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Mission
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, called, sustained and empowered by the Holy Spirit, is a welcoming and diverse community of God's people whose life together in Christ is grounded and shaped by the grace of God received in Word and Sacrament.
In life together, we dedicate ourselves to the mission of
witnessing to God's love through the proclamation of Law and Gospel,
nurturing the baptismal faith of children, youth and adults,
caring for and standing with the sick, the weak, the poor and the oppressed,
advocating and working for dignaty, justice and peace for all people,
and committing our full resources to these ministries so that in all we do God will be glorified. Gloria Dei!
About Gloria Dei
Since its founding in 1855, Gloria Dei has stood on the corner of Market and Dubuque streets welcoming the people of the Iowa City area to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. The current church building was dedicated in 1964. At the vital intersection of the University of Iowa and downtown Iowa City, this church stands dedicated to sharing God's grace and the message of forgiveness and peace through Jesus Christ, our Lord and savior.
About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The members of Gloria Dei stand in partnership with the 4.7 million members of the 10,000 congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, or ELCA. Deeply rooted in the heritage and hope of God's Word expressed fully in the crucified-risen Jesus, the congregations of the ELCA are committed to making Christ known in their ministries of worship, education, hospitality and outreach. Gloria Dei is part of the Southeastern Iowa Synod, one of the 65 regional areas that comprise the ELCA.
Holy Communion
Holy Communion is celebrated at each Sunday worship service. Please read the bulletin for directions on how to receive the sacrament. All who believe that Christ is truly present in the meal and who receive Communion in their home church community are welcome to come to the table to share in the feast. Children not yet eligible to receive the meal are welcome to come forward to receive a blessing.
Baptism
People, whether infants or adults, become members of the body of Christ, the Church, by Holy Baptism. Through the water and word of this sacrament God welcomes each person into the community of faith, makes us all brothers and sisters in Christ, and promises us God's daily and everlasting forgiveness and healing love. Please speak to one of the pastors if you would like to know more about Baptism.
Sunday School
Begins with RALLY DAY in September: The Education Hour starts at 9:15 for all classes. Opening for 3 year olds through Grade 6 will be at 9:15am to 9:30am in Fellowship Hall downstairs. At the opening we sing, worship, take offering, and have announcements. The students then move to their classrooms with their teachers. Junior high and high school students go directly to their classrooms at 9:15am.
Confirmation:
Classes are for the seventh and eighth grades as they learn about faith and prepare to confirm their Holy Baptism. The classes take place Wednesday at 6:30 pm.
Adult Education
Sunday Morning Learning opportunities at 9:15am include:
The Adult Forum in the church lounge focuses on issues of the day with an emphasis on church and theological response.
The Connections Bible Study, meeting on the second floor in the 'Moses Room', invites adults to explore their faith and daily lives through the study of the weekly biblical texts from worship.
Talk Next Door is a coffee house atmosphere discussion of current events held in the campus ministry house next door to the church, 109 Market, on the first Sunday of the month.
Weekday learning opportunities include Bible Studies, the Lenten Book Study during Lent, and 4 Women of the ELCA Circles that meet monthly for study and fellowship.
The 3M Club meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 6 pm for a meal and perhaps a small program of some sort. Everyone is welcome to come.
Youth and Family
For Families with Infants or Toddlers the lounge across
from the sanctuary is available as a cry room where you can still see and hear worship.
Children and youth are encouraged to be full participants in our faith community!
From helping at worship to singing in our choirs, to participating in service projects, to joining in post-worship eats, children and youth are welcomed and treasured at Gloria Dei. We offer 4 'all-family' events during the program year: a Halloween party, Christmas Caroling, Mardi Gras, and participating in the local CROP WALK. We also have special events - parties, service events, trips, etc - planned by parents and children/youth, for the following age groupings:
Little Lights and Sparks ( 3year olds to third grade);
Flames of God (fourth-sixth);
Torches (seventh and eighth);
G'DAY MATES, (High School)
For families with very young children, we have a parent/child group called Families in Formation. Young adults are invited to be part of the Faith and 20 Something group gathered from the three local ELCA congregations and Lutheran Campus Ministry.
Choirs
New Singers always welcome!
Wednesday nights while school is in session-
Children's Choir (k-3) meets in the upstairs assembly room at 6:30 pm.
Youth Choir (4-8) meets in the sanctuary also at 6:30 pm.
Senior Choir (adults) meets at 7:30 pm, or at 7:50 during the season of Lent (March and early April).
SUMMER CHOIR
For summer, all adults - youth who have completed 8th grade - are invited to sing.
In July and August, the choir will alternate 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM services each week.
Rehearsals are at 7:30 AM for the early service and 9:45 AM for the late service.
There are NO evening rehearsals, NO robes, and NO long-term commitment. Try it for one Sunday or for the entire summer! We would love to see some new faces as we glorify God through music.
Handicapped Accessilibity
The front door of the church off Market Street is at the same level as the worship space. The lower level of the church (fellowship hall) is accessible from a ramp door at the southeast side of the building. Parking spaces are designated for the handicapped near both of these entrances.
About Joining the Ministry of this Congregation
Your deepened commitment to the ministry of Jesus Christ as carried out in and through this congregation is heartily welcomed and encouraged. Classes considering what it means to be a member and providing an orientation for new members are held several times a year. Please speak with a pastor or indicate on your worship attendance card if you would like to consider joining the ministry of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.
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