First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Second Sunday of Advent

December 4th, 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

“You who see us and love us, help us see what you see.”

Prelude

“Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love” by Randy Edwards

Call to Worship

One: In a time where promiscuity was punished by stoning, an unwed young woman pushed past fear and responded “yes” with love and gave birth to God incarnate.
Lord teach us to love boldly.
One: In a tradition where descendants ensured immortality, a betrothed man pushed past pride and responded “yes” with love to raising a child not of his blood.
Many: Lord teach us to love with humility.
One: In a place where disgrace of family could result in loss of community, a respectable married woman refused to be shamed and responded with love and joy for her unwed cousin’s unborn child.
Many: Lord teach us to love unabashedly.
One: In a time, tradition, and place rigid in expectations and harsh with those who don’t meet them, a family risked everything and welcomed Love Incarnate, God-Among-Us into the world.
Many: Lord teach us to love without limits.

Hymn #202: “People, Look East”

Lighting of the Advent Wreath: “Love” by Bob Coppola

Advent Song: “A Holy Hush” verse 2

Praying

Unison Prayer

Gracious God, we gather in love and thanksgiving. We ask for your help in pushing past the barriers the world puts in our way, that keep us from loving fully.
Holy One, remind us, that when we seek to do Your will, we need not be afraid.
Emmanuel, remind us that when we follow your path of love and light, we’ll find our way to life eternal.
Lord of Light, remind us that when we embrace one whom the world scorns, we welcome you into our midst.
God of Love, we offer ourselves to You, to be your hands and feet in building the kindom and the vessels that bring Your light and love to each other and to the world. Amen.

Cares and Celebrations

Silent Prayer

Photo by Carolyn Micklas

The Lord’s Prayer

Listening and Reflecting

Scripture Reading: Genesis 17:15-22

Mission Moment: FUMC Community Breakfast Program, Sylvester Doyer

Time with Young People

Hymn #2092: “Like a Child”

Scripture Reading: Luke 1:39-45

Sermon: “Love”

Responding

Offertory: “Emmanuel Medley” by Bob McGee from a Plainsong Chant, arranged by Fred Bock

A Time to Consider 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?

The Great Thanksgiving

The Lord be with you
And also with you
Lift up your hearts
We lift them up to the Lord
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is right, and it is a good and a joyful thing […] we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Holy indeed are you […] we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice in union with Christ’s offering, as we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life, Lord Jesus come in glory!
Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here […] Through Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your Holy Church, all honor and glory is yours Creator God, now and forever,
Amen.
And now with he confidence of the children of God, let us pray:

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.

A Prayer of Love

Hymn #200: “Tell Out My Soul”

Benediction

Postlude: “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed” from the Wittenberg Gesangbuch (1784), arranged by Anna Laura Page