First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for the Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost

October 31, 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

“Let me treasure giving.”
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

“Elegy” by George Thalben-Ball

Call to Worship

One: The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;
Many: the ordinances of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.
One: More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
Many: sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
One: Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
Many: But who can understand one’s own errors?
Clear me from hidden faults.
One: Also keep your servant from the insolent;
let them not have dominion over me!
Many: Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.

Hymn #145: Morning Has Broken

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Holy Spirit, hear us as we pray. Take the
faltering and stumbling words we say and turn
them into songs. So you will help us give to
God the praise we want to give. Holy Spirit,
speak to us as we pray. Bring merciful and
forgiving words today from God the Author of
our faith. Thus you will help us find the peace
we need to find and to live the life we ought to
live. Amen.

Silent Prayer

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

Children’s Time

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 #549: Where Charity and Love Prevail

Scripture Reading – Luke 12:16-21

Sermon: “Stored Treasures, Lapsed Morals” – Rev. Bill Pattison

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: Trumpet in Dialogue” (from Suite on the First Tone) by Louis Clerembault

Hymn #664: Sent Forth by God’s Blessing

Benediction

Let us go to share our treasures through love. Amen.

Postlude

“Festive Trumpet Tune” by David German