Order of Worship for Sunday, January 10 - Baptism of the Lord

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Call to Worship - You are invited to light a candle in your home to welcome the presence of the Holy Spirit

Let the Day Begin - 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 11: Week 27, “Love” - The Book of 1 Corinthians
Time: 5:30 - 7:00 PM PST
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/598868178?pwd=U1B2YjZYWURDRXJXMStKajI3L1RWZz09
Monday, Jan. 25 at 5:30 - Week 28, “Freedom,” - The Book of Galatians
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

EL DORADO: VOL. 1 and SONGS FOR THE SEASON

UMW Meeting: Today at 5:00 via Zoom - Contact office @ LAFirstUMC.org for details!

Church Council Meeting: Tuesday at 6:30 PM via Zoom

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.

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: Take Me To the River - 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: Mark 1:4-11, NRSV

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’

One: This is the Word of God for us, the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God! 

Sermon: Baptism of the Lord: You Are My Child, In You I Am Well Pleased - Rev. Mandy McDow

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REAFFIRMING OUR BAPTISMAL COVENANT: UMC Book of Worship

Sblings in Christ:
through the sacrament of baptism
God's Spirit has been poured out upon water,
water poured over and immersing us,
water that flows freely for all who will receive it,
water from the streams of God's saving power and justice,
water that brings hope to all who thirst for righteousness,
water that refreshes life, nurtures growth, and offers new birth.

Today we come to the waters,
to renew our commitments
in each other's presence
to Christ who has raised us,
the Spirit who has birthed us,
and the Creator who is making all things new.

Renunciation of Sin and Profession of Faith

On behalf of the whole Church, I ask you:
Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness,
reject the evil powers of this world,
and repent of your sin?

I do.

Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you
to resist evil, injustice, and oppression
in whatever forms they present themselves?

I do.

Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior,
put your whole trust in his grace,
and promise to serve him as your Lord,

in union with the Church which Christ has opened
to people of all ages, nations, and races?

I do.

Will you be living witnesses to the gospel, individually and together, wherever you are, and in all that you do?

We will remain faithful members of Christ's holy church
And serve as Christ's representatives in the world. 

Will you receive and profess the Christian faith as contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments?

We affirm and teach the faith of the whole church
as we put our trust
in God, the Father Almighty.
in Jesus Christ, his only Son.
and in the Holy Spirit,
one God now and forever. 

Thanksgiving Over the Water
The Spirit of the Lord is with us.
Even so, come Lord Jesus!
Let us pray.

Almighty God, the life you birthed in us
by baptism into Jesus Christ
will never die.
Your justice never fails.
Your mercy is everlasting.

Come upon us, Holy Spirit!
Come upon these waters.
Let these waters remind us of your righteousness and justice.
Let these waters renew in us the resurrection power of Jesus.
Let these waters make us long for your coming reign.
Glory to you! Almighty God, Jesus Christ, Spirit of fire, Spirit over the waters, Spirit of holiness!
All glory is yours, now and forever. Amen!

Remember that you are baptized, and rejoice!

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 BAPTISMAL REMEMBRANCE: Down to the River to Pray - 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

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