Grace Lutheran Church & Preschool

Newsletter - December 2022

Blessed Advent Grace Family,

This being my December newsletter article, I can imagine some may have been expecting a “Merry Christmas” greeting to start things off. That is certainly not a terribly inappropriate way to start this article, but I, for one, would rather embrace the season of Advent rather than be in a rush to get to Christmas. It is not an easy thing to do, what with just about every retail outlet putting out Christmas décor well before we even celebrate Thanksgiving. For me it creates a bit of Christmas fatigue and a real desire to just get it over with already. This is why I love Advent! For four Sundays I am reminded that the waiting, the anticipation of the Incarnation really brings back the joy of Christmas even as I am enveloped by the busyness of the season.

For many the Christmas season is filled with pressure. It is challenging to find the perfect gift for family and friends, then the pressure of shopping for those gifts, getting them wrapped, shipped to out of town family and friends, the holiday parties, making plans for Christmas Eve/Day, then the expense of it all. It is overwhelming. No wonder there is a sense of relief on December 26 for so many. It was not always that way and it certainly was not that way prior to the day of Jesus’ birth. 

The stories of Jesus’ birth are filled with wonder and joy for those who were part of the story. Mary was told she would be giving birth to the Savior of the world. Joseph was also told to believe in his wife who was to give birth to a child that would change the world forever. The shepherds heard of Jesus’ birth and the Wise Men came from miles and miles away to see what that single star was all about. Few people were aware of the miracle, but all must have been filled with hope and joy. And those feelings grew and grew for the next several decades as the story continued to unfold. Waiting and anticipation has always been part of this story. It has never been rushed and there has never been a push to get it all over with.

Christmas fatigue is a modern day paradigm and one we have to really work to avoid. I think this is one of the great aspects of Advent. The stories bring us back to a different era and reset our clocks to build excitement and fight against fatigue. Advent reminds us of the story and reason we celebrate through the lens of everyone involved. It is the greatest story ever told and Jesus’ birth has the same impact today as it did more than 2,000 years ago. That is so powerful! 

If you are already starting to feel that holiday fatigue, come to worship during Advent, and definitely come on Christmas Eve. Hear the stories. Feel the excitement, experience the joy of God with us. I promise it will be worth it!

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Steve 

Thrivent Members can participate in two separate Thrivent-funded programs - Choice Dollar Allocation and Community Action Team Funds.

Thrivent Choice

Thrivent Choice charitable grant program engages Thrivent members and Thrivent Member Networks in providing grants that support charitable activities. The Thrivent Choice program encourages Thrivent benefit members to recommend where Thrivent Financial distributes an amount of its charitable grand funds. Members make this recommendation by directing Choice Dollars to enrolled nonprofit organizations, including churches and their programs (such as the Grace Facilities Renewal Fund).

Eligible Thrivent Members can direct between from $25 to $5000 Choice Dollars each year to enrolled nonprofit organizations, including churches. You have until March 31, 2023 to direct your 2022 Choice Dollars.

Thrivent Community Action Teams

How do Thrivent action teams work? Simply gather a team of neighbors or friends for a fundraiser, educational event or service activity. Your team provides the passion that brings your project to life, and Thrivent will help with resources including up to $250 in seed money! Each Thrivent member can apply to help out a each year for two $250.00 cards. That’s $500.00 Per member per year!

Contact your Thrivent Agent or go to My Thrivent Login for more information, to direct Choice Dollars, or to start an Action Team!

November 2022 Council Report

• The County of Los Angeles has changed trash companies from Waste Management to Valley Vista.  We will have pick-ups twice a week, Tuesdays and Fridays. We will be saving money on this move.
• The Church Council is in need of a new member beginning January 2023 with the retirement of Dave Brown. This position is an at-large position.  The term is two years, 2023-2024. The council meetings continue to be held virtually, on Zoom, the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm.  
• New offering envelopes will be available soon.  Please pick yours up in the Narthex.
• Advent gifting opportunities are going on now.  The Good Gifts tree is set up in the Narthex. For further information on the Good Gifts program, go to https://goodgifts.elca.org. Also, try the Reverse Advent Calendar (below). Add an item each day to a box and donate on Christmas Eve to the Action Food Pantry.
• Lights are being replaced in the sanctuary by Brian Akey.

In His Service

Brenda Noriega, Council President

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 continue through the end of the year. Your donations will provide meaningful gifts that really make a difference in the world.

December 4, 2022

Second Sunday in Advent

Isaiah 11:1-10

Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19

Romans 15:4-13

Matthew 3:1-12

Click here for readings

December 11, 2022

Third Sunday in Advent

Isaiah 35:1-10

Psalm 146:5-10

James 5:7-10

Matthew 11:2-11

Click here for readings

December 18, 2022

Fourth Sunday in Advent

Isaiah 7:10-16

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

Romans 1:1-7

Matthew 1:18-25

Click here for readings

December 25, 2022

Christmas Day

Isaiah 62:6-12

Psalm 97

Titus 3:4-7

Luke 2:[1-7] 8-20

Click here for readings

Traditionally, advent calendars offer a chocolate or other small treat through Christmas Eve. This year, starting on December 1 (or the First Sunday in Advent on November 27), consider adding a Reverse Advent Calendar to your Christmas tradition. 

Instead of receiving a gift, those taking part in a reverse calendar DONATE an item each day – and at the end of Advent, the calendar will result in a collection of 24 goods that can be dropped off at a local food pantry (such as the ACTION Food Pantry or any area food bank). Children can participate, from finding and decorating a Reverse Advent Box, to finding items to add, to helping to take the box to the food bank. You can use the list of suggested items (above right), or choose an organization and find out what they most need. 

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. 

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. 

How to recognize and avoid phishing scams - FCC 

Online calendar here

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: Yolanda Weidner, Candy Turner, Cheryl Miller, Joan Pelleren, Shelly Ruiz, Elizabeth Ordonez, Patty VanRaalte, Elva Maldonado, Cathy Plante, Felix Noriega, Holly Masters, Gen Alley, Ray, Audrey Fuller, Don Lockman, Robert Ordonez, Sr., Karen Putnam, Arlen Heyne, Gil and Yolanda Erro, Linda Dalton, Charlene Lisberg and Debbie, Rick Turner, Nolan, Herb Westerfield, Noa Buhler, Rose Marie Quesada, Cindy Skolaski, Deanna Kellogg, Jaxon Turner, Art James, Robert Boomsma, Robert Larsen, Trina Clay, Walter Hoke, Connie Brown, the Davidson Family, Jamie Wilcots, Joan and Lee Juneau, Kari Watson, 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 Ken Gillingham, the family of Dakota Garske, the family of Cesar Cantu, the family of Sandra Heyne, the family and friends of Marie Dabbs, 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), 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.

Pastor | The Rev. Steve Otte

Director of Worship & Music | Jeffrey Saltonstall

Preschool Director | Christy Arreguin

Organist | Lily Lee

Custodian | Laureen Alvarez

Parish Administrator | Samantha Henderson