Due to COVID-19, all church activities, events, and group meetings are on hold until further notice.
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Sunday Service at 10 a.m. – Watch Online
In lieu of the annual Good Friday Labyrinth Walk in Simkins Hall, First UMC invites you to follow along with this virtual Labyrinth Walk. Visit the Labyrinth page for more info.
Lenten Devotionals
Lent for Families
Lenten Yoga Series
March 4 – April 1 • Wednesdays • 7 p.m., Open Space Livestream
In this coming season of spiritual dedication, the young adult group Open Space invites all to add the spiritual discipline of yoga to your Lenten practice. Led by Kristia Oney, the Lenten Yoga series will incorporate gentle, restorative, and energizing physical movement (with modifications for all mobility and flexibility levels) along with guidance through scripture, connecting body, mind, and spirit to help us settle into this season with intention. All ages and all levels welcome. Donations accepted.
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Service of Lessons & Anthems
March 29 • 10 a.m. Sanctuary Worship Service
A beautiful and moving annual service of Lessons and Anthems. This is a solemn service, designed to prepare our hearts and minds for Holy Week. In word and music, we will remember the last days of Jesus’ life–his witness, his teaching, his faithfulness.
Order for Easter Flowers
April 2 • Deadline for Dedications
Easter Flowers will once again adorn the sanctuary for Easter service. If you would like to donate toward the purchase of flowers in celebration of a loved one, an event, a joy, or a remembrance please contact the church office info@santamonicaumc.org or 310-393-8258. Cost per flower is $12.
Palm Sunday
April 5 • 10 a.m. Sanctuary Worship
A family favorite, Palm Sunday is a day of celebration and festivities: Celebrate Jesus’s arrival into Jerusalem by waving palm leaves in the sanctuary. After service, enjoy a family brunch at no charge. Take a photo with the Easter Bunny, decorate some eggs, and bring your basket for the annual Egg Hunt!
Good Friday
April 10
- Be Still With Jesus 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Chapel – Open all day for mindful and watchful prayer and meditation
- Good Friday Community Service 12 p.m., St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (958 Lincoln Blvd)
- Labyrinth Open for Walks 1 – 9 p.m., Simkins Hall. Walk in silence to look within. Last walk at 8:30 p.m.
April 11 • 7:30 p.m., Courtyard, Chapel
Join simple church as we observe the ancient tradition of the Easter Vigil, a service of light, word, and table where we remember God’s life-giving acts from the passage from slavery to freedom, from sin to salvation, from death into new life. The service will begin in the courtyard with a procession of light moving into our chapel.
Easter Sunday
April 12
6:30 a.m. Easter Sunrise Service – Palisades Park
(Santa Monica Blvd. & Ocean Ave.)
Coming to worship on Easter Sunday at an hour and place different than we normally do, offers a sense that something unexpected has happened. Where there appeared to be no hope, there is now hope. Where there was death, there is now resurrection!
Easter Sunrise Services: A Celebration of Resurrection originally published at UMC.org by Joe Lovino
Some will remember the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined” (Isaiah 9:2 NRSV). Sometimes the world around us can seem very dark, but in Christ we have a light of hope, the very presence of God in the midst of us.
Beautiful scenery, worship, Holy Communion, hot coffee & fellowship. Bring blankets, chairs, & fresh flowers for the cross.
10 a.m. Easter Celebration Sanctuary Worship
Family Sunday with music of choir, brass & organ, Easter Lilies & Alleluias! Children remain in church; activity bags are provided. Each child will receive a small gift of a flower after the service.
