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

September 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 see us, and love us!”
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

“Lord, I Want to Be A Christian” Arranged by Mike Sharp

Call to Worship

One: Come, Holy Spirit!
Many: You who know and love us, surround us!
One: Breathe into us,
Many: May we be filled with your love!

Hymn #549: “Where Charity and Love Prevail”

Praying

Shared Prayer

Loving God,
You see us,
you know us,
you love us.
This contradicts some things we think we know.
You don’t make us prove ourselves.
You don’t say we need to be better to be worthy of love.
You love us.
As we are.
You love us,
into what we are becoming.
You love us.
We shine with your 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: Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 and Philemon 1:1-21

Time with Young People: “Does God Have Needs?”

Poem: “The Newborns” by Kathryn Hunt

Hymn #560: “Help Us Accept Each Other”

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: “To Be Known”

Responding

Offertory: “The Bond of Love” Arranged by Fred Bock

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 Connecting

God of Love,
As we meet your people,
help us catch a glimpse of what you see in them.
Open our hearts,
and bless the gifts we give,
that your love might flow through us
and all we are able to give. Amen

Hymn #408: “The Gift of Love”

Benediction

May God break open our hearts,
and show us the wonder God sees in God’s beloveds!
Amen

Postlude: “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” Arranged by Don Phillips