Worship for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

July 30, 2021July 30, 2021
by Administrator

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

August 1, 2021

Photo by Zach Long

Getting Centered

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 are / help us be.”
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 of the Dance” by Charles Callahan

Call to Worship

One: Wherever you’ve been on your journey, welcome.
Many: God invites us all in.
One: Wherever you are on your journey, welcome.
Many: God loves us as we are.
One: Wherever you are going on your journey, welcome.
Many: Wherever we go, God is with us.

Hymn #127: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

God Who Listens,
You listen to what we say, and what we don’t say,
what we do and what we don’t do,
what we want and what we need,
who we love,
and what we fear.
You know us, and you listen to us.
Being heard, being known, being loved heals us.
Help us listen, like you Holy One.
Help us listen with compassion,
help us listen to understand and to heal.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

God We Can Trust,
As the people learned to trust you in the desert,
we too are learning to trust you when
our lives are disrupted and disjointed.
When we struggle, we can remember
you are close at hand.
When we worry, we can rely on you.
Open our hearts to you, to each other,
to all the world,
so that we can be your love,
and you can heal us all.
Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

Lord of the Dance

Scripture Reading – Psalm 14

Children’s Time – Trusting God in the Desert

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.

Hymn #2126: All Who Hunger

Scripture Reading – Exodus 16: 2-4, 9-15

Sermon – Every. Single. Time.

Responding

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: “My Lord, What a Morning” by Lois Land

Prayer of Presentation

God who listens and cares,
You have given us so much, and
we seek to respond with our gratitude.
May the gifts that we offer to you and
your kindom be blessed,
to be used with wisdom and compassion.
Amen

Hymn #463: Lord, Speak to Me, That I May Speak

Benediction

God is trustworthy, God feeds us, God listens and cares. Go, trusting God, and receiving God’s gifts. Amen

Postlude

“Fantasia” by Johann Pachelbel

Online Worship

Worship for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

July 24, 2021July 24, 2021
by Administrator

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

July 25, 2021

Photo by Zach Long

Getting Centered

Breath Prayer

“God of silence, help us listen”
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

“Offertoire” by Théodore Dubois

Call to Worship

One: Speaking truth is hard work.
Many: People don’t like it.
One: Speaking truth is holy work.
Many: It is a piece of God’s loving labor.

Hymn #395: Take Time to Be Holy

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

One who calls prophets, One who calls teachers,
One who calls artists, One who calls healers,
One who calls us all,
The work you ask us to do for the kindom is so diverse.
Sometimes it even seems at odds with itself,
but you are the mastermind,
the one who sees,
the one who finds in chaos
the capacity to build love.
Help us listen to what you ask of us,
and trust each other
even when what we’re called to do differs.
Help us be faithful to what you ask of us,
and supportive of all. Amen

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

God of words, and no words,
Humans fight about authority – who
has it right and who has it wrong (and
how they can prove it).
Sometimes when someone is really
great at something, we assume they
know more about everything. But they
don’t.
Sometimes when someone is really
smart in one area, we assume they
know about other areas too, but they
don’t.
We don’t know who to trust, or how to
decide.
We don’t know where authority lies.
And often we struggle to trust ourselves, and to trust our own sense of your wisdom.
But you are with us anyway. And we have wisdom anyway.
Guide us towards you, and towards ourselves.
Help us find our way to trust.
To letting go of authority, and leaning into grace. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

We Give Thee But Thine Own by Neil Harmon

Scripture Reading – Psalm 14

Children’s Time – Candles

Passing of the Peace

Hymn #400: Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Scripture Reading – 2 Samuel 11:1-15

Sermon – A God Who Cares (about people)

Responding

Offering

Offertory: “For the Beauty of the Earth” by Calvin Hampton

Prayer of Presentation

God of silence, God of words,
You know both what we give and what we keep.
Bless them both.
Bless all of our lives, all of our work, all of our
relationships, all of our contributions.
We seek to give them to you,
to be used in the service of love.
Amen

Hymn #426: Behold a Broken World

Benediction

Dear ones, God is talking to you. Maybe in the quiet, maybe in the chaos,
but God is talking. Listen. It will bless you. Amen

Postlude

“Tuba Tune” by C. S. Lang

Online Worship

Worship for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

July 18, 2021July 18, 2021
by Administrator

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

July 18, 2021

Photo by Zach Long

Getting Centered

Breath Prayer

“You are / always with 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

“Cantilene” by Malcolm Archer

Call to Worship

One: Our Holy One, the one who cares for us, invites us to worship.
Many: In worship, we are led to safe, still waters.
One: God notices, and cares for our needs.
Many: God invites us to see the needs of others.
One: God offers us rest,
Many: and God calls us to action.
One: In all that we are, God is with us.
Many: Thanks be to God.

