JESUS AND LAZARUS
March 17, 2026
Lessons for Lent 5
March 22, 2026
• Ezekiel 37:1-14
• Psalm 130
• Romans 8:6-11
• John 11: 1-45
Again, this week we read a chapter of John. Chapter 11 remembers the raising of Lazarus after the four days in a tomb.Jesus is told that a friend of his, “He whom you love is ill.” Jesus does not return right away, saying: “This illness does not lead to death; rather, it is for God’s glory.” What? It does lead to death. Four days in the tomb. Some mourners wondered why he did not return earlier. “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” (11:37) Why does God delay in healing and helping us when we suffer?
Jesus seems to be saying greater glory is set to come because he has waited two days to return. (11:6)
Our preschool chapel time has been focused on society’s rescuers. Police, firefighters and sea rescuers. The children really get into those professions. We like to assure them that help is on
the way. We do not mention people like Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy, who has been missing for over a month. Why the delay in finding her? Will there be some greater glory once
she is found?
The prophet Ezekiel lived in a time when the Babylonian Empire conquered Judah. Jerusalem was sacked, Solomon’s temple was destroyed and the upper classes were sent into exile.
Ezekiel had a vision of the nation as bone and ash. God declares to him: “Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say: “Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are
cut off completely.” (Ezekiel 37:11) God calls on Ezekiel to “Prophesy to these bones.” (Ezekiel 37:4) As he does so the bones are brought back to life. God declares: “I will put my spirit
within you, and you shall live.” (Ezekiel 37:14)
Indeed in 539 BC, the Persian empire conquered Babylon and Cyrus allowed the Jewish people the opportunity to return home. It was not an easy journey, and the land of Judah needed
rebuilding, but they were home. Ezekiel did not live to see that day. He only had a vision of it.
Jesus decides finally to travel to Bethany; despite the dangers that Thomas clearly sees. Martha greets him. She, like Ezekiel, has a vision of resurrection. She was disappointed that
Jesus was not there sooner. “Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died” (John 11:21). Still, she is comforted that Lazarus “will rise again in the resurrection on the last
day” (John 11:24). Despite her disappointment, she sees Jesus as the “Son of God, the one coming into the world.”
Sometimes our prayers are quickly answered and we rejoice. Other times we grieve. Jesus himself weeps with the mourners. (John 11:35) Jesus, reveals to us that God is not distant
from our suffering. The creator mourns the agonies of our earth. We had prayed that the initial surgery for Bonnie Strack would suffice. Further surgery was
performed on Monday to relieve her relentless nerve pain. Steel rods were placed along some of her vertebrae. The surgery went well but that is still pain, which hopefully will abate with
recovery. We continue to unite in prayer. Jesus calls on Lazarus to come out of the tomb. The dead man came out. (11:44) Did he want to? He would enter once again into the world of weeping and be put back into the tomb one day. We do not know his thoughts. We do know that Jesus in that moment demonstrated his authority over death. The miracle would be a sign pointing to the promise of Life for people of faith.
Sadly, this miracle that gives life to Lazarus accelerates the timeline for those who seek the death of Jesus. A council of the Jews decides that “If we let him go on like this, everyone will
believe in him (11:48). Caiaphas the high priest sees that “It is better for you to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed” (11:50).
John knows when he writes his Gospel, the Romans will destroy the holy places and nation. But out of his suffering, Jesus will bring Resurrection and Life! We hold that hope expressed by
Martha. We also learn along with the disciples, that in following Jesus, our own suffering may be for the benefit of others.
PRAYER:
Jesus, may we like Martha have faith to see you as the Resurrection and Life. When prayers are delayed or unanswered, when we feel like dry bones, when we suffer for the sake of
others, may we remember that you suffered for us, you weep with us. Be especially with those in our hearts and on our prayer list and the innocent of the Middle East.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor John Bunge
March 22 -Blessing of the Prayer Shawls/Throws.
March 18 and 25 – the last two Lenten Souper Bible Studies – Wednesdays @ 5:00 pm.
March 18 and 25. This week we look at the final words of Jesus. Thanks to all who signed up to bring soup.
March 29 – Palm Sunday we meet outside and enter with palms in hand. Readers for that day are asked to meet before the service for a quick run through. Texts will be available
this Sunday.
April 3 – Good Friday service at 7:00 p.m.
April 5 – Easter Sunday you can give to toward the special musicians’ fund. Just use your offering envelope. Also, please remember to bring flowers for the outdoor cross.
Treats will be provided in the Narthex.
Pastor Bunge is in the office Mondays and Tuesdays and Wednesday nights. Call to make appointment if you’d like to see him.
Offerings Thanks for all your continued support.
Kyle finished much of the work on the walls of the sacristy.
Lou repaired the wood cross in front of the church.
