The first Saturday of every month we have a street outreach. We go to the malls, market places, streets, and neighborhoods with the desire and passion to see heaven invade earth through power, signs, and wonders. Anyone is welcome to join us at 10AM at the River and pray together to see who God wants us to minister to. We break up into teams and go around our city healing the sick, hurt, and broken. We give encouragement and speak destiny over people. Together we’ll see people healed, delivered, and saved through the power of Jesus. Come join us!

Chris Bumatay
661.330.2534

RECOVERY MEETINGS
Fridays @ 6:30 pm in the Cafe
Join us in The Porch Cafe.

HEALTHCARE MINISTRIES
WHAT IS IT?
Promotes an understanding of wholistic healing – body, mind, and spirit, acknowledging that all healing is from God. Educates about the relationship between values, attitudes, lifestyle, faith, and health. Makes home, hospital, and nursing home visits to help people cope with health issues and offer the sacraments of the church to promote healing. Makes referrals to parish and community resources. Support groups such as GriefShare, Alzheimer’s Caregivers, and more. Listens, and supports parishioners to help them do what they can do, and helps them communicate their needs. Facilitates a large corps of volunteers to help do all of the above! For more information contact Mayela Guerrero at 661-847-8471

Helpful links:
RETIREMENT AND NURSING HOME FACILITIES

HOMEBOUND MINISTRY
St. Philip’s Health Care Ministry makes home, hospital, and nursing home visits to help people cope with health issues and offer the sacraments of the church to promote healing. Lay ministers visit homebound parishioners once a week to pray, give communion, and to offer companionship and a connection to the church. In addition, arrangements can be made for a priest to visit when there is a need for anointing of the sick for a seriously ill parishioner.

To request a minister or priest to visit, please call the church office or the Health Care Ministry.
If you would like to submit a prayer request, please call or email. Volunteers pray for the needs of our parish. Prayer requests are sent out by email, and in a monthly prayer letter.
Requests for the Prayers for the Sick in the bulletin should be submitted with a contact phone numbers. Names are listed up to six months.

PRAYER LINE

SUPPORT GROUPS

GRIEFSHARE
GriefShare is a special thirteen week seminar/support group for people grieving the death of someone close. It’s a place where you can be around people who understand how you feel and the pain of your loss. If you have lost someone close to you, or know someone that has, please call for more information about this weekly support group.We know it hurts, and we want to help.This thirteen week group is offered twice a year at St. Philip’s, February through May, and July through October, facilitated by people who have also experienced their own losses. In addition, Surviving the Holidays is offered in November. If you are in need of a group and St. Philip’s does not have a group currently meeting when you can attend, the Health Care Ministry office is here to help you find a group in Bakersfield that meets your needs.For more information about GriefShare, please visit www.GriefShare.org. This website has many helpful resources.

MARY B’S, A KNITTING MINISTRY
This group is for people who enjoy knitting and crocheting, or would like to learn. While enjoying each other’s company, we knit and crochet blankets, scarves, hats, and other items that are donated for a variety of community organizations. Yarn is supplied by the ministry through generous donations. Mary B’s meets the second and fourth Wednesday afternoons year round, with the exception of November and December.

ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP
Alzheimer’s Disease is a very difficult journey for the whole family. If you are a caregiver for a family member with dementia or Alzheimer’s, you know how difficult it is. This is a group that meets once a month to give caregivers a place to share with others, and to offer support, compassion, coping skills, and friendship.Please call for the current day and time.

AUTUMN GOSPEL
Autumn Gospel is a group for women of all ages in transition because of moving, health changes, family, retirement, life! The group members support each other as we share our lives. We usually have a spiritual book to read and discuss during our first hour, and the second hour is devoted to reading and studying the Sunday scriptures. Autumn Gospel meets Thursday mornings September through May.

VOLUNTEER Ministry to Retirement and Nursing Homes and the Homebound:

Participate with a team of people who lead communion services at nursing home and retirement centers on a weekly basis.
Assist with one or more of nine monthly Masses at nursing homes and retirement centers.
Visit the homebound, providing the Eucharist and a companion for a lonely person who cannot get to Mass.
Training for volunteers in the nursing home ministry are offered twice a year, or as needed. Other volunteer opportunities:Serve as a prayer minister to pray for the many needs of our parish and community.Serve on a GriefShare leaders’ team as a co-leader, greeter, or on the prayer team.Send greeting cards to those in nursing homes, retirement centers, and the homebound.Knit, crochet, or sew prayer blankets for those who are ill. This is a tangible sign of the community’s prayer.Serve with a committee of other medically trained volunteers to provide blood pressure screening and first aid at parish events.

