Dealing with the Storms of Life
Lessons for August 9• 1 Kings 19:9-18
• Psalm 85:8-13
• Romans 10:5-15
• Matthew 14:22-33
As we continue our reading of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus finally has some alone time to pray.
He needed the time away after his rejection in Nazareth, the beheading of John the Baptist
and the healing and feeding of the crowd that followed him.
Meanwhile the disciples have been sent on ahead in a boat. They are not experiencing a
peaceful time of prayer. They are far from land. Their boat is being battered by waves. Several
of the disciples were fishmen, but their skills cannot overcome the storm. The wind is against
them.
Early in the morning Jesus comes walking toward them on the sea. As if battling a storm all
night were not enough, now the disciples are terrified that they have seen a ghost.
Jesus says: “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Jesus did not promise that storms would never come. In fact, he sends them out into the
storm. What he provides is His presence amid the storm.
For Peter, Jesus’ presence is a huge encouragement. He asks Jesus to command him to get out
of the boat and walk on the water as well. Jesus does not dissuade him. Peter can make the
first few steps, but then Peter focuses on the strong winds again and begins to sink. He cries
out: “Lord save me.” Jesus reaches out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little
faith, who did you doubt?”
Our grandchildren both walked by their first birthday. We did not dissuade them, even though
we knew they would fall at times. Peter’s story reveals a Christ who encourages us on and
offers a hand when we fall. All through life we have the wonderful assurance that the
wounded hand of Jesus is reaching out for us. Peter would later deny Jesus, but though his
faith was “little” at times, he became a Rock for the early church.
Global warming is bringing heat, winds, floods and waves with increasing frequency. People
throughout the world find themselves in situations beyond their control. We may feel the
world as a whole and our own personal lives are like a ship is going down.
Like Peter we may be drawn to focus on the storm and not on the hand of the creator that is
reaching out to us.
Once Jesus enters the boat, the wind ceases. The disciples respond by worshipping Him and
declaring: “Truly you are the Son of God.”
The storm acts as a source of revelation. Coming through the fear and uncertainty, the
disciples come to know and trust Jesus more deeply.
There are storms we cannot calm, moments when our courage fails and our faith feels small.
Matthew reminds us that Christ is walking towards us, even across troubled waters. Peter
reminds us to look not at the storm but at the hand reaching out towards us.
Our first lesson from I Kings is another example of dealing with the storms of life. This time it is
Elijah, who was riding high. He is coming off an amazing victory over the priests of Baal at
Mount Carmel. The triumph was so complete that Queen Jazabel, who supported the priests,
put a bounty on Elijah’s head. He is forced to flee. Out in the desert, he hides in a cave.
He was zealous for the Lord even while the rest of Israelites “have forsaken your covenant,
thrown down your altars and killed your prophets with the sword.” Now he feels very alone.
What does he do?
He waits while a great wind splits the mountain around him and an earthquake rumbled
through followed by fire. All followed by a sheer silence.
It is in the sheer silence that calls on Elijah to finally comes out of his cave. There God voice
can be heard assuring him that he is not alone. Hazael, Jehu and Elisha are still out there and
beyond those leaders there are 7,000 more.
Happily, here at Faith we are not alone. Together we have not grown weary of doing good.
Together, we were able to be generous in our Summer of Generosity and we continue to look
for Jesus walking toward us, stretching out his hand, renewing our faith.
PRAYER Lord Jesus, the winds of life blow against us at times. Earthquakes, winds and fire
grow strong in our neglect of your creation. May we look for you walking on the waves, look to
you encouraging us and reaching out your hand when we fall. Speak to us in the sheer silence.
Calm our storms, deepen our trust. Help us to see that we are not alone.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor John Bunge
The SUCCESS of the 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.
August 2, we gave a check to Ombeni for his home church in Chome, Tanzania. $3,304.30 was donated and supplemented by our general fund to pay the $6,000 for the complete
project, which will provide railing for the balcony area and for the stairway up there. Last call, if you want to give to this effort, they are still
appreciated. Just indicate on your envelope or check. Ombeni hopes to send the money ahead so he will have pictures when he visits later in August.
Driveway Improvement
We started the repair of the broken, sunken concrete at the entrance to the south, main parking lot. They will be doing half the work at a time so the south parking lot will always be
open. However, you might want to use the north, alley way entrance, instead. City inspections and concrete drying time will mean that the work will be completed two weeks apart for each side. 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 Request Any one up for painting the Sacristy now that it is finished? We would like to update the whole area. Let me know. This is a great Action Team project.
Special Property Thanks
Kyle completed his work on the Sacristy area which had some flooding. He and Dana have also been working with a roofer to check for areas of possible leaks. The bid from Jerry Herbert was
just under $7,000. Kyle and Dana also oversaw the work on our back gate which was paid for by JB Hunt trucking. Kudos to Kyle also fixed the 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 off the sanctuary. Craig Baker and Logan brought over rock from Sunshine Growers to replenish the riverbed
area out front.
Pastor Bunge will be in the office Mondays and Tuesdays.
PANTRY – The Pantry is averaging around 60 family units each time. Some that we serve did
not venture out in the heat last week. Next pantry dates are August 8 and 22. 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 beneficial 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.
• 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. Her funeral is at Our Savior’s, Banning, on Wednesday August 6 @ 2pm. When the church was
built her father helped to complete it.
• 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 is able to get around with a brace and is looking forward to a vacation out West.
• Tom Ziech’s hip surgery has been postponed, due to swelling in his right leg.
• 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.
OUTREACH
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 for teaching the class, Kim, Alec, Sharon, Barbara, Pat T., Heather, Izzie, Jenny, Maria, Elaine, Robyn & Connie for their fabulous watercolor creations.
THANKS ALSO TO ELAINE WHO JOINED US ON SUNDAY. Thanks to Linda D. & Connie for their marvelous fabric creations.
NEXT WATERCOLOR CLASS WILL BE SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 (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. THANK YOU TO
ELAINE WHO HAS EXPRESSED DESIRE TO PAINT ROCKS AS WELL.
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
2 WELCA – WHAT A MARVELOUS SPREAD OF FOOD & HOSPITALITY!!
9 TREATS IN NARTHEX We will be serving Krispie Crème donuts thanks to an
anonymous donor of $ and coupons
16 BACK TO SCHOOL FUN DAY – PIZZA AND GAMES AND SCHOOL SUPPLY PRIZES
Recent graduates will be hosting the games. All school age kids are welcome!
School supply prizes for all participants
Thanks much to Debi Hitter!!!! for Action Team
23 POTLUCK – PIE DAY – MEAT OR SWEET
30 Bagels, Cream Cheese, and Salads
