October 21, 2025 – Lessons for October 26
• Jeremiah 31: 31-34
• Psalm 46
• Romans 3: 19-28
• John 8: 31 -36
Looking for Peace
This image is the statue of Martin Luther on the campus of Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, IA. Dubuque is the town where I was born and Wartburg is the Seminary I attended, fond memories.
My brother and I are pictured below having a rootin’ tootin’ time in Dubuque. 
Back in 1517, Martin Luther was not having such a rootin’ tootin’ time. He had been burdened with the question: “How can I find peace with God?”
His father, Hans, was a leaseholder of copper mines and smelters and served on the local council. He was not troubled with Luther’s question. He wanted Luther to be a Lawyer and add to the wealth of the family. Luther did attend the University of Erfurt and graduate with a Master’s Degree at age 21. He enrolled in law school but dropped out, to seek instead a deeper understanding of God.
To this end, he entered St. Augustine’s Monastery in Erfurt, Germany. My sister, Marcia and I stayed in rooms at the corner of the Monastery, pictured here. At the time of Luther the rooms were smaller and unheated. Luther devoted himself to fasting and long hours of prayer. Still his soul was restless. He “lost touch with Christ the Savior and Comforter, and made him the Jailer and hangman of my poor soul.” His superior encouraged him to move away from solemn introspection and throw himself into an academic career. In doing so, he graduated as a Doctor in Theology in 1509.
He became chair of theology at the University of Wittenberg. His residence there has been wonderfully restored as a museum by the now united German people. As Luther studied and lectured on the Psalms, Hebrews, Romans and Galatians, he came to see that rather than the climbing up to God, we are called to have faith that God has come down to us.
Luther explained his concept of “justification” in the Smalcald Articles, which I quote here: The first and chief article is this: Jesus Christ, our God and Lord, died for our sins and was raised again for our justification (Romans 3:24–25). He alone is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29), and God has laid on Him the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:6). All have sinned and are justified freely, without their own works and merits, by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, in His blood (Romans 3:23–25). This is necessary to believe. This cannot be otherwise acquired or grasped by any work, law, or merit. Therefore, it is clear and certain that this faith alone justifies us … Nothing of this article can be yielded or surrendered, even though heaven and earth and everything else falls (Mark 13:31).
This was a truth that was hidden underneath the Roman Catholic church of the day. Pope Leo X, who had never been a priest, bought his way into the papacy as a part of the Medici family of Florence. He lived lavishly, spending money on the arts, charities, friends and relatives. He led a costly war to aid his nephew. His spending drained the treasury and brought on debt. To pay for it, he authorized the sell of indulences, which were a get out of a purgatory free cards.
The selling of these indulences lead Luther to post the 95 Theses on the door of the castle church in Wittenburg, Oct. 31, 1517. He asked in Thesis 86 “Why does the pope, whose wealth is greater than the wealth of the richest Carssus, build the basilica of St. Peter with the money of poor believers rather than with his own money?” Those Theses start a change reaction that changed the course of Western Christianity. The foundation of faith for Luther was the Grace
of God which has been summarized as God’s Riches at Christ Expense. He never let go of that Truth inspite of the hardship it would bring him.
We receive that Truth as a gift to us. Wear red on Sunday to celebrate.
PRAYER Lord, thank you for the witness of Martin Luther who renewed your chur 
ch by clinging to Your Word. May we stand firm in our trust in Christ alone.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor John
HUGE THANK YOU to all who donated items and assisted with the RUMMAGE SALE. Nearly $1,700 was raised to benefit the Pantry. As a reminder, the PANTRY is open 2 nd & 4th Saturdays; from 8 to 10:00. We have 25 turkeys
for Thanksgiving distribution. If you can donate one that helps as well. Starting now and ongoing to Thanksgiving, we are asking donations from the church family for the other parts of a Thanksgiving meal, as well, such as cranberries, turkey dressing, gravy, canned vegetables, canned yams and any other miscellaneous items.
QUILTING – Was not that wonderful for have 26 of the quilts from our quilting group on display! Some will be sent to troubled areas throughout the world through Lutheran WorldRelief. Others will be given to the San Bernardino Wellness Center.
COME HEAR IRM & PASTOR BUNGE this Sunday, 4:00 p.m. The music of American composers. University of Redlands Memorial Chapel Tickets available online or at the door. Irm has sung with the Chorale for Years. Now Pastor Bunge auditioned and joined them. We invite you to the first production this Sunday, October 26. LUX, inspirational works by American composers. There will be a reception for season ticket holders.
Other performances:
Dec 14: Christmas Treasures
Mar. 15, 2026, St. John Passion with Bach and period instruments.
May 17, 2026: West Side Story
Pastor Bunge will be in the office on Tuesday afternoon and Thursday next week.
WATERCOLOR PAINTING CLASS by our OWN MASTER WATERCOLORIST, HOLLY. A new session will begin Nov. 6-Dec. 11, Thursdays, 4:00 p.m. If interested, let Holly or Connie know. No class fee, materials provided if you do not have own. For taking the class, we ask you to please donate to the Camp fund for youth.
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP
We have funds to update our sign out front and light it, adding a stove to the Fireside Room for convenience of refreshments, meals, and our preschool. Thanks to Kyle Hadley and Lou Hitter for helping with the installation of the oven. Walker Signs is assisting with the sign out front. Together with Tim Drum and Dana Hadley we are blessed with people who care for our property.
PRAISE
• Bronson, the grandson of Brenda Batt, came through his procedure on his sinuses.
• Eloise came through her surgeries and chemo for the melanoma discovered around her eye. She is seeing the surgeon on Friday for an update.
Please pray for:
• Pat Motschall after tests and consultation with her cardiologist, Pat will be needing to replace her aortic and mitral valves. She is meeting with her primary doctor this week to
move the process along.
• Connie Bunge is still awaiting surgery on her kidney stone. Out of empathy, Bob Jensen, developed a kidney stone.
• Nelson Hall continues to have health concerns including his heart function and breathing.
• Lauren Shaffer who works with us remotely, made it through her surgery and is recovering well. Once fully recovered she will be scheduled for surgery for a stent on her right leg, likely mid-December.
• Kim Guevara appreciates your prayers for granddaughter, Kayla, who is now living with her father, their son, Kyle.
• Judy Martin has moved into Golden Oaks and is receiving Hospice care.
• Bonnie Strack appreciates continued prayers for her son Brendan Simms, who has suffered from a series of strokes.
• Jennifer’s 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 able to go 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.
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. We will provide fall cards in October/early November.
PRAYER/FRIENDSHIP ROCKS – Karen, Connie, Sharon C., and Carol Hambre have painted prayer/friendship rocks for you to keep, give to someone, surprise someone, or put in your garden, etc. We have painted for a Prayer Ministry that Paula will begin; rocks are available in the Chapel and Fireside Room for the AA, NA, Al-anon, pantry etc. groups that meet weekly.
SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE
19 Thank you to Nancy, spaghetti, Bonnie S., Salad, Robyn, rolls, Karen H., cakes and Paula and Kim & Cesar who helped with Coffee Hour!
23 POTLUCK – CHILIFEST Thanks to all who signed up. If questions, please contact Karen Hall
2 WELCA
9 Veterans Celebration – Richard/Jenny, Spaghetti
16 Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting Donuts and Coffee in Narthex
23 POTLUCK – Mexican Cuisine Maria bringing her famous Mexican surprise
30 GRANDDAUGHTER, LILY BAPTISM John/Connie provide
7 WELCA
14 BD/ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS – Oct-Dec
21 BINGO
28 DARK – Enjoy with family/friends
