First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for the Fifth Sunday after the Pentecost

July 10, 2022

Gathering

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 justice, guide our hearts.”
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

“Gentle Shepherd” Arranged by Fred Bock

Call to Worship

One: God, set in our midst a plumb-line.
Many: Show us the differences between justice and injustice.
One: Keep us from distractions.
Many: Keep us from being swayed by other measures.
One: May our hearts be grounded in love and compassion.
Many: May we find your ways, and make them our ways.

Hymn #2145: “Peace Like a River”

Praying

Shared Prayer

God of justice,
your word is compassion and truth.
Let your healing restore us,
that we may walk in your way,
seeking justice and doing good.
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.

Listening and Reflecting

Scripture Reading: Amos 7:7-17 and Luke 10:25-37

Time for Young People: “Plumbline”

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

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: “Desperate Places” – Rev. Sara Baron

Responding

Offertory: “Hymn of Promise” By Natalie Sleeth

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 Prayer for Our Neighbors

God of Us All,
Help us be good neighbors.
Help us savor good neighbors.
May our gifts be blessings
to our neighbors.
Amen

Hymn #581: “Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service”

Benediction

Beloveds of God go and be good neighbors and may your many neighbors bless you as well! Amen

Postlude: “Shine, Jesus, Shine” Arranged by Fred Bock