May 27, 2025
The Lessons for June 1 are:
o Acts 16: 16-34
o Psalm 97
o Revelation 22:12-
14, 20-21
o John 17: 20-26
What is Jesus Praying For?
Each week we pray for our members and those who our members request to be remembered. We have had wonderful answers to our prayers.
Just this week erwin was released from Kaiser hospital after receiving procedures to open ducts into his liver. He is home now with family surrounding him, those nearby and those a distance away like his grandson Todd who had flown in to be with him.
We have also been praying for Robyn Blue’s grandniece. Pictured here. She had a tumor near her heart, surgery was
required. 82% of the tumor was removed. In removing the tumor, however, the aorta was torn. The situation was grim for a while.
Her heart stopped for 8 minutes. A specialist from UCLA used a bovine patch to repair the aorta, which is holding. She is now doing some physical therapy, a wonderous miracle.
There are others who have healed, others who have been on the list for some time and some who have not had such wonderful miracles.
This week we celebrated Memorial Day, which remembered those who died in service to our country. There were people praying safe return from battle. Answers to their prayers did not come as requested.
Each Sunday is a Memorial Sunday to the sacrifice of Jesus for us. He returned from battle, just not in the way the disciples anticipated. Jesus was the victor over death by going through death. Jesus prays that his victory would be shared by his disciples and all those who
come to believe through the witness of the disciples. We see this happen all throughout the Book of Acts. Paul and Silas come through
danger to continue to witness to Jesus. In Acts 16, they are in Philippi in the house of Lydia who came to faith through the witness of Paul.
As they continue their witness in Philippi, they are continually being interrupted by a slave-girl, turned fortune teller. She cries out the truth about Paul and Silas:
“These men are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you a way of salvation.” True enough, but Paul and Silas would rather be able to speak for themselves. Paul therefore turns and heals the woman. Good News for her, but bad news for owners who fear they will be losing her fortune telling stream of income.
They stir up the people against Paul and Silas. Sad to see that no one rejoices in her being made whole. The mayor decides to have them flogged and imprisoned. They are in the deepest most cells with their feet are fastened to stocks. Undeterred Paul and Silas pray and sing hymns to God through the night. Suddenly an earthquake strikes, opening prison doors and unfastening their chains. Everyone could have escaped. The jailer assumes they all did and is ready to do himself in before he is done in by those higher up. Paul, however, assures him that no one has left. They are all there, focused on their witness of Jesus. The jailor is so impressed that he asks that he and his whole family be baptized.
Jesus is praying for the same courage and rejoicing for us. Prayer: Lord, thank you, for praying for us. May we focus on you and bravely
witness to your Love through our unity of faith with others.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor John Bunge
THANKS TO YOUR RESPONSE TO Special Appeals Thanks for your support of the preschool and the church, throughout the year.
Right now, we are hoping you as Faith members can assist in supporting camperships. Just indicate camps on your gift to the church. We have several
youth planning to attend this summer. Luther Glen has camps for grades 2 through High School.
UPCOMING REMINDERS
Pastor Bunge is in the office next week on Tuesdays and Wednesday. Confirmation Classes will meet on Sunday, June 1 and then take time off for the
summer.
SYNOD CONVENTION was held at Gloria Dei in Dana Point. Pastor John and David and Bonnie Strack served as delegates. Steve and Sharon Cady and Connie also attended. A Synod summary was sent out in an earlier email.
Time of Meditation is back Thursdays @ 1 pm.
PANTRY -2nd & 4th Saturday; from 8 to 10:00. The pantry shelves are nearly 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 This Thursday, Fireside Room, 3:30 p.m. through June 5; 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 completed seven quilts for the San Bernardino Wellness Center and six for Lutheran World Relief. They also completed quilts for our graduating High School Seniors – Benet and Rachel.
CONGREGATIONAL DIRECTORIES – The final edits and updated pictures have been added. We will email the final edition to you. There are also copies 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.
Thanks for your prayers!
• Michael Shea has been back with us.
• Kyle Hadley continues his solid though long recovery after eye surgery.
• Robyn Blue’s grandniece Lainey came through difficult surgery and is recovering after the removal of 85% of the tumor on her spine, near her
heart.
• erwin is home now recovering. His family has been a wonderful support.
• Ned Morgan was hospitalized with bleeding on the brain. They have drained the fluid, and he is recovering 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 and granddaughter Kayla and her father Kyle.
• 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.
UPCOMING FELLOWSHIP/OUTREACH
1 CELEBRATION of Apr-May-Jun Birthdays & Anniversaries
7 WELCA Bible Study
8 WELCA HOSTS – GRADUATION CELEBRATIONS FOR BENET AND RACHEL from Yucaipa High School
15 HAPPY FATHER’S DAY – Root Beer and other Floats in Fireside Room
22 GAME DAY RESUMES – BINGO
Thanks for remembering us for your Bingo donations; anything, also candy.
29 CONGREGATIONAL POTLUCK CELEBRATION HONORING ALEC BLUE, graduation from San Francisco State University.
Thanks to Bonnie Mills for providing the cake.
Potluck – sign up in Narthex
Thanks to all you have given shoes for Soles 4 Souls.
The box is still in the Narthex for continued donations.
PRAYER CARD MINISTRY
Thanks to Kim Guevera, Karen Hall, Barbara Kuerzinger and Pat Teeters (all from Holly’s watercolor class) who have joined Linda D., Holly and Connie in making cards for you to mail out or give to friends in need of encouragement or healing or just to say Hello.
We are doing monthly seasonal cards. So, for June and July we have flowers, birds and add beach and sunset scenes.
We mail to the prayer list, birthday, and anniversary list monthly. Thanks to all of you who are also mailing cards to loved ones. They bring hope & joy to those who receive them Feel free to take as many as you’d like. We are always replenishing them.
