First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for the 18th Sunday after the Pentecost

October 9th, 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

“Open us to You, right here, right now.”
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

“How Majestic Is Your Name” by Michael W. Smith, arranged by Fred Bock

Call to Worship

One: God you are our home,
Many: even when we are exiles.
One: God you are our wholeness
Many: even when we are broken.
One: God, you are life,
Many: God, you are grace,
One: God, you are hope,
Many: God, you are justice.
One: We come to worship to be at home with you.
Many: We come to worship, to connect with your wholeness.

Hymn #2182: “When God Restored Our Common Life”

Praying

Unison Prayer

God of the Exiles,
You ask hard things of us.
You keep us from getting stagnant.
You push us toward love (even when
we don’t want to).
You keep on caring about the common good.
You keep on calling us to life.
Thanks.
May we help each other listen.
Amen

Cares and Celebrations

Silent Prayer

Barbara Armstrong

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 Luke 17:11-19

Time with Young People

Poem: “When Giving Is All We Have” by Alberto Rios

Hymn #433: “All Who Love and Serve Your City”

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7

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: “Now”

Responding

Offertory: “Peace Like a River”

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?

Stewardship Moment

A Prayer of Now

Hymn #2183: “Unsettled World”

Benediction

Postlude: “Halle Halle Halle”