Come and Worship with us at
505 East Bonita Avenue in San Dimas, California
909 599-3978
FLCneu.lori@aol.com or flcsecretary@faithsd.net
Summer Worship
9:30 am
Outdoor Worship in the park near our FLC Rose Garden
Pentecost 11 Sunday
In Isaiah we hear that God's house shall be a house of prayer for all people and that God will gather the outcasts of Israel. The Canaanite woman in today's gospel is a Gentile, an outsider, who is unflinching in her request that Jesus heal her daughter. As Jesus commends her bold faith, how might our church extend its mission to those on the margins of society? In our gathering around word and meal we receive strength to be signs of comfort, healing, and justice for those in need.
Pentecost 11 Sunday: Devotion 2020
Pentecost 11 Sunday: In Home Worship
Pentecost 11 Sunday
Pentecost 10 Sunday, August 9th
Elijah finds the presence of God not in earthquake, wind, or fire, but in the sound of sheer silence. When the disciples face a great storm on the sea, they cry out with fear. Jesus says: "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid." Amid the storms of life, we gather to seek the calm presence of Christ that soothes our fears. In comforting words of scripture and in the refreshing bread and cup of the Eucharist, God grants us peace and sends us forth to be a sign of God's presence to others.
Pentecost 10 Sunday: Devotion 2020
Pentecost 10 Sunday: In Home Worship
Pentecost 10 Sunday
Sunday School
Prayer Net
Pentecost 9 Sunday, August 2nd
In today's first reading God invites all who are hungry or thirsty to receive food and drink without cost. Jesus feeds the hungry multitude and reveals the abundance of God. At the Eucharistic table we remember all who are hungry or poor in our world today. As we share the bread of life, we are sent forth to give ourselves away as bread for the hungry.
Pentecost 9, Sunday August 2nd: Devotion 2020
Pentecost 9 Sunday, August 2nd: In Home Worship
Pentecost 9 Sunday
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNHCoijB6Y4&t=28s
Sunday School
https://ashbear04.wixsite.com/faithsdsundayschool/post/pentecost-sunday-9
Prayer Net
Pentecost 8 Sunday, July 26th
As Solomon prays for wisdom, we seek to more deeply know the treasures of faith. In today's gospel Jesus offers everyday images that reveal to us the reign of God: a tree that becomes a sheltering home, yeast that penetrates and expands, a treasured pearl, a net that gains a great catch. Even as we seek the riches of God's reign, the great surprise is that God's grace finds us first!
Pentecost 8, Sunday, July 26th: Devotion 2020
Pentecost 8, Sunday, July 26th: In Home Worship
Pentecost 8 Sunday
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YW1bX9jUig0&t=28s
Sunday School
https://ashbear04.wixsite.com/faithsdsundayschool/post/pentecost-sunday-8
Prayer Net
Summer Worship
We are pleased to announce that FAITH Lutheran will gather for "Outdoor Worship" this Sunday, July 26th in our park near the
Rose Garden at our Summer worship time of 9:30 am.
We will continue to practice the CDC requirements with social distancing and face coverings.
Pentecost 7 Sunday, July 19th
It is an age-old question: why is there evil in the world? In the parable of the wheat and the weeds Jesus suggests that both grow together until the harvest. With Paul, we long for the day when all creation will be set free from bondage and suffering. Having both weeds and wheat within us, we humbly place our hope in the promises of God, and from the Lord's table we go forth to bear the fruit of justice and mercy.
Pentecost 7, Sunday July 19th: Devotion 2020
Pentecost 7, Sunday July 19th: In Home Worship
Pentecost 7 Sunday
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulVD5ngiDl4
Sunday School Lesson
https://ashbear04.wixsite.com/faithsdsundayschool/post/pentecost-sunday-7
Prayer Net
Pentecost 6 Sunday, July 12th
God's word is like the rain that waters the earth and brings forth vegetation. It is also like the sower who scatters seed indiscriminately. Our lives are like seeds sown in the earth. Even from what appears to be little, dormant, or dead, God promises a harvest. At the Lord's table we are fed with the bread of life, that we may bear fruit in the world.
