Interactive Order of Worship
Live Stream Worship:
Facebook: Los Angeles First United Methodist Church - Home
Instagram: Los Angeles First UMC (@lafirstumc)
Twitter: @RevMama
YouTube: Los Angeles First United Methodist Church
Passing of the Peace: Through the act of passing the peace of Christ, we offer our sincere desire to love our neighbor.
As you can, greet one another in the live stream chat on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.
Zoom Fellowship Coffee Hour: Immediately following worship on Zoom
Announcements:
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
Skid Row Community Handwashing Campaign: http://skidrowpower.com/handwashing/
How you can help:
Build a DIY handwashing station and drop it off at LA CAN ( 838 E 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90021). We will place it in Skid Row where it can best serve residents
Drop off (or ship) supplies to LA CAN. We need parts to build more DIY handwashing stations, and supplies to keep them working, like liquid soap and paper towels.
Donate to LACAN to support our handwashing campaign. Follow our social media to see how your donations are making a difference.
Report the status of Handwashing Stations so we can update our map. Send us your field reports at handwashing@skidrowpower.com (note the address, the status, and if possible attach a photo or video).
Zoom Bible Study: LA First UMC Bible Study - Psalm 22 Time: Monday evenings at 6:30 PM PST
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/598868178
Praying with the Daily Examen: What is the Examen?
St. Ignatius of Loyola created the Examen to be a very short prayer that can be prayed at any time. In the Examen, we review our recent past to find God and his blessings in our daily life. Ignatius would say that the Examen should be the most important moment of our day, because this moment affects every other moment.
Relish the moments that went well and all of the gifts you have today.
Request that the Spirit lead you through your review of the day.
Review your day.
Repent of any mistakes or failures.
Resolve, in concrete ways, to live tomorrow well.
Holy Week Schedule:
Good Friday Meditation: Noon, April 10. A guided meditation will be live-streamed on our social media channels at noon, and the artwork and deovitions will be available on the website.
Easter Sunrise Service: 6:30 am, April 12: Join us online for a brief service to break the dawn and welcome the good news of Christ’s resurrection!
Easter Worship Service: 10:30 am, April 12: Join us online for a celebration of the triumph of Life over Death, and the joy of the promise that this is true for us, as well.
Easter Virtual Fellowship Brunch, immediately following worship. Bring your own mimosa!
Today: Zoom Fellowship Coffee Hour, Immediately following worship https://zoom.us/j/429889281
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
Text Updates: https://slkt.io/5BMn
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, Twitter via Periscope, or on YouTube Live chat.
Palm Sunday
Readers’ Theatre of The Passion
Los Angeles First United Methodist Church
Palm Sunday, 2020
Reader 1: Narrator………………………………….……………………………..Tom Grode
Reader 2: Narrator………………………………….…………Rosie & Lily Gutierrez
Reader 3: Narrator……………………………….……………………… Myles Cranford
Reader 4: Narrator……………………………………Savannah Southern-Smith
Reader 5: Judas Iscariot…………………………………………………….ALL VOICES, BECAUSE WE ARE ALL JUDAS
Reader 6: Mary Magdalene……………………………….……..……Mandy McDow
Reader 7: Pharisee/Leper………………………………………………..Ashley Woods
Reader 8: Jesus (J.C.)………………………………………………….…..Stephen Folds
Reader 9: Servant Girl/Centurion…..…..............………….......….Iolani Brideau
Reader 10: Simon Peter…………………………………….……………Olusheyi Banjo
Reader 11: Caiaphas…………............……………………...Lauren Korczakowski
Reader 12: Pilate..........……………………………………………………..Ginny Brideau
Script written, edited, and arranged by Rev. Mandy McDow, 2018. Please do not use without permission of the author. Music written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, arranged by Stephen Folds, 2018.
Overture – Jesus Christ Superstar
Crucifixion Theme: Heaven On Their Minds – El Dorado
--Disciples Gather around Jesus, in a form of worship/church
Temptation of Judas (Heaven On Their Minds )
Reader 5: Judas (ALL VOICES)
Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world
and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil
had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. (John 13:1-2)
What’s the Buzz – Chorus & Jesus
Reader 6: Mary Magdalene (MANDY MCDOW)
One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his
place at the table. And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the
Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment.
