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Faith Connections...

See below for Faith's guidelines for reopening our campus for in-person Outdoor Worship on Sundays at 9 AM. If you are more comfortable staying home, we are continuing to stream the service online at 9 AM or afterwards on YouTube and Facebook.

Click to read our guidelines to comply with Covid-19 restrictions.
Click to see Pastor Wenz's letter for guidelines for worship and communion.
ONLINE BULLETIN AVAILABLE:
Click here for Sunday's Bulletin to print at home!
This Week @ Faith

ALL SERVICES ARE OUTSIDE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE!
(The Board is working on indoor worship guidelines for when the State allows us to reopen.)
Join us on Facebook Sundays, 9 AM (if the live stream does not work, it will be posted later)
(click link below).

Faith Lutheran Church Riverside Facebook Page
 
The end of a calendar year and the beginning of a new set of months brings a special opportunity to look at our lives. What has been most memorable in our lives in the past weeks and months? How might our priorities change in the next months? The Readings in today’s service are not often heard because the calendar does not always bring two Sundays after Christmas. Wisdom is waiting to be found by each of us here in this place today as we hear God’s Word and seek His kingdom in this New Year of grace. God’s wisdom is here to bless us each time we gather for worship!
 
For those who watch Faith Lutheran's worship service from home, we invite you to come for a drive-thru communion at Faith’s parking lot from 10:15-11:00 AM on the first and third Sunday of each month. Cars may line up for communion at the end of the walkway between the two large palm trees.

The next drive-thru Communion will be on January 3, 2021.
OLD TESTAMENT READING  1 Kings 3:4-15   (Solomon prays to God for the gift of wisdom.)
The king went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices, for that was the most important high place, and Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”  Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.  “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”  10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” 15 Then Solomon awoke—and he realized it had been a dream.  He returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he gave a feast for all his court.

 
EPISTLE READING   Ephesians 1:3-14  (We are gifted with God’s spiritual blessings.)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.  11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. 

 
GOSPEL READING    Luke 2:40-52  (The boy Jesus is found in the temple at Jerusalem.)
And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.  41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” 49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.  51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

 
Please watch our Online worship services on Faith's Facebook page live Sundays at 9 AM and posted afterwards on our YouTube channel!
NEW SERVICES ADDED WEEKLY!
Click here for Faith's new YouTube channel:


You can also access past audio Sermons, Devotions and Bible Studies from Click here for Pastor Wenz's YouTube channel:

 
Sign up today for a live, online Bible on the book of Psalms with Pastor Wenz. We will be using Zoom to meet on Thursdays at 11:00 AM. Computer or smart phone required. Just email the church office at faithriverside@att.net if interested and you will be given the link to join the study. Study Continues in January 2021!
Prayers for Our Faith Family
Prayers for strength and healing:
Sabrea Adam, Dorel Antim, Katherine Cross, Barbara & Dan Danbo, Louise Jackson, Debbie Kraimer, Susan Mason, Sophia Spartos
 
Prayers for Family & Friends:
Granddaughter & family of Rhonda Desparicio, for strength and healing.
Carol, Tammy Simmons sister, for healing and strength from suffering from heart problems.
Cheryl, Ron Binkley’s sister, for strength and healing.
Shawn Bedwell, for healing and to be able to walk again.
Norma Mae Burton for strength and healing after a fall.
Bill Summers' granddaughter for strength in coping during the COVID19 quarantine.
Toni Dunn for strength and healing after being diagnosed with cancer.
Sandra Mauldin's Father, Doyle Jackson, for strength and healing from hip surgery and a mild heart attack.
Heather Mason, for healing and a good outcome from tests she's having to find out what her cognative problems stems from.
Ron Binkley, for strength and healing & friends, Kent Gorham & Kenneth Saarela for healing from cancer, & John Mason & Rod Carra for healing.
Joellyn Nelson, for strength and healing of her left heel.
Becki Spartos’ sister, Amy, recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer—for faith and
healing.
Marilyn Austin, for strength and healing after throat surgery on 10/21.
Bill & Judy Summers friend, Carol, for healing from cancer and strength and healing for thier friend Sean who's in the hospital with internal bleeding. 
Marcus Mauldin for strength and healing.
Amanda Salgado, for strength and healing
Bill & Judy Summers' friend, Carolyn Ulrich, for strength and healing.
Elizah, Missy's friend's Son, for strength and healing.
Janet Wasson, for strength and healing.
Caroline Schroeder's friend Mary Banks, with stage 4 cancer, for strength and healing.
Congratulations Justin & Stephanie McPherrin on the birth of your son, John A. McPherrin.  Born on 12/01/2020.

