thoughts along the way · thoughts along the way... “there is a difference between curing and...
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THOUGHTS ALONG THE WAY...
“There is a difference between curing and healing, and I believe the church is
called to the slow and difficult work of healing. We are called to enter into one
another’s pain, anoint it as holy, and stick around no matter the outcome.”
- Rachel Held Evans
Rachel Held Evans is one of my favorite writers and speakers, one whose
voice I listen to particularly carefully in the ongoing, ever-changing
conversation about faith and life. In these times when so much of what
the Church has been seems to be passing away and we wait anxiously
to see what is being born anew in its place, she seems to not only have
her fingers on the pulse of the new movement of faith but some keen
insights into the shape and future of Christian communities. Her hope for
the future of the Church—a reborn Church laser-focused on following
Jesus—is contagious and inspiring. She is all about resurrection.
And as I write this, she is in a medically induced coma. On April 19, Good
Friday, while being treated for an infection, she began to experience
unusual symptoms as her brain began to undergo a rapid series of seizures.
The doctors placed her in a coma to quiet the seizures and give them
time to figure out what is causing them. Many of us around the world are
praying for her and I ask you to join in that prayer. We are asking, of
course, for a cure. But to honor Rachel’s own distinction, we would be
glad for a healing.
In the Gospel of John when the risen Jesus surprises the disciples who are
huddled behind locked doors out of fear, the first thing he says is, “Peace
be with you.” A better translation would be “Peace is yours” or “Peace is
with you” because the verb is in the indicative form, not the subjunctive.
His presence is peace. And then he shows them his hands and his side.
He shows them his wounds.
He is resurrected. He is “cured” from death, but his wounds are not healed.
They are not scars, not hardened reminders of old pains but open wounds.
In his resurrected body, a body that can suddenly appear out of nowhere
in spite of locked doors then vanish again at will, he still carries his wounds.
Continued on page 2
Reverend Steven Beckham, Pastor 5872 Naples Plaza Long Beach, California 90803-5044 Website: www.gdlclb.org Telephone: 562.438.0929
GLO
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Page 2 GLORIOUS DE I . . .
Curing & Healing 2
Lutheran Social Services Update 3
Soul Surfing in Torrance 3
Council Update 5
Graduating Senior Spotlight 5
Living a Fruitful Life 6
Calendar of Events 7
Inside this issue:
Thoughts Along the Way Continued...
Thomas isn’t there with the others during this first
encounter and frankly disbelieves the other disciples
until he, too, encounters the risen Jesus in the same way
in the same room a week later. This time Jesus invites him
to touch the wounds…to quite literally enter into his pain.
I sympathize with Thomas. I think at one time or another
we all do. I know I have had times in my life when I’ve
been surrounded by people who seem to be experienc-
ing something of a divine presence that I seem to be
missing—that they’re seeing something I’m not. I know,
too, that sometimes the shoe’s been on the other foot.
Sometimes I’ve seen the hand of God, the presence of
Christ clearly visible while others are just not seeing it. This
is, I suppose, just part of being human.
It’s also part of being human that not all our wounds
completely heal. Not only do we not always get the
“cure” we so earnestly pray for, but sometimes even the
healing is so slow or the wounds so deep that it’s hard to
see it happening at all. Grief can be like that sometimes.
Or old, deep psychological traumas. Addictions. Even
physical wounds and ailments. The scars may fade so
they’re barely visible, but pain may still be at work below
the surface and may flare up unexpectedly when we
least expect it.
And this is where we need each other most. This is the
work of love we’re called to with each other and the
world, “…the slow and difficult work of healing… to enter
into one another’s pain and anoint it as holy, and stick
around, no matter the outcome.”
This is what our wounded, risen God calls us to do. “As
the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And our wound-
ed, risen Christ breathes the Holy Spirit into us to enable
us in that work. When we touch each other’s wounds in
love, we are the hands of Christ bringing, maybe not a
cure, but healing.
“When our hearts are wintry, grieving or in pain, your
touch can call us back to life again, fields of our hearts
that dead and bare have been; love is come again like
wheat arising green.”
— Now the Green Blade Rises,
#379 ELW (my favorite Easter hymn)
Pro Gloria Dei,
Pastor Steve
MAY 2019 Page 3
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Emergency Services Social Services Transitional Services
Not everyone can volunteer…But, with your gift,
YOU can help turn despair into hope for many in our Long Beach community.
https://www.lsssc.org/location/south-bay-long-beach/
Page 4 GLORIOUS DE I . . .
The Gloria Dei Council gathered on April 1, 2019.
Meeting Highlights:
Wendy Rubio, Program Manager and Nancy
Longaza, Program Manager presented the
changes that have taken place at LSS-Long
Beach over the last two years. Wendy empha-
sized that the changes represent an expansion
of the program and that the Basic Needs
Program (food and clothing) are continuing.
