Thursday, January 3
The Presbytery of Los Ranchos
California
Reggie Goodjoin leading worship at New Hope Presbyterian Church. Photo by Erin Dunigan.
Ministry couple Chineta (pastor) and Reggie (music director) Goodjoin attended a board meeting for the Santa Ana School District in 2009. Having founded an African American new church development in the nearby town of Orange, they were there to offer their services. New Hope Presbyterian Church was fast becoming a hub for the arts in the area, so Chineta and Reggie asked the board a question they’ve asked so many others in the community: “How can we help? You matter to us.”
“You matter!” is the rallying cry for New Hope, the missional value that permeates all it does. The congregation is sent out to change lives. Chineta teaches, “Jesus didn’t tell people to go to church. He told the church to go to the people.”
After the board meeting, Assistant Superintendent Herman Mendez told the Goodjoins, “Because of the state-wide budget crisis, the music program was cut at Willard Intermediate School, which is in an urban and immigrant neighborhood. Can you help?”
New Hope immediately responded. Playing to its strengths, the congregation organized a benefit concert featuring its own musicians and choirs, local public school student bands, and professionals like Grammy Award–winning singers Oleta Adams and Poncho Sanchez. The annual concerts raise tens of thousands of dollars that provide clinics, workshops, and instructors for Willard’s revived music program. The students, in turn, regularly perform at New Hope’s worship services. “Our mission is to establish partnerships that build community,” says Reggie. “That’s what Chineta is always preaching. We glorify God by uplifting all people.”
The Presbytery of Los Ranchos serves 19,230 members of 49 congregations.
Let us join in prayer for:
Presbytery Staff
Rev. Dr. Steven Toshio Yamaguchi, presbytery pastor
Rev. Tom Cramer, associate presbytery pastor
Rev. Dr. W. Keith Geckeler, associate presbytery pastor/stated clerk
Bonita Carr, administrative coordinator
Elvira Ortez, executive secretary
Kathy Hill Long, business and accounting manager
PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Ben Albers, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Gregory Allen-Pickett, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Claire Anastase, Board of Pensions
Let us pray
O Lord, send a new song into our hearts that enables us to bring out the music in the souls of others. Together may we become a symphony of diverse voices that offers you praise. All to your glory. Amen.
Daily Lectionary
Morning Psalms 111; 147:12-20
First Reading Genesis 28:10-22
Second Reading Hebrews 11:13-22
Gospel Reading John 10:7-17
Evening Psalms 107; 15
