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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! Help is especially needed for the 8pm Contemporary Service.

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

Lectionary Readings for Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24, 2024

First Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7

Psalm 96

Second Reading: Titus 2:11-14

Gospel: Luke 2:1-14, (15-20)

Poinsettias for Christmas

Click HERE for the list of purchased poinsettias.

If you purchased one or more of these beautiful plants “in Memory of” or “in Honor of” someone special, you may take your plants to enjoy following the last Christmas Eve service or after church on Sunday, December 29.

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.

A Message of Christmas Joy from ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton

In her Christmas message, Bishop Eaton calls our attention to the word “joy” in the angel’s proclamation to the shepherds. Eaton reminds us that the message of Christmas is joy, not happiness. Happiness is transient and humanmade. But joy given by God is deep and strong and unshakable.

Merry Christmas!

The Church Office will be closed on Wednesday, December 25; Thursday, December 26, & Friday, December 27.

We hope you have a blessed Christmas with family & friends!

Thank you to Pastor Brendan and to our talented musicians, tech booth personnel, greeters, and ushers who brought you the Sunday, December 22 worship services.

Tech Team (all are training on the new sound board!):

-Ken Barber

-Rick Graber

-Michael McNulty-Bobholz

-Aiden S.

-James Sylvester

Musicians:

-Dave Barber, percussion

-Daniella Ceraso, vocals

-Lisa Ceraso, vocals

-Vincent Feliciano, percussion

-Jonathan Frazee, vocals

-Aaron Harris, Music Director

-Jamie Johnson, baritone

-Mary Jones, keyboards

-Patrick Meeks, Assistant Music Director -Julie Menken, 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.

Tech Booth Upgrade

Thank you to Rick Graber, Fred Betz, and Rich Betz for all of their hard work in getting the new sound board, rewiring everything, making many needed upgrades, and the all-important tech booth expansion!

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.

Pastor Emmanuel Philor will be preaching.

Meet in Sacred Grounds after worship for fellowship, coffee, and treats!

We are excited to announce that the Toddler Room will be open beginning Sunday, January 5, 2025!

This will be available for newborns to Pre-K. If you have a child under 1 year of age that you plan to bring to the Toddler Room, please contact Dana at kidsandfamily@gloriadei.com so our staff is prepared.

If you are interested in volunteering in the Toddler Room once or twice a month, please contact Dana as well. Thank you!

Star Sunday on January 5, 2025

8:30am, 10am, & 11:30am Services

"The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, & Self-Control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23

What will your Star word be in 2025? Come to find out!

Gather for worship on Epiphany Sunday at the 8:30am Traditional service in the Chapel, the 10am Contemporary service in the Sanctuary, or the 11:30am Cathedral service in the Sanctuary. Communion will be served.

Pastor Tricia Neale, Executive Director of Feast of Justice, will be preaching at all three services.

The Labyrinth will be available in the Zabor Room before & after all 3 services on this Sunday.

Meet in Sacred Grounds after worship for fellowship, coffee, and treats!

American Red Cross Blood Drive

Monday, January 13, 2025

2-7pm in Christian Fellowship Hall

Come give blood for a chance at a trip for two to Super Bowl LIX in NOLA!

rcblood.org/SuperBowl

To schedule an appointment:

Click HERE to schedule an appointment
Go to RedCrossBlood.org and type GloriaDeiHV in the “Find a Blood Drive” box
Call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767)

Thank you for helping save lives!

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.