Dear Viewer,
For those of us in the United States, this has been quite a week! We have a new president and vice-president, and we have some changes in our Congress. After a very tumultuous election season, many of us are just drained from all the division in our country. While I've heard some say that we can finally breathe a sigh of relief, I would suggest that we not sigh too long. Many of us know the fragility of our own rights, the up and down of our freedoms being tossed around, and we know that we must be vigilant.
I was so proud to pay tribute over Martin Luther King weekend to several of our church members who are out making a difference for others: Martin Miny's team of folks working each week feeding lots of hungry people; Jane Syftestad and her colleagues paying tribute to a former student who is now on the front lines working as a nurse; and Pam Fairbanks working for tenants' rights. And all of this, even during a world-wide deadly pandemic.
Last Sunday, we got an amazing fill and feel of the Holy Spirit in our worship! We were truly in a "heavenly place" in the sanctuary, and others wrote in to tell us that they were in "heavenly places" right where they were! This week, I decided to preach about just that... Finding Heavenly Places. If you'd like to read ahead, check out Ephesians 1:3-6; 15-19a (New King James Version) and Luke 2:41-52 (Message). I look forward to worshiping with you in a Spirit-filled service this Sunday!
God bless!
Pastor Keith
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Founder's Metropolitan Community Church Announcements for the week of 1-22-21! |
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Celebration of the Black Christ |
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Thank you to Rev. Alejandro Escoto and his amazing team of people that put together the altar last Sunday for the Guatemalan celebration of the "Black Christ." (A crucifix carved out of black wood was found in a cave in the late 1500s near the city of Esquipulas, Guatemala. It has been a source of peace for many, and it is housed in the Cathedral Basilica de Esquipulas.) Thanks, also, for the beautiful talent of the Inmigrantes Mayas who provided Marimba music before, during, and after our 1:30 worship. |
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It's that time again - for all of us to participate! During the next few weeks, we'd love for you to take a picture of you making the sign of the heart (or finding some other creative way to display a heart!) for our Passing of the Peace pictures. We'll feature them through the end of February, as we have Valentine's Day and American Heart Month. Send your pictures to [email protected]. Remember, use good lighting and take the picture in landscape mode.
(Rev. Barbara Haynes Pictured Above!)
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A Message From the Board of Directors |
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Update on year-end contribution reports: All statements have now been e-mailed to members with e-mail addresses on file. Others have been mailed through the US Postal Service. Please watch for your report in the next few days. |
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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 65 years of age and older: |
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65 or Older? Let's get vaccinated!
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From Rev. Tim Hamilton: COVID Bereavement Groups |
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Kaiser Permanente has established some Covid specific bereavement groups that are open to the public. A person does not need to be a member of Kaiser Permanente to attend these call in groups, and these are provided at no cost. If you know anyone that might benefit, and has experienced the death of a loved one due to Covid, feel free to pass on this info. |
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Tithes and General Offerings: $4,721.00 for 1/17/21
(Paypal, Credit Cards, Checks, in person giving)
Designated Funds Total Income: $560.00
Building Fund: $60.00
Pastor Designated Fund $500.00
Grand Total of all Income for 1/10/21: $5,281.00
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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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Tuesday - Evening Vespers at 6:00 p.m. on Facebook Live. |
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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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Reflection
In this time of global sickness, we find ourselves not just dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic but another form of sickness. Racism, defined as the marginalization and/or oppression of people of color based on a socially constructed racial hierarchy that privileges white people, is a sickness in its own right and affects us differently depending on where we live, the color of our skin and our life experiences.
Many people of color have been aware and experienced the effects of racism from the time they could remember, as they were taught to be careful of how they interacted with others in authority or with white people in general. If this was not your experience, pause for a moment to think about what that would be like. Generally speaking, white people do not think like that, and haven’t needed to because their motives are not questioned, people don’t assume the worst or aren’t afraid of them because of the color of their skin or their cultural differences. This unfortunately has not been the experience of many people of color.
Well intentioned white people tend to think of themselves as not being racists without realizing that their experience is shaded by the fact that they have lived in white privilege. If you don’t know another experience, you likely don’t even realize the benefits you are given without any effort on your part.
We are all human beings, we come from many backgrounds; we are people with rich experience and worth! We need to look and see what structures we have in place that are blocking people from being welcomed and bringing their full selves to the table.
Prayer
We take this time to lift up our prayers to help us to truly SEE other another.
God of all, help us to work together so that each feels as valued as the next, regardless of skin color. We don’t wish to be color blind, but colorful; help us to learn about and celebrate each other’s experiences, create opportunities to learn from each other and to recognize the worth of each person’s culture, experience and contributions so that we may be better vessels for you.
Amen
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SUBMITTED BY
CLARE COUGHLIN (she/her)
is currently serving as a member of the Commission on Pathways of Healing and Reconciliation, as well as serving on the MCC Governing Board. She is a member of Divine Peace MCC in Waterford, Michigan, USA
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Images Representing the Sermon for this coming Sunday!! |
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Founder's Metropolitan Community Church Board Of Directors |
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Rev. Keith Mozingo (Moderator)
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Dean Coffey (Vice Moderator)
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Oyie Esguerra (Treasurer)
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Antonio Martinez (Member)
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Founder's Metropolitan Community Church Address And Contact Info:
4607 Prospect Ave, Los Angeles CA 90027 | 323-669-3434
Website: www.foundersmcc.org
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