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/

Become a Member--If you are interested in joining Gloria Dei in its mission and ministry in Hampton and beyond, please sign up for our member class, which will be on Sunday, September 14, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.  In this class, you will learn about what it means to be a Lutheran, the history of Gloria Dei, the ministry opportunities of Gloria Dei, and your role as a member.  New Members will join on Sunday, September 28, 2025, during our 9:30 a.m. worship service.

Dinners at Capri--Join Pastor and others at Capri Pizza and Italian Restaurant, 227 Fox Hill Rd., on Tuesday, August 19, 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, August 12; 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.

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. We will not have Bible Study on August 13th.

Lunch & Learn Seminars--You’re invited to Peninsula Pastoral Counseling Center’s Lunch and Learn Series 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. All Lunch and Learn seminars will run from noon to 1:00 p.m. and will be conducted at PPCC’s main office at 707 Gum Rock Court in Newport News unless otherwise noted. Dates and topics are updated on the following website on an ongoing basis.   The next Lunch and Learn is on Tuesday, August 26, at noon; its subject is “Attached: Understanding Your Style of Relating.”  Please visit the PPCC website to pre-register:  https://peninsulapastoral.org/events/?blm_aid=18276

60th Anniversary Challenge--“Let your light so shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 

In the first challenge we prayed for our church and school communities.  We then acknowledged God’s love for us by recognizing things we are grateful.  Now it is time to look outward…to show God’s love to others.  Our third challenge is 60 Days of Good Works.  This challenge invites us all to share Christ’s love through everyday acts of kindness, service and compassion.  Involve the whole family and your friends! 

We ask that you each do at least one act of kindness EVERY day throughout this challenge.  Not sure what to do?  Check out the display on the table in the Tower of the Triumphant entrance.  There, you will find a bookmark with suggestions and information about kindness.  You will also find cards on which you can write a kind message to leave for someone.  But you are not limited to that! There are so many opportunities to brighten someone’s day.  Take advantage of where God has placed you and who you can bless with a kind word or helpful gesture.

There are also small squares of paper, on which to write down how many acts of kindness you and/or your family did during the day or week.  Write total number down and drop it in the basket.  Continue to drop your numbers in each time you come into the church.  We want to count up the total number of acts of good works during our challenge.  Make Acts of Kindness and Good Works a daily habit!

Prayer Shawl Ministry--The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets on the second Sunday of the month following worship services.  We will meet in the Koinonia Atrium, near the fireplace. After an hour or so of creating shawls and lap robes, we head off to lunch.  If you have any questions or want more information, please contact Rita Foringer at rforinger@verizon.net.

Fellowship Bible Study--You are invited to join us in Bible study every Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. We are meeting in the Simeon Center and using the Augsburg Adult Bible Study Series. This is a small group study, where you will find fellowship and a relaxed atmosphere. For information, email Sharon Padula at slpadula1@gmail.com.

First Light (Sunday School)--Our new Sunday School program, First Light, will begin on Sunday, August 24, 8:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m., in the Simeon Center.  This class is for all ages.  More information to come.

Bible Telling Community Experience--Every Tuesday - Two class times
12:30 p.m. - registration:  https://tinyurl.com/afternoonBT 
6:30 p.m. - registration:  https://tinyurl.com/BTevening

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. In a small group, you can share your struggles, celebrate victories, and pray with others who understand your journey. It's a space where you can learn, ask questions, and support one another in ways that go beyond Sunday services. The relationships formed in small groups often become a source of encouragement and accountability, helping you live out your faith daily. As the early church gathered together in Acts, small groups are still a powerful way to experience fellowship, discipleship, and service. By connecting with others, you not only strengthen your own faith, but also contribute to the growth and health of the church body. Together, we can grow in love, truth, and purpose—empowered by the Holy Spirit to live as Christ's hands and feet.  If you feel the call to host a small group and/or to join a small group, please email Pastor at pastordave@gloriadei.net.

Watterton Fund--Kevin Watterton, spouse of Amy Watterton (long-time teacher at Gloria Dei), has been diagnosed with a rare and terminal cancer.  If you would like to support the Watterton family, you may send a contribution to the church office through one of our payment methods. Please add “Watterton Fund” to the memo area of your chosen payment method.

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.

Back to School--We are now registering for the 2025-2026 School Year.  Accepting student applications for toddlers – 8^th grade.  Please drop in for a tour of our facilities on Tuesdays between 9:00 a.m. and noon.

College Care Packages--The Ladies of Eggcellence are accepting orders for care packages for college students.   Cost of each package is $40 in-state and $45 out-of-state.  All packages will contain snacks, homemade goodies, and novelties. Order forms will be accepted between August 4 and September 1. Packages will be mailed September 7. Please place completed order forms, along with payment and personal note to the recipient, in the box on the information desk labeled College Care Packages. Forms available on the Sunday bulletin or at the front desk. All orders must be pre-paid.  If you have questions, contact Mary Mace, at 757-826-5435, or Pam Hess, at 757-897-5669.

NexTrex Recycling Challenge - Round Four!--Gloria Dei is participating in the NexTrex Recycling Challenge…again!  We will collect a minimum of 1000 lbs. of plastic film, which will be exchanged for a fourth Trex bench for our school.  A donation bin is located in the atrium for your clean, dry plastic.

School Employment Opportunities--Gloria Dei Lutheran School has the following positions available:
*Elementary Instructional Assistants
*Part-time Bus Driver
*Director of Transportation
*Afternoon Child Care Aides
*Building and Grounds Assistant
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.

H.E.L.P. Food Pantry Donations--Please,  join us in filling up the red wagon to feed the hungry in our community.   The following are items on their most needed list:

• Peanut Butter
• Mac & Cheese
• Shelf-stable milk-single-serve pkgs.
• Canned Veggies - corn, beans, green beans
• Individually wrapped bars of soap
• Canned or Boxed Potatoes
• Toilet Paper
• Crackers
• Juice (individual size)

Brighter Futures Through Education--Backpacks are being assembled for a girls school in Sierra Leone. Needed supplies include:
- 70-sheet notebooks of wide or college-ruled paper (approx. 8x10")
- 30 cm ruler, or a ruler with centimeters on one side, inches on the other
- Pencil sharpener
- Pair of blunt scissors (safety scissors with embedded steel blades work well)
- Unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers
- Black or blue ballpoint pens (no gel ink)
- Box of 16 or 24 crayons
- 2 1/8" eraser

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.