First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for the 17th Sunday after the Pentecost, World Communion Sunday

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

“We come to be fed, Bread of Life.””
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

“In the Cross of Christ I Glory” by Ithamar Conkey

Call to Worship

One: In the shadow of the cross, wracked with sorrow and pain
Many: Your people have gathered and remembered you.
One: In the catacombs of Rome, cloaked in secrecy and faith
Many: Your people have gathered and remembered you.
One: In fields of cotton and tobacco, enslaved and abused
Many: Your people have gathered and remembered you.
One: On battlefields and in bomb shelters, despite fear and uncertainty
Many: Your people have gathered and remembered you.
One: In the wake of earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, fires, and floods, consumed by exhaustion and hopelessness
Many: Your people have gathered and remembered you.
One: In bars and nightclubs, on street corners and in doorways, rejected and excluded by “your Church”
Many: Your people have gathered and remembered you.
One: And for centuries, in chapels, churches, and cathedrals on ordinary Sabbath days,
Many: Your people have gathered and remembered you.
One: Today we gather here in love, to claim this piece of our inheritance, to join our path with all who have partaken of this meal since the Last Supper, with gratitude for the stewards who came before, in fellowship with those throughout the world remembering and celebrating today, and in preparation for those who will lead into the future.
Many: Lord we come to this table today. Your table, not ours. Opened to all so that many may become one in you. We stand together in gratitude for your love and faithfulness throughout the ages. We acknowledge our imperfections and the abundance of your grace. We take up our part in this time and place to steward the many gifts
you have given us, so that all who are hungry may be fed.

Hymn #547: “O Church of God United”

Praying

Cares and Celebrations

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 37:1-9

Time with Young People

Poem: “Is God a Bread Maker” from “Calling God She” Rev. Dr. Barbara Thorington Green

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

Scripture Reading: Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4

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: “Bread of Life”

Responding

Offertory: “Put Peace into Each Other’s Hands”

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?

World Communion Table

One: The Lord be with you.
Many: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts.
Many: We lift them up to the Lord.
One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
Many: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
…we join in their endless praise, saying:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed are they who come in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
…We have testified that this mystery of salvation found in Jesus Christ is for all,
when we say:
Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life, Spirit of Love,
live in us now!
…Now as those called and empowered by God let us join with Christ in prayer:
Our Father, 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, forever. Amen

A Prayer of Gratitude

Hymn #439: “In Christ There Is No East Or West”

Benediction

Postlude: “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” Peter Lutkin