First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for the Second Sunday of Advent

December 5, 2021

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

“Make our paths smoother, God of Peace.”
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

Meditation on Veni Emmanuel by Hal Hopson

Call to Worship

One: We are drawn to the promises:
Many: the road home is under construction.
One: It will be a better road soon:
Many: the ups and downs leveled out.
One: When we can walk it with ease,
Many: the compassion of God will be seen.

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

God Who Shows Us the Way,
We ask that you remember your promise
to make straight the paths that lead to you,
and smooth the rough ways.
Our paths are quite curvy and rough,
and your work is appreciated.
We see your work of healing and hope,
and we seek to share it with your world.
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

Hymn #206: I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light

Scripture Reading: Malachi 3:1-4

Mission Moment: Alternative Giving: Community Breakfast – Sylvester Doyer

I want to talk to you about considering the Community Breakfast Program for Alternative Giving. I want to share with you what and how the Breakfast Program during the pandemic, from the very beginning to the present, continued to serve those in the community who still needed a place to go to receive at least one nutritious meal for the day. Thanks to seven volunteers who committed themselves to making sure there was no disruption in the program.

At the very beginning of the pandemic, a decision was made to continue the Breakfast Program and adjust it to fit the situation but still be able to feed people. When there was no indoor seating allowed in restaurants, the volunteers at the program put together every Sunday a bag Breakfast to go and usually enough food for breakfast and lunch. We were averaging every 2, 3 and 4th Sunday, and if there was a 5th Sunday, giving out 20 – 30 bag breakfasts to individuals and families who came
to FUMC for our Community Breakfast.

The program throughout the worst of the pandemic and now to this present day continues to serve a nutritious and now hot Breakfast every Sunday to the community surrounding FUMC. We have noticed new faces and seen a slow increase in the elderly and children who are coming to the Community Breakfast. It is only due to the support of you and the commitment of seven volunteers that we have been able to continue providing a nutritious and hot meal to those who come to the doors of FUMC seeking nourishment for their body and a bit of companionship or just looking for someone to listen to them and share some for a moment.
So I am asking you to consider the Community Breakfast Program when you are thinking about Alternate Giving. Help us to continue being a place known where no matter who you are, you are not judged but made to feel important, accepted and welcome, and given a safe place to be who you are and get a warm and nutritious meal.

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.

Scripture Reading – Luke 3:1-6

Sermon: “The Road Home is Under Construction” – Rev. Sara Baron

Responding

Advent Song: Come and Find the Quiet Center

Advent Wreath Lighting

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?

Prayer of Presentation

God, our home and our way home,
Peace that passes understanding,
in you is the stillness that often evades us,
in you is the wholeness we seek.
Open our hearts, our minds, our spirits, our beings to your peace,
so that we may let our lives ring with the aim of
letting there be peace on earth.
Amen

Benediction

Children of God’s Light, People of Peace,
may God steady you to traverse the roads ahead. Amen

Postlude

Postlude on Wachet auf by Johann Gottfried Walther