Order of Worship for April 14th, 2024 - Eastertide II: Prayers

Call to Worship - Those of you joining us from home are invited to light a candle to welcome the presence of the Holy Spirit)

Good People by Mumford and Sons and Pharrell- El Dorado

Welcome - Stephen Folds, Creative Director

Goodness of God by Jennifer Johnson - 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. 

SCHO Student Org Contact Info: Connor and the rest of our student guests can also be reached at schealthcareoutreach@gmail.com and  https://schealthcareoutreach.wixsite.com/home

They also provided us with a Medi-Cal and CHIP (insurance for children) Handout

Church Council Meeting this Tuesday

There will be a Church Council Meeting on Tuesday at 6:30 pm over Zoom.

LA First UMC Chapter of UWF Program Meeting

Sunday, April 21, our local United Women in Faith unit will meet after church in Villas Flores. Our lovely Elaine will lead us in a program!

SINGERS OF SOUL BENEFIT CONCERT

Sunday, April 14th (4:30-6pm) Westwood UMC Sanctuary
In preparation for this year’s General Conference, join Westwood United Methodist Church for a Singers of Soul benefit concert for Reconciling Ministries. Come by to celebrate Queer Joy and transforming the Methodist Church into a more welcoming and loving place. Doors will open at 4pm. CLICK HERE to get tickets, and we encourage you to be as generous as you can. All donations go to support Reconciling Ministries and their advocacy at our upcoming General Conference.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES:

Free Tax Prep from LA County

Tax season is starting, and you could qualify for more than $11,000 in refunds regardless of your immigration status. At FreeTaxPrepLA.org, you can learn more about the tax refunds available and get support from IRS-certified tax preparers who can help you file for free.

Under the state of emergency declared to help the housing crisis, LA County is creating more job opportunities and making the application process easier than ever.

Learn more at homeless.lacounty.gov/emergency

Access to internet service is crucial.

The FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program provides a $30 dollar monthly benefit for internet service. Find out how you can get your home connected at: Getconnectedlosangeles.lacity.org.

CALL TO PRAYER: Sorry Now by Jill Andrews - El Dorado

Joys and Concerns: Prayers of the People We believe that the best way to bear our burdens is to share them with one another. You welcome 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.

New Testament Reading : Acts 3:12-19 NRSV

When Peter saw it, he addressed the people, “Fellow Israelites,[a] why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob,[b] the God of our ancestors, has glorified his servant[c] Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. 14 But you rejected the holy and righteous[d] one and asked to have a murderer given to you, 15 and you killed the author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus[e] has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you.

17 “And now, brothers and sisters, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah[f] would suffer. 19 Repent, therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out,

Gospel Reading: Luke 24:36b-48 NRSV Jesus Appears to His Disciples

While they were talking about this, Jesus[a] himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”[b] 37 They were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see, for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.[c] 41 Yet for all their joy they were still disbelieving and wondering, and he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish,[d] 43 and he took it and ate in their presence.

44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah[e] is[f] to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses[g] of these things.

One: The Word of God for the People of God.

All: Thanks be to God.

Sermon: Eastertide II: Prayers - Rev. Dr. Mandy Sloan 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

And now, with the confidence of the children of God, let us pray:

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,
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. 
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

MUSIC DURING OFFERING AND COMMUNION:

Just a Closer Walk with Thee by southern African American churches of the 19th century - 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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