way to Church School once again. I can’t wait to watch the teenagers come streaming into the sanctuary for confirmation. I can’t wait to eat dinner with you all on Wednesday evenings before worship. I can’t wait to “JUMP IN!” to our programming year.
Our fall theme “JUMP IN!” captures just what we hope you’ll do. At the end of a relaxing and beautiful summer, we hope you’ll jump in here at Gloria Dei. Whether you’re interested in becoming a confirmation small group leader, a Church School teacher or classroom helper, a volunteer in our nursery you’re joining a Bible study or other educational opportunity, you’re serving and volunteering with us in worship or our kitchen ministry, or you’re joining the choir, or praise band, or our tech booth. There are all kinds of places for you to “JUMP IN!” with us this fall. We need you to jump in and help to make these ministries successful.
Our first day of Church School will be Sunday, September 7th during both our 9am and 10:30am services. The day is mostly focused on Church School, but to go along with our theme we’ll have a few bouncy houses, the Black Iron Waffle food truck, and the Rainy Day coffee truck.
If you haven’t yet registered for Church School or Confirmation, now would be a great time to do so. REGISTER HERE! We need all new AND returning families to register every year. It helps keep our database up to date and lets us know about many important details in your family. We are in need of sixth grade Confirmation small group guides, Church School teachers, and Church School helpers for all sessions. (Sunday x2 and Wednesday). Teachers can be high school age and above. Church School helpers can be in middle school. Jump In with CYF and volunteer here, or reach out to Pastor Sarah or Lara Kvale for more information about serving in one of these ways.
We want to encourage you to “JUMP IN!” with us at Gloria Dei. Find a place to jump in and join in the joy!
Let’s GO Gloria Dei!
Pastor Chris
P.S. The evening after that relaxing float in the local pool, the acreage my family and I live on in the rural Hudson area experienced the derecho/tornado and we had tremendous damage to our grove. Thankfully very little building damage occurred, and the people and the pets were all safe. Many of you who follow us on social media came out to help us clean up. We’re so incredibly overwhelmed and grateful for all the help we received and more importantly, the prayers that were prayed for us. Please keep praying. We know and feel God’s hand of blessing on us and our little acreage. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you and God bless you all!!!
