First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

October 25, 2020

Photo by Alice Nash

Getting Centered

It may help to center yourself into worship by lighting a candle, as a symbol of God’s presence with you during the time of worship. You may also want to pay attention to lighting, the position of your body, and the availability of distractions.

Breath Prayer

“Lover of our souls / teach us compassion.”
Breath prayers involve breathing in the first phrase, and breathing out the second.
You may wish to simply pray for a moment before starting, or you may wish to pray while listening to the prelude.

Prelude

“Festive Processional” by David Lasky

Call to Worship

One: Love the Lord your God,
Many: We love God with all our hearts, soul and minds.
One: Love your neighbors.
Many: We seek to love our neighbors in word and action.
One: May your life be guided by love.
Many: May we find compassion.

Hymn #402: Lord I Want To Be A Christian

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Lover of our Souls,
Lover of our Beings,
Your love is the center of the universe,
and of our lives.
It is in you that we live, and breath,
and have our beings.
May we continue to learn your love,
from the inside out,
so we can rest in it and
share it with the world.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Photo by Barbara Armstrong

Pastoral Prayer

You are welcome to read this out-loud or silently.

Lover of our Souls, Lover of our Beings,
We seek to savor life itself, as a gift.
We have been reminded that life is a gift,
as we lose those we love.
We seek to savor beauty as a source of awe.
We know that we need to store up the wonder of fall,
to keep colors in mind through winter.
We bring our gratitude to healing, and hope,
even as we worry for those who are ill or injured,
or nearing the end of life.
May your loving support be with all who are struggling,
and may it help us find ways to show support beyond ourselves.
Amen

Photo by Barbara Armstrong

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. Amen.

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

The Gift of Love by Hal Hopson

Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

Thinking of Voting Early?

Voting Hours:

Saturday, October 24	9AM to 2PM
Sunday, October 25	9AM to 2PM
Monday, October 26	12AM to 8PM
Tuesday, October 27	9AM to 5PM
Wednesday, October 28	12AM to 8PM
Thursday, October 29	9AM to 5PM
Friday, October 30	9AM to 5PM
Saturday, October 31	9AM to 2PM
Sunday, November 1	9AM to 2PM

Poll Sites:

If you are registered in a county, you are eligible to vote early at any of the
sites offered in your county. Phone numbers for County Boards of Election
are listed below.

• Schenectady County: 518-377-2469
  • Central Library, 99 Clinton St., Schenectady
  • South Schenectady Fire Dept., 6 Old Mariaville Rd., Rotterdam
  • Glenville Senior Center, 32 Worden Rd., Glenville
  • Niskayuna Town Hall, 1 Niskayuna Circle, Niskayuna
• Saratoga County 518-885-2249
  • Halfmoon Library, 45 Moe Rd., Clifton Park
  • Gavin Park, 10 Lewis Dr., Saratoga
  • Board of Elections, 50 W. High St., Ballston Spa
• Albany County 518-487-5060
  • Albany Board of Elections, 260 Pearl St., Albany
  • Pine Grove UMC, 1580 Central Ave, Albany
  • Boght Comm Fire Dept., 8 Preston Dr., Cohoes
  • Guilderland Fire Dept., 2303 Western Ave., Guilderland
• Rensselaer County 518-270-2990
  • Holy Cross Armenian Church, 255 Spring Ave., Troy
  • Schodack Town hall, 265 Schuurman Rd., Castleton
  • Brunswick Office Building, 336 Town Office Rd., Troy

Children’s Time: God’s Paintbrush Part 2

Passing of the Peace

If you are worshiping with others, please pass the Peace of Christ.
Whether you are alone or with others, please take a moment to find God’s peace within, and then to share it with the world. You may want to reach out to speak peace to another during this week.

Photo by Barbara Armstrong

Hymn #2168: Love the Lord Your God

(You may want to substitute “humankind” for “mankind” as you sing.)

Scripture Reading: Matthew 22:34-46

Sermon – “Love” – Rev. Sara E. Baron

Responding

Offering

Photo by Alice Nash
If you wish, you are welcome to use this time to make a donation to the church online, or to put a check in the mail.
The time of offering is not only about our financial gifts to the church, it is about offering our lives to God and the building of the kindom. This is a time for reflection: What is being asked of us? What is being given to us? What are we able to offer? What do we need?

Offertory Anthem

“We Are Singing for the Lord Is Our Light” – Traditional Zulu Song, arranged by Hal Hopson

Prayer of Presentation

Lover of our Souls, Lover of our Beings,
We offer you our gratitude,
our love,
and gifts in service to your kindom.
May the gifts we give be blessed
to be used with love,
and for love.
Amen

Hymn #432: Jesu, Jesu

Benediction

May God’s compassion find its way into you,
and through you. Amen

Postlude

“Ode to Joy” by Ludwig van Beethoven


Photo by Barbara Armstrong