Live Stream Worship:
Facebook: Los Angeles First United Methodist Church - Home
Instagram: Los Angeles First UMC (@lafirstumc)
YouTube: Los Angeles First United Methodist Church
Call to Worship - You are invited to light a candle in your home to welcome the presence of the Holy Spirit
They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love - El Dorado
Passing of the Peace: Through the act of passing the peace of Christ, we offer our sincere desire to love our neighbor.
You are invited to greet one another in the live stream chat on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.
Announcements:
Stewardship Campaign: Our goal is to raise $20,000/month for payroll, so that we can continue to employ all the people who are working tirelessly to bring the Good News to all who need to hear it. My prayer is that we can raise enough money to cover our church’s payroll over the next three months. This allows the congregation to use any money we have on hand to directly support our ministries.
We have converted our parsonage into a co-housing community, which now has 6 residents living safely and affordably together. We have been able to support people who might not have been able to find sustainable housing in the current market, and we can ensure that they will stay housed during the pandemic. It would be an additional hope to raise $3,000/month to support the utilities and expenses of the co-housing community.
Jubilee Fund: This fund is designated to helping reduce the burden of debt in our community. As we make our way through the pandemic, the economic pressures are going to be challenging. If you feel led, you can now donate through Venmo!
VENMO: You can find us here: https://venmo.com/LAFirstUMC
PAYPAL: https://paypal.me/LAFirstUMC
SQUARE: https://checkout.square.site/pay/be673aef7fcb424e98387016d184e57d
Guidelines for Church Re-Launch of In-Person Worship Services
Bishop Hagiya's Special Message in Response to Racism
DISCIPLE BIBLE STUDY, Monday, September 14: Week 13
Time: 5:30 - 7:00 PM PST
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/598868178?pwd=U1B2YjZYWURDRXJXMStKajI3L1RWZz09
Zoom Fellowship Coffee Hour: Immediately following worship today.
4 Week Zoom Book Club, “Finding Peace in An Anxious World”
Wednesdays at 5:00 PM, Sept. 15, 22
For those who are interested but unable to attend, or those who just love additional information, the UMW has created a useful resource page to accompany the book on their national website, and there you can find videos and reading guides for further exploration:
https://www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/finding-peace-in-an-anxious-world
Brené Brown’s Ted Talk: “The Power of Vulnerability”
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN STATEMENT:
General Conference 2021 Board Task Force Proposed Recommendations
RESOURCES FOR ASSISTANCE:
Food Pantries: https://211la.org/food-resources
There are many different types of food resources available in LA County, and finding what you need can be confusing and overwhelming. 211 LA is here to help navigate the different food supports and programs, and connect you quickly to food resources. They have a mapping tool to help find food benefit programs, COVID Food Relief Programs, groceries/food pantries, meals, senior food needs, child/youth nutritional needs.
SKID ROW COMMUNITY ReFRESH SPOT RE-OPENING!
Friday, September 18 from 11 am - 2pm
VISIONING SESSION II: Monday, September 21 at 1:00 PM via Zoom with Rev. Jennifer Gutierrez
WATER DROP LA:
Every Sunday at 11am, we bring a group of 30+ volunteers to Skid Row to drop off 1,000+ gallons of water. This is what we call a water drop.
By packing 15+ cars and trucks with water gallons and fanning out across the region, we’re able to reach a significant number of Skid Row residents. While a gallon a week is nowhere near sufficient for healthy survival in Los Angeles’s hot climate, we hope that this regular water distribution, which supplements the actions already being taken by organizers around the city, will curb some of the existing urgent need for clean drinking water. Link to volunteer is open on Monday.
Community Resources:
The Air Quality in LA has become increasingly unhealthy over the past week with the wildfires. Here are some ways you can protect yourself:
Protect yourself by:
1. Limiting time outdoors
2. Keeping windows & doors closed
3. Running AC to recirculate air & filter out particulates
4. Avoiding using candles & vacuums
You can also go to http://www.aqmd.gov/home/air-quality/wildfire-health-info-smoke-tips for more tips
If you would like to help those affected by wildfires, you can give to UMCOR where 100% of your donation go to helping those in need.
The UMW Racial Justice Charter leaders recommend taking one of all of these step for those who want to fight for racial justice but don't know where to start:
Vote locally and nationally
Protest peacefully
Get involved with education system to make sure education is inclusive, demand college diversity
Bear witness – offer to help if people of color are being stopped by police and being harassed. “That one takes more courage,” Busby admits.
Support businesses owned by people of color
Boycott businesses that exploit workers of color
Boycott banks that have discriminatory practices
Support art created by people of color
Push your mayor or city council for police reform
Stay Connected:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LAFirstUMC/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lafirstumc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LAFirstUMC/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLh1AQKTgxTXSwwXr-J9qvA
CALL TO PRAYER: Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing - El Dorado
Joys and Concerns: We believe that the best way to bear our burdens is to share them with one another. You are invited to share your joys and concerns so that our community can hold these things in our hearts as we lift them to God together.
You are invited to share your prayers in the Facebook Live Chat, or on the YouTube Live chat.
GOSPEL READING: Matthew 18:21-35, NRSV
Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the churchsins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.”
And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow-slaves who owed him a hundred denarii;and seizing him by the throat, he said, “Pay what you owe.” Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt.
When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you?” And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he should pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’
One: This is the word of God, for us, the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God!
SERMON: The Spiritual Discipline of Forgiveness, Rev. Mandy McDow
HOLY COMMUNION
Invitation to the Table: As we understand the Body of Christ to be inclusive, we understand God’s table of grace and fellowship can extend into our homes. As you’re able, bring your own elements to this time. Bread, Juice, Coffee, Muffins… the Body of Christ is comprised of wonder and mystery. Today, we celebrate that God can reach us where we are, even if we are not together.
The Great Mystery of our Faith
All: Christ has died
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
The Lord’s PrayerOur Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
MUSIC DURING COMMUNION: Hard Times - El Dorado
Benediction Remember:
God is with you,
God is for you,
God refuses to be God without you.
And may all of God’s people say: Amen.
Virtual Coffee Hour Begins now! Immediately following worship on Zoom