Grace Lutheran Church & Preschool

Newsletter - October, 2023

Greetings Grace Family!

The fall season has arrived! In places like the Northeast seasonal change can be seen in cooler temperatures and autumn colors, leaves turn from green to brilliant orange, red and bronze. In Southern California we’re still waiting for the cooler temperatures and most of our trees are evergreen. In the Church, however, fall means the end of "ordinary time." Reformation day is just around the corner followed by Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. I love the rhythms of the Church and look forward to the conclusion of "ordinary time." 

Despite the title, "ordinary time" is far from ordinary in terms of the work and influence of the Body of Christ. After the rapid change in seasons during the rest of the year, ordinary time is set apart for a focus on the work of the Church. As a smaller, aging congregation we are not as active as once was the case years ago, but we still had opportunities to ‘go and do likewise’ as Jesus commanded His disciples after washing their feet at the Last Supper. Individually, you all do have an impact and are people of influence as you shine the light of Christ in your homes, within your families and circle of friends, workplaces and in the community. You may not think of yourself as being a particularly bright light, but because Christ dwells in us through the power of the Holy Spirit, His light is always shining through you! Ordinary time is a celebration of that reality.

Corporately, as the Church, we also continue to have an impact in our community. We support two other congregations who use our campus. These congregations minister to communities that we would be less likely to connect with due to a variety of reasons. The Gospel is proclaimed by the Evangelical Gospel Ministry and The Apostolic Fellowship and they to impact our community for the sake of and to the glory of God. The Action Food Pantry is doing amazing ministry and they also receive support from Grace. Our Preschool is doing the invaluable ministry of caring for children in our community and teaching them about the love of Jesus. We also support a quilt guild that is more than just a quilting club. They are very civically minded and impact the community in a variety of ways. Though we are not directly involved with these groups in large numbers, we support and partner with them so that collectively the things that happen on our campus are worth being celebrated and far more than ordinary.

I do want to celebrate our recent service event on the ELCA’s annual God’s Work, Our Hands service day in the month of September. Thanks to your generous donations and time we gathered a wealth of supplies and put together over 100 blessing bags that have been and continue to be distributed to the homeless and those in need in our area. As we heard in worship on Sept. 24 from a couple of our members, those who were recipients of these blessing bags were truly blessed by the simple gesture. It may seem like a simple gesture to some, but to the recipient it is evidence that someone actually cares about them, not a thing those folks experience on a regular basis. Loving a neighbor is at the heart of the Gospel and those blessing bags, as ordinary as they may seem, fulfill what Jesus said was the most important thing we can do beside loving God. Remarkable! I’m happy to report that in just a few short weeks almost all of the blessing bags have gone home with someone and have likely already been a blessing to someone. And just to prove my point that we are partners with the ministries that share our campus, The Apostolic Fellowship joined us in the distribution of those bags! Thank you to everyone who participated!

You may be wondering why I chose this theme for this month’s newsletter article. First, I think it is important to remind everyone that in spite of the fact that we are a small and aging congregation, we are still active and fulfilling the call to love our neighbors in really impactful ways. Don’t ever equate small with insignificant! We are making a difference!

The other reason is I recently started reading a book that dispels the myth that because we are a small church we don’t matter especially when compared with larger congregations and mega churches. I will likely have more to say once I’ve finished the book, but for now let’s celebrate not just what God has done through Grace in the past, but what He continues to do in us and through us today. Well done Grace!

Yours In Christ,

Pastor Steve

• Worship News:  Jeremy Brown will be preaching on Sunday, October 8. Pastor Steve will be at Cursillo. Bishop Brenda Bos will be preaching on Sunday, October 15. 

• M/S/C to trim the cypress trees on the west side of the parking lot for a cost of $1200.

• On Sunday, September 10, Grace participated in the 10th anniversary of the ELCA event “God’s Work; Our Hands.” Over 100 Blessing Bags were filled. Some were taken by members that day. If you need more, there is a box in Pastor Steve’s office to replenish your supply.

• The Harvest Festival and Trunk or Treat will be Sunday, October 29 at 3:00 pm.  Please come and show your support for Grace’s Pre-School, the students and their families.

• There is an opportunity for you to join the Church Council for the term 2024-2025. Please see me (Brenda Noriega) for information.  

In His Service, 

Brenda Noriega

Council President

Trunks and Treats -

Sunday, October 29

Decorate your car and pass out candy for the the Grace Church and Preschool Halloween Carnival! This is a wonderful event for the children and families of the preschool and church as well as our community. If you can help out or bring your car, contact Miss Christy at preschool@gracecovina.org.

All Saints Sunday - November 5



On All Saints Sunday, we publicly remember and honor those who have passed away during the previous year. If you have loved one you would like to have remembered during Worship, please email office@gracecovina.org, let Pastor Steve know, or indicate on your Sunday attendance slip.

Sunday, October 1, 2023

18th Sunday after Pentecost

Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32

Psalm 25:1-9

Philippians 2:1-13

Matthew 21:23-32

Click here for readings

Sunday, October 8, 2023

19th Sunday after Pentecost

Isaiah 5:1-7

Psalm 80:7-15

Philippians 3:4b-14

Matthew 21:33-46

Click here for readings

Sunday, October 15, 2023

20th Sunday after Pentecost

Isaiah 25:1-9

Psalm 23

Philippians 4:1-9

Matthew 22:1-14

Click here for readings

Sunday, October 22, 2023

21st Sunday after Pentecost

Isaiah 45:1-7

Psalm 96:1-9 [10-13]

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Matthew 22:15-22

Click here for readings

Sunday, October 29, 2023

Reformation Sunday

Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18

Psalm 1

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

Matthew 22:34-46

Click here for readings

On Sunday, October 15, Bishop Brenda Bos joins us as our guest preacher (rescheduled from last month).

Thank you to everyone who has been bringing their egg cartons for the ACTION Food Pantry to use! At this time, ACTION's source for bulk eggs is packaging them in cartons for their clients' use, so they don't need any more for now.



There still is a need for canned goods of all kinds, especially fruit, which is difficult to source fresh.

Please see the online calendar here for the latest updates

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: Tony Alvarez Sr., Marge Clark, Steve Quick,  Ron Ott, Mary Encabo, Nick Schober, Spencer, Diane Syslo, Spencer, Candyce Jacobs, Sue Henderson, Jim Oravetz, Deneise Hadley, Alma Pasos, Marie O'Malley, Judith Tury, Cindy Skolaski, Elena Navarette, Nancy Klotzche, Larry Weidner, Linda Schober, Barry Gustaferro, Yolanda Weidner, Joan Pelleren, Shelly Ruiz, Elizabeth Ordonez, Patty VanRaalte, Elva Maldonado, Felix Noriega, Holly Masters, Gen Alley, Ray, Audrey Fuller, Arlen Heyne, Gil and Yolanda Erro, Linda Dalton, Rick Turner, Herb Westerfield, Noa Buhler, Rose Marie Quesada, Jaxon Turner, Art James, Robert Larsen, Trina Clay, 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: Deanne Castorena and family, the family of John Galletta, Christy Arreguin and family,  the family of Shawna Wakeley, Christopher Oravetz, Jeffrey Saltonstall, Timothy Morgan, 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: Richard Larini (Navy), 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

Custodian | Laureen Alvarez

Parish Administrator | Samantha Henderson