Note from Lisa – Where I am
In the past two months, I’ve attended several churches, each offering unique experiences. At Live Oak Community Church on May 17, uplifting praise music from the worship team set a joyful tone before Pastor Andrew Ritiau preached on John 12:20-50, reminding us that Jesus is the light. His message focused on letting go of unimportant things to turn our attention to God’s Kingdom. The congregation’s warmth and friendliness made me feel welcomed, and arriving early for the pre-service coffee hour helped me connect with others.
On May 24, I joined the congregation at La Verne Heights Presbyterian Church. Even though I arrived late, I received a warm welcome from the ushers and so many people during the passing of the peace. The focus on this Pentecost Sunday was on how we make sense out of what took place on the day of Pentecost and how the Holy Spirit shapes and forms us.
The Rev. Jonathan Hughes encouraged us to read scripture as part of our prayer time, because prayer rooted in the story of God helps us see what God is doing in the world. The Holy Spirit helps us proclaim what Christ is doing in the world. Using the Azusa Street revival as an illustration, we were encouraged to rely on the Holy Spirit to make sense of what took place on Pentecost and on Azusa Street, and to recognize how we focus on the wrong things and miss how God is working to break down human barriers. He encouraged us to see what God is doing and name it, or the world will miss it.
On June 7, I worshipped with the MidEast Evangelical Church (MEC) in Temple City, where its Arabic/English service included meaningful moments such as the baptisms of an adult and an infant, along with communion—the sermon, based on James 1:2-8, focused on wisdom and perseverance, inspiring the congregation and graduates to continue in their faith journey. The church celebrated graduates from elementary to college, filling the service with joy and enthusiasm. I recommend experiencing one of their bilingual services to meet this vibrant and welcoming community.
