Scriptures for
December 21, 2025
•Isaiah 7: 10-16
•Psalm 80: 1-7, 17 – 19
•Romans 1: 1-7
•Matthew 1: 18-25
Joseph’s Dream
Advent a time for Adventures
What are you dreaming of this Christmas?
As a child, I dreamt of gifts I might receive. I remember one Christmas receiving a toy styled after a robot with glowing eyes. It moved forward and backward, requiring four “D” batteries to perform that
simple task. Shown below is the Christmas my brother and I received cowboy outfits, all the rage in the 50’s. My brother was decked out in his cowboy outfit when he walked next door to our church during Christmas services in search of my mother. “Brother John is crying, and the babysitter could not get him to stop.”
St. Matthew tells us about the dreams of Joseph, the father of Jesus. His dream was about Mary. He and she were engaged to be married when she was found to be with child. St. Luke tells us that Mary felt honored at the angel’s announcement of “Good News”. She and her cousin Elizabeth join in song in Luke 1. But this “Good News” would also put her life in danger. Joseph is faced with a decision. He could “expose her to public disgrace”, but he decides to divorce her quietly. It is at this point that the angel that brings him different vision, a deeper dream.
Joseph’s Christmas gift will be joining a Godly adventure. The angel of his dream calls on him to move forward with his marriage to Mary and follow a path that leads to blessings, joys and challenges. He wakes up to embrace this calling. Advent can be a time of adventure. Joseph ’s second dream will be a warning to take his family from Bethlehem. They need to flee the bloodshed that Herod is about to unleash on the town and journey as refugees to Egypt. What an advent adventure his dreams are bringing him.
Matthew’s gospel which also writes of the pilgrimage of the Magi from the East. Their vision is written in the stars. They come the distance, embracing the honor of giving gold, frankincense and myrrh to aid the Holy Family. Their gift of Christmas is to be benefactors to a righteous cause. Joseph is to name the child Jesus for the child for he will “save his people from their sins.” The child is gifted from the start with a Holy purpose.
The only time we hear of Joseph outside the birth narratives is when Jesus, in Luke’s gospel, goes with his family and other members of Nazareth to Jerusalem. Jesus is lost for three days in his “father’s house”. Was Joseph older when Jesus is born, not usual for that day? Has he died after that visit? We are not told. From what we do know is that the gift of a godly mission was received by Joseph and he never looked back.
This Christmas Connie and I are fortunate to share Christmas with our children’s families. We decided to buy gifts only for the grandchildren and help them enjoy Southern California. We have also been able to support worthy causes to provide for those less fortunate. Like Joseph we have a dream, like the Wiseman we have a star, like Jesus we have a mission to bring the lights of Advent Hope, Peace, Joy and Love to the world. Blessings to you all as we let these Lights shine in our lives.
Prayer: Lord, we bless you for gifting us with Advent Adventures. As we follow Jesus in his Holy Purpose, Hope, Peace, Joy and Love shine.
Grace and Peace, Pastor John
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to the Baker family Craig and Maria Baker and Logan Cassells.
Musicians and Poinsettias Fund
We encourage you to donate and dedicate gifts of live poinsettias and/or the Christmas Eve Musician’s fund. Just indicate your gift on your envelope. Pantry – getting ready for Christmas. If you have any extra sweaters, coats or sweats they are appreciated. Note the date of the pantry this month was Dec. 13 they will not be open on the 27th. If you know of someone with needs between now and then give Carol Jensen a call. We are glad to help but do need to track who we are helping with the pantry.
Pastor Bunge will be in the office Monday and Tuesday next week. Do call him if you need an appointment.
December 21 – Advent 3 – no confirmation
December 24 @ 7 pm – Our festive Christmas Eve Service with musicians and choir.
December 28 – The first Sunday of Christmas – Carols and Readings.
January 4 – The visit of the Magi and baptism of our granddaughter Lily.
QUILTING – 26 quilts are done. 16 were boxed for Lutheran World Relief, which distributes them around the world. 10 were given to our San Bernardino Wellness Center.
MOVING FORWARD WITH YOUR SUPPORT
Thanks to Lou and Kyle for installing the stove in the Fireside Kitchen. Together with Tim Drom we are blessed with people caring for our property. The microwave and new refrigerator have also been
installed. Thanks to Connie for doing the touch-up painting. Thanks to Jenny Beal for donating pots and pans and baking dishes.
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. (He had a child in our preschool).
Michael Gross worked on the sound system upstairs so it will be ready for the preschool program.
Refrigerator and Microwave
We received a grant from the Synod for a refrigerator for our Outreach on Sunday mornings. As I was purchasing the refrigerator, I noticed that if I added a purchase to take it over a $1,500 limit Costco would credit $300 to the purchases. So, I bought a microwave as well. They were delivered on Tuesday last week and the microwave was installed this Monday.
Lou was here to assist and covered the additional cost for installation. He and Kyle adapted the area to fit above the stove. Do note the oven is for use of the church and preschool.
Thanks Lou and Kyle!
PLEASE PRAY FOR
• Pat Motschall’s surgery to replace her aortic and mitral valves is set for December 18.
• Bonnie Strack is seeking relief for back pain. Great to have her family here from Texas over the weekend.
• Michael Shea has continuing health issues and would also appreciate prayers for his and Ann’s son, Andrew.
• Eloise continues to recover.
• Bob Jensen also developed a kidney stone and infection and a cyst was found in his kidney.
• 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 surgery for a stent on her right leg did not go well. The vein completely closed, the leg is so swollen it is hard to move. More surgery will be needed.
• Kim Guevara appreciates your prayers for granddaughter, Kayla, who is now living with her father, their son, Kyle.
• Judy Martin likes her new home at 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 Maldonado’s surgery went well but she is now receiving radiation treatments, which are taking their toll. She now plans on being back in the Preschool in April.
• 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.
• Holly Warner lost her grandmother, Fran. Prayers for her and the family.
• Ann Shea – Her Aunt Jean Fenton also passed away.
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 – We have provided cards for the Christmas Season.
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 – New Christmas season rocks are available.
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; also 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.)
SUNDAY MORNING FELLOWSHIP HOUR
DECEMBER
21 BINGO – Christmas Outreach theme; On your first Bingo, we ask you to first choose a gift for another person. We have some nice prizes; we look forward to having you join us. Any donations welcome
Meatballs & Mac & Cheese; thanks to Maria for dessert
28 No refreshments on this Sunday. Please enjoy with family/friends.
JANUARY
4 Baptism of Granddaughter Lily – John & Connie will provide burritos catered from Jose’s; Alec is making his famous fried rice and Michelle (daughter-in-law) is making special “Lily” cupcakes.
Some of you have asked us to publish a list of donations that are needed for the Fellowship Hour on Sundays. Here is a start. Thank you.
Coffee (this is for the pantry as well as they provide coffee on Pantry Saturdays)
Coffee creamers (not coffee mate, please)
Juice; any flavor
Iced Tea (sugar free)
If you have a special dish you’d like to prepare, please let us know.
(We are not confined to crockpots now!)
