Call to Worship - You are invited to light a candle in your home to welcome the presence of the Holy Spirit
Jesus Is Just Alright - 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
DISCIPLE 2 BIBLE STUDY: Mondays at 5:30 PM via Zoom
November 15: Chapter 23 - Learning to Follow
Day 1: Luke 14:25-35 - Estimate the Cost; 15 - The Search for the Lost
Day 2: Luke 16 - Money: the Shrewd Manager, the Rich Man and Lazarus
Day 3: Luke 17 - Sin, Faith, Gratitude, Preparedness
Day 4: Luke 18 - The Persistent Widow, Pharisee and Tax Collector, The Rich Ruler, Jesus’ Suffering Foretold
Day 5: Luke 19:1-27 - Zacchaeus, Ten Pounds; Matthew 25:14-46 - Judgment
Day 6: Study Manual, p. 176-183
November 22: No Class
November 29: Chapter 24 - Sent as Witnesses
Day 1: Luke 19:28-48 - Palm Sunday
Day 2: Luke 20-21 - Teaching in the Temple
Day 3: Luke 22 - Betrayal, Passover Meal, the Garden, Arrest and Trial
Day 4: Luke 23 - Crucifixion and Burial
Day 5: Luke 24 - Resurrection and Empty Tomb, Emmaus Road, the Great Command
Day 6: Study Manual, p. 184-19
December 6: 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
December 13: Chapter 26 - Community in Jerusalem
Day 1: Acts 6 - Seven Deacons, Stephen Charged
Day 2: Acts 7 - Stephen’s Speech, First Martyr
Day 3: Acts 8 - Philip, Peter, and John in Samaria; the Ethiopian Eunuch
Day 4: Acts 9:1-31 - Saul’s Conversion
Day 5: Galatians 1 - Paul, an Apostle
Day 6: Study Manual, p. 200-207
December 20: Chapter 27 - Missionary Zeal
December 27: No Class
January 3: No Class
January 10: Chapter 28 - Count It Joy
January 17: No Class
January 24: Chapter 29 - Fellowship of Courage
January 31: Chapter 30 - Temples, Politics, and Business
Februray 7: Chapter 31 - Boldness for the Gospel
February 14: Chapter 32 - Ordering Our Lives
Sermon Series: September 12-November 21
Listening to the stories of Biblical characters to learn about their journey of faith
We have a NEW new mailing address!
When we are able to meet in person, we will still be congregating in our tents under the blue California sky on the corner of Flower & Olympic in the heart of DTLA, but if you need to send anything to the church via snail mail, here is the address you can reach us at:
Los Angeles First United Methodist Church
P.O. Box 173, South Pasadena CA 91031
CHARGE CONFERENCE: Tuesday, November 16 at 7:00 PM via Zoom, Rev. Mark Nakagawa, presiding
Haiti Assistance
If you are wondering how you can help, one way is to donate to the United Methodist Committee on Relief:
https://umcmission.org/umcor/
Also Abby Walters Blackmon, a friend of the church, recommends www.harvestfieldhaiti.org/donate-now. Harvestfield Ministry is the ministry she and Greg are involved with. A hundred percent of the donations to Harvestfield goes to support the community of Les Anglais, the community they serve. Abby and Greg have gone to Haiti several times a year on alternating tours for several years. Both are doctors and go to offer medical help.
From our friends at Now Art LA: Attention artists! Are you an artist living and/or working in Downtown Los Angeles? We are searching for artists across all mediums as we compile a comprehensive directory of artists in DTLA. Simply answer a few short questions on this Google Form. https://bit.ly/3DRXVxl
Basic Universal Income Pilot Program
Do you need financial help? The City of LA can help with the largest guaranteed basic income pilot program in the country. To find out if you qualify, visit bigleap.lacity.org.
Applications are open from Oct. 29 until Nov. 7th.
Comeback Checks Program for Small Businesses
Applications opened Tuesday, October 26, for the $25M “Comeback Checks” COVID-19 financial recovery program. $5,000 grants are available for 5,000 small businesses located and operated within the City of Los Angeles. Applications are due by November 2, 2021. For more information and to apply, click here.
Pizza Sociale is hiring!
Pizza Sociale, 448 W Olympic Blvd, is now hiring cashiers and pizza chefs. To apply, visit in person, or apply online here.
LA Animal Services' Pet Food Pantry program provides pet food every Sunday from 1 p.m. - 4p.m., to families in Los Angeles needing assistance to feed their pets. To schedule an appointment for The Pet Food Pantry, please visit laanimalservices.com/petfoodpantry/.