Pentecost 6, Sunday July 12th: Devotion 2020
Pentecost 6, Sunday July 12th: In Home Worship
Pentecost 6 Sunday
Sunday School Lesson
https://ashbear04.wixsite.com/faithsdsundayschool/post/pentecost-sunday-6
Prayer Net
Pentecost 5 Sunday, July 5th
The mystery of God's ways is sometimes hidden from the wise and intelligent. Jesus associates with those often excluded from the religious community. Like Paul, we struggle with our own selfish desires and seek God's mercy and forgiveness. We gather to be refreshed by Christ's invitation: "Come to me, all you that are weary." Gathered around word, water, and meal, we find rest for our souls.
Pentecost 5, Sunday July 5th: Devotional 2020
Pentecost 5, Sunday July 5th: In Home Worship
Pentecost 5 Sunday
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1okG4qNArE
Sunday School Lesson
https://ashbear04.wixsite.com/faithsdsundayschool/post/pentecost-sunday-5
Prayer Net
Pentecost 4 Sunday, June 28th
The welcome of baptism is for all God's children. This baptismal gift sets us free from the power of sin and death. In today's gospel, Christ promises that the disciple who gives a cup of cold water to the little ones serves Christ himself. From worship we are sent on our baptismal mission: to serve the little ones of this world and to be a sign of God's merciful welcome.
Pentecost 4, Sunday June 28th: Devotional 2020
Pentecost 4, Sunday June 28th: In Home Worship
Pentecost 4 Sunday
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGEuzaeyIZg
Sunday School Lesson
https://ashbear04.wixsite.com/faithsdsundayschool/post/pentecost-sunday-4
Pentecost 3 Sunday, June 21st
God does not promise that the path of the disciple will be easy. Jeremiah feels the pain of rejection from those who do not want to hear what he has to say. Jesus declares that his words may bring stark division. Even so, we need not be afraid for God accounts for each hair on our heads. Though we may experience rejection, frustration, division, and death, God's grace and love make us a new creation each day. Marked with the cross and filled with holy food, we are sent from worship to witness to Christ in the world.
Pentecost 3, Sunday June 21st: Devotional 2020
Pentecost 3, Sunday June 21st: In Home Worship
Pentecost 3 Sunday
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eReid15toE
Sunday School Lesson
https://ashbear04.wixsite.com/faithsdsundayschool/post/pentecost-sunday-3
Prayer Net
Return to “In Person Worship” at
Two Services of
Worship, 8:30am and 10:00am.
Important Guidelines to follow for all
Pentecost 2, Sunday June 14th
Moses tells the Israelites that they are called to be a priestly kingdom and a holy people. Jesus sends out the disciples as laborers into the harvest. In baptism we too are anointed for ministry, sharing God's compassion with our needy world. From the Lord's table we go forth to proclaim the good news, to heal the sick, and to share our bread with the hungry.
Pentecost 2, Sunday June 14th: Devotional 2020
Pentecost 2, Sunday June 14th: In Home Worship
Copy and paste the Link
Below for Pentecost Sunday Worship Service
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2e8QN5_aJk
Sunday School Lesson
https://ashbear04.wixsite.com/faithsdsundayschool/post/pentecost-sunday-2
Prayer Net
The Holy Trinity, Sunday June 7th
Though the word trinity is not found in the scriptures, today's second reading includes the apostolic greeting that begins the liturgy: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. In the gospel Jesus sends his disciples forth to baptize in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. More than a doctrine, the Trinity expresses the heart of our faith: we have experienced the God of creation made known in Jesus Christ and with us always through the Holy Spirit. We celebrate the mystery of the Holy Trinity in word and sacrament, as we profess the creed, and as we are sent into the world to bear witness to our faith.