Hymn #518: O Thou, In Whose Presence

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Good Shepherd,
If we’re honest, sheep are quite dependent on their shepherds.
If we’re honest, we’re quite dependent on you.
This isn’t always comfortable, or easy, but it is true.
We’re dependent on each other too.
Help us, Holy One, to be dependable for each other,
because we keep on learning to be dependent on you.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

Good Shepherd,
A shepherd is only as good as their care for their sheep.
What a funny thing to remember that you are inter-dependent with us.
What a wonderful thing to consider that we truly matter to you.
For millennia, people have been relieved to think of you caring for us as a shepherd cares for their vulnerable sheep.
It seems we know we are vulnerable, and need of care.
Yet often we fight it, and fight you, and act like toddlers wanting to do everything ourselves.
Guide us, Holy One, to the wisdom of interdependence. Help us find empathy for ourselves and for others.
Open our hearts.
Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

Way Maker by Sinach

Mission Moment: Update from Belinda Forbes

FUMC is fortunate to have a Covenant Relationship with our missionary, Dr. Belinda Forbes. Belinda is a United Methodist dentist living and working in Nicaragua. She works with Acción Médica Cristiana (Christian Medical Action). This agency works to improve the health and well-being of Nicaraguan people, particularly in the poorer regions of this country which is the second poorest in our hemisphere. Many of us have had an opportunity to meet Belinda when she has visited her supporting churches. Some of us have experienced awe and respect while working with her and her agency in Nicaragua. We are pleased that we are able to contribute a small part to their work.

Belinda has sent an email updating her work and that of AMC. She has included a 2-minute video that highlights the work that we are able to help support. We hope you will watch the video and learn more about how God’s love is shared through our missionary support. Watch Belinda’s Video here. Her email to us is:

Children’s Time – Jamaica Miles

Passing of the Peace

Hymn #2058: Shepherd Me, O God

Scripture Reading – Psalm 23

Sermon – Jamaica Miles

Responding

Offering

Offertory: “Come to Me” by Dan Forrest

Prayer of Presentation

Caregiver,
As you have given to us so that we can be cared for,
we give our gifts to you to care for others.
Bless them. May they be used well, with wisdom, for your work.
May all that we give become useful to you.
Amen

Hymn #732: Come, We That Love the Lord

Benediction

Dearly beloved of God, take in the green pastures, and still waters,
the eternal presence always with you,
the mercy and hope of God,
savor it,
and share it. Amen

Postlude

“God Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens”

Online Worship

Worship for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

July 10, 2021July 10, 2021
by Administrator

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

July 11, 2021

Photo by Zach Long

Getting Centered

Breath Prayer

“Plumb line of our hearts, tune us to you.”
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

“Jesu, Joy of Our Desiring” by Johann Sebastian Bach

Call to Worship

One: The God of Compassion calls us together.
Many: We seek to be living compassion.
One: The God of universal justice leads us on our ways.
Many: We seek to be sources of justice.
One: God sets a plumb line among the people.
Many: We are called to be God’s plumb line.

Photo from Sara E. Baron

Hymn #126: Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Holy Plumb Line,
How lucky we are to have your guidance.
You seek well-being for all your people,
you define justice with compassion,
you show us the way that leads to life.
When we are tempted to tip the truth in our favor,
you keep the line.
We seek to listen to your wisdom,
and be led by your compassionate justice.
Help us, Holy One.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