In Celebration of:
Those celebrating birthdays this week:  Marilyn Lukkowen 1/06, Pastor Paul Wenz 1/06, Fred Juengel 1/09. Those celebrating anniversaries this week: Bob & Susan Lamb 1/08.  
 
For Those That Are Home Bound:
Chuck & Mary Bedard, Marilyn Lukkowen, and Shirley Valk.
 
Those in the Military:
Josh Creacy, Devin Danbo, Caitlin & Richard Gonzalez, & Garrett Smith

For our Adopted Missionary: Delwyn Campbell.
Comfort for:  Frances Remus-Williams at the death of her grandson, Frankie Ramon Jr. from a heart attack on 12/2, and, Ann Rowan's brother who passed on 12/11 from the COVID virus. 

If you are in need of prayers please contact the office or Heather Svika (951) 660-7212 so we can add your prayers to our prayer chain and be aware of your needs.

There is an address correction for Sue Chapman, and, it is
5234 Central Ave., Riverside, CA 902504.

Please make the change in your Faith Directory.
In-person Worship Services are on Faith's campus outside the sanctuary 9:00 AM Sundays until further notice!
                                       This Week @ Faith ~ January 3, 2021
ATTENTION ALL LADIES!
 
The next LWML meeting will be held on January 16th at 10:00am in the Fellowship Hall.
Please enter through the main door next to the Office. We will be doing temperature checks before entering, wear your masks, no food or drinks will be provided, however feel free to bring your own. We will be social distancing and there will be areas closed including the kitchen. Looking forward to seeing everybody there!
 
 
 
From the LWML
Reminder—LWML Mite collection is on the first Sunday of the Month
Bring in your mites!
This Sunday, January 3, 2021
SCRIP Sales Schedule 

Until further notice, call Missy Creacy or the office for order & pick up! 

Attached are links to 2 lists of SCRIP.  One listed alphabetically and one listed in categories!
Click here for the alphabetical list.
Click here for the one in categories.


The worldwide pandemic is causing major disruptions unlike anything the modern world has experienced. We are all struggling with major disruptions and changes to our lives. The church, just like our personal situations, continues to have fixed operating expenses that need to be paid. We depend heavily on the Easter season's higher attendance and extra services to build a cushion to cover the lower offering months.  Also, we are missing income from the groups that utilize the church's facilities.  Without regular services and the offering plate, it will be a challenge to meet expenses.  Although our services have been canceled, please remember to support Faith with your offerings.  Please consider:
  • Mailing your gift to the church using the offering envelope.
  • Consider signing up for automatic offerings. You can transfer your stewardship donations directly from your bank safely and conveniently.  This helps you plan and fulfill your stewardship commitments in a timely manner and  eliminate the time and cost of writing checks.  Many of your fellow church members have used this method for 10 years and there have never been any problems. 
  • Click here to download the form.
Sincerely,
Bruce Duerfeldt
Faith's Treasurer
951-268-4320
8:00 AM Worship Hymns (No Sanctuary Services until further notice)
Join us on Facebook Sundays, 9 AM (if the live stream does not work, it will be posted later)
(click link below).

Faith Lutheran Riverside Facebook Page
(See new 9 AM bulletin link at top of page!)
                                   

Hymns
9:00 AM Contemporary Service (Outside) (No Sanctuary Services until further notice)
Join us on Facebook live Sundays, 9 AM (if the live stream does not work, it will be posted later)
(click link below).

Faith Lutheran Riverside Facebook Page
Epistle Reading - Ephesians 1:3-14

Gospel Reading - Luke 2:40-52
    
(See new 9 AM bulletin link at top of page!)
                               
           
Copyright © 2021 Faith Lutheran Church, All rights reserved.


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