News & Events

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How Gloria Dei Celebrates Major Holidays in the Church

Christmas

At Gloria Dei, what you see on a regular Saturday night or Sunday isn’t always what you’ll get at our services all year long! We offer many special worship services throughout the year.

For example, as we approach Christmas, the Gloria Dei Choir takes over all services in early December to present a major Christmas Cantata full of music and a complete orchestra ensemble.

During the Christmas season, we offer two Christmas Eve services where we gather for the Family Worship at 5 pm and the Candlelight Worship at 8 pm, where we sing along to Silent Night as a congregation.

Lenten Season

We begin the Lenten season with the Imposition of Ashes on Ash Wednesday. The following Wednesdays, we have midweek services of Evening Prayer featuring Holden Evening Prayer, preceded by a Lenten supper in the social hall.

Holy Week

We offer a full slate of Holy Week services, including Palm Sunday on Sunday at our 9 am service, Maundy Thursday on Thursday at our 7 pm service, Good Friday on Friday at our 7 pm service, and the Easter Vigil on Saturday at our 5 pm service.

Easter

The grand celebration of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday begins with a Daybreak service at 7 am. At 9:00 am, the Festival of the Resurrection Service concludes the day with music and Holy Communion. A breakfast takes place between and after the services.

Additional Events

Throughout the Year, Gloria Dei offers a variety of special events and celebrations. Some of our most popular events are listed below.

Music Weekend

Kicks off in mid-May where all of the church ensembles gather together to lead our worship before they take their summer break.

Blessing of the Animals

Gloria Dei loves animals! The Blessing of the Pets occurs on the Sunday closest to October 4 (the feast day of St. Francis). Pets and animals of all kinds are brought into the church welcome center to be blessed and thanked for their companionship in our daily lives.

Celebration Sunday

Occurs in the beginning of September at the time that children go back to school. This is a kick-off event marking the beginning of a new year studying the Word of God at Sunday School. This event typically involves fun outdoor activities like a bouncy house or a piñata and a delicious lunch!

Blessing of the Prayer Shawls

Our beautiful prayer shawls are hand-crafted by members of Gloria Dei to be given away to people in need of God’s comfort as they go through difficult times. This blessing occurs on the basis of when they are completed.

Blessing of the Backpacks

Takes place at the beginning of the school year, sending children and/or adults who are heading back to school a safe and blessed year of learning.