Call to Worship - You are invited to light a candle in your home to welcome the presence of the Holy Spirit
Call to Worship
One: Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
Many: Christ is Risen, indeed! Alleluia!
One: Easter people, raise your voices!
Many: Jesus Christ, our King, is risen!
One: Now we are the ones to shout, “Where, O Death, is your victory?”
Many: Jesus Christ is risen! Alleluia! Amen!
Superstar - El Dorado
Welcome - Stephen Folds
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today - 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.
TOP 5 ANNOUNCEMENTS
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:
Come to the Table: a Conference-Wide Bible Study
Conference-wide Bible Study begins the week of May 8, 2022. All are invited to register and participate for three consecutive weeks, via ZOOM. https://bit.ly/3jp4dwe
The California-Pacific United Methodist Foundation is pleased to announce its Grants and Scholarship Program for 2022.
The Foundation will be making grants and scholarships of over $170,000 this year:
Scholarships are available for undergraduate students affiliated with churches within our Annual Conference from the Lois Balsley Scholarship Fund.
Continuing Education grants are available to Elders and Deacons who are members of the Annual Conference.
Ministry Grants are available for Children’s Ministry, Youth Ministry, Sr. Adult Ministry, International Workteams, Church Growth, and Urban Ministry.
Scholarship applications are due April 30; Ministry & Continuing Education Grant applications due May 6, 2022. Applications are available on the Foundation website at www.cpumf.org
The California-Pacific Conference and its Disaster Response Task Force are seeking volunteers to work on restoring living quarters for refugees on the CST campus in Claremont, California. For questions, contact Judy Lewis at DFJKLewis@aol.com or 909.731.8248. https://bit.ly/3uYkj5u
A Quick Guide to Overt and Covert Racism shared by the UMC's Commision on Race and Religion
The 38th Annual Session of the California-Pacific Conference will be held over four non-consecutive days and will feature in-person and online options for participants. This is a way of creating space and opportunity for connection and safety for clergy and laity.
Legislative sections (June 7) and business sessions (June 15) will be held online via Zoom; Worship, ordination mission opportunities, and other celebrations (June 17 & 18) will be held in person in Costa Mesa, CA. All plenary and business sessions will be livestreamed.
Two informational flyers have been made available for download: Save The Date (image file), When is Annual Conference 2022 (PDF).
Registration will open April 1, 2022.
u to give input on what the church in the Western Jurisdiction should look like.
General Conference Postponed until 2024
As the pandemic continues and the wait time for visas stretches to over two years in some countries, the Commission on the General Conference announced this week that the 2020 General Conference cannot be held in 2022 due to COVID-related and governmental policies/constraints.
Bishop Grant Hagiya's Easter Message
As we observe the most sacred of days for us as Christians, let me remind you that we walk the same journey as Jesus during this time. Today, we are reminded of the pain, suffering, and torture that Jesus experienced on Good Friday. It was more than any human could bear, and Jesus faced this alone with no support from those who abandoned him.
So too, in our world, people are suffering and dying in a senseless war in Ukraine, often alone and abandoned. On the Island of Tonga, people continue to suffer from the devastating effects of the volcanic eruption that caused massive damage to their island. In our country, innocent victims are suffering and dying over senseless mass shootings, and all over the world living species are being driven to extinction due to global warming and the destruction of our environment.
And yet, we know that our sacred story does not end with suffering and death. We cannot bypass Good Friday, but we also know that God has the last word. We know that if we are faithful in our sufferings, an Easter dawn will break, and God’s glory will shine forth. As we walk through the very shadow of death, let us remember that God turns the table on death itself, and resurrection takes its place in the divine order of all things.
As we truly walk the journey of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we cannot escape the suffering and death, and yet, along this same journey, life and love await us in the end. It is worth that wait. Indeed, it is worth that wait.
Be the Hope,
Bishop Grant J. Hagiya
Los Angeles Area Resident Bishop
COMMUNITY RESOURCES:
Ways to Send Aid to the People of Ukraine🇺🇦:
Over 1 million people have fled Ukraine in search of safety and refuge. While neighboring countries are opening their borders to many, the humanitarian need is overwhelming. If you are looking for a way to support the refugees, check this non-exhaustive list for organizations who are on the front lines of assistance.
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.
LA County’s Guaranteed Income Program is launching!
Eligible residents who are selected will receive $1,000 a month to help them financially breathe a bit easier.
APPLICATIONS START MARCH 31, 2022
For more details, visit breathe.lacounty.gov or respira.lacounty.gov
3 Levels of Resources for Renters and Landlord Assistance
LA: https://www.stayhousedla.org/ or call 1-888-694-0040
California: https://housing.ca.gov/ or call 833-430-2122, Applications close March 31st!
Federal: Federal Rental Assistance Program
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/
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: O Happy Day/My Sweet Lord - 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: Luke 24:1-12, NRSV
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body.While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.”Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.
One: This is the Word of God for us, the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God!
Easter Sermon: Why Do You Look For the Living Among the Dead? - 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.
Reception of New Member: Elaine Livingston
ALL: We give thanks for all that God has already given you and we welcome you in Christian love.
As members together with you in the Body of Christ, we renew our covenant faithfully to participate in the ministries of the church by our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness, that in everything, God may be glorified.
MUSIC DURING OFFERING AND 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.
Hallelujah!
