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
Float - 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 BIBLE STUDY, Monday, January 25: Week 28, “Freedom” - The Book of Galatians
Time: 5:30 - 7:00 PM PST
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/598868178?pwd=U1B2YjZYWURDRXJXMStKajI3L1RWZz09
Monday, Feb. 1 at 5:30, Week 29, “Training,” - The Books of 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus
Monday, Feb. 8 at 5:30, Week 30, “Sacrifice,” - The Book of Hebrews
Monday, Feb. 22 at 5:30, Week 31, “Holy,” - The Books of 1 & 2 Peter, Leviticus 11, 19; Isaiah 52-53, 55-56
Monday, March 1 at 5:30, Week 32, “Victory,” The Book of Revelation
Monday, March 8 at 5:30, Week 33, “Ministry,” The gifts of each disciple
Monday, March 15 at 5:30, Week 34, “Remember,” A Last Supper Together (Holy Week)
Upcoming Sermon Series:
January 10: Baptism of the Lord
January 17: Justice Roll Down Like a Mighty Stream, Andrew Janey preaching
January 24: Time After Time
January 31: Speaking as One With Authority
February 7: Power In Humility
February 14: Transfiguration Sunday
February 17: ASH WEDNESDAY
Rev. Rob Lee’s Pandemic Revival: January 17th-21st 2021
Rev. Rob Lee loves the art and craft of proclaiming God’s love through preaching. We recognize this past year has been hard, so Pastor Rob has created a revival for our church in the online space—and he did not disappoint. Consider this a “greatest hits” of some of the best preachers of our day. From Florida to Tennessee to North Carolina to California to London, England we have preachers coming to us to offer a word of love and hope during these most troubling times. We hope you will check this out and visit us as these pre-recorded sermons are aired the week of January 17th. We will offer a full service with music courtesy of First United Methodist Church of Los Angeles and the Rev. Mandy McDow who preached our homecoming service this year.
Virtual Celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. featuring Rev. James Lawson
Monday, January 18, 11am – 12:30pm PST
Featuring Keynote Speaker Rev. James M. Lawson, recognized as America's “architect of the nonviolence movement."
An activist, theorist and professor, Rev. Lawson trained and mentored leaders behind the Freedom Rides, Freedom Summer, the March on Washington, the Voting Rights Movement, the Memphis Sanitation Strike, and many other transformative actions.
Hosted and emceed by Shelley Henderson, JD, MLS, President of the National Women’s Leadership Council.
Uplifting The King Center’s 2021 King Holiday Observance Theme, “The Urgency of Creating the Beloved Community.”
Of this year’s theme, The King Center reminds us that “Mrs. King described the ‘Beloved Community’ as a society where ‘caring and compassion drive political policies that support the worldwide elimination of poverty and hunger and all forms of bigotry and violence. At its core, the ‘Beloved Community’ is an engine of reconciliation.’”
National Women’s Leadership Council National Panhellenic Council, OC Chapter Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 100 Black Men of OC New Spirit Baptist Church OC Black Chamber of Commerce Women for American Values and Ethics (WAVE) National Women's Political Caucus, Orange County Chapter Democratic Party of Orange County And more to be announced!
For additional ways to take action with Presidential Inaugural Committee and participate in the National Day of Service, click here!
RSVP: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZErfuCsrjsqGdGQZC73senN1RJIow1Floez
A Path Forward Through and Out of COVID-19: The Vaccine and The Black Perspective
Saturday, February 20, 2021, 1 PM-6:30 PM EST
A Virtual Town Hall and a monumental discussion on health, healing and the Black Church.
The Reid Temple Healthy Communities Initiative presents A Virtual Town Hall and a monumental discussion on health, healing and the Black Church. Join us for A Path Forward Through and Out of COVID-19: The Vaccine and The Black Perspective with special guest Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, Congresswoman Karen Bass, Bishop James L. Davis and our Pastor Rev. Dr. Mark E. Whitlock and more. Sat. February 20, 2021 at 1PM EST. Stream Stream LIVE online at reidtemple.org/watch, Facebook, and YouTube @reidtempleame
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Covid Testing
Updated for 1/2/21: The LA City Mobile Testing Group is bringing COVID-19 testing to communities throughout the City for those who are unable to drive to a testing site.
✅ No appointment necessary
✅Tests are free with or without insurance
Learn more:Coronavirus.LACity.org/MobileTesting
Earthquake Preparedness
ShakeAlertLA is being retired as of 12/31/20. We now recommend the @MyShakeApp Earthquake Early Warning mobile app. Get potentially life-saving seconds by knowing when to drop, cover, and hold with the statewide @MyShakeApp. Download today!
Relief Grant
GRANT ALERT: The State of California has a new grant opportunity available for small businesses! Visit careliefgrant.com to learn eligibility requirements and get your documents ready.
The application is now open and closes on Friday, January 8.
COVID-19 vaccines are here!
Health care workers and residents in long-term care will be the first to be vaccinated. As the supply increases, those with the highest risk and potential exposure to COVID-19 will receive vaccines. Learn more about the vaccine: covid19.ca.gov/vaccines
CALL TO PRAYER: We Shall Overcome - 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: I Samuel 3:1-20, NRSV
Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.
At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ and he said, ‘Here I am!’ and ran to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ But he said, ‘I did not call; lie down again.’ So he went and lay down. The Lord called again, ‘Samuel!’ Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ But he said, ‘I did not call, my son; lie down again.’ Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, ‘Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” ’ So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’ Then the Lord said to Samuel, ‘See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make both ears of anyone who hears of it tingle. On that day I will fulfil against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. For I have told him that I am about to punish his house for ever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be expiated by sacrifice or offering for ever.’
Samuel lay there until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. But Eli called Samuel and said, ‘Samuel, my son.’ He said, ‘Here I am.’ Eli said, ‘What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also, if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.’ So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. Then he said, ‘It is the Lord; let him do what seems good to him.’
As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was a trustworthy prophet of the Lord.
One: This is the Word of God for us, the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God!
Sermon: God Knows My Name - Andrew Janey
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: Earth Song - 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