Scriptures for
February 1, 2026
The Blessed Life
• Micah 6:1-8
• Psalm 15
• 1 Corinthians 1: 18-31
• Matthew 5: 1-12
We have been following the Epiphany Star as we strive to make 2026 shine. The Magi, John the Baptist, two then four disciples follow. Now crowds of people are coming. They want to hear what Jesus has to say. What path in life, what star should they follow?
Jesus answers their questions with the Sermon on the Mount. Quite a sermon, it covers Matthew chapters 5, 6 and 7. These three chapters of sayings may not have been spoken all at once and likely were spoken more than once. They point the way to the Kingdom of God, the Blessed Life. We will look closely at the Sermon on the Mount during our Lenten Souper
Bible Studies, as we focus on the sayings of Jesus. We show are respect for the sayings of Jesus by standing in worship for the Gospels. Standing at attention, we listen to what Jesus has to say. The sermon starts with the Beatitudes, which are blessings. Not normal kinds of blessings.
The first one is “Blessed are the poor in spirit”. I have noticed recently that Gmail recommends responses to emails. If someone shares their joys or sorrows, Gmail will offer condolences or congratulations, you can just click on it. No reason to ponder a response. If someone shares that they are “poor in spirit”, the AI does NOT suggest a
“Wow, you must be blessed, the kingdom of God is yours”. Jesus does. Why? Jesus’ point is: Unless you are willing to let your heart hurt, you cannot know the depth blessing available to you in this life and the next. You cannot know what it is like to live in the Kingdom of Heaven.
One of the aspects of ministry that I both treasure and agonize over is being a witness to the brokenness in the world. The news brings everyone the wounds of the world, 24/7. As a pastor, you have A calling to bring hope and comfort to impoverished spirits and in doing so experience the Kingdom of God. On Tuesday I met with Cindy Urban who has been a member of Faith for some years now. She had been making journeys to Arizona to visit her father Wilbur Peterson (Bill). She was there with him and her sister when he passed from this
life. Cindy was filled with deep affection for him and shared stories and photos. She remembered him coming to church in his CHP uniform on his Harvey, if he had an hour during his shift. He helped build Church of the Cross in Rialto. He attended church for all his life. His own father left him after his mother died. He was 15 years old. He found a heavenly Father in the church. He would emulate that Father in his own life. Cindy brought his ashes here to be blessed before spreading near those of his wife of 67 years. Having a church here for Cindy was a comfort. Blessed are they that mourn for they will be comforted. I cannot go through all the beatitudes here, but I do see the meek, the merciful, those who desire righteousness, the peacemakers, the persecuted bringing the Kingdom of God closer. Let me end with a reflection on: Blessed are the Pure in Heart, for they will see God.
On Monday Jennifer Maldonado was by the church. She is the assistant director of our Preschool but has been unable to work due to her breast cancer treatments. She has finally finished her chemotherapy. She will be on some gentler medications for some years to come but she celebrates that the day draws nearer for her to return to work. The week of Easter we will likely see her return. She wanted me to thank you for the prayers and support. She has a pure heart for the toddlers in our care and appreciates the opportunity to live out her
calling here with the children at Faith.
Have you seen the Pure in Heart in action?
There was a couple in Hemet, who had been married for over 50 years. She was legally blind and he no longer could eat solid food and had to use a feeding tube. She would follow his direction and pour nutrients down his feeding tube. He would cook meals for her, able to see and smell but not taste. Who do you know that you would add to this list?
PRAYER Lord thank you for bringing the Kingdom of God near and leading us onward toward a Blessed Life. Thank you for examples of the blessed. Amen.
Grace and Peace, Pastor John Bunge
Annual Meeting Thanks to all who attended our Semi-annual meeting on Sunday. Reports were well written and well received. Your offerings were reflected in a positive Treasurer’s report. Nancy Pavelsky, Dave Strack and Nelson Hall were elected to form the nominating committee. Alec and Robyn Blue will represent us at the Synod
Assembly on May 2 at Trinity in Riverside. Other non-voting members are invited as well.
Offerings
Your giving statements for 2025 are available in the narthex.
Elisha’s Yucaipa Choir Elisha Mkanza made an appeal for support for his High School Choir’s trip in the Southern California area competition. If you can help sponsor him, it would be best to give through Faith so the church can be recognized in their program and funds can be matched. Just indicate your gift on your envelope or check for Elisha YHS Choir.
