Order of Worship for Sunday, July 25: Cultivate Satisfaction

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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

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, July 26, Chapter 12 - Amid the Struggle, God Provides 
Time
: 5:30 - 7:00 PM PST
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/598868178?pwd=U1B2YjZYWURDRXJXMStKajI3L1RWZz09

GENESIS-EXODUS
July 26: Chapter 12 - Amid the Struggle God Provides
August 2: Chapter 13 - God’s Commands
August 9: Chapter 14 - The Just Laws of God
August 16: No Class
August 23: Chapter 15 - Protector of the Powerless
August 30: Chapter 16 - God’s Dwelling Place

Sermon Series: June 6-August 29: CULTIVATE
Exploring what scripture tells us about cultivating hope, possibility, and faith
July 25: Cultivate Satisfaction
August 1: Cultivate Repentance
August 8: Cultivate Humility
August 15: Cultivate Communion
August 22: Cultivate Covenant
August 29: Cultivate Steadfast Love
Sept 5: Sabbath Sunday
Sept 12: HOMECOMING! In-person worship tentatively resumes

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

Mission U 2021
Dates:
June 21 - August 8, 2021 California & Hawaii  |  June 22 - August 9, 2021 Guam & Saipan 
Location: Zoom. Cost: Free 

WHAT IS Misson U? Mission U is an opportunity to study a spiritual growth topic, a geographic area, and an issue impacting society. Participants grow in understanding of the mission of the church in the current world context. The studies give particular attention to the responsibilities of women in the fulfillment of mission. This mission education program strengthens the leadership and membership of United Methodist Women.

Studies include:

  • FINDING PEACE IN AN ANXIOUS WORLD

  • Bearing Witness in the Kin-dom: Living Into the Church’s Moral Witness through Radical Discipleship

  • Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools

  • Women United for Change: 150 Years in Mission

  • Managing Anxiety (Youth)

  • Becoming Peacemakers in a Culture of Violence (Youth)

  • Responding to Violence (Children)

You can purchase your study books at unitedmethodistwomen.org/mission-resources or Smile.Amazon.com.

Registration Form - English * Registration Form - KoreanRegistration Form - Spanish

The UMW and Abolition Apostles Ministry are looking for pen-pals!

LAFUMC is partnering with Abolition Apostles Ministry to have church members paired with a pen pal who is currently incarcerated. The mission of Abolition Apostles is: “Our mission is to offer moral and spiritual support to members of the incarcerated community, and contribute to the destruction of the prison-industrial complex through solidarity, prophetic witness, and community organizing inside and outside of prison.”

You can learn more about their work here.

UMW Book Group

We will be kick starting our study of Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools by Monique W. Morris on Sunday, August 8th at Villa Flores at 2pm. This will be the schedule and breakdown of chapters. After our first meeting, the rest will be on Wednesday evenings.

Sunday, August 8th 2pm: Villa Flores - Introduction and Chapter 1

Wednesday, August 18th 6:00pm: Zoom- Chapter 2
Wednesday, August 25th 6:00pm: Zoom- Chapter 3
Wednesday, Sept 1st 6:00pm: Zoom- Chapter 4
Wednesday, Sept 8th 6:00pm: Zoom - Chapter 5 and Epilogue

Anyone is welcome to join! If they need a book, they should contact Sara Munshin. Please email Lauren at lk3497a@alumni.american.edu if you have any questions or concerns.



UMW Silent Auction
Date: Saturday, August 14 @ 11:00 a.m, Location: ZOOM

The Zoom link will be sent to you upon your registration. 
RSVP: August 6, 2021, to Diane Gin @ dlokgin@gmail.com

This will be a fun, lighthearted virtual program event...featuring the multi-talented Cal-Pac officers and friends in a day of music and laughter as we put our best foot forward amid our Fundraising efforts!

There will be a variety of beautiful baskets that have been received and we look forward to seeing the creative and artistic talents of our Cal-Pac women emerge as we put our Faith, Hope, and Love into Action towards our Mission work!

There are going to be some great baskets, including the one created by our amazing LA First UMC United Methodist Women. The Chardonnay is from Debbie’s brother’s vineyard and sells for around $100. There is a companion basket that contains an equally fine quality Pinot Noir. All proceeds go to UMW mission projects in the USA and around the world.

Feel free to share the registration information with others in your circle of friends.

All of the funds raised by the Silent Auction will go toward UMW mission projects.


FRIDAYS: Sounds of South Park
Sounds of South Park is expanding! There will be free live music at two locations in South Park at South Park Commons and at The Petroleum Building. Stop by Fridays from 6-8 PM and visit southpark.la/music for more information.

Cooling Centers
For a list of cooling centers and more, visit emergency.lacity.org/heat

LACountyParks Splash Pads are OPEN! 

During these hot summer months, youth are invited to cool off and have fun by visiting one of our 23 splash pads located across LA County. 

https://parks.lacounty.gov/summer

Free Meals for Kids:
This summer, kids and teens 18 and under, can pick up 2 free nutritious meals at select @lacountylibrary locations. Meals are available for no-contact pickup on a first come, first served basis from 12–1 pm, June 14–August 6. Learn more here.

Lights, Camera, ACTION!
LA County Parks Summer Classes offer classes for kids & adults who are natural entertainers. Sign up to join our Music, Acting, Dance, and Improv classes, to name a few!
Visit parks.lacounty.gov/summerclasses to check out the classes & register!

Free Rec Equipment and Snacks for Kids
Join us at Every Body Plays, a program that offers free sports equipment & snacks for youth at 55 parks within 20 cities countywide! 🏀🎾 Every Body Plays is a safe place where kids can get active & stay healthy (following COVID-19 guidelines). More info: parks.lacounty.gov/everybodyplays

Covid Testing:
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

MASKS ARE STILL NEEDED INDOORS: 😷
Because of the rise in COVID cases related to the Delta variant, the LA Public health Director requested vaccinated people wear masks in public and indoor gatherings.

Vaccines:


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: John 6:1-21, NRSV

Feeding the Five Thousand

After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias.  A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?’ He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, ‘Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.’ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?’ Jesus said, ‘Make the people sit down.’ Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all.Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, ‘Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.’ So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, ‘This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.’

When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

Jesus Walks on the Water

When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, got into a boat, and started across the lake to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The lake became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the lake and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’ Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land towards which they were going.

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

Sermon: Cultivate Satisfaction - 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: Hard Times Come Again No More - 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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