Call to Worship - You are invited to light a candle in your home to welcome the presence of the Holy Spirit
State of Independence - 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.
Announcements:
Stewardship Campaign: Our goal is to raise $20,000/month for payroll, so that we can continue to employ all the people who are working tirelessly to bring the Good News to all who need to hear it. My prayer is that we can raise enough money to cover our church’s payroll over the next three months. This allows the congregation to use any money we have on hand to directly support our ministries.
We have converted our parsonage into a co-housing community, which now has 6 residents living safely and affordably together. We have been able to support people who might not have been able to find sustainable housing in the current market, and we can ensure that they will stay housed during the pandemic. It would be an additional hope to raise $3,000/month to support the utilities and expenses of the co-housing community.
Jubilee Fund: This fund is designated to helping reduce the burden of debt in our community. As we make our way through the pandemic, the economic pressures are going to be challenging. If you feel led, you can now donate through Venmo!
VENMO: You can find us here: https://venmo.com/LAFirstUMC
PAYPAL: https://paypal.me/LAFirstUMC
SQUARE: https://checkout.square.site/pay/be673aef7fcb424e98387016d184e57d
DISCIPLE BIBLE STUDY, Monday, August 23, Chapter 14 - The Just Laws of God
Time: 5:30 - 7:00 PM PST
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/598868178?pwd=U1B2YjZYWURDRXJXMStKajI3L1RWZz09
GENESIS-EXODUS
August 9: No Class
August 16: No Class
August 23: Chapter 14 - The Just Laws of God
August 30: Chapter 15 - Protector of the Powerless
Sept. 13: Chapter 16 - God’s Dwelling Place
Sermon Series: June 6-August 29: CULTIVATE
Exploring what scripture tells us about cultivating hope, possibility, and faith
August 8: Cultivate Humility
August 15: Cultivate Communion
August 22: Cultivate Covenant
August 29: Cultivate Steadfast Love
Sept 5: Sabbath Sunday
Sept 12: HOMECOMING! In-person worship tentatively resumes
We have a NEW new mailing address!
When we are able to meet in person, we will still be congregating in our tents under the blue California sky on the corner of Flower & Olympic in the heart of DTLA, but if you need to send anything to the church via snail mail, here is the address you can reach us at:
Los Angeles First United Methodist Church
P.O. Box 173
South Pasadena CA 91031
Beloved Journal Interview: Mandy McDow and Rob Lee talk with Dr. Peter A. Singer, Special Advisor to the Director-General of the World Health Organization about the Delta Variant of the COVID-19 pandemic
UMW Book Group
We will be kick starting our study of Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools by Monique W. Morris with Hybrid event this Sunday, August 8th.
Those that are vaccinated and feel comfortable meeting in person with a mask, please join us at Villa Flores at 2pm.
For those who prefer to join remotely, here is the zoom link:
Topic: FUMCLA - Pushout
Time: Aug 8, 2021 02:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2471381512
Meeting ID: 247 138 1512
Around 3:30 those of us who choose to, will go across the street to El Cholo for a fellowship time together and to send Lauren off to the next leg of her adventures.
Sunday, August 8th 2pm: Villa Flores - Introduction and Chapter 1
Wednesday, August 18th 6:00pm: Zoom- Chapter 2
Wednesday, August 25th 6:00pm: Zoom- Chapter 3
Wednesday, September 1st 6:00pm: Zoom- Chapter 4
Wednesday, September 8th 6:00pm: Zoom - Chapter 5 and Epilogue
Anyone is welcome to join! If they need a book, they should contact Sara Munshin. Please email Lauren at lk3497a@alumni.american.edu if you have any questions or concerns.
UMW Silent Auction
Date: Saturday, August 14 @ 11:00 a.m, Location: ZOOM
The Zoom link will be sent to you upon your registration.
RSVP: August 6, 2021, to Diane Gin @ dlokgin@gmail.com
This will be a fun, lighthearted virtual program event...featuring the multi-talented Cal-Pac officers and friends in a day of music and laughter as we put our best foot forward amid our Fundraising efforts!