She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them
with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. (Luke 7:36-39)
Reader 1: Narrator (TOM GRODE)
Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself,
Reader 7: Pharisee (ASHLEY WOODS)
If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner.
Reader 2: Narrator (ROSIE GUTIERREZ)
Then, turning towards the woman, Jesus said to the Pharisee,
Reader 8: Jesus (STEPHEN FOLDS)
Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.
Everything’s Alright – Chorus & Mary Magdalene
Reader 3: Narrator (MYLES CRANFORD)
When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them. (Mark 11:1-11)
Reader 8: Jesus (STEPHEN FOLDS)
Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, “Why are you doing this?” just say this, “The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.”
Reader 4: Narrator (SAVANNAH SOUTHERN-SMITH)
They brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,
CROWD: (ALL VOICES, WAVING PALMS)
Hosanna! Save us! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna! Save us! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!
Hosanna – Chorus & Congregation – waving palms
Cleansing of the Temple (Heaven On Their Minds )
Reader 1: Narrator (TOM GRODE)
Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold doves. He said to them: (Matthew 21:12-19)
Reader 8: Jesus (STEPHEN FOLDS)
It is written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves!”
Reader 2: Narrator (LILY GUTIERREZ)
The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he cured them. He left them, went out of the city to Bethany, and spent the night there.
Reader 3: Narrator (MYLES CRANFORD)
In the morning, when he returned to the city, he was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the side of the road, he went to it and found nothing at all on it but leaves. Then he said to it,
Reader 8: Jesus (STEPHEN FOLDS)
May no fruit ever come from you again!
Reader 3: Narrator (MYLES CRANFORD)
And the fig tree withered at once.
Reader 4: Narrator (SAVANNAH SOUTHERN-SMITH)
Once, when he was in one of the cities, there was a man covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground and begged him:
(Luke 5:12-16)
Reader 7: Leper (ASHLEY WOODS)
Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.
Reader 4: Narrator (SAVANNAH SOUTHERN-SMITH)
Then Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said,
Reader 8: Jesus (STEPHEN FOLDS)
I do choose. Be made clean.
Reader 1: Narrator (TOM GRODE)
Immediately the leprosy left him.
Reader 2: Narrator (ROSIE GUTIERREZ)
But now, more than ever, the word about Jesus spread abroad. Many crowds would gather to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray.
Everything’s Alright, reprise – Mary Magdalene & Jesus
I Don’t Know How to Love Him – Mary Magdalene
Reader 3: Narrator (MYLES CRANFORD)
Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that
his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. (John 13:1-2)
Reader 4: Narrator (SAVANNAH SOUTHERN-SMITH)
Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said,
Reader 5: Judas (ALL VOICES)
What will you give me if I betray him to you?
Reader 4: Narrator (SAVANNAH SOUTHERN-SMITH)
They paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him. (Matthew 26: 14-16)
Reader 1: Narrator (TOM GRODE)
Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. So, Jesus sent Peter and John, saying:
Reader 8: Jesus (STEPHEN FOLDS)
Go and prepare the Passover meal for us that we may eat it.
Reader 2: Narrator (LILY GUTIERREZ)
So they went and found everything as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover meal.
Reader 3: Narrator (MYLES CRANFORD)
When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him.
He said to them,
Reader 8: Jesus (STEPHEN FOLDS)
I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God. (Luke 21:15-21)
Reader 3: Narrator (MYLES CRANFORD)
While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to his
disciples, and said:
Reader 8: Jesus (STEPHEN FOLDS)
Take, eat; this is my body.
Reader 1: Narrator (TOM GRODE)
Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks to God, he gave it to them, saying,
Reader 8: Jesus (STEPHEN FOLDS) PASTOR PREPARES ELEMENTS AT THIS TIME
Drink from it, all of you;
For this is my blood of the covenant,
Which is poured out for you, and for many
for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it,
in remembrance of me.
The Last Supper – Jesus and Disciples (Congregation)
[You are invited to partake of the elements you have at home during the song]
Reader 2: Narrator (ROSIE GUTIERREZ)
When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Jesus said to them.
Reader 8: Jesus (STEPHEN FOLDS)
You will all become deserters; for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered.