Love Demands Action (LDA) is an outreach ministry of Power House Church, where the team weekly hits the local communinty to share the Love of God with others. Praying for people's healing, encouraging those who are hurting, and witnessing to people in need of a Savior. Loving others and putting that Love into Action is the teams natural response to what Christ did for them.

Outreach
LDA ministers in multiple places throughout the city. The main components of LDA are to Witness to the lost, Pray for peoples physical healing and felt needs, and Invite people who may not have a church of their own.

Date: 1st, 2nd & 3rd Thursday of each month

Time: 7pm

Location: TBA



The Focus
To offer ourselves within the communities in which we live and serve people with the love of Christ.

The Method
Share the Good News: Share with others the Gospel.
Serve by Example: Serving so as to be a witness and example to others.
Show Them How: Train people to do the same.
Invite others: Invite others to participate in worship.
What does the Word tell us?
"Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone." - Mark 16:15
"I have given you an example, that you do as I have done to you." - John 13:15
"Therefore... make disciples of all the nations." - Matthew 19:28
"I invite you to follow me..." - Mark 1:17

FOOD MINISTRY

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Food Ministry is on the last Saturday of the Month.
Except for November, and December.
In November and December, Food Ministry is the Saturday before the Holiday.
(Thanksgiving and Christmas)

Food ministry starts at 8:30 am,
but we serve a continental breakfast that starts about 7:45-8:30 am
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We can always use help in bagging food.
For more information on this ministry, please contact
Church office: 661-831-7312
or
Ronnie McLean: 661-201-6452
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*We also hand out non-perishable food items during office hours.
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Celebrate Recovery
Home / Ministries / Celebrate Recovery


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Join us for Celebrate Recovery Monday Nights
Fellowship Meal at 6:00pm
Worship and Teaching begin at 6:45pm
Celebrate Recovery 12 steps and scriptures
We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors. That our lives had become unmanageable. Romans 7:18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Philippians 2:13 For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God. Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.
Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Lamentations 3:40 Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD.
Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being, the exact nature of our wrongs. James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. Luke 6:31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Made direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it. 1 Corinthians 10:12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!
Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and power to carry that out. Colossians 3:16a Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly.
Having had a spiritual experience as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and practice these principles in all our affairs. Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
Celebrate Recovery 8 Principles
Realize I’m not God; I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and my life is unmanageable. “Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor”
Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to him, and that he has the power to help me recover. “Happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted”
Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ’s care and control. “Happy are the meek”
Openly examine and confess my faults to God, to myself, and to someone I trust. “Happy are the pure in heart”
Voluntarily submit to every change God wants to make in my life and humbly ask Him to remove my character defects. “Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires”
Evaluate all my relationships; Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I’ve done to others except when to do so would harm them or others. “Happy are the merciful” “Happy are the peacemakers”
Reserve a daily time with God for self examination, Bible readings and prayer in order to know God and His will for my life and to gain the power to follow His will.
Yield myself to God to be used to bring this Good News to others, both by my example and by my words. “Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires”

CELEBRATE RECOVERY
Celebrate Recovery is a Christ Centered 12 step ministry where individuals can
find a refuge and safe place to share life’s hurts, habits and hang-ups.
CR is a safe place where one can learn to take off their mask and find God’s grace in solving life’s problems.
It’s a place to learn to make better choices and become strong again.
Celebrate Recovery meets every Friday evening: dinner at 5:30, worship at 6:30.
Learn More

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Abuse, Fatherless, Abandonment, Loss of a Loved One, Divorce, Pornography, Gambling, Over-Eating, Co-Dependency, PTSD, Financial Disaster, Fear, Depression, Anxiety, Loneliness, Emptiness, Suicidal Thoughts, OCD, Alcoholism, Drug Addiction...

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When you decide you need help with any or many of these things, please join us at Celebrate Recovery every Saturday night at 6:00 PM in the Family Ministry Center!

Find help from hurts, hang-ups and bad habits that can develop in this world of insanity!

