July 15, 2025 – Mary and Martha
Lessons for July 13:
o Genesis 18: 1-10a
o Psalm 15
o Colossians 1:15-28
o Luke 10: 38-42
Last Sunday we focused on the parable of The Good Samaritan. As we read further in Luke 10. We come across the story of Mary and Martha. Several things stand out for me.
Reaction – What is this story doing in one of the Gospels? If the Gospels were like other heroic epics of the day, our hero would be taking on giants and overthrowing dynasties. Why is Luke concerned about two women having a dispute about housework?
Reflection One – Telling Jesus what to do – does not work well in the Gospel. Jesus is not concerned about being epic. He is concerned about us and our everyday walk of life, even down to minor irritations. Jesus has revealed to us that God is our Abba, a Papa. Be eager to bring your concerns to God. One misstep on Martha’s part is that in her frustration with her sister, she tells Jesus what to do: “Tell her to help me.” Other people in Luke like James and John (Luke 9:54) wanted to
order God to rain down fire on Samaritan cites that did not welcome Jesus. In Matthew 16:22 Peter rebuked Jesus for heading to Jerusalem. Jesus turned and rebuked Peter. We may have in our minds our idea about what God should be doing. Bring your concerns to Papa. But be aware that the answer may be different than we expect. It was for Martha. The best way to be in tune with the will of God is to listen at Jesus feet as Mary did.
Reflection Two – Luke writings are full of high regard for the role of women in the life of Jesus and the life of the early church in the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. Women were not students of rabbis in the days of Jesus. They also had no place in the governance for either the Greeks or Romans. Two thousand years later we still see woman pushed to the sidelines in places like Afghanistan, under the Taliban and other Muslem countries like Iran as well. Even some Christian Churches, like the Southern Baptists and Missouri Synod do not allow women to be called as pastors or sometimes even vote.
Martha back in the kitchen would be fine for them. But Jesus puts forth Mary as an example not Martha. For Mary is open to learning from him. In fact, there is an entire book in the New Testament which suggests that men are the one’s who should be bringing the coffee: Hebrews Next week, Ombeni, my sister Marcia and I will be traveling to 
Tanzania to celebrate the retirement of his sister-in-law, Sarah Mwanga Mkanza, who was the first female Lutheran pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania. Thanks to all who brought clothes and provided financial support for her church and the people of Ombeni’s village. She is celebrated for learning at the feet of Jesus and then preaching the Gospel she learned.
We of the ELCA have had women in ministry for over 50 years. I went to Seminary with some of the early trail blazers. Now women make up over half of our Seminarians.
Luke would be happy to see women learning at the feet of Jesus, taking their place in leadership. As Paul writes in Galatians 3:28: There is no longer slave or free . . . male or female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Reflection Three: Focus on Grace – Last week the Lawyer tested Jesus by asking: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” The answer of course was “nothing”. As Paul wrote Colossians 1:12: “The Father enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.” We are beneficiaries of an estate through Jesus, who like the Good stopped for us along the road, attended to our wounds and provided a place for us.
I appreciate the Marthas of this world. They get things done. An example is the funeral for erwin the women here were amazing and so helpful to the family. Marthas, who roll up her sleeves and get to work, get a thumbs up from me. However, Martha was also “worried and distracted by her many tasks”. The Grace of God Jesus was teaching about was not getting through. She needed to sit for a while.
I like to get things done, but I also appreciate times, like right now when I focus on the Gospel, allowing it to help with my priorities. Companies spend good money to move our focus to their priorities. Distraction and demands abound. To sit at Jesus feet, to listen and to be present are blessings that provide a path to a less anxious and more abundance life.
Prayer: Lord, we come now to sit at your feet. You are with us every day. Help us to recognize the contributions of all your beloved children. Aid us in our relationships. Calm our anxious hearts. Help us to focus on the peace and strength you can provide.
Grace and Peace, Pastor John
THANKS TO YOUR RESPONSE TO Special Appeals – Camps and Tanzania
Thanks for your response for monetary gifts for the church in Tanzania. Ombeni Mkanza and I are traveling there on July 21.
