April 7, 2026 Easter 2
Thomas and Doubts
Readings for Sunday
• Acts 2:14a, 22-32
• Psalm 16
• 1 Peter 1:3-9
• John 20:19-31
Easter is not just a day — it is a whole 50-day season. We started on Resurrection Sunday by remembering at all the people who were running with Good News: The women, Peter and the
beloved disciple, the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus. None of them were looking back, they were running forward. Thomas is slow to join the running with Good News. He is not with the disciples when Jesus
appears to them Easter Evening. He has his doubts. To be fair to Thomas and others doubted as well. The disciples did not believe Mary and the other women, until Jesus appeared to them. We read in Matthew 28:17 that even as Jesus commissions the disciples in Galilee “some doubted” (Matthew 28:17).
Doubting is a part of life and needs to be. There are plenty of scammers out there ready to deceive us. I get alerts and I know people that have been taken advantage of: scammed out money they sent to “friends” they met on the web. 
Others thought their grandchildren needed bail money, so they sent cash to an unfamiliar number, others posed as employees of Amazon. Matthew tells us that the chief priests wanted guards placed at the tomb so the disciples
would not steal away the body and tell people, “He has been raised from the dead”, that deception for them would make things worse. What changes Thomas’ mind? How does he move from being a sceptic to a believer?
1. The wounds of Jesus
Thomas wanted to touch the wounds of Jesus before he would believe. Jesus showed his wounds to the disciples on his first visit. What do you need to believe? What do you need to motivate you to run into the future with
Good News? The wounds of the nails and the spear? The wounds others bear for you? One of the wonderful supports of faith comes from people who are willing to be wounded for the sake of others.
I was on the Board of a homeless shelter in Hemet. The people who worked there gave up income and worked long hours to move people from homelessness to being sheltered and eventually independent. Some of them had been homeless themselves. They let their vulnerability show, willingly sharing their wounds to be encouragement to others. People who can transform their pain into compassion for others and have the strength to
connect deeply with others support my faith. I have faith in the ability of people to care and faith in the power of Love to transform the world. This week the airman lost in Iran was found through the heroic efforts of his comrades in arms.
They were willing to put their lives in harm’s way for his sake. Who are the people willing to be wounded for you? They are the ones deserving of honor. They are the ones who can strengthen your faith. Henri Nouwen suggests our vulnerabilities, our wounds can be an entry point into bringing healing to others.
2. Connection with others encourages Thomas’s faith.
When Jesus first showed the disciples his hands and his side, they rejoiced and Jesus said: “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” John 20:21 One of first people they are sent is Thomas. The first people the women are sent to are the disciples. Initially none of these people were on the same page. The women run back to the disciples with Good News but are not believed, still they stay with the disciples. Then Peter and the beloved disciples ran to the tomb. Jesus then appears to most of the disciples. Thomas does not believe their story but they stay connected. They are all there next Sunday with Thomas for the breaking of the bread. In the end Thomas is with his friends when he sees the wounds of Jesus and proclaims, “My Lord and My God” (v29). These words of honor and faith are the highest and clearest of any disciples. The wounds of Jesus and the connection with the other disciples were key for
Thomas’ faith.
PRAYER (Inspired by the words from Henri Nouwen)
Lord thank you for those who gave of themselves for me. May I offer peace today, a smile, a word of healing. May I breathe in your peace letting go of regret, anger and resentment. May I trust that the love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor John
Reminders Easter is 50 days come celebrate with us.
May 3 – Confirmation with Bishop Nagler
May 10 – Mother’s Day
Pastor Bunge is in the office Monday and Tuesday next week. Call to make appointment if you’d like to see him. He and Connie will be out of town the later part of April.
Offerings Thanks for your support, we had a wonderful offering Easter Sunday.
Kyle finished much of the work on the walls of the sacristy. We are looking at organizing the work area a bit better.
Lou was able to open the liquid wax altar candle and repaired the wood cross in front of the church. You guys are Great.
Connie will be doing the touch-up painting in our updated kitchen.
PANTRY – Next pantry is April 25. We could use bags (paper or plastic) for distributing food.
QUILTING – Over 250 prayer quilts were made and blessed on Feb 15; they are in the Narthex for you to distribute. 6 larger quilts so far this year for Lutheran World Relief. 7 for our SanBernardino Wellness Center. Thanks to Holly for fabric donation from Family Assistance.
THANK YOU TO DEBI FOR TAKING PICTURES FOR THE DIRECTORY ON PALM SUNDAY.
An updated copy of the directory will be available by April 19.
SPECIAL NEEDS –
Dave & Bonnie Strack need a reliable house cleaner.
Also, Ceasar’s brother, Marco, has need of a couch.
Please contact them directly.
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
Thank you for a marvelous Easter Sunday Service!
Irm – Beautiful Music, Stunning Altar and Pew Flowers, offering them for people to take to special people; and for organizing the incredible musicians Irm, Piano & Organ; Ann Shea, flute; Michael Shea, Timpani; Andrew
Shea, Trombone; & Anthony Larios, Trumpet.
