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

July 4, 2021

Photo by Zach Long

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

“Just as I am, You love me.”
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

“Aria” by Charles Callahan

Call to Worship

One: Sometimes, we are too soft.
Many: Sometimes, we are too hard.
One: Sometimes, we are too naive.
Many: Sometimes, we are too distrustful.
One: Holy One, we are full of errors and imperfections.
Many: Holy One, you are full of grace for us.

Hymn #534: Be Still, My Soul

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Unfailing Grace,
Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown,
and people are not without giftedness except in their own minds. We see, and expound upon our own failings.
Far too often we project self-judgements onto you.
We forget.
We forget that you are love.
We forget that are grace.
We forget that your steadfast love endures forever.
And we forget that the foibles we beat ourselves up over
are still lovable to you.
Remind us to come to you with open hearts and minds,
so we can hear your love and grace,
learn from it,
and live it.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

Elegant Grace,
Help us to see as you see, with love and grace
instead of fear and judgement.
Help us notice the wonderfulness in imperfections,
the joy in irregularity,
the elegance in uniqueness.
Guide us to let go of assumptions of what perfection looks like
what life should like like
what you look like
what we’re to look like.
Make space for us to see. Make space for us to be, just as you made us to be. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father (Creator) 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

Will You Come and Follow Me by Tom Trenney

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10

Children’s Time: Prophets, Kids, and Hometowns

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.

Hymn #2130: The Summons

Scripture Reading – Mark 6:1-13

Sermon: Fuller Cycles

Responding

Offering

Photo by Larry McArthur
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: “With a Voice of Singing” by Martin Shaw

Prayer of Presentation

Unfailing Grace,
The gifts that we offer, we offer in gratitude. We know You.
We trust You.
We seek to unite our lives with You.
Bless what we give, and make it as useful as can be in building your kindom.
Amen

Hymn #593: Here I Am, Lord

Benediction

Be still, dear souls, the Spirit of Grace abides with you, and you are loved. Amen

Postlude

“Rejoicing in D Major” by Stephen H. Best