Scriptures for November 16, 2025
• Malachi 4:1-2a
• Psalm 98
• 2 Thessalonians 3: 6-13
• Luke 21: 5-19
A less than Rosey Picture
Connie and I will be welcoming our grandchildren the week of Thanksgiving.
One year old, Lily, will be flying for the first time, coming in from Palo Alto with
her parents for her baptism on
November 30. Her Cousin, Blake, will be attending with his parents as well.
You want to hope for the best for the grandchildren.
I remember the Jetsons growing up with their flying cars and very mechanical maid, whose housework allowed Jane Jetson to relax with her soap operas. I
thought flying cars would be great. Still waiting on those. We do have a robot vacuum that does ok in parts of the house and looks better than Jane’s. Our TV also looks better than Jane’s.
Views of the future now lean into dystopian nightmares not the blissful happy family outings. The number of couples choosing not to have children is
growing. The state of the world and the environment and rising costs are the reasons given in a 2024 Pew Research poll.
What has changed?
There was a realization that there are
always new challenges. I would say they
need not be dystopian.
We celebrated Veterans Day today. Coming out of WW2 veterans were
greeted with hopeful hurrahs. Coming out of Vietnam, there were anti-war
protests, Civil Rights marches and assassinations. The complexities of living
together were manifest.
The writer of Luke was also the writer of the Acts of the Apostles. As he lived through the beauty and hope of the early church. He also experienced
difficulties.
The early church was the beacon of hope in a world of oppression and 
disconnection. In church, a variety of
strata of people could gather. Men,
women, rich, poor, gentile or Jew. All were
seen as children of God brought together
by the example and sacrifice of Christ.
Some went so far as to sell all they had
and hold it together in common. Acts 4:32
Communal living is a workout and did not work out well for many who tried it
in the 60’s. For the early church there was the added burden of persecution
and betrayal. Jesus warns in Luke 21 that there will be false prophets, family
betrayals, famines, plagues, earthquakes and wars. We will need endurance
and wisdom. In Luke’s lifetime, the Jerusalem temple everyone was so
impressed with was torn down stone by stone. Today the only remaining
portion of Herod’s temple is the large foundation stones now called the
wailing wall. There is plenty of wailing in the area today.
In Luke 21:18 Jesus assures us that not a “hair on your head will perish.” As I
go through the years, I have had some hairs on my head perish. But I’ve also
seen people respond to the love of God with deep dedication. Jesus says
through the endurance you will “gain you soul.” I have seen those who travel
life’s road, sometimes smooth, sometimes rough as they endure, even
flourish at times my soul is reborn.
PRAYER:
Lord thank you for the gift of hope. With you in our heart and our heart in you,
our world is not so dystopian as it is being ever reborn in hope.
Grace & Peace, Pastor John
NEW MEMBER CLASS
We have a group of people interested in membership. We will have a special
welcome session for them after the service on the 23rd. Want to join with
them? Please let Pastor Bunge know.
SUNDAYS at 9:00 am
November 16 Semi-annual meeting, immediately after worship with donuts
and coffee in Narthex. We will be approving the 2026 budget and a slate for
council.
Last Sunday to bring items for THANKSGIVING at the PANTRY which will
distribute them Saturday November 22 from 8 to 10:00. We have 25 turkeys
for Thanksgiving distribution from the Morongo tribe. If you can donate one
that helps as well. Starting now and ongoing to Thanksgiving, we are asking
donations from the church family for the other parts of a Thanksgiving meal,
as well, such as cranberries, turkey dressing, gravy, canned vegetables,
canned yams and any other miscellaneous items.
November 23 Christ the King Sunday. Farewell to the year of the Gospel of
Luke and hello to the year of Matthew. Christ the unlikely King.
New member session about church.
November 30 The First Sunday in Advent and the Baptism of our
granddaughter Lily with refreshments following service.
QUILTING – Wasn’t that wonderful for have 26 of the quilts from our quilting
group on display! 16 were boxed for Lutheran World Relief, which distributes
them around the world. 10 were given to our San Bernardino Wellness Center.
Three more have been completed since.
Pastor Bunge will be in the office on Tuesday next week.
MOVING FORWARD WITH YOUR SUPPORT
We will be updating our sign out front and lighting it. Let us know what you think of the solar lighting at night. Walker Signs is assisting with the
sign out front. (He had a child in our preschool). Michael Gross is working on the sound system upstairs.
