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Dear Founders,
Wow! Are you still basking in the blessing from last Sunday's Passion Play? So many people have written, called, and spoken of this performance as the best one ever. In fact, from one of our eldest members, it was WAY beyond anything we've ever had at Founders! And YOU were a part of it. As Senior Pastor, I just want to thank all of you who participated, all who attended, all who supported, and all who promoted this service; I am as proud as a peacock! I do want to thank Rev. Eric Buter for the immeasurable hours he put in, along with the team who worked behind the scenes to make this production happen. You all are incredible. Thanks, again.
This is Holy Week. While we have multiple events throughout Christendom this week, they all lead to the most important day on the Christian calendar: Easter! This Sunday, we'll celebrate the Resurrection once again. I know that we have this celebration every year, but it never gets old, does it? It's a time of celebration for all of us, a time we not only recognize that Jesus was resurrected two thousand years ago, but that WE are a part of that resurrection today! WE are that body of Christ; WE are that body that is living right now; WE are the hands, feet, heart, and voice of Jesus in 2025!
I know that our world is charged right now with so much negativity, so much to be concerned about. At the same time, WE have an eternal Hope that only comes with knowing the resurrected Jesus for ourselves. Jesus is ALIVE and living IN us today! Hallelujah!
I look forward to once again worshipping with you this Sunday. My message in entitled, The Cross Was Temporary! If you'd like to read ahead, check out Luke 24:1-12 (Voice Version).
Let's come rejoicing!
Pastor Keith
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Reading is taken from
Luke, Chapter 24, Verses 1 through 12
(The Voice Version)
Early on Sunday morning, even before the sun had fully risen, several women made their way back to the tomb with the spices and ointments they had prepared. When they arrived, they found the stone was rolled away from the tomb entrance, and when they looked inside, the body of Jesus was nowhere to be seen.
They didn’t know what to think. As they stood there in confusion, two beings suddenly appeared standing beside them. These beings seemed to glow with light. The women were so terrified that they fell to the ground facedown.
A voice said, "Why are you seeking the living One in the place of the dead? He is not here. He has risen from the dead. Don’t you remember what He told you way back in Galilee? He told you that the Son of Humanity must be handed over to the wicked, be crucified, and then, on the third day, must rise.
The women did remember Jesus’ words about this, so they returned from the tomb and found the eleven and recounted for them—and others with them—everything they had experienced. The Lord’s emissaries heard their stories as fiction, a lie; they didn’t believe a word of it.
(By the way, this group of women included Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, along with a number of others.) Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. When he reached the opening, he bent down, looked inside, and saw the linen burial cloths laying there. But the body was gone. He walked away, full of wonder about what had happened.
| | Tomorrow, Sunday, April 20th. Resurrection Sunday Celebration!! Come ready to celebrate and rejoice in the Risen Christ! We will have lively and victorious, celebration music from our choir and soloists, as well as a timely and challenging sermon from our own beloved pastor, Rev. Keith!! | | |
Webinar with Canopy Meg!
Margaret Lowman, Ph.D.
April 21, 2025, 12:00 PM PT Dr. Lowman has pioneered tree canopy research in forests across the world and will discuss some of her findings on the importance of trees in climate protection, and her work supporting Ethiopian Church Forests.
Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WofdglXTS4-3tSm_zMC-xQ
April 22, 2025, 12:00 PM PT
California Interfaith Power & Light invites you to recite this prayer individually or communally and join faith communities across the country in praying for all Creation:
We hold siblings who suffer from storms and droughts intensified by climate change.
We hold all species that suffer.
We hold world leaders delegated to make decisions for life.
We pray that the web of life may be mended through courageous actions to limit carbon emissions.
We pray for right actions for adaptation and mitigation to help our already suffering earth community.
We pray that love and wisdom might inspire my actions and our actions as communities. so that we may, with integrity, look into the eyes of brothers and sisters and all beings and truthfully say, we are doing our part to care for them and the future of the children.
May love transform us and our world with new steps toward life.
| | Frankie Barcenas was on the cover of Adelante Magazine!! | | FMCC/ICMF makes the cover of last week's Eastsider!! | | Our Spring Congregational Meeting will be Sunday, May 4th, between the 10:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. services, starting at approximately 11:30 a.m. At the meeting, we will receive reports, give a financial update, and elect two members for the Board of Directors. Information on board applicants and ministry reports can be found on the church's website: www.foundersmcc.org | | We need additional volunteers to help in the sound booth (see Don Mueller) and broadcast booth (see Sandra Contreras) | | |
With God All Things Are Possible (Matthew 19:26)
TOTAL ROOFING COST $146,196
GIVEN AS OF April. 15th. $135,326
REMAINING NEED $10,870
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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 PushPay) or simply sending a check in the mail (4607 Prospect Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027). Again, thank you.
Grand Total For Week Ending: 04-13-2025: $4,846.00
Building Fund: $245.00
Facility Rental: $515.00
Helping Hands: $254.00
Tithing: $3,832.00
| | 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! | | Hoodies now available for the LOW price of $40. Proceeds will go towards the LatinX Ministry. Sign-up sheets are available. Hoodies can be purchased by cash or PushPay, using "Special Offering / Other Designated Funds" | | 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! | | 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 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)
| | Dean Coffey (Vice Moderator) | | |
Ed Shaughnessy (Treasurer) | |
Ina Serene - Trans* Unity | |
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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Easter Sunday | Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston
Watch on YouTube | Watch on Vimeo
Advanced Copy
One of poet Mary Oliver’s most famous lines is:
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
I think that this is a great question to ponder on the day we celebrate new life through the resurrection of Christ. In the northern hemisphere, celebrations of Easter are symbolised by new fluffy chicks and spring flowers, as the earth wakes up after the winter and new life is everywhere. Even the Easter bunny is linked to pagan traditions about spring and fertility, symbolised by the hare.