We will be there for the July 27 retirement celebration of his sister-in-law, Sarah Mwanga Mkanza, who was the first female ELCA Lutheran pastor in Tanzania. We will be bringing three large suitcases of clothes to distribute to the people of Ombeni’s childhood village. You can still contribute finically to support Sarah’s church while it is in transition. Please indicate that on your envelope or check. Again thanks to all who contributed.
I will be bringing a letter with me to invite her to come to visit us.
Pastor Bunge will be traveling to Tanzania from July 21 to August 11. He will be in contact via email or text. He will be back in the office August 12. Not sure how many Messages will be mailed out during that time. If you have pressing issues, please contact Paula Winters, our President, 951.961.3104.
Thanks for your support of the church throughout the year and for more recent support of camperships. We supported all the youth going to camp.
Thanks for your contributions to the project that Melody Warner-Kirkwood is working on to provide a handicapped swing in Yucaipa. The family is close to a special needs four-year-old child, Wren, who has cerebral palsy. The closest swing she could use is in Redlands. Melody is working with the city and asking for grants from various organizations. Faith members can participate by giving cash donations in the box at the rear of the church or you can make out your check to Faith and indicate your gift on your envelope or check. Melody believes Wren should be able to swing like other children. Her appeal will go through January. She will be working with the City and Kiwanis.
Meditation – They will be back on September 4 and offer an opportunity for new members to join them.
PANTRY -2 nd & 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.
DRAMA CLASS for Youth directed by Michelle Mureaux will begin again in August as well.
QUILTING – Emily Smith’s Group (909.255.2452) has been cleaning up in the sewing room. 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.
• The Funeral for erwin was wonderful thanks to all the WELCA women Barbara Kuerzinger, Dona Whitt, Karen Hall, Pat Teeters, Antoinette Brenion, Robyn Blue and David Lund.
• Robyn Blue’s grandniece Lainey celebrated her 4th Birthday and continues her recovery.
• Jason Mills was named one of the top attorneys in the country by Band One Chamber USA.
• Joy Kirby – gave birth to a healthy baby girl, 8 lbs. 7.3 oz. 20 inches on Thursday July 3.
• Debbie a friend of Kim Guevara’s had surgery and received a new liver. Her hoped for new kidney was not compatible. The hospital is in Scottsdale.
• Holly’s brother Grant Kirkwood was a part of responding to the flooding in Texas. Please pray for him and all those affected.
• Brad Blue is recovering at home, but slowly.
• Judy Martin has several health issues and is unable 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 from Canada.
• Jeanne Koening was with us for erwin’s funeral. Her health issues continue but she is now connected to Loma Linda so care is much closer.
• Bonnie Strack appreciates continued prayers for her son Brendan Simms, who has suffered from a series of strokes.
• Jennifer’s breast chemo treatments for cancer are over, she will be deciding about her surgery that will follow.
• Continued prayers for Jacque Kottmeier
Thanks to all who continue to give shoes for Soles 4 Souls. The box is still in the Narthex for continued donations. Thanks to David Strack for coordinating the effort.
Thanks to Holly for making sizeable donations from the Family Assistance Center.
13 Had a great surprise Birthday Party for Bob Jensen, turned 90!
Thanks to Karen, Nancy, Bonnie S. and Connie.
20 CELEBRATION HONORING ALEC BLUE, graduation from San Francisco State University. Alec’s favorite pizza and thanks to Bonnie Mills for providing the cake.
27 POTLUCK – Please signup in the Narthex
3 WELCA
10 Donut Day and juice
17 FIESTA – JUL-AUG-SEPT BDs and Anniversaries
24 CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT – Back to School
31 Potluck – please signup in the Narthex
PRAYER CARDS – Thanks for sending out cards to remember family and friends.
Thanks to Emily, our newest artist. Thanks again to the summer creations by Kim, Barbara, Karen, Holly, Pat T., Linda D., Connie
Prayer/Kindness Rocks
The rocks are in the Narthex. Please help yourself, for you to keep or give away. Thanks Karen and Connie.
