Home Worship for April 18 2021

Staying home is a form of loving your neighbor. Think about it, you may be staying home for your own health but in reality you then become less of a carrier to others that you might come in contact with. We hope you will feel close to God who is near even if we are far apart. May God Bless you and Keep you.


If you are in a high risk category, it is highly recommended that you remain safe as much as possible. Caregivers and family members are encouraged to do the same, so as to not jeopardize their loved ones. 


If you are not comfortable attending socially distanced activities, please stay home and stay in touch! 

"Hymn to Joy" Jason Payne, Charles "Doc" Erwin

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Call to Worship: Witnesses

(inspired by Luke 24:45-48)


We are witnesses,

to the love God has poured into us.

We are witnesses of God’s love,

sharing it with each person we meet.

We are witnesses to everyone we encounter,

little children like us,

sisters and brothers in God’s family.


Written by Thom Shuman

Hymn: Blest Be the Tie that Binds UMH #557

1. Blest be the tie that binds, our hearts in Christian love;

the fellowship of kindred minds, is like to that above.


2. Before our Father's throne, we pour our ardent prayers;

our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, our comforts and our cares.


3. We share each other's woes, our mutual burdens bear;

and often for each other flows, the sympathizing tear.


4. When we asunder part, it gives us inward pain;

but we shall still be joined in heart, and hope to meet again.


CCLI Song # 25369. Johann Hans Georg Nägeli | John Fawcett © Words: Public Domain, Music: Public Domain. All rights reserved. CCLI License # 625707.

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Prayer of Intercession

(based on Luke 24:36-48) 


Lord Jesus Christ, the light of your love shines on, illuminating the places where you are present. As the bewildered disciples pondered the stories of your appearance, you penetrated the darkness of their fear and doubt with your word of peace. You showed them the appalling marks of evil pierced on your hands and feet. You opened their minds to understand why you had to die to defeat such evil and death. Increase our understanding, we pray, and open our minds and hearts to receive you . . . [Time of Silence]


Bring to us O God, the sense of your living presence as we go into this new week. Renew in us the faith you want us to have, the faith that is not afraid to reach out in your name and to share the treasure you have given us, that treasure which is greater than silver and gold . . .

Lord – you know our hearts, you know our needs, and you know the hearts of those around us and their needs. We lift ourselves and them before you at this time . . . [Time of Silence]


Lord, we specially hold before you today . . . (intercessions are shared) [Time of Silence]


Finally, O Lord, we ask that you would bless us at [local congregation] with vision for the future and reverence for the past. Guide us each day as we minister to one another and to world for which you gave yourself. Help us each day to bear witness to your name and to do that which you would have us do. We ask it through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Written by Rev. Richard J. Fairchild and posted on his Kir-shalom website. Opening paragraph written by Moira Laidlaw, on Liturgies Online. Reposted: https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2012/04/prayers-of-people-easter-3.html.

Message: "The Real Rebellion"

Pastor Emily Denmark-McGee

Lectionary Series


If sin is rebellion then what is sin? The passage begins with identifying Christ followers by their love. The real rebellion is going against the Way of Love.


Scripture: 1 John 3:1-7 CEB

3 See what kind of love the Father has given to us in that we should be called God’s children, and that is what we are! Because the world didn’t recognize him, it doesn’t recognize us.


2 Dear friends, now we are God’s children, and it hasn’t yet appeared what we will be. We know that when he appears we will be like him because we’ll see him as he is. 3 And all who have this hope in him purify themselves even as he is pure. 4 Every person who practices sin commits an act of rebellion, and sin is rebellion. 5 You know that he appeared to take away sins, and there is no sin in him. 6 Every person who remains in relationship to him does not sin. Any person who sins has not seen him or known him.


Practicing sin or righteousness

7 Little children, make sure no one deceives you. The person who practices righteousness is righteous, in the same way that Jesus is righteous.

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They'll Know We Are Christians

Los Angeles First United Methodist Church

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Blessing for God's Chosen Witnesses

Go now as God’s chosen witnesses to testify that Christ has been raised and that we are raised with him. Do not look for him among the dead, but be glad and rejoice in his salvation.


And may God raise you from all that would entomb you; May Christ Jesus call you by name and go ahead of you; And may the Holy Spirit empower you for all that is good.


We go in peace to love and serve the Lord, . . . In the name of Christ. Amen.

Revised Common Lectionary

Further Readings for the Third Sunday of Easter, April 18, 2021, from The Revised Common Lectionary, Year B.


1st Reading: Acts 3:12-19

Psalm: Psalm 4

2nd Reading: 1 John 3:1-7

Gospel: Luke 24:36b-48


https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/