ANNOUNCEMENTS

Join us for worship each Sunday at 9:30 a.m.  All worship services are offered in person in the Nave and virtually via either LiveStream (Facebook Live) or a Zoom link through our Church Facebook page.

Upcoming Graduates--If you are graduating from college or high school this year, please notify the church office with your name, school, address, phone number, and your future plans.  We will list you in our July/August newsletter and one of our Weekly bulletins.

Baccalaureate Service for Our Graduates--All graduates from high school and college are invited to attend our Baccalaureate Service on June 2 at 7:00 p.m.  You must RSVP by Monday, May 27, by emailing psipes@gloriadei.net. We will have a reception following the service.

No Children's Church--We will not have Children’s Church on Memorial Day, Sunday, May 26.

Annual Report--Due date for Annual Report articles is June 3, 2024.

Power in the Spirit--Hosted at beautiful Roanoke College in Salem Virginia, Power in the Spirit is an inspirational conference for everyone who wishes to explore God’s call to service through joyous worship, Bible study, keynote addresses, workshops, and fellowship.  The Rev. CeCee Mills will be the Keynote Speaker, Rev. Heidi Neumark will be the Bible Study Leader, and Michael Benshish will be our Musician.  Register today for June 13-15, 2024.  For more information about Power in the Spirit, including information on our keynote speakers, workshop leaders, and service opportunities, please visit: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/32d2f05331.html.

Book Fair Carnival--Our Spring Scholastic Book Fair is May 13-17. If you are interested in helping, contact us at 757-851-6292 to help on the Willow Oaks Campus.
Fox Hill Campus: 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday, Thursday & Friday, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Tuesday and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on Wednesday.
Willow Oaks Campus: 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on Wednesday.

VBS 2024 Camp Firelight--Sunday, June 23rd - Thursday, June 27th, 5:15 p.m. -7:55 p.m.  Ages 4 through Rising 6th Graders.

We are still in need of VBS volunteer positions including:
-  Group Leaders  (Needed times 5:00-8:00 p.m.)
-  Food Set Up & Preparation  (Needed times run 4:30 – 6 p.m.)
-  Food Clean Up & Dishwashing  (Needed times run 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.)
Volunteers include rising 7^th Graders to adults. Feel free to contact Jenny Sutherland (cell 757-513-4943)  email at ajasutherland@msn.com) or register online at: https://gloriadeilutheranchurch.mycokesburyvbs.com

VBS Decoration Dates:  Volunteers are needed to help transform our church into an amazing campground! Helping hands welcome for as long as you are able on: Saturday, June 15—Anytime between 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, June 22—Anytime between 10 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

 Other Ways You Can Help:  Even if you are unavailable to attend VBS, there are ways you can still help!  The VBS Collection Box will be in the Atrium area.

• We need forest critters such as foxes, owls, rabbits, squirrels, bears, snakes, etc. to borrow for decorating. They can be stuffed or made of non-breakable material. We will make sure the items are returned. Please contact Jenny Sutherland (cell#757-513-4943) to coordinate the items.
• Help us cut out paper stars.  Please cut them out and return them by Sunday, June 2.

Prayer Shawl Ministry--The members of the prayer shawl ministry meet on the second Sunday of the month following worship in the Koinonia Atrium, near the fireplace. We usually have lunch at Capri Restaurant after knitting or crocheting.  It is a time of fellowship among the participants as well as a time to get our needles working and share ideas.  We also use this time to learn new skills.  You can contact Rita Foringer at rforinger@verizon.net if you have any questions.

Children's Church--June 9 will be our last Children’s Church for the school year.  We will be taking a break from teaching for the summer.

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.  This is a great opportunity for us to learn the needs of our community and help us to become more outreach-oriented.  Please know that we will not be meeting on days when a holiday is being celebrated or when Pastor Dave is out of town.

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.

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.

2024 Flower Calendar--The 2024 flower calendar is posted in the Atrium for those wishing to give the flowers for our Sunday worship services.  These flowers cost approximately $50.00 plus a delivery fee.  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!

Nursery Reservations--Our Nursery staff is ready to take care of your little ones while you are attending worship on Sunday mornings or any of the Wonderful Wednesday activities.  We ask that you please notify the Church Office (tbialk@gloriadei.net or psipes@gloriadei.net) each week if you will be needing this service. For Sunday worship each week, the deadline for RSVPs is the Wednesday prior; for Wonderful Wednesdays, the deadline will be the Monday prior.  Please know that the Nursery staff has had their First Aid/CPR certifications updated.  If you have any questions, please call the Church Office, 757-851-2838.

NexTrex Recycling Challenge--We are participating in the NexTrex Recycling Challenge. Our hope is to accumulate 1000 pounds of soft-film plastics and packaging in exchange for a Trex furniture bench that will be placed at our school. There are two donation bins located at the Fox Hill campus and one at the Willow Oaks campus. Items include grocery bags, bread bags, bubble wrap, dry cleaning bags, newspaper sleeves, ice bags, plastic shipping envelopes, zip-top storage bags, cereal bags, case overwrap, salt bags, pallet wrap & stretch film, wood pellet bags, produce bags and the like.  Please make sure your items are clean, dry and free of food residue. We hope you will join us in this costless effort to support an eco-friendly cause.

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:

• Paper grocery bags
• Dry cereal in boxes
• Spaghetti sauce
• Pork and beans
• Shelf-stable milk-single-serve pkgs.
• Jell-O
• Canned meat–Spam, corned beef
• Tomato sauce
• Rice-a-Roni-flavored rice packets
• Toilet paper
• Individually wrapped bars of soap

Quench Their Thirst--Gloria Dei Lutheran School and its staff are such an important part of our Church.  These individuals work tirelessly to educate our children and bring to life God’s love in their lives.  As a Congregation, we would like to supply the following items as a way to say thank you.  We are collecting canned soda (all kinds), individual bottles of water and juices. These ongoing donations can be placed on the cart labeled “Quench Their Thirst” located in the Atrium area by the member board.  Help us show the School Staff how much they mean to us; and as always, keep them and the School community in your prayers.

Become a Member--If you want to join Gloria Dei in its mission and ministry in Hampton and beyond,   please   contact   Peggy   Sipes   in  the  church  office  at  757-851-2838 or psipes@gloriadei.net, to sign up for a member class.  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.

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.