Order of Worship for June 14, 2026: Plain, Old Christianity

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

This Will Be Our Year - The Zombies - El Dorado

One of Us - Joan Osborne - El Dorado

Welcome - Stephen Folds

Where Do I Go - Ellie Holcomb - 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. 

The 2024 General Conference took action to begin to offer a means of redress for those whose clergy careers in The United Methodist Church were ended because of their gender or sexual identity or because they had presided at a same-sex union or marriage ceremony long before there was specific language in the Book of Discipline naming these matters as unauthorized conduct or chargeable offenses. During the course of the 2024 annual conference season in the United States, we are aware, to date, of three clergy (two women and one man) who have been reinstated as elders in full connection. They are Irene Elizabeth “Beth” Stroud (Eastern Pennsylvania), Susan Morgan (Desert Southwest), and Leonard Deen Thompson (Louisiana). Of these, only Stroud will be appointed to active ministry, and she will be in an extension ministry setting. The Revs. Morgan and Thompson are retired.

Beth Stroud had served as associate pastor at West Chester United Methodist Church and First United Methodist Church of Germantown in Philadelphia, both in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, prior to a church trial in 2004 in which Stroud was found guilty of being a “self-avowed practicing homosexual.” She was required to surrender her clergy credentials. After leaving a lay ministry staff role at First United Methodist Church of Germantown, she completed a doctorate at Princeton University in 2014 (Ph.D., Religion in America). She had continued in academic roles at Princeton, Union Theological Seminary (New York City) and Sarah Lawrence College. She is now appointed to the faculty of Methodist Theological School in Ohio (Columbus), where she will teach in the area of the history of religion, beginning this fall. She preached and served Holy Communion as an elder for the first time in 20 years on June 16 at First United Methodist Church of Germantown.

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.

Juneteenth Celebration Honoring the Legacy of Biddy Mason (1818 - 1891)

"FROM ENSLAVED TO LANDOWNER. FROM SURVIVOR TO PHILANTHROPIST. HER LEGACY LIVES IN EVERY BLOCK OF THIS CITY."

JUNE 19, 2026 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Biddy Mason Memorial Park - 333 S. Spring Street

CALL TO PRAYER: Not in a Hurry - Will Reagan - 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.

The Character of a Methodist

by John Wesley

TO THE READER

   1. SINCE the name first came abroad into the world, many have been at a loss to know what a Methodist is; what are the principles and the practice of those who are commonly called by that name; and what the distinguishing marks of this sect, "which is everywhere spoken against."

   2. And it being generally believed, that I was able to give the clearest account of these things, (as having been one of the first to whom that name was given, and the person by whom the rest were supposed to be directed,) I have been called upon, in all manner of ways, and with the utmost earnestness, so to do. I yield at last to the continued importunity both of friends and enemies; and do now give the clearest account I can, in the presence of the Lord and Judge of heaven and earth, of the principles and practice whereby those who are called Methodists are distinguished from other men.

   3. I say those who are called Methodists; for, let it be well observed, that this is not a name which they take to themselves, but one fixed upon them by way of reproach, without their approbation or consent. It was first given to three or four young men at Oxford, by a student of Christ Church; either in allusion to the ancient sect of Physicians so called, from their teaching, that almost all diseases might be cured by a specific method of diet and exercise, or from their observing a more regular method of study and behaviour than was usual with those of their age and station.

   4. I should rejoice (so little ambitious am I to be at the head of any sect or party) if the very name might never be mentioned more, but be buried in eternal oblivion. But if that cannot be, at least let those who will use it, know the meaning of the word they use. Let us not always be fighting in the dark. Come, and let us look one another in the face. And perhaps some of you who hate what I am called, may love what I am by the grace of God; or rather, what "I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus."

The Character of a Methodist

   1. THE distinguishing marks of a Methodist are not his opinions of any sort. His assenting to this or that scheme of religion, his embracing any particular set of notions, his espousing the judgment of one man or of another, are all quite wide of the point. Whosoever, therefore, imagines that a Methodist is a man of such or such an opinion, is grossly ignorant of the whole affair; he mistakes the truth totally. We believe, indeed, that "all Scripture is given by the inspiration of God…". We believe the written word of God to be the only and sufficient rule both of Christian faith and practice; and herein we are fundamentally distinguished from those of the Romish Church. We believe Christ to be the eternal, supreme God; and herein we are distinguished from the Socinians and Arians. But as to all opinions which do not strike at the root of Christianity, we think and let think. So that whatsoever they are, whether right or wrong, they are no distinguishing marks of a Methodist.

New Testament Lesson: Romans 5:1-8, NRSV

Results of Justification

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.

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

SERMON: Plain, Old Christianity - 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
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.

Padre Nuestro

Padre Nuestro, que estás en el cielo, santificado sea tu nombre;
venga a nosotros tu reino; hágase tu voluntad, en la tierra como en el cielo.

Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día;
perdona nuestras ofensas,como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden;
no nos dejes caer en la tentación, y líbranos del mal. Amén.

CLOSING: Dwell - Casey Corum - El Dorado
Benediction

And remember:
God is with you | Dios está contigo,
God is for you | Dios está a tu favor;
God refuses to be God without you | Dios se niega a ser Dios sin ti.
And may all of God’s people say: Amen! | Y que todo el pueblo de Dios diga: ¡Amén!

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