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

July 31, 2022

Photo by Zach Long

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

“Compassionate one, heal our aches.”
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

“Morning Has Broken” Arranged by Fred Bock

Call to Worship

One: Beloveds, you are enough.
Many: Beloved, you are enough.
One: Come drink the living water.
Many: We come to have our thirst quenched.

Hymn #612: “Deck Thyself, My Soul, with Gladness”

Praying

Shared Prayer

God Who Is Enough,
We are saturated with messages
that say
that we are not enough,
that we don’t have enough,
that we can’t have enough.
Fear abounds,
and people try to buy security,
instead of justice.
Help us shed those messages,
and hear you instead.
Help us hear,
and say “beloved,
you are enough.”
Help us trust.
Help us share.
Help us love.
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: Hosea 11:1-11 and Luke 12:13-21

Time for Young People: “Longer Tables”

Hymn #496: “Sweet Hour of Prayer”

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: “Bigger Barns” – Rev. Sara E. Baron

Responding

Offertory: “Because I Have Been Given Much” by Phillip Landgrave

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 about Bigger Barns

God of Love,
We don’t mean to build bigger barns,
we just get lost sometimes.
We don’t mean to build higher fences,
we just get scared sometimes.
We mean to welcome in your people,
but sometimes we get tired.
Guide us.
Guide the use of the gifts we give,
and help them make common barns,
safe bridges,
and true welcomes.
Amen

Hymn #437: “This Is My Song”

Benediction

Beloveds of God, you are enough, and that is enough.
Go, and let yourself rest. Amen

Postlude: “Glorify Thy Name” Arranged by Fred Bock