Grace Lutheran Church & Preschool

Newsletter - August 2022

Dear Siblings in Christ,

I recently preached a sermon on prayer (July 24) and almost as soon as I finished my sermon I started questioning whether or not what I said might have led to some misunderstanding about prayer. I could be wrong, but since I continued to think about for several days I feel like I need to clarify or say more about prayer. 

First and foremost, prayer is a vital part of our faith. When Jesus spoke about prayer it is assumed that people of faith will and should pray and pray consistently and often. That is clear evidence that it is important. Part of the problem is that prayer, or the purpose of prayer is misunderstood. The most common misunderstanding is the expectation of our prayers. Prayer is not about getting the result we pray for. Generally speaking, it is relational. 

If we expect or think that prayer is about getting the result we desire from God we will quickly become discouraged because we do not always get the results we hope for and that leads to the idea that prayer is well, pointless, and maybe God doesn’t love us or care about us as much as we think. There are so many reasons why always or regularly getting a desired result would in fact not be beneficial and I mentioned several of those reasons in my sermon. I know that seems counterintuitive but consider a very crude analogy of the parent child relationship. As parents we do not grant every request of our children even though we love them, more or less, unconditionally. Parents have their reasons for sometimes saying, “no”, or “not now”, as well as “yes!” A parent’s love is not measured by how often we say, “yes” nor is God’s love for us measured by His always saying, “yes” to us.  

If prayer isn’t about getting the result we want, then what is the point? As I mentioned it is relational. Prayer doesn’t change God, it changes us. How so? Well, it doesn’t so much change us in the literal sense. It really deepens the connection we have with God and the more we pray the more connected we are to our Maker. To me, that sounds like a really good thing. Prayer is one of the most, if not the most, important relationship builder between us and God. And it’s not because God ‘forgets’ about us when we aren’t praying. He never ‘forgets’ about us and is in every sense near to us constantly. We are the ones that tend to forget that for a variety of reasons. And just as it is with our human relationships, regular conversation or communication strengthen our relationships. Are you not closer to the people in your life you regularly speak with than you are with a friend you only communicate with occasionally or every couple years? What kind of relationship do we have with God if we rarely ever communicate with Him, or only communicate with Him when we are in crisis or want something? Imagine a human relationship with that dynamic. 

But, what about our prayers for others? I mean, we regularly say we will pray for people in crisis. If prayer isn’t going to change their circumstance, then what’s the point? Again, it is relational. When we are in any kind of crisis is when we feel most alone or helpless. Knowing someone is aware of your situation and cares enough to do something, even if it’s something as simple as a prayer, lessens to some degree the sense of loneliness. And involving God in that situation by praying lessens to some degree the sense of helplessness for many reasons. God is always in control and never helpless, and there is a chance that things will change because of our prayer. Wait, you said prayer isn’t about results! And you’ve said God doesn’t change His mind unless we pray. True on both accounts. But, I have said far more often that I can’t possibly know how God thinks or operates. From a strictly theological perspective it is impossible for God to change. Change implies something less than perfect and God is perfect, ergo God cannot change. But God doesn’t follow our theological ‘rules’. Prayer connects us with God, connects us with those we pray for and places God in the middle of our relationships with others. Does that sound pointless or useless? And who knows how our God will respond to our prayers? When it comes to prayer we have nothing to lose and everything to gain. 

Life is absolutely better when we pray. Jesus prayed often and taught His disciples to pray. And if someone asked you if you had a desire to feel more connected to God, or closer to God, would you say, “NO”? I have so much more to say, but this article is already a little long. I now know what next month’s article will be about. I hope I have clarified what I believe to be true about prayer, but just in case let me say it again.

Prayer matters and is a vital part of our faith. Until next month.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Steve

·      Grace’s first fellowship event, post COVID, is scheduled for Sunday, September 18. Nancy Adzovich and Diana Alley will be coordinating.

