Lessons for September 7:
• Deuteronomy 30:15-20
• Psalm 1
• Philemon 1-21
• Luke 14: 25-33
There are moments in life when we are called to consider options. What shall we do?
Tuesday I was headed to the office, when I arrived the power was off due to the high winds.
I had arrived in time to save a couple of our banners out front. But both I and the preschool
decided we needed electricity to continue. So, I headed home. Life is full of decisions of
various kinds, some small, some larger.
One of the great decisions made by the government of Tanzania was to set apart nearly 40% of
the country for conservation and wildlife protection, which makes the Serengeti and other
parks such a treasure.
In our reading from Deuteronomy, Moses is standing on the edge of the promised land. As the
promised land stretches out before him, he considers what life there will be like? At age 120,
he decides he will not be going with the people, Joshua will lead them now. In his parting
words, Moses urges the people to stay true to the path God has set out for them. I have set
before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. Choose life so that you and your
descendants may live. (Deuteronomy 30:19)
As motivation, Moses reminds the people of all that the Lord has done for them, down to
providing that their clothes and shoes lasting all 40 years in the desert. Keep those feet
following the ways of the Lord.
Psalm 1 also suggests that “those who delight in the
law of the Lord. . . are like trees planted by streams of
water, bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do
not wither; everything they do shall prosper.”
The Serengeti is not a rain forest. The trees that grow there are found around rivers.
The landscaping in front of the church is meant to show how life grows around a life giving
stream.
In the same way, our lives prosper most when we are planted near the river of life, revealed in
Jesus. Ask any older member of our congregation they can see it when they like Moses look
back on life.
Jesus is clear in our Gospel text that life by the river of life is not all easy. Looking out on the
world we can see challenges, even when we are caring for others, as Jesus did. Jesus talks
about “carrying a cross” (Luke 14:27).
Jesus’ suggestion is like that of Moses and the Psalmist. As you look over the landscape of life,
sit down and consider life. What is truly worth it? You do not want to start a building and only
get it halfway completed. Neither do you want to be a king who thinks he can take on a more
powerful force and win.
Russia, under Putin, continues the war with Ukraine which has gone on now for three and a
half years. Recent efforts for a peace agreement have yielded nothing. Putin’s early calculation
that Ukraine would fall in weeks has proven to be misguided. So, the conflict grinds on.
Jesus calls us to consider that following him may result in estrangement from family and/or
possessions. Still there is joy in it. Hebrews 12:2 reminded us, a few weeks ago, that “for the
joy that was set before him that Jesus endured his cross.”
In his letter to Philemon suggests that his friend’s wonderful faith and love is due to be
stretched as Paul asks him to take Onesimus back into his household. Blessings will follow.
Moses experienced the burden of leadership but then saw the promised land open before
him.
Labor Day week is a good time to consider what we labor for, what is precious to us? Is it
friendships, partnerships, doing the right thing? Moses as he departed life declares: “loving the
Lord, obeying him and holding fast to him will bring life and length of days.” (Deuteronomy
30:20)
PRAYER Lord, may we follow the path of love laid out by Jesus, Paul and Moses. May we plant
ourselves by lifegiving streams. At times life may feel like a burden. Give us the eyes of Moses
to see the Promised Land stretched out before us. May we have the wisdom to follow the path
that leads to true contentment.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor John
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!
Thanks to Lou Hitter for leveling the countertop in the fireside room. It looks great.
Thanks to Kyle Hadley for working on the gate to the preschool, the light in the quilting
room, the irrigation out front and checking into new concrete for the entrance.
Again, thank you to all for your support of Faith and the church in Tanzania.
Pastor Bunge is back in the office and will be here Mondays and Tuesdays.
Meditation – Nelson is planning on being back THIS WEEK – September 4 and September 11 he
will offer an opportunity for new members to join the group.
PANTRY -2nd & 4th Saturday; from 8 to 10:00. The Lord is good and has provided for our pantry.
We still could use 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 will be beginning the next session this Fall.
QUILTING – Emily Smith’s Group (909.255.2452) has cleaned up the sewing room. They have completed 4 quilts for the San Bernardino Wellness Center and six for LWR.
• Pat Teeters is home with medications after being hospitalized with fluid on her lungs.
Bless the first responders who likely saved her life. Great to have Pat in church on Sunday.
Thanks to Bonnie & Dave for bringing her.
• Kyle Hadley had a soft tissue infection in his ankle and has been on antibiotics for a couple
of weeks. He is off the antibiotics, has helped around the church and was great to see him
at Church on Sunday.
• Nelson Hall continues to recover and will be leading the Meditation group.
• Brad Blue continues his recovery and is back at work.
• Robyn Blue’s grandniece Lainey celebrated her 4th Birthday and continues her recovery.
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.
Thanks to Holly from Family Assistance Center in Yucaipa for making donations as well.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS!
• Eloise will be having surgery on Melanoma discovered around her eye on September 9 with
a follow up on the 16th. She was blessed to have an optometrist who noted Melanoma and
referred her to a renowned LA surgeon, who will be doing the surgery. Thanks for your
prayers.
• Bonnie Hallberg will be rescheduling her shoulder surgery. A routine ultrasound done prior
to the surgery fortuitously discovered a blood clot in her leg. She is on blood thinners to
dissolve the clot and will reschedule shoulder surgery likely three months from now.
• Michael Shea had oral surgery on August 20 and would appreciate our prayers.
• Lauren Schafer who works with us remotely, made it through her surgery and is recovering
which includes taking liquid off her leg, she also has a blood clot which will involve surgery
in October.
• Kim Guevara lost her mother Carol who lives in Canada. Thank you for your prayers. Kim
and Cesar will be returning Sept. 5.
We continue to pray for Cesar Guevara’s brother, Marco. They did receive some good
news as Kayla, their granddaughter, is now able to live with son, Kyle.
• Debbie, a friend of Kim Guevara’s, is being attended to in Scottsdale; was released from the
hospital and is recovering after receiving a new liver.
• Judy Martin has several health issues and cannot return to church. Thanks for your prayers,
cards and visits by Carol.
• 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, her surgery is scheduled for
August 20th to be followed by radiation treatments.
• Continued prayers for Jacque Kottmeier
• Jeanne Koening. Her health issues continue but she is now connected to Loma Linda, so
care is much closer.
PRAYER CARDS – Thanks for sending out cards to remember family and friends.
Thanks again to the artists: Emily, Kim, Barbara, Karen, Holly, Pat T., Linda D., Connie
PRAYER/FRIENDSHIP ROCKS – Karen & Connie have painted some prayer/friendship rocks
for you to keep, give to someone, surprise someone, etc. Thanks to Sharon C. who is also
beginning to help paint.
We are going to paint for a Prayer Ministry that Paula wants to begin and have some
available in the Fireside Room for the groups that meet there.
AUGUST 31
Thanks to all who helped with our FUN “Fiesta Taco Day” POTLUCK – Jenny &
Richard for tacos; Carol for fruit; Bonnie & Jerry for Taco Bar; Bonnie for serving & beans;
Karen & Barbara for dessert; Connie for décor; Pat, Michelle, Holly, Bonnie, Dave for cleanup
7 WELCA
14 PICNIC AT THE BEACH
Sub sandwiches, Jerry’s Fabulous Potato Salad, Ice Cream Sundae Bar.
21 BINGO & RAFFLE are back! Thanks so much for your support in prize donations. This is
a very popular game day!
28 POTLUCK – Please sign up in the Narthex. We will start Themed Potlucks.
