Greetings!
Each day this week, I've been aware of songs of praise running through my spirit, sometimes when I woke up, and other times all through the day. It seems that no matter the pressures of Life, there has been a constant praise going on in my spirit. I took advantage of those times, and I prayed for YOU, that you would also have a praise in your spirit, too! I know physical, mental, emotional, relational, all sorts of "storms" happen to all of us. Yet, there can still be a praise in our spirits - The psalmist said, "This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it!" If you haven't taken a "praise break" today, do it NOW! You will find it makes the rest of your day better!
Last week, I did something I've never done before: Before I delivered the message, I told you that I was going to take you to hell and back. And I did. If you were present (on-site or off-site) in worship, then you know what that means. I guess I've always identified with "Lazarus" in that parable, but last week, I felt a tug of the Holy Spirit that we all needed to identify as the "Rich One" in that parable. We are ALL rich beyond words - some are rich with money, more are rich with talents, most are rich with faith, and all are rich with resources! I'll continue sharing about faith this Sunday with a message entitled, Super-size My Faith, Please! If you'd like to read ahead, check out Luke 17:5-10 (Message).
I don't know about you, but I'm getting excited about our 54th Anniversary Homecoming worship next Sunday! Rev. Don Pederson is excited about the message he's been given, the music department is working hard behind the scenes getting great music pieces prepared, and lots of others are working hard to make this anniversary one to remember! If you haven't been to worship recently, please make every effort to be on-site for this service! If you can't worship on-site, please be in prayer for us here, and join us off-site (online) for a super service! It will certainly be one for the history books.
Pastor Keith
|
|
Memorial For Joel Wilsey Tomorrow |
|
Joel passed away after a long battle with cancer on September 2, 2022, in his home in Encino, CA. Joel's "Bye for Now!" Celebration of life service will be held tomorrow, October 1, 2022, at 1 PM at the First Baptist Church of Pasadena, CA with the Reverend John Jay Alvaro officiating. Friends and family are encouraged to attend. There will be a fellowship meal immediately following the service. Joel will be laid to rest on October 5, 2022, at Camellia Memorial Lawn in Sacramento, CA. |
|
Membership Inquirer's Class - Oct. 2 |
|
Do you want to know more about FMCC? Have you thought about joining our Faith community? Now is the time to learn more about our local church, as well as our denomination. We'll offer a Membership Inquirer's Class this Sunday, October 2nd, at 11:30 a.m. online and on-site! Rev. Steve Swafford will teach the class, and then we'll offer membership on Sunday, October 16th during worship for those who decide to move forward in membership. Please send a message to Rev. Keith if you are planning to attend the class at [email protected]. (Note: You are not required to join the church after the class, but those who DO join the church are required to attend a Membership Inquirer's Class before joining.)
|
|
Would you like to have coffee, perhaps a pastry, and definitely good fellowship before/after worship? We need a team of volunteers who are willing to set up, serve, and take down tables, make coffee, and display pastries. Please see Pastor Keith or email [email protected] if you are willing to serve on the Hospitality Team.
|
|
New Wednesday Night Study Series |
|
Homelessness and Income Inequality
"... to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter ..."
"The poor you will always have with you ..."
Is housing a right? A guaranteed standard of living? Charity or justice?
Our "Rights Side Up" series continues on October 2 at 7:30pm PT on Facebook, or on:
Zoom:
Segments of this series are being posted for you to watch and join the conversation anytime!
|
|
Saturday Night Spiritual - Oct. 8th |
|
Join us next Saturday, Oct. 8, for our monthly Saturday Night Spiritual Interfaith Service at 5:00 p.m. This month, we will finally be able to bring this service back on-site! Yes, you can join Rev. Sheena Metal, along with Orlando de la Paz doing the music, for an in-person worship service! It will still be online for those who can't join us on-site. We look forward to seeing you! |
|
Next Sunday, October 9th, we will celebrate our church's 54th Anniversary! What better way to celebrate than to bring anniversary gifts that can benefit everyone?! This Sunday, we have a "Generosity Tree" that has two types of gift suggestions: physical gifts (like tools) and gifts of service (like donation of time for a specific project). Each week, more items will be added, so take some time to peruse the tree to see what you may want to contribute. You'll notice that each branch of the tree is dedicated to a person whose legacy to FMCC is generosity. Let's make this an anniversary to remember! |
|
FMCC's 54th Anniversary - Homecoming
|
|
Guest Speaker: Rev. Donald Pederson, former Sr. Pastor of FMCC.