Reader 3: Narrator (MYLES CRANFORD)
Peter said to him,
Reader 10: Peter (OLUSHEYI BANJO)
Even though all become deserters, I will not.
Reader 8: Jesus (STEPHEN FOLDS)
Truly I tell you, this day, this very night, before the cock crows twice,
you will deny me three times.
Reader 10: Peter (OLUSHEYI BANJO)
Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.
Reader 4: Narrator (SAVANNAH SOUTHERN-SMITH)
And all of them said the same.
Reader 1: Narrator (TOM GRODE)
They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples,
Reader 8: Jesus (STEPHEN FOLDS)
Sit here while I pray.
Reader 2: Narrator (LILY GUTIERREZ)
He took with him Peter and James and John,
and began to be distressed and agitated.
and he said to them,
Reader 8: Jesus (STEPHEN FOLDS)
I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.
Reader 3: Narrator (MYLES CRANFORD)
And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. He said,
Reader 8: Jesus (STEPHEN FOLDS)
Abba, Father, for you all things are possible;
remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want,
but what you want.
Reader 4: Narrator (SAVANNAH SOUTHERN-SMITH)
Three times he returned and found his disciples sleeping. Finally, he said to them,
Reader 8: Jesus (STEPHEN FOLDS)
Are you still sleeping and taking your rest?
Enough! The hour has come;
the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.
Reader 1: Narrator (TOM GRODE)
Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived;
And with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests,
the scribes and the elders.
Now, the betrayer had given them a sign, saying,
Reader 5: Judas (ALL VOICES)
The one I will kiss is the man; Arrest him and lead him away under guard.
Reader 2: Narrator (ROSIE GUTIERREZ)
So when he came, Judas went up to him at once and said,
Reader 5: Judas (ALL VOICES)
Rabbi!
Reader 3: Narrator (MYLES CRANFORD)
And Judas kissed him.
Reader 4: Narrator (SAVANNAH SOUTHERN-SMITH)
Then the soldiers laid hands on Jesus and arrested him.
Reader 1: Narrator (TOM GRODE)
But Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the
high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The
servant’s name was Malchus.
What’s the Buzz, reprise – Jesus and Disciples (Congregation)
Reader 8: Jesus (STEPHEN FOLDS)
Peter, put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to
drink the cup that the Father has given me? (John 18:10)
Reader 2: Narrator (LILY GUTIERREZ)
They took Jesus to the high priest; and all the chief priests, the elders and the scribes were
assembled.
Reader 3: Narrator (MYLES CRANFORD)
Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the guards, warming himself at the fire.
Reader 4: Narrator (SAVANNAH SOUTHERN-SMITH)
Now the chief priests and the whole council were
looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death;
but they found none. For many gave false testimony against him,
and their testimony did not agree. Then the high priest, Caiaphas, stood up before them and
asked Jesus,
Reader 11: Caiaphas (LAUREN KORCZAKOWSKI)
Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One? (Mark 14:61)
Reader 8: Jesus (STEPHEN FOLDS)
I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple.
I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them;
they know what I said. (John 18:20)
Reader 1: Narrator (TOM GRODE)
Then the high priest tore his clothes and said:
Reader 11: Caiaphas (LAUREN KORCZAKOWSKI)
Why do we still need witnesses? You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?
Reader 2: Narrator (ROSIE GUTIERREZ)
All of them condemned him as deserving death.
While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by.
When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said,
Reader 7: Servant Girl (IOLANI BRIDEAU)
You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.
Reader 3: Narrator (MYLES CRANFORD)
But he denied it saying,
Peter: (OLUSHEYI BANJO)
I do not know what you are talking about.
Reader 4: Narrator (SAVANNAH SOUTHERN-SMITH)
Then the cock crowed. And the servant-girl, on seeing him again, began to say to the bystanders:
Reader 7: Servant Girl (IOLANI BRIDEAU)
This man is one of them!
Reader 1: Narrator (TOM GRODE)
But again he denied it. One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had
cut off, asked, (John 18:28)
Reader 7: Servant Girl (IOLANI BRIDEAU)
Did I not see you in the garden with him?
Reader 2: Narrator (LILY GUTIERREZ)
But he began to curse, and he swore an oath,
Peter: (OLUSHEYI BANJO)
I do not know this man you are talking about!