Connie will be doing the touch-up painting in our updated kitchen.
Pantry – Next pantries, March 14 and 28.
QUILTING – Over 250 prayer quilts were made and blessed on Feb 15. 6 quilts so far this year for Lutheran World Relief. 7 for our San Bernardino Wellness Center. Thanks to Holly
for fabric donation from Family Assistance.
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
• Alec Blue was hired by the Inland Empire 66ers. Their season opens at home April 7.
PLEASE PRAY FOR
• Tom Ziech is hoping to move forward with his hip surgery soon.
• Bonnie Strack had another surgery on Monday to relieve her nerve pain. She is in Redlands Community recovering for a couple of days. Her daughter Laura and Dave
have been wonderful blessings. We continue to pray for her full recovery and for her son Brendan Simms, who has suffered years from a series of strokes.
• Scott Hemre would appreciate prayers for his brother, Jim, who fell.
• Maria Baker is facing back pain from a previous car accident.
• Heather Lewis’s mother Rosalind Lara’s recovery has been slow. She is still at Arrowhead Springs Healthcare.
• Barbara Kuerzinger’s son, Ian, who was fortunate to have his colon cancer discovered early but is facing radiation and chemotherapy and is on medical leave.
• Lauren Shaffer’s surgery has not happened yet. They are still working on the swelling in her right leg.
• Michael Shea has continuing health issues and would also appreciate prayers for his and Ann’s son, Andrew, and for son, Steve.
• Eloise still has some double vision, but it is improving after surgery.
• Bonnie Hallberg’s clot in her hip was determined to be stable so they can move forward with her shoulder surgery but are awaiting appointments for now.
• Nelson Hall continues to have health concerns. They are checking on his heart function with a new monitor. He was looking well when I saw him last week.
• 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. She hopes to catch a ride from her neighbor Elaine Risso.
• Continued prayers for Bob Jensen for answers to his kidney issue.
PRAYER BLANKETS/SHAWLS- to blanket and surround people in love, comfort and prayers. These will be blessed on this Sunday, March 22 and distributed by Pastor
John, Karen, Carol and Paula.
Thanks to Karen’s idea, we are providing PRAYER BLANKETS/SHAWLS to those who are mostly homebound and people who have received a challenging medical
diagnosis or challenging recovery.
Thanks to Karen for crocheting beautiful variegated blue and pastel ones. Thanks to Sharon & Steve Cady providing an action team to help purchase ones with Bible
verses. Thanks to Chris Ladd for donating, one made by her mother, and to Irm who is also willing to crochet some. Each will have a label sewn on them from Faith.
SMALL PRAYER QUILTS – Thank you to Pastor John for blessing the prayer quilts. Thanks to Barbara for the idea, and Emily, Dana, Dona, Linda D, Connie B. for helping to
make them.
Wonderful outreach stories: from Chaplaincy group, Texas, Illinois, and Colorado. They are available for you to pick up in the Narthex. Please help yourself as we have made
plenty. They are meant as an outreach to all.
NOTE on MAILING THE PRAYER QUILTS – THEY REQUIRE $1.27 if you put only a card and quilt in a regular sized envelope. YOU CAN PURCHASE A $1.27 STAMP AT THE POST OFFICE AND MARK THE ENVELOPE HAND CANCEL TO AVOID DELAY. (you can also put 2 first class stamps on the envelope or put any combination of stamps you
may have to total $1.27.)
HANDMADE CARDS – We still mail about 37 BIRTHDAY CARDS AND ANNIVERSARY CARDS AND CARDS TO THOSE ON THE PRAYER LIST monthly. And we will 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.) (Watercolor or
Fabric) Thanks to Linda D. for her marvelous fabric creations.
Thanks to Kim, Barbara and Holly for Easter cards.
Thank you to our watercolor color class that meets on the 1st Sunday – Holly, Kim, Alec, Sharon, Barbara, Pat T., Connie for providing the card creations.
WATERCOLOR CLASSES usually are on the first Sunday of the month. We will skip Easter Sunday, April 5, and resume May 3.
PRAYER/FRIENDSHIP ROCKS – There are Easter themed rocks available for you. 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.
22 POTLUCK – It’s Spring Celebration with Salads – Thank you to those who signed up to bring salads.
We need someone willing to bring bread or rolls. Thanks,
29 PALM SUNDAY – WAFFLES – Thank you to Richard & Jenny!
4 EASTER Sunday – bring flowers for the outdoor cross Treats in the Narthex
12 Thank you to Maria for Shepherd’s Pie and Heather for Salad
NEEDS LIST & THANK YOUs
o Any monetary donations can be given through the offering, marked Fellowship
o Stamps can be left at the office marked card ministry.
o Always any Bingo Prizes are welcome
o Thanks to Pat T. and Sharon C. for the Bingo prizes!
