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Our Presbytery Staff: Kathy Hill-Long, Tom Cramer, Forrest Claassen, Bonita Carr, Elvira Ortez
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Merry Christmas!
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
It seems hard to believe that this advent season is already nearing the Christmas climax. How fast the time can go, in the midst of our business and our busyness.
We, your Presbytery of Los Ranchos staff, would like to take just a moment of that time to thank you and express our gratitude for all that you do and who you are in your many various ministries within this body we call Los Ranchos. From showers and dignity for the homeless in Garden Grove, to the radical hospitality of helping an Iraqi refugee family settle into their new lives, welcoming new Korean speaking congregations into our midst and the faithful worship of those who gather each Sunday as we grow into our desire to joyfully participate in God’s redemptive work through Jesus Christ in the world - we are one body with many parts but we know that we are better together.
We your presbytery staff obviously could not be serving you without you! So, in this season of gratitude, celebration, and peace in the midst of so much tumult, our prayer for you is that you grow in faith, in hope, and in love.
Many blessings,
Your Presbytery Staff
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The Office will be closed for Christmas from December 23, 2016 - January 1, 2017
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FEATURES:
- Rev. Chineta Goodjoin motivated by gun tragedy
- Officer Training
- Christmas in Aleppo, Syria
- Tamara John Recovers from Car Accident
- The McFadden V Habitat Build 2017
- Breaking News
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SPOTLIGHT ON:
OC Register Most Influential 2016: Chineta Goodjoin
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Saturday, January 21, 2017
8:30 AM - 12 PM
TPC and the Presbytery of Los Ranchos will be hosting a Deacon and Elder Training Day to be held at Trabuco Presbyterian Church.
Rev. Forrest Claassen will lead the training. This training is for all new and current Deacons and Elders. Officers from local Presbyterian churches have been invited to attend as well.
Some of the topics to be covered are: How General Assembly and Presbytery and the local church work together, church polity and government, and the roles of being a Deacon and Elder.
A continental breakfast will be provided. Please RSVP to Michele Johnson by email or call her at (949)589-5110
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PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN ALEPPO, SYRIA
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From Greg Allen Pickett, Director of Global Mission at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta
Here is a message I received from the Presbyterian church in Aleppo, Syria via The Outreach Foundation:
"Despite the headlines and news reports, there is light in the darkness in Aleppo. Yes, destruction of property and life continue. We received word from our partner Rev. Ibrahim of the Presbyterian Church of Aleppo that resisters “are targeting schools and hospitals and the university. We received three missiles in our schools two times last week, yet God saved us and we had no injuries, just destruction.”
But, the light in the darkness is profound. Rev. Ibrahim also wrote, “In this Christmas season, we promise to continue our ministry as a Synod and as a church to be a sign of hope in this despairing time. We will try to plant joy into the life of the society. We will never cease to dedicate our effort to bring love and peace into the city of Aleppo. We will continue our worship services (200 people), ladies meeting (60 ladies), Sunday school (125 children with 18 leaders). Greeting to all of our partners hoping that they will pray for us this Christmas in Aleppo in order that we will meet the needs of marginalized people."
The photo is of a candlelight service at the Presbyterian church in Aleppo.
If you want to give to support the work of the church in Aleppo, to help them shine a light in the darkness, I can recommend with confidence giving a donation through the Outreach Foundation.
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HOPE FOR LIFE RV MINISTRY PRAYER REQUEST
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From Tamara John on December 4, 2016
As many of you know I was in a car accident and my car totaled. My heart is touched deeply that several of you have asked if there is anything you can do to help….thank you! What you can do write a check to the RV Ministry and in the memo line write “special offering" and mail to:
RV Ministry
PO Box 5224
Huntington Beach, CA 92615.
I need to purchase a car or if you have a car that runs so I can continue ministry. I can’t thank you enough for your concern, prayers and encouragement. Onward!
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UPDATE on December 19, 2016: Great news…Tamara is gettin’ back to her Joy-filled self and is feeling much better thanks to your prayers…and we finally got the Christmas tree up at Hope for Life Chapel RV Ministry. Residents gathered to share a meal, sing Christmas carols and decorate our Christmas tree which turned out to be quite a challenge. It took many hands to get the lights all operating at one time and Tamara even added a bit of her Southern "do whatcha gotta do charm" and brought out a couple of her inflatable solar lanterns to fill the dark space where the lights aren’t working. We are nothing if not persistent. It was a happy beginning to the final week leading up to the celebration of the coming of the Christ child. Merry Christmas everyone. From Lou Federmann
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THE "MCFADDEN V" HABITAT BUILD UPDATE 2017
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In the fall, our Presbytery Coalition adopted a new build project in Santa Ana called “McFadden V” that will create five new single-family homes, and we will be hosting the official Framing Day ceremony in mid-March.
Ahead of this official ceremony, however, much actual build work is planned, starting on January 21, 2017. Many work projects are planned for that day, and signup forms should be available through church coordinators. Another heavy work weekend is scheduled for President’s Day weekend, February 19-22, 2017.
Contact Richard Birkemeier for information if your congregation has yet to connect with a coalition partner.
MORE
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BREAKING NEWS
- LEaD Event, Leadership, Education and Discipleship, at Riverside Presbytery on Saturday, February 18, 2017. 9:30 AM. First Presbyterian Church, Upland.
- It might be late to find the perfect poinsettia, but you are right on time to sign up for the Annual Pastors Retreat.
- Our Presbytery Habitat Coalition has adopted a new build project in Santa Ana called McFadden V that will create five new single-family homes. More
- See Our List of Job Openings here.
UPCOMING EVENTS 2016
February 25 (Saturday) Presbytery Gathering. San Clemente Presbyterian Church. Gathering Page
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The benefits of our Christmas Joy Offering
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