The Holy Trinity, Sunday June 7th: Devotional 2020
The Holy Trinity, Sunday June 7th: In Home Worship
Click On the Link Below For Holy Trinity Sunday Worship Service
Sunday School Lesson
Prayer Net
Day Of Pentecost, Sunday May 31st
Pentecost derives its name from the Jewish festival celebrating the harvest and the giving of the law on Mount Sinai fifty days after Passover. Fifty days after Easter, we celebrate the Holy Spirit as God's presence within and among us. In Acts the Spirit arrives in rushing wind and flame, bringing God's presence to all people. Paul reminds us that though we each have different capacities; we are unified in the Spirit that equips us with these gifts. Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit on his disciples, empowering them to forgive sin. We celebrate that we too are given the breath of the Holy Spirit and sent out to proclaim God's redeeming love to all the world.
Day of Pentecost, Sunday May 31st: Devotional 2020
Day of Pentecost Sunday May 31st: In Home Worship
Click On The Link Below For Pentecost Sunday Worship
Sunday School Lesson, May 31st
Prayer Net
Re-Opening for Public Worship, May 22nd
Easter 7 Ascension Of Our Lord Sunday, May 24th
In today's readings the risen Christ ascends into heaven and his followers are assured that the Spirit will empower them to be witnesses throughout the earth. The disciples were told to not gaze up into heaven to look for Jesus (Acts 1:11); we find his presence among us as we proclaim the word and share the Easter feast. We too long for the Spirit to enliven our faith and invigorate our mission.
Easter 7 Ascension Sunday Devotional 2020
Easter 7 Ascension Sunday, In Home Worship
Click On The Link Below For Easter 7 Ascension Sunday Service
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUmb1U1LKM8
Sunday School Lesson, May 24th
https://ashbear04.wixsite.com/faithsdsundayschool/post/seventh-sunday-of-easter
Prayer Net
Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 17th
Jesus does not abandon his followers. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus comes to abide with his disciples of every generation. As Pentecost draws near, we are reminded that the risen Christ dwells in us as the Spirit of truth. We receive this Spirit in baptism and pray that in our gathering around the Lord's table the Spirit will transform us to be the body of the risen Christ in the world.
6th Sunday of Easter, In Home Worship
Click on the link below for the Easter 6 Service
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UgNLE7_qmw
Sunday School Lesson, May 17th
https://ashbear04.wixsite.com/faithsdsundayschool/post/sixth-sunday-of-easter
Prayer Net
Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 10th
As we continue to celebrate the fifty days of Easter, today's gospel includes Jesus' promise that he goes to prepare a place for his followers in his Father's house. Our baptism commissions us to share Jesus' mission in the world. As 1 Peter reminds us, we are a holy people, called to proclaim the one who called us out of darkness into light. In words and deeds we bear witness to the risen Christ—our way, our truth, our life.
5th Sunday of Easter, In Home Worship
Click on the link below for the Easter 5 Service
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8L0FvdXnWk
Sunday School Lesson, May 10th
https://ashbear04.wixsite.com/faithsdsundayschool/post/i-am-the-way-and-the-truth-and-the-life
Prayer Net
Fourth Sunday of Easter, May 3rd
Today is sometimes called "Good Shepherd Sunday." Jesus is called the "gate" of the sheep in today's gospel. The risen Christ opens the way to abundant life. He anoints our heads with oil and guides us beside the still waters of our baptism. Each Sunday he spreads a feast before us amid the world's violence and war. We go forth to be signs of the resurrection and extend God's tender care to all creation.
4th Sunday of Easter, In Home Worship
Click on the link below for the Easter 4 Service
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUGNmwIfGMg
Click on the link below for the Sunday School Lesson
https://ashbear04.wixsite.com/faithsdsundayschool/post/i-am-the-gate-~-good-shepard-sunday
Third Sunday of Easter, April 26th
Today's gospel begins with two disciples walking to Emmaus, overcome with sadness, loss, and disappointment. They had hoped Jesus, who was crucified, would be the one to redeem Israel! Yet the risen Christ walks with them and then opens their eyes in the breaking of the bread. Each Sunday our hearts burn within us as the scriptures are proclaimed and Christ appears to us as bread is broken and wine is poured. The story of Emmaus becomes the pattern of our worship each Lord's day.
