Order of Worship for Sunday, September 11, 2022: What Do You Value?

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

Praise the Lord - El Dorado

Welcome - Stephen Folds

This Joy - 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. 

West District United Women in Faith

Annual Celebration at Los Altos UMC on Saturday Sept. 24th, in person. LA First UMC's unit will reimburse $12 cost per person. There will also be a free virtual version. Contact Sara Munshin for more information.

Each year the California-Pacific Conference DisAbility Ministries Task Force offers grants to congregations and other United Methodist entities that want to improve the accessibility of their facilities and/or the inclusiveness of their programs.

These grants are typically $500-1000 and support the fundraising efforts of congregations who are wanting to improve the ADA compliance of their facilities and/or begin a new program that is inclusive of people with disabilities.

Previous accessibility grants have been used for ramps, electronic doors, bathroom improvements, handrails to the chancel, and more. Program grants can be used for sensory rooms, beginning a respite care program, holding educational events, etc.

These grants are not intended to cover the entire cost of all projects; they are intended to be a seed money grant for congregations to improve their accessibility and/or inclusiveness for people with disabilities.

Application deadline is September 15, 2022.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES:

The Downtown Women's Center, in partnership with the LA County Board of Supervisors, Urban Initiatives, and Urban Institute, is conducting its 8th Needs Assessment for women experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County. The Needs Assessment is a community-engaged research project focused on documenting and learning about the experiences, needs, and preferences of women facing homelessness across LA. Information and data from this survey will be used to assist in ensuring programs and policies are meeting the needs of this community. We invite you to join our efforts as a volunteer survey administrator. Survey administration will take place between October 24th and November 20th, 2020. Flyer attached to the end of this email. To sign up for the required volunteer training, please click this link.

Wondering if your federal student loans qualify for cancellation? Undergrad loans, grad loans, spousal loans, and parent PLUS/grad PLUS loans are all eligible! Get the latest information at StudentAid.gov/DebtRelief

With higher than normal temperatures expected in some parts of Los Angeles, click here for information on heat safety or to find your nearest cooling center: emergency.lacity.org/heat!

WAVLink & FASTLinkDTLA Assisted Rides ServiceA subsidized assisted ride service dedicated to serving the 14th District! WAVLink is funded by a pilot grant from CD14 to the US Green Building Council-LA, partnering with FASTLinkDTLA’s Transportation Management Organization (TMO) to provide assisted rides. The service is operated by ButterFLi Technologies, offering on-demand & scheduled assisted ride service.The rides cost only $3 per ride within the 14th District! 7 days per week, 7 AM to 6 PM. For more information, click here.

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.

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

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: How the City Sings - 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 15:1-10 NRSV

Now all the tax-collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him.And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’

So he told them this parable: ‘Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.

‘Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbours, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.” Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’

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

Sermon: What Do You Value? - Rev. Mandy McDow, Preaching

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: I Have Decided to Follow Jesus - 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. 

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