·      Grace’s special benevolence for the second quarter, in the amount of $1000, will be sent to Hope for Home-Volunteers of America in Pomona -check out their website to see all the services they provide in our region.

·      The Pre-School building will be receiving new interior paint and carpeting in August.

·      The Pre-School has hired a new teacher. The additional staffing has allowed Christy to take some much-needed time off.

·      The six-month giving statements are available in the Narthex.

·      The benches are being assembled and installed in the patio.

Brenda Noriega

Council President

Hello Grace Lutheran Church!

It is almost time for your young friends at Ben Lomond Elementary to return to school! Students start on August 22nd. Please continue to keep all of our students and their families in your prayers as we start a new school year. We are hopeful to have a “normal” year!

So many of you were so kind to join our PTA last year! So amazing! Your support helped us in so many ways! I am hoping we can count on you again! There are a few ways you can join!

1. You may have already received an email from Totem letting you know it was time to renew your membership. Very easy to renew! This costs $8 and you can use your credit card. (The extra dollar is for processing)
2. You can click on this link: https://jointotem.com/ca/covina/ben-lomond-elementary-pta or use the QR code above right to join using your credit card. 
3. You can place $7 cash in an envelope with YOUR NAME and ATTN: Wendy Snyder/Ben Lomond PTA

However you choose to join, we will be so grateful!

Thank you,

Wendy Snyder

SAVE THE DATE

Strength and Dignity

WELCA One Day Retreat

featuring Bishop Brenda Bos

October 15, 2022

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

1359 E. Covina Blvd. in Covina

Registration information coming soon!

Questions - contact Debbie Tate

at 626-252-0411

New Date! 

Save your egg cartons!

The ACTION Food Pantry buys their eggs in bulk - this costs less, but to distribute this important protein source to their clients they need egg cartons. Please leave your paper or plastic cartons in the Narthex for collection.

August 7, 2022

9th Sunday after Pentecost

Genesis 15:1-6

Psalm 33:12-22

Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16

Luke 12:32-40

Click here for readings

August 14, 2022

10th Sunday after Pentecost

Jeremiah 23:23-29

Psalm 82

Hebrews 11:29--12:2

Luke 12:49-56

Click here for readings

August 21, 2022

11th Sunday after Pentecost

Isaiah 58:9b-14

Psalm 103:1-8

Hebrews 12:18-29

Luke 13:10-17

Click here for readings

August 28, 2022

12th Sunday after Pentecost

Proverbs 25:6-7

Psalm 112

Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

Luke 14:1, 7-14

Click here for readings

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: Amber Brown, Bonnie Larini, Scott Evinger, Cathy Plante, Felix Noriega, Nadia Mitchell, Holly Masters, Gen Alley, Ray, Audrey Fuller, Alice Noriega, Don Lockman, Robert Ordonez, Sr., Karen Putnam, Arlen Heyne, Gil and Yolanda Erro, Linda Dalton, Charlene Lisberg and Debbie, Rick Turner, Kurt and Debbie VonRice, Bud Peterson, Nolan, Herb Westerfield, Patrick Putnam, Noa Buhler, Rose Marie Quesada, Cindy Skolaski, Deanna Kellogg, Jaxon Turner, Art James, Dakota Garske, Fern Hastings, Robert Boomsma, Robert Larsen, Trina Clay, Walter Hoke, Cody Umpleby, Connie Brown, the Davidson Family, Jamie Wilcots, Joan and Lee Juneau, Kari Watson, Ken Gillingham, Mike Spangler, Pam Elparin, Ed McGee, Sarah Encabo, and victims of COVID-19.



Please pray for others in need of prayer, including: the family of Alice Noriega, the family of Beverly Smith, the family of Steve Schantz, the family of Mark Dhybetter, the family of Craig Barr, the family of Sherry Kost, the family of Mike Saltonstall, the family and friends of Marie Dabbs, Tricia Henderson, 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 (Marine Corps), Nathaniel Morgan (Army), and Christian Van Allen (Navy), and Phillip Beserra (Air Force).

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.