3rd Sunday of Easter, In Home Worship Service
Click on the link below for the Easter 3 Service
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xpw6F5Kwtv0
Click the link below for the Sunday School lesson
Second Sunday of Easter, April 19th
Second Sunday of Easter, In Home Worship Service
Click on the link below for the Easter 2 Service
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwQaCSpmPOc
Click on the link below for Faith Sunday School Lesson
https://ashbear04.wixsite.com/faithsdsundayschool
Easter Sunday
Resurrection of Our Lord
This is the day the Lord has made! Christ is Risen! Easter is changed this day, but not the message, nor the purpose. While we are not able to gather in church, we will gather in worship, in our homes and in our hearts, bound together by the “Word of God”, which is given to us to bring us new hope, all of this during this time of the Coronavirus pandemic. We boldly proclaim God’s faithfulness, power and love to surround us this day, to protect us, and to heal us. With joy we proclaim the “Good New” of God’s endless love.
Click Here for the Easter Devotion
Click Here for the Easter Sunday, In Home Worship Service Click on the link below for Easter Service
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bewni0VyFxc
Easter Sunday Worship Service
Faith Lutheran Church, San Dimas
Pastor David Beard, Preaching
Faith Sunday School
Click on the link below for Easter Sunday lesson ans activity
Good Friday
This service is an adaptation of the ancient Tenebrae service. Tenebrae is the Latin word meaning “shadows.” The gradual extinguishing of the light during the service, along with the readings, hymns and prayers, symbolize the final hours of our Lord Jesus’ earthly life. This somber service invites you to think on the darkness of sin, death and evil which infect our world today. Darkness at the end of the service represents the apparent overcoming of “the light of the world” by death.
Click Here for GOOD FRIDAY, In Home Service of Shadows
Click on the Link Below for Service
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD9AuHMEjvo
GOOD FRIDAY, Service of Shadows
Faith Lutheran Church, San Dimas
Pastor David Beard
Passion/Palm Sunday
The procession with palms brings us into Holy Week and the celebration of the mystery of our salvation. We enter the week by hearing the story of Jesus’ passion – his suffering and death. Our service begins with the order of Hosanna Praise.
Click here for Palm/Passion Sunday Devotion
Click Here for In Home Worship
Click on Link Below for Worship Service
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn_UuGT36b0
Worship for Palm/Passion Sunday
Faith Lutheran Church, San Dimas
Pastor David Beard, Preaching
FAITH Sunday School
Click on the link below for Children's lessons
https://ashbear04.wixsite.com/faithsdsundayschool/post/sunday-of-the-passion~-palm-sunday
Palm Sunday, April 5th
Lent 5 Sunday, March 29th
In today's gospel Jesus reveals his power over death by raising Lazarus from the dead. The prophet Ezekiel prophesies God breathing new life into dry bones. To those in exile or living in the shadows of death, these stories proclaim God's promise of resurrection. In baptism we die with Christ that we might also be raised with him to new life. At the Easter Vigil we will welcome the newly baptized as we remember God's unfailing promise in our baptism.
Click Here for In Home Worship
Worship for the 5th Sunday in Lent from
Faith Lutheran Church, San Dimas
Pastor David Beard, Preaching
Click on the Link below for Worship Service
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nacY2qx5AMI
SAFE AT HOME Day One, March 21, 2020
Lent 4 Sunday, March 22
Baptism is sometimes called enlightenment. The gospel for this Sunday is the story of the man born blind healed by Christ. "I was blind, now I see," declares the man. In baptism God opens our eyes to see the truth of who we are: God's beloved children. As David was anointed king of Israel, in baptism God anoints our head with oil, and calls us to bear witness to the light of Christ in our daily lives.
