I hope that you all had a wonderful week. Last Sunday, we celebrated Mother's Day, and on May 30th, we'll celebrate our Graduates! May and June are busy and exciting months for us! Thanks to all who sent in photos of your mothers. Now, those who are graduating: we need your pictures, your name the way you want it listed, and from what you are graduating! Send that info to [email protected].
Many of you have begun to venture outside after a year of mostly hibernation. The Board of Directors and the Creative Worship Team are busy behind the scenes working on the logistics of gathering once again for worship! Hang on just a little longer... we're almost ready! PLEASE: GET VACCINATED. The sooner we are all vaccinated, the sooner we will be able to gather once again in person.
The next two Sundays are a couple of my favorite church celebrations: Ascension and Pentecost. Ascension is actually 40 days after Easter (Thursday of this week), and Pentecost is 50 days after Easter (next Sunday). As we look at Jesus' ascension into heaven this Sunday, let's remember that we can continue to let Jesus "rise up" inside of us each day. If you'd like to read ahead, check out Acts 1:1-11 (Voice) and Luke 24:44-54 (Voice). I look forward to seeing you (online) Sunday for worship!
Pastor Keith
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Founder's Metropolitan Community Church Announcements for the week of 05-14-21! |
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In Memoriam - Natasha Santillan |
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FMCC grieves over the loss of one of our very active church members, Natasha Santillan. Natasha had gone to Mexico to help take care of her mother who is ill. She had an accident and could not be revived last Saturday, May 8th. Natasha will be sorely missed. Rest in peace, dear sister. |
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International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia - May 17th
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Board of Directors Meeting: Tuesday at 6:15 p.m. |
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Our monthly board meeting will be Tuesday, May 18th at 6:15 p.m. on Zoom. Our meetings are open to the public and can be found here:
Meeting ID: 957 0262 7688
Passcode: 836390
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LGBTQ Activism Through Religion & Faith: Thursday, May 20th, 5:30 p.m. |
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Michael Vazquez, Director of the HRC Foundation's Religion and Faith program, will discuss the development of the program over the past year and lead a panel on the importance of faith as a tool and strategy for activism. Join Michael and special guests for an enlightening conversation and opportunity to learn more about HRC's programs and the different avenues for advancing LGBTQ equality.
Special Guest:
Rev. Troy Perry, Founder of the Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC)
Featuring:
Michael Vazquez, Director of the HRC Foundation's Religion & Faith program
Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, Senior Minister, Middle Collegiate Church, NYC
Rabbi Densie Eger, Founding Rabbi, Congregation Kol Ami, West Hollywood
Katherine Stewart, Award Winning Journalist and Author of "The Power Worshippers"
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Graduation Celebration - May 30th |
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If you are graduating from high school or college/seminary, please let us know! We plan to celebrate graduation on Sunday, May 30th during worship. Please send your name and a photo to Pastor Keith at [email protected]. |
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Each Saturday, our church offers food to those who are in need. In addition to the HopeNet food that comes each week, we have started offering fresh produce from Food Forward. Come by from anytime between 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on Saturday morning to pick up food.
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Vaccinations for those 12 years of age and older: |
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12 or Older? Let's get vaccinated!
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General Tithes & Offerings for May 09, 2021: $3,167.00
Building Fund: $85.00
Pastor Discretionary Fund: $500.00
Helping Hands: $10.00
Total Designated Funds: $595.00
Grand Total of all tithes, offerings and designated funds: 05/09/21
$3,762.00
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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 PayPal) or simply sending a check in the mail (4607 Prospect Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027). Again, thank you. |
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Wednesday - Bible Study at 7:30 p.m. on Facebook Live. |
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Wednesday - Reflexiones Espirituales - Spanish Bible Study at 7:30 PM pm on Facebook Group Chat |
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Hospitality - online - after worship! |
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Don't forget that we have a time of Hospitality after worship each Sunday. The link is at the top of the first page of our website. Come and have some fun with your church family! |
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Based on John 5:1-16
God who defies our expectations,
You told the man lying on a mat by the pool of Bethesda to get up, take his mat and walk. The religious and the righteous complained that the Sabbath forbade him from carrying his mat and they didn't see the miracle of healing that happened before their eyes. Holy God who challenges us, this miracle of Jesus shows us the miracle of Jesus upsets the powerful and gives power to those trapped in systems not rooted in your loving liberation. May we too realise our own complicity when we see Your liberating Holy Spirit move through this world and yet we respond with shackling those who You set free, with our own insecurity. Let us be comfortable with a Gospel of Jesus that throws away the comfort of the mat and that does the work of justice and healing when the religion of control says we should not. When the religion of the mat dismisses the cry for justice and empowerment for women. When it is deaf to the black and brown children of God who suffer under systems that crush them. When our trans siblings in Christ want to get off their mats and walk in the freedom of their gender identity only to have laws made against their very personhood. When we try to make peace and give life to Your creation but instead perpetuate environmental degradation that hurts the poorest and the most disadvantaged among us.
We give thanks that You give us new mercy every morning to get up and walk away from our mats. Loving God, it's in Your nature to pull humankind forward to a more loving way each day.
For that we give thanks and may our gratitude lead to constant renewal of the fires which inspire us and which lead Jesus to heal the sick and speak truth to the religion of Empire.
May Jesus be real in our lives today and shake us out of the complacency of the mat which we make comfortable beds in.
And when we leave the comfort of the mat, may we show others the way to the Christ who set us free and who sets us free day after day.
In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
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SUBMITTED BY
PRAYER SUBMITTED BY:
REV. ALEX PITTAWAY
is the pastor of MCC Brisbane.
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Founder's Metropolitan Community Church Board Of Directors |
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Rev. Keith Mozingo (Moderator)
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Oyie Esguerra (Treasurer)
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Antonio Martinez (Member)
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