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

August 14, 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

“Restore us, God of Hosts”
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

“Shine Down” Arranged by Dick Tenney

Call to Worship

One: In the midst of God’s creation,
Many: we bring our hearts together.
One: In the midst of God’s compassion,
Many: we gather our hearts as one.

Hymn #2153: “I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me”

Praying

Shared Prayer

God,
You have sung us so many love songs,
but we keep forgetting the tunes
along with the lyrics.
You have planted in us the seeds
of the kindom itself,
but we aren’t always sure which
plants are your plants.
Help us, Holy One.
Sing to us again,
and help us listen.
Help us weed,
so your plant in us
can thrive.
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: Isaiah 5:1-7 and Psalm 80:1-2, 9-19

Time with Young People

Hymn #2208: “Guide My Feet”

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: Karyn McCloskey

Responding

Offertory: “He Is Everything to Me” by Ralph Carmichael

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 Vineyard Prayer

Beloved God,
We seek to grow
compassion,
hope,
and justice.
May the gifts we give
and the gifts we receive,
be blessed
to be used
to grow your kindom.
Amen

Hymn #2150: “Lord, Be Glorified”

Benediction

May the God of Hope, Compassion, and Justice be seen and known in us. Amen

Postlude: “Happiness” by William J. Gaither