What separates Celebrate Recovery from the rest of so many other programs is CHRIST at the center of your recovery!

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THIS IS NOT ADDICTION MANAGEMENT. THIS IS TOTAL HEALING AND DELIVERANCE!

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Step out of denial and KNOW that you are in a safe environment of support and encouragement as you walk away from things that keep you from living a happy and fulfilling life.

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Breathe, live life to its fullest and be free!!!

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Every Saturday Night at 6:00 PM!

6:00-7:00 Pizza & Social Time!

7:00-8:00 Main Service w Music & a Lesson or Testimony

8:00-9:00 Separate Open-Share Groups for Men & Women

(open-share is anonymous time - what's shared in these groups stays in these groups)

9:00-10:00 Solid Rock Cafe, Social Time



Child care is provided. You do not need to be a member of BFA to attend Celebrate Recovery.



Everyone is welcome at Celebrate Recovery!

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*If you need immediate help and would like to talk with someone, check the following avenues of contact and please reach out to us. We would love to help you.

Scott Chapman, CR Minister

Ryan Wood, Co-Leader

Church Office: (661) 327-8446

Email: CR12StepsBako@gmail.com

COVID-19 has most certainly changed our way of living. Though our food pantry is temporarily closed to walk-ins, we are still distributing free food to our community. Our FREE Food Box distributions will now occur once a month in a drive-thru format in our church parking lot. Please follow us on our FaceBook Page for the date and time of our next food distribution or email us at learnmore@fccbakersfield-ucc.org or leave a voice message at 661-327-1609 for more information.

Evangelism

Our Evangelism Team is dedicated to promoting the Good News and reaching the lost by proclaiming salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. The Evangelism Team calls on visitors to The ROCK to build relationships with them and encourage them to become living members of Christ’s earthly community. The Evangelism Team will also go house-to-house to engage persons in a spiritual dialogue resulting in professions of faith in Christ.

Food Pantry

The Outreach Ministry maintains a food pantry for use by the members of The ROCK, and at the various outreaches. Canned food donations are always welcomed.



Contact Us

To contact Pastor Ed Barger for more information, CLICK HERE.

I need a care package:
We all need a hand sometimes and Valley Baptist is here to help. During these uncertain times, our goal is to make sure that no one goes hungry. If you have an urgent food need, please contact us at 661-387-6305 or email food@valleybaptist.org and we’ll coordinate getting you a care package.

We have regular supplemental food box distributions most Tuesday evenings from 4:00-5:00pm at Building 9 (Great Room) on our Olive Drive Campus (5500 Olive Drive). These boxes are available by reservation only, but you are welcome to register whenever your household has a need. Registration for Tuesday food boxes is generally open Friday afternoons through Mondays at 11:59pm, or until all available boxes are reserved. You can register by clicking the button below.

RESERVE FOOD BOX
I want to help:
Looking for an opportunity for you, your family, or your small group to serve your community during this COVID-19 crisis safely? Valley Baptist, will be collecting and delivering care packages to families in need. We need your help in both the collection and delivery of these items.

I WANT TO HELP
Community Resources
List of available resources in your Community and Kern County

(Updated 9/10/20)

LEARN MORE

Outreach Opportunities

ADOPT-A-BLOCK

The goal of Adopt-A-Block is to build relationships with the people of Bakersfield, and the key to success is consistency. No gimmicks; just genuine relationships. We want to make a difference in the lives of people living in our city. We want to show them the love of Christ. We do this by visiting door-to-door and spending time with the families, playing games with the kids, handing out clothes, picking up trash, praying for families, and inviting families to church.

Meeting Times: Every second and last Saturday of the month, at VBF in the Xtreme
9:45 am – 10 am: Sign-in
10 am – 10:15 am: Announcements and prayer
10:15 am – 1 pm: Departure to serve blocks

For more information, please contact Al Martinez at 661-325-2251 ext. 115 or alm@vbf.org

HOSPITAL VISITATION

When illness or injury strikes, it is comforting to not have to go through it alone. Teams of trained, caring members are available to visit for prayer and encouragement if you or someone you know is hospitalized. To request visitation, contact us here or call the church office during regular business hours at 661.325.2251.

BLOCK PARTIES

Is a day at the barbecue, grooving to upbeat jams, and basking in the glorious Son your idea of paradise? Bust out the flip-flops and Hawaiian shirt and come on down!

