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)
Let My Love Open the Door by Peter Townsend- El Dorado
Welcome - Stephen Folds, Music Director
If I Was a Bird by Jessica Ray Langdon (Mission House) - 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:
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: Doxology (God Be Praised) - 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.
Scripture: Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 The Tribes Renew the Covenant
Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel, and they presented themselves before God. 2 And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Long ago your ancestors—Terah and his sons Abraham and Nahor—lived beyond the Euphrates and served other gods. 3 Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River and led him through all the land of Canaan and made his offspring many.
14 “Now, therefore, revere the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt and serve the Lord. 15 Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living, but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
16 Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods, 17 for it is the Lord our God who brought us and our ancestors up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight. He protected us along all the way that we went and among all the peoples through whom we passed, 18 and the Lord drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.”
19 But Joshua said to the people, “You cannot serve the Lord, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. 20 If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm and consume you, after having done you good.” 21 And the people said to Joshua, “No, we will serve the Lord!” 22 Then Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the Lord, to serve him.” And they said, “We are witnesses.” 23 He said, “Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.” 24 The people said to Joshua, “The Lord our God we will serve, and him we will obey.” 25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day and made statutes and ordinances for them at Shechem.
One: This is the Word of God for us, the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God!
Sermon: What Does It Mean the God is Jealous? - 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:
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms by Hoffman & Showalter - 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.