Dear Founders,

What a wonderful weekend!

It was such a blessing to celebrate the ministry of our dear Rev. Elder Alejandro Escoto. I so enjoyed hearing from his former colleagues via video, as well as seeing his reaction to the many wonderful things they shared about him. And the pictures! Thanks to Larry Rodriguez and Sandra Contreras (members of the Creative Worship Team) for putting together all the pictures and giving us such an impressive presentation. Thanks also to Cesar Maldonado and Roger Owens (and all their helpers!) for the amazing meal they prepared for the gathering.

We also participated in the first-ever Huntington Park Pride. FMCC/ICMF were on full display, and I was also invited to sit on a panel to talk about the history of our church, which originated in the home of Rev. Troy Perry in Huntington Park on October 6, 1968. Thanks to Carl Kent-Smith and Sandra Contreras for representing the church along with me.

Can you believe it? Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. While we will not have an in-person service, I will be available to impose ashes on the corner of Vermont and Prospect (in front of Starbucks) 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. as well as in the chapel here at the church 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. A service of meditation and self-imposition of ashes will be available ONLINE all day Wednesday in English and Spanish on our Facebook and YouTube pages.

This Sunday is a day to celebrate Love with our annual Blessing of Relationships in worship. This coincides with Valentine's Day (on the 14th) and American Heart Month (February). I invite you to WEAR RED for worship. Bring your significant other(s) to worship as we take a few minutes to pray a special blessing over your relationship(s).  

The message this Sunday is entitled, Whither Thou Goest, words of love and devotion spoken by Ruth to Naomi. If you'd like to read ahead, check out Ruth 1:16-17 (KJV) and II Kings 2:6-10 (Common English Version). I look forward to seeing and worshipping with you this Sunday!

Pastor Keith

Church Outside The Walls

FMCC/ICMF at Huntington Park Pride

Thanks to Carl Kent-Smith and Sandra Contreras for representing us at the first-ever Huntington Park Pride last Saturday. Rev. Keith was also asked to share on a panel, and much information was presented about MCC's roots beginning at Rev. Troy Perry's home in Huntington Park in 1968.

Rev. Sheena Metal will be leading our Interfaith Service (Saturday Night Spiritual) today, Saturday, February 10th at 5 p.m. on Facebook Live. We look forward to seeing you online!

Blessing of Relationships - This Sunday  

Our annual Blessing of Relationships will be this Sunday during our worship services. Bring your significant other(s), and join us for this special prayer. 

Feb 14: Ash Wednesday.

There will be On-The-Street imposition of ashes from 11am till 2pm. Rev. Keith has invited Rev. Alejandro to join him. From 7-8pm there will imposition of ashes in the chapel. Additionally, there will be an Ash Wednesday meditation video produced by Sandra Contreras and Larry Rodriguez available on-line from Noon on Feb 13th, till Noon on Feb 15th.

Feb 15: Board meeting

Founders MCC is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: BOD 2/15/24

Time: Feb 15, 2024 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81986722453?pwd=qUb34A3XZzu3bt3aCWoE3opyaOMaKe.1 

Meeting ID: 819 8672 2453

Passcode: 014190

Feb 17: MCC Special Screening of

Angels & Saints, Eros & Awe.

The film is available from Feb 14th through Feb 19th, but Founders will host a watch party in the Upper Room on Saturday at 4pm, followed by an online interactive Q&A with the film's director and producer. 

Group Therapy and Zumba Dance Class with Reece Whitaker next Saturday, February 17th starting at 9 a.m. Group Therapy is from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and Zumba dance class starts at 10 a.m.

Hello,

I'm writing to let you know about an upcoming street closure taking place on Sunday, February 25 for CicLAvia—Melrose.

In case you're not familiar, CicLAvia is a non-profit organization that partners with the City of LA to produce car free days, transforming the streets into public parks for the day. The event is free, family-friendly and open to the public. 

On that day, 4 miles of Melrose Ave (from Vermont Ave to Fairfax Ave) will be closed to cars from approximately 7am to 5pm. During this time, motorized vehicles will not be able to access the route. 6 major intersections will be open for cars to cross the route. Parking will not be allowed on the route starting at 1am that day. See attached Street Closure Notification for more information.

Though your church is not directly on the route, please note that there may be additional traffic congestion during the event hours, and you may need to take a different route to church that day. Please plan accordingly and allow additional time to drive.

A street closure notification flyer (in English/Spanish) and a postcard are attached for reference. We would appreciate it if you could spread the word to your members!

Best,

Aerienne 

--

Aerienne Russell, Production Manager, Outreach & Engagement (she/her)

c: 323.510.6533 | o: 213.355.8500 | CicLAvia.org

Membership Inquirer's Class - 2/25

Our next Membership Inquirer's Class will be held on February 25th after the 10:00 a.m. service. Rev. Steve Swafford will lead this class. The class is for those who are interested in learning more about our church to aid in their decision to join MCC. The class will be offered in-person and online. Please let Pastor Keith know if you're interested in attending this class at [email protected].

link for the Inquirers' Chat on Feb 25

Steven Swafford is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://pepperdine.zoom.us/j/87189676677

Meeting ID: 871 8967 6677

Celebrate!!! Rev. elder Alejandro Escoto.

4 decades of service, ministry, dedication and love!!!

Keep the celebration going by purchasing a “limited edition” commemorative!

T-shirt. $20 each

Available after founders mcc Sunday service or

Text: [email protected]

Please leave name, cell #, number of shirts, & size.

Payment will be decided upon availability of shirt. 

Troy Perry Legacy Fund

John Boswell and Rainbow Advocacy Roar Fund present the Troy Perry Legacy Fund, with the first grant of $3,000 going to Coloured Voices Media Foundation in Kampala, Uganda for the "Tailoring Our Way to Freedom" project: http://givebutter.com/tailor. Please visit this worthwhile site and endeavor to learn more and see how you can support this legacy to our own Troy Perry.

A bit of Rev. Steve Pieters' interview with Tammy Faye Bakker is headed to Broadway in 2024 in Tammy Faye, a new musical with songs written by Elton John. 

Producers announced Friday that "Tammy Faye" will make its way to New York City for the 2024-2025 season after a successful run in London where it was nominated for four Olivier Awards including Best Musical.

Commitment forms for 2024.

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: 01-28-2024: $8,573.00.

Tithing: $4,603.00

Facility Rental: $3,553.00

Helping Hands: $417.00

Read Elders' Bios here:

https://insidemcc.org/governance/council-of-elders/