Just Do It
We continue our reading from chapter 25 of Matthew this Sunday with the parable of the talents. You might remember this parable about a man who entrusted large sums of money to three of his servants while he goes on journey.
When he returns, two of the investors have doubled their investment. The third hid his away. He made an assumption: ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; 25so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ (Matthew 25:24)
As I am writing this, the stock market is flying to new heights based on news that a COVID – 19 vaccine may be in the offering. We hope it is true and the day is drawing near when we return to some semblance of normal. As an investor, would not it have been nice to have invested in Pfizer about a year ago, before COVID – 19 became a pandemic? If we knew when stocks would ascend and descend, investing would be much easier. You could invest in Apple, Tesla, Amazon years ago instead of Mall properties, Sears and JC Penney.
The future is a risk. The third servant was not willing to take a risk because the Master was harsh and unsupportive, harvesting from the labors of others.
Last week we sent out pledge cards and they are flowing back in. You are offering your support to next year, even though we do not know what next year will bring. Hopefully with a vaccine, it will mean that we can meet for worship indoors, restart our Sunday Bible Study, Confirmation and Fellowship. We are looking at ways to open our preschool again. In the midst of uncertainty, your commitment to Faith in 2021 is an investment in the future. Through your support, we can continue our ministries and improve the front area of the church.
Why are you responding? Because we do know this — God is not a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed. God walks with us in the journey of life. If we trust in the basic goodness of God, God will bless our efforts. We head into 2021, unsure of the future, but sure of God’s love.
Corrie Ten Boom lived in the Netherlands when the Nazis invaded. Her family helped many Jews escape the Holocaust. Eventually her family was discovered and sent to the Ravensbruck concentration camp. Talk about an uncertain future. Through it all, she kept faith in God as she said: “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God”.
She also said:
“Worrying is carrying tomorrow’s load with today’s strength — carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”
As a church we do not know the future, but we do know of a gracious God. We do not want to hide our talents. We venture out into the future with hope.
This Sunday, following our service, we will vote on leadership for 2021 and look at our budget. This we will do collectively. Individually, we also seek to share the gifts God has given us. One day we hope to stand with those who took a risk on God’s future and hear: ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ (Matt 25:23)
Blessings, Pastor John Bunge
PRAYER
Righteous God, our merciful master, you own the earth and all its peoples, and you give us all that we have. Inspire us to serve you with justice and wisdom, not hiding our talents and treasures but sharing the blessed life given to us. Amen.
MEMBER UPDATES AND CONTINUAL PRAYERS
- Carol Jensen would appreciate prayers for six-year-old, Jameson Collins, who just came through a diagnostic procedure.
- Gerri has been making visits to the doctor regarding her breathing.
- erwin appreciates your continued prayers for his wife, Lynda.
- Becky Malinowski continues her treatments for a reoccurrence of cancer and is doing well with them.
- Carol Fultz’ sister, Barbara Colangelo, who lives in NJ, underwent surgery, to amputate her leg from just below the knee. She is recovering well.
- Nelsonand Karen’s friend, Mike, is disabled and on dialysis.
- Glenda’s family survived the Rocky Mountain fires and her family from Colorado came to move the last of Glenda’s belongings there.
Thank you, Nelson for making calls to member. He is taking a break from calling of members on a regular basis. Do let the office know if you have prayer concerns.
In other NEWS from FAITH
November 15 is our semi-annual congregational meeting. We will meet right after our church service. We will look at a preliminary budget and vote on a new council at this meeting. The people willing to share their talents are:
- PRESIDENT – 1 YEAR Steve Cady
- VICE-PRESIDENT – 1 YEAR George Motschall
- OUTREACH/SOCIAL CONCERNS – 1 YEAR Carol Jensen
(completing the 2nd year of Joe Koenig’s 2nd year term)
- TREASURER – 2 YEAR Richard Beal
- FINANCIAL SECRETARY – 2 YEAR Caroline Mkanza
- RECORDING SECRETARY – 2 YEAR Bonnie Mills
- STEWARDSHIP/FINANCE – 2 YEAR Eloise Johnson & Jeanne Koenig (Co-Chairs)
- EDUCATION/YOUTH – 2 YEAR Robyn Blue
- PROPERTY MANAGEMENT – 2 YEAR Joe Koenig
POSITIONS PREVIOUSLY ELECTED FOR 2-YEAR TERM ENDING 2021 WILL CONTINUE:
- PRESCHOOL Sharon Cady
- WORSHIP & MUSIC Eloise Johnson
- The latest copy of the church pictorial directory is available.
- A new visitor, Eleanor Diaz, made masks and brought them to share. How gracious.
- The October to December Christ in our Home (Oct. – Dec.) is available in the church office or Narthex (Monday or Tuesdays) or on Sunday mornings. We also have some Faith post-it-notes and Thrivent note pads available for the taking.
- We will be mailing out the commitment card for 2021 this week. THANKS to Jeanne Koenig who mailed it out this week. Please return them in the offering on Sunday or mail them into the church.
- Steve Cady, George Motschall, Debi Hitter and I met to begin developing a plan for the front yard. We want a low maintenance, drought resistant yard. Our plan is to start in sections, the first being a dry river bed, creating a river of life from cross to the sign. We will be using Action Teams as we are able, but need funds for materials and hired labor. You have received a pledge card this week with a section for this special project. Please let us know if we can count on your support. Give Debi Hitter a call if you have ideas.
Our next Council meeting is November 17.
Pastor Bunge will be visiting his daughter and fiancé in Millbrae, CA over Thanksgiving. He will not be preaching on the 22nd or 29th. Happily, Glenn Egertson from our camp will be able to share the Gospel with us. The camp has been a wonderful supporter of our pantry ministry.
Worship still outdoors – We still do not have a date for moving back indoors for worship. The COVID-19 metrics in San Bernardino County are not improving. If it is raining, we will meet inside socially distanced. Again, the link I send out and our Website (FaithLutheranYucaipa.org), have the service available on Sunday afternoons.
Pantry – our next pantry day is November 13th. We could use some pasta sauce and canned tuna.
Love to you all – stay safe! Pastor John