Order of Worship for June 29, 2025: Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown

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

Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown - Charles Wesley, 1742- El Dorado

Welcome - Stephen Folds

O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing - Charles Wesley, 1739 - 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. 

On June 13, Israel launched illegal and unprovoked attacks on Iran, with Iran retaliating with ballistic missile strikes and drone attacks on Israel. This represents an unprecedented escalation, with hundreds of civilians killed and residential buildings and civilian infrastructure destroyed. The U.S. did not take part in the attacks but has provided support in weapons to Israel.

We call on the U.S. to commit to no direct military engagement and instead engage in direct diplomacy with Iran.

Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY), and Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA) have introduced War Powers Resolutions which would clarify there is no authorization for the U.S. to enter the war. Congress must assert their constitutional authority and resist U.S. involvement in another endless war in the Middle East.

Furthermore, the Israeli strikes were timed to derail negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program. The only way forward for the U.S. is to de-escalate, prioritize diplomacy, stop weapons to Israel, and refrain from direct involvement in the conflict.

As United Methodists, “We reject the use of war as an instrument of foreign policy and insist that every peaceful and diplomatic means of resolution be exhausted before the start of armed conflicts.” Social Principles, Political Community, Government Responsibilities, F., War and Military Service

This latest escalation is happening in the context of a year and a half of Israeli bombing of Gaza as well as Israeli attacks on Yemen, Lebanon, and Syria. War is never in the interests of anyone around the world.

We as people of faith must call on our elected officials to oppose war and support diplomacy. Contact your Senators and Representatives today ask them to support the Iran War Powers Resolution.

July 2: Chapters 29 and 30
July 9: Chapter 31
July 16: Chapter 32 - in person at Center Pointe Villas  in Norwalk

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: Where Can I Go? - 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.

Old Testament Lesson: Genesis 32:24-32, NRSV

Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.”So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then the man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, yet my life is preserved.”The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the thigh muscle that is on the hip socket, because he struck Jacob on the hip socket at the thigh muscle.

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

Sermon: Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown, Rev. Dr. Mandy McDow, preaching

The Immigrant’s Creed - Rev. Daniel Medina, South Georgia UMC, 2017

I believe in almighty God, who guided his people in exile and exodus, the God of Joseph in Egypt and of Daniel in Babylon, the God of foreigners and immigrants.

I believe in Jesus Christ, a displaced Galilean, who was born away from his people and his home, who had to flee the country with his parents when his life was in danger, and who, upon returning to his own country, had to suffer the oppression of the tyrant Pontius Pilate, the servant of a foreign power. He was persecuted, beaten, and finally tortured, accused and condemned to death unjustly. But on the third day, this scorned Jesus rose from the dead, not as a foreigner but to offer us citizenship in heaven.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the eternal immigrant from God’s kingdom among us, who speaks all languages, lives in all countries, and reunites all races.

I believe that the Church is the secure home for all foreigners and believers who constitute it, who speak the same language, and have the same purpose.

I believe that the communion of the saints begins when we accept the diversity of the saints. I believe in the forgiveness, which makes us all equal, and in the reconciliation which identifies us more than does race, language or nationality. I believe that in the resurrection, God will unite us as one people in which all are distinct and all are alike at the same time.

I believe in life eternal beyond this world, where no one will be an immigrant or undocumented but all will be citizens of God’s kingdom that has no end. Amen.

- From FIESTA CRISTIANA, a United Methodist resource for Hispanic worship

El Credo del Inmigrante

Creo en Dios todopoderoso, quien guio a su pueblo durante el éxodo y en el exilio, el Dios de José en Egipto y de Daniel en Babilonia, el Dios de los extranjeros y los inmigrantes.

Creo en Jesucristo, el galileo desplazado, que nació lejos de su hogar y de su gente; que tuvo que huir de su país con sus padres porque su vida corría peligro, y cuando regreso del exilio tuvo que sufrir la opresión del tirano Poncio Pilato, servidor de un imperio extranjero; que fue perseguido, injuriado y finalmente torturado; fue acusado y condenado a muerte en un juicio injusto. Sin embargo, al tercer día, ese Jesús despreciado resucitó de la muerte, no como extranjero sino para ofrecernos la ciudadanía de los cielos.

Creo en el Espíritu Santo, el inmigrante eterno del reino de Dios entre nosotros, quien habla todas las lenguas, habita en todos los países y reúne a todas las razas. Creo en la Iglesia como un hogar seguro para todo extranjero y creyente que la forman, quienes hablan un mismo idioma y tienen el mismo propósito.

Creo que la comunión de los santos comienza cuando aceptamos la diversidad de los santos. Creo en el perdón que nos hace a todos iguales, y en la reconciliación que nos identifica mucho más que la raza, el idioma o la nacionalidad. Creo que Dios, en la resurrección, nos reúne a todos como a un solo pueblo en el que todos somos distintos pero iguales al mismo tiempo.

Creo en la vida eterna más allá de este mundo, en la cual nadie será inmigrante o indocumentado sino todos ciudadanos del reino de Dios que no tendrá fin.

- Tomado de Fiesta Cristiana, un recurso de la Iglesia Metodista Unida para la adoración

Rev. Daniel Medina serves as pastor of Nueva Vida United Methodist Church in Macon, GA and associate director of Connectional Ministries for Hispanic Ministries.

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: Moving Forward - Israel Houghton - 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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