INDEPENDENCE DAY AND PRESCHOOL CELEBRATION
Lessons June 28
• Jeremiah 28:5-9
• Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18
• Romans 6:12-23
• Matthew 10:40-42
Lessons July 5
• Zechariah 9:9-12
• Psalm 145:8-14
• Romans 7:15-25a
• Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
I hope you have a great 4th of July Celebration planned. Connie and I will be heading to Doheny
Beach next week so we will not be with you on July 5. But we will be with you this Sunday to
celebrate our Preschool.
250 years ago the Declaration of Independence declared that all people “are created equal
and “are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Right.” One’s rulers are NOT the
ones to grant dignity to people; the Creator did that when humans were created in the image
of God (Genesis 1:27). Thus, governments derive “their just powers from the consent of the
governed.”
Unwrapping the depth of that ideal has been our journey as a country for these past 250
years. Some people would like us to think that the journey to recognizing the equality of all
people has been easy, “self-evident” from the start. Elisha and I will be also singing Lift Every
Voice and Sing this Sunday, which is clear about the difficulties on the road to freedom.
Many people suffered and died to help our nation live more fully into our declaration. It was
not until the 100th Anniversary of our nation that slaveholders were forced to release those
enslaved by the centuries-old notion that certain humans were not equal. At our 150th
Anniversary, men finally voted to give women the right to vote.
We see that the journey is not over, earlier this month for example, the Southern Baptist
Convention voted to continue to restrict women from pastoral ministry.
As a community of Faith, we can appreciate the principles of human dignity, justice,
accountability and a recognition of the Creator which are found in the Declaration of
Independence. July 4th is a good time to rededicate ourselves to the work of helping our nation
and world experience more fully the kingdom of God coming near.
Looking up Abraham Lincoln quotes is also a great way to celebrate July 4th
.
He saw the Declaration’s promise of equality not as an ideal that the founders achieved but as
a standard toward which the nations should strive.
For him: Freedom is not the right to do what we want, but what we ought.
The Apostle Paul would heartily agree. Paul writes to the Romans in chapter 6:12 that we
should not allow our momentary desires rule over us. Through Christ we are set free to do
what is righteous. We pray that as citizens of a great nation we will continue to strive to “do
what we ought.”
John tells us in 3:16 that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that
whoever would believe in him might have eternal life.
In Matthew 10: 42, Jesus says that: “even a cup of cold water given to one of these little ones”
will be rewarded. We are reminded that as we reflect the compassion and humility of Christ to
the world; even small efforts are rewarded.
This summer we challenged ourselves to give a cup of kindness to the homeless through our
gift to the Community Wellness Center in San Bernadino. Claire Sekafetz was with us to accept
a check for their Godly work.
Our next challenge is the balcony railing for Ombeni’s home church in Chome, Tanzania. The
congregational budget will match your gift to that effort. We are hoping to raise $6,000. The
Bishop is on board.
True freedom is based on acts like these when we offer our care for the world God loves.
This Thursday we will celebrate way we care for the “little ones” among us. Some of our
preschool children will be graduating. You are invited at 11 am in the sanctuary with a
reception to follow in the Fireside room.
This Sunday we will recognize our preschool staff. They do so much more than give cups of
cold water to our little ones. They lead them, watch over them and teach them how to enjoy
one another’s company. Each week during chapel time, we celebrate the love of God for them.
As that spills over into their lives, as they rejoice and reflect that love of God, great will be
their reward.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, you welcome us into Your kingdom by grace alone. Teach us to welcome others as
You have welcomed us. Open our eyes to the everyday opportunities to serve with kindness
and humility. May we never underestimate the value of small acts of love done in Your name.
May we recognize Your presence in all those we encounter, especially this Sunday we
recognize the “little ones” you have sent our way, bless them and our teachers.
Grace and Peace, Pastor John Bunge PS No Message next week.
Coming celebrations:
• 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 will be with us
• July 9 Open House at the Wellness Center starting at 8:30 am 1354 – N. G Street
• July 11 One Day Drama Camp for 13 -18 year olds 10:30 am to 1:30 pm
• July 12 Treats in Narthex
Pastor Bunge will be in the office Monday and Thursday so he can be a part of the Preschool
Graduation on June 25 @ 11 am. He will not be in the office next week.
PANTRY – Next pantry June 27. We could use bags (paper or plastic) for distributing food.
Thanks for the response thus far.
QUILTING – We presented nine quilts for our San Bernardino Wellness Center to Claire
Sekafetz. 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 and took down the swing set in the toddler area.
Kyle and Dana are working with JB Hunt for an insurance claim for the back fence.
Together with Tim Drom they are also working to improve the entrance to our parking lot.
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.
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 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. If you know someone who would benefit
from a prayer shawl, let us know.
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.
NEXT WATERCOLOR CLASS WILL BE JULY 12
Thanks to Holly, Kim, Alec, Sharon, Barbara, Pat T., Heather, Izzie, Jenny, Maria,
Elaine, Robyn & 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
21 FATHER’S DAY ON THE PATIO – ROOT BEER & SODA FLOATS, AND THANKS TO
KAREN FOR COOKIES AND PRETZELS, AND TO THOSE WHO HELPED SERVE: KIM,
IZZIE, HEATHER, AND MARIA.
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.