God of Compassion,
Our hearts break with those who are grieving, knowing that the pain is immeasurably deep, and those who grieve are changed by their loss.
Our hearts break with those who are hungry, knowing that you seek a world where abundance is shared, and that each hungry person is a tragedy.
Our hearts break with those who are unhoused, whether in their own country or from their own country, knowing that being displaced shakes confidence in all that is good and trustworthy.
Our hearts break with those who are incarcerated, when broken lives meet broken systems that break families and communities all the more.
Our hearts break with those who have been told by church or faith community that they are unworthy of love, when all people are worth of your love and ours.
Our hearts break with those who are afraid, unable to provide for themselves or their loved ones, with no where to turn.
Our hearts break for the caregivers whose capacities have run out, and those who need care and can’t find the care they need.
Our hearts break for those living with addiction and trauma, fighting for well being when it is always an uphill battle.
Oh dear one, our hearts break, and break, and break.
We have caught glimpses of the world as it should be, and it is not the world as it is.
Our greatest hope is in knowing that your heart breaks, and others of your beloveds also live with broken hearts aware of the pain and suffering of those in this world, and willing to let the brokenness transform us, so we can be part of transforming the world.
May it be so. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

The Ground by Ola Gjello

The heavens and the earth are filled with Your glory.
Hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
Lamb of God, who carries the sins of the world.
Grant us peace

Scripture: Amos 7:7-15

Children’s Time: Plumb Lines and Levels

Passing of the Peace

Hymn #433: All Who Love and Serve your City

Scripture Reading – Mark 6:14-29

Sermon: God’s Plumb Lines and Our Values

Responding

Offering

Offertory: “Every Time I Feel the Spirit” by William Dawson

Prayer of Presentation

Plumb line of Compassion,
With the gifts we give to this community
and to the world,
we see to share your love, share our love,
and build the kindom.
Bless all that we give,
that it may be useful to your work,
and abundant in sharing your love.
Amen

Hymn #2223: They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love

Benediction (Franciscan)

May God bless us with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and
superficial relationships, so that we may live deep within our hearts.
May God bless us with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that we may work for justice, freedom, and peace.
May God bless us with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain,
rejection, hunger, and war, so that we may reach out our hands to comfort them and turn their pain into joy.
And may God bless us with enough foolishness to believe that we can make a difference in this world, so that we can do what others claim cannot be done, to bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.
Amen

Postlude

“I Want Jesus to Walk With Me” by Thomas Boatner

Online Worship

Worship for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

July 4, 2021July 4, 2021
by Administrator

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

July 4, 2021

Photo by Zach Long

Getting Centered

Breath Prayer

“Just as I am, You love me.”
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

“Aria” by Charles Callahan

Call to Worship

One: Sometimes, we are too soft.
Many: Sometimes, we are too hard.
One: Sometimes, we are too naive.
Many: Sometimes, we are too distrustful.
One: Holy One, we are full of errors and imperfections.
Many: Holy One, you are full of grace for us.

Hymn #534: Be Still, My Soul

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Unfailing Grace,
Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown,
and people are not without giftedness except in their own minds. We see, and expound upon our own failings.
Far too often we project self-judgements onto you.
We forget.
We forget that you are love.
We forget that are grace.
We forget that your steadfast love endures forever.
And we forget that the foibles we beat ourselves up over
are still lovable to you.
Remind us to come to you with open hearts and minds,
so we can hear your love and grace,
learn from it,
and live it.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

Elegant Grace,
Help us to see as you see, with love and grace
instead of fear and judgement.
Help us notice the wonderfulness in imperfections,
the joy in irregularity,
the elegance in uniqueness.
Guide us to let go of assumptions of what perfection looks like
what life should like like
what you look like
what we’re to look like.
Make space for us to see. Make space for us to be, just as you made us to be. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

Will You Come and Follow Me by Tom Trenney

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10

Children’s Time: Prophets, Kids, and Hometowns

Passing of the Peace

Hymn #2130: The Summons

Scripture Reading – Mark 6:1-13

Sermon: Fuller Cycles

Responding

Offering

Offertory: “With a Voice of Singing” by Martin Shaw

Prayer of Presentation

Unfailing Grace,
The gifts that we offer, we offer in gratitude. We know You.
We trust You.
We seek to unite our lives with You.
Bless what we give, and make it as useful as can be in building your kindom.
Amen

Hymn #593: Here I Am, Lord

Benediction

Be still, dear souls, the Spirit of Grace abides with you, and you are loved. Amen

Postlude

“Rejoicing in D Major” by Stephen H. Best

Online Worship

Worship for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

June 25, 2021June 25, 2021
by Administrator

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

June 27, 2021

Photo by Zach Long

Getting Centered

Breath Prayer

“Holy One, we are here.”
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

“Cantilena” by Josef Rheinberger

One: Through the abundance of your steadfast love,
Many: We will enter your kingdom.
One: We will bow down towards your holy temple
Many: in fear of you.
One: Guide us, Lord, in your righteousness,
Many: make your way straight before us.

