First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for Homecoming Sunday

September 11th, 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

“Help us find your ways.”
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

“I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy Down In My Heart” Arranged by Marilynn Ham

Call to Worship

One: Dear ones, sometimes we’re lost.
Many: Thanks be to God who seeks out the lost.
One: Dear ones, sometimes we’re found.
Many: Thanks be to God who is with us when we are found.

Hymn #57: “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing”

Praying

Shared Prayer

God of Everywhere,
You know our going outs and our coming ins.
You know our getting stucks, and our getting outs.
You know our paths, even when they go in circles.
You are the map on which we live our lives.
We are never lost to you.
May we keep on looking to you
as our guiding star, as our signpost.
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: Psalm 35:9-10, 22-28 and Luke 15:1-10

Time with Young People: “The Basics”

Poem: “We are not the same” Pādraig Ó Tuama

Hymn (Zion Still Sings) #168: “We’ll Understand it Better By and By”

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: “Are We Lost?”

Responding

Offertory: “Jesus Is The Song” Arranged by Mary McDonald

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 Homecoming Prayer

Guiding Star, Signpost,
Always With Us God,
While you can always find us,
we can’t always find ourselves,
nor each other.
On this day of togetherness,
may our gifts be signs of our hope
that we can follow your signposts
to justice and compassion.
And may all that we give
be blessed
to build your kindom.
Amen

Hymn #2282: “I’ll Fly Away”

Benediction

Beloveds of God,
no matter how lost you get,
God is with you.
No matter how lost we get,
God is with us.
Thanks be to God!
Amen

Postlude: “Heavenly Sunlight” Arranged Mark Hayes