First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for the 19th Sunday after the Pentecost

October 16th, 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

“From where will our help come? Our help comes from God.”
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

“I Will Praise Him / When Morning Gilds the Skies” by Margaret J. Harris and Joseph Barnby, arranged by Carol Tornquist

Call to Worship

One: From where will our help come?
All: Our help comes from God.
One: Our help is in the name of the Lord
All: The Maker of heaven and earth
One: To God we lift our voices
All: We lift our voices in praise.
One: Come, let us praise our helper
All: We come to sing praise, Hallelujah!

Hymn #451: “Be Thou My Vision”

Praying

Unison Prayer

God of justice and compassion,
as we come into worship,
Remind us of who we are.
Remind us where our help comes from.
Remind us of what we are called to be.
Call us back from our own ways.
Give us the courage and audacity to persist,
even when we are tired.
Even when we are discouraged.
Even when we feel alone.
Renew us and restore us to right relationships
with others and with You.
May it be so, Amen.

Cares and Celebrations

Silent Prayer

Photo by Alice Nash

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: Genesis 32:22-31

Time with Young People

Hymn #464: “I Will Trust in the Lord”

Scripture Reading: Luke 18:1-8

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: “Persist”

Responding

Offertory: Sonata in G Major, Op. 49, No. 2 Tempo di Menuetto (2nd Movement) by Ludwig van Beethoven

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?

Offertory Prayer

ALL: For gifts of a baby’s laughter and sunshine.
For gifts of crisp mornings and rainbows of autumn leaves.
For gifts of a quiet moment and warm cup of tea.
For these and all the gifts given,
May we give them back to the world in need of more love, more care,
and more peace. Amen.

Hymn #121: “There is a Wideness in God’s Mercy”

Benediction

Postlude: “To God Be the Glory / My Tribute” by William Doane and Andraé Crouch