Call to Worship - You are invited to light a candle in your home to welcome the presence of the Holy Spirit
Joy to the World - 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
DISCIPLE 2 BIBLE STUDY: Mondays at 5:30 PM via Zoom
Classes will resume January 10, 2022
January 10: Chapter 25 - Chapter 25 - Acts of the Holy Spirit
Day 1: Acts 1 - Ascension, Replacement for Judas
Day 2: Acts 2 - Pentecost, Peter’s Sermon, Common Fellowship
Day 3: Acts 3 - Peter and John Heal a Lame Man
Day 4: Acts 4 - Peter and John before the Council, Praying for Boldness, Sharing
Day 5: Acts 5 - Ananias and Sapphira, Obey God not Humans
Day 6: Study Manual, p. 192-199
EPIPHANY SERMON SERIES: JANUARY 2 - FEBRUARY 27 - SUBVERSIVE RESOLUTIONS
JANUARY 2: EPIPHANY SUNDAY - THE MYSTERY HIDDEN FOR THE AGES
JANUARY 9: BAPTISM OF THE LORD - IN YOU I AM WELL PLEASED
JANUARY 16: I WILL NOT KEEP SILENT, I WILL NOT REST
JANUARY 23: LET THE OPPRESSED GO FREE!
JANUARY 30: TO PLUCK UP AND PULL DOWN, TO DESTROY AND OVERTRHOW, TO BUILD AND TO PLANT
FEBRUARY 6: BY THE GRACE OF GOD, I AM WHAT I AM
FEBRUARY 13: BLESSED ARE YOU WHEN YOU WEEP
FEBRUARY 20: DO GOOD, EXPECTING NOTHING IN RETURN
FEBRUARY 27: TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY - ALL WERE ASTOUNDED AT THE GREATNESS OF GOD
MARCH 2: ASH WEDNESDAY
VENMO: You can find us here: https://venmo.com/LAFirstUMC
PAYPAL: https://paypal.me/LAFirstUMC
SQUARE: https://checkout.square.site/pay/be673aef7fcb424e98387016d184e57d
COMMUNITY RESOURCES:
Support The Ending PUSHOUT Act
This summer, many United Methodist Women members and friends all across the country participated in the Mission u study of Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools by Dr. Monique Morris. We learned about the extreme racial disparities in discipline impacting Black girls. Addressing the deep roots of intersecting oppressions targeting Black girls is complex and long-term work. There is no simple one-and-done fix. But we can have an impact. One way we can help make change is by showing our support for an important federal bill, The Ending PUSHOUT Act, and by encouraging our loved ones to join us in action.
The Ending PUSHOUT Act of 2021 (H.R.2248):
creates a $2.5 billion fund to incentivize schools and states to abandon unfair and discriminatory disciplinary policies and practices that push children of color out of the classroom;
strengthens civil rights monitoring and enforcement;
and establishes a task force to address school pushout, with particular attention to the needs of girls of color.
Participating states and schools would be supported to invest in restorative practices, trauma-informed care, counselors, social workers and mental health professionals. Funds could not be used for police in schools. Please join us in supporting The Ending PUSHOUT Act. Already taken action in support of this bill? Multiply your impact by asking three friends to join you in taking action on this campaign.
Winter Shelters are open 11/1-3/31.
The Winter Shelter Program provides a warm place to sleep and access to supportive services to our unsheltered neighbors. If you or someone you know needs shelter visit LAHSA.org/winter-shelter or call 1 (800) 548-6047.
GreenFaith: Lauren K wanted to share this interfaith climate change group to pass along if anyone at church is interested: From coast to coast; continent to continent, our message is crystal clear: Our faiths call for an end to climate destruction and a sustainable and just future for all. https://greenfaith.org/
COVID Testing:
You can get your digital vaccination record: myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov
healthvana.com or carbonhealth.com
LA City is now offering free testing, without appointments at City-run sites. Find a site near you: Coronavirus.LACity.org/Testing. For additional COVID-19 resources: Coronavirus.LACity.org/Resources
Vaccines:
In case you missed it: Pfizer's #COVID19 vaccine is approved for kids 5-11!! Children may now get vaccinated at select, walk-up clinics county-wide. Please call ahead to check availability. Visit vaccinatelacounty.com for info or talk to your child’s doctor
All COVID-19 vaccines are now approved for boosters - Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. People may also receive booster doses that are different than their original vaccine. For more info and to make an appointment, visit bit.ly/3m3Uspo--
CVS is already prepared to administer boosters. You can make an appointment for the booster of your choice at https://www.cvs.com/vaccine/intake/store/covid-screener/covid-qns
Vaccine requirements are in effect, LA County is providing mobile vaccinations, testing vendors, as well as a toolkit for owners of bars and businesses that serve alcohol, as well as for those running mega events. For more info visit, ph.lacounty.gov/coronavirus
California residents can now request in-home vaccinations and/or transit assistance to get vaccinated by registering at MyTurn.ca.gov or by calling the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) COVID-19 Call Center at 1-833-422-4255.
Everyone 12 years and older in LA County is now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Children 12-17 are only eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine—to find a location near you, visit bit.ly/PfizerSites. Learn more about the vaccines at vaccinatelacounty.com.
Need a ride? Uber and Lyft are providing free rides to and from vaccination sites. Don't have the apps? Call 833-540-0473 to book your ride.
There are several vaccine sites set up by Carbon Health that you can check: https://carbonhealth.com/
LA County: http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/vaccine/index.htm
Orange County residents and workers: Register for a vaccination appointment at https://othena.com
MUSIC TO CENTER OUR HEARTS: It Came Upon a Midnight Clear - 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.
Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-12, NRSV
This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given to me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow-heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.
One: This is the Word of God for us, the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God!
Sermon: EPIPHANY: The Mystery Hidden for the Ages - Rev. Mandy McDow
A Blessing of the Chalk for Marking the Door
Lord Jesus, through your Incarnation and birth in true human form, you have made all the earth holy. We now ask your blessing upon this simple gift of your creation — chalk. We use it as a tool to teach our children, and they use it as a tool in their play and games. Now, with your blessing, may it become a tool for us to mark the doors of our home with the symbols of your wise servants who, so long ago, came to worship and adore you in your first home.
People in turn mark the doorway with one or more of the symbols:
2021 C M B 2022
May we and all who come to visit, to work, and to play, remember these things throughout the coming year. May all who come and go here find peace, comfort, joy, hope, love, and salvation, for Christ has come to dwell in this house and in these hearts.
All: May we be Christ's light in the world. Amen.
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: This Joy - 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