Click here for: In Home Sunday Worship
Visit the Faith Sunday School Website
Faith Sunday School Website: https://ashbear04.wixsite.com/faithsdsundayschool
After much prayer and thought, as well as on the recommendations of our Bishop of the Southwest Synod ELCA, and in consultation with the Church Council of FAITH, I have decided to cancel ALL on campus activities at FAITH through the end of March.
Our response to this crisis is one of faith and not fear. Faith calls for us to be very bold in acknowledging the many challenges that we face and in many cases making decision that call for us to be aware of the most vulnerable in our community.
Please click on the media section above to access our FLC Weekly that provides Pastor Beard's full letter. .
Thank you!
St. Paul in his letter to the Philippians says,
If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. - Philippians 2:1-4
Worship Times
Sundays at 8:30 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.
WEDNESDAY (W.O.W.) WORSHIP
Lenten services will be held on Wednesdays. At 6:00 p.m. potluck supper (optional) before service bring a dish or soup to share and enjoy fellowship in the FLC Parish Hall followed by a
7:00 pm service of worship in the Sanctuary.
Lenten Worship at 7:00 pm
Wednesdays: March 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th , April 1st
Holy Week
Palm Sunday, April 5th
Worship Services at 8:30 am & 10:00 am
Palm Sunday Pancake Breakfast,
9:00 am - 11:30 am hosted by our Youth and Men of Faith Groups
Maundy Thursday, April 9th
Worship is at 7:00 pm
Good Friday, April 10th
Worship is at 7:00 pm
Easter Sunday April 12th
Worship
8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
FAITH CALL COMMITTEE
Continue to pray for our FLC Call Committee as they continue on their journey to find our next pastor.
They’ve evaluated pastoral candidates. The first interviews are scheduled for the first week of February. Candidate review and interviews are required to be confidential, and we are taking great care to ensure that confidentiality. After much study and preparation, they're excited to reach the interview process, knowing that God Himself has already selected our next pastor, and that we are tasked with praying and listening for that good news.
Following is our anticipated schedule for the remainder of the Call Committee’s work:
Interviews February-March
Goal- Candidate for Council review April
Congregation Meet & Greet (final candidate only) April/May
Select Final Candidate May/June; Goal- New Pastor in Place July 2020
church.
* Please note that the above schedule is only an estimate, as the goal is to find the right pastor for our church.
Worship December 30th at 9:15am
Casa Bonita
Thank you to all the wonderful families at our FLC Daycare and Preschool and our FLC families for providing Christmas gifts for the folks at Casa Bonita. A group of ladies came in on Wednesday for two hours and wrapped all the gifts. On Friday our Preschool classes delivered the gifts and sang Christmas Songs to the folks that live at Casa Bonita. Special thanks to our organizer Cheri Tyler!
Leroy Haynes
Thank you to those who baked cookies and purchased gifts for the boys at Leroy Haynes’, Swain Cottage. On Tuesday evening a group joined together to wrap all the Christmas gifts at Leroy Haynes, Center. Special thanks to our organizer Doug Halvorsen!
Christmas Caroling
On December 16th a group gathered together for a joyous evening of Christmas caroling. They went to local homes of folks from our church to share some Christmas joy. Afterwards the group came back to have delicious, homemade Mexican hot chocolate and cookies.
Manger Scenes
Special thanks to those who shared their beautiful Manger Scenes in the narthex during the Sundays of Advent. There was a variety on display from many places and all made from different types of materials. Some traveled from Thailand, Prague and Kenya to name a few. Each made from intricate materials such as granite, banana bark, goat hair, a pop up book and more.
The Traditional crèche has a rich history. Saint Francis of Assisi is credited with creating the first nativity scene in the year of 1223 (a "living" one) intending thereby to cultivate the worship of Christ.
House Ruth
Friday, December 14th The Women of Faith delivered our 5th collection of gifts for the House of Ruth Christmas Store for survivors of domestic violence.
