METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH 720 N. Spurgeon St., Santa Ana, CA 92701 Rev. Onetta Brooks, Interim Pastor 714-835-0722

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Sunday, August 31 - Rev. Barbara Haynes
Labor Day BBQ and Farewell to Dan Randall

Accompanied by Jan Syftestad, Donna Robbins sang "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" before the sermon.
Rev. Haynes sermon was "We Have a Tough Assignment" based on Romans 12:9-21.

Revs. Brooks and Haynes performed a joint celebration of communion.

Sean, Louvenia, Tony, and Chris make preparations for the BBQ
Filling our plates then chomping down all the delicious food.

Rev. Onetta and Dan; Rev. Haynes gives Dan a hug; Dan talking with Joseph; Dan opening his gifts.
Dan was flying to Iowa the next day to live with his daughter.  We love him and wish him the very best.

Rick and Chuck Marry
Saturday, August 30

Friends from Christ Chapel MCC gathered in the Hawaiian-like setting at Rick and Chuck's home.
With Chuck and Rick at her side Rev. Lillian Lobb of Christ Chapel of Laguna began the service.


Chuck and Rick joined hands, exchanged vows and leis as symbols of the commitment rings they have worn for 25 years.
Rev. Lobb gave them communion.  Sunlight broke through as she pronounced them married.  Then they were presented to the guests.


Reception activities began after the wedding including cutting the wedding cake and dancing.

Rev. Norman Van Manen
Sunday, August 24

Mark opened the service with announcements and prayer.  Larry enthusiastically led the singing.  Jan read the sacred reading.

Based on Matthew 16:21-28, Rev. Van Manen's sermon title was "This I Believe."  Guest musician Stedney Phillips is shown with Rev. Van Manen.

Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong Preaches
Sunday, July 27

Rev. Kwong preaching his sermon titled "Survival of the Interdependents," consecrating communion.


Rev. Kwong with guest musician Stedney Phillips;
greeting Gene after the worship service;
with Naomi, Linda and Stedney at the social hour.


Celebrating Rev. Onetta's Birthday


July 12 was Rev. Onetta's birthday.  The church celebrated it the next day.
Jan & Kathy made a cake.  Rev. Onetta is shown blowing out the candles
and cutting the cake.  Happy Birthday, Rev. Onetta!

Rev. Michael Nikolaus Preaches
Sunday, June 29

We were blesssed to have Rev. Mike Nikolaus bring us the message while Rev. Onetta attended a conference.  Rev. Nikolaus (right) is shown with Mark Hahn during communion.

Picnic / Play Day at Irvine Park
Saturday, June 28

It was a beautiful day at the park - good food, good fun, delightful weather.

Minister Eric Buter Portrays Peter
Sunday, June 15

Guest Minister Eric Buter portrays the apostle Peter speaking to other prisoners in jail,
telling them about Jesus and the miracle of the loaves of bread and fishes that fed the 5000.


Minister Eric celebrates communion with Rev. Onetta.

Kathie Myers Passes Away

Our beloved member Kathie Myers passed from this life on June 3 from pancreatic cancer.  The joy she brought to all of us was remembered in a celebration attended by over 200 of her friends, colleagues, family members and her life partner Linda Petit.

Memorial Day / Honoring Ron & Roger / Chili Cook-off

After 16 years as organist and pianist at Christ Chapel MCC, May 25th was the farewell Sunday for
Roger Hardesty and Ron Price.  Rev. Onetta honored them for their faithful service.

Sunday was also the Chili Cook-Off contest.  Judges sampled each chili and selected
Chris the winner.  Then we all dug in for a delicious luncheon.  Brad (center picture) is
shown signing a card for our dear member Kathie.  Rev. Onetta serves Ron.

Pentecost / Mother's Day / Honoring Tony Shull

The altar was draped in the fiery red of Pentecost.  Two beautiful arrangements of
red and white roses honored our mothers - white if passed on, red if living.
Rev. Onetta honored Tony Shull for his seventeen years of service as deacon.
The deaconate is being replaced with ministry teams.

