GLB Monthly - March 2026

God is moving and working and teaching us a lot already in 2026! As we continue to journey through the book of Matthew on Sundays, slowly but surely God is forming us into a people who are striving to do God’s will ‘on earth as it is in heaven.’

March is International Women’s Month! As we see in Jesus’ public ministry, women were included and a vibrant part of the gospel narrative. Whether it be Mary trusting God as the mother of Jesus to the Samaritan woman’s candor and humility when talking with Jesus at the well in John 4 or the widow who out of her poverty gave everything she had to live on to the temple treasury and caught Jesus’ eye to provide a tangible example to his followers of the blessing it is to give generously to the women who were witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection and were the first to carry that message to the apostles— all throughout the gospel narrative we find examples of women faithfully following Jesus and trusting Jesus.

One of my favorite encounters is when Jesus is having a meal at the home of Martha and Mary in Luke 10. Martha is busy preparing the meal and complains to Jesus that her sister, Mary, should be helping her. Jesus gently redirects Martha’s attention to Mary’s example of prioritizing her time and attention to Jesus: ““Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” There is a bit of ‘Martha’ in all of us- ‘worried and upset about many things.’ There is a lot to be worried about right now in our world around us and there are a lot of things in our world or even in our personal lives that can upset us. And Jesus tells all of us ‘Marthas’ to see something about Mary… she chose what was better by sitting at the feet of Jesus and being attentive to his teachings and in this, finding a peace, a sense of trust, that would not be taken away from her.

This month of March we have some opportunities to ‘choose what is better.’ As we sit at the feet of Jesus and learn from him, we start to become like him and to do what he did. This month we have an opportunity on March 8th to gather with ministries in the Metro LA and Westside areas at Kenneth Han park for a time to pray for peace. This is what Christians should be doing. Gathering to pray, to call on God during times of turmoil and confusion and pain. On March 14th, we have an opportunity to partner with ministries in Gardena for the LA Health Fair and be part of providing healthcare opportunities to our neighbors in our surrounding neighborhoods who may not have access. On March 21st, we have an opportunity for all the men in the church to gather for a time to take communion together, eat together, fellowship and connect across generations. The next day, on March 22nd is our annual Women’s Day! An opportunity for women across all generations to gather and worship God and celebrate being created in God’s image. On March 25th is our monthly GLB Prayer Night- again, God calling the church to gather in communal prayer, practicing prayer and trusting God together. Throughout these gatherings and more, God is forming us and changing us to become a small working model of God’s new creation- an open-handed blessing to the world, empowered by the Holy Spirit, practicing the way of Jesus or as Paul would say in Ephesians 3:10- the manifold wisdom of God. Let’s have a great March!

Ruben and Marina