February 24, 2026 Lessons for Lent Two, March 1, 2026
• Genesis 12:1-4a
• Psalm 121
• Romans 4: 1-5, 13-17
• John 3: 1-17
This week the Lessons of Lent pause to listen in on the conversation between Jesus and
Nicodemus. The text includes the often-quoted John 3:16, which Luther called the Gospel in
miniature.
Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night for perhaps two reasons:
First, he is a “leader of the Jews”. As he clings to that position, he does not want to jeopardize
it by being too closely associated with Jesus, who is controversial.
Second, he is intrigued. He sure that “No one can do these signs that you do unless God is with
that person.”
As we approach the words of Jesus on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings, we too may
have questions. We may feel we are in the dark at times. Deep questions may arise when we
sit in silence and ponder the wonders and mysteries of the universe. Jesus has a cloudy response. He tells Nicodemus that: “No one can see the kingdom of God
without being born from above.”
Nicodemus was puzzled. Do you enter your mother’s womb a second time? I am sure most mothers would say “no thanks”. So, what does that mean?
Mothers are safe. What Jesus is talking about is a spiritual rebirth, which comes from above. Nicodemus has more questions, but one thing is clear, change is coming: “Blowing in the wind
of the Spirit.”
Beaumont gets its fair amount of wind, sadly with global warming I think it will only increase. In our personal lives the winds of change come as well, uninvited at times.
The times for Nicodemus and other “Leaders of the Jews” would be troubled. The Romans ruled. The people not only do not have control of their government. The Romans at times
interfered with their worship. For Nicodemus as part of the Leadership, the winds of change will be forceful. Their whole order would be bought down along with the temple itself.
Nicodemus happily found in Jesus, a mighty fortress, a refuge in the storm to come. Jesus urges him to look up, like the people did when Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness.
Briefly that story is about a time when snakes invaded the camp of the Hebrews as they wandered in the desert (Number 21). They pleaded with God for relief. God did not withdraw
the snakes. Rather he provided help by having Moses set a bronze image of a poisonous snake on a pole. Whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent and live.
In this life there are snakes, both reptiles and reprehensible people who through deceit, debasement and disregard, can poison our lives. God has not taken the snakes from us. He
provides the cross for us to look upon and live, so the poison cannot still our heart.
Healing happens to Nicodemus. He could not stop the crucifixion of Jesus. But he would join Joseph of Arimathea in taking the body of Jesus to the tomb. He would truly be born from
above. Good Friday would fill him with sorrow, but by being born from above, he came to believe that people of faith “may not perish but may have eternal life.”
PRAYER:
Blessed Jesus, we are at times in the dark, snake bitten. Grant us new birth. May we look up to
the cross and see love pouring down, overcoming poison. Rescued and restored, may we lean
into love and join you in loving the world.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor John Bunge
Reminders:
Lenten Souper Bible Studies Wednesdays @ 5:00 pm. February 25 – March 25. Thanks to
all who signed up to bring soup. Hosts for the evening are to set up (coffee, drinks,
silverware, bowls, etc), those attending with join in cleaning up.
Pastor Bunge is in the office Mondays and Tuesdays and Wednesday nights.
Offerings Thanks for all your support, if you need offering envelopes they are available in
the narthex.
We worked on the sound for the streaming; it is much improved but Closed Captioning
does not seem to be an option.
Thanks:
Kyle for working on the drainage by the sacristy door and front and working on the walls of
the sacristy. He also added metal strips by the oven in the Fireside room.
Lou repaired wood vents by the front of the sanctuary and fixed the toilet in the women’s
bathroom and the doorknob in the preschool. You guys are Great.
Connie will be doing the touch-up painting in our updated kitchen.
Pantry – We were blessed with two vans loads of cereal unpacked by Joe and Carol. We
are good with cereal for now. We had lots of food to share with the community last week.
Again, if you have extra sweaters, coats or sweatpants, we could use them. The next
pantry date is February 28. 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.
QUILTING – Over 250 prayer quilts have been made and blessed. 4 quilts so far this year
for Lutheran World Relief. 4 for our San Bernardino Wellness Center have been
completed.
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.
PRAISE
• It was fantastic to see Jan Wheeler was back in church with us.
• Bob Jensen was back as well. Together with his urologist, he is moving forward on
what procedure would best deal with the sist on his kidney.
PLEASE PRAY FOR
• Bonnie Strack had surgery to relieve back pain on Monday and is home recovering.