Elisha & Julian – soundboard and taping
Connie – Treats in Narthex and Flowers on Cross, baptismal font
Holly & Ken Kirkwood for providing the Easter eggs
Melody, Elisha, Rachel for doing the fun Easter Egg hunt
• Elaine Risso who had fallen has recovered and was back with us in worship.
• Tom Ziech was with us in worship. Pray for his hip surgery to happen soon.
• Michael Shea was able to play the timpani on Sunday but does have continuing health
issues and would also appreciate prayers for his and Ann’s son, Andrew. Great to have the whole family here.
• Bonnie Strack was with us on Sunday and had been encouraged by her doctor. Continue to pray for her full recovery and for her son Brendan Simms, suffering years from strokes. strokes.
• Scott Hemre lost his brother, Jim, pray for the family as they mourn his death.
• Heather Lewis’s mother Rosalind Lara’s recovery has been slow. She is still at Arrowhead Springs Healthcare but has a smile on her face.
• Barbara Kuerzinger’s son, Ian, who was fortunate to have his colon cancer discovered early is working through radiation and chemotherapy. He is on medical leave.
• Lauren Shaffer’s surgery has not happened yet. They are still working on the swelling in her right leg.
• Eloise still has some double vision, but it is getting better after surgery.
• Bonnie Hallberg’s clot in her hip was determined to be stable so they can move forward with her shoulder surgery; She has a Dr. appointment this week.
• Nelson Hall continues to have health concerns. They are checking on his heart function with a new monitor. He was looking well.
• Kim Guevara appreciates your prayers for granddaughter, Kayla, who is now living with her father, their son, Kyle.
• Continued prayers for Jacque Kottmeier she was able to visit her daughter but is no longer able to drive.
• Continued prayers for Bob Jensen for answers to his kidney issue.
PRAYER BLANKETS/SHAWLS – to blanket and surround people in love, comfort and prayers were blessed on Sunday, March 22. These are being delivered to those who have encountered limited mobility or
received a challenging diagnosis.
Thanks to Karen for the idea.
Thanks to Steve & Sharon Cady for helping with an Action Team to purchase some with bible verses on them.
Thanks to Carol, Karen, Paula and Pr. John for delivering them.
Thanks to Karen, Irm and Chris Ladd’s Mom for crocheting some beautiful ones. They each have a label from Faith indicating that they are surrounded by this prayer community.
SMALL PRAYER QUILTS – Thank you to Pastor John for blessing the prayer quilts. Thanks to Barbara for the idea, and the quilting group: Emily, Dana & Dona; also, Linda D. & Connie B. for helping to make them.
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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.
There are Monthly Seasonal cards and generic Thinking of You & Get-Well cards.
Thank you to our watercolor color class that meets on the 1st Sunday – Holly, Kim, Alec, Sharon, Barbara, Pat T., Heather, Izzie, Jenny, Maria & Connie for their fabulous creations. Thanks to Linda D. for her marvelous fabric creations.
WATERCOLOR CLASSES NEXT CLASS IS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 19
PRAYER/FRIENDSHIP ROCKS –
Karen, Sharon C., Carol Hamre & Connie B., continue to paint prayer/friendship rocks for you to keep, give to someone, surprise someone, or put them 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.
DRIVE BY PRAYER – Paula and Nancy are working on this project.
SUNDAY MORNING FELLOWSHIP HOUR
12 Thank you to Maria for Shepherd’s Pie and Heather for Salad, Karen for cookies. Also, Ice cream.
19 Connie & Kim to provide Taco Day
26 POTLUCK – BRING YOUR FAVORITE DISH
Please sign up in Narthex; need a Host as Connie will be out of town. Thx
3 Confirmation with Bishop Dave Nagler. Congratulations to Melody Courtney and Logan!
Thanks to Robyn for obtaining an Action Team
10 Mother’s Day Tea – Nancy, spaghetti, Connie, Salad, Karen, mini pies Servers will serve tea to Moms.
17 Jan – May Happy Birthday & Anniversary Celebrations – Connie, casserole, Kim, salad and Ice Cream Sundaes.
COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITY
Has anyone noticed the LOVE YUCAIPA signs that are beginning to show up on our city sidewalks? This project is a community workday under the umbrella of “Love Our Cities.” The event is scheduled for April 25 and offers us at Faith an opportunity to help others in the community while increasing our visibility. It is also a great way for high school students to get their community service hours. Council endorsed our participation as a church, and so I am encouraging you to check out their website – just type in Love Yucaipa. We did send out a list of all the projects hoping for helpers. Holly Warner’s Yucaipa Family Assistance is on the list for help painting a shed. I think it would be great if we could come up with several people to participate in that or other projects. Most involve some kind of physical labor, so I know not everyone can participate, but if you have an interest, please let me know – call or text (951-961-3104) or email me at polly.winters@outlook.com.
In His service, You Council President Paula Winters
