Call to Worship - Those of you joining us from home are invited to light a candle to welcome the presence of the Holy Spirit
Great Are You Lord - El Dorado
Welcome - Rev. Dr. Mandy McDow
LA Fires Litany and Prayer
Leader: God, our refuge and our strength, our ever-present help in the time of trouble, we pray this day for all who are experiencing loss from the Los Angeles fires.
People: God, you have promised never to leave us or forsake us. We need you now.
L: Today, we mourn with sisters, brothers, and all siblings who have lost:
P: Homes
L: Businesses
P: Possessions
L: Loved Ones
P: Hope
L: We pray for those whose homes have been destroyed.
P: Shelter them.
L: For those whose possessions have been lost.
P: Provide for them.
L: For those whose livelihoods have been disrupted.
P: Sustain them.
L: For those whose next steps are uncertain.
P: Shepherd them.
L: For those who grieve
P: Comfort them.
L: Today, we also pray for the first responders:
P: Give them strength and endurance for the daunting task.
L: We pray for government officials:
P: Give them wisdom, care and resources that people need.
L: We pray for the people as they work to rebuild their lives:
P: Give them hope, clarity and perseverance.
L: We pray for the Church:
P: May our hearts break open with compassion, generosity and swift action.
L: The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on us today
P: To bind up the brokenhearted, to comfort all who mourn
L: To provide for those who grieve in the greater Los Angeles area
P: To bestow on them a reminder of God’s favor instead of ashes
L: The oil of joy instead of mourning
P: And a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair
L: This is the day that will come
P: And we will journey there together
L: And until that day, through the wind and the flames, and through our solidarity and service, may we be reminded of God’s still small voice:
P: That we are Beloved. Amen.
How Great Thou Art - 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.
Chapter 12: Job, continued
Ways to Donate to Support our Breakfast Ministry:
VENMO: https://account.venmo.com/u/LAFirstUMC1
PAYPAL: https://paypal.me/LAFirstUMC
SQUARE:https://checkout.square.site/pay/be673aef7fcb424e98387016d184e57d
For more information: https://abc7.com/homeless-food-breakfast-church/14125358/
We are relieved to see the news that firefighters have begun containment of all active fires. Today, Bishop Escobedo-Frank and the Cabinet met with affected churches to find out what is needed and to begin to provide resources. We continue to pray for our communities as we begin the long road to relief and recovery. Please see below for updated information on how to help, and a beginning list of resources for those impacted by this week’s disasters.
HOW TO HELP
1. Donate directly to the churches. The funds will be used to help people who lost their homes cover immediate expenses and for the church’s eventual reconstruction.
Community UMC, Pacific Palisades, Ca: http://www.palisadesmethodist.org/giving
Altadena United Methodist Church: https://gofund.me/e633f0dd
First United Methodist Church Pasadena, CA: https://secure.myvanco.com/L-Z48C/campaign/C-15AQA?
2. Donate to the Los Angeles Fire Recovery Fund through the UMC California Pac Conference. These funds will benefit all the Los Angeles communities suffering in the fires. https://www.calpacumc.org/donate
3. Donate to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) for its disaster relief for all the California fires. https://umcmission.org/advance-project/901670/
4. Drop off donations of e-gift cards at Collection Sites(Amazon, Target, Home Depot, Grocery, Meal Delivery services, etc.) These will be given to community members who lost their homes and belongings. Faith United Methodist Church - Torrance, CA is a Collection Site for the El Tordondo Mission Area (as we are off 3 freeways) and will make the larger deliveries to the requested sites.
5. Continue to offer your prayers and love and be prepared to find ways to support of friends who will be needing that same care in the days, weeks, and months to come.
ALTADENA UMC:
The congregation of Altadena UMC is requesting gift cards to Target for clothing and other immediate needs items.
1) Altadena UMC GoFundMe Page: Goal of $16,000 ($2.300 raised so far)
2) Altadena UMC's Cash App for Tithes & Offerings: $abundantlife349
Please put in the note “AUMC Disaster Relief”
Please send gift cards of any denomination to the conference office for distribution:
Denyse Barnes
c/o California-Pacific Annual Conference
PO Box 6006
Pasadena, CA 91102-6006
MONETARY DONATIONS:
We’ve set up a special fund – the Los Angeles Fires Recovery Fund – where you can contribute directly towards relief and recovery from the effects of the winds and firestorms this week. www.calpacumc.org/donate
Check donations payable to the California-Pacific Conference can be mailed to California-Pacific Conference, Los Angeles Fires Recovery Fund, PO Box 6006, Pasadena CA 91102.
If you’d like to include a QR code to donate in your worship bulletins or slides this weekend, you can download that at this link.
