Lessons for August 31:
Proverbs 25:6-7a
Hebrews 13: 1-8, 15-16
Psalm 112
Luke 14: 1, 7-14
Have you been told lately to watch your table manners?
Connie and I will be visiting both our grandchildren in the weeks ahead. (and their parents – our children – and their spouses of course). We have been enjoying the pictures of Blake and Lily moving to food they can hold in their hands. Thank Goodness for highchair trays and bibs.
As they move through life, the etiquette spelled out above comes into play. I do see why parents and other guests are interested in good table manners. Connie, for
example, got a shoe full of orange juice from a toddler next to us in a restaurant. The toddler had refused to use a sipper cup. Adding to the lack of manners was the lack of apology from mother. Disappointing.
In our text for Sunday, it is Jesus who is interested in table manners. He is observing people pushing their way forward to places of honor.
Jesus suggests it is better to sit lower and be asked to come higher. “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (7: 11)
Humility does not seem in vogue right now. For example, people visiting the White House are encouraged by past experiences to pour on the compliments.
Still there are those who are exalted for their humility. One might check out the life and words of Abraham Lincoln for exalted humility.
I have also enjoyed the self-deprecating humor of Nate Bargatze, who has seen his star rise of late. The humble do get exalted in this world at times. For Jesus it would be the intervention of God that would exalt him affirm him in his humility. Jesus goes on to suggest that people take another step forward and care for those who cannot repay you. “When you invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind. You will be blessed because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (Luke 7:13 and 14)
You might notice already Halloween items filling store shelves. It rivals Christmas in the number of decorations. Halloween is short for All Hallows Eve. The day before All Saints. On the Sunday after All Saints, we remember and exalt members of Faith who have passed away since the previous All Saints. We exalt these members, who humbly and persistently worked for the benefit of others. Their priority was not rushing in to get places of honor. Their humble service is now being repaid and appreciated by us and the angels.
Last Sunday I mentioned that we cannot demand that God repay us or exalt us in this present world. But there are times when the marvelous happens among us and we are called to rejoice.
As an example: one of the ways Faith blesses people who “cannot repay us” is through our pantry. The situation for the pantry last weekend looked grim. There would be no produce or bread from our normal sources. Then the Good News started rolling in to Carol Jensen. Holly Warner’s charity (Yucaipa – Calimesa Family Assistance) was remodeling and had food to share, Holly also brought eggs and lemons, Jerry and Bonnie Mills brought Zucchini,
Carol bought some groceries at Smart and Final at a discount. The bags given out were graciously filled.
PRAYER – Gracious and humble Lord, you teach us that greatness is found not in seeking the highest place, but in lowering ourselves to serve others. Thank you to the Saints among us who opened their hearts to us and others who cannot repay their kindness. May our life become a banquet of kindness and mercy.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor John Bunge
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP
Thanks to Lou Hitter for leveling the countertop in the fireside room. It looks great. They will be on vacation for a few weeks, traveling through Wyoming and South Dakota.
Again, thank you to all for your support of the church in Tanzania.
Pastor Bunge is back in the office and will be here Mondays and Tuesdays.
Meditation – Nelson is planning on being back on September 4 and will offer an opportunity
for new members to join the group.
PANTRY -2nd & 4th Saturday; from 8 to 10:00. The Lord is good and has provided for our pantry. We still could use rice, soup, canned fruit, canned meat (chicken or tuna) and, of course, always cereal. Any donations to the church designated “Pantry” are used to make food purchases for the pantry. Thanks for your support.
WATERCOLOR PAINTING CLASS by our OWN MASTER WATERCOLORIST, HOLLY. We are taking a break until sometime soon this Fall.
DRAMA CLASSES for Youth directed by Michelle Mureaux will begin again in the Fall.
QUILTING – Emily Smith’s Group (909.255.2452) has cleaned up the sewing room. They have completed 4 quilts for the San Bernardino Wellness Center and six for LWR.
PRAISE
• Pat Teeters is home with medications after being hospitalized with fluid on her lungs. She hopes to be back in Church soon.
• Nelson Hall is home slowly but surely recovering; he received communion on the 12th.
• Brad Blue continues his recovery and is back at work.
• Robyn Blue’s grandniece Lainey celebrated her 4th Birthday and continues her recovery.
Thanks to all who continue to give shoes for Soles 4 Souls. The box is still in the Narthex for continued donations. Thanks to David Strack for coordinating.
Thanks to Holly from Family Assistance Center in Yucaipa for making donations as well.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS
• Eloise will be having surgery on Melanoma discovered around her eye on September 9 with a follow up on the 16th. She was blessed to have an optometrist who noted Melanoma and referred her to a renowned LA surgeon, who will be doing the surgery. Thanks for your prayers.
• Kyle Hadley has a soft tissue infection in his ankle and has been on antibiotics for a couple of weeks. He is improving daily.
• Bonnie Hallberg will be rescheduling her shoulder surgery. A routine ultrasound done prior to the surgery fortuitously discovered a blood clot in her leg. She is on blood thinners to dissolve the clot and will reschedule shoulder surgery likely three months from now.
• Michael Shea had oral surgery on August 20 and appreciated our prayers.
• Lauren Schafer made it through her surgery and is recovering. She does have swelling a blood clot which they will resolve in October.
• Kim Guevara lost her mother Carol who lives in Canada. Thank you for your prayers. Kim and Cesar are on their way to Canada and will be returning Sept. 5.
We continue to pray for Cesar Guevara’s brother, Marco. They did receive some good news as Kayla, their granddaughter, is now able to live with son, Kyle.
• Debbie, a friend of Kim Guevara’s, is being attended to in Scottsdale; was released from the hospital and is recovering after receiving a new liver.
• Judy Martin has several health issues and cannot return to church. Thanks for your prayers, cards and visits by Carol.
• Bonnie Strack appreciates continued prayers for her son Brendan Simms, who has suffered from a series of strokes.
• Jennifer’s breast chemo treatments for cancer are over, her surgery is scheduled for August 20th to be followed by radiation treatments.
• Continued prayers for Jacque Kottmeier
• Jeanne Koening. Her health issues continue but she is now connected to Loma Linda, so care is much closer.
24 Thanks for helping us celebrate the July-September Birthdays and Anniversaries
31 POTLUCK – We will have Festival Day with Tacos. Thanks for everyone signing up
7 WELCA
14 At the Beach theme
21 BINGO & RAFFLE are back! Thanks so much for your support in prize donations. This is a very popular game day!
28 POTLUCK – Please sign up in the Narthex
PRAYER CARDS – Thanks for sending out cards to remember family and friends.
Thanks again to the artists: Emily, Kim, Barbara, Karen, Holly, Pat T., Linda D., Connie
PRAYER/FRIENDSHIP ROCKS – Karen & Connie have painted some prayer/friendship rocks for you to keep, give to someone, surprise someone, etc. Thanks to Sharon C. who will help.
