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

May 15, 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

“Hope. Love.”
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

“The Bond of Love” Arranged by Fred Bock

Call to Worship

One: They’ll know we are Christians…
Many: by our love!
One: But, will they?
Many: Sometimes that’s harder than it sounds.
One: Sometimes we’re not as loving as we wish.
Many: And yet.
One: And yet God is not done with us yet?
Many: And yet God is not done with us yet.
Thanks be to God!

Hymn #384: “Love Divine, All Love’s Excelling”

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Eternal Love,
It is because of you that we hope.
It is because of you that we know ourselves to be loved and lovable.
It is because of you that we seek the kindom.
It is because you
and yours
have loved us, that we have love to share!
We are so grateful.
to be formed in love
and to have love to share!
Guide us,
that our love may be a source of life!
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: Revelation 21:1-6 and John 13:31-35

Time for Young People: “I Believe in the Sun”

Hymn #432: “Jesu, Jesu”

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: “Love. One. Another.” – Rev. Sara Baron

Responding

Offertory: “Oh Love That Will Not Let Me Go” – St. Margaret, Arranged 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?

A Loving Prayer

O Holy One,
May the gifts we give,
in love,
be used
for love.
Amen

Hymn #560: “Help Us Accept Each Other”

Benediction

May the words be true: may we be known by our capacity to share God’s love, with one another and with the world. Amen

Postlude

On “Nettleton” (Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing) from John Wyeth’s Repository of Sacred Music