The VBF Block Party Ministry reaches out to local neighborhoods in a joyful celebration of the love of Jesus. Equipped with contemporary worship, cheerful and loving attitudes, and savory free treats from the barbecue, block party teams march into Bakersfield cul-de-sacs with God-powered exuberance! If you’re ready to affect the lost, the lonely, the complacent with your infectious love for Jesus, VBF Block Parties needs you to help set up, clean up, cook, serve, and love people.

FUNERAL MEALS MINISTRY

Do you enjoy coming alongside people who are hurting? Are you spontaneous? Here’s a practical way to help.

The VBF Funeral Meals Ministry provides a dinner for families during the week they are making funeral plans. Volunteers are needed to pick up a prepared meal (you don’t have to cook) and deliver it to the family. Sign up on a Response Card the next time you are at church.

PRISON CORRESPONDENCE

In a world of isolation and dreariness, a thoughtful letter becomes a message of hope. Are you willing to be the heart of kindness behind that letter?

The VBF Prison Ministry reaches out to inmates with the transforming message of redemption in Christ. The ministry team meets regularly to pray over prisoners and writes letters filled with the love of Jesus. You may not thrive among crowds, but you can affect a positive change in many lives. Your letters will provide the encouragement these inmates need to survive their incarceration.

NEIGHBORHOOD OUTREACH

Friendly faces and caring hearts are needed to reach out to our friends in the VBF neighborhood.

Our VBF Neighborhood Outreach Team exists to show the love of Jesus to those who live in the area surrounding our church. We provide free haircuts and bicycle repairs, paint children’s faces, and offer welcoming smiles to all who come. If you love to help people, come be part of a ministry that bathes our neighbors in Christ’s love.

FOOD ROOM TEAM

Do you have a welcoming smile and a heart of compassion for those in need? Do you thrive in an atmosphere of one-on-one contact? You’re the perfect fit for our Food Room.

The VBF Food Room provides staples, canned goods, and miscellaneous items to those in need, in our church body and the community. Volunteers are needed to assemble food baskets, do grocery shopping, keep inventory on the stock at hand, and, most importantly of all, show those in need that Jesus is the Provider. If your heart is characterized by empathy and you desire to use that gift to bless others, come be a part of the VBF Food Room ministry and touch those in need with the love of Christ.

God's Gift of Love

God's Gift of Love is an outreach endeavor to spread the Gospel of Christ in the community through BBQ's, carwashes, fun activities for all age groups, yard sales, Bible studies, and others forms of communication to the neighborhood. Also, there are fund raisers to give free Turkey dinners away in November each year.

Food Distribution

Every other Wednesday morning from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM Central opens its doors to anyone in need. We offer bags of food, just come on over and get one for yourself.

12 Step Program

The 12 Step Closer Walk with God is a Bible study to overcome sin. This group meets in the Fellowship Hall at Central Monday evenings at 7:00PM

As a church, we care about the plight of families struggling to meet basic family needs. We are a channel and a distribution portal. We get and we pass it on free of charge to people in our communities and they don’t have to be members of our congregation. We care because we know this what Jesus would do but we can’t multiply food miraculously yet.

If in need of food: Call us at 626-791-8474 to get information about our next distribution or to make appointment for pick up.

Have food or clothes to give for distribution? Call us at 626-791-8474

See our Facebook for Food Ministry Activities also provides clothing

Glenkirk Church has extended our outreach to serve those who are currently experiencing homelessness through a new ministry called “Open Arms”. In an effort to help local individuals and families, we are providing showers, breakfast, and sack lunches on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays, from May – November. Facilities will be open from 9:00am-11:00am on these days.

Thank you for your outpour of support in volunteering for this ministry!

You can also help by giving a charitable donation to our Open Arms Ministry by clicking the link below and putting your donation amount in the ‘Homeless Care’ section of the form.

Volunteers


Donations (Goods)


GUEST INFORMATION
Glenkirk is located at 1700 Palopinto ave in Glendora, at the corner of Palopinto Avenue and Sellers Street which is behind Glendora High School. Please park in the small parking lot on Sellers and enter through the doors to Fellowship Hall.

