A Message from the Pastor


Dear Disciples of Jesus at American Lutheran,


 

Life is full of ups and downs. And when we find ourselves feeling discouraged and disappointed for whatever reason, it can test our faith as we wonder if God even cares. Yet Paul reminds us that no matter what happens we do not lose hope because Christ is our hope: "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies" (2 Corinthians 4:8-10).


 

 

This Sunday we begin a 5-part series, "A Heart for Reconciliation," based on Paul's 2nd letter to the church in Corinth. As we delve more deeply into this New Testament book, may our hearts be opened in love to God and our neighbor.


 

See you in church,

Pastor Gretchen

Softball Semifinals: 
Cheer on the A.L.C. Angels TONIGHT!         
Friday July 24th  at 8:30pm -  Gross Park Field 1 against -  Calvary Chapel      

Click the image below to download the schedule.        

Sermon Series and Bible Study Group, July 26th

This summer Pastor Gretchen will 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?

  1. 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.
  2. Weekly Bible Study.The first session is July 26th after worship. Bring your coffee and snacks from the patio into the Friendship Room.
  3. Sunday worship at 10am.
If you would like to be part of a weekly

small group Bible Study

click the button below
or contact Pastor Gretchen directly:

pastorbingea@yahoo.com; 818-846-0295. 


 

I look forward to walking through 2 Corinthians with you, as together we learn and grow with hearts wide open to God and neighbor.


A BIG Thanks to Caleb Glickman

  

We thank Caleb Glickman for

covering as Choir Director while Steve Kronauer is in Europe. 

 

A 2015 graduate from the Hamilton Academy of Music, Caleb Glickman has pursued music from a young age. He has been a member of Los Angeles Children's Chorus for the past eight years, including three years in the Young Men's Ensemble. He has performed with several professional ensembles, including the LA Phil and LA Master Chorale. He also gained experience through LA Opera, first performing in children's choirs but moving on to solo roles in The Magic Flute, Turn of the Screw, and Albert Herring. Through high school, Caleb developed his interest in conducting as the assistant conductor of Hamilton's Symphony Orchestra and he conducted two musical productions, Once Upon A Mattress and Beauty and the Beast. Caleb additionally plays piano, violin, and flute. Caleb will be attending Carnegie Mellon University in the fall, studying vocal performance with a minor in conducting. 

 

Welcome back, Caleb, and THANK YOU!

Time for LWR School Kits! We need donations!


We have about 100 Backpacks to fill for 

We need the following items for each backpack:  
  • Spiral notebooks 4-70 pages each; 
  • metric rulers; 
  • 5 pencils; 
  • 5 ballpoint pens; 
  • scissors-blunt point; 
  • erasers (like pink pearl); 
  • pencil sharpeners; and 
  • box of 24 crayons. 

Cash donations are also accepted.  Checks should be made out to ALCW.  There will be a box for donations in the narthex.  

 

We will be assembling the kits after worship on Sunday, Sept. 13th. Please plan on staying after the service and help us assemble; we can always use the help!

 

Any questions call Vi Reardon 818 353-5563) or e-mail

 

  Confronting Racism, August 6th


 

Join ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and William B. Horne II, an ELCA member from Clearwater, Fla., for a live webcast conversation on the complexity and implications of racism Aug. 6th at 6 p.m. Pacific Time.

 

Through its social statement - "Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity, and Culture" - ELCA members have expressed this church's calling to confront racism and advocate for justice and fairness for all people. 

 

"God's intention for all humanity is that we see the intrinsic worth, dignity and value of all people. Racism undermines the promise of community and fractures authentic relationships with one another. We need to talk and we need to listen, but we also need to act," says Eaton.

 

A link to the live webcast will be embedded on this page. A live stream also will be available at www.Facebook.com/Lutherans. Twitter hashtag is #ELCAConfrontRacism.

 

Interested in submitting a question for the ELCA presiding bishop to consider during the live webcast? Send your question to  livinglutheran@elca.org. Please provide your name and your congregation's name, city and state.

