May 6, 2025
The Lessons for May 11 are:
o Acts 9:36-43
o Psalm 23
o Revelation 7: 9-17
o John 10: 22-30
Mother’s Day AND Good Shepherd Sunday
We do not often have these two celebrations falling on the same Sunday.
Jesus is asked if he is the Messiah – his answer is that rather than being like a king he is like a “Good Shepherd.”
As a Pastor at Cross and Crown, I remember a time in the 1990’s when shepherds would lead their sheep through the grassy areas of Rancho Cucamonga to the five
acres in the back of the church. Back in 1998 the sheep were there on Good Shepherd Sunday, led by a weary, wary shepherd. It was a rare time to see a
Shepherd in action, holding the flock together. They knew his voice and trusted it.
Jesus, unlike a king, did not use threats to demand obedience. As the Good Shepherd he held his flock together with his caring voice. Those who followed him
trusted that he would lead them to Good Pastures. As a result of this trust, no one snatched them out of his hand. (John 10:28)
My mother, like the Good Shepherd, held our family with four children together, not with a demanding, condescending voice. Her voice had different tones, but
we were held together by the loving intent behind each syllable. She was an example of a mother who guided her family with wisdom, patience
and persistent love, much like a Good Shepherd would lead the flock with compassion, correction and care.
Not everyone had such a mother. Not everyone followed the guiding of the Good Shepherd. For those of us who did are called to be grateful for all those who may
have laid down a part of their own dreams in life to be present for us.
This year I will have three mothers to honor.
My wife, Connie, has been a steadfast supporter of our two children throughout their lives. She now enjoys her role as a grandmother. She is pictured here 
helping Lily, our granddaughter discover textures. I remember my daughter in her younger years, telling Connie often when she was on the way out the door: “You are the Greatest.” Connie and I would say the same to our daughter. She is back at work now, working from home, mostly. Her husband is on paternity leave and attempting to transition seven-month-old Lily to pureed foods. Still as Lily’s main source of nutrition, Brie does not have much personal time. Yet she rejoices in all of it, amazed each day at Lily’s progress. The other day she had Lily clawing towards the phone as we were on Facetime.
We will have real Facetime with our two-month-old grandson, Blake, this week. Eric and daughter-in-law, Michelle, live close, in Wildomar. Michelle sent a picture of Blake in a Grogu (baby Yoda) outfit on May 4, with the caption: May the 4th be with you. Our daughter added: Strong with the cute, this baby is and Hug me, you must. Resist, you cannot.
Je
sus encourages us not to resist the call of the Good Shepherds in our lives. Rather follow them in loving service, deepening our own joy.
Prayer: Thank you, Good Shepherd for calling us, leading us and comforting us. Thank you for mothers and all those who mirror Your care in our lives. May we follow their example. Bless those who shepherd children with patience, wisdom and grace. Strengthen those who feel weary and wary. Comfort those who grieve the loss of children and those who have longed to be mothers.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor John Bunge
THANKS TO YOUR RESPONSE TO Special Appeals
Thanks for your continued support of Faith and our outreach ministries. Through your generosity Joy and Jenn from the Preschool were given gifts. The preschool will be acknowledged on May 18. Preschool graduation is Thursday, June 26.
UPCOMING REMINDERS
Pastor Bunge is in the office on his regular schedule of Mondays and Tuesdays.
Confirmation Classes will resume Sunday, May 11 after helping to serve tea.
Time of Meditation back on Thursdays – As Nelson mentioned on Sunday the Mediation group is back meeting @ 12:30 for those new to meditation and @ 1 pm for those who have been through the introduction.
PANTRY – 2nd & 4th Saturday; from 8 to 10:00. The pantry shelves are near empty. Feeding America, our food provider, is short on food donations so it
impacts our pantry. We have been having to go to regular grocery stores for food for distribution. We need rice, soup, canned fruit, canned meat (chicken or tuna) and, of course, always cereal. Any donations to the church designated “Pantry” are used to make food purchases for the pantry. Thanks for your support.