A voucher from the Shepherd’s Pantry is required for this service. They are located at 657 E. Arrow Hwy, Glendora. Their phone number is (626) 852 – 7630. Vouchers are available only at the Glendora location, on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5pm – 7pm. There will be no admittance to Glenkirk’s facilities without a voucher.



CONTACTS
Jenn DeGraw — Guest Relations & Pastoral Administration
CLICK HERE to email Jenn GRIEFSHARE
GriefShare is a caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to go through the grieving experience alone. The group is led by people who understand what you are going through and want to help. You may join anytime.



ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (AA)
Mondays 7:30pm | Room 22

Tuesdays 8:00pm | Room 22

Fridays 8:00pm | Room 22

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS (NA)
Thursdays 8:00pm | Room 22

Al-Anon for Women | Thursdays 6:30pm Room 14

Living Stones (Family & friends of gay individuals) | Thursdays 7:00pm Room 14

Ray of Sonshine (Chronic Pain, Illness) | Email us

Sexaholics Anonymous (SA) | Fridays 7:00pm Room 21

CONTACTS
Jenn DeGraw, Guest Relations & Pastoral Administration
CLICK HERE to email Jenn

Andrea Messinger – Compassionate Care
CLICK HERE to email Andrea

FOOD BANK
Food Bank: Fridays 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Contact us: foodbank@villagecov.com

God has supplied us with food from the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank (TEFAP/USDA).

Village regards the Food Bank as an important outreach in the surrounding community.

About the Food Bank

The Village Covenant Food Bank provides basic canned and packaged goods to our community every Friday. Other food items are sometimes included when they are available. Local families and individuals from Azusa, Covina, Glendora, and Irwindale are welcome to come once per month to receive food. People with emergency needs for food from other communities (West Covina, Baldwin Park, San Dimas, etc.) can get food from us one time only and will be provided with a list of food banks in their area that they can visit if they have further need.

You may also go to www.lafightshunger.com, click on “FIND FOOD,” and put in your city name or zip code to find other food banks in your area.

Location

5607 N Barranca Ave, Azusa, CA 91702

The Food Bank is located at the northeastern section of our property. There will be signs outside the building pointing the way.

In order to help our communities slow the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), we are conducting the Food Bank outdoors during the times of social distancing. You may remain in your vehicle, and our volunteer workers will come to you to get needed information and will bring food orders to you. We appreciate your cooperation with the safety procedures recommended by leaders in our society.

Required to Receive Food

One person from your family with a valid Azusa, Covina, Glendora, or Irwindale address may pick up food for your whole family. Please bring your picture ID or a current bill with your name and address.

From the Director

“The VCC Food Bank serves a large area, and our numbers have skyrocketed. People come in cars, on bikes, or on foot, and we are constantly filling vehicles or arms with food in order to serve those in need. My estimation of the amount of food we brought in and passed out last year is over 200,000 pounds.

“Without the help of a team of partners, this ministry would not work. Thank you to Los Angeles Regional Food Bank for the massive amounts of food you provide. Thank you to the volunteers who serve at the VCC Food Bank. Thank you to those who donate funds for our work. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.”

– Linda Brown, Director of the Food Bank

The REDEEMED LIFE CHRUCH FOOD PANTRY exists to extend a hand to our church family members, families, individuals, and organizations in the city of Azusa. As Christ-followers and as a church, we understand what it means to help our neighbor—especially in times of need. We also know that this help is just one out of many steps required by families and individuals who are honestly seeking transformation because it will lead them to a better place in life. This is the Church,
being The Church. This is RLC, being RLC — reaching the lost, loving the broken, and caring like Christ in all that we do. Sign up today to DONATE or RECEIVE from the FOOD PANTRY today. We are here to serve you weekly:
Saturdays 10 – 11AM
Sundays 1:30 – 2:30PM
If you need more information, whether you are in need of help, or if you want to donate and support our food pantry, or if you feel called to volunteer, please contact us below. We will gladly get back to you!
APPLY TO DONATE
APPLY TO RECEIVE
EMAIL FOR MORE INFO

Bi-Weekly Bible Study
Door of Hope provides homeless families with the opportunity to learn new skills, develop positive behaviors, and obtain the resources necessary to reach their goals and maintain long-term success all while keeping the mother and kids together throughout this difficult time. In 2017, Crosspoint began holding a bi-weekly Bible study at a home for victims of domestic violence and single mothers. Through this outreach, we have seen several moms trust Jesus as their Savior and many grow in their walk with Jesus Christ. Emmanuel Baptist Rescue Mission is truly a lighthouse in a world of danger, darkness, and despair. The men and women of Skid Row in Los Angeles are in physical and spiritual poverty, and many are in bondage to drugs, alcohol and other addictions. They have lost their connections with family and society. Meeting some of their physical needs in compassion, will often open their hearts' to the gospel. Emmanuel is uniquely equipped to minister to large numbers of hurting people, and few places offer the opportunity to preach the gospel to such a concentration of lost men and women as Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles. Please pray for this ministry, and consider joining us one week as we minister at this mission.