Warm Winter Clothing
Please place your gifts in the box provided at FLC by Wednesday, December 19th. They will be distributed by Love I.N.C. (In the Name of Christ).
Leroy Haynes Cottage
Tuesday, December 18th, wrapping of the Christmas gifts at Leroy Haynes, 5:30-7:30 pm
We are buying gifts for Swain Cottage which houses twelve boys from 11-15 at the Leroy Haynes Center for Christmas.
You may sign-up to be responsible for one gift or as many as you like.
The maximum expenditure on any one gift is in the range of $35.
We will also supply all 6 cottages with homemade cookies.
Sign-up on the announcement board at church for presents and for homemade cookies.
Contact Doug Halvorsen at 626-532-0576 or dhalhusky@aol.com for information.
MET Team
Our church is a caring church where we feel accepted by not only our Lord, but also each other. These are just some of the words our team has gathered from our meetings and activities with you. As we work on finding more of the right words to describe ourselves to a prospective pastor, we will share more with you. This step is almost complete and we will begin next examining what characteristics we will be seeking in our next pastor.
Family Harvest Festival
Everyone had a wonderful 8th Annual Family Harvest Festival in October as a gift to the young children of our community and our FLC pre-school.
We had a petting zoo, pony rides, 6 games with prizes, a bounce house, three costume parades with candy stations, face painting, a balloon artist, pumpkin decorating, 3 costume and candy parades. We served corn, hot dogs, chips, popcorn, snow cones, and beverages.
We had craft making, family photos printed on the spot, and more!
Our thanks to organizer Doug Halvorsen and the FLC groups and members who volunteered to make it happen. We had a tremendous volunteer turnout as well.
It was a great day!
FLC Pre-School
Come and hear the children sing. The Lady Bug and Honey Bee Classes and their families will be with us today at our 10:00 a.m. Worship service. They’ve practiced new songs with Pastor Dave during their weekly chapel time and are excited to share with us today! Give a warm welcome to the wonderful families of our Faith Pre-school and Day Care, Lady Bugs and Honey Bees.
All Saints
On Sunday, November 4th we will be reading the names of all those who have died in Christ in the past year. If you have a name you’d like to add. Please contact the church office at 599.3978 or email at flcsecretary@faithsd.net
FSNO
Meet us at Faith Lutheran Church for the First Saturday Night Out (FSNO)! Singles, couples and others are welcome. We will meet November 3rd Everyone has a say in where we go to eat. A different restaurant every month! No McDonalds!
RSVP to Sam @ 909 720-4028
Sunday School
All children in pre-school through 6th grade are welcome. The children will leave after the Children’s Sermon at our 10:00 a.m. worship service.
The teachers are excited and preparing their lessons for the upcoming months. Sunday School Teachers and Children will have a special blessing and prayer on Sunday, October 7th.
L.I.F.T.
Next L.I.F.T. Meeting will be held November 18th at 7:00 p.m. All high schoolers, confirmation students and their friends are invited. The group will meet twice a month for a bible study and fun activities. . Call the church office at 909. 599.3978 to learn more about the L.I.F.T. program.
Butterflies Sing
FLC Preschool class sing during our 10:00AM worship service on October 14th.
Oct. 28th Harvest Festival, Lady Bugs and Honey Bees Sing
FLC Preschool classes, Lady Bugs and Honey Bees will sing during our 10:00a.am worship service.
In the late afternoon we will host our annual Harvest Festival. Be on the watch for upcoming details.
A Note From Our FLC Mission Exploration Transition Team
The MET team has hit the ground running and members are already gathering demographic data for our MSP, Ministry Site Profile. On Sunday, September 23rd come hear a temple talk by our team leader, Cathy Maddaford, during both services, and learn about the team’s purpose and current projects. Then after the services come meet our team members at the MET Team table, the first of various forums the team will be using to gather important information throughout this transition. We need your help in answering questions so that we can paint an accurate picture of who we are for the church profile. Use this opportunity to ask your questions as well and exchange ideas with us!
