Order of Worship for May 18, 2025: Heritage Sunday - So Shall You Love One Another

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

O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing -Charles Wesley - El Dorado

Welcome - Stephen Folds

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling - Charles Wesley - 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. 

Preparing for AC2025: Cal-Pac Learning Labs

This month, we will host four sessions to help you prepare for this year’s Annual Conference Session:

  1. May 5, 6:30 pm PDT (3:30 pm HST): Introduction to MeetingPulse: This Monday, we’ll introduce you to our new meeting application that we’ll use for our sessions, bringing our hybrid experience and voting process into one easy-to-use platform on your device, whether it’s desktop, mobile, or tablet. Meeting links are sent directly to those who have completed registration for AC2025. 

  2. May 12, 6:30 pm PDT (3:30 pm HST): All About AC2025: This week, we’ll cover everything you need to know to register for and attend Annual Conference 2025. This session is designed for those who may be new to Cal-Pac or attending their first Annual Conference Session as a voting member. No registration needed - join the meeting at this link!

  3. May 19, 6:30 pm PDT (3:30 pm HST): Understanding Constitutional Amendments: Co-hosted with the other Western Jurisdiction conferences, learn about the four proposed amendments to our United Methodist Constitution. Register for this session now!

  4. May 20, 6:30 pm PDT (3:30 pm HST): Financial Matters: Apportionments and Budget: All are invited to attend this presentation of a proposed change to our apportionment system, and our 2026 budget, led by the Council on Finance and Administration, along with the Connectional Table, our Cabinet, and Connectional Ministries. Both of these proposals will be voted on at the 2025 Annual Conference. This learning lab will be especially relevant for Clergy and Lay Members of the Annual Conference, as well as those interested in local church finances and the Conference budget. Register now!

Know Your Rights:

You have constitutional rights:

• DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR if an immigration agent is knocking on the door.

• DO NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS from an immigration agent if they try to talk to you. You have the right to remain silent.

• DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING without first speaking to a lawyer. You have the right to speak with a lawyer.

• If you are outside of your home, ask the agent if you are free to leave and if they say yes, leave calmly.

• GIVE THIS CARD TO THE AGENT. If you are inside of your home, show the card through the window or slide it under the door.

I do not wish to speak with you, answer your questions, or sign or hand you any documents based on my 5th Amendment rights under the United States Constitution.

I do not give you permission to enter my home based on my 4th Amendment rights under the United States Constitution unless you have a warrant to enter, signed by a judge or magistrate with my name on it that you slide under the door.

I do not give you permission to search any of my belongings based on my 4th Amendment rights.

I choose to exercise my constitutional rights.

These cards are available to citizens and noncitizens alike.

CALL TO PRAYER: Paradoxically- 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.

Gospel Reading: John 13:31-35, NRSV - The New Commandment

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him.  If God has been glorified in him,[a] God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once.  Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’  I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Epistle Lesson: Ephesians 2:8-9, NRSV

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—  not the result of works, so that no one may boast.

One: This is the word of God for us, the People of God.
All: Thanks be to God!

Sermon: So Shall You Love One Another, Rev. Dr. Mandy McDow, preaching

HOLY COMMUNION

All are welcome to come forward to be  anointed individually.
If you like, you may come as an individual, or with your spouse or partner, children, or with friends and family of choice. All are welcomed. All are loved. 

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
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. 
And forgive us our trespasses, 
as we forgive those who trespass against us. 

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, 
for ever and ever. Amen.

MUSIC: Because He Lives (Amen)- El Dorado

Benediction

And 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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