The prophet Jeremiah speaks of the incurable wound of his suffering yet finds in God’s words the delight of his heart. When Peter doesn’t grasp Jesus’ words about suffering, Jesus tells the disciples they will find their lives in losing them. Such sacrificial love is described by Paul when he urges us to associate with the lowly and not repay evil with evil. In worship we gather as a community that we might offer ourselves for the sake of our suffering world.

We lost a treasure this week. Dolly. As someone said, “Dolly Parton didn’t just write the American songbook; she showed us how to live with unconditional love and kindness.”

Here are a few of her quotes. See you Sunday. Pastor Rich

“Find out who you are. And do it on purpose.”
“It costs a lot of money to look this cheap.”
“Storms make trees take deeper roots.”
“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.”
“I’m not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I’m not dumb… and I also know that I’m not blonde.”

In Isaiah the people are advised to look to their spiritual ancestors as the rock from which they were hewn. Jesus declares that the church will be built on the rock of Peter’s bold confession of faith. God’s word of reconciliation and God’s mercy are keys to the church’s mission. Paul urges us to not be conformed to this world but to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, using our individual gifts to build up the body of Christ. From the table we go forth to offer our spiritual worship through word and deed.

And, for your information I thought I would send you the Christmas letter we sent to our friends and family this past week! See you Sunday. Pastor Rich.

Dear Family and Friends, August, 2026

We’ve all heard of things associated with “Christmas in July?” Well, this is a “Christmas Letter in August” from Margy and Rich. We haven’t done a Christmas letter in some time, and I know that trying to do one in December just doesn’t work for me (Rich, the scribe). So here you go. Feel free to read, toss or write “Return to Sender” on the envelope it arrived in…..(edited to end here.)

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.

And, the middle of August is here!

School starts this Tuesday with a minimum day in San Clemente.

The origins of “August” connect us to our faith in an interesting way. In 8 BC (4 years before Jesus was born), the Roman Senate renamed the month of Sextilis to “August” to honor Caesar Augustus. He is the one mentioned in the Christmas story you will remember. (Luke 2:1). Since Julius Caesar had the month of July named after him, it stands to reason that Octavian Caesar Augustus would have wanted his own month, too. Ego’s being what they are, and all.

But, our identity in Jesus is given in our baptism. What greater identity could there be than to be called a follower of Jesus! You are God’s chosen. Amen.

See you Sunday!

Pastor Rich

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.

From Pastor Rich:

Do you have a favorite spot in your home where you like to relax?

Is it a place where you may feel led to think and pray with God?

My favorite spot is in a big blue chair in the room we call the lanai. It has all my “Stuff.” My books, laptop, a view out the window I enjoy, a ceiling fan, etc.

It’s my go-to place to unwind.

For some of you, I suspect the favorite spot is not a room but perhaps a garden. There’s nothing like the peace of being outside in the garden—it’s the perfect spot to unwind and recharge. While we live in a condominium, I love when I can spend time in a garden, perhaps on a bench watching people go by. “One is nearer God’s heart in a garden than anywhere else on earth” is a famous line from the poem “God’s Garden” by English poet Dorothy Frances Gurney, published in 1913.

Let me and others know your favorite place or places. Have a blessed week!

Pastor Rich

In Sunday’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.

Our prayers are with Donna and the family of Warren Vidrine following his peaceful reception into God’s loving arms July 26, 2026. A service celebrating his life will be held Saturday, August 1st at 1:00 PM at Christ Lutheran Church. From his family I quote, “Warren gave strength without demanding recognition, love without condition and wisdom without judgement.” He will be dearly missed and his memory will live on among us.

Rest eternal grant him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him.

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!

Dear Friends in Christ,

As we move through this season, I hope you are finding these summer days satisfying and nurturing. Each day we are reminded in ways small, and great of God’s quiet and steady grace in our lives. In Psalm 46:10, we read: “Be still, and know that I am God.” When we feel overwhelmed with our worries or uncertainties about the future, the Lord invites us to pause, breathe, and rest in His love. Thank you for being such a caring and faithful community. I will see you Sunday!

Pastor Rich

Several years ago I took great interest in the movie “Sideways” being released as it was filmed in the Santa Ynez Valley – Solvang and Buellton and Los Olivos, California to be specific. We lived in Solvang from 1995 – 1997. I was a pastor at the Lutheran Church there (Bethania) and Margy was consecrated in that church as the first deacon on the newly authorized roster of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Sideways is an interesting story and is set in the beautiful wine country surrounding Solvang. If you have not seen it,  the movie follows two men in their forties, Miles Raymond (Paul Giamatti), a depressed teacher and unsuccessful writer, and Jack Cole (Thomas Haden Church), a past-his-prime actor, who take a week-long road trip to Santa Barbara County wine country to celebrate Jack’s upcoming wedding. Sandra Oh and Virginia Madsen also star as women they encounter during their trip.

From a theological perspective, Sideways raises a lot of themes for consideration such as the meaning of being engaged to be married, the concepts of sin and free will and how grace operates in the individual lives of the four main characters. Grace is the unmerited favor of God. It cannot be earned through good behavior, and it is often given to those who deserve it least. It would make for an interesting discussion to ask how each of these four main characters experienced grace and from whom it was given.