We will also be visiting our focus groups soon to provide another forum for gathering information about our group ministries.
We look forward to seeing you! If you missed us at these forums or you prefer to write to us we have a MET Team email: faithlutheranmet@gmail.com.
Thanks, Cathy
NEW PROGRAMS:
October 20th: First Communion Class. Talk to Pastor Dave Beard
Oct. 23rd MOVE! Low–Stress Exercise. Talk to Debra Nunnally
September 2018: Letter From Our Interim Pastor Dave Beard
This is Holy Ground. We’re standing on Holy Ground;
For the Lord is present and where God is, is Holy.
This is Holy Ground. We’re standing on Holy Ground;
For the Lord is present and where God is, is Holy.
Song text: Christopher Beatty
To the people of Faith Lutheran Church,
Grace, mercy, and peace be with you!
Finding yourself in the In-Between places is not always comfortable. Those times can be a bit challenging, disconcerting. That is where we are at in the life of our parish at this moment…that In-Between Time.
While there is a certain amount of anxiety, this is also the time to lean into the challenge and to reimagine the future of our congregation, our mission and ministry.
A Holy Conversation
In-Between times can become sacred space. I would like to invite you to consider this sacred space as a time for “Holy Conversation”. Holy Conversation is compassionate and prayerful conversation, that acknowledges the voice of every person. It is respectful conversation that “listens” to the thoughts and ideas of others. It is “Holy” because it is God led and Spirit fed conversation, that prayerfully considers God’s grace filled call.
When Moses encountered God at the burning bush, God said, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” (Exodus 3:5) And then God spoke to Moses and confirmed his covenant with the people of Israel. In that “Holy Conversation” Moses was empowered to lead the people out of their bondage into the freedom of a new land. It was a new beginning, of a long journey of faith. It started with the “Holy Conversation”.
Grace for the Journey
Our Holy Conversation for this journey will ask:
•Who are we?
•What has God called us to do or be?
•Who are our neighbors?
We will also center our journey and conversation around the “Five Developmental Tasks” that I introduced in last month’s newsletter. Our newly appointed Ministry Exploration Team, (MET) will key off these five focus points as they create experiences, events, and times for “Holy Conversation”. We will acknowledge the importance of our congregational history through appreciative and attentive inquiry, listening to the stories of our experience at Faith Lutheran. We will consider our identity, creating a sacred space to imagine what the Spirit is calling forth. Deepening our conversations, lifting our current practices, values and core convictions. We will look at our connections to our community, our neighbors and friends, the people in our back yard as well as our relationship with other faith groups and our relationship with local Lutheran congregations, the ELCA and the Southwest Synod. We will review the membership needs and our organization while committing to new leadership and a new future. All of this is to be done in prayerful, “Holy Conversation” with our God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and guided by the teachings of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I hope that you are beginning to sense the season of excitement, that feeling of joy, the transformation of our imaginations…and our movement into our “Holy Conversation”.
In the joy of Jesus,
Pastor Dave Beard
Welcome Pastor Beard
Last Sunday we had a wonderful morning of worship with our new Interim Pastor, Pastor David Beard and an informal continental breakfast between services to welcome pastor. Thanks to all those who came and everyone that organized the morning gathering. Pastor Beard’s week started with two Sunday worship services, Wednesday Evening Bible study and Chapel time (Pictured) with our FLC preschool Wednesday and Thursday morning. If you missed last Sunday, don’t worry Pastor Beard will be “tenting amongst us for awhile…” and yes, that is a tent set up on our altar! Pastor Beard just finished serving as Interim Pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Menifee. He will serve as Interim Pastor for around one year until the congregation calls a permanent Pastor.
