Call to Worship - (If you are joining us from home, you are invited to light a candle to welcome the presence of the Holy Spirit) Prepare Ye by Stephen Schwartz from the musical Godspell - El Dorado
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/What Child Is This? Lute & Lyre arrangement -El Dorado featuring:
Rosalie Guttierrez & Catalina Villanueva
Welcome - Stephen Folds, Music Director
Second Sunday of Advent
Reader: Upon hearing the news that his son would be a prophet of the Most High Zechariah broke into a song of praise. “And you, child, will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins.”
[Light the candle.]
Reader: We light the second Advent candle as an act of praise that by God’s mercy, the Messiah will come to give light to those in darkness, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
ALL: Come, Lord Jesus. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Amen.
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, 1861- John Mason Neale, translator- 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
United Methodist Resources:
AC2023: Special Called Session Registration Now Open
The registration is free until Tuesday, October 31, 2023, PDT/HST. Beginning Wednesday, November 1, a $50 registration fee will apply. To register, click HERE. More information will be posted as it becomes available at calpacumc.org/scs2023.
The 2023 Special Called Session will be held online on November 11, 2023. The 39th Annual Session of the California-Pacific Conference was held June 14-17 in Los Angeles, CA.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES:
Medi-Cal Expansion for all adults age 26-49
Beginning January 1, 2024, adults aged 26-49, regardless of immigration status, qualify for full-scope Medi-Cal. This includes: Doctor visits, Hospitalizations, Prescriptions, & Preventative care. Apply for Medi-Cal at benefitscal.com
Long Beach Universal Basic Income Applications Open in January!
Long Beach Pledge expansion in January! 200 more households with children under the federal poverty level in five zip codes can receive $500/month for 12 months. For more information bit.ly/3Nii4E2
The Seasonal Winter Shelter Program (SWSP) is now open!
SWSP is available until March 31, 2024. These shelters help to keep our unhoused neighbors safe and warm during the coldest months in our region. lahsa.org/winter-shelter
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/emergencyAccess 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: Mary’s Song (Breath of Heaven) By Amy Grant & Chris Eaton- El Dorado featuring Savannah Southern-Smith
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 are invited 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 Reading- Isaiah 40:1-11 God’s People Are Comforted
Comfort, O comfort my people,
says your God.
2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her
that she has served her term,
that her penalty is paid,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
double for all her sins.
3 A voice cries out:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
5 Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
6 A voice says, “Cry out!”
And I said,[a] “What shall I cry?”
All flesh is grass;
their constancy is like the flower of the field.
7 The grass withers; the flower fades,
[[when the breath of the Lord blows upon it;
surely the people are grass.
8 The grass withers; the flower fades,]][b]
but the word of our God will stand forever.
9 Get you up to a high mountain,
O Zion, herald of good news;[c]
lift up your voice with strength,
O Jerusalem, herald of good news;[d]
lift it up, do not fear;
say to the cities of Judah,
“Here is your God!”
10 See, the Lord God comes with might,
and his arm rules for him;
his reward is with him
and his recompense before him.
11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms
and carry them in his bosom
and gently lead the mother sheep.
Gospel Reading : Mark 1:1-8 The Proclamation of John the Baptist
The beginning of the good news[a] of Jesus Christ.[b]
2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,[c]
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,[d]
who will prepare your way,
3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
make his paths straight,’ ”
4 so John the baptizer appeared[e] in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And the whole Judean region and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him and were baptized by him in the River Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with[f] water, but he will baptize you with[g] the Holy Spirit.”
One: This is the Word of God for us, the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God!
Sermon: From Comfort to Preparation - 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:
Instrumental Music - 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.
