May 13, 2025
The Lessons for May 18 are:
o Acts 11:1-18
o Psalm 148
o Revelation 21:1-6
o John 13: 31-35
Love One Another
Our text for Sunday is taken from the farewell discourse of Jesus. He gives his disciples a new commandment as he leaves them: To Love One Another. A command he lived out his entire life.
Some of you might remember the Summer of Love back in 1967. It was a hopeful moment when as many as 100,000 young people converged on San Francisco.
They were hoping for an end to war, a less consumeristic way of life and a deeper spirituality. Psychedelic drugs and free love were mixed in. The hoped-for revolution of compassion, awareness, and unity of humanity did not materialize. As Jesus’ final earthly night with the disciples would make clear, the way of love is no easy path. He would leave the upper room for the Garden of Gethsemane, arrest, trial and execution would follow. Living out the commandment to love takes more than bell bottoms and tie dye shirts. As he lived out his spring, summer, fall and winter of Love, Jesus was constantly
hounded because of his care for people. Still, he would not be dissuaded. He washed feet, shared meals with outcasts and outsiders. He lifts Peter from the
waves when his faith falters. He forgives him for his denial, then calls on Peter to feed the sheep. His life illustrated what living a life of love meant.
1967 seems like a long time ago. Jesus and the upper room, even further away. I do not think anyone would call our current Zeitgeist a summer of Love or a
realization of Kingdom of God. Too many people hunkered down in communes of concern and wariness.
In his first press conference, Pope Leo XIV called on the media to stop feeding our anxieties. Shift away from black and white narratives, harsh words and rivalry.
Just say “no” to the war of words and images. His first prayers as Pope were for world peace and an end to armed conflict. He leaned upon the words of St. Augustine: “Let us live well, and the times will be
good. We are the times.” We, at Faith, pray for peace every Sunday. At times hopelessness may take over our hearts. How can our prayers and actions change the world?
As Jesus sat at table with a group of disciples that would betray, deny and flee, he has the confidence to command them to love. As we at Faith Lutheran follow Jesus’ command, we promote grace over division
and kindness over bitterness. Every act of love brings the Kingdom of God nearer in this world.
The book of Revelation was written to the angels of seven churches. The author was frankly disappointed in them. Yet he saw thatThe home of God is among mortals.
He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; 4 he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.” (Rev. 21: 3 and 4)
So, hang in there in hope. The summer of Love may have come and gone but the final season belongs to the One who was Love Incarnate.
Prayer: Thank you, for loving us unconditionally. Teach us to love as You love –
patiently, humble and without limits. Give us the eyes to see others the way You see them. May pride, fear and bitterness depart, and healing, service and
reconciliation fill our heart.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor John Bunge
THANKS TO YOUR RESPONSE TO Special Appeals
Thanks for the continued support of Faith and our outreach ministries. Joy and Jenn from the Preschool appreciated their gifts. The preschool will be
acknowledged this Sunday on May 18.
UPCOMING REMINDERS
Pastor Bunge is in the office on his regular schedule of Mondays and Tuesdays.
Confirmation Classes will resume Sunday, May 18 and onward. We are looking at
the date to go to SeaWorld.
SYNOD CONVENTION will be held at Gloria Dei in Dana Point this week. Pastor John and David and Bonnie Strack will serve as delegates. Steve and Sharon Cady
and Connie will also attend. We will pass along the Synod summary as part of the Message next week. Time of Meditation is back Thursdays @ 1 pm.
PANTRY -2nd & 4th Saturday; from 8 to 10:00. The pantry shelves are 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.
WATERCOLOR PAINTING CLASS by our OWN MASTER WATERCOLORIST,
HOLLY Begins again this Thursday, Fireside Room, 3:30 p.m. for a 4-
week session, for those continuing and for new people as well. See you
there. A donation of a one-time $40 is a fundraiser for the Youth Group.
And a $10/session donation if using Holly’s 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.
CONGREGATIONAL DIRECTORIES – The final edits and updated pictures have been added. We will email a copy next week for you to check your information.
Then, we will make some copies to put in in the Narthex, if you prefer a printed version or cannot print your own. Thanks to Debi Hitter for taking the pictures
and to Connie for the updates and updating the pictures on the Narthex Bulletin Board.
PRAISE
• 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.
PRAYERS
• Robyn Blue would appreciate prayers for her grandniece Lainey who has a
tumor on her spine.
• Ned Morgan was hospitalized with bleeding on the brain. They have
drained the fluid, and he is in recovery here in Yucaipa. He will be moving to
Fremont to be closer to his family.
• 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. Nice to have Joe in church.
• 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.
18 PRESCHOOL TEACHER APPRECIATION – (Thanks to Robyn for providing an Action Team and for hosting with the preschool committee)
25 CONGREGATIONAL POTLUCK – signup in Narthex
JUNE
The box is still in the Narthex for continued donations.
