Order of Worship for April 21th, 2024 - Eastertide III: Presence

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

Good People by Mumford and Sons and Pharrell and Native Voices of Resistance- El Dorado

Welcome - Stephen Folds, Creative Director

Let the Day Begin by Michael Been and the Call - 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

TODAY AFTER CHURCH: LA First UMC Chapter of UWF Program Meeting

Today, our local United Women in Faith unit will meet after church in Villas Flores. Our lovely Elaine will lead us in a program!

CLUE Annual Summer Paid Internship Program

The stipend this summer is $7,200. For ten weeks from June 3 to August 9, fellows will undergo intensive training in CLUE's method of faith-rooted organizing and will work on active social justice campaigns alongside an experienced Faith-Rooted Organizer.
Please note this organizing fellowship is not a 9am - 5pm internship, so a flexible schedule is preferred.

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: Una Dia a la Vez by Marijohn Wilkin and Kris Kristofferson - 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.

Scripture Reading : Acts 4:5-12 NRSV

The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John,[a] and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. When they had made the prisoners[b] stand in their midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are being asked how this man has been healed,[c] 10 let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,[d] whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. 11 This Jesus[e] is

‘the stone that was rejected by you, the builders;
    it has become the cornerstone.’[f]

12 “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”

Gospel Reading: John 10:11-18 NRSV

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. 18 No one takes[a] it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”

One: The Word of God for the People of God.

All: Thanks be to God.

Sermon: Eastertide III: Presence - 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:

All the Poor and Powerless by All Sons & Daughters - 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!

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