Grace Lutheran Church & Preschool
Newsletter - December, 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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Church Office Hours | Monday & Wednesday | 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Email: Office@GraceCovina.org
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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 are streaming Sunday Worship on our Facebook page. 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.
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Grace Family!
We have come to the end of another calendar year, but we are just getting started with the church year. I am not sure why the two calendars are off by a month, but I suspect it has much to do with Christmas. The birth of Jesus was obviously a beginning, God doing something new in coming to live among us, and so it kind of makes sense that our ‘faith’ calendar starts in the month we celebrate Emmanuel, God with us.
I have mentioned it before, but it bears repeating. Emmanuel is at the top of my list of the ways in which we refer to Jesus. It is not a name we use often outside the context of Christmas, but it is perhaps the most impactful, at least for me, aspect of the incarnation. Lord and Savior is also a very powerful and impactful title for Jesus as is His ‘proper’ name, Jesus, the most common way we refer to God’s Son.
In ancient times a name was more than just a way to identify a specific person. In scripture most of names of characters in the Bible mean something. For Instance, David means ‘Beloved’ and Abraham means, ‘Father of the Multitude.’ John means, ‘God is Gracious’, and Peter means, ‘Stone’. Of course, it will not surprise anyone to know Jesus means, ‘God is Salvation.’ Perhaps the most obvious example, which goes way beyond our understanding, is the proper name of God, which is YHWH, otherwise known as the Tetragrammaton. It is a name so sacred that Jews rarely speak or even write it because it invokes all that God is.
This dynamic is what is behind my fondness of Emmanuel. For me it is not just God is aware of me or present in Spirit, or that God is on my side. It includes a deep sense of awe that stems from the greatness of God, God’s willingness to be physically present with humankind, God’s infinite and unconditional love revealed on the cross, and God’s desire to have a deep, abiding relationship with me. WITH ME! It is unimaginable to me!
I sometimes loose track of this perspective in the midst of a busy and often complicated life and too often get caught up in my own little world. But you know what? Emmanuel means that God never forgets about me. God is never distracted even though God watches over all of creation. Even in my worst moments, God never checks out, even for a second. And this is most impactful for me when I think back on the most difficult times in my life. The poem about footprints in the sand sums this paradigm up beautifully. Emmanuel does not mean a life free of trials, but it does mean that regardless of my circumstances or mindset God is there. Emmanuel does not depend on me; it is who God is.
Emmanuel is also vital to Holy Communion. That probably seems obvious. Communion is more than a small piece of bread and sip of wine, or a way to remember Jesus. It is the embodiment of Emmanuel as the bread and wine become very much a part of us because it is Jesus in the bread and wine. This is a beautiful aspect of the sacrament that I think of every time I am invited to the Lord’s Table.
God with us is one of the countless aspects of Christmas that give this holiday its meaning and power and it all began in a stable in Bethlehem thousands of years ago. The beginning of human life meant the end of death and sin’s grip on us and because of Emmanuel it never wears off or gets stale. The birth of Jesus is the only beginning that has no end and we have God to thank for that. My hope and prayer for you this month is that in the midst of your busy life or any trial you may face that you remember and cling to Emmanuel and all that it means.
Blessings to you all,
Pastor Steve
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Purchase and dedicate a poinsettia to celebrate the season and decorate the sanctuary for Christmas!
You can sign up in the narthex to purchase a poinsettia in honor, memory, or celebration of a loved one, family, friend, or special event. Poinsettias are $15/each, and you can take yours home after the Christmas Eve service or leave it for the December 26 Sunday Worship.
You can also mail your poinsettia dedication to the church office at 17880 E. Covina Bl., Covina, CA 91722.
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Sunday, December 12 after Worship -
Blessing Bags and Carol Sing!
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Advent is here! And with the season of Advent, Grace will be participating in the ELCA Good Gifts giving program to grow the church, fight hunger, and transform lives. These gifts, starting at $5, provide direct support for the churchwide ministries of the ELCA.
As Grace has done in the past several years, there will be a Giving Tree in the Narthex. You may select any ornament or amount, put it in an envelope, and place it in the offering plate. If you are worshipping and giving remotely, you may also participate. Please make sure to designate your gift to Good Gifts. This program will begin Sunday, November 28 and continue through Sunday, December 26.
Your donations will provide meaningful gifts that really make a difference in the world.
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The Grace-Covina Facility Renewal Fund (FRF) plan will support significant campus capital improvements and upgrades like new doors, painting our buildings, replacing our roof and other major expenses.
Please consider helping us revitalize and renew our campus for the next 40 years of ministry. You can read more about the Facility Renewal Fund here!
