Heavenly Fathers
Lessons June 21
• Jeremiah 20: 7-13
• Psalm 69: 7-18
• Romans 6:1b-11
• Matthew 10:24-39
This Sunday we celebrate Father’s Day with root beer and soda floats outside.
What kind of Father did you have growing up?
For some people, like me, memories of Fathers are filled with gratitude and celebration.
These are Fathers who reflect our Heavenly Father, through their example of service and
sacrifice.
For others, memories of Fathers are filled with loss, absence, disappointment and longing.
In John 20:21, the resurrected Jesus comes the disciples and says: “Peace be with you.” Then
he breathed on them and said: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are
forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
In our Gospel text from Matthew 10:35-36, Jesus warns the disciples that the peace he is
bringing to the earth will not always be well received. Jesus points to himself as an example:
“If they call the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his
household.”
“A man will be set against his father, and a daughter against her mother…one’s foes will be
members of one’s own household.”
This week expectations are high that we can find a path to peace in the Middle East or at least
open the Strait of Hormuz. We will see if these expectations will bear fruit. The way of peace
faces plenty of obstacles, especially in the Middle East.
How can we find a place of Peace in our world?
Peace with family members?
Inner Peace?
Jesus points to the sparrows.
Your own family and the world at
large may not provide peace.
Even if your own earthly father was
not there for you, your heavenly
Father who cares about sparrows
surely cares for you.
The more that assurance sinks into
your heart more peace you will find.
Sit in the Peace of God, letting the
breath of God to fall upon you.
There is also moving forward in Peace, living in the Light of Grace. In Romans 6:4, Paul, who
felt the rejection of the world, reminds us that we can walk in newness of life through the
Grace of God.
Lastly if your own father was a poor reflection of God’s character of love, guidance, protection,
correction and grace remember the mentors, spiritual fathers who were.
Claire Sekafetz will be with us this Sunday, to update us on the great work they continue to do
at the San Bernardino Wellness Center, which reflects the healing comfort of God.
As I noted last week, erwin Buschauer left Faith a bequest of $15,000. We want to use $5,000
of that bequest and double-double match through my link to Thrivent so it becomes $15,000
for Wellness Center. We will use the remaining $10,000 of the bequest for a project at Faith.
Those of you who knew erwin understand that he lived a life that reflected something of the
steadfast care of the Creator. His eye, like that of God, was on the sparrow, the unhoused,
those addicted to drugs or sick without care. He played a major part in resurrecting Central
City Mission allowing it to become the San Bernardino Wellness Center. His eye was also on his
wife Linda during her final years as her mind journeyed away from this world. He would spend
countless hours with her in her care facility.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you for Your unfailing love. Thank you for the fathers and mentors who
blessed our lives. Strengthen faithers, comfort those who grieve, heal those who carry
wounds. Remind us that Your eye is on the sparrow and that you surely watch over us. At
peace with that knowledge may we walk in the Light of Your Grace.
Grace and Peace, Pastor John Bunge
Coming celebrations:
• June 21 Father’s Day – Root Beer Floats – CCLM presentation by Claire Sekafetz
• June 25 Preschool Graduation @ 11 am
• June 28 Picnic Lunch – Preschool Teacher’s Appreciation hosted by Robin and the
Preschool Committee
• July 5 George Crisp with us
• July 12 Treats in Narthex
Pastor Bunge will be in the office next week, on Monday and Thursday, so he can be a part of
the Preschool Graduation on June 25 @ 11 am.
PANTRY – Next pantry June 27. We could use bags (paper or plastic) for distributing food.
Thanks for the response thus far.
QUILTING – Thanks for the quilts for our graduating seniors! We also have nine quilts for our
San Bernardino Wellness Center to be presented on Sunday to Claire. Eight quilts have been
completed for Lutheran World Relief. Over 250 prayer quilts were made and blessed some to
be taken to Tanzania.
Thanks to our Property Team
Lou fixed the drawers in the Fireside kitchen.
Kyle and Dana are working with JB Hunt for an insurance claim for the back fence.
Thanks to all who continue to give shoes for Soles 4 Souls. We had an anonymous
donation of new shoes this week. The box was full and so was taken for its good
use but filling up again. THANKS. The box is in the Narthex. Thanks to David Strack
for coordinating. Thanks to Holly from Family Assistance Center in Yucaipa for making donations as
well.
Scott Hembre brought new and used shoes from his brother. Thank you!
PRAISE
• Bob Jensen got a good report from his biopsy, non-cancerous. Fantastic!!
