Scriptures for
February 15, 2026
Light upon Light –
Transfiguration
• Exodus 24: 12-18
• Psalm 2
• 2 Peter 1: 16-21
• Matthew 17: 1-9
Have you had those moments of Light upon Light in your life?
One of the joys of being a grandparent is seeing the thrill of young children as their eyes fall
upon what has for me become ordinary.
Our grandson, Blake, has been working his thighs, up and down he goes. Recently, he
caught his reflection in a mirror. Down and up, he would go, seeing his reflection appear again
and again; peek-a-boo with himself brought joyful amazement.
Our granddaughter, Lily’s eyes are likewise open to see wonder in what is new. Over
Thanksgiving, she saw a plastic owl sitting on top of a home and happily proclaimed: “Owl”.
She saw my daughter’s driver’s license and yesterday wanted her to share that with Grandma.
Through the years, our hearts can get hardened. I have seen my share of plastic owls,
working my thighs is not so easy and seeing my reflection or driver’s license photo causes less
wonder than concern. Is that really me?
As the season of Epiphany ends, we journey up the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus,
Peter, James and John. We want to bring the brightness of Epiphany with us, before we trek
through the season of Lent, which begins February 18, Ash Wednesday with the solemn
words: “you are dust and to dust you shall return.”
Right now, athletes from across the world are on the mountain tops of Italy. Connie and I
have been catching bits of the Olympic games. We and the world watch in wonder as athletes
jump, spin and rocket through the snow and dance and race across the ice, seeming
superhumans. Will even they be dust one day? If so, may gold not just dangle from chests but
embed itself in their hearts.
Jesus appears superhuman on the mountain shining like the sun, his clothes ablaze. Moses
and Elijah stand with him, breaking the veil between heaven and earth.
2 Peter 1: 16-21 remembers this moment when the God conveyed honor and glory to Jesus
saying: “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” For Peter remembering
this moment was:” A lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star
rises in your hearts.”
Have you had a shining moment lately, which brought awe to your eyes?
Peter would encourage us to be open to the miracles around us and carry those moments
with us.
I have been overly blessed this past year as I have been able to marvel at lives of our
grandchildren and journey with Ombeni to Tanzania observing life in its diversity in the
Serengeti and seeing the power of the Spirit alive in the Lutheran church there.
Peter thought at the time that it would be a great idea to freeze the moment of time,
preserving it by setting up three tents, one each for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. We are not sure
which mountain the Transfiguration occurred, but on the mountain that is our best guess,
there are three chapels built, pictured below.
We just cannot help trying to
preserve the beauty we see.
I have thousands of pictures of
Tanzania. My son and daughter and
their spouses have thousands of
pictures of our grandchildren. I get
reminders on my phone of these
memories, which are great. We can
carry the memory with us. In truth,
however, we cannot preserve in tents
or chapels the wonders of our lives.
This year the Seahawks raise up the Lombardi trophy, next year it will be the Chiefs (or
some other less worthy team.) This year’s gold medal winner will become a future
commentator. Remembering the Lovely in life is beneficial. We can put them in our heart.
Trying to preserve it is not possible.
The disciples were overcome with fear, through all of this. Jesus touches them and says:
“Get up and do not be afraid.” As they go down the mountain Jesus orders them to: “Tell no
one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” (Matt 17:9)
Jesus will carry this vision in his heart until his heart is broken on the cross and healed again
on Easter. Peter will carry it with him through a season of denial and sorrows: “Until the day
dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” Carry the Lovely with you, you cannot
preserve it, you can live in its Light.
Prayer: Lord when our faith feels dim, may we remember bright elevated moments. When
the cost of living is heavy may we hear your voice calling us not to be afraid but to get up. We
are “dust and to dust we shall return.” But when the eternal flashes before us, when the veil
between heaven and earth opened, like “A lamp shining in a dark place, a morning star rising
in our hearts.” May we be inspired to be corridors for heaven to enter earth.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor John
Reminder: Ash Wednesday Service – February 18 @ 7pm.
Lenten Souper Bible Studies follow each Wednesday @ 5:30 pm. February 25 – March
25. Several have already signed up to bring soup; add your name to the list in the narthex.
We will be studying the book the Message of Jesus.
Pastor Bunge is in the office Mondays and Tuesdays.
Offerings Thanks for all your support, giving statements for 2025 are available in the
narthex.
Elisha’s Yucaipa Choir Elisha Mkanza made an appeal for support for his High School
Choir’s trip to the Southern California area competition. Wow what a response, WE MADE
IT. Faith will be recognized as a Platinum sponsor in their program.
Let your Light so Shine
We added more light to our sign out front. Let us know what you think. We also added
more lighting to the front of the church sanctuary, so the streaming of our service is
improved. Sorry about last week, no internet. The sound for the streaming is much
improved and does include Closed Captioning.
Hopefully we have the internet issue resolved that interrupted the recording last Sunday.
Thanks:
Kyle for working on the drainage by the sacristy door and working on the walls of the
sacristy. He also added metal strips by the oven in the Fireside room.
Lou repaired wood vents by the front of the sanctuary and fixed the toilet in the women’s
bathroom. You guys are Great.
Connie will be doing the touch-up painting in our updated kitchen.
Pantry – We were blessed with two vans loads of cereal unpacked by Joe and Carol. We
are good with cereal for now. But still could use extra sweaters, coats or sweatpants.
Note the date of the next pantry is February 14. If you know of someone with needs
between now and then give Carol Jensen a call. We are glad to help but do need to track
who we are helping with the pantry.
QUILTING – 36 quilts were made in 2025. 16 were boxed for Lutheran World Relief, which
distributes them around the world. 10 were given to our San Bernardino Wellness Center.
