Come and Worship with us at
505 East Bonita Avenue in San Dimas, California
Worship Times
Sundays at 8:30 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.
WEDNESDAY (W.O.W.) WORSHIP
7:00 p.m. En*Theos Worship Service & Contemplative Prayer
(optional potluck supper at 6:15 pm)
Ash Wednesday is February 26th
Come and worship at 7:00 p.m.
for the Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, a penitential season observed by many Christians. On Ash Wednesday, worshippers attend services at which they receive ashes on their foreheads. The pastor marks the forehead of each worshipper, often saying "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return." Ashes are viewed throughout Christian history as a symbol of humility and sacrifice, and as a reminder of our mortality and our connection to the earth. Ash Wednesday is the start of one of the most important seasons in the Christian liturgical year. Lent is the period from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday and lasts six and a half weeks. The final week of Lent is called Holy Week; during this period, observant Christians reflect specifically on the last days of Jesus Christ's life. During Lent, Christians draw closer to God by praying, fasting, repenting of their sins, making changes, and giving help to those in need.
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!