Men'Recovery Homes



The Victory Outreach Recovery Home is a ministry of the local church that provides a residential Christian atmosphere for men and women. The purpose of the recovery home is to reclaim, redeem and restore lives that have been destroyed or disrupted by drugs, alcohol and/or other substance abuse by establishing three essential values; a commitment to Christ, restoration of the family and a positive work ethic.



For more information on our Recovery Homes please call:

Men’s Recovery Home

(209) 565-5721

Kairos Prison Ministry Video Watch the video that shows Kairos Prison Ministry in action.



Imagine No Malaria is the United Methodist church-wide effort to overcome malaria in Africa and eliminate deaths caused by this preventable disease—a goal world leaders hope to accomplish by 2015.



Music for Humanity. Since 1990 we have been holding 'Music for Humanity" concerts to raise money for a number of ministries including Habitat for Humanity and the local food bank.



Interfaith Food Bank. The congregation supports the food bank through offerings of money, canned goods, and other food items. Several members work at the food bank.



Community Christmas Dinner. Members make 150 lbs of mashed potatoes for the Christmas Community Dinner.



Pioneer Emergency Relief Fund. Using this fund the congregation reaches out to the homelless and transients in our community.

Ministry #1 - Teaches the word of God.
Our worship service on Sunday includes a Pastors Sermon or a lay person message that is based on the word of God. We use the NIV Bible in our readings and our sermons and messages are based on the readings of the day. We also have an adult Sunday school that is scheduled on Sundays 9:00 - 10:00.
Ministry #2 - Provides food to the hungry.
Sierra Lutheran Church helps to provide food to the hungry in our community. Our church with community support hosts a monthly community food bank on the second Saturday of every month, starting at 9:00 AM. The Food Bank is part of the USDA Food Bank from the Central California Food Bank. We also host the Salvation Army Christmas Love Basket Event, which is scheduled on Saturday, December 21, 2019. Setup is scheduled on Friday, December 20, 2019. We also host the Salvation Army on our campus, who provides food on Mondays from 9:00- 10:00.
Ministry #3 - Shares our church campus.
Sierra Lutheran Church is a welcoming body of Christ and we welcome all to our church. We are also blessed with a wonderful campus and our campus is open to the community as long as use of our campus is consistant with our mission: To know, love and serve Jesus Christ.

Homeless Family Fund
In October 1990, the St. Raymond Homeless Family Fund was created out of the work of a small group Renew program.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted us all in profound ways but falling disproportionately on marginalized and vulnerable populations.

In responding to the signs of the times, the Homeless Family Fund at St. Raymond Parish is partnering with Catholic Charities San Mateo and St. Francis of Assisi Parish in East Palo Alto to identify individuals and families in need of support to cover basic necessities and to provide information referrals to other services and opportunities in the County.

What has St. Raymond supported to date?
Disbursed $67,923.60 to cover rental assistance for the current month; and, for those that who were in arrears due to unemployment from COVID-19 and other reasons, we have brought them up to date;
Prevented 17 households (including 23 adults and 31 children) from being evicted; and
Provided, through Catholic Charities, just-in-time information referrals to other services and benefits within the San Mateo County system including CalFresh, Legal Aid, and employment.
In early September 2020, Fr. Goode supported a single mother and her four children (15, 12, 11, and 7) who had been living in their car in the Parish parking lot in finding a vacant unit in East Palo Alto. He was able to provide support for part of the security deposit but referred the single mother to the Catholic Charities and the Homeless Family Fund for additional support.

In early October 2020, St. Raymond Parish was able to provide two months rental assistance in the amount of $3,950 (October and November) and the remaining funds needed for the security deposit. This has allowed her children to be in a safe place to engage in online learning and to allow for some stability as she begins to look for ways to continue to support her family. Catholic Charities has also provided referrals for other benefits the family may qualify for at this time.

