First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for the Third Sunday of Easter

May 1, 2022

Photo by Ann Farrell

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

“God of abundance, calm our fears.”
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

“Come, Christians Join to Sing” arranged by Bill Ingram Riley

Call to Worship

One: We gather to praise God,
Many: because God is with us.
One: We set our hearts on holy things,
Many: because God is a God of compassion.
One: We take time to worship,
Many: because we have known the wonder of love.

Hymn #454: “Open My Eyes, That I May See”

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Creator of the universe,
you created the world with enough:
enough food, enough beauty, enough love.
When humans distort your creation,
with poverty, sickness, selfishness,
war and greed,
forgive us, and change our hearts,
so that your creation may glorify you with justice, love, and peace.
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 30 and John 21:1-19

Time for Young People: “Zooming Out”

Hymn #314: “In the Garden”

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: “The Other Side of the Boat” – Rev. Sara Baron

Responding

Offertory: “This is My Song (or Be Still My Soul)” Arranged by Jason W. Krugs

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 Barrier Dropping Prayer

Creative One,
When we are stuck,
you are able to show us how to be freed.
When we are scared,
you are able to show us how to be generous.
When we put up barriers,
you are able to show us how to trust enough to let them fall.
As we offer to you our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our lives as witness,
we ask for your blessings on our gifts, that they may build the kindom and free others from their fear.
Amen

Photo by Amanda Taylor

Hymn #311: “Now the Green Blade Riseth”

Benediction

When you keep on doing the same thing, without the results you want,
may you hear God’s still-small-voice,
urging you to try the other side,
and may you be astounded by the results. Amen

Postlude

“Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart!” to the tune of MARION Arranged by Arthur Messiter