Dealing with Disappointment
• Isaiah 55:1-5
• Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21
• Romans 9:1-5
• Matthew 14:13-21
Matthew 13: 54- 58 and 14 1-12,
tell of Jesus’ rejection in Nazareth
and the beheading of John the
Baptist. Jesus needs some time alone, so he departs in a boat to a deserted place.
When sorrow and disappointment crash into our lives, time away is a good first step in dealing
with grief and rejection. I remember my mother dealing with the death of my father. She
needed time to pause and reflect. Her life would never be the same again. She in fact would
be a widow for the next 47 years, longer than she had been married to him.
Jesus in our text for Sunday is not given much time to reflect. When the crowds discovered
which way he went, they followed him on foot. Jesus turns and has “compassion on them.”
Jesus could have turned to them in anger over the rejection of his hometown. He could have
berated them for not standing by John the Baptist or given into discouragement. Instead, he
cures their illnesses and worries when they are without food in a deserted place.
Jesus is showing us a second step to dealing with disappointment and loss: Compassion for
others.
Like Jesus, my mother was not given loads of time to mourn. She was living in a parsonage and
would need to move. Happily, a family in the church rented their home to her while they were
in Alaska. She would use that time to find a home near a public park so her grandchildren
would have a place to play. She remained active with them for decades. She also remained
active in her church, working especially with the young adults of the church, opening space for
them to build relationships. They would come to honor her decades later at the service we had
at her committal.
Recently Michelle Mureaux led drama camps in the area upstairs. They were a wonderful
blessing to the youth who attended. She shared with me that she felt called. In listening to
that calling she was able to move forward from her own sense of loss.
Jesus could not heal many in Nazareth who rejected him, but he was able to bring healing to
the crowd and went further to be concerned about any hunger they might be feeling.
This was the third step of Jesus we can follow. Despite the dark clouds that had fallen on his
life, Jesus still believed he had agency in this world. As night falls, the disciples urge Jesus to
“send the crowds away.” Jesus suggests that the disciples “give them something to eat.” They
replied that they just brought a sack lunch for one. Jesus takes the five loaves and two fish
blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to distribute. All ate and were
filled, and they took up the leftovers, and the broken pieces filled twelve baskets full.
(Matthew 14:19-20). “Those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and
children.” (14:20)
Twice a month we at Faith provided meals for 40 – 60 families or about 1,200 per year. I figure
we distribute enough for 4-6 meals or over 5,000 meals for families each year. We feed 5,000
every year.
Over the years since I have been here the sources of our food have changed. Erwin Bushauer
passed away, Carol Jensen stepped in. Feeding America has reduced the amount they offer us.
Our link to some other sources changed, for example our link to eggs from Hemet was lost.
However, new sources have arisen like our connection with Family Assistance through Holly
Kirkwood. This ministry is ever in motion, but we continue to have agency.
I credit my mother for having faith in her
agency. She could not redirect my youngest
sister’s slide into drugs, but she was there for
my nieces whose lives are richly blessed by her
care.
Chapters of life change. Thomas Wolfe’s classic
was entitled: You Can’t Go Home Again. He had
a list of things we cannot recreate. As we
follow Jesus, we see that his world, our world,
indeed the whole universe is in constant
motion. Jesus himself was not welcomed in his hometown.
We can, however, follow the path of Jesus and find places of peace, with hearts open to
compassion and full of faith in our agency to feed those who hunger for hope.
PRAYER Lord Jesus, thank you for places of peace. May we follow you there when our hearts
fill with anguish, feed us in our hunger with the life bread of compassion and hope. Thus, filled
to overflowing may we turn and with compassionate eyes trust in our agency to bring baskets
full to a hungry world around us.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor John Bunge
UPDATE ON OUR SUMMER OF GENEROSITY – WE DID IT!! thank you!!! THANK YOU!!!
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 was for the church in
Choma, Tanzania. $3,144.30 was donated. These
gifts were supplemented by our general fund. So,
we will be sending $6,000
with Ombeni when he
travels back there this
August. It will provide
railing for the balcony area
and for the stairway up
there. Any gifts you might
still want to give to this
effort are still appreciated. Just indicate on your envelope or check.
