Call to Worship - You are invited to light a candle in your home to welcome the presence of the Holy Spirit
Turn, Turn, Turn - 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
February 14: Chapter 29
EPIPHANY SERMON SERIES: JANUARY 2 - FEBRUARY 27 - SUBVERSIVE RESOLUTIONS
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
United Methodist Resources:
Church Council Meeting: Tuesday, Februray 15 at 6:30 pm via Zoom
UMW Meeting
The next UMW Meeting is planned for February 20th. Reach out to Sara if you would like to join in.
Super Bowl Challenge to Beat Hunger:
We have received a challenge from clergy and laity in the Cincinnati area and Bishop Gregory Palmer of the West Ohio Annual Conference has challenged Bishop Hagiya to use this weekend’s big game between the Rams and Bengals to do good.
Los Angeles is rallying behind our NFL Rams as they prepare to play the Cincinnati Bengals for Super Bowl LVI on Sunday evening, February 13, 2022, United Methodists in both cities are rallying for good. Without the typical trash talk of loyal fans, United Methodist congregations and individuals in each city are committing to raising food resources and financial support to address food insecurity in both cities.
To participate in this challenge, your local church is encouraged to collect funds (or food) for a project that addresses hunger.
Leading United Methodists in both cities have challenged one another other to give food or funds to feed people experiencing food insecurity in their communities. We encourage you to donate to Skid Row Coffee in an effort to support their work and the provision of healthy food and coffee to the Skid Row community.
Recognizing Skid Row as a Neighborhood: A Project by Tom Grode
Black History Month: Activity for Kids
Do you know these Black United Methodist History-Markers? Look up these history-makers from our church and unscramble their names as an activity.
Call to Prayer and Support for Tonga
Please join Bishop Grant J. Hagiya in your regular prayers for our Tongan siblings and for the physical island itself. We ask God to watch over the Tongan people, animals, and land. We ask God to move us to send relief in the form of donations as well as these prayers. May the Island of Tonga know that we hold them in our daily prayers! Donations for relief can be sent to the California-Pacific Conference at P.O. Box 6006, Pasadena, CA 91102-6006. Please mark any donations with “Tongan Relief” on your check or electronic offering here.
The 2022 GBHEM Methodist scholarship app is now open! The deadline is March 24th. They gave Lauren a scholarship last year, and it really helped her out. She wants to pass this along to all students. https://www.gbhem.org/loans-scholarships/scholarships/apply/
Get insight into mental health issues
WesPath is offering two virtual seminars on mental health first aid will be offered on March 10 and 24. The free events will be led by Chris White, a hostage and crisis negotiator and mental health trainer: https://bit.ly/3GTfn6N
Podcast discusses ministry with Deaf community
In the latest “Meet in the Middle” podcast, the Rev. Drew Gordon talks with the Rev. Leo Yates Jr., an ordained deacon in the Baltimore-Washington Conference who has written several books on Deaf ministry and services. They discuss personal experiences in the Deaf community and how churches can assist in building ministry for the Deaf, Deaf/blind and those who are losing their hearing as they mature.
Listen to podcast
COMMUNITY RESOURCES:
TODAY is Super Bowl Sunday
Please use caution when driving. Metro is also offering discounts on public transportation.
Remind any of your friends going to the LA Convention Center for the "Super Bowl Experience", that they can park safely, affordably, and nearby at our church owned parking lot at 1020 S. Flower Street Los Angeles, CA 90015.
If you are planning on going, you can use your LA First UMC Parking sticker to park for free. Just make sure to point it out to the attendants.
Free at-home COVID-19 tests: https://www.covidtests.gov
Every home in the U.S. can soon order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests. The tests will be completely free—there are no shipping costs and you don’t need to enter a credit card number. Ordering begins January 19: Click here to order your tests.
30 Seats Available on LA City Youth Council, 2 from Each District
Young Angelenos are not only our future, they are our present and they deserve a voice in shaping our city. The LA City Youth Dept. is now accepting applications for its first ever LA City Youth Council. For more information visit youthcouncil.lacity.org. Apps close 2/28.
Comeback Checks for Small Businesses
Round three applications open January 24th, for the $25M “Comeback Checks” program. $5K grants are available for 5,000 LA City small businesses. Applications close December 3rd. For more info, click here.
Sliding Scale Therapy at the Maple Center
As Ashley mentioned last week, the Maple Center is a great place to start if you want to find resources for mental health. They do therapy on an income based sliding scale, and are very respectful and caring people. https://www.maple4counseling.org/
Homeowners, the California Mortgage Relief Program application portal is open! Visit https://camortgagerelief.org/
LAUSD COVID-19 Response
What should I do if my child tests positive for COVID-19?
If your child tests positive, LA Public Health will call you, and it will show up as LA Public Health or 1-833-641-0305 on your caller ID. Contact tracers will ask questions to help stop COVID19's spread. They won't ask for sensitive info. #WeAreAllIn because what happens in the classroom is as critical as what happens outside. Please contact your school district to learn more about school-site testing. #GetTested by visiting covid19.lacounty.gov/testing. #WeAreAllIn when it comes to ensuring student success & the health & wellbeing of everyone in our school communities.
Food Equity
1 in 10 residents struggles with food insecurity. LA County has convened the Food Equity Roundtable to address systemic inequities in our food system. Govt, philanthropy & nonprofit leaders will soon issue a blueprint for change. Have ideas? Email lafoodequityroundtable@gmail.com
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
CALL TO PRAYER: Open Your Eyes
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: Luke 6:17-26, NRSV
He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them.
Then he looked up at his disciples and said:
‘Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
‘Blessed are you who are hungry now,
for you will be filled.
‘Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
‘Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.
‘But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation.
‘Woe to you who are full now,
for you will be hungry.
‘Woe to you who are laughing now,
for you will mourn and weep.
‘Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.
One: This is the Word of God for us, the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God!
Sermon: SUBVERSIVE RESOLUTIONS: Blessed Are You Who Weep Now - 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.
MUSIC DURING COMMUNION: Living Faith - 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