Call to Worship - Since we are all at home, you are invited to light a candle to welcome the presence of the Holy Spirit)
Be Thou My Vision by Dallán Forgaill, original Eleanor Hull, translation - El Dorado
Welcome - Stephen Folds, Creative Director
Innocent by Our Lady Peace - 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
2024 CAL-PAC UMC Lent Prayer Calendar
Embark on a spiritual journey this Lenten season with our prayer calendar, dedicated to uplifting those struggling with physical and spiritual hunger. Join us in daily reflection and prayer as we extend compassion and support to those facing challenges in their rhythms of life. Together, let's create a powerful wave of positive energy, practicing being with Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and doing what Jesus did. May our collective prayers bring healing and blessing, and inspire us to consider specific ways we can serve our communities: PDFs available in English | Spanish | Chinese | Japanese | Korean | Tagalog | Vietnamese
COMMUNITY RESOURCES:
The Seasonal Winter Shelter Program (SWSP) is now in effect!
Contact 2-1-1 LA County (dial 2-1-1) or 1-800-548-6047 . 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/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: ‘Tis So Sweet by Page CXVI arr. Louisa M. R. Steady & William J. Kirkpatrick - 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.
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 NRSV The Sign of the Covenant
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty;[a] walk before me, and be blameless. 2 And I will make my covenant between me and you and will make you exceedingly numerous.” 3 Then Abram fell on his face, and God said to him, 4 “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. 5 No longer shall your name be Abram,[b] but your name shall be Abraham,[c] for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations. 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. 7 I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.
Gospel Reading: Mark 8:31-38 NRSV Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection
Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes and be killed and after three days rise again. 32 He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
34 He called the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “If any wish to come[a] after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel,[b] will save it. 36 For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? 37 Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? 38 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words[c] in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
All: Thanks be to God!
Sermon: A Sign Of The Covenant: Prosperity - 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:
Manifesto by City Harmonic - 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!
