Scriptures for November 23, 2025
• Jeremiah 23: 1-6
• Psalm 46
• Colossians 1: 11-20
• Luke 23: 33-43
TAKE ME TO YOUR
LEADER
This Sunday is Christ the King Sunday. When in worship we acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus. In the Magnificat (Luke 1: 46-55), Mary introduces her son as a ruler who will upend the world. God had “looked with favor upon on her lowliness.” Surely God would also “lift up the lowly and fill the hungry with good things.” Meanwhile the rich and powerful will be “brought down and sent away
empty.”
In August the national ELCA assembly elected as their leader, presiding Bishop, Yehiel Curry. In a recent message he remembered Mary’s words and thanked congregations like ours for distributing food especially during the government shutdown. We will give out special baskets for Thanksgiving, this Saturday. Join the joy of giving by coming at 7:30 to help. This is one of the ways we lift up the lowly.
All through his Gospel, Luke remembers how Jesus “brought Good News to the poor, release to the captive, sight to the blind and freedom to the oppressed.” (Luke 4:18-20). In the final scene from the cross, (Luke chapter 23), we see how the hope of Mary’s song and vision of her son’s first sermon are fulfilled. He would not be a king who would usher in wondrous prosperity for the wealthy. Instead, even on the cross, he would offer forgiveness to the mocking crowd, paradise to the thief next to him, and an adopted son to his mother.
Mary remains confident of “all sufficient grace of God”. Her hope is affirmed when her son who had been captive in death was freed from the tomb. The upending of the world, Mary foresaw, was realized everyday through her son’s ministry. After his resurrection, Mary joins the disciples in praying that his message of hope and forgiveness would spill out upon the world. Their
prayers were answered on Pentecost.
Bishop Curry remembered Mary and the image of the vine and the branches in John 15, which illustrates: our connectedness to him and through him, to one another. Our rootedness in Christ sustains us with his love. His love connects us to one another. We are called to face the challenges of this moment together.
Last Sunday we met to look at the year ahead. We plan to continue to feed the hungry, provide quilts for those in need of warmth, bless the children in worship and through our preschool, support the work of NA, AA and Alanon, provide camperships for our youth and invite new friends to join us as we follow the leadership of the Prince of Peace.
Thank you for your support in this work, through your worship, your involvement and your offerings. Special thanks to your council:
Those just elected and reelected are:
President – Paula Winters, Vice-President – Ombeni Mkanza,
Treasurer – Barbara Kuerzinger, Recording Secretary – Pat Motschall,
Outreach and Social Concerns – Emily Smith.
Continuing on: Robyn Blue – Preschool, Caroline Mkanza – Financial
Secretary, Kyle and Dana Hadley – property and Karen Hall – worship.
Bishop Curry ended his message with a prayer taken from All Creation Sings p.50:
Gracious God, we pray for our public servants, that they do their work in a
spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice. Inspire them to use their authority to
serve faithfully and to promote our common life. Guide our leaders to govern
in such a way that all people enjoy a peaceful and just society. In Jesus name
we pray. Amen Grace & Peace, Pastor John
NEW MEMBER CLASS
We have a group of people interested in membership. We will have a special welcome session for them after the service this Sunday the 23rd. What to join
with them. Please let Pastor Bunge know.
Thanks to all who brought items for THANKSGIVING for the PANTRY. They will be distributed on Saturday November 22 from 8 to 10:00. Pastor Bunge will be in the office on and off next week to spend time with family. Please call him if you need an appointment.
SUNDAYS
November 23 Christ the King Sunday. Farewell to the year of the Gospel of Luke and hello to the year of Matthew. Christ the unlikely King.
WE WILL PREPARE FOR THE ADVENT SEASON FOLLOWING THE POTLUCK ON THE 23RD @ appx. 11:30 A.M.
PLEASE PLAN TO STAY TO HELP PUT UP THE TREE, ADVENT BANNERS, ADVENT WREATH AND OTHER DECORATIONS.
November 30 The First Sunday in Advent and the Baptism of our granddaughter Lily with refreshments following service.
QUILTING – 26 quilts are done. 16 were boxed for Lutheran World Relief, which distributes them around the world. 10 were given to our San Bernardino
Wellness Center.
MOVING FORWARD WITH YOUR SUPPORT Thanks to Kyle Hadley and Lou Hitter and Dana Hadley for helping with the installation of the oven! You are totally appreciated!
We will use the stove and oven for refreshments, meals, for our preschool snacks and a card- making technique at the direction of Emily.
Together with Tim Drom we are blessed with people caring for our property. Thanks to Connie for doing the touch-up painting. Thanks to Jenny Beal for donating pots and pans
and baking dishes.
We will be updating our sign out front and lighting it. Let us know what you think of the solar lighting at night. Walker Signs is assisting with the sign. (He had a child in our preschool).
Michael Gross is working on the sound system upstairs.
PRAISE
• Eloise came through her surgeries and chemo for the melanoma discovered around her eye. All appears well but, they will do further diagnosis later.
PLEASE PRAY FOR
• The Hamre family – Scott’s mother, Dorothy, passed away on October 25.
• Ann Shea’s – Aunt Jean Fenton also passed away.
• Pat Motschall after tests and consultation with her cardiologist, Pat will need to replace her aortic and mitral valves. She is meeting with her
primary doctor this week to move the process along.
• Connie Bunge has a surgery date on her kidney stone on Nov. 26.
• Bob Jensen also developed a kidney stone and infection and a cyst was found.
• Bonnie Hallberg is still awaiting shoulder surgery. The blood clot discovered in her leg has not dissolved. The shoulder is painful, but the clot must be taken care of first.
• 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 likes her new home at 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 the Preschool in January.
• Continued prayers for Jacque Kottmeier who, due to her eyesight, is no longer able to drive.
• 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.
FELLOWSHIP/OUTREACH
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 B. Fall cards are in the Narthex; Christmas season by Dec. 1
PRAYER/FRIENDSHIP ROCKS – New Christmas season rocks will be available by Dec. 1 Karen, Connie B., Sharon C., and Carol Hamre 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 Narthex, Chapel and Fireside Room for the AA, NA, Al-anon, pantry etc. groups that meet weekly.
WATERCOLOR PAINTING CLASS by our OWN MASTER WATERCOLORIST, HOLLY –after church about 12:00-1:00. It is a great time. And Holly is very
patient. We had a great turnout of 10 people to our first class. We are making cards for Christmas Season.
(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.)
30-40 CUP COFFEE MAKER: Our 2nd coffee maker quit. Before we purchase another one, does anyone have one in their cupboards that
you’re not using?
SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE HOUR
NOVEMBER
23 POTLUCK – Mexican Cuisine Thanks much to Maria Baker for bringing her famous Mexican enchiladas.
Thanks for your sign-ups. Anyone wish to bring vegetables or fruit?
30 GRANDDAUGHTER, LILY BAPTISM
John/Connie provide refreshments
DECEMBER
7 WELCA
14 BD/ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS – Oct-Dec
Jerry Mills has graciously offered to bring his famous roast beef dish Pastor John will also bring one. Salad and cake.
21 BINGO – Meatballs & Mac & Cheese Christmas theme; any donations welcome
28 DARK – Enjoy with family/friends
