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Greetings!
Another Sunday; another move of the Spirit of God! There was such a sweet Spirit in all of our services this past week. I want to thank Rev. Eric Buter for a very moving message, and I want to thank him for leading a healing service, too. I believe the Spirit is doing something special with our church, and it excites me to be a part of it all!
I want to say a big, "Thank You!" to those who created our ofrenda at the Dia de los muertos celebration in Santa Monica last Saturday. The ofrenda was very unique, and many people stopped by to admire it. Many also stopped by for a photo op with our Katrina that Cesar Maldonado created. Thanks again to Cesar, ANdee Larios, Alvaro Reyes, Tonia Luna, and Lulu Madrid for representing us well. I also want to thank Bam Noriega for leading our representatives at the No Kings protest last Saturday. We are an effective, busy people!
This week, we will begin a three-week sermon series on stewardship entitled, Show Us The Way. The series takes a look at saints that have gone before us, people that have left a major mark on the world, ones who heard the Spirit's voice and acted on it. They showed us the way; now it's up to us to show others! The series will culminate in three weeks with our "Commitment Sunday," the Sunday we make our annual commitments of time, talents, testimony, and finances to God through Founders MCC. I love that Sunday, because each year, I'm reminded to take a look at my life to see if I am doing enough for God - not because it's required, but because we are all called to have a generous spirit. I hope you will begin praying now to hear, just as the saints before us, what the Spirit is saying.
My message this week is entitled, The Way Of Necessity. If you'd like to read ahead, check out Acts 11:1-18. I look forward to worship with you again this week!
Pastor Keith
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Reading is taken from Acts,
Chapter 11, Verses 1 through 18
(The Message Version)
The news traveled fast and in no time the leaders and friends back in Jerusalem heard about it—heard that the non-Jewish “outsiders” were now “in.” When Peter got back to Jerusalem, some of his old associates, concerned about circumcision, called him on the carpet: “What do you think you’re doing rubbing shoulders with that crowd, eating what is prohibited and ruining our good name?”
So Peter, starting from the beginning, laid it out for them step-by-step: “Recently I was in the town of Joppa praying. I fell into a trance and saw a vision: Something like a huge blanket, lowered by ropes at its four corners, came down out of heaven and settled on the ground in front of me. Milling around on the blanket were farm animals, wild animals, reptiles, birds—you name it, it was there. Fascinated, I took it all in.
“Then I heard a voice: ‘Go to it, Peter—kill and eat.’ I said, ‘Oh, no, Sovereign. I’ve never so much as tasted food that wasn’t kosher.’ The voice spoke again: ‘If God says it’s okay, it’s okay.’ This happened three times, and then the blanket was pulled back up into the sky.
“Just then three men showed up at the house where I was staying, sent from Caesarea to get me. The Spirit told me to go with them, no questions asked. So I went with them, I and six friends, to the man who had sent for me. He told us how he had seen an angel right in his own house, real as his next-door neighbor, saying, ‘Send to Joppa and get Simon, the one they call Peter. He’ll tell you something that will save your life—in fact, you and everyone you care for.’
“So I started talking. Before I’d spoken half a dozen sentences, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as it did on us the first time. I remembered Jesus’ words: ‘John baptized with water; you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ So I ask you: If God gave the same exact gift to them as to us when we believed in Jesus Christ, how could I object to God?”
Hearing it all laid out like that, they quieted down. And then, as it sank in, they started praising God. “It’s really happened! God has broken through to the other nations, opened them up to Life!”
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In Memoriam: Bonnie Kathleen Dostie
In sadness, we want to let you know that Bonnie Dostie passed away on Friday evening following a long illness. Bonnie, along with her late partner, Carol Scherfenberg, were long-time members and leaders at Founders. We pray for family, friends, and all who loved Bonnie. A memorial service will take place at the church on November 15th.
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Church Outside The Walls:
Saturday, October 18th, FMCC/ICMF was once again represented outside of our church walls. Members of our Latin Ministry, along with Pastor Keith Mozingo set up a beautiful and colorful Dia de los Muertos ofrenda (altar) at the Santa Monica 3rd Street Promenade. Pastor Keith reports it was highly sought after as a place to be photographed.
Also on Saturday, members of our church were also present at some of the No Kings protests that were about the LA area, most notably at the Downtown LA location.
We are proud and thankful for all who represent us in such a beautiful and giving manner.
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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
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Saturday, Oct 25, Alexandra Grey's short film, Grace, will be showing at the Culver City Theaters at 12:40 pm in Auditorium 3. Let's gather and support one of our own. See Micheauxfilmfestival.eventive.org for tickets and schedule.
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Also transpiring on Oct 25 is Models of Pride at the LGBT Center in West Hollywood from 11am to 4pm. We will have a Founders MCC table there. Come represent.
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Continue to send in photos of your loved ones who have passed in this life so that we may honor them in our Dia de los Muertos video tribute throughout our worship services on November 2nd. Photos need to be submitted no later than Monday, October 27, 6pm.
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Rev. Steve Swafford will once again be offering a membership class after the 10am worship service on November 2nd. If you are not yet a member of our congregation, consider coming to the class to learn more about Founders and our denomination. Coming to the class does not obligate one to become a member, but one must have attended a class if they wish to become a member.
Steven Swafford is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://pepperdine.zoom.us/j/83068543432
Meeting ID: 830 6854 3432
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On Saturday, November 8th at 2pm, the Board of Directors will conduct a Congregational Forum to go over the budget and reports that will be formally presented at the Congregation Meeting the next day. The budget and reports can be found at our website, FoundersMCC.org.
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On Sunday, November 9th, between the 10am worship service and the 1:30 worship service, the Board of Directors will conduct the annual Fall Congregational Meeting. All are encouraged to attend, but only members can vote.
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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.
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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.
| | 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) | | |
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: 10-19-2025: $3,792.00
Helping Hands: $254.00
Facility Rentals: $543
Tithing: $2,995.00
| | 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! | | 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! | |
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)
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Dean Coffey -
Vice Moderator
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Ed Shaughnessy - Treasurer
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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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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:
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WHAT is happening and WHAT we are feeling -- in the place and country where we live
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HOW can we be safe/er during these times
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WHERE do we find grounding and spiritual renewal
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WHERE do we (and can we) -- find God in the midst of this?
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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:
- October 27
- November 24
- December 29
(see other time zones)
Click Here for Zoom Link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/719817716
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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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