Rev. Shirley Van Damme - Guest Preacher on Sunday, April 20

While Rev. Onetta was attending the PAD Conference we were pleased
to have Rev. Shirley Van Damme as our guest preacher.  Her sermon was
Jesus at Passover, highlighting the fact that Jesus was a Jew.

Rev. Onetta Honored at 2008 PAD Conference

At the close of the PAD Conference in St. Louis,
Rev. Onetta was honored as Faithful Steward.

Sunday, April 13 - Remembering Dr. Jess Lubeck
Celebrating Christ Chapel's 37th Anniversary

Rev. Onetta gave a brief history of the founding of Christ Chapel MCC, then
year by year, asked those who had joined the church that year to stand.
Shawn and Rev. Onetta conducted a joint prayer service in which
Rev. Onetta asked those who remembered Dr. Jess to come forward.

In the space between Kathie and Josh stood a single candle that Rev. Onetta lit in memory of Dr. Jess
who died on September 30 of 2007.  Josh, his housemate and caregiver in Dr. Jess' last years, shared his memories
of Jess and sang a song in memory of him. Dr. Jess with Rev. Elder Troy Perry at our 35th anniversary.
Rev. Onetta and Shawn concluded worship by celebrating communion.

Joel brought a delicious cake to celebrate the anniversary.  Rev. Onetta led everyone in singing
"Happy Anniversary" to Christ Chapel.  Joel and Brad, two founding members, cut
the cake as Rev. Onetta looked on.  It was a wonderful day!

Rev. Barbara Haynes - March 30


Deacon Tony welcomes guests and reads announcements.
Linda reads John 20: 19-31
Rev. Barbara Haynes and Brian lead the congregation in Because He Lives

Rev. Haynes delivers an inspiring message on believing in Christ.
Brian leads the congregation in Behold the Lamb as
Rev. Haynes prepares for communion.
 

Celebrating Easter / Resurrection Sunday - March 23

It is a beautiful Easter morning; lilies decorate the altar; Rev. Onetta rings the bell to begin the service.

Rev. Onetta preaches about the amazing discovery that Christ is Alive.
The joyful welcome of a new member into the congregation.
Brian sings the communion hymn as Rev. Onetta and Deacon Tony
prepare to celebrate communion.

Rev. Onetta Brooks Appointed Interim Pastor

Rev. Onetta Brooks has been appointed Interim Pastor of Christ Chapel Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) of Santa Ana, CA.  Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski, Church Transition Elder made the announcement during the November 25 worship service.   She will serve as Interim Pastor for 12 to 18 months.  Rev. Mitulski said this is the period for Christ Chapel MCC to reinvent itself into the church it wants to become prior to searching for a permanent pastor.  Rev. Brooks will be an excellent pastor who can guide us through this process. Her appointment was unanimously approved by the Board.  Rev. Brooks will be a part time pastor allowing her to continue her job in aerospace as a Senior Manager/Systems Engineer

 Rev. Brooks is a native of Los Angeles.  She was raised and baptized in the Mount Rose and Calvary Baptist Churches.  In 1992 she visited MCC Los Angeles and became a member in 1998.  In 2001 she answered the call to attend seminary, was ordained as UFMCC clergy in January, 2007, and completed her Master of Divinity from San Francisco Theological Seminary in May, 2007. Her spiritual gifts include wisdom, preaching and teaching, administration and discernment.  She has obtained a vast range of experience as a member of MCC.

 Christ Chapel MCC’s Regional Elder, Rev. Elder Darlene Garner states, “Rev. Brooks is an excellent choice to lead the church during this important transition period. Christ Chapel MCC is a great church that stands on the brink of a wonderful future. Together with Rev. Brooks, they will be discovering even greater things about themselves and their significance to the community they serve.”

 
Christ Chapel MCC's 35th Anniversary

Christ Chapel MCC celebrated its 35th anniversary on Sunday, April 30, 2006.  It was a glorious celebration, with the founder of Metropolitan Community Churches Rev. Elder Dr. Troy Perry as our special guest speaker. Shown here are Brian and Revs. Troy and Robin belting out a praise song.  For more anniversary pictures and news click Anniversary.