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Grace Lutheran Church & Preschool
Newsletter - June, 2021
17880 E. Covina Blvd. | Covina, CA 91722
Church Office (626) 332-4536 | Preschool (626) 967-5855
GLC and More Online
Worship
Full Sunday services are available on the Grace Lutheran, Covina YouTube channel. We also hold in-person worship at Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in our Sanctuary.

If you are medically compromised, have any of the symptoms of COVID-19, or have had contact with anyone with COVID-19, we ask that you worship safely with us online. 
From Pastor Steve
Greeting Grace Family!
           
I realize I’ve shared almost ad nauseum what’s happening with our worship services and other church events as it pertains to the pandemic, but we’re getting closer to the end of County and State restrictions and guidelines, so I feel it’s prudent to give you the latest information. Starting on June 20 we will no longer have any restrictions for our gatherings which means, basically, no more masks or social distancing. That doesn’t mean COVID is no longer a threat, it’s just that the threat is very minimal especially for those of us who are vaccinated. I’m looking forward to that!
            
We will continue with just one service, blending some traditional and contemporary elements for the foreseeable future. I really enjoy seeing all of you together at the same time in our sanctuary. For those of you who have attended a service in our sanctuary in the last few weeks, I expect you’ve felt the same seeing a larger group of people and the energy that creates in worship. I do welcome your feedback regarding this change and will use that feedback to assess what is going to be best for you all in terms of worship. 
            
Our last recorded service will be June 13. Starting on June 20, we will be live streaming our in-person worship. So, that means you will not be able to watch the service on YouTube at a time you choose on a Sunday morning. However, we will post the livestreamed service on YouTube for viewing a day or so afterwards. We haven’t decided what online platform we will use for the livestream, but we will let you know as soon as we decide. That info will be emailed, posted on our website, mentioned in the last recorded service on June 13 and on our Facebook page. 
            
As far as other pre-pandemic church activities resuming or going back to ‘normal’, we will resume our Wednesday morning Bible Study on June 23 at 11:30 a.m. I’m not sure what we will be studying, but I’ll make that decision soon. And as of now my office hours will vary based on need. But, I am always available on my cell phone for whatever you need. There is still going to be a time of adjustment as we come out of the pandemic. Things will not go back to the way they were before. 
            
The final thing I’d like to talk about is our Preschool. As you know the pandemic was very, very difficult for Ms. Christy, her staff, and the preschool families. Ms. Christy and her staff have been truly amazing, despite the challenges. Their passion for the ministry happening at the preschool is off the charts. And they are looking forward to no longer having to deal with COVID restrictions, but it’s going to be a while still for them for a variety of reasons. We all owe them a huge “THANK YOU” for all they’ve done!

I’m sure you wouldn’t be surprised to know that financially the last 15 months have been very hard for the preschool. Attendance was way down for much of 2020 while the cost of operating the preschool remained fairly consistent. As a result they finished the year at quite a deficit, clearing out their cash reserves despite the money we received from the PPP loan, finishing in the red. Our hope is that with a return to an unrestricted public life that attendance will once again be at full capacity. Until that point I would ask you to continue to pray for the staff and families and search your heart and see if you find it in your heart to make a donation in support of this incredibly important ministry. It would also be great if you could take a moment to write a note or send a card to Ms. Christy and her staff thanking them for their hard work and dedication. Thank you in advance for your response!

In His Service,
Pr Steve
Benevolence Update
(a message from the recipient of Grace-Covina's 1st quarter benevolence)
A couple of years ago, one of our Afghan families came to Christ. We got to rejoice in their dunking and celebrate the family believing together. They were however in the country illegally, not registered with the UN. After a bit of walking together, they decided they wanted to register, which also required them to move halfway across the country. They did all this, got lots of paperwork together, got the kids and in school, and settled in.