Driveway Improvement
We will start to repair the broken, sunken concrete at the entrance to the main parking lot. I
would recommend using the north, alley way entrance next Sunday. The cost of this project is
$15,000 so any additional funds you can give would be appreciated and can be marked for this
purpose on your check or envelope. Again, thank you for your great response to our SUMMER
OF GENEROSITY and to Dana, Kyle, Tim, Lou, who worked with the contractor.
Special Property Thanks
Kyle worked this week on the Sacristy area which had some flooding. He and Dana are also
working with a roofer. Work is complete with our back gate and with pumping issues which
resulted from a break in water main caused by the electric company.
Tim Drom worked with Tom Ziech on the irrigation system out front. Tim is following up. Tim
and Patrick Drom also worked with Pastor on the sound and lighting in the sanctuary.
Lou completed work on much-needed shelving in the storage area.
Craig Baker and Logan brought over rock from Sunshine Growers to replenish the riverbed
area out front.
Pastor Bunge will be in the office Monday (July 27) and Saturday (August 1) this week and
Monday and Tuesday next week.
PANTRY – The Pantry is averaging 60 family units each time. Some of those we serve did not
venture out in the heat last week. Next pantry August 8 and 22. July 25. We could use bags
(paper or plastic) for distributing food and pasta and pasta sauce and cereal.
DRIVE BY PRAYER – Paula and Nancy have begun this ministry. They coincide with the Pantry
dates. Please join them.
QUILTING – More batting has been ordered. Linda Drom provided a $250 Action Team. The
quilting group wants to start making some smaller crib size quilts for Santa Clause
Incorporated. This is an organization based out of San Bernardino and serves very low-income
families. They help to provide things like packages for newborn babies that include items like
burp cloths, clothing, diapers, and a quilt. Currently they need 1,000 quilts.
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.
PRAISE
• Both Mark Koger and a relative or Pat Motschall, new born, Conner are in recovery and
have appreciated our prayers.
PLEASE PRAY FOR
• Laura, the daughter of Bonnie Strack. Her car overturned, rolling down an embankment.
Miraculously she is now home. She was wonderful help to Bonnie in her recovery.
• 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.
• Diane C., a friend of Krissy Koger who has cancer.
• Kyle Hadley has been experiencing mobility issues as the result of a torn meniscus but able
to get around with a brace.
• Tom Ziech’s hip surgery has been postponed due to swelling in his right leg. Thanks for his
help with the irrigation system.
• 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 now 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, great to have her with us at drama camp.
• 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.
PRAYER BLANKETS/SHAWLS
We have prayer blankets to deliver to those who have encountered limited mobility or
received a challenging diagnosis. Let Connie or Karen know if you know a need.
SMALL PRAYER QUILTS – Thank you for taking the prayer quilts to people. New ones are
added weekly. Thank you to the quilting group and Connie.
HANDMADE CARDS – We still mail about 37 BIRTHDAY CARDS AND
ANNIVERSARY CARDS AND CARDS TO THOSE ON THE PRAYER LIST monthly. And
we 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.
WATERCOLOR CLASS WILL BE THIS SUNDAY (1ST SUNDAY) ABOUT
11:45 AFTER SOCIAL HOUR
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 26 THANK YOU FOR A FUN “PICNIC AT THE BEACH” DAY Thank you to Pastor
John for Hot Dogs; Bonnie & Dave for Chips and Buns; Sharon & Steve, Buns; Karen,
Macaroni Salad; Bonnie M, Potato Salad; Paula, her famous strawberry dessert and Jenny &
Charlotte for Texas Chocolate CakE and everyone who brought their appetite.
2 WELCA
9 TREATS IN NARTHEX Thank you Karen for providing breads!
16 BACK TO SCHOOL FUN DAY – PIZZA AND GAMES AND SCHOOL SUPPLY PRIZES
Thanks much to Debi Hitter!!!! for securing an Action Team
23 POTLUCK – PIE DAY – MEAT OR SWEET
30 TBD (Bingo will happen in September)