PASTORAL TRANSITION AND CALL PROCESS
Two committees will form over the coming months that, with the assistance of the Synod, will lead the congregation through an established call process. A Mission Exploration Team will firststudy and reflect on the congregation, our surrounding communities, and mission opportunities.The MET team's findings will be used to help identify our Pastoral needs. A Call Committee will then evaluate potential candidates and ultimately present its recommendation to the Congregation for approval at a congregational meeting. Please pray for God's guidance through the formation and work of these committees. Contact congregation President, Paula Ambrosini, at 909-994-9817 or paula.ambrosini@gmail.com, with any questions.
Women of Faith Collected School Backpacks and Supplies
Special thanks to all who contributed backpacks and school supplies. The Women of Faith donated to Love INC (In the Name of Christ)..
Contact Nancy Brewster at 626 484-5894 for more info about the work of the Women of Faith.
SHARE YOUR FAITH STORY
How did you first come to a life of faith in Jesus Christ? What keeps you close to God? Have you every wavered? What brought you back? Everyone has a faith story. We are looking for a few people to share theirs.
Would you be willing to share your story of faith with the congregation, either in person at worship or on video? Contact Pastor Berkedal to find out how you can share your story at dberkedal@faithsd.net or at 909 599-3978.
HOW TO DO FAMILY DEVOTIONS ON THE FLY
Click here for a 90-second video."LIKE" US ON FACEBOOK
We are on Facebook as Faith Lutheran Church San Dimas and recently went over the 1,000 likes mark. Click here to check us out and "like" us.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE MUSIC FOR THE LORD?
Contact Dan Ambrosini at aambrosini.daniel @gmail.com or at (909) 392-8400 about singing or playing in our vocal and instrumental groups!
FOOD PANTRY SUPPORT
We set a goal of giving 4,000 lbs. of food, including some of the produce from our Seeds of Faith garden, and personal hygiene items, to our local emergency food pantry in 2018! Please give food to help the people who need our help in the name of Jesus Christ. Food that does not need cooking, small water bottles, canned food, staple food, easy-to-prepare food, diapers and personal hygiene items are much needed.
If you prefer, you can contribute funds and volunteers will shop for you.
SEEDS OF FAITH GARDEN
Our Seeds of Faith Organic Garden group gathers at the garden at FLC on the third Saturday of every month. Come and learn how to grow your own food and care for Creation. Contact Lisa Blair at 626 422-9097 or at lisamblair127@ yahoo.com for more information
STEWARDSHIP IN 2018
Are you rich towards God? Could you live on ten times your current giving?
First fruits (the first check you write after income), proportional (based on a percentage of that income) growth giving (leading to 10% (a tithe) and beyond) is the Biblical standard.
With the stocks at or near all-time highs, gifts of appreciated stock directly to FLC may have tax advantages. Consult with your financial advisor to see if this may be effective stewardship for you.
Live by faith each day for Jesus.
FLC STUDY GROUP
The FLC Study Group gathers at 12:30 p.m. on Mondays in the Conference Room. Once a month fellowship takes place with a byo lunch at 12 noon. Participants are welcome to drop in at any time. Contact Sam Kamler at shkamler@earthlink.net for info.
SING IN OUR ADULT LITURGICAL CHOIR
"One who sings prays twice" - Augustine
Come and sing in our Adult Liturgical Choir and support the worship of our congregation. Rehearsals are held in FLC Thursdays in 7:00 p.m. in our main worship building. Click here for an informative flier including the many benefits of singing in a church choir.
Contact Director Dan Ambrosini at ambrosini.daniel@gmail.com or (909) 392-8400 with questions or for more info. Or, just come to a practice and see for yourself!
WORSHIP SERVICES
Come and worship with us Sundays at 8:30 a.m. or 10:00 a.m., or Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. Click here for directions. We encourage the presence of children at worship, and we provide free professional child care, a cry room, as well as children's activity sheets. All are welcome.
Here are some quick one-click links:
Worship Times Directions
Contact Us How to Contribute
Questions about FLC? Contact Pastor here.
Check the links to the left below the line to meet the pastor, tour the church and tour our campus! Welcome!