Reader 3: Narrator (MYLES CRANFORD)
At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered
that Jesus had said to him,
Reader 8: Jesus (STEPHEN FOLDS)
Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.
Reader 4: Narrator (SAVANNAH SOUTHERN-SMITH)
And he broke down and wept.
Reader 1: Narrator (TOM GRODE)
When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was
condemned, he repented and brought back the 30
pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. He said:
Reader 5: Judas (ALL VOICES)
I have sinned by betraying innocent blood!
I Don’t Know How to Love Him, reprise – Judas/Peter/Mary & Congregation
Reader 2: Narrator (ROSE GUTIERREZ)
Throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself.
(Matthew 27:3-5)
Judas’ Requiem
Reader 3: Narrator (MYLES CRANFORD)
As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the
whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate asked him,
Reader 12: Pilate (GINNY BRIDEAU)
Are you the King of the Jews?
Reader 8: Jesus (STEPHEN FOLDS)
You say that I am. For this, I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.
Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.
Reader 4: Narrator (SAVANNAH SOUTHERN-SMITH)
Pilate asked him:
Reader 12: Pilate (GINNY BRIDEAU)
What is truth?
Reader 1: Narrator (TOM GRODE)
Now at the festival, Pilate used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked.
Reader 2: Narrator (LILY GUTIERREZ)
Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. So, the crown came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom.
Then he answered them,
Reader 12: Pilate (GINNY BRIDEAU)
Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?
Reader 3: Narrator (MYLES CRANFORD)
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead.
Pilate spoke to them again,
Reader 12: Pilate (GINNY BRIDEAU)
Then what do you wish me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews?
ALL except Pilate:
Crucify him!
Reader 12: Pilate (GINNY BRIDEAU)
Why, what evil has he done?
All except Pilate:
Crucify him!
Reader 4: Narrator (SAVANNAH SOUTHERN-SMITH)
So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he
handed him over to be crucified.
Reader 12: Pilate (GINNY BRIDEAU) - video
[Counting, slowly to 40]
Heaven on My Mind plays with increasing crescendo while Pilate is counting
Reader 12: Pilate (GINNY BRIDEAU)
I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.
Reader 1: Narrator (TOM GRODE)
So Pilate released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.
Reader 2: Narrator (LILY GUTIERREZ)
Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace and they clothed him in a purple cloak;
and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him. And they began saluting him.
ALL:
Hail King of the Jews!
(Cross brought down center aisle.)
Reader 3: Narrator (MYLES CRANFORD)
They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt down in homage to him.
After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him.
Then they led him out to crucify him.
Reader 4: Narrator (SAVANNAH SOUTHERN-SMITH)
They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha, which means the place of a skull.
And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh but he did not take it.
Reader 1: Narrator (TOM GRODE)
And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them,
casting lots to decide what each should take.
Reader 2: Narrator (ROSIE GUTIERREZ)
It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him.
(NINE CHIMES)
Reader 3: Narrator (MYLES CRANFORD)
The inscription of the charge against him read,
“The King of the Jews.”
Reader 4: Narrator (SAVANNAH SOUTHERN-SMITH)
When it was about noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.
Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice said,
Reader 8: Jesus (STEPHEN FOLDS)
My God, My God! Why have you forsaken me?
Reader 1: Narrator (TOM GRODE)
Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.
SILENCE
Reader 2: Narrator (LILY GUTIERREZ)
And the curtain in the temple was torn in two,
from top to bottom.
Reader 3: Narrator (MYLES CRANFORD)
When the centurion saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said,
Reader 9: Centurion (IOLANI BRIDEAU)
Truly, this man was the Son of God!
Reader 4: Narrator (SAVANNAH SOUTHERN-SMITH)
When it was evening there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was a secret
disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus;
and Pilate ordered it to be given to him.
Reader 3: (MYLES CRANFORD)
So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb
which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away.
Reader 6: Mary (MANDY MCDOW)
Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Joses were there, sitting opposite the tomb.
They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with spices in linen cloths. (Mark 18:47)
Reader 1: Narrator (TOM GRODE)
And so they laid Jesus there, and then rolled a greatsStone across the door of the tomb.
Jesus Christ Superstar – Judas and Congregation