Happy Holidays from the Pastors
Happy Holidays!
Letter from Pastors Joshua & Takayo Holmes
Dear Los Angeles Family,
Happy Holidays! We pray that you can feel the warmth of God's love during this Holiday season through your devotion, your family, and our greater community.
We pray that each of you can spend precious time with your family and loved ones, remembering that this is the dream of our Heavenly Parent: “Heavenly Parent’s dream is to experience the kingdom of heaven on earth with True Parents and with their children who have perfected their character during their earthly lives.” (True Mother, 11/11/2023)
How can we intentionally bring God into the experience of this Holiday time?
Maybe your family has the tradition to hold hands and pray before the meal, or perhaps you take a personal moment writing gratitudes for the year. For us, we love to take a few breaks from the parties, the big groups, and spend time one-on-one with those loved ones we would otherwise not have the chance to spend intimate time with; to listen, to understand, to love. As someone very wise once taught me, “80% receiving and listening, 20% talking and guiding.”
In that spirit of family, we have had the pleasure to conclude our seventh, and final, Dinner with the Community where we could discuss the past, present, and future of our LA Family. The trust and ownership demonstrated, as well as concerns and ideas that were presented, moved our hearts deeply. This spirit of transparency has and will continue to be a core pillar of our focus in the months to come. Can we say it? There is no shadow of doubt that we have the best community in the nation! I hope you are all as excited as we are for how God will move through each of us in this coming year!
Also, we have jokingly (and not so jokingly) said at church, “We must be the busiest community in the nation!” We are particularly moved that there are a variety of different owners and teams taking on these different projects.
Here is a list of the exciting program opportunities to engage with:
🎅HJ FAMILY CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL 🎄
Date: Sunday, December 24, 2023
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Los Angeles Family Church
Let’s celebrate Christmas together with gifts from Santa, discovering the giving heart of Jesus, and enjoying a free taco truck with raffle and bingo!
On the final Sunday of each month, we hold an HJ service where families can experience and discover the love of God together; it’s engaging for all ages and a fun, heavenly experience with story-time skits, music, and family activities!
🕊️SPECIAL LIBERATION EXPERIENCE 🕯️
Date: Saturday, December 30, 2023
Time: 1:00-4:00 PM
Location: Los Angeles Family Church
We have a special blessing coming our way! Rev. Jin Hwa Cheong from CSW USA and his staff will come to Los Angeles to host a special central evil spirit liberation experience with lectures, chanyang yeoksa (ansu), and appointment-based one-on-one counseling sessions. Learn more through the e-news.
❄️YOUTH WINTER WORKSHOP ☀️
Date: Thursday, December 28 - Sunday, December 31, 2023
Time: Starts at 7 PM ; Ends after Sunday service
Location: Pasadena House
Every year our wonderful youth pastoral team creates an exciting, enriching experience for all Middle School and High School youth in the community! Please reach out to Youth Pastor Mika Miyagi if you have any questions! (miyagimika1997@gmail.com)
🏅PEACE CUP LA 2024 ⚽🏀🏐🎮
Date: Friday, January 5 - Sunday, January 7, 2024
Location/Time:
Fri Jan 5th | LA Galaxy Park | 4:00 PM
Sat Jan 6th | LA Family Church | 10 AM
Sun Jan 7th | Cal State LA Eagles Next Gym | 9:30 AM
For the first time ever we will be hosting Peace Cup in Los Angeles! We will be engaging in a friendly competition of 5v5 futsal, 6v6 volleyball, 4v4 basketball, and Gaming (Smash Bros, Mario Kart). All ages 13+ are welcome to play; and everyone is welcome to come out and enjoy! Our goal is to build stronger community, raise the next generation, and generate awareness towards North-South Korea unity, through sports and culture! Learn more and register at www.peacecupla.org
We look forward to seeing you at one of these upcoming programs!
Once again, Happy Holidays to each of you, make precious memories with your loved ones, and take time to remember the love of your Heavenly Parent and your True Parents.
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy,
and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.
For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield.
(Psalm 5:11-12)
With Love,
Joshua & Takayo