Grace Lutheran Church & Preschool

Newsletter - October 2022

Greetings Grace Family,

In January of 2019 we held our annual Congregational Meeting and one of the items we decided on as a congregation was to liquidate two stagnant funds and create funding for a long-term project utilizing the assets from the aforementioned funds. It was called the Facility Renewal Fund (FRF) and the plan was to add to the seed money over the course of the next five or so years and revitalize our aging campus and buildings. Then the Covid-19 pandemic happened. And like so many aspects of our life together, it had a major impact on the FRF.

At that point nobody knew how long the pandemic would last or if we would still be able to remain financially stable without the ability to hold our worship services in person. This really took away the potential momentum we may have begun in funding the FRF. With so much uncertainty we really just hoped and prayed that you all would remain faithful in your giving, which, praise God, you did! It seemed like a bit much to ask for everyone to give even more to a building fund when we didn’t know how long things would last or even if we would have the opportunity to replace things like a roof or a fresh coat of paint. But, now we are back in a place of stability and in light of recent repairs to one of the Preschool’s air conditioning units, I feel it is time to remind everyone what was voted on and approved as a capital campaign and try and recapture some of the initial inertia that was halted when the pandemic happened.

There are many reasons why the FRF has not become a part of your regular giving pattern. I have heard a number of them, and I understand the thinking behind each of those reasons. But, the failure of the Preschool air conditioner was a wake up call. We have had a pretty good run of good luck for quite a while, avoiding any really expensive repairs to our campus. With the A/C failure our luck ran out. The final cost was somewhere north of $10,000! And that was just for one of our A/C units. I believe we have at least three others that are as old or about as old as the one we had to replace. Thankfully we had more than enough to cover the cost in the FRF. Imagine if we did not have those funds that almost entirely came from the liquidated funds I mentioned at the beginning of my article. There would have been an immediate appeal to cover the cost, and I have very little doubt that you all would have responded faithfully to the appeal.

But here’s the thing, the FRF was not meant to stave off future emergency appeals when the inevitable failure of an A/C unit happens, or the roof starts leaking. It was meant to be a fund that allows us to proactively replace and repair most of what needs replacing or repair on our campus. Beyond the pragmatic aspects of this capital campaign, it is really a matter of good stewardship. God has blessed us with our property and buildings and all that has taken place at Grace. Think about how much Grace has meant to you and your family in your lives of faith. It’s all a gift from God and His generous grace. You have shown your appreciation for God’s generosity with over 60 years of faithful giving. But the home of our faith and years or decades of memories, is showing its age. In some cases, very dramatically, and noticeably. We have two options; wait until we are forced to fix/repair/replace our parking lot, aging and poorly functioning doors, old A/C units, chipped and peeling paint, sometimes leaky roof, water heaters, electrical panels, old plumbing, and ancient sound system when they inevitably fail and ask for significant amounts of money in a very short time to cover the cost. 

Or we can, over a period of the next several years gradually grow the Facility Renewal Fund and be proactive in revitalizing our campus and buildings. The first option is one many churches choose out of necessity. And should this be our option we would be much less likely to do some of the more cosmetic upgrades such as paint, new doors, or new windows and only repair those things that keep us cool in the summer, warm in the winter, and other effects of weather strictly outside our buildings.

What might this look like for each of you? An additional $10 a month? $20? $50? $100? Only you can answer that question. But if all of us contribute something the FRF will in a short time swell with potential. And you have my word that what you give will be used. You Council and I are committed to being good stewards with your hard earned money. I realize topics such as stewardship and fundraising are not anyone’s favorite topics. But, the next time you’re on campus take a good look at what you see and think about how you have been blessed by being part of the Grace Family. And ask yourself what things will look like in five or ten years if we ignore the issue of an aging campus. We have the means and resources, so it is really a matter of want to.

On behalf of your Congregational Council, I hope you will join me providing a little tender loving care to the place that has given us so much.

Yours in Christ,

Pr. Steve 

• Grace has a new organist, beginning September 18.  The council approved the hiring of Lily Lee. Lily will be playing the organ for worship on the first and third Sundays of each month.  She is a highly qualified organist and pianist. Please welcome her to our Grace family

• The council has accepted the resignation of Amber Brown as the church custodian due to health reasons.  Thank you, Amber, for your years of service to Grace.



• A special congregational meeting will be held on Sunday, September 18.  It will be held for the purpose of approving the Pre-School budget for 2022.  Immediately following the meeting, Grace will be having a fellowship event, Pasta and Potato Salad Competition, plus BBQ.

Brenda Noriega

Council President

October 2, 2022

17th Sunday after Pentecost

Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4

Psalm 37:1-9

2 Timothy 1:1-14

Luke 17:5-10

Click here for readings

October 9, 2022

18th Sunday after Pentecost

2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c

Psalm 111

2 Timothy 2:8-15

Luke 17:11-19

Click here for readings

October 16, 2022

19th Sunday after Pentecost

Genesis 32:22-31

Psalm 121

2 Timothy 3:14--4:5

Luke 18:1-8

Click here for readings

October 23, 2022

after Pentecost

Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22

Psalm 84:1-7

2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18

Luke 18:9-14

Click here for readings

October 30, 2022

Reformation Sunday

Isaiah 1:10-18

Psalm 32:1-7

2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12

Luke 19:1-10

Click here for readings

Grace-Covina is gathering (boxed) mashed potatoes and (packets or jars) gravy for ACTION Food Pantry's Thanksgiving Basket Distribution. Please bring your donations to the Narthex. 

The ACTION Food Pantry buys their eggs in bulk - this costs less, but to distribute this important protein source to their clients they need egg cartons. Please leave your paper or plastic cartons in the Narthex for collection.

Online calendar 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: Maryann Kenyon, Jennie and Jim Miller, Shelly Ruiz, Elizabeth Ordonez, Carolyn Wengel, Patty VanRaalte, Elva Maldonado, Amber Brown, Scott Evinger, Cathy Plante, Felix Noriega, Holly Masters, Gen Alley, Ray, Audrey Fuller, Don Lockman, Robert Ordonez, Sr., Karen Putnam, Arlen Heyne, Gil and Yolanda Erro, Linda Dalton, Charlene Lisberg and Debbie, Rick Turner, Bud Peterson, Nolan, Herb Westerfield, Noa Buhler, Rose Marie Quesada, Cindy Skolaski, Deanna Kellogg, Jaxon Turner, Art James, Dakota Garske, Fern Hastings, Robert Boomsma, Robert Larsen, Trina Clay, Walter Hoke, 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 of Carol Scheer, 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.

Pastor | The Rev. Steve Otte

Director of Worship & Music | Jeffrey Saltonstall

Preschool Director | Christy Arreguin

Organist | Lily Lee

Parish Administrator | Samantha Henderson