The Sower and the Seed Lessons July 12
• Isaiah 55:10-13
• Psalm 65:9-13
• Romans 8:1-11
• Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
I hope you had a great 4th of July.
Thanks to George Crisp and Irm and
volunteers for taking care of the
service while we were away.
Connie and I watched the fireworks
at Doheny Beach from a bluff above
the beach.
Below the bluff was Dana Point’s
Baby Beach where we met grandson Blake on July 3,
for an afternoon in the sand. Amazing how much
fun you can have in the sand. Amazing how many
young ones you can fit on that beach.
In our Gospel for Sunday, Jesus is sitting beside the
sea when a crowd gathers. With so many people he
got into a boat to speak.
Parables were a way Jesus loved to use to bring the truths of heaven close to people, including
the disciples. They did not always get the point. Jesus explained it later in the chapter.
One point of this parable is to be generous in spreading out the seed of the Word of God.
Seeds in the days of Jesus were cast out by hand so naturally some landed on unfavorable
places. But this Sower appears extravagant, much like Jesus himself. Speaking the Word of God
to the crowd on the beach. He spoke to the faithful, the doubtful, the rich and poor, religious
leaders and notorious sinners.
While at Dana Point, we visited a nearby Denny’s which has classy old school seating. The staff
works together well and has been there for years. Our waiter remembered us from months
before and had our order down after day one. Connie complimented him on his hair cut,
which lead to story. He had been cutting his own hair, ever since his wife was in the hospital.
Her surgery had not gone well, and she had been in a coma for weeks. On another visit, he
told us the story of how he met her. They worked together at his former employment. As the
relationship developed a jealous co-worker turned them in and he lost his job. But his love for
her only grew. We told him we would pray for him and her.
In yet another encounter at our hotel, an employee told us about leaving a demanding fiancé
and a demanding Elon Musk job. The stress was less and he felt blessed, but his family could
use prayers for their health. So, we added them to our list.
Yet another employee told us about the joy she experienced in her ELCA church in San Diego.
Jesus looking out over the people on the beach
knew there were a lot of people who could use a
word of encouragement and hope. Thus, he was
generous in scattering the seed of the Word.
He was clear, sometimes the Word falls on hard
ground where it cannot take root. Other times it
may take root but wither in the sun. Still other
times thorns grow up and choke the seed. Jesus
points out these thorns are cares of this world and
the desire for wealth.
Knowing that not every seed hits home, Jesus kept on tossing out them out because the need
of the people on the beach and the promise of a harvest from a receptive heart – 30, 60 or
even 100-fold.
The picture above is a Van Gogh painting called the Sower. Vincent lived a trouble life. His
brother, Theo, kept pouring out praise and encouragement. Surely prolonging his life. There
are new theories about how his life came to an end. What we do know is that Theo never quit
tossing seeds of grace his brother’s way. Theo died six months after his older brother at age
33. It was Theo’s wife, Johanna, who would bring Vincent’s work to a wider audience, which
persists today. The harvest was truly 100-fold.
This summer we are spreading seeds not only in Yucaipa but to the unhoused in San Bernadino
and to the church in Choma, Tanzania, hopeful of a harvest.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank you for being an extravagant Sower who rejoices in being able to scatter the
seed of Your Word. May our hearts readily receive Your grace. Break up hardened paths.
Remove the rocks of which cause us to falter when trials come. Rip out thorns of worry, desire
for wealth which distract us and choke out Your life within us.
May we be Sowers rather than reapers in this world. Bless the sowing of seeds here at Faith
and for the unhoused in San Bernadino and the congregation in Choma.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor John Bunge
Coming celebrations:
• 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
UPDATE ON OUR SUMMER OF GENEROSITY
We sent $6,000 off to the San Bernadino Wellness Center, formerly the Central City Lutheran
Mission, which was doubled to make it $12,000.
$2,500 was sent to the Synod and again doubled to make it $5,000.
Our final summer appeal is for the church in Choma, Tanzania. Last year, parishioners danced
in the aisles as they brought up their offerings to the basket you see below. They shouted for
joy at our $500 gift.
We would like to bless that growing
congregation with another monetary gift.
The pastor has been there for years and is
doing excellent work, and the church is
overflowing, even with multiple services,
when that happens people must listen
from outside. We would like to pay for a
railing to the balcony area pictured here.
They have a stairway to the balcony area
but as you see, there is no railing upstairs
or on the stairs.
For approximately $6,000 they would complete this as part of their
ongoing building project. They will be dancing in the aisles and in the
balcony because of our gift.
Our church council decided to match gifts for this effort so your
$100 would become $200. Just make your check out to Faith and
indicate on your envelope or check that this will be for Choma. Our
Bishop gave a gift through our website which now accepts debit and
credit cards.
Pastor Bunge will be in the office Monday and Tuesday this week and next.
PANTRY – Next pantry July 11 and 25. We could use bags (paper or plastic) for distributing
food. Thanks for the response thus far.
DRIVE BY PRAYER – Paula and Nancy have begun this ministry. They will coincide with the
Pantry dates. Please join them.
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.
Thank you!
Kyle and Dana are working with JB Hunt for an insurance claim for the back fence. And thanks
to Kyle for fixing the leak in the Sacristy.
Together with Tim Drom they are also working to improve the entrance to our parking
lot. Thank you!
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
• The family of Heather Lewis as they mourn the death of her mother Rosalind Lara. She
passed away on Saturday, July 4 at 3 am.
• Tom Ziech’s hip surgery has been postponed due to swelling in his right leg. It was nice to
have him with us at services on June 28.
• 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.
• Barbara Kuerzinger’s son, Ian, is still working through radiation and chemotherapy.
• Lauren Shaffer’s surgery has not happened yet. Her bone biopsy indicated cancer.
• Bonnie Hallberg is ready for surgery but is not suffering as badly and is wait and see.
• 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. She suffered a stroke that is affecting her vision.
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. 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.
NEXT WATERCOLOR CLASS WILL BE JULY 12
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.
SUNDAY MORNING FELLOWSHIP HOUR
JULY
5 Thanks to WELCA!
12 FELLOWSHIP IN NARTHEX – treats by Karen and Connie
19 JAN-JULY BIRTHDAY/ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
TACOS, ETC. Thank you to Kim and Connie
26 PICNIC AT THE BEACH
HOT DOGS/BRATS PROVIDED BY PASTOR JOHN.
PLEASE SIGN-UP FOR BUNS, CHIPS, SIDE DISHES AND DESSERT.