There will be a variety of beautiful baskets that have been received and we look forward to seeing the creative and artistic talents of our Cal-Pac women emerge as we put our Faith, Hope, and Love into Action towards our Mission work!
There are going to be some great baskets, including the one created by our amazing LA First UMC United Methodist Women. The Chardonnay is from Debbie’s brother’s vineyard and sells for around $100. There is a companion basket that contains an equally fine quality Pinot Noir. All proceeds go to UMW mission projects in the USA and around the world.
Feel free to share the registration information with others in your circle of friends.
All of the funds raised by the Silent Auction will go toward UMW mission projects.
Cooling Centers
For a list of cooling centers and more, visit emergency.lacity.org/heat
Summer Night Lights 2021 is here!
SNL is providing both in-person and virtual programming for young Angelenos all summer, including: Sports, Grab & Go meals, Virtual workshops and more. Visit LAGRYD.org/SNL2021 to learn more.
FRIDAYS: Sounds of South Park
Sounds of South Park is expanding! There will be free live music at two locations in South Park at South Park Commons and at The Petroleum Building. Stop by Fridays from 6-8 PM and visit southpark.la/music for more information.
LACountyParks Splash Pads are OPEN!
During these hot summer months, youth are invited to cool off and have fun by visiting one of our 23 splash pads located across LA County. https://parks.lacounty.gov/summer
Mask Mandate for Los Angeles
As the Covid cases increase please remember we are required to wear masks indoors to keep ourselves and others safe.
Covid Testing:
LA City is now offering free testing, without appointments at City-run sites.
Find a site near you: Coronavirus.LACity.org/Testing
For additional COVID-19 resources: Coronavirus.LACity.org/Resources
Vaccines:
California residents can now request in-home vaccinations and/or transit assistance to get vaccinated by registering at MyTurn.ca.gov or by calling the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) COVID-19 Call Center at 1-833-422-4255.
Everyone 12 years and older in LA County is now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Children 12-17 are only eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine—to find a location near you, visit bit.ly/PfizerSites. Learn more about the vaccines at vaccinatelacounty.com.
Need a ride? Uber and Lyft are providing free rides to and from vaccination sites. Don't have the apps? Call 833-540-0473 to book your ride.
There are several vaccine sites set up by Carbon Health that you can check: https://carbonhealth.com/
LA County: http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/vaccine/index.htm
Orange County residents and workers: Register for a vaccination appointment at https://othena.com
CALL TO PRAYER: Surrender - El Dorado
Joys and Concerns: 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.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, NRSV
The king ordered Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.” And all the people heard when the king gave orders to all the commanders concerning Absalom. So the army went out into the field against Israel; and the battle was fought in the forest of Ephraim. The men of Israel were defeated there by the servants of David, and the slaughter there was great on that day, twenty thousand men. The battle spread over the face of all the country; and the forest claimed more victims that day than the sword.
Absalom happened to meet the servants of David. Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a great oak. His head caught fast in the oak, and he was left hanging between heaven and earth, while the mule that was under him went on. And ten young men, Joab’s armor-bearers, surrounded Absalom and struck him, and killed him. Then the Cushite came; and the Cushite said, “Good tidings for my lord the king! For the Lord has vindicated you this day, delivering you from the power of all who rose up against you.” The king said to the Cushite, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” The Cushite answered, “May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise up to do you harm, be like that young man.” The king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept; and as he went, he said, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”
One: This is the Word of God for us, the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God!
Sermon: Cultivate Humility - Rev. Mandy McDow
“When they broke the news to David, it broke his heart, just as simple as that, and he cried out in words that have echoed down the centuries ever since. "O my son Absalom, my son, my son," he said. "Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son" (2 Samuel 18:33).
He meant it, of course. If he could have done the boy's dying for him, he would have done it. If he could have paid the price for the boy's betrayal of him, he would have paid it. If he could have given his own life to make the boy alive again, he would have given it. But even a king can't do things like that. As later history was to prove, it takes a God.” - Frederick Buechner, Peculiar Treasures
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.
CLOSING SONG: Give Me A Clean Heart - 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.
Virtual Coffee Hour Begins now!
Immediately following worship on Zoom