LA Department of Cultural Affairs seeks artists for upcoming LA Sanitation and Environment (LASAN) projects. Selected artists and artist teams will be eligible to develop proposals for permanent public art commissions at new LASAN facilities. Learn more at: culturela.org/calls
L.A. renters & landlords: LA City’s eviction protections are still in effect, even as many State protections are scheduled to expire 10/1. Rent & utility assistance is also still available for renters & landlords impacted by COVID-19. Learn more at Coronavirus.LACity.org/Rent.
LA Small Business Academy
The City of Los Angeles is inviting interested entrepreneurs and small business owners in the professional/personal services sector to apply to the LA Small Business Academy. A series of five virtual classes will be held in Oct-Dec. For more information and to apply, click here.
LA City in partnership with Mastercard has launched the Angeleno Connect Program, which provides access to:
-Free, contactless banking
-City services & economic relief programs
-Digital resources & more
-low- or no-cost home internet service and devices, including free internet for K-12 students
https://www.lacity.org/AngelenoConnect
Free, live one-on-one help with school work is available through the LA Public Library every day 11am-11pm for K-12 students and adult learners in 40+ subjects. To learn more, visit https://lapl.org/studentsuccess
Qualifying renters and landlords are now eligible for 100% of rent and utilities owed. City of LA renters and landlords can NOW apply! Visit https://housing.ca.gov/ or call 833-430-2122 for more info.
FRIDAYS: Dance DTLA
Dance DTLA is returning to the Music Center tomorrow to start five Friday nights of free in-person lessons and dancing under the stars on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. Click here for more information.
Mask Mandate for Los Angeles
As the Covid cases increase, please remember we are required to wear masks indoors to keep ourselves and others safe.
Flu Shots:
Getting a flu shot is fast, easy, and convenient. 💪 Get yours today: Call 2-1-1 or go to: https://admin.publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/FluSeason/index1.htm
COVID Updates:
You can get your digital vaccination record:
myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov healthvana.com 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:
Pfizer's COVID-19 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
CALL TO PRAYER: How Firm A Foundation- 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 Lesson: 1 Samuel 1:4-20, 1 Samuel 2:1-10, NRSV, Narrated by Rumana Fouzia & Debbie Bowlus
On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters; but to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. Her rival used to provoke her severely, to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it went on year after year; as often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. Her husband Elkanah said to her, ‘Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? Why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?’
After they had eaten and drunk at Shiloh, Hannah rose and presented herself before the Lord. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord, and wept bitterly. She made this vow: ‘O Lord of hosts, if only you will look on the misery of your servant, and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a male child, then I will set him before you as a nazirite until the day of his death. He shall drink neither wine nor intoxicants, and no razor shall touch his head.’
As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth.Hannah was praying silently; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought she was drunk. So Eli said to her, ‘How long will you make a drunken spectacle of yourself? Put away your wine.’ But Hannah answered, ‘No, my lord, I am a woman deeply troubled; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation all this time.’Then Eli answered, ‘Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him.’ And she said, ‘Let your servant find favour in your sight.’ Then the woman went to her quarters, ate and drank with her husband, and her countenance was sad no longer.
They rose early in the morning and worshipped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. Elkanah knew his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. In due time Hannah conceived and bore a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, ‘I have asked him of the Lord.’
Hannah’s Prayer
Hannah prayed and said,
‘My heart exults in the Lord;
my strength is exalted in my God.
My mouth derides my enemies,
because I rejoice in my victory.
‘There is no Holy One like the Lord,
no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.
Talk no more so very proudly,
let not arrogance come from your mouth;
for the Lord is a God of knowledge,
and by him actions are weighed.
The bows of the mighty are broken,
but the feeble gird on strength.
Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
but those who were hungry are fat with spoil.
The barren has borne seven,
but she who has many children is forlorn.
The Lord kills and brings to life;
he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
he brings low, he also exalts.
He raises up the poor from the dust;
he lifts the needy from the ash heap,
to make them sit with princes
and inherit a seat of honour.
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s,
and on them he has set the world.
‘He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,
but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness;
for not by might does one prevail.
The Lord! His adversaries shall be shattered;
the Most High will thunder in heaven.
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;
he will give strength to his king,
and exalt the power of his anointed.’
One: This is the Word of God for us, the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God!
Sermon: Wisdom in Discerning God’s Will - 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 Prayer
Our 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.
CLOSING SONG: Great Is Thy Faithfulness- 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