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Greetings!

Thank you for your prayers while I was away last week. We had another death in my extended family, and I really felt I had to be present for the memorial service in North Carolina. I watched both the English and Spanish services online, and I was truly blessed. Thanks to the Creative Worship Teams for making sure everything was covered. I know I can always count on you to go right on with worship, whether the Senior Pastor is present in person or not!

I want to thank Bam Noriega for bringing us the message last Sunday, the second day of Advent. The focus was on PEACE, and Bam brought us a new look at Mary - a strong young woman who, by saying "Yes" to God, became a form of protest. How wonderful that she set the example of our protest against oppression to this day! Thank you, Bam, for opening our eyes to this way of seeing the Holy Mother of Jesus!

Friday, we observed the celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe with the Aztec dancers and the Mariachis Arcoiris of Los Angeles. Thanks to all of your who worked so hard last week to change out the altars and lead us in culture-filled worship!

As you know, our theme for the Advent sermon series is, Advent: What Did You Expect? This Sunday, we'll continue with the series with this message by Elder Larry Rodriguez: Joy: What Did You Expect? If you'd like to read ahead, check out Luke 1:46-55 (Voice Version). Don't miss it!

While I know there are lots of events this month, I'm so glad that we get to look forward to the Blessing of Christmas. 

Pastor Keith

Reading is taken from

Luke, Chapter 1,

Verses 46-55 (The Voice Version)

Mary: My soul magnifies the Lord! My spirit celebrates God, my Liberator! For though I’m God’s humble servant, God has noticed me. Now and forever, I will be considered blessed by all generations. For the Mighty One has done great things for me; holy is God’s name! 

From generation to generation, God’s lovingkindness endures

for those who revere God. God’s arm has accomplished mighty deeds. The proud in mind and heart, God has sent away in disarray. The rulers from their high positions of power, God has brought down low. And those who were humble and lowly, God has elevated with dignity. 

The hungry—God has filled with fine food. The rich—God has dismissed with nothing in their hands. To Israel, God’s servant, God has given help, as promised to our ancestors, remembering Abraham and Sarah, and their descendants in mercy forever.

The Board of Directors invites members and friends of our community to participate in a Special Christmas Offering on Sunday, December 21^st for our Senior Pastor Rev. Keith Mozingo and Staff.

Weekly, our Pastor and staff do a great deal to pray, plan, and present meaningful worship services.

But there are also many things that happen behind the scenes, ministry, that make a huge difference in the lives of people both inside and outside of our congregation. This is one Sunday out of the year when we can all say a Big Thank You to them and give back through a special love offering.



Starting this Sunday, December 14, you may contribute through PushPay by texting Founders MCC to 77977, and selecting the Special Offering/Other Designated Funds category to give to make this a Merrier Christmas and Happier New Year for all of our church staff.

Sunday, December 14, 2025, is the Third Sunday of Advent. The theme is Joy

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84631548676?pwd=3QTadBMfao1xawua607jFJBa9G5gZz.1

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. 

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. 

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.

Bam Noriega

Founders MCCLA

Student Clergy

(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)

Tithes & Offerings

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: 12-07-2025: $7,181.00

Facility Rentals: $2,371.00

Christine Daniels: $500.00

Tithing: $4,306.00

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!

Hospitality!

Covid-19 Protocols

Dean Coffey -

Vice Moderator

Patricia Wahle - Clerk

Ed Shaughnessy - Treasurer

Roger Owens - Governance

Ina Serene - Trans Unity

Martin Miny - Facilities

Founders Metropolitan Community Church Address And Contact Info:

4607 Prospect Ave, Los Angeles CA 90027 | 323-669-3434

E-mail: info@foundersmcc.org

Website: www.foundersmcc.org

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.

Inviting all MCC Trans and Nonbinary People of Faith to a Monthly Online Gathering

We held our first gathering last month (June) and it became clear that more of these gatherings are needed and welcomed. With the relentless attack globally on Trans and Nonbinary people, many emotions are being experienced within our global MCC community.

Rev. Elder Aaron Miller, on behalf of the MCC Council of Elders, is offering to host monthly meetings on Zoom with co-facilitators Rev. Elder Maxwell Reay and Rev. Dawn Flynn through the end of this year.

Discussion topics:

• WHAT is happening and WHAT we are feeling -- in the place and country where we live
• HOW can we be safe/er during these times
• WHERE do we find grounding and spiritual renewal
• WHERE do we (and can we) -- find God in the midst of this?
• WHAT do we need and HOW can MCC help?

Please consider joining us for this much-needed time to gather. We know, as people of faith and Beloved of God, we are stronger when we center in love and for love, together.

Upcoming Schedule - 2PM ET, on these dates:

• December 29

(see other time zones)

Click Here for Zoom Link

 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/719817716

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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Third Sunday of Advent

Rev. Elder Nokuthula Dhladhla

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(Subtitles available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese)

Matthew 11:2–11 – “Are You the One Who Is to Come?”

Greetings, siblings, in the name of Jesus

 the One who was, the One who Is and the One who is to come.

I bring you warm greetings from the Council of Elders,

My name is Rev. Elder Nokuthula Dhladhla, and it is such a great joy to share this sacred Advent moment with you.

 Our scripture reading today comes from Matthew 11:2–11.

Let’s imagine John the Baptist. The fearless prophet who baptized Jesus in Jordan. He had proclaimed boldly: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord!’ But now, behind bars, lonely and uncertain, he asks: ‘Are you the one, or should we expect someone else?

This was not a simple question.

It was a cry of a weary heart.

John was wondering in a prison cell. Even John, who had seen Jesus up close, experienced doubt. And friends, this is something we all relate to, especially when life doesn’t match our expectations. For queer people, this question can feel deeply personal. Society often tells us who we should be, how we should love, or what our path should look like. And yet, our lived reality may feel different. Like John, we might wonder: Am I really seen? Am I enough? Is this truly valid?

Jesus’ response is beautiful. He doesn’t scold John. Instead, He points to what is:

The blind receive sight

The lame walk

The outcasts are restored

The deaf hear

The dead are raised

The poor receive good news

Jesus was saying,

He points to Life transformation and Love in Action

“Hope is happening.

I am the One

And today on this Advent, this is Good News for us also in MCC, For queer communities, this is a reminder: God sees you, affirms you, and works in ways beyond what the world expects. Doubt, questioning, even fear, these don’t disqualify you. They are part of the journey toward understanding God’s love and your truth. especially for us as queer community at this present moment when the world wants to erase us.

We also find a special and a tender moment when Jesus says after John expresses his doubt.

Jesus told the crowd and said:

“Among those born of women, there is none greater than John.”

So Beloved, hear this clearly:

John doubted and Jesus still honored him.

John questioned Jesus and Jesus still lifted him up.

John struggled and Jesus still affirmed his place in God’s story.

 know also today that, Your doubts do not remove your dignity.

Your questions do not cancel your call.

Your struggles do not make you less beloved.

And your full queer, beautiful identity is part of God’s good creation.

This is our Advent hope.

Even though our faith might not be perfect right now

Not seeing everything clearly but knowing the Light is on its way.

Jesus will answer us

“Yes.

I am the One.

And I am here for you

 I am bringing healing,

I am bringing justice,

I am bringing liberation,

I am bringing hope for ALL my people.” Including you

So Beloved siblings, we must hold onto this Advent promise:

Christ is here.

And Christ comes

for you, with you, and in you.

Amen.