In the spirit - Los Angeles Times
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In the spirit

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Michele Marr

CHURCH NAME: Hope Chapel Huntington Beach

SERVICES: Huntington Beach High School at 1905 Main St.

OFFICES AND OTHER EVENTS: 715 Lake Street.

TELEPHONE: (714) 536-1614

WEB SITE: o7 https://www.hopechapelhb.com f7 oro7

https://www.hopechapelhb.org

f7 DENOMINATION: Church of the Foursquare Gospel

YEAR ESTABLISHED: The church was chartered in Huntington Beach 70

years ago. Aimee Semple McPherson dedicated the original building. The

church became known as Hope Chapel in 1995.

SERVICE TIMES: 10 a.m. Sunday school for children and youth through

Jr. High School meets concurrently.

SENIOR PASTOR: Mark Lebsack

PASTORAL STAFF: Kanani Moore, administrator; Brenda Lebsack,

childrens’ pastor; Kitty Goldpaint, pastoral care; Bill and Dorene Rasch,

outreach ministries; Joel Iervolino, young adult group leader; Becky

Ettinger, jr. high group leader overseer; Carl and Kanani Moore, high

school youth pastors; Matt Klein, music arts pastor

SIZE OF CONGREGATION: 175 to 200 adults and 75 to 120 youth attend Sunday service and Sunday school.

MAKEUP OF CONGREGATION: Most families are families with young

children. There are some families with grown children.CHILD CARE: Child

care is provided for all services and adult activities.

TYPE OF WORSHIP: The service begins with a welcome, songs of

celebration and call to worship, scripture reading and prayer. Members

and visitors are given adequate time to mingle and greet each other.

Announcements follow. About 20 minutes of contemplative worship songs and

responsive congregational prayers follow and precede an offering and the

pastor’s message. The worship band and music is progressive and

cutting-edge. During the offering there is usually a singing or artistic

presentation. A choir is just starting and will sometimes sing during the

offering.

TYPE OF MESSAGE: Lebsack’s messages are expository, unfolding the

meaning of scripture and its application to daily living. RECENT AND

UPCOMING MESSAGES: A series on the book of Luke.DRESS: Casual.VISITOR

INFORMATION: A greeter meets visitors at the door and gives them a

bulletin for the service and directs them to more information if it is

requested.

CHURCH PROGRAMS: Girl Scouts for grades 1-6. Women’s ministries,

including a regular Bible study as well as special events throughout the

year. Mini-churches meet Monday and Thursday evenings in private homes.

OUTREACH PROGRAMS: Since the church meets at Huntington Beach High

School, it makes a concerted effort to help with the property

improvements and upkeep. Recently church members donated dozens of hours

of labor, some professional construction labor combined with financial

sponsorship from Boeing Huntington Beach to make many repairs and

improvements to the school for the coming year. Each summer the church

organizes and hosts Childrens’ Day at Lake Street Park with the help of a

number of business and corporate donations. The church has a convalescent

home ministry to provide worship and relationships for people who

otherwise have no opportunity to worship. Marijuana Anonymous and

Overeaters Anonymous groups meet at the church on Thursday night. The

congregation also sponsors regular outreach to those in need in Mexico.

MISSION STATEMENT: To function as the Spirit-enabled body of Christ,

which serves to inform, inspire and energize our membership and community

unto good works for people and intimate fellowship with God.

INTERESTING NOTE: Hope Chapel was among the many congregations to

quickly organize a prayer service in the wake of Tuesday’s enormous

tragedies. Pastor Lebsack offers this prayer for the ongoing mediation

and comfort of the community and nation.

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