LESSONS
• Exodus 32:7-14
• Psalm 51:1-10
• 1 Timothy 1:12-17
• Luke 15: 1-10
REJOICING WITH JESUS
What is worse than misplacing your keys or
phone or glasses? What is a better feeling than
when you find them?
Right now I have tags on my wallet and keys and a find my app on my phone so I have ways of
finding these items if I misplace them, which has been helpful from time to time.
Of course in the “good old days” such options were not available. 40 plus years ago now, I
dropped a full set of keys in the church Christmas tree lot in Overland Park, KS. My car, house
and church keys were all on the ring and I had not not yet made duplicates. I looked for them
the old fashioned way, desperately raking through the pine needles with my hands. As the sun
was setting, one of the youth found them. There was rejoicing in my heart.
In the 15 chapter of Luke, Jesus tells three parables about rejoicing when lost items are found.
The stories are prompted by grumblings about Jesus welcoming tax collectors and sinners and
eating with them. Why does Jesus rejoice to see them listening to his preaching?
The first parable is about a shepherd who has lost one of his sheep. Jesus asks: Which one of
you, would not leave ninety-nine in the wilderness and look for the one? In my mind, the
obvious answer is – no one. Who would risk losing ninety-nine sheep for one wayward sheep?
Maybe if the 99 were in a locked corral, but this shepherd seems willing to risk it all 100 for the
one. When he finds the lost sheep, there is a rejoicing in his heart. In fact, the neighbors are
called in to help celebrate.
The second parable is like my story. A woman who loses one of her ten silver coins. Her coin
was equivalent to a day’s wage, so something but her life’s savings. She diligently looks for it.
She lights a lamp; sweeps the house. She so happy when she finds it, that she “calls together
the neighborhood to celebrate.” Why is she that happy over a rather small amount?
Why are Jesus and the angels so happy when we are found to be a part of the Kingdom of
God? Are we worth that much?
The last parable is the parable of the prodigal son. Again, there is rejoicing when the “lost” son
returns. The older son, the responsible one, who has been home the whole time, hesitates to
join the celebration his father started. He does not see a lot of worth to this Ne’er-do-well who
has squandered his inheritance. Neither does the elder son appreciate the lack of appreciation
he has experienced. The father tries to help his eldest son to see that the younger son is his
“brother”, worth a BBQ.
I remember Coke commercials singing about the world learning to sing in perfect harmony.
Many in our world now have given up on that dream. Like the older brother, we are not
excited about helping ne’er-do-wells or looking for lost coins. The idea is to stay securely
huddled with the 99.
Jesus makes clear that God finds no delight in hunkering down only with those who are like-
minded. God the creator of a vast universe is not content with “most” things going well. God is
like a shepherd who is in tireless pursuit of you and me. Even a single coin is worth a diligent
search. God is like a father who never stops watching and longing for the return of his son.
The son sees himself as worthless as he leaves pig slop behind to plead for a servant’s place in
the father’s house. But the father runs to embrace him and offers robe, ring and feast.
Throwing caution to the wind, he restores him well beyond what he deserves.
God’s love is relentless for us, which is a great comfort but also a challenge. Jesus value us,
searches for us. Can we open our hearts to follow him and know the joy of finding, forgiving
and embracing others? The older brother hesitated.
I do not see the same hesitation at Faith. When Caroline’s brother’s family visited Faith, they
felt welcomed and jumped right into bingo. When my sister and I visited, they and the church
and the whole village responded with open arms. We hope to reciprocate when Ombeni’s
brother and sister-in-law visit us next September.
At Faith we rejoice when every new child in our preschool hears about Jesus, when youth sent
to camp experience the nearness of God, when confirmation students affirm their faith, when
people respond in Bible Study, when new members are welcomed, when sacks of groceries
are given out, when quilts are sent around the world and to the Wellness Center in San
Bernardino, when handmade cards or rocks given to persons on our heart.
Jesus is calling us, not to just think about our own personal faith and our own way in this
world. When we link to Jesus, we link to those Jesus loves, we are drawn to love the lost ones
he is looking for. Like pieces of a wondrous puzzle, if one piece is missing, it is not complete.
PRAYER Lord, thank you seeking me out. May my heart mirror yours. May I rejoice with the
angels in heaven over all the lost that have found their way home.
Grace & Peace, Pastor John
RUMMAGE SALE to benefit the Pantry will be held October 17 & 18. Items can be brought to
the church this Saturday 9/13 between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., and on Sunday 10/12. Manpower
will be available to take items upstairs. If you would be willing to assist let Carol Jensen know.
PANTRY -2nd & 4th Saturday; from 8 to 10:00. The Lord is good and has provided for our pantry.
One of the recipients of the pantry has volunteered his pickup. Still, we 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.
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP
The support of the church has been such a blessing. We are now looking at adding a
stove to the Fireside Room for convenience of refreshments, meals and our preschool.
Thanks to Kyle Hadley for looking into this, with Lou Hitter helping with the installation.
Together with Tim Drum we are blessed.
Pastor Bunge will be in the office on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Meditation – is back meeting on Thursdays at 1 pm.
WATERCOLOR PAINTING CLASS by our OWN MASTER WATERCOLORIST, HOLLY. We will be
beginning the next session this Fall. Call Connie Bunge if you are interested 951-514-1214.
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.
• Pat Teeters was with us on Sunday, after being hospitalized with fluid on her lungs. Blessed
are the first responders who likely saved her life. Thanks to Bonnie & Dave for bringing her.
• Kyle Hadley is off the antibiotics and back helping around the church.
• Nelson Hall continues to recover and will be leading the Meditation group.
• Robyn Blue’s grandniece Lainey celebrated her 4th Birthday and continues her recovery.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS 
• Eloise will be having surgery on Melanoma discovered around her eye on Sept. 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.
• 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 is recovering. He awaits replacements for
the extracted teeth.
• Lauren Schafer , made it through her surgery and is recovering
which includes taking liquid off her leg, she also has a blood clot which will involve surgery
in October.
• Kim Guevara lost her mother Carol who lives in Canada. Thank you for your prayers. Kim
and Cesar were back with us on Sunday. They did receive some good news as Kayla, their
granddaughter, is now able to live with her father, their son, Kyle.
• 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 went well but she is
now receiving radiation treatments. She plans on being back in January.
• Continued prayers for Jacque Kottmeier
• Jeanne Koening. Her health issues continue but she is now connected to Loma Linda, so
care is much closer.
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.
FELLOWSHIP/OUTREACH
THANKS to Maria Baker who has volunteered to help with Sunday Morning Coffee Hour
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. and Carol
Hembre who are also painting.
We are going to paint for a Prayer Ministry that Paula wants to begin and work to have
some available in the Fireside Room for the groups that meet there at some point.
SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE HOUR
SEPTEMBER
7 WELCA
14 PICNIC AT THE BEACH
Sub sandwiches, Jerry’s Fabulous Potato Salad, Ice Cream Sundae Bar
21 BINGO & RAFFLE are back! Thanks so much for your support in prize & raffle
donations. This is a very popular game day and lots of fun.
28 POTLUCK – BBQ AT THE BEACH With Brats, Hot Dogs, Beer (non-alcoholic)
Signup available this week
