June 26, 2025
Those who did not go on the Journey with Jesus
Lessons for June 29:
o I Kings 19:15-16, 19-21
o Psalm 16
o Galatians 5:1, 13-25
o Luke 9:51-62
This week Connie and I went on a three-day journey to the beach. We stopped along the way to see our grandson, Blake. At four months old he was in a talkative mood, unfortunately we could not understand him. We then went on to Carlsbad and enjoyed our time as always. Today, Thursday, I am back in the office and was able to attend our Preschool’s Graduation. The kids were great, kudos to their teacher Jodi. We had special prayers for Joy who is due to give birth next week and for Jenn who is done with her chemo and waiting to decide what is next.
One of the songs that the young ones love to sing is the motion song: Head and shoulders, knees and toes, the faster the better. 
I read that the adult version of this is wallet, glasses, keys and phone. The kids also enjoy a variety of games. I saw this comic with a game the older generation plays.
The time between the toddler years and the elder years can be filled with lots of decisions about which direction to take resulting is
adventures and misadventures.
In our lessons for Sunday, people ask Jesus if they can join him in his journey to Jerusalem. When he is clear with them about what all that will entail, they decide not to go. The story of Elisha in I Kings is quite different. When called, he has a huge BBQ of all his oxen for his community and off he goes to follow Elijah.
What decisions are we called to make?
Paul suggests in Galatians 5, that we are free as brothers and sisters in Christ to choose our own path. Our righteousness is found in Christ, not our efforts. Paul, however, encourages us to have a guiding star in our lives, namely to: “Love your neighbor as yourself”. Such a life of service brings a harvest of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
What is the best direction to take in loving your neighbor is not easy to parse at times, especially when we read about bombings and starvation in the Middle East, the continuing war in Ukraine, assassinations in Minnesota, and the homelessness in our streets. My sister sent me the following suggestion about how to read the news and respond, authored by Robbi Keller.
Prayer before reading the News:
My God, the soul you have placed in me is pure and vulnerable. I am afraid that looking at today’s news will be painful. Encircle me in a robe of light so that I can witness the wounds of the world without being wounded myself. Let me learn what I need to know to be of my greatest use, without being overwhelmed by despair. I feel your protective light now as I open myself to the world’s suffering and the world’s joys.
Prayer after reading the News:
Lord, I am Yours, and all that is in this world is Yours. Today I have read stories and seen images, but my knowledge is incomplete. I don’t know how it all connects. But I know I am connected to everyone; I take joy in their joy; I suffer with their suffering. If there is no role for me to play today, then let my learning leave me wiser and better prepared. If there is a role for me to play, let clarity rise up in me to see it, even if that role is a humble one. Lift up the work of my hands, in anything they might do for peace, for justice, for the wholeness of our planet, or for the betterment of my community. Just as you turned the curse of Balaam into a blessing, so may all my actions accrue to the good.
Blessed are You who receives my prayer.
CLOSING ACTION
The prayers may be followed by a simple act: giving money to the great causes like supporting camperships or giving to the church in Tanzania. OR posting encouragement to peacemakers, sitting with breath, walking, moving, cooking, journaling. It doesn’t need to be a major project, but a clearly defined moment of integration.
Grace and Peace, Pastor John
THANKS TO YOUR RESPONSE TO Special Appeals – Camps and Tanzania
We do want to offer you another unique opportunity. Ombeni Mkanza and I are traveling to Tanzania July 21, for the retirement celebration of his sister-in-law. She was the first female ELCA Lutheran pastor in Tanzania. We would like to bring some suitcases of clothes to distribute to 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. 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.
UPCOMING REMINDERS
Pastor Bunge will be back to his regular schedule on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Confirmation Classes will take time off for the summer.
Bell Choir We would like to start up a bell choir. Let Irm know of your interest, via this email or sign up on the sheet in the bell choir area at church.
Meditation – Will take off for the summer and continue again September 4.
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.
CONGREGATIONAL DIRECTORIES – The final edits have been added. The current directory is dated June 16, 2025. We sent them out 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.
• Nelson Hall fell but is recovering well.
• 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.
• Brad Blue had swelling in his feet and has been hospitalized for tests.
• The family of erwin would appreciate your prayers. He passed away in his sleep on May 30th. His funeral is planned for 10:30 am July 5th
• Ned Morgan has moved 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. Kim and Cesar are back in Canada.
• Jeanne Koening’s seizures and her pancreas are concerns. Jessica’s leukemia is being treated at City of Hope.
• 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. She is due next week.
• Jennifer’s breast cancer treatments are proceeding as well.
UPCOMING FELLOWSHIP/OUTREACH
29 Congregational Potluck – sign up in Narthex
(Alec Blue’s Graduation Celebration rescheduled for July 20)
6 WELCA
13 Summer Party
20 CELEBRATION HONORING ALEC BLUE, graduation from San Francisco State University. Thanks to Bonnie Mills for providing the
cake.
27 POTLUCK
PRAYER CARDS – Thanks for sending out cards to remember family and friends.
Thanks to Emily, our newest artist. She has created some beautifully unique cards by transferring the color of leaves onto paper. We will put them out in early Fall. Along with beautifully created sunflowers and autumn fields by Linda Drom.
Thanks again to the Summer beach/birds/flowers/sunsets creations by Kim, Barbara, Karen, Connie, Holly, Pat T., and Linda.
Thanks to all you have given shoes for Soles 4 Souls.
The box is still in the Narthex for continued donations.