LSS depends on Gloria Dei’s monetary and in-
person support to supply “the basic needs
program” with capitol and muscle power.
Nancy described the new CBEST (Countywide
Benefits Entitlement Service Teams) program.
With LA County’s financial support, the teams
identify homeless, their needs and arrange for
the homeless to take advantage of available
benefits. The team at LSS goes out into the
riverbeds during their regular work week to
contact homeless in the immediate area. They
also coordinate with the police, other agencies
and other charities to provide needed services
to the homeless. Please continue to support LSS!
Second reminder: The Synod Assembly will be
May 30-June 1. It will be held at The California
Lutheran Campus. Margie Brown and Robert
Siemer have volunteered to attend. Please let
me know if you would like to attend. At the May
Congregational meeting, we will vote on who
represents Gloria Dei. We will also select council
members to replace those who have termed out
at the May meeting. Please consider running for
council.
I am sure I am speaking for the whole
congregation wishing Olivia Adams success in
all her future endeavors. We have enjoyed
having her as our acolyte and watching her
grow into a lovely young women.
Stephanie Siemer
Council President
Olivia
Olivia
Olivia
Page 5 MAY 2019
Council President, Stephanie Siemer, recently asked our acolyte, Olivia Adams,
some questions about what is happening in her life and she said it would be okay to share
with our congregation. Olivia is a senior at Los Alamitos high school, graduating this June.
What is your favorite childhood memory and why?
My favorite childhood memory is when I was about five and my family and I went to the
Huntington Gardens in Pasadena. We used to go there a lot but I have a random memory
of a time when me and my siblings where rolling around in the grass and just playing for
hours. It’s such a simple memory but it was a beautiful day and everything felt so peaceful.
Do you enjoy reading books? What type of books intrigue you?
I do enjoy reading books. I really love modern literature, especially Hemingway and Salin-
ger. I also really enjoy short stories and poetry a lot.
What is one thing you want to work on for yourself this summer/year?
I would like to get a part-time job and learn to start saving money as well as being able to
be smart with how I deal with money.
What classes have you enjoyed most this year?
I have really enjoyed my English class because I love studying new pieces of literature and I
find it really fascinating. I also like my economics class because I felt I learned a lot about
how our economy works and I realized I did not know much about it previously.
Thinking about college, what do you want to be when you are an adult?
I have not completely decided yet, but I definitely want to do something that involves writ-
ing because I have always enjoyed writing since I was a kid and would like to continue with
it throughout my life.
What do you think the biggest problem in our world is today and why do you think that?
I think the biggest problem is the lack of being open minded. I think this is the biggest
problem because people often seem so stuck in their ways that they are not willing to
change for the greater good. This goes for a lot of things because if people were more
willing and accepting of others and their ideas, solutions on major issues could be created
much more easily. I think this would bring more peace to the world because agreements
and compromise could me met more easily.
If you could spend a full day doing something you love what would it be?
I would spend time with the people I care about a lot like some of my really close friends,
because when I’m with them I usually have fun no matter what I am doing.
Do have any hobbies?
I love dancing and I am part of the dance program at Los Alamitos High School. I feel like
it’s a great outlet for expression and a place where I feel happy and free. I also love writing
because this is another way I love expressing myself.
ACOLYTE SPOTLIGHT— OLIVIA ADAMS
Page 6 GLORIOUS DE I . . .
What is your strategy for
living a fruitful life?
Do these strategies line up
with God’s desire for us?
Fifth Sunday of Easter text:
Today Jesus sums up
God’s strategy for our fruit-
bearing in one word:
abide.
Jesus used this word eight
times (perhaps once for
each day of the week plus
one for good measure?)
Maybe he knows how
difficult it is for some of
his followers to be
Instead of do.
Jesus says the way of
fruitfulness is for branches
(us) to abide in the
vine (him).
This seems to contradict
our preferred strategies
for growth.
Rather than depending on
constant movement, this
fruitfulness is the result of
being planted in God.
“LOVE ONE ANOTHER WITH MUTUAL AFFECTION;
OUTDO ONE ANOTHER IN SHOWING HONOR.” ~ ROMAN 12 :10
Abundant growth is born
out of connectedness with
God and others.
Fruit comes from dwelling,
not doing. This fruit is the
result of reliance and
interdependence on the
vine, not exhausting
efforts at control over our
own fruitfulness.
The fruit we produce is
not the result of our doing
but of God’s doing in us.
This is why we worship;
to abide in God,
to be replanted by the
water of life, and
to be repotted at a table
that nourishes.
Abiding in the vine
with Christ’s vitality
flowing through us, our
fruit grows.
What is your strategy for
living a fruitful life?
