First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for the 16th Sunday after the Pentecost

September 25th, 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

“Show us our humanity, Lover of Humanity”
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

“Worthy of Worship” by Mark Blankenship

Call to Worship

One: Let your hearts grow soft, dear ones.
Many: We gather to grow.
One: Let your weary souls rest.
Many: We gather to be supported.

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

Praying

Shared Prayer

You Who See Beyond Vision,
Help us notice the very things our brains have learned to ignore,
but we need to attend to in order to grow in 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: Amos 6:1a, 4-7

Time with Young People: “Nonviolent Love”

Poem: “How It Might Continue” by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer

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

Scripture Reading: Luke 16:19-31

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: “Hell and the Mid-Terms”

Responding

Offertory: “Quiet Reflection” by Jason W. Krug

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 Full Humanity

Hymn #439: “We Utter Our Cry”

Benediction

Postlude: “Royal Flourish” by Jason W. Krug