Thanks to Kyle Hadley and Lou Hitter and Dana Hadley for helping with the installation
of the oven! You are totally appreciated! We will use the stove and oven for refreshments, meals, for out preschool snacks and a card-
making technique at the direction of Emily. Together with Tim Drom we are blessed with people caring for our property.
Thanks to Connie for doing the touch-up painting.
Thanks to Jenny Beal for donating pots and pans and baking dishes.
PRAISE
• Eloise came through her surgeries and chemo for the melanoma discovered around her eye. All appears well but, they will do further
diagnosis later.
PLEASE PRAY FOR
• The family of Yoshie Butlen – friend of Pat Teeters – Yoshie’s granddaughter, Sophie and two friends were killed in a university
crosswalk by a drunken driver.
• Holly Kirkwood’s Grandmother, Fran.
• Kim Guevara would appreciate prayers for her mother Caroline Beaudry and cousin Barry Austinson, along with granddaughter, Kayla, who is now
living with her father, their son, Kyle.
• The Hamre family – Scott’s mother, Dorothy, passed away on October 25.
• Ann Shea’s – Aunt Jean Fenton also passed away.
• Pat Motschall after tests and consultation with her cardiologist, Pat will need to replace her aortic and mitral valves. She is meeting with her
primary doctor this week to move the process along.
• Connie Bunge has a surgery date on her kidney stone on Nov. 26. New medications allow her to return to church.
• Bob Jensen also developed a kidney stone and infection.
• Bonnie Hallberg is still awaiting shoulder surgery. The blood clot discovered in her leg has not dissolved. The shoulder is painful, but the
clot must be taken care of first.
• Nelson Hall continues to have health concerns including his heart function and breathing.
• Lauren Shaffer who works with us remotely, made it through her surgery and is recovering well. She will be having for surgery for a stent on her right
leg, November 26.
• Judy Martin has moved into Golden Oaks and is receiving Hospice care.
• Bonnie Strack appreciates continued prayers for her son Brendan Simms, who has suffered from a series of strokes.
• Jennifer’s surgery went well but she is now receiving radiation treatments. She plans on being back in the Preschool in January.
• Continued prayers for Jacque Kottmeier who, due to her eyesight, is no longer able to drive.
• Jeanne Koening. Her health issues continue but she able to go to Loma Linda, so care is much closer.
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.
FELLOWSHIP/OUTREACH
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 B. Fall cards are in the Narthex; Christmas season soon.
PRAYER/FRIENDSHIP ROCKS – Karen, Connie B., Sharon C., and Carol Hamre have painted prayer/friendship rocks for you to keep, give to someone,
surprise someone, or put in your garden, etc. We have painted for a Prayer Ministry that Paula will begin; rocks are available in the Narthex, Chapel and
Fireside Room for the AA, NA, Al-anon, pantry etc. groups that meet weekly.
WATERCOLOR PAINTING CLASS by our OWN MASTER WATERCOLORIST,
HOLLY –after church about 12:00-1:00. It is a great time. And Holly is very
patient. We had a great turnout of 10 people to our first class. We are
making cards for Christmas Season.
(No class fee, materials provided if you do not have own. For taking the class, we ask you to please donate to the Camp fund for youth.)
Bicycle and 30-40 CUP COFFEE MAKER: Our 2nd coffee maker quit. Before we purchase another one, does anyone have one in their
cupboards that you’re not using? We also have a new member walking to church. A bicycle would be helpful to them.
SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE HOUR
9 Veterans Celebration – Thank you to Richard & Jenny for the fabulous
Spaghetti and Karen for a great salad.
We honored Veterans: Bob Jensen, Craig Baker, Pr. Tim Drom, Steve
Cady, Michael Shea, Dona Whitt, Joe Koenig, Fred Johnson Thank you for
your service.
16 Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting
Donuts and Coffee in Narthex
23 POTLUCK – Mexican Cuisine
Thanks much to Maria for bringing her famous Mexican enchiladas.
Thanks for your sign-ups. Anyone wish to bring a tossed salad?
30 GRANDDAUGHTER, LILY BAPTISM – John/Connie provide refreshments
7 WELCA
14 BD/ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS – Oct-Dec
Jerry Mills has graciously offered to bring his famous roast beef dish
Pastor John will also bring one. Salad and cake.
21 BINGO – Christmas theme; any donations welcome
28 DARK – Enjoy with family/friends
