LENT IV - Order of Worship for March 30, 2025: Integrating Prayer into Daily Life

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

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus - Sadhu Singh - El Dorado

Welcome - Stephen Folds

Who Am I? - Need to Breathe - El Dorado

On Time God - Abbie Gamboa, Chandler Moore - 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. 

Class resumes this Tuesday, April 1, with Chapter 3.

This week, we will be reading Chapter 20 - Guidance

Join us to say the Lord’s Prayer each day at Noon during Lent on Facebook Live

UMCOR Sunday seeks to increase awareness and support for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Gifts given on UMCOR Sunday play a vital role in enhancing the church's global humanitarian response because these funds cover UMCOR's administrative costs. This support ensures that 100% of donations given to UMCOR throughout the year can be directed toward on-the-ground relief and recovery efforts, allowing UMCOR to effectively respond to crises and provide assistance where it's needed most.

Here are some things you can do right now:

  • Watch the video from the training session we had with Alba Jaramillo from the Immigration Law and Justice Network.

  • Print out and make available these Know your right cards in whatever languages are relevant to your context. Link to know your rights cards.

  • Host a “Know Your Rights” training session at your church or mission area.

  • Host a “Safety Packet” session at your church or mission area.

  • Research and make note of the RRT phone numbers in your area here.

  • Switch to a safe and encrypted messaging app such as Signal.

  • Watch our page for updates.

Know Your Rights:

You have constitutional rights:

• DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR if an immigration agent is knocking on the door.

• DO NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS from an immigration agent if they try to talk to you. You have the right to remain silent.

• DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING without first speaking to a lawyer. You have the right to speak with a lawyer.

• If you are outside of your home, ask the agent if you are free to leave and if they say yes, leave calmly.

• GIVE THIS CARD TO THE AGENT. If you are inside of your home, show the card through the window or slide it under the door.

I do not wish to speak with you, answer your questions, or sign or hand you any documents based on my 5th Amendment rights under the United States Constitution.

I do not give you permission to enter my home based on my 4th Amendment rights under the United States Constitution unless you have a warrant to enter, signed by a judge or magistrate with my name on it that you slide under the door.

I do not give you permission to search any of my belongings based on my 4th Amendment rights.

I choose to exercise my constitutional rights.

These cards are available to citizens and noncitizens alike.

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.

Register to Vote for the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council

Why should I vote for my Neighborhood Council?

Neighborhood Councils form a grassroots level of the City of Los Angeles government. The system was created to connect Los Angeles’ diverse communities to City Hall and was established in 1999 by an amendment to the City Charter. Read more in the handbook here.

What if I don’t live in the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council boundary area? Can I vote as a Stakeholder?

YES! NC membership is open to all Stakeholders. Los Angeles Administrative Code section 22.801, defines a “Stakeholder” as any individual who:

(1) Lives, works, or owns real property within the boundaries of the NC: https://dlanc.com/boundary-map/ or

(2) Is a Community Interest Stakeholder, defined as an individual who is a member of, or participates in, a Community Organization within the boundaries of the NC.

A “Community Organization” is an entity that has continuously maintained a physical street address within the boundaries of the NC for not less than one year, and that performs ongoing and verifiable activities and operations that confer some benefit on the community within the boundaries of the neighborhood council. A for-profit entity shall not qualify as a Community Organization. Examples of Community Organizations may include Chambers of Commerce, houses of worship or other faith-based organizations, educational institutions, or non-profit organizations.

Area Wide Stakeholder
Stakeholders who are at 16 years of age and live, work or own property within the DLANC boundaries.
(requires documentation)

Area-Wide Homeless Resident
Stakeholder who is at least 16 years of age and who self-attest as homeless within the DLANC boundaries in places not meant for human habitation, such as cars, parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings, in emergency transitional or residing in supportive housing for homeless persons who originally came from the streets; or who receives assistance (housing or resources) from a homeless services agency. (self-affirmation) To register, you may use the address of the Weingart Center or Downtown Women’s Center.

Social Services Provider (SSP)
Stakeholders who are at least 16 years of age and live, work or own property within the DLANC boundaries. (requires documentation)

At Large
Any stakeholder within the DLANC boundaries and who is at least 16 years of age. (requires documentation)

Neighborhood Council Vote-By-Mail Application Portal

Voters who wish to complete a VBM Application online must first create an Angeleno Account at https://angeleno.lacity.org/. After creating an account, voters can access the NC Portal to apply for a NC Ballot. To access the NC Portal complete the following steps:

1. Click on the ‘Register Today’ button and enter the following information:

a. Email Address
b. Password
c. First and Last Name

2. An email will be sent to the voter confirming creation of the account. Voters must verify email address and activate account, by clicking "Activate Account" in email.

3. Click ‘Services’ to access the NC Portal.

How can I register to vote for the Downtown Neighborhood Council? You can register for a Vote-By-Mail Application this way:

Stakeholders can complete and submit a Vote By Mail Application online at https://clerkappsele.lacity.org/NCElection or obtain a paper application from the City Clerk’s website.

When completing a VBM Application, stakeholders must provide the following information:

1. Neighborhood Council Name* Downtown Los Angeles NC
2. First, Middle, and Last Name*
3. Stakeholder Status (Live, Work, Own Property, or Community Interest)* Community Interest - Worship at Los Angeles First UMC
4. Qualifying Address - If you do not have a permanent address at which to receive your mailed ballot, you may use the Weingart Center at 501 E 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90021 (NC Region 6, DLANC) or the Downtown Women’s Center at 442 San Pedro St., Los Angeles, CA 90013 (NC Region 6, DLANC).
5. Date of Birth
6. Mailing Address
7. If documentation is required, documentation must be provided proving stakeholder status. LA First UMC will provide documentation attesting to the fact that you worship at the church. All we need is your legal first and last name which matches your voter registration. E-mail Rev. Mandy to request a letter verifying your status as a stakeholder as one who worships at the church.
8. If submitting a paper application, a voter must also provide their signature.

ALL VOTERS WILL NEED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF AGE AND A PHOTO ID.

Election Timeline:
Candidate Filing Period Ends: Monday February 10, 2025
Vote-By-Mail Application Period Begins: Friday February 21, 2025
Ballot Mailing Period Begins: Tuesday March 18, 2025
Vote-By-Mail Application Period Ends: Sunday April 13, 2025
Mail Ballots/Resends Deadline: Tuesday April 15, 2025
Election Day: Tuesday April 22, 2025

Download the Watch Duty app for up-to-date information on existing and new fires.

CALL TO PRAYER: Prayer of St. Francis - Sarah McLaughlin- 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 Reading: Psalm 32, NRSV - The Joy of Forgiveness

Of David. A Maskil.
Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,
   whose sin is covered.
Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity,
   and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
While I kept silence, my body wasted away
   through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
   my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.
          Selah
Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
   and I did not hide my iniquity;
I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’,
   and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
          Selah
Therefore let all who are faithful
   offer prayer to you;
at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters
   shall not reach them.
You are a hiding-place for me;
   you preserve me from trouble;
   you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.
          Selah
I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go;
   I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
   whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle,
   else it will not stay near you.
Many are the torments of the wicked,
   but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous,
   and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.

Gospel Lesson - Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32, NRSV : The Parable of the Lost Sheep

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:

The Parable of the Prodigal and His Brother

Then Jesus said, ‘There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.” So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and travelled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, “How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.’ ” So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate.

‘Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.” Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, “Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!” Then the father said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.”’

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

Sermon: Integrating Prayer into Daily Life, Rev. Dr. Mandy McDow, preaching

CALL TO CONFESSION - Joel 2:12-13

The prophet Joel cried out:
Return to the Lord with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
rend your hearts and not your clothing.
For God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger,
and abounding in steadfast love.
Let us confess our sins and repent of our unrighteousness:

PRAYER OF CONFESSION - Isaiah 58:4-7, Joel 2:17

Merciful God, we confess that we are a rebellious people.
We have broken your covenant, and we have tolerated injustice in our land.
We have not shared our food with the hungry,
We have not sheltered the homeless,
and we have not aided the sick and destitute.
We quarrel and fight among ourselves,
and we use religion to cover our deceit.
We have become a mockery of our heritage;
the world looks at us and asks, Where is their God?
Forgive us, O God.
Subdue our rebellious hearts and restore in us the light of salvation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS - Isaiah 58:9b-10

If you remove the yoke from among you,
the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil,
if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted,
then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday.
In the name of Jesus Christ, know that you are forgiven and rejoice.
Thanks be to God!

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.

MUSIC: Dwell - Casey Corum - El Dorado

Benediction

Beloved, observe a Holy Lent:
Loose the bonds of injustice,
Break the yoke of oppression,
Feed the hungry,
Shelter the poor.
With the blessing of God our creator, Christ our redeemer, and the Spirit our sustainer,
receive the promise of Isaiah:
Your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up quickly;
God your protector shall go before you,
and the glory of the Lord shall be your guard.

And 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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