Grace Lutheran Church & Preschool
Newsletter - July, 2021
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17880 E. Covina Blvd. | Covina, CA 91722
Church Office (626) 332-4536 | Preschool (626) 967-5855
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We've now returned to the Sanctuary for Worship! Join us for a blended, in-person service Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
We will be streaming Sunday Worship. If you have any of the symptoms of COVID-19, or have had contact recently with anyone with COVID-19, we ask that you worship safely with us online at the Zoom link here.
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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The first official day of summer was June 20. Some of you may pay attention to such things as the ‘official first day of summer,' but I’ve always thought of summer beginning with the 4th of July. It’s kind of the kick off of summer for me with the all the fanfare and such. When I was young it meant summer vacation from school and family trips, bar-b-ques, beach parties and those lazy days of summer. And I loved that it felt like the fireworks and excitement of 4th of July was a perfect way to start 3 months of fun, fun, fun!
Of course, 4th of July is much more than parties and instructions to ‘light fuse and get away’. It is really a day of patriotism, celebrating our countries independence from an oppressive monarchy. And a country borne out of a fierce desire for independence and democracy, a government of the people for the people, started a culture that has embraced our independence as a nation and as individuals. We cherish our freedom as much as anything in this world.
The dictionary defines independence as, “freedom from the control, influence, support, aid, or the like, of others.” Sound about right? I don’t know about you, but I like to be in control. I don’t want anyone telling me what to do, what to think, where to go, or how to live my life! I think that attitude stems largely from a culture that was borne out of a struggle for independence. It doesn’t hurt that that kind of attitude also appeals to our generally strong egos.
So, how does this work with our faith? Certainly we embrace the freedom of religion in our country, but do our religious beliefs promote a radical kind of freedom or strict obedience to our Lord? Think about that for a second. Does the Bible teach us that we are free from the control or influence of God? Well, in a way, yes it does. God gave all humankind free will to resist being controlled or influenced by the God who created us all. On the opposite side of the coin is the understanding that we should submit our lives to God and let Him be in control and be influenced by the teachings of Jesus. In a sense faith means giving up our independence to God. It is recognizing that God truly is in control and that submitting to Him is the ideal way of life.
As a Christian we can say that it’s super easy to give God control! Right? If you said “Yes!” we need to talk. This is one of our greatest battles and most significant struggles of our faith. Sin, our egos, and the world we live in bombard us with the message of, “It’s all about me! I want, I want, I want! And ME, ME, ME!!!” Jesus tells us to ‘love our neighbors,’ ‘give to the poor,’ ‘be the least of all’. And Paul tells us not to think too highly of ourselves. With these mixed messages it’s no wonder life can be so confusing, especially life as a Christian.
We fight our whole lives for independence and it’s a fight we will never win. In order to live a life of fulfillment we will always need others, but more importantly we will always need God, especially as it relates to our salvation. We are completely dependent on Christ for that. This is one of the many paradoxes in the life of a Christian. Fiercely independent and completely dependent all at the same time.
So, what the point of all of this? Frankly, it’s what your Pastor writes when he can’t think of anything else to write for the newsletter and the deadline has already passed to finish this article and he’s thinking about the month of July and a national holiday. But, beyond my lack of inspiration I hope that it sparks in you to take a moment and consider what it means to be totally dependent on our Lord for the one thing that matters most of all and how we all might let God take control of all aspects of our lives. He’s taken care of the big thing, so it’s not difficult to think He can also handle the little things as well. When we do that the hope, peace and joy we have with the promise of our salvation becomes the hope, peace, and joy of our everyday lives. This is the abundant life that Jesus promises us if we depend on Him in all things. We celebrate our countries independence once a year, but we should celebrate our dependence on God every day, giving thanks to the One on whom we can always depend. Amen.
Pastor Steve
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In-person Bible study is back! We are meeting Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. in Room 6.
Join us online Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. for Grace Lutheran Online Bible Study - our current topic is the 1st Book of Samuel.
