2026.06.18 Summer E-news

"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” - Matthew 9:36 

When was the last time you were truly seen? 

The Greek word behind "saw" here is not a casual glance - it's the kind of looking that fully lands. Jesus didn't see a problem to manage. 

He saw people worn down, frayed, carrying more than they were meant to carry alone. He saw them, and it moved him. 

"Compassion" — splanchnizomai in Greek (try saying that 5 times fast!) - literally refers to the gut. This wasn't polite sympathy from a safe distance. Jesus was undone by the weight of human suffering. 

And then he acted. 

He prayed. He gathered. He sent - *Go. Heal. Proclaim. Give freely what you have freely received.* 

This is the shape of a faithful life: **See → Feel → Go.** 

This week, I invite you to practice the seeing of Jesus. On your commute, in the grocery store, at home - pause and truly look. You don't have to fix anything. Just be present. 

The harvest is still plentiful. You may be one of the laborers. 

With you in the seeing, Pastor Erin Martinson 

*Reflection: Who do you tend to look past? What might it mean to truly see them this week?*

Please note: E-News is published monthly during the summer. Look for future issues on July 2, August 6 and September 3.

Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the friends and families for the recent passing of Jeanne Wallis. Please keep them in your prayers during this difficult time.

Be sure to check out this month's Health Connection from our Faith Community Nurse.

Join us in celebrating this year's scholarship recipients! We are proud to recognize their hard work and achievements as they receive scholarships from the TLC Endowment Committee during the 9:00am worship service on June 21.

We are excited to welcome Angela Abalo as TLC’s new Youth and Family Ministry Coordinator!

Please join us on Sunday, July 26, during the 9:00am or 11:00am worship service as we officially install Angela in her new role and give her a warm TLC welcome.

Do you have a graduate in the family? Whether they are finishing preschool, college, or any milestone in between, we want to celebrate their hard work!

We will honor all graduates during worship on June 28. Please contact the church office with the graduate’s name and school by June 25.

Join us on Sunday, July 5, for our first outdoor worship service of the season! This special morning will include fellowship and a Blessing of the Animals as we give thanks for God’s creation and the animals who bring joy to our lives.

Bring your pets—furry, feathered, or scaled—to receive a blessing, and please remember to bring a lawn chair for seating.

We hope to see you and your animal friends there!

Support our Baby Bottle fundraiser for Tender Life Maternity Home continues through Sunday, July 12. Bottles may be filled with change, cash, or checks and returned to the ushers or the church office.

Thank you for supporting this ministry and the families it serves.

Celebrate Independence Day weekend with the Ventura fireworks display on July 3 at 9:00pm!

Please note that this year’s fireworks will be held downtown near the California Street Parking Structure, rather than at Ventura College. Since the location has changed, there will not be the usual fireworks viewing from the church campus this year.

Suggested viewing spots will be shared on the City of Ventura website soon.

Join us Thursday, September 3, for Lutheran & Episcopal Night at Dodger Stadium! First pitch is at 7:10pm, and tickets are $48 per person.

To reserve your spot, please sign up at the Welcome Desk and turn in your payment to Sharon Mittelholtz by July 15. Checks should be made payable to ELCA-ADLA.

We hope you’ll join us for a fun evening of baseball and fellowship!

If you signed up for a name tag, please stop by the table in the Gathering Space to pick it up or see Leo in the Church Office during the week.

Save the Date: Join us for our annual Book Give-Away on October 4! This year, we’re expanding the fun to include books, gently used power tools, and small household appliances in good working order.

You’re invited to donate, take, or swap items—it’s a great opportunity to clear out what you no longer use and find something new-to-you.

More details coming soon!

City Center is in need of toilet paper and paper towels, diapers (sizes 5 & 6) and groceries of any type.  Please place your donations in the baskets located in the Gathering Space.

Thank you for your ongoing support! As a reminder, residents at The City Center purchase their own food and household items, so your contributions help them redirect those funds toward their children’s needs, such as school supplies and clothing.

June 1 - James Boyd
June 2 - Nancy Bocovich, Dennis Tierney
June 4 - Paulette Defterios, Brent Van Wagner
June 5 - Renate Gunen, Tony Yarmolyk
June 6 - Lita Emch, Debra Gause
June 7 - Karen Connelly, Nadia Connelly
June 8 - Sandra Michalec
June 9 - Lisa Maxwell, Ellis Potter, Gwen Silbert
June 11 - Christine Floyd, Deanna Ruedy
June 12 - Narda Sturgeon
June 13 - Elizabeth Manninen
June 15 - Beckett Emch, Stephen Gause, Martha Terry
June 17 - Lexi Haar, Dylan Munoz
June 18 - Laura Kemble
June 19 - Karen Nelson, Marie Stauffer
June 20 - Michael Haydon, Jerry Mittelholtz
June 21 - Corey Park, Valerie Zeko
June 22 - Robert Osher, Judith Totten
June 23 - Sherry Cornett
June 24 - Angela Hecht, Timothy Ortiz
>June 26 - Tyler Biedebach, Andrew Magallanes, Georgia Powers
June 27 - Trenton Beeh
June 28 - Logan McClary
June 29 - Brett Becker
June 30 - Steve Badillo, Carolyn Gleisberg

Please keep the following people in your prayers:

For Healing and Comfort

• Jim Aguirre

• Katie Runnfeldt, cousin of Danielle Mendoza

Let Us Pray for the Families who are Mourning the Death of

• Jeanne Wallis

Week 23 (June 7  - June 13, 2026)