Grace Lutheran Church & Preschool

Newsletter - April 2023

Christ is Risen! Is there a phrase that has impacted humanity more than those three remarkable words? In my opinion the answer is, no! my dear Siblings. Easter is upon us and that phrase will resound in churches around the world on Easter Sunday and the 40 days that follow in our post Easter season. And we will respond to that proclamation with our affirming, “He is risen indeed!” I do not know about you, but it is my favorite time of the year.

Easter is the most joyous season in the Church year. I love the way our Church calendar ebbs and flows with seasons of anticipation, self-reflection, revelation, mourning, and ordinary time. It really does mirror the actual seasons of our own life, reflecting the ups and downs, highs and lows that periodically intrude upon our ordinary time. Of course, life does not exactly mirror that order of the seasons of the Church, but it does speak to a reality of what life is like on this side of heaven. Being somewhat of a realist I appreciate that we do not have to hide behind a façade of everything is always just peachy because we are Christians. 

That would certainly be disingenuous and not reflective at all of the scriptures as they testify to a life of faith in the One True God. I still get a kick out of the reactions and emotions of those of you who regularly participate in our weekly Bible study when you hear a story you have never heard that reflects a reality different than the Sunday School stories that most are familiar with. Of course, we love to hear the stories of how God rescued His people or acted in miraculous fashion to bless His people. It can be quite shocking to hear about the not so warm and fuzzy moments when the realities of a broken world shatter the bubble of the idyllic world we talk about in Sunday School. As the saying goes, “Stuff happens” even to the most faithful people. You Bible study folks know what I’m talking about.

No matter what season we find ourselves in personally or in the Church calendar we always have, “Christ is Risen!” and all it represents. The empty tomb represents the fulfilment of the promises of God to always be with us and the depths of His love. I could get all theological with you all, but the theological aspects of the resurrection are not what makes Easter my favorite season. Truly it is the hope that Mary and the other women discovered when the looked into that cave and saw only the burial clothes that had adorned Jesus at His burial. Sure, it took a while for them to understand, but from that day forward they knew without a shadow of a doubt that everything Jesus taught them and revealed about God  the Father and the Holy Spirit were absolutely true.

Their lives were never the same after that! The joy of that first Easter morning remained a permanent fixture each and every day for the remainder of their earthly lives. As they experienced the ups and downs, the challenges and triumphs, every high and low and the ordinary times they knew that despite Jesus no longer physically being present that He is Risen! Despite His death He lives and He will live forever in our hearts, in our lives and not just in thought, but because of the gift of the Holy Spirit we are united with Him forever. For me it is the full realization of Emmanuel, God with us. That is something I rejoice in every day and why I love the Easter season and that joyful proclamation. Christ is risen! On Easter Sunday and the other 364 days of the year.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Steve

March 2023 Council Report

• A Chili Cook-Off will be held in May, either the 7^th or 21^st.  A volunteer coordinator is needed.  Please speak to Pastor or contact the church office. 
• Grace Pre-School/ Infant Care is near capacity for students and babies.  Miss Christy is looking for a new teacher in the Infant Care room.
• Easter activities will include an Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 8^th, 11:00am -1:00pm.  Bring your children, grandchildren, or great grandchildren.  Lunch will be served. The congregation is asked to bring cookies. There will be an Easter Brunch in the Fellowship Hall following worship on Easter Sunday.  Please sign up to bring a breakfast item.  Lastly, there will be an Easter Lily sign-up in the Narthex.  You may give a lily in honor or memory of a loved one.
• The Heating/Air Conditioning units for the sanctuary have been proactively serviced by Affordable Air for $671.



In His Service

Brenda Noriega, Council President

Thank you to the Grace-Covina Women of the ELCA for purchasing 24 new chairs for the Fellowship Hall (Just in time for Easter Brunch)! Grace WELCA officers are: Sandra Streeter, Brenda Noriega, Nancy Adzovich, and Vicki Jacobs.

We need representatives from Grace-Covina to serve as voting members of this year's Southwest California Synod Assembly June 2 -3! We are looking for one man and one woman (both of any age) and one more representative age 30 or under. This year's assembly is being held at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks. It is a hybrid assembly, so you will have the option of attending in person or participating online.

Here is a list of FAQs about synod assembly, an annual gathering of pastors, deacons, and lay people representing the congregations that make up the SWCA Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The assembly is the synod’s highest legislative authority, and as an assembly member, you will receive information and reports; elect nominees to leadership positions in the church; decide on matters brought before the assembly; and set priorities for the synod’s ministry. Please consider this opportunity to represent Grace and participate in synod governance!

April 2, 2023

Palm Sunday

Zechariah 9:9-12

Psalm 31:9-16

Philippians 2:5-11

Gospel - Matthew 21:1-11

Click here for readings

April 9, 2023

Easter Sunday

Acts 10:34-43

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

Colossians 3:1-4

Matthew 28:1-10

Click here for readings

April 16, 2023

2nd Sunday of Easter

Acts 2:14a, 22-32

Psalm 16

1 Peter 1:3-9

John 20:19-31

Click here for readings

April 23, 2023

3rd Sunday of Easter

Acts 2:14a, 36-41

Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19

1 Peter 1:17-23

Luke 24:13-35

Click here for readings

April 30, 2023

4th Sunday of Easter/Good Shepherd Sunday

Acts 2:42-47

Psalm 23

1 Peter 2:19-25

John 10:1-10

Click here for readings

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.

Please see the online calendar here for the lastest updates

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: Keith McHugh, Elena Navarette, Tina Pike, Nancy Klotzche, Larry Weidner, Linda Schober, Barry Gustaferro, Richard Howard, Roger Melendrez, Debbie Gonzales, Yolanda Weidner, Candy Turner, Cheryl Miller, Joan Pelleren, Shelly Ruiz, Elizabeth Ordonez, Patty VanRaalte, Elva Maldonado, Cathy Plante, Felix Noriega, Holly Masters, Gen Alley, Ray, Audrey Fuller, Karen Putnam, Arlen Heyne, Gil and Yolanda Erro, Linda Dalton, Charlene Lisberg and Debbie, Rick Turner, Herb Westerfield, Noa Buhler, Rose Marie Quesada, Deanna Kellogg, Jaxon Turner, Art James, Robert Boomsma, Robert Larsen, Trina Clay, Walter Hoke, Connie Brown, the Davidson Family, Jamie Wilcots, Joan and Lee Juneau, Kari Watson, 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 Virginia

Allen, Jeffrey Saltonstall, Timothy Morgan, the family and friends of Marie Dabbs, 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), 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

Custodian | Laureen Alvarez

Parish Administrator | Samantha Henderson