Glory of God Lutheran Church sits on West 38th Avenue in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, just west of Denver. Its front door opens onto a congregation that calls itself eclectic and open, one that has made a habit of inviting the wider community onto its grounds for festivals, film screenings, and car shows. The church's motto, taken from 1 Corinthians 16:14, reads simply, "Do Everything in Love," and all are welcome regardless of religious background, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or life circumstances.
Two Styles of Worship Under One Roof
Sunday worship begins at 9:00 AM and runs about an hour. The main entrance is on the west side of the building, and projections on the wall make it easy to follow along, with a printed bulletin available for those who prefer one. Worship at Glory of God blends the traditional and the contemporary; service types rotate across the calendar, with regular Praise Worship Services, Bluegrass Worship Services, and Outdoor Worship Services mixed in alongside the standard liturgy. The congregation celebrates the full Christian year, from Advent and Christmas Eve through Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter, Thanksgiving Eve, All Saints, and Reformation Sunday.
Pastor Dana O'Brien preaches from a rotation of lections across the Revised Common Lectionary and other passages. Recent sermons have worked through Romans, Galatians, Luke, and the Gospel of John, with the pastor described by the congregation as someone whose sermons are "relevant and focused on our current daily needs." Recordings of every service are posted afterward on the church's YouTube channel, and each service also includes a set of weekly announcements.
A Choir, a Praise Band, and an Accompanist
Music sits at the heart of the worship life. Choir Director Colleen Turner, a Jeffco native and lifelong church choir singer who now teaches elementary general music in Arvada, leads the vocal choir. Praise Band Director and Music Coordinator Roz Kueter oversees the contemporary side; Kueter started playing church organ as a high schooler in Wisconsin, holds a music degree and an MBA from the University of Denver, and retired from teaching mathematics at the Women's College of DU before joining the team. Accompanist Joseph "Joe" DeWinkle rounds out the group. DeWinkle teaches elementary general music at Fairmount Elementary in Golden, directs the Fairmount Choirbirds, and sings with the Denver Pro Chorale.
Bible Study, Sunday School, and Lifelong Formation
Education at Glory of God is built around two weekly touchpoints. Bible Study gathers on Tuesday mornings at 10:30 AM. The church frames study as a place where Lutherans read the Bible as the living Word of God, where everyone is welcome to discuss interpretations, ask questions, and disagree while remaining friends. Sunday School and Youth Forum meet right after worship, at 10:30 AM on Sundays. The church's statement of belief is plain: the Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit, and every time the community gathers around it, more is revealed.
Streaming, Zoom, and a Wider Congregation
Glory of God has invested in keeping its people connected even when they cannot be in the sanctuary. Every Sunday service is livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook at 9:00 AM, and the same service is also offered over Zoom. The Zoom link, meeting ID, and password are published each week, and service recordings are archived in the Videos section. The church is active on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), and a shared Teamup calendar keeps members up to date on the building's many uses.
The Colorado Christian Short Film Festival
Since at least 2025, Glory of God has partnered with Blissfest333 to host the Colorado Christian Short Film Festival (CCSFF), a two-day event held on the church campus in mid-July. Admission is free, and the festival showcases inspirational and faith-based short films made in Colorado. The weekend opens with a free Friday night reception that includes a suggested-donation dinner with attending filmmakers, live music, and world-premiere screenings. Saturday's afternoon block features a feature film followed by filmmaker Q&A sessions. Recent juried awards have recognized Best of Fest, Best Colorado Featured Filmmaker, Best Music Video, Best Animated Film, Best Children's Film, Best Documentary, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Audience Choice across multiple screening blocks. The festival also partners with FilmFreeway for submissions.
Fall Festival, Bingo, and the Men's Group
Glory of God is a busy place beyond Sunday morning. The annual Fall Festival, co-presented with Blissfest333, fills the parking lot with a car show, live music, a cake walk, a rock scavenger hunt, a children's art exhibit, local crafters, games, and a free cookout with hot dogs, brats, and pizza. A weekly Bingo night brings another community through the doors, and the church's photo album captures a lively slate of seasonal gatherings: a Trunk or Treat, a Trail of Lights hosted by the Men's Group, a Corn Maze outing with the Men's Group, a Friendsgiving, a Craft Group, and participation in the Carnation Festival Parade. There is also a Helping at Fletcher Miller School project in the album.
Children, Communion, and Accessibility
Come dressed casually, in whatever way suits you. Holy Communion is open to everyone, and worshipers who need a hand hearing can pick up one of the church's hearing assistive devices. Children are welcome in the sanctuary, where activity bags are available at the entrance and a Noah's Ark stuffed animal collection in the back invites young ones to borrow a friend for the service. Sunday School and Youth Forum at 10:30 AM continue the formation after worship. After the service, everyone is invited to stay for fellowship, coffee, and treats.