 The Burbank Children's Theatre Company Presents...

 

NEW SHOW TIMES!

 

August 21 | 28 7pm

August 22 | 29 2pm

August 23 | 30 2pm

~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

Burbank Children's Theatre Company

747 Whitnall Highway, Burbank, CA 91505

Email: info@burbankchildrenstheatre.org

818-276-6708

 

 Young Families Gathering, August 23rd

 

The next gathering for families with young children is scheduled for Sunday, August 23rd from 4pm-6pm at the home of Teresa and Michael Corrington in Burbank. It will be a backyard play date, including water tables, chalk drawing and tons of bubbles floating through the air! 

 

Complete with a Nacho Bar, quesadilla options for the kiddos and a snow cone machine for dessert, this is an event you don't want to miss. 

 

Please RSVP to Teresa Corrington: teresal767@hotmail.com or 818-439-9211.

 

Council Meeting Highlights: 

 

Below are some of the business items from the Congregation Council meeting held on 

Tuesday, July 21stFull minutes will be posted on the website after approval.

 

*Discussed breakdown of negotiations with Brighton Hall (BH) due to inability to resolve lease issues protecting the church's best interests, and lack of time for renovations before start of school year. While our offices will remain in Administration building, Council will continue to determine church and outside group use in remaining spaces. 

 

*Voted to hire an inspector for assessing the Screenland house in anticipation of addressing property issues with increased rental revenue from tenant starting in October.

 

*Charged the Facilities Renovation Committee to come up with new priorities and associated costs for building projects.

 

*Discussed applying for a loan from ELCA Mission Investment Fund to help finance needed improvements around our property.

 

*Formed a subcommittee from Council to be the core of a larger team of congregation members to oversee a Capital Campaign coinciding with the church's 75th anniversary in 2016.

 

*Approved plan to purchase internet based phones which will reduce current monthly phone bills.

 

*Heard progress on upcoming Burbank Children's Theater Company production of "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown."    

 

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Public Notices

How to Read Revelation: 

Beasts, Money and the City of God 

"This short course introduces you to the symbolic world of "apocalyptic" literature. You will learn how history, politics and religion shape John the Seer's first century critique of the Roman Empire. In that context, Revelation is not about the "end of the world." Revelation is about worshipping the God who ends empires of excess. Today, Revelation calls us to examine the ways in which we prize luxury and convenience over compassion for others. Which will you choose?"   - Rev. Dr. Julia Lambert Fogg

 

WHEN: July 25, 2015  10:00 am - 3:00 pm

 

WHERE: Southwest California Synod Center

1300 E. Colorado St. Glendale, CA 91205    

 

HOW MUCH: Admission is free!

Check it out! Fun Summer Events for Salem/American Youth! 

 

July 27th -31st

Vacation Bible School

9:00 am -3:00 pm

We need youth leaders to help with the Kitchen, shepherd kids, hang out with Gideon (our guest with Down's syndrome), and more to make the week run smooth. You'll receive service hours if you need them. Please contact peggy@salemglendale.org if you'll be able to help during this week.


Friday July 31ST (evening) or Sat August 1ST (afternoon)

Dodger Game

We will pick the game that most people can attend. Please email me back at peggy@salemglendale.org or text me at 599-6923 which date will work better for you!

 

 

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL IS IN SESSION! 

 

For more information about enrolling in VBS,

contact the listed churches directly.   

 

Ascension Lutheran Church, Thousand Oaks 

July 27 - 31  

Contact: Cori Hengst chengst@alcto.org, call (805) 495-0406 

Theme: Everest: Conquering Challenges with God's Mighty Power   

 

Mount Cross Lutheran, Camarillo  

August 3 - 7   

Contact: (805) 482-3847   

Theme: SonSpark Labs: Discovering God's Plan for U = Jesus!   

 

Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Simi Valley

August 3 - 7  

Contact: Youth Director Marc Mohr (805) 526-7577  

Theme: SonSpark Labs: Discovering God's Plan for U = Jesus!  

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:  gregory.shepherd@elca.org.