GRIEF COUNSELORS
As our communities process the trauma and loss they’ve experienced this week, we’re hoping to share access to grief counselors in our network. If you or someone you know is qualified to support this need, please reach out to Rev. Dr. Denyse Barnes at dbarnes@calpacumc.org.
LOCAL DONATIONS
If you are local and have items to donate such as masks, please contact Rev. Dr. Denyse Barnes at dbarnes@calpacumc.org to coordinate.
RESOURCES
WESPATH NATURAL DISASTER RESOURCE
Wespath has provided a document that has some helpful information for plan participants and resources applicable to anyone impacted by the wind and fires. DOWNLOAD NOW >>
GRIEF THERAPY
Therapy UnScripted has opened up 100 client slots for victims of the fires. These slots are $39-$50 on a pay-what-you-can basis via telehealth. They have immediate availability and we will offer this service for as long as needed. They are an affirming site and welcome all individuals.
To get started, contact executive director Michael Anthony Nalepa at StrengthBasedTherapy@gmail.com. He will match the person with a therapist who can best fit their needs. Please mention the fires specifically for this discounted rate.
NOTE: Therapy UnScripted will also be launching multiple free online support group — utilizing mindfulness, EMDR and eco-psychotherapy. Stay tuned on these offerings!
SHARE YOUR NEEDS
Please share immediate needs from your communities with your District Superintendent or our Director of Justice and Compassion Essential Ministry, Rev. Dr. Denyse Barnes at dbarnes@calpacumc.org
FEMA will be at the following libraries on Sunday, January 12 and Monday, January 13 from 9 am to 5 pm to help residents impacted by the Los Angeles County wildfires.
Download the Watch Duty app for up-to-date information on existing and new fires.
List of resources for LA wildfire victims
Transportation
Uber: Residents in Los Angeles County who’ve been ordered to vacate their homes can get a credit from Uber to get to an evacuation site. The $40 will only be valid for trips to an active shelter and by using the code WILDFIRE25.
Lyft: Lyft announced it will be offering $25 vouchers, valid for two trips, to 500 customers from now until midnight on Jan. 15. Use the code CAFIRERELIEF25 to get the promotion.
Housing
Airbnb: 211 LA is partnering with Airbnb to offer free temporary housing for people displaced from their homes due to wildfires. More info here.
Queen Mary: The Queen Mary hotel in Long Beach announced that it will be pricing rooms for fire evacuees at $189. The reservation will include a voucher for a breakfast buffet for two people. The reservation will also waive pet and Historical Preservation fees.
Big Bear: The popular retreat spot has also offered evacuees a peaceful place to turn to for rest and regathering. A collection of vacation homes and hotels is listed on this page, which has been created specifically for the needs of fire evacuees.
Visit Anaheim: People affected by the wildfires can visit Visit Anaheim's official website and find special hotel offers and assistance.
Shelters
Westwood Recreation Center: 1350 S. Sepulveda, Los Angeles
Pasadena Civic Auditorium: 300 E. Green St, Pasadena
El Camino Real Charter High School: 5440 Valley Circle Blvd., Woodland Hills
Ritchie Valens Recreation Center: 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd, Pacoima
Sepulveda Recreation Center: Address: 8825 Kester Avenue, Panorama City
Utilities
AT&T: The telecommunications company announced it is offering wildfire areas unlimited data, talk and text through Feb. 6. Visit their official site for a list of valid zip codes.
Verizon: Verizon announced it will waive call, text and data charges for customers in hardest hit areas. The company also deployed free Wifi and charging stations at three wildfire shelters.
World Vision will be distributing relief supplies at an LA-area church on Friday Jan. 10 at 3 p.m.
The organization is located at Calvary CME Pasadena, 236 West Mountain Ave. in Pasadena.
On Saturday at 9 a.m., World Vision will also distribute relief supplies at Calvary Baptist Church located on 12928 Vaughn St. in San Fernando.
Supplies include food, water, face masks, toys, hygiene kits, bedding and more.
Health
Planet Fitness: The fitness chain is offering evacuees and first responders free access to their facilities, including showers, locker rooms, and WiFi. Offer is valid until Jan. 15 Please contact your nearest Planet Fitness for more information.
Crunch Gym: The gymnasium chain announced it will open 20 locations across Los Angeles for any evacuees or first responders that need to shower, recharge phones or rest.
Ecco Hair Studio: The hair salon in south Pasadena has announced it will offer free hair washesfor people impacted by the wildfires.
Pet care
Bath N’ Buns Mobile Pet Grooming: The locally-owned pet grooming service announced it will offer complimentary bath services for cats and dogs affected by the fires.
Vetster: The veterinary telehealth platform Vetster said it will be offering free telehealth appointments to pets impacted by the fires. Pet owners can visit vetster.com/support to get a free appointment. Offer will be available for up to 500 pet owners until Jan. 23.
