June 10, 2025 Trinity Sunday

June 10, 2025 
The Lessons for June 15 are:

o Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31
o Psalm 8
o Romans 5:1-5

o John 16: 12-15

Trinity Sunday is a time to remember that the Divine Creator is revealed in different ways, as Jesus, as the Abba Father and as the Spirit.
There are a lot of different images of the Trinity. I thought this one was well suited for father’s day, which is also this Sunday. We will offer free beer, root
beer that is, as refreshment this week.

Creating images of the Trinity is challenging. A fatherly image of the creator of the universe seems truly dated. As we look further and further out into the cosmos, the power that brought galaxies and stars into being could hardly be confined to an old man. Still, Jesus urged us to look upon this creator as if he were a loving father. The term he used for God is so revered it was preserved in the original Aramaic: Abba, which means papa or daddy. We will be celebrating my son, Eric’s first father’s day on Sunday. His son, Blake, is 3 months old now. Eric sent me a video of Blake in a Bronco’s outfit. Eric was

attempting to get Blake to say he was supporting the team. Blake giggled and I thought I heard him say Chiefs.

His first words will more likely be Mama or Papa or Mommy or Daddy, which is the term Jesus urges us to use for God. What a term for power behind all things. Mark 14:36 reminds us that in his hour of deepest need Jesus reached out to Abba, Father. Praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was filled with trust in the nearness of God, his loving Parent, guide and encourager. God declared at Jesus’ baptism and transfiguration: This is my beloved Son, listen to him. In our text for Sunday, Jesus passes that on to us. John 16:15: All that the Father has is mine. For this reason, I said that the Spirit of Truth will take what is mine and declare it to you.
Jesus and the Spirit work within us, so we have that same kind of relationship he had with God. This is good week to remember with fondness the people in your life who reflected the care of the creator. One of my joys as a pastor is being able to join the work of Jesus and the Spirit in bringing Abba near.
Paul wrote in Romans 8:15-16, which we read last week: “We are not to fall back into fear, but received a spirit of adoption. When we cry “Abba, Father!” It is the Sprit bearing witness.”
In a perfect world, all fathers and children would have this type of relationship. You can tell which of the children in our preschool that have them and which do not. Many people experience their fathers and others in authority as petty, vindictive, and threatening. Even clergy can disappoint. This week, President Trump called in the National Guard to “help” calm the protests in LA. Will it bring calm or an escalation? When are people of power helpful? When are they interested in only proving their authority?

Through the witness of Jesus we understand what being helpful is all about.

Prayer:

Abba Father, may we know we are you cherished children, just as Jesus
did. May we seek comfort in your arms. May all fathers, mothers, and others in
authority be a reflection of You. Guide us when we stumble, remind us of Jesus in
the silence, encourage us when we are wounded or falter in fear.
Grace and Peace, Pastor John

THANKS TO YOUR RESPONSE TO Special Appeals – Camps and Tanzania

Thanks for your support of the church throughout the year and for more recent support of camperships. We should be able to support all the youth going to camp.
We do want to offer you another unique opportunity. Ombeni Mkanza and I are traveling to Tanzania later this summer for the retirement celebration of his sister-in-law. She was the first female Lutheran pastor in Tanzania. We would like to bring some suitcases of clothes to distribute in Benny’s childhood village and funds to support his sister-in-law’s church in the transition. If you would like to
contribute financially, please indicate that on your envelope or check. Clothes can be brought to the pantry.

UPCOMING REMINDERS

Pastor Bunge is in the office on his regular schedule on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Confirmation Classes will take time off for the summer.
The Choir’s last Sunday was this last Sunday the 8th. During the summer we will be starting up the bell choir. Let Irm know of your interest, via this email or sign up on the sheet in the bell choir area at church.
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 We are taking a break until August.

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 presented quilts for our graduating High School Seniors –Benet and Rachel last Sunday.

CONGREGATIONAL DIRECTORIES – The final edits and updated pictures have been added. We have printed copies in the Narthex, if you prefer you can print your own, via email. Thanks to Debi Hitter for taking the pictures and to Connie for the updates and updating the pictures on the Narthex Bulletin Board.

• Kyle Hadley continues his solid recovery after eye surgery.

• Robyn Blue’s grandniece Lainey came through difficult surgery and is recovering after the removal of a tumor on her spine, near her heart.
• Eloise Johnson was with us with grandson, Benet for his graduation recognition.

• The family of erwin would appreciate your prayers. He passed away in his sleep on May 30th. His funeral is planned for July 5th

• The family of Cynthia Eason are planning the funeral for her on June 21. She has not been able to attend Faith for some time but her daughter Karen Parker, does come on occasion.
• Ned Morgan is recovering here in Yucaipa. When able, 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.
• 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 Kirby – preschool director’s pregnancy is going well as
• Jennifer’s breast cancer treatments are proceeding as well.

UPCOMING FELLOWSHIP/OUTREACH

JUNE
15 HAPPY FATHER’S DAY – Root Beer Floats
22 GAME DAY RESUMES – BINGO

Thanks for remembering us for your Bingo donations; anything, also candy.

Thanks to Holly, Karen and Pat for donations.

29 CELEBRATION HONORING ALEC BLUE, graduation from College. Thanks to Bonnie Mills for providing the cake.

Congregational 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.