~ Augsburg Fortress
www.augsburgfortress.org
GROWING FRUIT
“GOD MEETS DAILY NEEDS DAILY. NOT WEEKLY OR ANNUALLY. HE WILL GIVE
WHAT YOU NEED WHEN IT IS NEEDED.” ~ Author MAX LUCADO
Dear Lord & Savior,
We confess our need for
you…fresh…new…again. We ask that you renew our hearts, minds, and
lives, for the days ahead. We pray for
your refreshing over us. Keep your words of truth planted firm
within us, help us to keep focused on
what is pure and right, give us the
power to be obedient to your word.
And when the enemy reminds us
where we have been, hissing his lies
and attacks our way, we trust that
your voice speaks louder and strong-
er, reminding us we are safe with you
and that your purposes and plans will
not fail. We ask that you will be our
defense and rear guard, keeping our
way clear, removing the obstacles,
and covering the pitfalls. Lord, lead us on your level ground.
Shine your light in us, through us, over
us. May we make a difference in this
world, for your glory and purposes.
Set your way before us. May all your
plans succeed. May we reflect your
peace and hope to a world that so
desperately needs your presence
and healing.
Thanks be to you God, for your
indescribable gift!
Page 7 MAY 2019
19 — SUNDAY
ADULT EDUCATION @ 9 AM
WORSHIP @ 10:30 AM
HOLY COMMUNION Noisy Offering
Mike & Martie Engle Anniversary
P.A. & Brooke White Anniversary
20 — Monday
MEN’S A.A. @ 7-8:00 AM
21 — Tuesday MEN’S A.A. @ 7-8:00 AM
22 — Wednesday
MEN’S A.A. @ 7-8:00 AM
23 — Thursday
MEN’S A.A. @ 7-8:00 AM
Happy Birthday Nancy Sansum
Happy Birthday Jim Mintie
24 — Friday
MEN’S A.A. @ 7-8:00 AM
AL-ANON @ 9-10AM
A.A. MTG.@ 1:00 PM
D.A. MTG @ 6:00 PM
25 — Saturday
MEN’S A.A. @ 7-8:00 AM
26 — SUNDAY
ADULT EDUCATION @ 9 AM
WORSHIP @ 10:30 AM
HOLY COMMUNION Cookies & Fellowship
AL-ANON @ 6-7:30 PM
27 — Monday
Happy Birthday Richard Hoover
28 — Tuesday
MEN’S A.A. @ 7-8:00 AM
29 — Wednesday
30 — Thursday [Synod Assembly] MEN’S A.A. @ 7-8:00 AM
1— Wednesday
MEN’S A.A. @ 7-8:00 AM
2 — Thursday
MEN’S A.A. @ 7-8:00 AM
3 — Friday
MEN’S A.A. @ 7-8:00 AM
AL-ANON @ 9-10AM
A.A. MTG.@ 1:00 PM
D.A. MTG @ 6:00 PM
4 — Saturday
MEN’S A.A. @ 7-8:00 AM
5 — SUNDAY
ADULT EDUCATION @ 9 AM
WORSHIP @ 10:30 AM
HOLY COMMUNION
BAPTISM: EMMA HOLMES
AL-ANON @ 6-7:30 PM
6 — Monday
MEN’S A.A. @ 7-8:00 AM
7 — Tuesday
MEN’S A.A. @ 7-8:00 AM
8 — Wednesday
MEN’S A.A. @ 7-8:00 AM
Peggy & Gary Bockman Anniversary
Happy Birthday Michael Engle
Happy Birthday Chuck Dean
9 — Thursday
MEN’S A.A. @ 7-8:00 AM
10 — Friday
MEN’S A.A. @ 7-8:00 AM
AL-ANON @ 9-10AM
A.A. MTG.@ 1:00 PM
D.A. MTG @ 6:00 PM
11 — Saturday
MEN’S A.A. @ 7-8:00 AM
12 — SUNDAY
ADULT EDUCATION @ 9 AM
WORSHIP @ 10:30 AM
HOLY COMMUNION Hunger Offering
AL-ANON @ 6-7:30 PM
13 — Monday
MEN’S A.A. @ 7-8:00 AM
14 — Tuesday
MEN’S A.A. @ 7-8:00 AM
15 — Wednesday
MEN’S A.A. @ 7-8:00 AM
16 — Thursday
MEN’S A.A. @ 7-8:00 AM
17 — Friday
MEN’S A.A. @ 7-8:00 AM
AL-ANON @ 9-10AM
A.A. MTG.@ 1:00 PM
D.A. MTG @ 6:00 PM
18 — Saturday
MEN’S A.A. @ 7-8:00 AM
Happy
Birthday
Pastor Steve
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Long Beach, California
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GLORIA DEI EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
5872 Naples Plaza
Long Beach, California90803
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Gloria Dei Lutheran Church is a Reconciling in Christ Congregation. At Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
we welcome all who are seeking God’s love and grace. We welcome all because God welcomes
all, regardless of race or culture, sexual orientation, gender identity, or relationship status. We
welcome all without regard to the social, cultural or economic circumstances that too often divide
us. Our unity is in Christ in whom we are all made new. (2 Cor. 5:17-19)
