Grace Lutheran Church & Preschool
Newsletter - August, 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 are 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 People of Grace,
It has happened again…..”What?” you say is that. Writer’s block. Each month that I have written one of these articles, and there have been many, I try to be topical, or inspirational, or instructional, and sometimes simply share news about things happening at Grace. And usually, the idea for a newsletter article comes without much effort. Then there are occasions like this one where I am at a loss. It is not that I am not aware of what is happening in our world or at Grace, or that I lack words of inspiration. I just cannot think of the one thing I need to sink my teeth into and fill the page. So, I begin to type and pray that once I start pressing fingers to keys my muse will inspire.
As I typed that last paragraph my mind and thoughts fixed on the last 18 or so months. (I guess this will be a topical article) On Mother’s Day this year we resumed worship in our sanctuary with some restrictions and on Father’s Day we, following CDC guidelines, lifted the restrictions and it was glorious! I will speak for myself, but I believed that the pandemic was behind us, and life was returning back to pre-pandemic conditions. Hope and relief were the overriding feelings. It had been a long time coming after well over a year of tension, fear, confusion, isolation, and more. Freedom from all that had returned, and I think we all felt it.
Well, here we are a month removed from all that hope, relief, and freedom and the dreaded masks came back. UGH! It was not a full rollback to ‘protocols’, but seeing half-covered faces in worship stirred up emotions that I had only just begun to let go of. I would be surprised if you all did not have some reaction to the return of face-coverings. From anger, to disappointment, to fear, or serious anxiety, it is all out there for us to process and deal with…again.
Now, this is not a doomsday article meant to bum you out, though it was headed that way. It is also not an article where I will place blame or rage against the reasons why we find ourselves in this position, whatever they may be. What I do want to do is remind you of a few things.
First, regardless of our circumstances, personal or collectively, the blessings of God continue and are always present. Whether those blessing be practical like a roof over your head and food in your belly, or friends and family, fresh running water and electricity, or the theological things like God’s grace and love, each day that God gives us is filled with His blessings. Counting those blessings and giving thanks for the things we do have go a long way towards helping us get through just about anything life throws at us.
Second, regardless of our circumstances we always have hope because of God. Scripture is filled with stories of the people of God enduring sometimes unimaginably difficult situations and the overriding message from God in every instance is, “I am with you.” And never forget, God is in control. He never loses control, and He is always actively involved in our lives and in our world even if we do not see evidence of it. That is called faith.
Sisters and Brothers, I know life is tough and it has been tougher than usual the last 18 months. But, God has given us the faith we need to not just survive, but to thrive. Remain in Him and He will remain in us. Trust in Him because He is trustworthy. Believe in Him because He never fails us. And never give up hope because we have the cross as the ultimate proof that we have reason to hope. Stay strong, stay safe, love one another and be well!
Yours in Christ,
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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Sunday, August 1
9:30 a.m. | Sanctuary Worship | 10th Sunday after Pentecost
Wednesday, August 4
No Bible Study
Sunday, August 8
9:30 a.m. | Sanctuary Worship | 11th Sunday after Pentecost
Tuesday, August 10
7:00 p.m. | Church Council
Wednesday, August 11
11:00 a.m. | Bible Study (Rm 6)
7:00 p.m. | Zoom Bible Study
Sunday, August 15
9:30 a.m. | Sanctuary Worship | 12th Sunday after Pentecost
Wednesday, August 18
11:00 a.m. | Bible Study (Rm 6)
7:00 p.m. | Zoom Bible Study
Sunday, August 22
9:30 a.m. | Sanctuary Worship | 13th Sunday after Pentecost
Wednesday, August 25
11:00 a.m. | Bible Study (Rm 6)
7:00 p.m. | Zoom Bible Study
Sunday, August 29
9:30 a.m. | Sanctuary Worship | 14th Sunday after Pentecost
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August Scripture Readings |
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August 1, 2021
10th Sunday after Pentecost
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Ezekiel 2:1-5
Psalm 123
2 Corinthians 12:2-10
Mark 6:1-13
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August 8, 2021
11th Sunday after Pentecost
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1 Kings 19:4-8
Psalm 34:1-8
Ephesians 4:25--5:2
John 6:35, 41-51
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August 15, 2021
12th Sunday after Pentecost
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Proverbs 9:1-6
Psalm 34:9-14
Ephesians 5:15-20
John 6:51-58
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August 22, 2021
13th Sunday after Pentecost
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Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18
Psalm 34:15-22
Ephesians 6:10-20
John 6:56-69
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August 29, 2021
14th Sunday after Pentecost
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Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9
Psalm 15
James 1:17-27
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
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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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Cindy Said | August 3
Wendy Bryner | August 3
Cheryl Miller | August 13
Addison Turner | August 17
Candace Canchola | August 17
Nancy Adzovich | August 18
Pastor Steve Otte | August 26
Mandy McCabe | August 27
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Candyce & Brian Jacobs
August 8
Mike & Amber Brown
August 17
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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 August’s featured food item is canned fruit. 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: Robert Boomsma, Christopher Turner, Helen Turner, 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, 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, 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, Valerie Beasley, John Galleta, Robert Ordonez, Sr., Jaime Wilcots, Beverly Smith, and victims of COVID-19.
Please pray for others in need of prayer, including: the family of Don Alley, the family of Ed Fay, the family of Charles Griggs, the family of Haidy McHugh, Deborah and Mark Roberts, Bernie Allman with Linda Ann and David, the Quezada Family, 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 | (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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