Standing Zoom Meeting:
Meeting ID: 832 8578 7322
Passcode: 163333
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Wednesday, July 7
11:00 a.m. | Bible Study (Rm 6)
7:00 p.m. | Zoom Bible Study
Sunday, July 11
9:30 a.m. | Sanctuary Worship | 7th Sunday after Pentecost
Tuesday, July 13
7:00 p.m. | Church Council
Wednesday, July 14
11:00 a.m. | Bible Study (Rm 6)
7:00 p.m. | Zoom Bible Study
Sunday, July 18
9:30 a.m. | Sanctuary Worship | 8th Sunday after Pentecost
Wednesday, July 21
11:00 a.m. | Bible Study (Rm 6)
7:00 p.m. | Zoom Bible Study
Sunday, July 25
9:30 a.m. | Sanctuary Worship | 9th Sunday after Pentecost
Wednesday, July 28
11:00 a.m. | Bible Study (Rm 6)
7:00 p.m. | Zoom Bible Study
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July 4, 2021
6th Sunday of Pentecost
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Ezekiel 2:1-5
Psalm 123
2 Corinthians 12:2-10
Mark 6:1-13
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July 11, 2021
7th Sunday of Pentecost
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Amos 7:7-15
Psalm 85:8-13
Ephesians 1:3-14
Mark 6:14-29
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July 18, 2021
8th Sunday of Pentecost
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Jeremiah 23:1-6
Psalm 23
Ephesians 2:11-22
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
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July 25, 2021
9th Sunday of Pentecost
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2 Kings 4:42-44
Psalm 145:10-18
Ephesians 3:14-21
John 6:1-21
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Mike Brown | July 4
Jerry Colwell | July 5
Steven Fields | July 7
Adrianna Biggs | July 11
Michael Van Raalte | July 14
Amber Brown | July 21
Barbara Margison | July 21
Bernie Schantz | July 29
Judy McGee | July 31
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- If we don’t have your birthday or anniversary listed
- If you have a special announcement
- If someone in your family is sick or in the hospital
- If you move or change your telephone number
- If you feel the church can assist you in any way
- If you would like a paper copy of the newsletter mailed to you
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Now that we're back to in-person Worship. we're looking for people to help out as lectors, ushers, altar guild, and after-service hospitality helpers! If you can help one or more Sundays each month, please contact Pastor Steve. |
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On the first Sunday of the month, we take a special offering for the ACTION (Area Congregations Together in One Name) Food Pantry. Grace-Covina is proud to host and support the ACTION, a ministry of a coalition of interfaith communities which has continued to serve unprecedented numbers of those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The month of July’s featured food item is a Meal in a Can, such as beef stew or Spam. When you’re grocery shopping, please remember our brothers and sisters in need; any and all donations are most appreciated. Let’s continue to respond to God’s blessings by caring for the most in need!
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ACTION Food Pantry Distribution
Mondays at 4:00 p.m.
Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.
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The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry – Psalm 34:15
Please pray for those with medical needs, including: Karen Putnam, Annalisa Morgan, Hailey, Trina Clay, Walter Hoke, the Davidson Family, Jaxon Turner, Sarah Encabo, Shiloh Truman Charles, Mickie Spangler, Kevin Ardery, Harper, Ed McGee, Suzanna Auckland, Dakota Garske, Aria Labrum, Kari Watson, Peggy Salcido, John Carlin, Jason Foutch, Addie, Susan Atkison, Joyce Sutera, Jan Sieber, Ofelia Rodriguez, Dave Diaz, Lee and Joan Juneau, Meade Stemple, Rhonda Kloster, Marie Cole, John Brown and Casey Broccini, Marie and Tom McCarthy, Penelope Ross, Russ Mohrmann, Amrie and Denis, Robin Kreitzer, Nikki Intravia, Connie Brown, Jeremiah Reese, Ken Gillingham, Sheila, Marie Dabbs, Tony Key and family, Cody, Adrian Burden, Jennie Walters, Emma, Pat Bergeson, Esperanza Avalos, Pam Elparia, Myrna Ott, Ron Ott, Marilyn Heyne, Cindy Skolaski, Mamasan Ajito, Robert Larsen, Deneice Hadley, Cheryl Miller, Janis Lovullo, Sam Kamler, Christine Tury, Norma Snow, Valerie Beasley, John Galleta, Robert Ordonez, Sr., Joy Mangan, Jaime Wilcots, Beverly Smith, Ray Vareta, Mike Eley, and victims of COVID-19.
Please pray for others in need of prayer, including: the family of Charles Griggs, the family of Haidy McHugh, Deborah and Mark Roberts, the family of Sonny Smith, the family of Marlys De Smith, the family of Jean Rohrbach, Bernie Allman with Linda Ann and David, the Quezada Family, and our Grace neighbors.
Please pray for the men and women who are currently serving in the military who are bravely protecting us and our country, including Andrew Ranabarger and Cole Elliot (Marine Corps) and Nathaniel Morgan (Army).
Please pray for all victims of natural disasters.
Please pray for those who are being faced with grief, and all who know violence and hate.
Please pray for our Grace Lutheran Church Congregation and partners in ministry.
Please pray for the teachers and children of our preschool and infant care program, and for the teachers and students of Ben Lomond Elementary School, our school districts, and all schools, that they and their families will be safe.
Please pray for hospital staff, all medical personnel and first responders, those in essential services, and the leaders of our world, state, country, and local governments.
Please pray for the ACTION Food Pantry, the clients that they serve, and all those in need.
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President | Judy McGee | (323) 376-1226
Secretary | Brenda Noriega | (626) 914-1664
Treasurer | Robert Ordonez | (626) 388-6930
Members-at-Large
Diana Alley | (626) 475-7583 Cindy Skolaski | (626) 332-0209
Dave Brown | (909) 772-3500 Johna Stienstra | (626) 840-3167
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STAY CONNECTED TO GRACE-COVINA |
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