ANNOUNCEMENTS
Join us for worship each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. We are excited to make our worship accessible to those who want to worship with us at Gloria Dei who are not physically able to be with us in the nave. All worship services are offered in person in the Nave and virtually via our website at https://gloriadeilutheranchurch.net/livestream/
First Light (Sunday School)--Our new Sunday School program, First Light, is on Sunday mornings, 8:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m., in the Simeon Center. This class is for all ages.
Pledge Cards--Please turn in your pledge cards as soon as possible. Your pledge cards help us to plan the next year’s budget. We will celebrate the pledges submitted so far and will let you know how many pledges were submitted and how much money has been pledged for 2026. You may complete your pledge online by tapping the Stewardship button at the top of this page.
Fellowship Bible Study-- Fellowship Bible Study meets from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. every Tuesday in the Simeon Center. We use a study called Daily Faith Practices published by the ELCA. For information, please email Sharon Padula at slpadula1@gmail.com.
Christmas Caroling--Christmas Caroling begins at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 21. Carolers will travel by Gloria Dei bus. All are welcome to join in the singing. Following caroling, we will come back to the church to enjoy some more fellowship over lunch. Please RSVP by signing up on the sheet provided on the table in the Narthex or you may call the Church Office, 757-851-2838, or email psipes@gloriadei.net or tbialk@gloriadei.net so we can plan on enough food.
Dinners at Capri--Join Pastor and others at Capri Pizza and Italian Restaurant, located at 227 Fox Hill Rd., on Tuesday, December 16, at 6:00 p.m. We will have a meal together and share in conversations around Scripture. At the end of our time together, we will share Holy Communion. Invite your friends and family. Please, RSVP to Peggy in the Church Office by Tuesday, December 9; we want to make sure the restaurant is prepared for our group being there. You are responsible for the cost of your meal and a generous tip.
Flower Calendar--The 2026 flower calendar is posted just outside the Nave for those wishing to give flowers for our Sunday worship services. These flowers cost approximately $65.00. You may designate your flowers in celebration of something, in memory of someone, in honor of someone, to the glory of God, etc. You will be billed directly by Jeff’s Flowers, Of Course. Thank you!
Community Bible Study--Our weekly Community Bible Study, held at H.E.L.P., 329 Buckroe Avenue, is held on Wednesdays at noon. All are invited to attend.
Christmas Tree Sales--Gloria Dei's Youth Group is selling trees on Fridays from 5-9 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., and Sundays from 12-6 p.m. Prices range from $65 for a 6 ft tree to $80 for a 7 ft tree.
Coat Drive--Andrew Sutherland is kicking off his annual coat drive. He is collecting coats and many other items for the homeless this winter. There is a collection box in the Atrium. We will also have a drive-thru drop-off on Saturday, December 13, from 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. (rain or shine). He collects items for men, women & children. All items are distributed with Hampton Roads Ecumenical Lodgings and Provisions (H.E.L.P.) at A Night’s Welcome shelters in Hampton and the Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula. Feel free to call with any questions, 757-513-4943.
Winter Gear: Coats, Hats, Sweatshirts, Sweaters, Scarves, Gloves, Socks, Long-sleeve shirts, Belts & Backpacks.
Lunch & Learn Seminars--The 2025 Lunch and Learn series will return in January of 2026 on the fourth Tuesday of every month. This is a free opportunity to learn more about the featured topics as we hope to raise awareness and improve resiliency in ourselves and our community. Please visit the PPCC website to view upcoming topics and to pre-register: https://peninsulapastoral.org/events/?blm_aid=18276
Wonderful Wednesdays--Click to register or for more information
Wonderful Wednesday will resume on January 8, 2025!
60 Day Challeng3e "Good Works" --The fourth and final challenge is meant to inspire you and your family to reflect through prayer to identify an area you can commit to change, resulting in growth for you, for others, for our church, school, and missions.
Some ideas for positive change:
- Challenge yourself to daily prayer.
- Challenge yourself to regular church attendance.
- Challenge yourself to regularly read the Bible.
- Challenge yourself to let go of anger or a grudge.
- Challenge yourself to accept others with different opinions or ideas.
- Challenge yourself to welcome others.
- Challenge yourself to spend more time with loved ones.
How will you challenge yourself? See the table and poster in the Tower of the Triumphant for more information on this challenge. Don’t forget to pick up a cross penny to remind you of this challenge!
Prayer Shawl Ministry--“God's Work. Our Hands"
This is exactly what the Prayer Shawl Ministry does. By creating shawls and blankets to show God's love to members of the congregation, we are using our hands for God's work. Each time we meet, we work on creating a gift for someone that needs a gesture of love. Please consider joining us on the second Sunday of the month to share in our ministry and fellowship. After putting our needles to work, we often head to Capri for lunch. You would be welcome to join us. If you have any questions, contact Rita Foringer at rforinger@verizon.net.
Life Groups at Gloria Dei--Joining or creating a small group in your church offers a unique opportunity to grow deeper in your faith and build meaningful connections. If you feel the call to host a small group and/or to join a small group, please email Pastor at pastordave@gloriadei.net.
Little Library Donations--Our Little Library, located at the middle set of doors, gets a lot of action from parents as they are dropping off or picking up their children. We are asking that you please consider donating any children’s books by placing them on the back counter at the Information Desk. These books will be used to refill when the Little Library gets low on books. Thank you for your generosity.
School Employment Opportunities--Gloria Dei Lutheran School has the following positions available:
*Part-time Bus Drivers
*Director of Food Services
*Afternoon Child Care Aides
*Building and Grounds Assistant
*Substitute Teachers (preschool, elementary, and middle school)
If you are interested in applying, you can find an application online at http://www.gdlshamptonva.com/school-forms. Once completed, you may turn it in to the School Office at 250 Fox Hill Rd., Hampton, VA 23669, attention: Lisa Dadez.
Harris Teeter School Fundraiser--You can help Gloria Dei Lutheran School raise funds by shopping at Harris Teeter. Once you ask for and receive your VIC card, you can go to https://www.harristeeter.com/together-in-education, click on “Link your school today,” log in or register, then go to “My Account,” and scroll down to “Together in Education,” and click to link a school. You will then enter our School code, 6528, and click on Gloria Dei Lutheran School. Thank you!
Altar Guild--Have you ever wondered what it is that we do to prepare the church for weekly services and special events? If you are interested in being a part of the Altar Guild or if you would like to be the Lead Sacristan, please contact Renee Wells, 757-749-4425. Training will be provided.
Cereal Offering--Running late? Short on time? We will have milk and a small selection of cereals available before worship each Sunday morning, beginning in September. Please visit the Coffee Bar for available cereal choices.
Cross and Crown is a wonderful ministry enabling youth to participate and serve in worship, and there are always opportunities available. Please contact the church office if you would like to serve.
Make a Joyful Noise!--If you are interested in singing with the choir, singing in a small ensemble or solo, or playing an instrument on Sunday mornings, please contact Brandon Spence, bspence@gloriadei.net. Choir rehearsals are now on Sundays at 11:00 a.m.
The coffee bar is open before and after services and is in need of coffee creators! Please contact the church office if you would like to serve!
Lay Assistants, Readers, Ushers, Greeters, and Altar Guild are all in need of extra help. Please contact the church office if you would like to serve!
Deadline for Weekly Articles--The deadline for articles to be added to the Weekly is Tuesday by noon of each week.
