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NOTICE: Our online church directory on our website is in the process of being updated.
We will let everyone know when it is up and running again. Thanks so much!
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Dear disciples of Jesus at American Lutheran,
Next week I will be participating in a Mediation Skills Training Institute at our Synod office in Glendale, presented by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center. Through a combination of lectures, discussions and role plays, the training will look at the nature of conflict, an understanding of our own personal style of response to conflict, and learning new mediation skills. I imagine it will be intensive and enlightening!
Conflict is always a part of any human community-including the church. The Apostle Paul's letters to the church at Corinth in the 1st century were written to a divided church. What might we 21st century Christians learn from Paul's writing to those early Christians, to deal with conflict and foster reconciliation? A lot!
This summer I'll be preaching a 5-part series called "A Heart for Reconciliation: A Walk through 2nd Corinthians" based on a book by the same name authored by Megan Dosher Hansen and Michael Rinehart, one of our ELCA Bishops. Below are the topics:
- July 26 "Don't Lose Heart" 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1
- Aug 2 "New Creation" 2 Corinthians 5:6-17
- Aug 9 "Open Heart" 2 Corinthians 6:1-13
- Aug 16 "Eager Generosity" 2 Corinthians 8:7-15
- Aug 23 "Powerful Weakness" 2 Corinthians 12:2-10
My hope is that you will take this Walk through 2nd Corinthians with me! How?
- Daily devotions from selected passages in 2 Corinthians and a daily reading from A Heart for Reconciliation available from Amazon for $3 on kindle or $8 paperback.
- Weekly Bible Study with others either at the church or in homes.
- Sunday worship at 10am.
If you would like to be part of a weekly
small group Bible Study
click the button below
or contact me directly:
[email protected]; 818-846-0295.
Once I know who is interested, we'll find the best days and times to meet.
I look forward to walking through 2 Corinthians with you, as together we learn and grow with hearts wide open to God and neighbor.
Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Gretchen
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|  Independence Day, July 4th As our nation celebrates Independence Day this weekend, may we treasure the freedoms we have been given, using them always as gifts for the common good.
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For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become servants to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Galatians 5:13-14
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| Holy Baptisms, July 5th 
This Sunday we welcome two (2) new members into our community of faith through Holy Baptism. Their sponsors are Rose & Isaac Coronel and Dena & James Kassenborg.
We welcome you into the body of Christ and into the mission we share in witnessing the good news of God's love! |
| Exploring Membership, July 12th 
Pastor Gretchen invites you to a gathering on Sunday, July 12th from 11:30-1:00pm to explore membership in our congregation. A light lunch will be served. This will be an informal opportunity to learn more about our congregation and the Lutheran faith, ask any questions you might have, discuss what it means to be a member, and meet others who are also interested. Even if you have recently joined through baptism or a letter of transfer from a former congregation, you are still invited to participate. Attending this gathering doesn't mean you have to commit to join at this time or any time. However for those who do want to join, we will receive and recognize our new members during worship soon after this gathering.
Please RSVP by phone or email:
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| Group Photo to support Special Olympics, July 12th 
Please make your way to the front grassy area of the church after worship Sunday, July 12th for a quick group picture (we promise to be quick). The Knights of Columbus in Burbank is documenting how our council, our city and its major supporters are welcoming the Special Olympics to Southern California. Burbank is a Host City this year, housing the athletes from two countries, Zimbabwe and Botswana. The Knights are asking us to provide a picture of our congregation making the "Reach Out L.A." sign as a way to welcome and support the athletes. They are planning to put something together to give to the Burbank Chamber of Commerce, and possibly the two countries we are hosting, as something to remember their journey through the 2015 Olympics, and the athletes' stay in this little area of land we call Burbank. Thanks in advance for taking the time for this picture. |
| African Crafts for Sale, July 12th and July 19th 
On Sunday, July 12th and 19th, there will be a table set up before and after worship, where you may purchase handmade crafts and jewelry to support African Team Ministries. Proceeds from the handcrafted items will make it possible to provide Drip Irrigation Kits for the families in drought and famine areas of East Africa.
Check out the list of products at their site HERE.
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| ELCA Youth Gathering, July 15th-19th 
Almost 30,000 youth and adult leaders and others from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), including two of our youth, Sevanna and William Reitter, will participate in the triennial Youth Gathering July 15-19th in Detroit. Meeting under the theme "Rise Up Together," the Gathering will offer youth an opportunity to strengthen their faith and discover their call to serve the world. Next Sunday, July 12th, we will bless Sevanna and William on their journey. |
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Celebrating an anniversary this month!
 Deyo Blake & Brook Keesling Tim & Bernadette Reardon Tim & Karen Deputy Justin & Danielle Kuester |
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Celebrating a birthday this month!
 James Kassenborg Melinda Froelich Duke Wang Joni Stanford Kirt Stanford Savannah Sullivan Eileen Wirtz Steve Luenburg Mike Shinn Alynn Singleton Teresa Corrington Robert Paulus Bob Gifford Mia Spackman Agustin Rexach Kimberley Clark Mark Relyea Dorotea Paulus Thom Salisbury Dave Allen Tony Argenziano |
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38th Annual "Meals on Wheels" Benefit Luncheon, July 14th
The 38th annual "Meals on Wheels" benefit salad bar luncheon will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14th. The public is welcome to come!
Tickets will be sold at the door for $8, all proceeds will go to the program.
The lunch will be at the First United Methodist Church at 130 N. Kenwood Road on the corner of Wilson Avenue in Glendale.
For more information, please contact Karil Drake at (818) 243-9573.
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Lutheran Social Services, July Newsletter
Find out what's happening at Lutheran Social Services by clicking the link and downloading their newsletter here: LSS Newsletter for July 2015.
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Summertime Review
When is the best time to review your estate plan? Many like to do it in January in response to a New Year's resolution. However, summertime can be an even better time as we reflect on past summers spent with family, and how we now want to honor them as we consider what our legacy will be. Whatever time of year you choose, it is important to review your estate plans every five to ten years, or sooner, if there have been major changes in your family situations or estate tax laws. For information on resources available for your review, or for other questions you may have regarding estate gift planning, please contact our congregation's gift planner:
Greg Shepherd, at: 909-910-6823 or by email at: [email protected].
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