Dear Beloveds,
I want to share with you something wonderful that happened this past Sunday. A small group of us—Pastor Matt and his family, Ms. Lucy and her son Andrew, the Nicks, the Iancconnes and myself—went across town to visit Immanuel Presbyterian Church, in the heart of Los Angeles. This church holds a special place in my heart in that this was the church in which I grew up. I was baptized, confirmed, spent all my childhood and youth there, and Charlie and I were married there! My father served for many years at Immanuel, not only as an elder, but also as the sound engineer on every Sunday morning. His special ministry was making sure that the pastor had a fresh glass of water at the pulpit each Sunday morning for their sermon. I had tears in my eyes as we toured the church campus and when I was back in her grand, beautiful sanctuary.
What was truly special was the reason why we went: Immanuel is hosting two families who escaped their countries, Honduras and Venezuela, as asylum seekers, and they are being hosted and cared for by Immanuel until they can get on their feet and start their new lives. They were asylum seekers and have been interviewed and cleared by ICE and Border Patrol. They were political refugees, fleeing violent situations and went through proper channels to receive help here in the States. They have been so grateful for the love and help that has been shown them.
With our session’s blessing, we took over a simple but tasty lunch of fried chicken (a la Ralph’s market!) and broke bread together with these families, Pastor Andy Schwiebert, and Elder Debbie of Immanuel as they shared their stories of survival and their journey to Los Angeles. We were amazed at their bravery, tenacity, and hope in what God was doing for them, and we witnessed their strong faith that God will continue to work miracles in their lives.
We were so grateful for the time that we had together, to learn and to pray for these families, and especially to pray for Immanuel Presbyterian as they so faithfully live out their calling as a Matthew 25 church— a church that has committed to helping others in living out the scripture where Jesus says, “what you have done for the least of these, you have done for ME.”
With great love for you,
Pastor Grace