Grace Lutheran Church & Preschool
Newsletter - May, 2021
|
|
17880 E. Covina Blvd. | Covina, CA 91722
Church Office (626) 332-4536 | Preschool (626) 967-5855
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Full Sunday services are available on the Grace Lutheran, Covina YouTube channel. We also hold in-person, outdoor worship at 9:30 a.m. Sundays on the Grace, Covina campus, weather permitting. Services in our Sanctuary will resume Sunday, May 9 at 9:30 a.m. Our last drive-through Holy Communion will be Sunday, May 9 at 10:30 a.m.
Masks are required and social distancing is observed, and we ask that you bring your own chair, if possible. 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.
|
|
|
|
Dear Grace Family,
In last month’s newsletter article, I invited those of you who have not attended a worship service since the pandemic began to join us for our outdoor worship, and I also mentioned that I did not have a date for when we might return to worshipping inside our sanctuary. Since then, we celebrated Easter with by far the largest gathering we have had for worship since last year, and it was magnificent! We have also made the decision to return to our sanctuary for worship on Mother’s Day, May 9th!
This is not an indication that life is going back to normal though. For one thing, I am not sure that we will ever go back to the way things were pre-pandemic at Grace or in our world. Something as significant as a year-long global pandemic most definitely will change how we live permanently just as that horrific day back in September of 2001 did 20 years ago.
However, we worship a God who is unchanging and nothing that happens in our lives or in our world will ever change God. As the creator of all things, God is supreme in His reign and sovereignty and that is only one of the countless reasons He is worthy of our worship, love, and gratitude. This is also why we turn to God when all else seems uncertain, unstable, or completely chaotic. So, when we do return to the sanctuary some things will de different than before, but our worship will remain authentic and heartfelt as it should be.
I understand that there will be some of you who will still not feel comfortable returning to a public life when we do open our sanctuary, and that is ok. For the time being we will still have a recorded service available weekly on YouTube as has been the case since last year. For those of you who will attend worship please wear your mask and maintain a safe distance from those who are not part of your household. The service itself will be held at 9:30 a.m. and there will only be one service. It will be a blended service with some elements of what we called our traditional service as well as some elements of contemporary worship. In essence it will be very much like what we have been using for our recorded and outdoor services.
As things continue to open up and restrictions continue to lessen, other aspects of our life together will continue to evolve so it is important you stay connected. We will continue to do our best to communicate any and all changes as they happen. But, as a reminder I am always available for your questions or comments. I am looking forward to seeing you all soon!
In His Service,
Pastor Steve
|
|
For the last several years we have been supporting ministries outside the scope of what we are doing here at Grace and through the larger expression of the ELCA through quarterly distributions of $1,000. Each quarter the Council and I select local, national and global ministries to support using your offerings to Grace. It is a matter of good stewardship and fulfillment of God's call for us to share the Gospel throughout His creation.
The first quarter recipient of our benevolence is a missionary serving in a Muslim country where Christianity is illegal. I can't tell you her name or where specifically she is doing her missionary work because of the threat to her and her fellow missionaries for doing the work they are doing. But, I can tell you their ministry is heavily involved with women and children and the refugees that pour into this region of the world. The teach and preach the Gospel to people who have never heard it. So, know that we are helping to make a difference in the world for the sake of the Gospel. Way to go Grace members!
|
|
Join us Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. for Grace Lutheran Online Bible Study - our current topic is the 1st Book of Samuel.
Zoom information for Wednesday Bible Study is also made available on our Facebook page.
|
|
|
May 2, 2021
5th Sunday of Easter
|
Acts 8:26-40
Psalm 22:25-31
1 John 4:7-21
John 15:1-8
|
|
May 9, 2021
6th Sunday of Easter
|
Acts 10:44-48
Psalm 98
1 John 5:1-6
John 15:9-17
|
|
May 16, 2021
7th Sunday of Easter
|
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
Psalm 1
1 John 5:9-13
John 17:6-19
|
|
May 23, 2021
Day of Pentecost
|
Acts 2:1-21
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
Romans 8:22-27
John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15
|
|
May 30, 2021
Holy Trinity Sunday
|
Isaiah 6:1-8
Psalm 29
Romans 8:12-17
John 3:1-17
|
|
|
Drew Adzovich | May 1
Kayla Entrinkin | 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
Susan Wood | May 22
Keegan Yarber | May 22
Joyce Gower | May 25
Candyce Jacobs | May 25
Nathan Smith | May 27
|
|
|
|
Anthony & Mary Encabo
May 11
Kevin & Heather Bergerson
May 14
|
- 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, Lorraine Thorne, Trina Clay, Walter Hoke, Charlene Bergerson, 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, Deanna Kellogg, Taylor Rae, Robert Larsen, Deanna Kellogg, Deneice Hadley, Cheryl Miller, Janis Lovullo, Sam Kamler, Christine Tury, Valerie Beasley, and victims of COVID-19.
Please pray for others in need of prayer, including: the family of Mark Morgan, the family of Deanna Kellogg, Deborah and Mark Roberts, the family of Doug Ginesi, the family of Mark Westergard, the family of Sonny Smith, the family of Erwin Anisman, 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.
|
|
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
|
|
A number of people in the SWCA Synod territory have received an email/emails purporting to be from pastors or bishops, asking them to purchase gift cards or send money for charities or individuals in need.
Religious groups have become targets for these types of scams, which take advantage of people's generosity, and ELCA synods and congregations across the country have seen a marked increase in such attempts over the past few years. The COVID-19 crisis especially is an opportunity for scammers, phishers, and spoofers to exploit the desire to help a neighbor in need.
As always, do not click on a link, send money or gift cards, or provide checking account or credit card information in response to ANY emailed solicitation from ANYBODY without checking with a trusted source.
|
|
STAY CONNECTED TO GRACE-COVINA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
