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

August 28, 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

“God of all creation, help us notice you in each other.”
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

“O Love of God Most Full” Arranged by Don Phillips

Call to Worship

One: The Church of Christ,
Many: today as always,
One: is changing:
Many: is led by the Spirit,
One: is challenged to find its truths,
Many: must keep on rising from the dead.

Hymn #589: “The Church of Christ, in Every Age”

Praying

Shared Prayer

God of power and justice,
like Jeremiah you weep over those
who wander from you,
and turn to life-draining distractions.
Teach us your ways
and write them on our hearts
so that we may follow faithfully
the path you show us.
Help us be builders 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.

Listening and Reflecting

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 2:4-13 and Luke 14: 1, 7-14

Time with Young People: “Life Choices”

Poem: “Narrative Theology #2” by Pádraig Ó Tuama

Hymn #427: “Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life”

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 Art of Choosing What to do with Your Life as a Church”

Responding

Offertory: “Make Me A Servant” Arranged by 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 Prayer of Including

God of power and justice,
Keep on reminding us
about the impacts of
inclusion
and exclusion,
until our hearts expand.
Bless our gifts
to be used
towards your inclusion.
Amen

Hymn #632: “Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether”

Benediction

May God keep on opening our hearts. Amen

Postlude: “What A Mighty God We Serve” Traditional, Arranged by Fred Bock