In August 2020, a single, widowed mother lost her job due to COVID, putting herself and her three adult children (23 years old and 18-year old fraternal twins) at risk of losing their home. Since losing her husband seven years ago, the mother has been the primary source of income for the family, with her children in school and working part-time here and there. At the time of intake, the family had exhausted all of their financial reserves.

St. Raymond Parish, through the Homeless Family Fund, was able to provide $3,100 (two months) of support to allow the family to stay in their home. Since providing support, the mother and oldest daughter have been actively looking for employment that enables them to sustain their housing moving forward and the twins continue their online schooling.

In late September 2020, Fr. Goode referred a 62-year old woman living in East Palo Alto who lost her job in August 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Formally incarcerated and living on the street, Fr. Goode had originally supported the woman to find secure and safe housing. After losing her job, though, the individual was unable to pay her rent.

The parish provided $3,600 in rental support for the months of September and October, preventing her from being evicted and ending up back on the street. Catholic Charities also provided referrals to other services. Subsequently, the woman has found employment and is able to support herself.

In early October 2020, Fr. Goode of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in East Palo Alto referred a young single mother and her 4-month old daughter to Catholic Charities for rental support. He had been supporting her with food and a bus pass during the summer, but knew she was about to be kicked out of the room she was renting as she has been in arrears since May 2020 when she lost her job cleaning houses due to the shelter-in-place order from the COVID-19 pandemic. The child’s father left the mother shortly after he found out she was pregnant.

The Parish was able to provide $5,000 in rental assistance to support the young mother in covering three months of rental support in arrears and rent for the months of October and November. Catholic Charities is working with the young mom to provide referrals for childcare services, information about where she can receive in-kind food support, and possible employment opportunities.

Interested in accompanying a family with the provision of in-kind goods or gifts during the holidays? Please reach out to: HFF@straymondmp.org.

In order to continue to support vulnerable families, please make donations payable to St. Raymond Homeless Family Fund. They may be placed in the collection basket, sent to the parish office or through the St. Raymond website at http://www.straymondmp.org/donate.

Thank you for your continued support!

Wednesday Evening

All Church Meal 5:30pm

Service 6:30pm-8:00pm



Children's ministry is available at all services.

TOPICS
Anger
Anger Hot Button List - Priolo
Steps to Deal with Anger
Anxiety & Worry
Anxiety - Phil. 4 - Powlison
Circle of Concern vs. Responsibility
Bible Study
Questions for Scripture Reading
Communication
The Conference Table
Depression
Feelings - Lloyd-Jones
Homework Assignment Samples
Fear
Conquering the Fear of Man
Loneliness
Mack Worksheet - How to Overcome the Problem of Loneliness
Marriage
Husband - Monthly Leadership Agenda
Husband - Guide to Companionship
Husband - Ways a Husband May Express Love to His Wife
Wife - Guide to Companionship
Wife - Ways a Wife May Express Love to Her Husband
Loving Your Spouse Worksheet
Miscellaneous
Audio Listening Questionnaire
Reading Report Form
Parenting
25 Ways Parents Provoke their Children
Appropriate Steps when Spanking
Reconciliation
Log List

♦Loaves & Fishes





The Atascadero community food pantry, Loaves & Fishes, distributes donated canned food and other non-perishable food items to those in need. The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer participates by gathering donated food items regularly, and then delivering them to Loaves and Fishes. If you would like to participate, please bring a donation to church and place it in the gathering box in the entry way.

Click on logo to go to Loaves & Fishes website



Currently Saturday School is NOT meeting due to Coronavirus Restrictions. Hopefully we will all be able to celebrate "Jesus and Friends" soon.

♦Saturday School -- "Jesus and Friends!" for the Developmentally Disabled

Meets 1st & 3rd Saturdays of each month @ 9:30am (September through May)

Our special ministry outreach to the developmentally disabled members of our community usually meets the first and third Saturdays of each month (unless announced -- see Calendar) at 9:30am. Our van picks up many of our Jesus and Friends! regulars, and some are brought by their group home leaders. Our van also picks up many for our Sunday worship service. We would like to share information about this special ministry of our congregation. Please email us with your questions.





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