Grace Lutheran Church Newsletter

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Volunteers Needed - Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive

On Saturday, May 14 and Sunday, May 15, the Action Food Pantry needs volunteers to collect, transport, sort and store food received during the National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. The Action Food Pantry has been designated to receive all the food received by the La Puente Post Office. The last year that the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive was conducted was 2019. The Action Food Pantry received nearly 42 tons of food from the La Puente Post Office that year.

Please see details below on what is needed as far as manpower on those two days. Any people who can help out on either or both of these days can contact Bernie Nord at bernienord42@gmail.com or call or text him at (626) 893-1369. The success of this event depends on receiving help from many people!

We also need at least one driver to drive a box truck that we will lease. We also would welcome anyone with a pickup truck that would be willing to haul food on Saturday.

Volunteers should wear closed toe shoes and may want to bring gloves. All volunteers for the post office docks should meet at the food pantry on Saturday, May 14 at 2:30 pm to carpool to the post office. Saturday food pantry volunteers should arrive at the pantry by 4:00 pm. Sunday volunteers should arrive at the food pantry at noon.

This is an important event for the food pantry.

Please consider helping us out!

Following are the times and places where we need help:

The La Puente Post Office docks: On Saturday May 14 we need at least 20 people from 3:00 pm until the last letter carrier comes in, and the dock is cleared of all food, usually about 9:00 pm. We will be loading all the food into trucks to be driven back to the food pantry. This job can get pretty intense towards the end of the day. But with enough help, we should be able to work pretty efficiently. As soon as the dock is cleaned up, this crew is done.

The Action Food Pantry on the campus of Grace Lutheran Church, Covina: On Saturday May 14 we need 40 people to unload the trucks that bring food from the post office to the food pantry, and sort and crate food for storage. Canned food will be crated for storage at our storage facility, and non-cans will be stored at the food pantry. This crew will work from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

The Action Food Pantry on the campus of Grace Lutheran Church, Covina: On Sunday, May 15 we need 40 people rom 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm to unload, sort and store non-canned food from the last truck to be loaded at the post office. Cans will either be crated at the food pantry and transferred to our storage facility, or simply unloaded and crated at the storage facility by 20 people transferring to the storage facility. We must be out of the storage facility by 7:00 pm.

Maybe not the nicest thing to say...

by Pastor Marjorie Funk-Pihl

The Rev. Dr. Marjorie Funk-Pihl is the founder and primary consultant of the Living the Resurrection, a vitality process to help congregations start new relationships with their multicultural neighbors.

Jesus was not resuscitated to pick up his old life where he left off. He was resurrected to new life. Resurrection is not resuscitation. Jesus’ resurrection initiates God’s new creation, it was not a continuation of the old one.

“For I am about to create a new heaven and a new earth, the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind” Isaiah 65:17.

We hear this echo in Jesus’ conversation with Mary in the garden of his now-empty tomb. Jesus’ resurrection changes his story. It’s no longer a story about someone we thought would save Israel but instead died on a cross. It’s the story about the one who will save the world whom God raised from the dead. So, Mary, Jesus almost says -- my story needs rewriting. “Don’t hold on to me” we can’t stand here hugging in the garden, we both have work to do. I am going to my Father and I need you to go tell the rest of the disciples what I’m up to (loose paraphrase of John 20:17-18). And Mary does.

Biblical Scholar and British Bishop NT Wright reminds us that the Good News is not “Jesus was raised; therefore, we’re going to heaven.” The Good News is “Jesus was raised; therefore, God’s new creation has begun and we’ve got a job to do” (NT Wright, 2006, 21).

Mary caught on right away. Somehow, many of us aren’t quite as quick. Or maybe we were at one time, but we’ve grown a bit complacent. The Good News is as comfortable as a warm hug from a dear friend.

The pastor of a congregation I was working with a while back told me that his congregation saw themselves as a ‘warm hug.” They were really good at loving one another. So one day he posed this question to them:

What would you do if you came upon a small group of folks in a warm hug?

Would you join them?

They admitted that no – they would not. In fact, they would find that a bit awkward and try to walk around the group without being noticed – so as not to interrupt their moment. Their pastor affirmed their perfectly natural response and pointed out that this was indeed the neighbor’s response to the congregation.

A warm hug is exclusive and closed. It’s not something that lasts more than a couple of minutes. After that – it’s time to open up and move on. A hug nurtures the relationship between the participants and energizes them to live into the future with confidence. At least that’s what it did for Mary and Jesus. But it didn’t seem to be having the same effect on my pastor colleague and his congregation. It nurtured their relationships but didn’t give them a sense of urgency about their part in the mission of Jesus. We worked together to help them hear Jesus release them from his embrace with the words “Don’t hold on”– we have work to do- “Go and tell.” God is alive and working toward a new creation!

Don’t worry. God’s new creation is recognizable. It isn’t completely unknown. After all Mary recognized Jesus’ voice when he called her name. There is a bit of the old that comes into the new. For Mary, and for us, our relationship with Jesus goes with us into this unfamiliar future. Standing in the garden that first Easter Morning, Mary did not know all that Jesus’ resurrection meant. It was only the first day. She will have time to live into it. We will too. For today it is enough to know that death could not hold Jesus, neither could Mary, and neither can we. God is alive and working and we are called to participate in that work.

From the Living the Resurrection Blog

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America observes 35th anniversary

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) observed its 35th anniversary on Saturday, April 30. On that date in 1987, the ELCA constitution was adopted during the opening session of the Constituting Convention in Columbus, Ohio.

