Grace Lutheran Church & Preschool

Newsletter - July, 2024

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Dear Grace Family, 

This is the newsletter article I never thought or imagined I would ever have to write. Summer is here and normally a July article would include quips about how hot it is and how I warned everyone during the cold and rainy winter that amidst the complaints about how cold it is, that summer would be here before you knew it. I would also gently remind everyone to remain faithful with your financial support during the lower attendance summer months in an effort to avoid a budget deficit that would facilitate a late year push to meet the budget. 

This time around my mind is elsewhere. On June 3^rd, while I was beginning a rare week of vacation, I received a text from a number I did not recognize that stated, “Can you please come to the hospital immediately?” My mind immediately began to race wondering who had sent this text and what the nature of this obvious crisis was. So, I quickly called the number and was given the devastating news that our Preschool Director has unimaginably passed away from cardiac arrest while in the hospital recovering from a broken femur. Ms. Christy’s sister Terri delivered this shocking news through the tears of her shock and grief. 

A wave of emotion flooded over me, and I almost dropped to my knees. How? Why? Wait, what? My heart broke for the Arreguin family, the preschool children and their families, our Grace family, and the countless lives Ms. Christy had touched during her nearly four decades at the Preschool. This can’t be! I still can’t believe it, yet it is so sadly true.  

So many thoughts and emotions raced through my mind and the next 24 hours were a blur with dozens of phone calls and very difficult conversations. Nobody was prepared for this. How could we be? A light that shined as bright as Ms. Christy’s could never be extinguished. How could God allow this to happen? What would we do now? So many questions...So much confusion…

My reaction is not atypical. In fact, it is normal. I’ve experienced it before as I imagine many of you have too. Grief, especially when it hits so suddenly, is overwhelming and elicits so many questions, many of which will never be answered on this side of heaven. 

The questions, even if we know we won’t get answers, are quite reasonable. Throughout the scriptures God’s people openly ask questions, often because we can’t understand what God is up to. (There’s an entire book in the Old Testament called, “Lamentations!”) That’s more than reasonable in light of the infinite scope of God’s wisdom and power. 

As we, and the many authors of scripture, ask those ‘why’ questions we must not lose sight of one critical point; God also provides us with a sense of hope that also defies explanation. Hope has sustained me through every impossible situation and will sustain me and all who grieve for Ms. Christy as we navigate the broken road we call life.

The void left by this tragedy also has practical implications as Ms. Christy’s leadership at the Preschool cannot be duplicated or replaced. But hope also provides the opportunity for optimism and we will trust in God to lead us through the dark valley. I know the three amazing teachers, Ms. Cerise, Ms. Jules, and Ms. Shrada, believe that. Our Preschool Board led by Candace Canchola and Jerry Colwell believe that. And our Congregation Council led by Brenda Noriega also believe that. And we are all committed to making sure that Ms. Christy’s legacy will continue for years to come. 



I don’t know what the future holds or what God will do. But I do know He is faithful when we are faithful. Eventually I am confident that in time we will look back and see the fingerprints of God all over the blueprint that he has already created and instead of asking why, we will be proclaiming, “Wow!”

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Steve

From the Council Meeting of June 11, 2024

● Spoke at length about the loss of our beloved and irreplaceable Ms. Christy.

Moving forward with Grace’s Preschool, the immediate need is staffing. At

present, there are three teachers. For the Preschool to grow, they need to hire

more teachers. This has proven to be difficult in the past, but every effort will be

made to set up interviews for qualified candidates. Our thanks to the Preschool

Board and Samantha that have all stepped up to offer assistance in a variety of

ways.

● The AFP has emptied the bin in the south driveway of the food gathered during the Post Office’s “Stamp Out Hunger” campaign. It has been sorted and stored. Bernie has alerted the company to come and pick it up.

● The broken sprinklers in the backyard have been repaired for $160.

● The pergola in the backyard is being refurbished thanks to a grant from the

synod. Thank you Samantha!

● Members should be receiving their Giving Statements from January-June 2024 in early July.

● Campus security is important. If you go into or unlock a door, please make sure it is secured before you leave.

● Eight tablecloths have been donated to Grace by June Evinger’s sister, Myrna

Ott. Thank you for your generosity.

● Thank you also to Randy Noriega for working diligently to keep the park trees

and bushes trimmed. Our property along Larkin Street is neat and well-kept.

In His Service,

Brenda Noriega 

Council President

Sunday July 7, 2024

7th Sunday after Pentecost

Ezekiel 2:1-5

Psalm 123

2 Corinthians 12:2-10

Mark 6:1-13

Click here for readings

Sunday July 14, 2024

8th Sunday of Pentecost

Amos 7:7-15

Psalm 85:8-13

Ephesians 1:3-14

Mark 6:14-29

Click here for readings

Sunday, July 21, 2024

9th Sunday of Pentecost

Jeremiah 23:1-6

Psalm 23

Ephesians 2:11-22

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

Click here for readings

Sunday, July 28, 2024

10th Sunday of Pentecost

2 Kings 4:42-44

Psalm 145:10-18

Ephesians 3:14-21

John 6:1-21

Click here for readings

Click here for updated calendar

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: Deneice Hadley, Scott Sowles, Dixie Berlsche, Kathy and John Walker, Cindy Skolaski, Lilly, Sue Henderson, Logan Oravetz, Laureen Alvarez,  Jaxon Turner, Bill Wengel, Mariesha Ross-Richard, Gen Alley, Sandy Streeter, Myrna Ott, Pastor Ed McGee, Patty VanRaalte, Ryder, Morgan, Tim Phillips, Audry and Leo Fuller, Linda Dalton, Nance R., Melody Reich, Chris Saltonstall, Emma Reardon, Marie O’Malley, Michelle Heyne, Stuart Merkel, Trina Clay, Billy Thompson, Connie Brown, Elena Navarette, George Fuller, Jim Oravetz, Joan and Lee Juneau, Joan Pelleren, Joyce Gower, Kari Watson, Martha Olson, Pam Elparin, Ray, Rose Marie Quesada, Sarah Encabo, Spencer, and victims of COVID-19.

Please pray for others in need of prayer, including: the family of Art James, the family of and all of us who knew Ms. Christy Arreguin, the family of Art James, the family of Ron Harrier (Judy McGee’s father), the family of Dakota Garske, the family of Shelly Ruiz, Ryder’s family, Christopher Oravetz, Jeffrey Saltonstall, family and friends of Marie Dabbs, and our Grace neighbors.

Please pray for the men and women currently serving in the armed forces, who are bravely protecting us and our country, including: Richard Larini (Navy).

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