Pantry – It has been cold for us in recent weeks. If you have any extra sweaters, coats or sweatpants they are appreciated. Wow thanks for all the sweatshirts. Note the date of the next pantry is January 24. 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 Mondays and Tuesdays.
QUILTING – 36 quilts were made in 2025. 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
Those who have noticed our sign out front and the lighting of it have said how wonderful it is. We are adding a bit more solar lighting to it. The sound for the streaming is much improved and does include Closed Captioning.
Thanks to Dana, Kyle, Lou and Tim for doing so much around the church, especially in the kitchen area.
Thanks to Connie for doing the touch-up painting in our updated kitchen.
PRAISE
• Jennifer Maldonado’s surgery went well but she is done with radiation treatments. She plans on being back in our Preschool in April.
• Heather Lewis’s mother Rosalind Lara is regaining her strength at Arrowhead Springs Healthcare.
• Thanks to Karen Hall who provided a new coffee pot for Fellowship and Pantry use!
PLEASE PRAY FOR
• Barbara Kuerzinger would like us to pray for her son Ian, who was fortunate to have his colon cancer discovered early, but now will likely face chemotherapy.
• Lauren Shaffer’s Surgery has not happened yet. They are still working on the swelling in her right leg.
• Jeanne Koening’s surgery was postponed.
• Bonnie Strack is seeking relief from pain. She also appreciates prayers for her son Brendan Simms, who has suffered years from a series of strokes.
• Michael Shea has continuing health issues and would also appreciate prayers for his and Ann’s son, Andrew.
• Eloise still has some double vision. She has a checkup schedule for February 6. Parkinsons is acting up.
• Bob Jensen also developed a kidney stone and infection and a sist was found in his kidney. He has not been able to be with us in worship.
• Bonnie Hallberg is still awaiting shoulder surgery. The blood clot discovered in her leg has not dissolved. She sees a doctor next Monday. The shoulder is painful, but not overwhelming and the clot must be taken care of first.
• Nelson Hall continues to have health concerns including his heart function and breathing but he and Karen were able to move to their new home, and he is doing better in that situation.
• 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. Pray for her home in Calimesa to be sold.
• Continued prayers for Jacque Kottmeier who, due to her eyesight, is no longer able to drive. Nice to have her neighbor Elaine Risso back with us in worship.
Thanks to all who continue to give shoes for Soles 4 Souls. The box was full and so was taken for its good use. 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.
PRAYER QUILTS – With the help of the Quilting Group, the next project is to hand make and provide prayer quilts with
crosses on the inside. Thanks to Barbara for the idea, and Emily, Dana, Dona, Connie B. for willingness to help to make them. They will be blessed on February 15.
We will still mail BIRTHDAY CARDS AND ANNIVERSARY CARDS AND TO THOSE ON THE PRAYER LIST monthly. And provide CARDS IN THE NARTHEX for members to mail. Thank you to Kim G. for painting February cards and thanks to Linda D. for continuing to make the special fabric ones.
Thanks to Karen’s idea, we will also be providing PRAYER SHAWLS to those who are homebound and people who have received a challenging medical diagnosis.
PRAYER/FRIENDSHIP ROCKS –
Karen, Connie B., Sharon C., and Carol Hamre will continue to paint prayer/friendship rocks for you to keep, give to someone, surprise someone, or put in your garden, etc. 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 –
CLASSES WILL BE ON THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH. WE’LL PAINT CARDS FOR THE MONTH. NEXT SCHEDULED CLASSES: FEBRUARY 1,
AND AGAIN ON MARCH 1 (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
1 Thanks to Kim for Taco Soup
Salad and cookies will be provided
8 Thank you to WELCA
15 HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY
Thanks to Nancy for her fantastic Spaghetti
Thanks to Diane Watson for cookies from the Cookie Company!
22 POTLUCK – note the 4th Sunday will be Potlucks
THEME: LOVE IS IN THE AIR WITH APPETIZERS
Please sign up in the Narthex to bring food or help clean up
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 creamers (not coffee mate, please)
Juice; any flavor
Iced Tea (sugar free)
Any monetary donations can be given through the offering, marked Fellowship
Bingo Items – thanks for thinking of us when cleaning out all your favs.
Thanks to Karen and the Cadys for the donation of Bingo prizes; Karen for donating the new coffee pot, Mimi for the monetary donation for stamps for the card ministry, and
anonymous donation of the Coffee.