The ELCA was formed from a merger of three Lutheran churches – the American Lutheran Church, the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches, and the Lutheran Church in America.

To symbolize the formation of the new denomination, the bishops from the three predecessor church bodies poured water from separate containers into one baptismal font (photo upper right)

The Rev. Herbert W. Chilstrom was elected first bishop of the ELCA during the Constituting Convention. He was former bishop of the Minnesota Synod of the Lutheran Church in America.

As the church commemorates its history, it also is looking toward the future. ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton spoke of the importance of the “Future Church” priority being rooted in tradition while also being relevant to people who may not know the gospel message of freedom.

“In 1522, early in the Lutheran movement, Martin Luther took hold of the new technology of the printing press and modernized communication by translating the Bible into German, the language of the people,” she said. “Now, 500 years later, we need to find new ways to speak into the cultural vernacular.

“It’s not our intent to water down or minimize the gospel word, but to share the good news to make it rooted in tradition and radically relevant. We believe that the gospel changes lives. The gospel not only is a word of grace but it’s also a word of liberation.”

Report of the Grace-Covina Church Council

April, 2022

.· Giving Statements will be prepared by the Financial Secretary every six months. The statements will be available for pick-up in the Narthex. Those remaining, after a designated period of time, will be mailed.

· The Food Pantry has reopened. They reopened on Thursday, April 7, from noon-4:00pm. They served 40-50 clients on the first day back. They will be distributing food one day a week, on Thursdays. The Food Pantry will again be participating in the Post Office Food Gathering on May 14-15.

· The organ will be repaired as soon as the needed part arrives, and the repairman has time to fit Grace into his work schedule.

· The Holy Week worship schedule is set with two services on Good Friday (noon and 7:00 pm) and one service on Easter (9:30 am). There will be no Maundy Thursday service.

· The Council will be requesting members to make recommendations of service providers (plumbers, electricians, painters, carpenters, etc.) that they have used at their homes, and were very pleased with the results. The council will be contacting them in the near future to receive bids for church repair.

Brenda Noriega

Council President

Good Gifts Update

Good Gifts is a way for congregation members to support the projects of ELCA churchwide ministries. Each of these programs is a long-term, partnership-based ministry focused on the needs identified by local congregations and global companion churches and their communities. Funds donated by Grace-Covina members recently were used to purchase chicks, piglets, goats, a rooster, and mosquito nets - these will go where most needed. Thank you!

Preschool Report - April 2022

All is continuing well with the Preschool and Infant Care, and we are blessed with the staff - including new and returning teachers - and our Director, Miss Christy. We continue with about about 10 children at the infant care and about 20 families at the preschool. Please continue keep all of our preschool, staff, children, and families in our prayers.

May Scripture Readings

May 1, 2022

3rd Sunday of Easter

Acts 9:1-6 [7-20]

Psalm 30

Revelation 5:11-14

John 21:1-19

Click here for readings

May 8, 2022

4th Sunday of Easter

Acts 9:36-43

Psalm 23

Revelation 7:9-17

John 10:22-30

Click here for readings

May 15, 2022

5th Sunday of Easter

Acts 11:1-18

Psalm 148

Revelation 21:1-6

John 13:31-35

Click here for readings

May 22. 2022

6th Sunday of Easter

Acts 16:9-15

Psalm 67

Revelation 21:10, 22--22:5

John 14:23-29

Click here for readings

May 29. 2022

7th Sunday of Easter

Acts 16:16-34

Psalm 97

Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21

John 17:20-26

Click here for readings

May Birthdays

Drew Adzovich | May 1

Kayla Wood | May 1

Christy Arreguin | May 3

Katie Encabo | May 13

Barbara Bryner | May 14

Diana Alley | May 14

Esther Papp | May 14

Carolyn Wengel | May 15

Madison Jacobs | May 16

Kitty Davisson | May 19

Erin Noriega | May 21

Keegan Yarber | May 22

Joyce Gower | May 25

Candyce Jacobs | May 25

Nathan Smith | May 27

May Anniversaries

Anthony & Mary Encabo

May 11

Let us know

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

We are missing the Memorial Book that was kept in the display cabinet in the church narthex. If you have any idea where it's got to, please contact the church office.

May 2022 Calendar

10th Annual Bonhoeffer Festival

Thursday May 12

Good Shepherd Lutheran, Claremont

12:30 - 4:30 p.m. | In-person and online

Guest Speaker: Dr Reggie Williams, author of Bonhoeffer’s Black Jesus

Panel Discussion/Q & A with Rev. Lara Martin and Rev. Rene Martin, led by Rev. Dr. Thomas Johnson

Reception/Table Talk at Good Shepherd Fellowship Hall

Cost: Free (donations are welcome)

RSVP to Tjohnson@cst.edu10th Annual Bonhoeffer Festival

Make or update a prayer request 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: Don Lockman, Norma and Ray Snow, Robert Ordonez, Sr., Karen Putnam, Rick Bair, Arlen Heyne, Renae Gormick, Gil and Yolanda Erro, Linda Dalton, Charlene Lisberg and Debbie, Rick Turner, Kurt and Debbie VonRice, Bud Peterson, Carolyn Wengel, Nolan, Herb Westerfield, Patrick Putnam, Noa Buhler, John, Sharon Kost, Rose Marie Quesada, Cindy Skolaski, Deanna Kellogg, Shannon Troop, Jaxon Turner, 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 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 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.