|
|
"Start spreadin' the news"!!! Founders MCC's 54th Anniversary celebration will be on October 9th at the church. We want this to be an old-time Homecoming! Our special guest speaker is Rev. Donald Pederson, former Sr. Pastor of FMCC. We'll have special music, and we're inviting all who have sung in our choir or praise team to come and share in a combined choir. We'll also have a catered lunch after worship! We can't wait to see everyone IN PERSON here at FMCC for a wonderful celebration! More details to be revealed! In the meantime, put it on your calendar, and spread the word to anyone and everyone that's ever been a part of FMCC. Let them know - it's time to come HOME. |
|
Monkey Pox Vaccine Available
|
|
Change In Covid-19 Protocols |
|
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 will invite congregants to wear a green sticker if they are amenable to handshakes and hugs.
4. 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.
|
|
Our Media Team is looking for gifted people who can create PowerPoint, operate Sound, operate the new church app, and operate Cameras. If you are already gifted in these areas (or you want to find out if you're gifted in these areas!), please contact Rev. Keith at [email protected].
|
|
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.
|
|
Hospitality - online - after worship! |
|
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! |
|
Introducing …
Our New Internal MCC Website!
Made just for YOU
Lay Leaders and Clergy of MCC
|
|
As many of you know, MCC has been in a three year process of revising our web presence and communications strategy. Our hope has been to ensure that our web presence is targeted to the appropriate audiences and provides easy access to the information and resources that respective audiences are looking for. Ultimately, of course, we hope to reach more people with the life-saving message and ministries of Metropolitan Community Churches.
The first phase was the launch of our visitor-based website at www.VisitMCCchurch.com. This website is aimed at those who do not yet know MCC, but who share our core values and are searching for the type of churches and spiritual communities that are a part of MCC. This external, visitor-based site introduces people to MCC, and is completely multilingual. Visitors can hear our stories through the testimonies of MCCers writing about their experiences in their own languages. They can also quickly locate the most up to date information about all of our congregations around the world. The VisitMCCchurch.com site also includes news coverage of MCC and individual leaders and congregations worldwide.
The second phase of our redesign is now complete through the launch of our new internal website at www.InsideMCC.org. This site is very specifically targeted to MCCers - clergy, lay leaders, church members, etc. Our goal for this site is for it to be (a) simple, (b) easy to navigate, and (c) successful at providing MCCers with the resources and information you need to do your best work. At InsideMCC.org you will find up-to-date contact information for Staff, Elders, Governing Board Members, Commissions, etc. You will also be directed to our new Resource Bank where you can find everything from worship resources to financial reports. The site also contains information about how to best find and utilize the resources that are available.
|
|
We encourage you to spend some time reviewing the new site(s), and as always, we invite your feedback. We also urge you to read the various READ ME FIRST documents found in different sections of the Resource Bank. Watch for the announcement of introductory videos about the new InsideMCC.org site and the Resource Bank.
We are striving to be more inclusive and accessible in terms of language. While the website is created in English, Google Translate can make it more accessible to other languages. The same is true of the Resource Bank. Google Translate can be used on any of the documents whether the original is in Spanish, Portuguese or English. We acknowledge the limitations of the current technology noting that some MCC/ICM terms may not translate accurately and that the technology may not reflect the cultural nuances and evolution of language. Still, this is a big step forward in making our resources available to all of our global MCC members.
(Facebook)
(Twitter)
|
|
Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves.
