First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
A Service of Thanksgiving

November 20th, 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 rejoice, we rejoice in you”

Prelude

“We Gather Together”, Netherlands Folk Hymn, Arranged by Fred Bock

Call to Worship

One: We come to give thanks.
Many: We come to give thanks for the goodness of our lives.
One: We come to give thanks.
Many: We come to give thanks for God’s constant presence with us.
One: We come to give thanks.
Many: We come to give thanks, because we need to give thanks.

Hymn #62: “All Creatures of Our God and King”

Praying

Unison Prayer

God of Love,
We give you thanks for all that you have given to us.
When they are present, we thank you for joy, for health, for strength, for peace.
When we are struggling, we thank you for the gift of your presence, assuring us we are never alone in our struggles.
We thank you, even, for grief, and for its reminders that we have known love, even when we ache with its loss.
We thank you for people and places that welcome us and give us the freedom to be as we are with you.
We thank you for each other, for the ways we are able to show each other love.
For the ways we are able to learn from each other.
For the ways we open each other to the wonders of you.
We give you our thanks, we give you our hearts.
Amen

Cares and Celebrations

Silent Prayer

Photo by Carolyn Micklas

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

Poem: “What Now” by Jacob Griffin Hall

Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 26:1-11

Mission Moment: Belinda Forbes’s Ministry in Nicaragua

Time with Young People

Hymn #2004: “Praise the Source of Faith and Learning”

Scripture Reading: Philippians 4:4-9

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: “Rejoice”

Responding

Joy in Giving

Offertory: “Kingsfold” English Folk Song, arranged by Charles Maggs

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?

Hymn #694: “Come, Ye Faithful People, Come”

Benediction

Postlude: “A Joyful Ring” by Barbara B. Kenyon