Call to Worship - Those of you joining us from home are invited to light a candle to welcome the presence of the Holy Spirit
One Song - El Dorado
Welcome
Hard Times Come Again No More by Stephen Foster - 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.
Are you registered to vote? Check your California Registration status HERE!
Please Update Your Contact Information
As we continue to grow and serve our community, it is essential that we keep accurate and up-to-date records for all of our members. Please provide Debbie Bowlus with any changes to your address, email address, or any other relevant details. This helps ensure you receive timely updates about church events and services. It also helps us provide better support and outreach to our congregation.
NEW MEMBER CLASS! Have you every wondered about what United Methodists think about major cultural and political issues? What do we really believe about Resurrection? Sin? Hell? Join us on Tuesdays starting September 17 at 7:00 pm on Zoom for a deeper look at our Methodist faith and heritage. Books will be available on Sunday, Sept. 15. Contact Rev. Mandy for more information!
TOP 5 ANNOUNCEMENTS
VENMO: https://account.venmo.com/u/LAFirstUMC1
PAYPAL: https://paypal.me/LAFirstUMC
SQUARE:https://checkout.square.site/pay/be673aef7fcb424e98387016d184e57d
Kid City Events This Summer:
Buy a ticket now for Kid City’s Fundraiser Luncheon: Click Here
Can’t make it? Consider giving a donationto support Kid City in spreading radical welcome with future first-gen college students! Hope to see you soon!
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
The Federal Communications Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a $30 per month subsidy for home internet service, expired at the end of April.
Check out how to Stay Connected at GetConnectedLosAngeles.lacity.org
CALL TO PRAYER:
All Who Are Thirsty by Brenton Brown & Glen Robertson - 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.
New Testament Reading: Mark 7:24-37, NRSV
The Syrophoenician Woman’s Faith
From there he set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet.Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, ‘Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ But she answered him, ‘Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.’ Then he said to her, ‘For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.’ So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.
Jesus Cures a Deaf Man
Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, ‘Ephphatha’, that is, ‘Be opened.’ And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesusordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, ‘He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.’
One: This is the word of God for us, the People of God.
All: Thanks be to God!
Sermon: Challenging Authority - 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:
Same God by Terrence Scott - 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!