• Bonnie Strack was with us again on Sunday and is experiencing gradual improvement.
Continue to pray for her full recovery and for her son Brendan Simms, suffering years from
strokes.
• Pat Teeters was with us as she continues to regain strength.
PLEASE PRAY FOR
• Tom Ziech’s hip surgery has been postponed due to swelling in his right leg.
• The family of former member April Byrem who passed away June 6, 2026.
• Kyle Hadley has been experiencing mobility issues but was with us in worship and is waiting
for MRI results.
• Pat Motschall would like us to pray for newborn second cousin, Conner.
• Members of St. Alban’s have asked us to pray for Father David Caffey.
• Heather Lewis’s mother Rosalind Lara’s recovery has been slow. She is home and is not
given much time.
• Barbara Kuerzinger’s son, Ian, whose colon cancer was discovered early is working through
radiation and chemotherapy. He is on medical leave.
• Lauren Shaffer’s surgery has not happened yet. Her bone biopsy indicated cancer.
• Bonnie Hallberg’s clot in her hip was determined to be stable so they can move forward
with her shoulder surgery.
• Nelson Hall continues to have health concerns. They are checking on his heart function
with a new monitor. He was looking well.
• Kim Guevara appreciates your prayers for Stephanie, the daughter of her friend and
granddaughter, Kayla.
• Continued prayers for Jacque Kottmeier; she was able to visit her daughter but is no longer
able to drive. Bless you Elaine Risso for reaching out to her.
OUTREACH
PRAYER BLANKETS/SHAWLS – to blanket and surround people in love, comfort and
prayers were blessed on Sunday, March 22.
These are being delivered to those who have encountered limited mobility or
received a challenging diagnosis.
Thanks to Karen for the idea.
Thanks to Steve & Sharon Cady for helping with an Action Team to purchase
some with bible verses on them.
Thanks to Carol, Karen, Paula and Pr. John for delivering them.
Thanks to Karen, Irm and Chris Ladd’s Mom for crocheting some beautiful ones.
They each have a label from Faith indicating that they are surrounded by this prayer
community.
SMALL PRAYER QUILTS – Thank you to Pastor John for blessing the prayer quilts. Thanks to
Barbara for the idea, and the quilting group: Emily, Dana & Dona; also, Linda D. & Connie B.
for helping to make them. New ones have been added.
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. There are Monthly Seasonal cards and
generic Thinking of You & Get-Well cards.
THANK YOU TO HOLLY FOR THE FUN WATERCOLOR CLASS. WE PAINTED SAIL BOATS . . .AS
THE BREATH OF GOD PASSES THROUGH US. . . THANKS TO ROBIN WHO JOINED US.
Thanks to Holly, Kim, Alec, Sharon, Barbara, Pat T., Heather, Izzie, Jenny, Maria,
Elaine & Connie for their fabulous creations. Thanks to Linda D. for her
marvelous fabric creations.
PRAYER/FRIENDSHIP ROCKS –
Karen, Sharon C., Carol Hamre & Connie B., continue to paint prayer/friendship rocks for you
to keep, give to someone, surprise someone, or put them 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.
DRIVE BY PRAYER – Paula and Nancy have begun this ministry. They will coincide with the
Pantry dates. Please join them.
SUNDAY MORNING FELLOWSHIP HOUR
JUNE
7 Bishop Dave Nagler was with us for the Graduation celebration, Congratulations
to Elisha, Russell, Izzie and Gwen.
Many thanks to Maria who will be providing enchiladas, to WELCA, for serving
and for salads, to Robyn, for Spanish Rice to Pat M. for providing the cake, to
Connie for the Décor.
14 Biscuits & Gravy Breakfast was well received. Thanks to Carol for the donation of
gravy, to Richard for preparing it with his special spices, to Karen for the great egg
dishes and Connie for the copycat Cracker Barrell hashbrowns.
21 FATHER’S DAY ON THE PATIO – ROOT BEER & SODA FLOATS, AND THANKS TO
KAREN FOR COOKIES AND PRETZELS
28 PICNIC LUNCH AT THE BEACH – PRESCHOOL TEACHER’S APPRECIATION
Hosted by Robin and the Preschool Committee
JULY
5 WELCA
12 FELLOWSHIP IN NARTHEX
19 JAN-JULY BIRTHDAY/ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
TACOS, ETC.
26 PICNIC AT THE BEACH
HOT DOGS/BRATS PROVIDED BY PASTOR JOHN.
PLEASE SIGN-UP FOR BUNS, CHIPS, SIDE DISHES AND DESSERT.