Culture
Discovery Cube Los Angeles: The children's museum located at 11800 Foothill Blvd in Sylmar announced it will offer free admission to community members on Jan. 9 and Jan 10.
Petersen Automotive Museum: The museum announced it will be opening to students for free during the school closures. The free admission is valid for all students enrolled in districts impacted by closures including Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Santa Monica and Malibu Unified.
Food
Several restaurants are offering free meals and discounts to first responders in the Los Ángeles area.
Infatuation LA: The popular foodie site has compiled a list of restaurants in the Los Angeles area that are offering shelter or free meals to first responders and evacuees.
Panda Express: The fast food chain announced it is offering free meals to firefighters and other on-duty emergency responders in the impacted areas of LA County through Sunday, Jan. 12. To redeem the offer, first responders and firefighters can simply show their ID to redeem the meal in-store.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf: The coffee shop is offering free brewed coffee or tea (hot or iced) to first responders at participating locations in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The offer is valid through January 10–17 and redeemable by showing their ID in-store.
Dog Haus: The restaurant will offer one free hot dog to those impacted by the fire at their Pasadena restaurant and free meals to firefighters at their Los Ángeles locations.
Din Tai Fung: The dumplings and noodles restaurant will be offering complimentary takeout meals to firefighters and other on-duty first responders through Jan. 12. To receive the offer, firefighters and first responders must show a professional ID. Offer valid only at their Glendale, Century City, Del Amo and Santa Anita locations.
World Central Kitchen
The non-profit is sponsoring meal distributions for families impacted by wildfires on Friday, Jan. 10. Distribution sites include:
12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Francis School, 200 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada Flintridge
1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 2234 El Sereno Ave., Altadena
5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Jack in the Box, 2125 N. Windsor Ave
5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Pasadena City College, 1570 E. Colorado Blvd
Insurance Workshops
California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara will host a pair of insurance workshops in Santa Monica and Pasadena over the following weeks to aid people in Los Angeles County in the rebuilding process. Lara will be joined by other CDI personnel for one-on-one consultations. Homeowners in need are encouraged to call 800-927-4357 to reserve an appointment with a consultant.
Government Aid
FEMA: Homeowners affecting the ongoing Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth, or other SoCal wildfires are encouraged to apply for FEMA as soon as possible. Applications be submitted online, through the FEMA app, or by phone call at 800-621-362.
Small Business Administration
Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to SoCal businesses, homeowners, renters, and private non-profit organizations.
Businesses can apply for loans of up to $2 million.
Homeowners can apply for up to $500,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate.
Homeowners and renters also are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including personal vehicles.
Applicants can apply online here, call 800-659-2955, or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
CALL TO PRAYER: How Firm a Foundation - 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.
Hebrew Bible Lesson: Lamentations 3:1-33
I am one who has seen affliction
under the rod of God’s wrath;
2 he has driven and brought me
into darkness without any light;
3 against me alone he turns his hand,
again and again, all day long.
4 He has made my flesh and my skin waste away,
and broken my bones;
5 he has besieged and enveloped me
with bitterness and tribulation;
6 he has made me sit in darkness
like the dead of long ago.
7 He has walled me about so that I cannot escape;
he has put heavy chains on me;
8 though I call and cry for help,
he shuts out my prayer;
9 he has blocked my ways with hewn stones,
he has made my paths crooked.
10 He is a bear lying in wait for me,
a lion in hiding;
11 he led me off my way and tore me to pieces;
he has made me desolate;
12 he bent his bow and set me
as a mark for his arrow.
13 He shot into my vitals
the arrows of his quiver;
14 I have become the laughing-stock of all my people,
the object of their taunt-songs all day long.
15 He has filled me with bitterness,
he has glutted me with wormwood.
16 He has made my teeth grind on gravel,
and made me cower in ashes;
17 my soul is bereft of peace;
I have forgotten what happiness is;
18 so I say, ‘Gone is my glory,
and all that I had hoped for from the Lord.’
19 The thought of my affliction and my homelessness
is wormwood and gall!
20 My soul continually thinks of it
and is bowed down within me.
21 But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul,
‘therefore I will hope in him.’
25 The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul that seeks him.
26 It is good that one should wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.
27 It is good for one to bear
the yoke in youth,
28 to sit alone in silence
when the Lord has imposed it,
29 to put one’s mouth to the dust
(there may yet be hope),
30 to give one’s cheek to the smiter,
and be filled with insults.
31 For the Lord will not
reject for ever.
32 Although he causes grief, he will have compassion
according to the abundance of his steadfast love;
33 for he does not willingly afflict
or grieve anyone.
One: This is the word of God for us, the People of God.
All: Thanks be to God!
Sermon: God’s Faithfulness Endures Forever - Rev. Dr. 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
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:
They'll Know We Are Chrsitians by Our Love - 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!