W
ATERCOLOR PAINTING CLASS by our OWN MASTER WATERCOLORIST, HOLLY – Seven of us began with a fun class Thursday, April 10 for 4 weeks;
We’ve learned how to paint butterflies, cupcakes, flowers. It’s been lots of fun and educational. Holly just won an award at the Art Association
Festival recently held in Yucaipa. She has agreed to do class 2 beginning next week, May 8-29, 3:30 p.m., Fireside Room. Just show up. You are all welcome. We have a wide degree of talent. If you are new to the class, a suggested $40 donation toward the youth trips fund. (Holly has donated the fee back to Faith for youth trips. Thank you.) If you are continuing, we encourage you purchase your own paints. We will provide watercolor paper. Otherwise, a $10.00 donation to Holly for the use of her supplies.
QUILTING – Emily Smith’s Group (909.255.2452) has started anew and has completed 4 quilts for
the San Bernardino Wellness Center and six for Lutheran World Relief. They are working on quilts for our graduating High School Seniors – Benet and Rachel. We will honor them on June 8.
• Diane Watson fractured her foot but is back in a walking cast with daughter Amy.
• Michael Shea has been back with us.
• Kyle Hadley is making a solid though long recovery after eye surgery.
• St. Alban’s interim pastor, Mark is recovering from surgery and ready to return to serve.
• Jennifer Maldonado our preschool site supervisor was by the preschool today to say hi and is looking well.
• Joy Kirby our preschool director’s pregnancy continues to go well.
• Robyn Blue would appreciate prayers for her 5-year-old grandniece Lainey who has a tumor on her spine.
• Judy Martin has several health issues and is not able to return to church.
Thanks for your prayers, cards and visits by Carol.
• Cesar Guevara’s brother, Marco, and Kim’s mother, Carol, in Canada and their children.
• Eloise Johnson continues with her health issues but was with us with grandson, Benet, on Easter and will be here for Benet graduation recognition.
• Jeanne Koening’s seizures and her pancreas are concerns. Jessica’s leukemia is being treated at City of Hope. Joe was with us on Sunday.
• Bonnie Strack appreciates continued prayers for her son Brendan Simms, who has suffered from a series of strokes.
• Joy for her upcoming birth & Jennifer recovering from breast cancer.
Thanks to all you have given shoes for Soles 4 Souls. The box is still in the Narthex for continued donations. 
PRAYER CARD MINISTRY. Easter Season cards (season is 50 weeks) are available in the Narthex for you to send. Other themed cards for May were put out last Sunday. Thanks to Linda D., Holly, Connie.
The response is heartwarming: “to receive a card in the mail means so much as I am unable to attend in person, it means so much that I’m still remembered as part of Faith; we have received donations for stamps, one person is framing their card.
Lots of Celebrations in MAY and JUNE!
11 MOTHER’S DAY Celebration. Thanks to Pastor John, Cesar, Courtney, Melody for helping us serve the tea to our women.
18 PRESCHOOL TEACHER APPRECIATION – (Thanks to Robyn for providing an Action Team and for hosting with the committee)
25 CONGREGATIONAL POTLUCK – Thanks to Nancy for hosting, signup in Narthex to help and/or bring food.
1 Celebration of Apr-May-Jun Birthdays & Anniversaries
7 WELCA Bible Study
8 WELCA – GRADUATION CELEBRATIONS FOR BENET AND RACHEL (Thanks to Eloise for providing an Action Team)
15 HAPPY FATHER’S DAY – Root Beer Floats
22 GAME DAY RESUMES – For a fun change — We will alternate Bingo & Trivia Fun facts
Thanks for remembering us for your Bingo donations; anything, also candy from the after-Easter sales.
26 Preschool Graduation
29 CONGREGATIONAL POTLUCK – sign up in Narthex