To support the FRF, specify "FRF" on your check, envelope, or online giving.
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The following Church Council positions are open for nomination: President, Secretary, and At-Large member. We are also seeking nominees for the position of Financial Secretary, for the Nominating Committee, and for the Audit Committee. If you are interested in serving in any of these positions, or if you would like to nominate someone, please contact Pastor Steve or Judy McGee.
If you would like to include a report in the 2021 Annual Report, please have it in the church office no later that December 15.
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Are you a Thrivent member?
Thrivent members can designate their Thrivent Choice Dollars towards a nonprofit organization. One of our Thrivent members recently directed their Choice Dollars towards the ACTION Food Pantry's Turkey Fund. You could also consider designating your Choice Dollars towards the Grace-Covina Facilities Renewal Fund. Choice Dollars designated during the calendar year can be directed until March 31 of the following year. Find out more at Thrivent.com/thriventchoice
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December Scripture Readings
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December 5, 2021
2nd Sunday of Advent
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Malachi 3:1-4
Luke 1:68-79
Philippians 1:3-11
Luke 3:1-6
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December 12, 2021
3rd Sunday of Advent
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Zephaniah 3:14-20
Isaiah 12:2-6
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:7-18
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December 19, 2021
4th Sunday of Advent
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Micah 5:2-5a
Luke 1:46b-55
Hebrews 10:5-10
Luke 1:39-45 [46-55]
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December 26, 2021
First Sunday of Christmas
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1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26
Psalm 148
Colossians 3:12-17
Luke 2:41-52
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Ryan Noriega | December 8
Richard Davisson | December 9
Mike McCabe | December 12
Deneice Hadley | December 22
Saige Bergerson | December 25 Michael Bergerson | December 28
Shelby Banks | December 29
Patty Van Raalte | December 30
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Michael & Charlene Bergerson
December 5
Bob & Connie Brown
December 15
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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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Grace-Covina is proud to host and support ACTION Food Pantry, a ministry of a coalition of interfaith communities which has continued to serve unprecedented numbers of those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thank you to everybody who brought stuffing for ACTION's Thanksgiving distribution! For Christmas distribution, ACTION is asking the members of Grace to donate 1 pound bags of rice and pinto beans and 14 - 16 ounce cans of tomato sauce.
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ACTION Food Pantry Distribution
Mondays at 4:00 p.m.
Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.
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Please be aware that religious groups are often targeted by scammers who take advantage of people's generosity, and congregations across the country have seen a marked increase in such attempts over the past few years.
The COVID-19 crisis has become an opportunity for scammers, phishers, and spoofers to exploit the desire to help a neighbor in need.
No one from the Grace-Covina church office or any ELCA office, and no pastor (including Pastor Steve!) twill send an email or a text asking for gift cards or for cash or for a "special favor." Do not respond to such emails or texts! Delete and block them instead.
Do not click on a link, send money or gift cards, or provide checking account or credit card information in response to ANY emailed or texted solicitation from ANYBODY without checking with a trusted source.
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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: Rose Marie Quesada, Roger Melendrez, Kameren Putnam, Gabby, Brian Akey, Cindy Skolaski, Leo Fuller, Kathy and Monica Quinones, Lisa Entrikin, Deanna Kellogg, Shannon Troop, Jaxson Turner, Lorraina Ruiz, Art James, Beverly Smith, Dakota Garske, Fern Hastings, Jan Sieber, Robert Boomsma, Robert Larsen, Trina Clay, Walter Hoke, Cody Umpleby, Connie Brown, the Davidson Family, Jamie Wilcots,Joan & Lee Juneau, John Carlin, Kari Watson, Ken Gillingham, Mike Spangler, Pam Elparin, Ed McGee, Ron Ott, Sarah Encabo, and victims of COVID-19.
Please pray for others in need of prayer, including: Tricia Henderson, Barbara Jean Schenk, Margerita Sotomayer, the family of Joane Grubaugh, Francie Yarber and the family of Raymond Gulvas, Rocio Orozco, and our Grace neighbors.
Please pray for the men and women currently serving in the military, who are bravely protecting us and our country, including: Andrew Ranabarger, Cole Elliot (Marine Corps), Nathaniel Morgan (Army), and Christian Van Allen.
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
Secretary | Brenda Noriega
Treasurer | Robert Ordonez
Members-at-Large
Diana Alley | Cindy Skolaski | Dave Brown | Johna Stienstra
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STAY CONNECTED TO GRACE-COVINA
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www.gracecovina.org | office@gracecovina.org | (626) 332 - 4536
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