Dear friends in Christ,

This past week we packed our 500^th Sack Lunch to be distributed to the homeless who come to our gates. At the beginning of the year, we came up with this goal together, launched in February 2024, and with the help of many hands – and the grace of God – we achieved it together. I am particularly heartened by our youth who did so much work – Janette for her leadership and Kamila and Mavery for going on so many shopping trips and doing so much heavy lifting. Our youth planned the meals, loaded the carts, did all the math when shopping in enormous quantities, and hefted the food into cars and into the church month after month.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus describes those who fulfill God’s purpose and vision, “for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me…Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:35, 40)

Our Mission Statement is simple: “No Condemnation here! We are a Loving Community embracing Christ’s spirit and justice.”

We have built relationships with the people who come to our gates. Giselle and I know many of them by name, because we took the time to ask. Many of the folks have shared their stories with us, and because of our relationship with CIRCLE and the Hollywood Food Coalition we have been able to refer the people who wanted it to housing services.

But there are many more who we have helped to find jobs, given a warm winter cap, supplied feminine products, outfitted with badly-needed clothes or shoes. But we also talk with them, offer them a cup of coffee, invite them to worship, bless them as they leave, and tell them we’re glad to see them. Some were homeless, some were unemployed, some were just very old and on a tight budget that didn’t quite stretch to the end of the month. But they all left with a nutritious and delicious meal knowing that they were welcome.

As Christ’s body, with God’s help we strive to embody Christ’s spirit and justice. Not just in our words, but in our daily actions. I feel so blessed and grateful to be part of such a spirit-filled, active church. It feels good to support the church financially and to drop my checks into the plate every week because I know it is used to fulfill our mission in a real and tangible way every single day. I see the results in the faces of people we are helping every single day.

As we head into Christmas week, I wish you all a blessed holiday filled with love and justice and God’s abiding grace. Please see below for all of our upcoming events and activities.

Please join us for Lessons and Carols on Christmas Eve at 5 PM. I will look forward to seeing you there!

Many blessings,

Pastor Tracy