You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.  As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.  For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God?  It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. Ps 18:28-33

 

S.A.Y. Yes! Youth Development

 

       

1 Dennis/ Ellen Wright – Right On Time       2 Sparkle – Our S.A.Y. Yes! Mascot

 

Heidi introduced Dennis and Ellen to us; they desire to serve and their gifts and talents will most definitely benefit our community. Since Ellen is able to drive and Dennis navigates, they will release the responsibility of driving to pick up the homeless from the skid row area from Pastor Browne, which in turn will give Pastor Joe time prepare for Bible study fellowship and Sunday worship. Dennis is currently enrolled in online classes to become a teacher. What a blessing. 

 

The kids keep coming. While there is lots of room for improvement, we are beginning to hear students talking about forgiving one another and not staying mad. It was heartbreaking when our students were doing individual writing assignments – when asked what makes you sad “living in a foster home” was one statement. Frequently during prayer time, many students seemed overly concerned about their safety making it home and going to and from school.

 

Weekend Community Breakfast Teams

 The Bruin Belles

What a great group of young ladies. Along with preparing and serving breakfast, Gwynn and Pastor has a sheet of paper with a list of things to that went on and on...they accomplished everything that needed to be done.

 

On November 4th weekend, both Susan and I were off for family celebrations. Dennis and Ellen pitched in to assist Pastor Joe with serving and we are so grateful for the teams sent to us by Center for Student Missions. The high school group that came, did a great job with Kids’ Club which included keeping our junior high and senior students actively engaged for the day.

 

Skidrow Ministry

Ellen was available to drive our van; she and Dennis picked up residents from skid row to participate in our Sunday services. In addition to this answered prayer, I would like to share Heidi’s report: “I was praying and felt this overwhelming conviction I was to go worship this morning at FICM and give them the check I told them I would give.

I started to convince myself I could go to GPC and then go over to FICM and put the check in by offering time, but I felt the Lord say, no, go now, and give testimony as to why you are giving it.

So I obeyed and drove over there. Little did I know, Pastor Joe’s entire family was in Arizona for a wedding, and he was at FICM this weekend all by himself. He didn’t even have anyone to help lead praise and worship. The sermon he preached was on not letting anything stand in the way of God’s plans for our lives and making sure when God tells us to do something we act, that we are not self-centered, but God-centered in our actions. I arrived just in time to help him sing the praise song and to give my testimony as to how God led me to give to FICM just in time for them to pay their insurance bill and also how He led me to be there today to come alongside Pastor Joe.”  (Heidi)

 

Thanksgiving Celebration Preparations

Excitement is building as volunteers are responding. We are hoping to hear from more of you. It is vitally important we get the word out to the communities where we will be serving this Thanksgiving. We need teams to prayerfully go to the serving sites and distribute flyers and put up posters about our Thanksgiving Day Celebration. Also, we still need help during the day Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving to assist Pastor Joe with food preparation.

 

Nov. 16th is the delivery date of all turkeys, paper goods and supplies for Thanksgiving. We want to hear from those of you who have not already made a commitment to how many meals you will provide. This year we are want to pay in full upon receipt of our deliveries. Please help us. $35.00 will provide 10 meals.

 

Take the Challenge

An Alhambra Sunday School class has committed to purchasing one (1) new lightweight serving table. We would like to completely replace our other 20 heavy serving tables. The total cost of one (1) 34lbs. resin folding table with shipping from Staples is $70.35. We need 18 tables. (One of the Bruin Belles has a table at home they can donate.) What a blessing.

 

A Resource for Bread

The early part of October I had a source lined up for all the bread we needed; then the week before last I received notification, that as of November 1st, regulations changed in their donation policy and no donation could be made. Now, I am looking for another source. Then 2 days ago a volunteer who has been coming for the past 7 years phoned to sign up and asked what was needed. I explained our situation and then I was asked to email a request on letterhead and our volunteer said she would see what could be done because she works in the food industry and is willing to ask in our behalf. We are so grateful for such willingness to come to our aid.

 

Thankful For the Age of Technology for online giving. Donations can be made online on our website: www.ficmla.com through the PayPal system (a secured site).

 

 

Thursday, November 16th, all of food and supplies will be delivered. There is still an enormous financial need. If you have not already responded, please make your donation as soon as possible. Thank you.

 

Saturday, November 18th  to distribute flyers in the areas of our various sites; Monday, November 20, and Tuesday, November 21 during the day, come help with food preparation. Those of you who have already called our office (bless you). Please call if you are available to help. Phone: 323-291-9636

 

Trusting God,

 

Pastor Joe and Gwynn Browne