First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for the 6th Sunday After Epiphany

February 13, 2022

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

“Help us hear, help us listen.”
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

“Open My Eyes, That I May See” Arranged by Don Phillips

Call to Worship

One: Our lives are built on shifting sand.
Many: But God offers us stability.
One: Our expectations are held up by spring ice.
Many: Yet God helps us find a way to safety.
One: We are as certain of what will come next as of the weather
in two weeks.
Many: Still, we can predict that God’s love grounds the universe.

Hymn #508: “Faith, While Trees are Still in Blossom”

https://youtu.be/gA-jpGdnQ1w%20

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

God, Our Fortress,
You are our solid rock,
our continual support,
the peace in the midst of our lives.
When we are shaky,
you are with us
offering a steadying hand.
When we are lost,
you are with us,
whispering the way forward.
When we can go no further,
we can simply rest in you.
God, Our Shelter,
as we respond to seemingly infinite change,
help us remember to rely on you.
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

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 6:1-8 and Luke 5:1-11

Children’s Time: Like a Rock?

Hymn #593: “Here I Am, Lord”

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.

Sermon: “Stay” – Rev. Sara Baron

Responding

Offertory: “Breathe” Arranged by Mark Hayes

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 Predictability

Steady Shelterer,
We are so thankful that you are the same from age to age.
We can let our guards down, knowing that you are our stability.
We trust that you love us in our changeability.
We trust you are wise enough to guide us through this time, too.
As we offer to you all that we have, may it be blessed to build the kindom,
be that through upsetting the status quo, or, perhaps, calming anxious nervous systems.
May love flow through us.
Amen

Hymn #571: “Go Make of All Disciples”

Benediction

Listen for God, whispering songs of love to you.
Listen, knowing that what God suggests will not take more than what you have.
Listen, and trust. Amen

Postlude

“Praise His Greatness” Arranged by Mark Hayes