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Greetings!
I pray you have had a blessed week! This is a very busy time for our staff and worship teams, as we prepare for our upcoming Fall Congregational Forum (11/7) and Meeting (11/8), the last weeks of our Stewardship series, Trans Day of Remembrance, a Healing Service, Friendsgiving meal, a new Grief Support group, and Advent! Welcome to November!
In some cultures and in some religious traditions, this weekend is a celebration of remembering those who have left this life for the next. October 31 is considered "All Hallows Eve" (or Halloween); November 1 is considered "All Saints Day" (to honor the saints); and November 2 is considered "All Soul's Day" (or "Day of the Dead/Dia de los muertos). I'm so excited that our Spanish-speaking ministry will be leading our combined service at 11:30 Sunday as we honor this wonderful ritual and remember special people that have passed from our lives. We will have a special guest performance from a famous Latin actress, Alejandra Flores. This should be a celebration to remember!
I do want to thank all of you who have already made your financial commitments for 2027. So far, $44,440.00 has been pledged for next year. If you didn't get the opportunity to fill out your commitment cards last Sunday, never fear! The cards will be available
the rest of the year either in worship (ask an usher) or on our website (foundersmcc.org). Please remember that these cards are kept confidential; only one or two of the board members (one being the treasurer) know the names and financial commitments. Thank you again.
Are you ready for worship? Let's get blessed so we can bless others!
Pastor Keith
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Reading is taken from Matthew, Chapter 5, Verses 1 through 12
(The Message Version)
5 1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:
3 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
4 “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5 “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
6 “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. God’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.
7 “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.
8 “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
9 “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
10 “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s realm.
11-12 “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
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Turn your clocks back 1 hour before bed on Saturday night!!!
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THIS Sunday, November 1, both congregations will once again worship together at 11:30 am. The Spanish-speaking congregation will be leading this Dia de los Muertos service. We will learn about this Mexican cultural celebration.
| | On Saturday, November 7th at 2pm, we will joyously remember and celebrate the life of our own Miss Betty. A repass will follow. | | A Congregational Budget Forum will be conducted via Zoom on November 7th at 11 am. | | Our annual Fall Congregational Meeting is NEXT SUNDAY, November 8 at 11:30 a.m. Information, including our narrative budget and reports can be viewed in advance on our website: www.foundersmcc.org. | | |
Saturday, Nov. 14th, 8 pm
Founders MCC member Wayne Babineaux / Weaux will perform a full hour-long original music show celebrating the release of his new double EP "Future Vu / Queer as Funk" ON VINYL!!!
Tickets are free and you're highly encouraged to order your "Future Vu / Queer as Funk" vinyl at the show to help him towards his goal of selling 300 records to get these vinyls made!!!
| | Collecting needed items for SELAH. This month: Coats/Jackets and tents. | | Last Sunday was our annual Commitment Service, which is in line with our sermon series: Stewardship, Not What You Think! If you didn't fill out your annual Commitment Card for 2027, please see an usher for a form and drop it in the offering plate (or fill it out online). | | Third Space is now open on Mondays and Thursdays. | | Our Founders MCC Podcast entitled "Queer Christian Faith" Podcast is on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Iheart Radio, audible and our YouTube Channel MCCLATV mcclatv - YouTube | | |
With the ICE, Homeland Security, and Border Patrol raids occurring so frequently here in Los Angeles, we at FMCC/ICMF realize the fear that many of our congregants have in leaving their homes. We are initializing an immediate ministry called, ANGELS. This ministry is for those who may be fearful of going to the grocery store, the pharmacy, and the department store and need to reach out to an ANGEL for help. It is also for people who may be willing to run these errands (for those too fearful to leave home currently) to let us know you're willing to BE an ANGEL. So, if you need an ANGEL, or if you're willing to be an ANGEL, please contact us at care@mccla.org and we'll match you up if at all possible.
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Rapid Response Network Launches Hotline to Protect Immigrants From ICE Raids in Los Angeles, 888-624-4752
There continues to be a need for a "White Wall" to help protect the attendees of our 1:30 Spanish-speaking service. Please see Pastor Keith.
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Join CLUE (Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice) and other social justice groups who have been gathering weekly in Los Angeles to pray for the return of family members who have been detained or deported.
We invite people of all genders to accompany them and hold our disappeared community members in prayer. We are hurting along with them, and we have their backs.
This vigil takes place every Tuesday, Noon at the Los Angeles Federal Building.
Pastor Bam Noriega
Founders MCCLA
(480)773-0527
| | Order your shirts today from Lulu Madrid for only $25! | | We need additional volunteers to help in the sound booth (see Don Mueller) and broadcast booth (see Sandra Contreras) | | |
Thank you to all who have given so generously through our online giving portal. Our church cannot function without your generosity!! Feel free to continue giving through our website (on PushPay) or simply sending a check in the mail (4607 Prospect Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027). Again, thank you.
Grand Total For Week Ending: 10-25-2026: $3,660.00
Facility Rentals: $963.00
Anniversary Offering: $135.00
Tithing: $2,562.00
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| Interested in Church Membership? Or, maybe, you just want to know more about our church's core beliefs and history. Set up an online meeting with Rev. Steve Swafford at membership@mccla.org for an individualized study! | | Join us before and after worship for a time of Hospitality in the church courtyard. Martin Miny is heading a team of people to get coffee, juice, and pastries ready each Sunday. Volunteers are always welcome! | |
As we continue to cope with Covid-19, we are changing our protocols. The new protocols are in line with the rest of LA County. Until further notice, here are our guidelines:
1. We will no longer require vaccinations and boosters for church attendance, though we highly encourage them.
2. We will make wearing masks optional. Please feel free to continue wearing masks as you feel comfortable.
3. We ask people that have symptoms of (or tested positive for) Covid, flu, monkeypox, or any other easily communicable disease to please refrain from attending until they are well.
As we have from the very beginning of the pandemic, we will continue to keep in line with the advice of the LA County Public Health Department. Thank you so much for your patience as we navigate new guidelines.
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Rev. Keith Mozingo (Moderator)
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Cesar Maldanado -
Spanish Speaking Ministries
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Patricia Wahle -
Vice Moderator
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Ed Shaughnessy - Treasurer
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MCC Kinship Groups
Kinship Groups offer a safe space of connecting with other people of similar struggles and challenges. We have groups for Trans, PAD, API, God-Talk, and Latinx.
If you have any questions, are interested in a particular Kinship group, or interested in forming another Kinship group, you may email Rev. Hector Gutierrez.
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Let’s Get CONNECTed: Invite More MCCers to Subscribe to this Newsletter!
As the recent General Conference 2025 has just been concluded, and as the spirit of connectedness within our denomination is still in the air, we encourage you to invite more MCCers to subscribe to our denomination’s newsletter.
We are delighted to grow our community by sharing our good news and stories with one another via this platform.
We invite all MCCers to subscribe to our denomination e-news by clicking on the following link: bit.ly/connect-mcc
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