First Evangelical Lutheran Church-Redlands

We are getting the kitchen at El Camino Pines ready for Summer Camp 2021! It’s exciting to be able to welcome campers and families back at camp very soon. All ...of the LRCC staff are fully vaccinated and look forward to seeing you join us this summer! Have you registered for summer camp yet? Sign up today at www.lrcchome.com/summer-camp-2021

REMEMBERING LOIS NABORS -- Lois, a member of First Lutheran Church for many years, has passed away, joining the Church Triumphant at age 94. Lois has been one of the church's homebound members for several years and had recently moved to a memory care facility in Perris. Lois was the first recipient of a shawl created by the church's Prayer Shawl Ministry back in 2014.

HAPPY EARTH DAY! Introducing the Annual Earth Day Fundraiser. This year we are raising money to fund tree planting projects at each of our sites. Give now at h...ttps://www.facebook.com/LRCCSoCal/fundraisers/ or lrcchome.com/giving At this time of environmental crisis, we believe the protection of the environment and the health of our ministry to be inextricably linked. Genesis 2 says that God puts humanity in the garden "to till" and to "keep it." At Luther Glen Farm we till the Earth and lull nutritious fruits and vegetables from its fertile soils. At El Camino Pines we are blessed with the responsibility of keeping a forest of century-old pines and countless critters for the generations to come. In the past several years the effects of climate change have made themselves visible at each site. We have been forced to remove over 50 dead Jeffrey pine trees around the buildings at El Camino Pines. Many if not all of these pines fell victim to the bark beetle which thrives in drought years. Luther Glen Farm was evacuated twice during a five-week period in the late summer of last year due to wildfires. Though we were spared the worst, the mountains around camp, normally lush and evergreen with oaks and manzanita are ashen. In the hopeful spirit of Earth Day, we are not content to sit idly by. We are raising money to replenish the land by planting trees in the name of tilling and keeping our camps for the generations of campers to come. Planting trees not only will give back to the forest and farm, but work to sink a tiny amount of carbon from the atmosphere. At Luther Glen Farm, situated in mile-high apple country, our orchard is in need of more fruit trees, particularly apple trees. At El Camino Pines we hope to raise enough funds to replace all of the trees we have lost in recent years and the ones that will sadly perish in the years to come. Give today and help us better care for our common home and our camps!

Lord in your mercy... Now what are WE going to do about this?

We have all been spending a lot of time at home lately. We thank God for the gifts of home while honoring the ways people practice their faith in their life at ...home: chores and hobbies, cooking and eating, ways of relaxing, relationships within the household and beyond it, caring for our bodies, and connecting with creation. Read these blessings as you move about your home, or picture your space as you give thanks to God for the gifts of a home. (From Blessing for a Home, Sundays and Seasons) See more

Almighty God, we lift before you all who govern this nation. May those who hold power understand that it is a trust from you to be used, not for personal glory ...or profit, but for the service of the people. Drive from us cynicism, selfishness, and corruption; grant in your mercy just and honest government; and give us grace to live together in unity and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord (ELW, p. 77). See more

Today we honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and are reminded that there is so much more for us to do to help carry out his dream that he spoke about in ...the summer of 1963. (: Martin Luther King speaking at The 1961 American Lutheran Church Luther League convention in Miami Beach, FL.)

SENIOR MEMBERS VACCINATED -- KNBC, Channel 4 news and The Sun covered the Covid-19 vaccinations of residents at Mission Commons in Redlands on Friday (Jan. 15). Channel 4 filmed Lee Hanna and husband Lloyd Roberts being given the flu vaccine. Both Channel 4 and The Sun interviewed Lloyd. They were among 115 residents of the assisted living complex that received their shots along with 30 employees. Lloyd, 94, was outspoken in his support of the need for the vaccine. Recalling... his experience in World War II, he said, "We gave up meat, sugar, gasoline. We had blackouts.....when the country needs you you have to put up with a few sacrifices....we need to do some things to protect us now from the covid, like wear masks and social distance." Lee, 91, spoke briefly to Channel 4, saying she was happy to get the shot but sorry that her friend at Mission Commons (and fellow First Lutheran member Dona Searles) died from covid-19 the night before. See more

Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton calls for prayers and patience as the election process continues in the U.S.

A prayer for this Election day

If you have a smart phone it will likely do this for you, but be sure to set your clocks back one hour before you go to bed tonight if you live in most states in the United States.

Once you've voted, don't forget to pray for our nation.

"Our vote is a choice about what will make our society a more just, more whole community where human dignity is honored and rights are upheld." -Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton

Hope some of our singers will join in!

In addition to being World Communion Sunday, today is the feast day for Saint Francis!

We should seek not so much to pray but to become prayer. St. Francis of Assisi