July 2, 2025 Here We Go

July 2, 2025 Here We Go

Lessons for July 6:

o Isaiah 66:10-14
o Psalm 66: 1-9

o Galatians 6:1-16

o Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

I hope you are having a great 4th of July week. Connie  and I are taking in some July 4th celebrations. First at the   Redlands Bowl on July 3rd –Irm singing with the Inland  Master Chorale and Symphony and second on July 5th at  the SB Valley College Football Field with the San  Bernardino Symphony in concert. Michael and Ann  Shea will be participating. We also hope to link in again  with our grandson, Blake and will see their dog, Keona,  who we hope will not be spooked by fireworks.  Last Sunday there were people who thought they would  follow Jesus but declined in the end. This Sunday  seventy volunteers work to spread the Good News.

Jesus instructs them as he instructed the 12 disciples in Luke 9 not to bring much.  4 Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. 5 Whatever  house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’6 And if anyone is there who  shares peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. 

I am going to Africa with Ombeni and my sister Marcia later this month and I will  be bringing sandals a bag or two and greet people on the road. Actually, I intend  to bring three bags. The third one filled with your gracious gifts of clothes for  Ombeni’s village. He brings suitcases of clothes to them every time he goes.  

The Seventy are counting on the kindness of others. My sister and I will be  experiencing plenty of hospitality from Ombeni’s extended family. We are bringing clothes and funds as an expression of the generosity from Faith.  Counting on the charity of others is a step of faith. It did not always happen for  Jesus or the seventy. Sometimes they were welcomed, other times not.

Still, when the Seventy return they are full of Joy, saying: Even the demons  submitted to us. The powers of darkness gave way to joy. Demons were  overcome. Jesus adds: “Even better your names are written in heaven.” 

In our lives, sorrows may hold sway at times. We may find it difficult to count on  Grace and Generosity being victorious. A good way to renew your faith is to  remember the effort and sacrifice of those who have gone before us.  

erwin Buschauer, whose memorial service is July 5th at 10:30 am, is a good  example of someone to remember. He served the military in Korea as an Air  Traffic Controller; then for the FAA.  

He also served Christ for decades. He was a founder of Central City Lutheran  Mission in San Bernardino and board President. His ministries at Faith included  being president, spearheading our pantry. He was devoted to his beloved Lynda,  spending years at her bedside. When we celebrated his 90th birthday, we recalled  the joyous harvest that comes from a lifetime of service to his country and his  church. 

Paul in Galatians 6 encourages us to: “Bear one another’s burdens and not grow  weary in doing what is right, knowing the harvest would come.”  

This weekend is a great time to remember him and all the gracious people in our  lives. We can also remember the gifts of our country, our planet and our universe. We have received much, so much to be grateful for.  

Jesus said he saw Satan fall like a flash of lighting. The Seventy saw their power or  demons. We are called to see darkness overcome by Light. Perhaps not  everywhere all the time. We may have to do some shaking off dust. In the end we  reap eternal life from the Spirit through the cross of Christ.  

Prayer: Lord, you sent out the 12, the 70, erwin. You send us as well to be bearers  of peace, hope and Good News. Whether our words and actions are welcomed or  rejected, may we have the courage and faith to know that our labor is not in vain.  

Grace and Peace, 

Pastor John 

THANKS TO YOUR RESPONSE TO Special Appeals –

Camps and Tanzania Thanks for the responses coming in for the church in Tanzania. Ombeni Mkanza and I are traveling there on July 21. We will be there for the retirement celebration of his sister-in-law, who was the first female ELCA Lutheran pastor in Tanzania. We will be bringing suitcases of clothes to distribute to Benny’s childhood village and checks to support his sister-in-law’s church while it is in 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 can support all the youth going to camp.

UPCOMING REMINDERS
Pastor Bunge will be back to his regular schedule on Mondays and Tuesdays.
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 Narthex at church, need more signups.
Meditation – Had their last meeting last Thursday for a while. They will be back
on September 4 and offer an opportunity for new members to join them.

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 been cleaning out the sewing room since the preschool is off this week. They have 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 was emailed to you and dated June 16, 2025. Printed copies are available in the narthex. Thanks to Debi Hitter for taking the pictures and to Connie for the updates and updating the pictures on the Narthex Bulletin Board.

PRAISE
• Brad Blue is recovering at home but needs further tests.
• Nelson Hall fell but is recovering well.
• Kyle Hadley continues his solid recovery and has been working on the area in front of the church.
• 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.
• Jason Mills was named on the top attorneys in the country by Band One Chamber USA.
• Bonnie and Garry Hallberg are with their granddaughter Molly who is in Texas at a National Volley Tournament.

 

PRAYERS
• 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
• 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 Kyle and granddaughter, Kayla. 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 this week.
• Jennifer’s breast chemo treatments for cancer are over, she will be deciding about her surgery that will follow.
• Continued prayers for Jacque Kottmeier

UPCOMING FELLOWSHIP/OUTREACH

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.

 Prayer Rocks – Karen and Connie are beginning to paint prayer/friendship rocks for you to keep, give to someone, surprise someone, etc. If you’d like to help, talk to Connie. Thanks.

Thanks to all you have given shoes for Soles 4 Souls.
The box is still in the Narthex for continued donations.