Her daughter Laura has been a wonderful blessing. We continue to pray for her full
recovery and for her son Brendan Simms, who has suffered years from a series of
strokes.
• Scott Hemre would appreciate prayers for his brother, Jim, who fell.
• Maria Baker is facing back pain from a previous car accident.
• Heather Lewis’s mother Rosalind Lara’s recovery has been slow. She is still at
Arrowhead Springs Healthcare, but had a smile on her face on Monday.
• Barbara Kuerzinger’s son Ian, who was fortunate to have his colon cancer discovered
early but is facing radiation and 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 also postponed.
• Michael Shea has continuing health issues and would also appreciate prayers for his
and Ann’s son, Andrew and for son, Steve.
• Eloise still has some double vision. Parkinsons is acting up.
• Bonnie Hallberg’s clot in her hip was determined to be stable so they can move
forward with her shoulder surgery, but are awaiting appointments for now.
• Nelson Hall continues to have health concerns. They are checking on his heart
function with a new monitor and he is having other tests as well.
• Kim Guevara appreciates your prayers for granddaughter, Kayla, who is now living
with her father, their son, Kyle.
• 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.
FELLOWSHIP/OUTREACH
SMALL PRAYER QUILTS – Thank you to Pastor John for
blessing the prayer quilts. Thanks to Barbara for the idea, and
Emily, Dana, Dona, Linda D, Connie B. for helping to make them.
.
They are available for you to pick up in the Narthex. Please help
yourself as we have made plenty. They are meant as an outreach
to all.
NOTE on MAILING THE PRAYER QUILTS – THEY REQUIRE $1.27 if you put only a
card and quilt in a regular sized envelope. YOU CAN PURCHASE A $1.27
STAMP AT THE POST OFFICE AND MARK THE ENVELOPE HAND CANCEL TO
AVOID DELAY.
(you can also put 2 first class stamps on the envelope or put any combination of
stamps you may have to total $1.27.)
PRAYER BLANKETS/SHAWLS- to blanket and surround people in love and
prayers.
Thanks to Karen’s idea, we will also be providing PRAYER BLANKETS/SHAWLS to
those who are homebound and people who have received a challenging medical
diagnosis.
Thanks to Karen for crocheting a beautiful variegated blue one. Thanks to Sharon &
Steve Cady for their willingness to provide an action team to help with this. Thanks to
Chris Ladd for donating a one made by her mother. Each will have a label sewn on them
from Faith.
We plan to have them blessed by Easter.
HANDMADE CARDS – We still mail about 37 BIRTHDAY CARDS AND ANNIVERSARY
CARDS AND CARDS TO THOSE ON THE PRAYER LIST monthly. And we will provide
CARDS IN THE NARTHEX for members to mail. We will include Monthly Seasonal cards and generic Thinking of You
cards (can be sent for Thank you or Get Well.)
Thank you to our watercolor color class that meets on
the 1st Sunday – Holly, Kim, Alec, Sharon, Barbara,
Pat T., Connie for their fabulous heart creations.
These cards will accompany prayer quilts to be mailed to the prayer list the week of the
16th. Thanks to Linda D. for her marvelous fabric creations.
WATERCOLOR CLASSES WILL BE ON THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH. WE’LL
PAINT CARDS FOR THE MONTH. NEXT CLASS ON MARCH 1
PRAYER/FRIENDSHIP ROCKS –
Karen, Connie B., Sharon C., and Carol Hamre 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 members, friends and
the AA, NA, Al-anon, pantry etc. groups.
SUNDAY MORNING FELLOWSHIP HOUR
FEBRUARY – CELEBRATING LOVE
22 POTLUCK – note the 4th Sunday will be Themed Potlucks
Thank you to Kim and the Cady’s
MARCH
1 Fellowship in Narthex – Thank you to Karen for providing baked goods
8 WELCA
15 HAPPY St. Patrick’s Day – Thanks to Kim & Connie for providing lasagna,
salad, bread and dessert.
22 POTLUCK – It’s Spring Celebration with Salads – Please sign up in
NARTHEX
29 PALM SUNDAY – WAFFLES – Thank you to Richard & Jenny
APRIL
2 Good Friday
4 EASTER Sunday – bring flowers for the outdoor cross
NEEDS LIST & THANK YOUs
o Any monetary donations can be given through the offering, marked Fellowship
o Stamps can be left at the office marked card ministry.
o Always any Bingo Prizes are welcome
o Thanks to Carol for the donation of coffee creamers