The beginning of a new year is more often the season when many people make resolutions about improving or more fully living out their “one wild and precious life”. I wonder how many of you have managed to sustain your intentions since January.
Easter is another time to do a personal check-in and make a fresh start.
Good Friday gave us the opportunity to lay at the foot of the cross the burdens that we wish to let go of, along with our regrets and shortcomings.
Holy Saturday is that fallow day of unknowing and of waiting.
On Easter Sunday, the empty tomb and the encounter between Mary Magdalene and the risen Christ conveys the joy of hope and new opportunities. If Jesus can overcome death, what else is possible?
The theme of MCC’s General Conference this year is “Creating Oasis – Reunion, Refreshment, Revival”
Easter is certainly a time for revival. A time when we can reclaim the promise of a new life in Christ, who said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly”. It is another chance to start again, to trust in the God who made us and who loves us.
This is a time when we can ask God “What do you want me to do with my one wild and precious life?”
You may receive an answer that will surprise you!
Christ is Risen. Alleluia.
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Register for the General Conference Business Meeting
Use this LINK to learn more about the business meeting.
There is no cost to register for the Business Meeting, but you must Register to participate.
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Celebrate Your Local Church with a
Special "Shout Out"
Is your church celebrating a milestone anniversary? What outreach ideas can you celebrate? Do you want to thank your Church Leadership? We have a great way for you to do celebrate your Church.
During the Transformation Weekend, you have the opportunity to support General Conference 2025 and honor your Pastor, Board of Directors or to share the good work of your Church Family. "Shout Out" will be seen throughout the weekend and on the General Conference website.
Included are a few examples from 2022. Click the link to get started on your Shout Out!: https://generalconference.mccchurch.org/2025-general-conference-sponsorship-information/.
Submit a "Shout Out" Using this LINK
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Video Hello
During our first worship service at the Transformational weekend we will watch a video greeting from all MCC churches. Be sure your church is included! Position everyone so the whole congregation can be seen in the video. Film inside your sanctuary or outside in front of or near your building. Be sure someone states your church name and location. Example: Hello from Beautiful Waters MCC in the Bahamas. Total talking should be no more than 10 - 15 seconds (shorter is better). In addition, the video should include no less than 5 seconds of silence before and after any talking. It would be best if recorded in landscape mode. We will take care of any editing.
Photos of Your Ministries
Spotlight the great ministry work your church is doing by providing photos highlighting the work you do in your community. These can also be events you've hosted or participated in to support LGBTQ+ and other marginalized groups. We know all MCC churches are doing great things and would love to showcase your involvement.
In Memoriam
We want to honor MCC clergy and key lay leaders who have passed since the last General Conference in July 2022. If you are aware of someone, please provide their name and a photo. Names can be submitted using this form: https://forms.gle/TB5WYQgbqm9Xya798.
Upload all videos and pictures using this LINK. Please make sure to label or name the pictures with the church name and location or the name of person being remembered, along with their local church name and location.
If you have questions about any of these items, please email conferences@MCCchurch.net
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GC2025 Worship Music Volunteers
Interested in being part of the GC2025 Transformational Weekend music team? If so, please email our Music Director, Pastor Diedre Gray, at gcmusic@mccchurch.net. Please tell us what instrument you play, are you a singer or any other musical talent you would are willing to share.
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Nominations are open for MCC 2025 Awards - the deadline has been extended to
30th April 2025
Please use this LINK to nominate a deserving person.
Use this LINK to read about the different awards.
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Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson shares her thoughts on the impact the Go Global Fund has had on her and many others around the world. Take a minute to hear her story by watching the video.
Donate Directly to the Go Global Fund
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Stay Informed
To stay up-to-date on all the planning and relevant information, visit the conference website at https://generalconference.mccchurch.org/
If you have any questions, ideas, or comments, start a conversation with us: conferences@MCCchurch.net.
We look forward to connecting with you during our Global General
Conference 2025!
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The Moderator Nominating Committee asked each Candidate to create a video to introduce themselves and provide a summary of their vision for MCC. Please take a moment to view each video below. You will have a time to meet each Candidate and ask questions during the "Meet the Candidate" Webinars. More information about the webinars can be found on the GC2025 Website using this LINK and below.
Rev. Craig Cranston
Moderator Candidate Introduction Video
| | Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston Moderator Candidate Introduction Video | |
Three Meet the Moderator Candidates webinars have been scheduled where candidates will have an opportunity to
introduce themselves.
There will also be a time for you to ask questions of the candidates. These will take place at the following times on the 29th and 30th of April, 2025.
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If you haven't yet, there is still time to register for our denominational conference in Scottsdale, AZ over the July 4th weekend. The Board of Directors is in the process of leasing a bus for those who are attending.
We have been asked if there is a way to support some who are planning to attend the General Conference but may find it difficult to cover all costs (travel, lodging, meals). Contributions can now be made through PushPay and there is now a designation to select: "Conference."
| | Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston's invitation to all of us to join her in Scottsdale, AZ, USA for 2025 General Conference. | | | | |
