Dear Friends,

Last Sunday, we looked at Psalm 37:1-9 to see how God speaks to us through our desires. To be sure, until we really seek the right kind of desires, we will settle for the lesser things. We sometimes miss hearing the voice of God, because we listen to the enticing whispers of other things. Imagine what we might hear and experience if we put our trust in the Lord and sought God’s ways! We would, surely, find the desires for which our hearts truly long. If you missed that sermon, you can view it here.

This Sunday, we begin a new sermon series for Lent titled "Thy Kingdom Come: Bringing Up There Down Here.” We’ll look at Mark 1:1-15, The Kingdom of God is Near! The Gospel of Mark tells us that Jesus began His ministry by proclaiming the good news of God, saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news!” (Mark 1:14-15). What did Jesus mean by using the term “Kingdom of God”? What is it and why should we pay attention to it? After all, the term “Kingdom” can seem archaic to us, and it can often hold negative connotations about power and control. But the way that Jesus used it has a refreshingly important meaning. It connects us with the early Church and its understanding of Jesus being the “King of kings” and “Lord of lords.”  Click here to download a new Study Guide for this new sermon series.

As Christians representing God’s Kingdom, we want our relationships to reflect God’s love and goodness, but as we know, relationships can be hard! We hope you’ll join us on Wednesday evenings during Lent as Pastor Chuck and Katie Phillips-Rector share practical tools for building healthy relationships. This is a great opportunity to glean from Chuck’s wisdom before he leaves. I promise you that you will gain new insights that can help improve your everyday relationships. Click here to register for this five-week series.

Be sure to RSVP for the Parent Ed Gala no later than next Friday, February 23. We are celebrating 45 years of this wonderful LCPC ministry. I'll be there and hope to see you there as well.

I encourage you to scroll down to explore some exciting opportunities to grow in your faith at LCPC. The new February LCPC calendar of events is available now either by clicking here or in the lobby on Sunday mornings.

The church offices will be closed on Monday, February 19 for Presidents' Day.

God bless you,

Ross

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

Please join us for the Annual Meeting of the Congregation for the purposes of reviewing the 2023 ministry giving results and approving the Pastors' current salary packages.

February 23 is THE DEADLINE TO RSVP FOR GALA TICKETS!

Join Parent Ed for their 45th Anniversary Gala on 3/2/24 at Oakmont Country Club. Tickets can be purchased online now for only $145. Additionally, sponsorships and donations are still being accepted.

2/23 RSVP deadline for purchasing TIX for PE Gala: bit.ly/parentedgala24

2/26 Parent Ed Online Auction Opens: bit.ly/parentedgala24

Join a Life Group for Lent to explore what the Kingdom of God is and what it means for our lives and relationships. Groups are available for women, men, mixed women & men, young adults, couples, moms, and dads. A new study guide will be available to help you dig deeper into the 6-week sermon series. Sign up on our website or contact Marian Lamb at marian@lacanadapc.org

Join us on Wednesdays from FEB 21-MAR 20 for Adult MERGE as Rev. Chuck Osburn & Katie Phillips-Rector provide practical help for building healthy relationships. Come to Fellowship Hall for dinner ($7) at 5:45PM. Program begins at 6:15PM. Register by clicking on the button below to help us plan food for dinner and childcare. You only need to register once for the series.

Men! Join us for another Men’s Breakfast ($10/person). Guest speaker is Rev. Dr. Curtis Miller who will speak to us about “Finding Home in Faith & Friendship.” 

Parents and children serve together! Invite friends and neighbors to join you as we serve together at Children’s Hunger Fund in Sylmar. Children ages 7 and older can participate. At CHF, we will go through their immersive Poverty Encounter exhibit and assemble boxes of food for families in need locally and abroad.

For more info about the Poverty Encounter, visit:

https://childrenshungerfund.org/poverty-encounter

Jazz Vespers is a modern version of an ancient Evensong which intersperses music and scripture. Jazz reminds us who we are and where we have come from, while inspiring us into reality of who we can become in the Risen Christ. Jazz is the music of the social gospel of Jesus Christ.  

