First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for the Fifth Sunday in Lent

April 3, 2022

Photo by Sue Learner

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

“Holy One, help us let go of the past.”
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

“Kyrie, Gott Vater in Ewigkeit (Kyrie, God the Creator Eternal)” by Johann Sebastian Bach

Call to Worship

One: God tells us to let go of the past.
Many: What if we aren’t ready?
One: God is up to a new thing.
Many: What if we aren’t ready?
One: God calls us into the present.
Many: Here we are, and here we will stand.
(Even if we don’t feel ready.)

Hymn #506: “For the Fruits of this Creation”

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

You Who Have Done Great Things For Us,
What a wonderful thing it is to live in this world!
The natural beauty astounds us!
The uniqueness and capabilities of humans amaze us!
There is generosity and beauty in abundance!
So many people see you and your goodness!
The miracles of life are stunning.
Help us see,
and remember,
the good and awe inspiring all around.
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: Psalm 126 and Isaiah 43:16-21

Children’s Time: “Tears to Joy”

Hymn #383: ““This Is a Day of New Beginnings”, verses 1-4

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: “Forgetting” – Rev. Sara Baron

Responding

Offertory: “Christe, du Lamm Gottes (O Lamb of God Most Holy)” by Johann Sebastian Bach

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?

A Present to this Moment Prayer

God of Now,
Many of us slip too easily into the past,
worrying about how we might have acted differently,
remembering with joy what was,
aching for those we’ve lost,
aching for that which we’ve lost.
Many of us slip too easily into the future,
dreaming of what will come,
hoping for renewal,
wishing away the present.
Yet, you meet us here, in the present.
Even when it is hard,
even when it is scary,
even when it feels out of control.
We meet each other here, in the present,
knowing we are neither who we were,
nor who we will be,
but only who we are right now.
We give to you our gifts,
here in the present,
hoping they are useful now,
and useful for building a better future.

Hymn #388: “O Come and Dwell in Me”

Benediction

God is with you, here and now.
And you are ready and able to be with God in God’s new things.
Thanks be to God. Amen

Postlude

“Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten (Who only lets God Guide)” by Johann Sebastian Bach