Then their case was rejected. We were bit shocked; they have one of the most solid refugee cases I've heard of. The husband's brothers had been directly killed by the Taliban and the Taliban had issued an order against the whole family. Furthermore, now as Christians, life in Afghanistan would be very dangerous for them. We helped them with a lawer to appeal but this first appeal was denied. (Which we were told is common. The second court often supports the judgement of the first.) We are now hiring a lawyer to help them take their case to the constitutional court. The lawyer feels that they have an extremely high chance of winning at that level.

All that to say, a few of us are helping put money together for the lawyer fees, so thank you for your gift which helps enable this.

Also, could you be praying for this family? You can pray for their case. Can you also pray for their spiritual situation? They struggled to fit in with the church where they moved. The church is all Iranians and the family is Afghan. There are cultural differences, language differences, as well as some mistakes I think made on both sides, that pushed them apart. They've stopped attending there, but aren't going anywhere else. It's hard for us to know how to walk alongside of them from this distance.  They also struggle with the trauma of death that they've experienced very vividly, as well as demeaning behaviour from people they encounter now and the general difficulties of living as a refugee in a country not your own.

Thank you for your partnership with our work over here!
Bishop-Elect Brenda Bos
The Rev. Brenda Bos was elected to serve a six-year term as Bishop of the Southwest California Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America on June 5, 2021. The election took place during the 33rd Assembly of the Southwest California Synod, which was held online with live and recorded participation throughout the synod territory.

A native Californian, Pastor Bos was ordained in 2014 in her home congregation of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in North Hollywood. Before entering the ministry, Bishop-elect Bos was a television producer at Warner Bros. studios, working on sitcoms such as “The George Lopez Show” and “The Golden Girls.” Most recently, she has served as the Assistant to the Bishop for Rostered Leadership for Southwest California Synod. She also served Christ Lutheran Church in San Clemente, where the congregation advocated for the rights of unhoused persons, seniors and those living with addiction. She has also served congregations in Santa Monica, Canoga Park and Danville, California.
Wednesday Bible Study
Join us 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
June Scripture Readings
June 6, 2021
2nd Sunday of Pentecost
Genesis 3:8-15
Psalm 130
2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1
Mark 3:20-35
June 13, 2021
3rd Sunday of Pentecost
Ezekiel 17:22-24
Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15
2 Corinthians 5:6-10 [11-13] 14-17
Mark 4:26-34
June 20, 2021
4th Sunday of Pentecost
Job 38:1-11
Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Mark 4:35-41
June 27, 2021
5th Sunday of Pentecost
Job 38:1-11
Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Mark 4:35-41
June Birthdays
Lexi Jacobs | June 1 
Robert Ordonez | June 1
Charlie Dabbs | June 3
Jenny Brown | June 5
June Evinger | June 6
Vicki Jacobs | June 8
Charlene Snyder | June 10
Connie Brown | June 18
Aiden Biggs | June 22
Charlene Lisberg | June 29
Scott Jacobs | June 29 
June Anniversaries
Mike & Mandy McCabe 
June 2
Suzanne & Bud Banks
June 10
Charlie & Marie Dabbs 
June 20
Brandon & Anna Loyd 
June 23
Steve & Nancy Adzovich 
June 26 
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
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: 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 Gorske, Aria Labrum, Kari Watson, Peggy Salcido, John Carlin, Jason Foutch, Addie, Susan Atkison, Joyce Sutera, 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, Sheila, 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, Norma Snow, Valerie Beasley, John Galleta, Robert Ordonez, Sr., Joy Mangan, Jaime Wilcots, Beverly Smith, Ray Vareta, Mike Eley, and victims of COVID-19.

Please pray for others in need of prayer, including: the family of Rick Morgan, Deborah and Mark Roberts, the family of Doug Ginesi, the family of Sonny Smith, the family of Erwin Anisman, the family of Marlys De Smith, the family of Jean Rohrbach, Bernie Allman with Linda Ann and David, the Quezada Family, and our Grace neighbors.

Please pray for the men and women who are currently serving in the military who are bravely protecting us and our country, including Andrew Ranabarger and Cole Elliot (Marine Corps) and Nathaniel Morgan (Army).
 
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.
Your Church Council
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
www.gracecovina.org | [email protected] | (626) 332 - 4536