Thanks to the group who are helping to make prayer cloths that will be blessed and
available on Sunday, February 15.
Thanks to all who continue to give shoes for Soles 4 Souls. The
box was full and so was taken for its good use. 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.
PRAISE
• Jennifer Maldonado is done with radiation treatments. She plans on being back in our
Preschool in April.
• Jan Wheeler hopes to be closing in on the issues with her leg.
• Bob Jensen is back with his urologist and is moving forward on what procedure would
best deal with the sist on his kidney. Avoiding crowds for now to avoid infections.
PLEASE PRAY FOR
• Craig Baker and family as they mourn the death of his uncle Gayle Dean Baker.
• Maria Baker is facing back pain from a previous car accident.
• Heather Lewis’s mother Rosalind Lara is regaining her strength at Arrowhead Springs
Healthcare, but still not home.
• Bonnie Strack is still seeking relief from back pain and has not been able to be with us.
She also appreciates prayers for her son Brendan Simms, who has suffered years
from a series of strokes.
• Barbara Kuerzinger’s son Ian, who was fortunate to have his colon cancer discovered
early but is facing radiation and chemotherapy.
• Lauren Shaffer’s surgery has not happened yet. They are still working on the swelling
in her right leg.
• Jeanne Koening’s surgery was also postponed.
• Michael Shea has continuing health issues and would also appreciate prayers for his
and Ann’s son, Andrew.
• Eloise still has some double vision. She has a checkup schedule for February 6.
Parkinsons is acting up.
• Bonnie Hallberg is still awaiting shoulder surgery. The blood clot discovered in her leg
has not dissolved. She sees a doctor next Monday. The shoulder is painful, but not
overwhelming and the clot must be taken care of first.
• Nelson Hall continues to have health concerns including his heart function and
breathing but he and Karen were able to move to their new home, and he is doing
better in that situation.
• Kim Guevara appreciates your prayers for granddaughter, Kayla, who is now living
with her father, their son, Kyle.
• Continued prayers for Jacque Kottmeier who, due to her eyesight, is no longer able to
drive. Nice to have her neighbor Elaine Risso back with us in worship.
FELLOWSHIP/OUTREACH
SMALL PRAYER QUILTS – With the help of the Quilting
Group, we are working on prayer quilts with crosses on the
inside. Thanks to Barbara for the idea, and Emily, Dana, Dona,
Linda D, Connie B. for willingness to help to make them.
Thanks to Linda D. for her beautiful fabric card creations. –
One of the members of the congregation who has received and treasured
monthly one of her fabric cards for the last year has now asked us to make
them into prayer quilts so she can use in her Bible/Prayer Study.
They will be blessed on February 15 and will be available for you to pick up in the Narthex.
HANDMADE CARDS – We will still mail about 37 BIRTHDAY CARDS AND
ANNIVERSARY CARDS AND CARDS TO THOSE ON THE PRAYER LIST monthly. And
provide CARDS IN THE NARTHEX for members to mail. We will include Monthly Seasonal
cards and generic Thinking of You cards (can be sent
for Thank you or Get Well.)
Thanks to Linda D. for her marvelous fabric creations.
Thank you to our watercolor color class that meets on the 1st Sunday – Holly, Kim,
Alec, Sharon, Barbara, Pat T., Connie for their fabulous heart creations. These cards
will accompany prayer cloths to be mailed to the prayer list next week.
WATERCOLOR CLASSES WILL BE ON THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH. WE’LL
PAINT CARDS FOR THE MONTH. NEXT CLASS ON MARCH 1
(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.)
PRAYER SHAWLS – Thanks to Karen’s idea, we will also be providing PRAYER
SHAWLS to those who are homebound and people who have received a challenging
medical diagnosis. Thanks to Karen for crocheting a beautiful variegated blue shawl.
Thanks to Sharon & Steve Cady for their willingness to provide an action team to help
with this. Thanks to Chris Ladd for donating a special shawl made by her mother.
We plan to have them blessed by Easter. We have started a list, please let Connie
know if you know someone that would like to receive them.
PRAYER/FRIENDSHIP ROCKS –
Karen, Connie B., Sharon C., and Carol Hamre continue to paint prayer/friendship rocks
for you to keep, give to someone, surprise someone, or put in your garden, etc.
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
FEBRUARY – CELEBRATING LOVE
1 Thanks to Kim for Taco Soup – Fabulous! She has provided recipe if you desire.
8 Thank you to WELCA!
15 HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY
Thanks to Nancy for her fantastic Spaghetti
Thanks to special Diane Watson for cookies from the Cookie
Company!
22 POTLUCK – note the 4th Sunday will be Themed Potlucks
THEME: LOVE IS IN THE AIR WITH APPETIZERS
Thanks for signing up to bring food or help clean up – in NARTHEX
LENTEN SUPPERS – Thanks for signing up in the Narthex. Note if you are bringing soup,
you are the Host for the evening for set up & clean up. (Others in attendance also
will assist).
NEEDS LIST
Some of you have asked us to publish a list of donations that are needed for the
Fellowship Hour on Sundays & Outreach Projects. Thank you.
o Thanks to Kim & Cesar for donating creamers, tea and juice
o Thanks to Kim for donating stamps for prayer card mailings
o Any monetary donations can be given through the offering, marked Fellowship
o Stamps can be left at the office marked card ministry.
o Thanks to Pat T., Sharon C., Pat M. for donating Bingo prizes.
o Thanks to Mimi for the monetary donation for stamps for the card ministry.
o Thanks to Karen Hall who provided a new coffee pot for Fellowship and
Pantry use!
o Always any Bingo Prizes are welcome
Is there anyone willing to do a Bible Trivia as a game for one of the Sundays?
Let Connie know.
