Week of December 16 Activities & Announcements

CONNECT WITH GLORIA DEI!

Click HERE to download the Church Center app!

Yoga on Tuesdays in the Zabor Room

Next Sessions are on December 17

Gentle Yoga at 10am

Gentle Chair Yoga at 12pm

Please arrive 15 minutes early

Gentle Yoga is a 60-75 minute class. Please bring your own mat. If you do not have a mat, one can be provided.

Gentle Chair Yoga is a 45 minute class. No equipment or previous Yoga experience needed!

Both classes are led by JoAnne Monahan, a certified Kripalu and Chair Yoga Instructor.

If you are new to coming to Yoga, please email JoAnne before coming for the first time for information at jpmonahan92@gmail.com.

NO Yoga on December 24 and December 31. See you in 2025!

Lunch & Learn

Friday, December 20 at 12pm

Finding Joy During the Holidays: Part 2 with Dr. Yvonne Kaye

Come explore how to discover moments of genuine happiness during the holiday season, even amidst stress, grief, or loneliness and learn tools to maintain personal peace and resilience.

Dr. Yvonne Kaye is an award-winning international speaker, storyteller, radio host, mother, and grandmother.

Lunch will be provided at this community event which welcomes everyone, no matter your age!

Please click HERE to register by Wednesday, December 18 so there is an accurate lunch count. You may also email gdcoffice@gloriadei.com or call 215-947-8200 to RSVP.

Questions? Please contact Darice Eppinger at darice.eppinger@kw.com.

Christmas Caroling

Sunday, December 22

Meet in Sacred Grounds after the 10am service, and we will head just 5 minutes away to Gloria Dei Manor to bring some Christmas cheer!

We invite you to return to church after singing where we will enjoy lunch together.

This is a wonderful opportunity to spread joy with our voices and hearts to the residents at The Manor!

Christmas Eve Greeters

Get ready to spread some holiday cheer as a Christmas Eve Greeter at Gloria Dei Church! Join us in warmly welcoming everyone with delightful hot chocolate and scrumptious treats on Christmas Eve.

We invite you to choose the service you'd like to assist with, and don't forget—arriving one hour early is essential to ensure everything runs smoothly and joyfully.

Thank you for your willingness to contribute to the festive environment we cherish. Let's make this Christmas unforgettable together!

Click HERE to help spread holiday cheer!

You’re Invited!

Christmas Eve Services on Tuesday, December 24

Come early to enjoy hot chocolate & treats before each service!

3pm - Traditional:

Experience the reverence of Christmas with a quartet, trumpet, & organ-led carols. This service will be livestreamed. Music begins at 2:40pm so please arrive early!

5:30pm - Family:

Encounter the wonder of the Christmas season with your children at this contemporary, family-friendly service.

8pm - Contemporary:

Rejoice in the beauty of Christmas at this upbeat, candlelight service brimming with carols. This service will be livestreamed.

Holy Communion will be served at all three services

I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10b-11

Thank you to Pastor Brendan and to our talented musicians, tech booth personnel, greeters, and ushers who brought you the Sunday, December 15 worship services.

Tech Team:

-Ken Barber

-Rick Graber

-Michael McNulty-Bobholz

-Aiden S.

Musicians:

-Dave Barber, percussion

-Daniella Ceraso, vocals

-Lisa Ceraso, vocals

-Angela DiPalantino, guitar & vocals

-Vincent Feliciano, percussion

-Aaron Harris, piano

-Jamie Johnson, baritone

-Mary Jones, keyboards

-Patrick Meeks, bass

-Todd Thomas, piano (8:30)

Click HERE to read the Music Ministry Congregational Announcement welcoming Aaron Harris as our new Music Director and Patrick Meeks as our new Assistant Music Director.

Tweens & Teens Holiday Event

Oh, what a joyful night it was at the Tweens & Teens Holiday Event! The air was filled with laughter and excitement as our amazing young people came together to decorate the beautiful Christmas trees outside the Chapel and in the back of the Sanctuary.

Amidst the Christmas cheer, they indulged in pizza and games, and also participated in a delightful cookie exchange.

It was a wonderful opportunity for our community to bond and create memories together.

Stay tuned for details for our next gathering in January!

OHAAT Beds for Kids Fundraiser

Thank you all so much for helping us far surpass our goal of 30 beds!

Gloria Dei partnered with One House At A Time's Beds for Kids program this Christmas season to raise money to purchase beds and everything that goes along with getting a good night's sleep for children in the Philadelphia area.

The final number of the amount raised along with funds contributed from Gloria Dei’s Endowment Fund will be announced on Christmas Eve!

OHAAT's mission: provide children and youth living in poverty with beds, bedding, and tools that encourage healthy bedtime habits, so they can get the quality and sufficient sleep they need to thrive.

Searching for the perfect Christmas gift?

Shop ELCA Good Gifts

Choose from a variety of gift-giving options starting as low as $10, each with the ability to make real, lasting change in the life of someone in need.

Sunday, December 29

ONE 10am Service

There will only be ONE 10am service on Sunday, December 29. This service will be both in-person in the Sanctuary and livestreamed on the church website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel.