Call to Worship - (If you are joining us from home, you are invited to light a candle to welcome the presence of the Holy Spirit) Jesus What A Wonderful Child - El Dorado
Welcome - Stephen Folds, Music Director
Third Sunday of Advent
Reader: Upon hearing the news that his son would be a prophet of the Most High Zechariah broke into a song of praise. “And you, child, will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins.”
[Light the candle.]
Reader: We light the second Advent candle as an act of praise that by God’s mercy, the Messiah will come to give light to those in darkness, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
ALL: Come, Lord Jesus. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Amen.
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, 1861- John Mason Neale, translator- 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.
TOP 5 ANNOUNCEMENTS
VENMO: You can find us here: https://venmo.com/LAFirstUMC
PAYPAL: https://paypal.me/LAFirstUMC
SQUARE:https://checkout.square.site/pay/be673aef7fcb424e98387016d184e57d
United Methodist Resources:
AC2023: Special Called Session Registration Now Open
The registration is free until Tuesday, October 31, 2023, PDT/HST. Beginning Wednesday, November 1, a $50 registration fee will apply. To register, click HERE. More information will be posted as it becomes available at calpacumc.org/scs2023.
The 2023 Special Called Session will be held online on November 11, 2023. The 39th Annual Session of the California-Pacific Conference was held June 14-17 in Los Angeles, CA.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES:
Medi-Cal Expansion for all adults age 26-49
Beginning January 1, 2024, adults aged 26-49, regardless of immigration status, qualify for full-scope Medi-Cal. This includes: Doctor visits, Hospitalizations, Prescriptions, & Preventative care. Apply for Medi-Cal at benefitscal.com
The Seasonal Winter Shelter Program (SWSP) is now open!
SWSP is available until March 31, 2024. These shelters help to keep our unhoused neighbors safe and warm during the coldest months in our region. lahsa.org/winter-shelter
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/emergencyAccess 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: Isaiah 61 by Matt Maher - 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 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.
Old Testament Reading- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 The Good News of Deliverance
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me
because the Lord has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,
to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives
and release to the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 to provide for those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a garland instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, to display his glory.
4 They shall build up the ancient ruins;
they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities,
the devastations of many generations.
Gospel Reading : John 1:6-8, 19-28
There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.
The Testimony of John the Baptist
This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed and did not deny it, but he confessed, “I am not the Messiah.”[a] 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22 Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said,
“I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,
‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ ”
as the prophet Isaiah said.
24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, “Why, then, are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah,[b] nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, 27 the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal.” 28 This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.
One: This is the Word of God for us, the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God!
Sermon: From Desire to Testimony - 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:
God With Us by All Sons and Daughters - El Dorado
RECEPTION INTO THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Pastor: As members of Christ's universal Church, will you be loyal to Christ through The United Methodist Church, and do all in your power to strengthen its ministries?
New Member: I will.
RECEPTION INTO THE LOCAL CONGREGATION
Pastor: As members of this congregation, will you faithfully participate in its ministries by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service and your witness?
New Member: I will.
COMMENDATION AND WELCOME
Pastor: Members of the household of God,
I commend these persons to your love and care.
Do all in your power to increase their faith,
confirm their hope, and perfect them in love.
Congregation:
We give thanks for all that God has already given you
and we welcome you in Christian love.
As members together with you
in the body of Christ
and in this congregation
of The United Methodist Church,
we renew our covenant
faithfully to participate
in the ministries of the Church
by our prayers, our presence,
our gifts, our service, and our witness,
that in everything God may be glorified
through Jesus Christ.
Pastor: The God of all grace,
who has called us to eternal glory in Christ,
establish you and strengthen you
that you may live in grace and peace.
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.