Lent is a season of reflection and preparation.  We remember Christ’s journey towards the cross, his sacrificial death, and his glorious resurrection. Our Lenten Morning Apart is an opportunity for us to quiet ourselves and be mindful of how God may want to speak into our lives during these holy weeks ahead. The morning will include quiet time for individual reflection as well as time for noticing God’s presence in community. Claudia Zentmyer and Gini Frederich from LCPC’s Contemplative Ministries Team will lead us.

RSVP by 2/19 to marian@lacanadapc.org

Mark your calendar for our next Practicing God’s Presence on Tuesday, March 12. Betsy Merchant, spiritual director and member of LCPC’s Contemplative Ministries Team, will lead us in the ancient art of Lectio Divina.

Registration is open for the Women’s Retreat, “Attuning to Jesus,” April 12-14, at the Serra Retreat Center in Malibu. We’ll study stories in the gospels of women and men who were attuned to Christ amidst distraction, barriers, and fear and learn about what it means to live with a sense of focus, abundance, and freedom. We’re excited to welcome speaker Lisa Liou, a graduate of Fuller Seminary and longtime InterVarsity staff member, who returns to us after having spoken at our half-day retreat it 2021.

For questions and scholarship assistance, email Marian Lamb: marian@lacanadapc.org.

Register for All Church Camp and Women's Retreat Now!

lacanadapc.org/registrations

Men's Retreat Registration Opens in March

Together, using the prayer calendar, we will get the opportunity to pray for each of LCPC’s Outreach Partners and Ministries this year. You can also find that information at lacanadapc.org/prayer or sign up to receive a weekly email in your inbox. Printed copies of the calendar are available in the Narthex on Sunday mornings and in the office during the week.

Grieving the Loss of Loved Ones: 

• Cathy Fuller & family at the death of her mother, Beverly Nelson.
• The family & friends of longtime LCPC member, Janet Eddy.
• The family & friends of LCPC choir member, Jacob Seong. A memorial service was held in our Sanctuary on Monday, February 5.

Upcoming Memorial Services:

• Patricia Kay Lucas, Kiley Lampier's mother | Memorial service will take place in the Cook Prayer Chapel at 3PM on Saturday, February 17.
• Bob Hiller, longtime LCPC member | Memorial service and reception will be held on Monday, February 19, at Royal Oaks (1763 Royal Oaks Drive, Bradbury) from 2-5:30PM.



Continuing Prayers: (to add or to delete a name from this list, please contact gloria@lacanadapc.org. Thank you.)

David Andrew, Jeannette Applegate, Leslie Averill, Howard Backer, Mindy Barron, Helene Battistoni, Ella Beardslee, Nowell Beer, Barbara Blaser, Sue Brenner, Bill Carson, Mike Cartelli, Keenan Cheung, Cade Christensen, Dick Cohen, William (Memo) Corona-Pilgrim, Aros Crystos, Bright Dennis, Donald Dickson, Andrea Dixon, Barbara Dresser, Patty Elsworth, Cynthia Esco, Elise Gibney, Steven Reid Giles, Jerica Gill, Brian Glascott, Betty Gonzales, Kelly Greenwood, Julie Haga, Eric Hamilton, Kent Hanson, Robert Harris, Barbara Hendricks, Michelle Hitt, Cynthia Hoit, Joanne Horne, David Hudson, Don Hughes, Diane Jan, Lee Johnson, Jennifer Killam, Richard Kim, Liv Labow, Andrew Lievense, Xuan Liu, Carol Martinez, Janice McFadden, Josh Messler, Rev. Steffi Miller, Carter Milic, Gilda & Sarkis Nargizian, Becky Newcombe, Jason Newcombe, John Olmstead, Bonnie Ong, Samantha Flores Ortega, Carol Pankey, Jim Poindexter, Kathy Prosser, Nancy Razanski, Audrey Reid Houghton, Kristen Reid, John Sanchez, Tim Shearin, Sammy Shon, Paul Sinclair, Kristine Spencer, Jenna Spitzer, Courtney Spitznagel, Kent Stevens, David Templeman, Joan Teufel, Denise Townsend, Jacquie Townsend, Courtney Twietmeyer, Kristin Von der Ahe, Margaret Watts, Rachel Williams, Dierdre Wright, Lyle Wroan, Jan Yuo, Niki Zaragoza, Santiago Zentmyer