Not a day goes by when the reality of hearing someone regret alcohol or drug addiction, whether it's of a personal narrative or they’re concerned about someone else. Addiction has become a global health problem and it is recognized that it is not limited only to the consumption of alcohol and drugs, whether legal or illegal. An addiction extends to gambling, playing video games, sex, and food, to name a few.
Substance addiction is substantially increased among LGBTQ communities, and studies confirm that the battles facing our community are heightened by stigma, discrimination, and other challenges that the heterosexual population does not normally face.
The Council of Elders of The Metropolitan Community Churches recognize that our local churches and faith communities are not immune to the effects and consequences of addiction. We recognize that our recovery is a spiritual one and that our faith has power, as well as our prayers. The path to recovery and sobriety begins with an inclusive and compassionate love, which helps people facing addiction feel empowered to express their desire to rehabilitate.
By uniting our voices, the narrative of our stories enables people who are in search of the courage to take their first steps toward recovery. This also provides continuing encouragement to those who have been on the journey of a sober life. And those who have years of living sober can testify of the many ways they maintain their sobriety, which often happens moment by moment, step by step, day by day.
What can be done? To begin with, it’s important to recognize that our churches and faith communities are affected by addiction, and in providing a space without prejudice of presence and language, we can affirm rather than criticize. This makes way for a spirit of humility, compassion, and acceptance, allowing those facing addiction to feel that they can be present without the harm of rejection.
Second, let our faith respond and inspire us to speak, preach, and educate our communities about addiction. Our MCC-ICM Communities are connected by blood and spirit, and we have a great influence on society and the ability to support healthy lifestyles. The narrative of lives in recovery and sobriety is the bridge of hope for many people who are on the road to transforming their lives.
In addition, the success of achieving a life of sobriety comes from the same support of those who are on a similar journey. We must never diminish the power of encouragement that is created between the dynamics of family, community, and friendships in reference to our recovery stories. Celebrating every step toward sobriety, no matter how small or large the step, offers great help and this support is invaluable.
Thirdly, awareness of the many resources at the community, national, and international level is critical. September, for example, is Recovery and Sobriety Month in the USA and celebrates the many stories that inspire and promote the power of family and community in the lives of people facing and struggling with an addiction. And last year, 2021, an on-line global event was created designating September 30th as International Day of Recovery. These are two means in which people can connect, promote, support someone, or find support toward the path of recovery and sobriety.
Finally, every journey begins with a single step and the journey to recovery and sobriety for many begins with the Alcoholics Anonymous and their Twelve Steps. What follows is an excerpt from chapter 11 of the AA Big Book, “A Vision for You” along with links to some resources.
“Our book is meant to be suggestive only. We realize we know only a little. God will constantly disclose more to you and to us. Ask God in your morning meditation what you can do each day for the person who is still sick. The answers will come, if your own house is in order. But obviously you cannot transmit something you haven't got. See to it that your relationship with The Divine is right, and great events will come to pass for you and countless others. This is the Great Fact for us.
Abandon yourself to God as you understand The Divine. Admit your faults to The Divine and to your trusted network. Clear away the wreckage of your past. Give freely of what you find and join us. We shall be with you in the Fellowship of the Spirit, and you will surely meet some of us as you trudge the Road of Happy Destiny. May God bless you and keep you -- until then.”
Resources:
|
|
PRAYER SUBMITTED BY:
REV. ELDER ALEJANDRO ESCOTO
|
|
Founder's Metropolitan Community Church Board Of Directors |
|
Rev. Keith Mozingo (Moderator)
|
|
Martin Covarrubias (Vice Moderator) |
|
|
Gef Aviles (Co-Treasurer) |
|
|
Tony Martinez (Co-Treasurer) |
|
Bob Stayton (Properties Committee)
|
|
Children's Hospital has so graciously volunteered up to 10 spaces for us to park. It is a small lot off Sunset Blvd., just beyond the Metro Station entrance. |
|
Founders Metropolitan Community Church Address And Contact Info:
4607 Prospect Ave, Los Angeles CA 90027 | 323-669-3434
Website: www.foundersmcc.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