Hymn #378: Amazing Grace

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

by Dominic MiMezza

God bless these confirmands and welcome them.
Watch them as they grow.
Guide them as they learn.
Help us teach what needs to be taught.
Help us welcome them into our family. Amen

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

God of endings and beginnings, and everything in between,
We celebrate today endings:
endings of “preparatory membership,”
endings of work towards particular degrees,
endings of an exhausting school year,
endings of particular phases of life.
Because they are so connected, the endings each bring a beginning:
the beginning of full church membership,
beginnings of new degrees or studies,
beginnings of new jobs and careers,
beginnings of times of needed rest and renewal.
In only noticing the ends and the beginnings though, we miss most of life.
Help us find the holy in the every day.
Guide us to find the joys, even when things are busy and overwhelming.
Show us the wonder, even in the mundane and repetitive.
As each of us live this one, glorious
life we are gifted by you,
guide us to see it,
notice it,
appreciate it,
and share the love in it,
as you would have us do.
Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

I Waited for the Lord by Felix Mendelssohn

Scripture: Lamentations 3:22-33

Children’s Time: Baptism and Confirmation

Passing of the Peace

Hymn #140: Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Scripture Reading – Mark 5:21-43

Creeds

Responding

Offering

Offertory: “Rejoice Greatly” by George Frideric Handel

Prayer of Presentation by Emmalia Shappy

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for sharing your eternal love with all,
and we give you our offerings as an expression of our love for you.
We pray for our gifts to be used to extend your kingdom.
Amen

Hymn #64: Holy, Holy, Holy

Benediction by Dominic DiMezza

May the strength of the Lord, love of Christ, and grace of the Holy Spirit be with you.
Show strength by having a fulfilling day.
Show love by having compassion for others.
Show grace by being understanding and the bigger person wherever possible.
Amen

Postlude

“God of Grace and God of Glory” by Johann Sebastian Bach

Online Worship

Worship for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

June 19, 2021June 19, 2021
by Administrator

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

June 20, 2021

Photo by Zach Long

Getting Centered

Breath Prayer

“Peace, be still”
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

“Sarabande” by Jason Krug

Call to Worship

One: In the midst of tribulation,
Many: Holy one, stand with us.
One: When the storms of life are raging,
Many: Loving God, stand with us.
One: When we’re attacked from within and from the outside,
Many: God of stillness, bring us peace.

Hymn #509: Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Peace,
Our hearts yearn for you, and for your peace.
Help us to open our hearts to receive your gifts.
Guide us towards your peace and stillness.
Grant us wisdom to follow your paths,
and trust your ways.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

Peace, Wholeness, Hope, Holy One,
From the midst of anxiety we cry out to you,
“God of love, hear our prayer.”
In fear and discomfort we cry to you,
“God of hope, hear our prayer.”
In pain and illness we cry,
“God of healing, hear our prayers.”
In wonder and awe, we cry to you,
“God of life, hear our prayers.”
In sadness and dismay, we cry to you,
“God who loves, hear our prayers.”
In all we do, in all we are, we cry to you.
Holy God, hear our prayers.
Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

And Peace Shall Guard You by Michael John Trotta

Scripture: Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32

Mission Moment: Juneteenth, Virgia Phoenix

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation into effect, which freed enslaved people of African descent, declaring: “all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free…” It turns out that everyone was not freed by this proclamation. In fact, there were more than 250,000 still enslaved in Texas who didn’t get the news until a full two and a half years later, on June 19, 1865, when troops, led by Major General Granger, arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, with the announcement of their freedom. Upon receiving the news, the people celebrated with prayers, dancing, singing, festivities, reunions and food.

The word Juneteenth is a combination of the month June and the date 19. Even though it was first celebrated in Texas, it was an annual celebration in many parts of the United States. For many years, advocates have striven to make Juneteenth a national holiday. It was declared a state holiday in New York in 2020. S. Res. 547 designated June 19, 2018, as Juneteenth Independence Day. Activity in Congress for many years culminated in the passage by the House and Senate this year to make Juneteenth a national holiday. President Biden signed the proclamation on June 17, 2021, just in time for official celebrations nationwide. Traditional to the celebration of Juneteenth is red foods that are representative of the bloodshed of the enslaved. Bar B Q, Watermelon and red soda are referred to as the “red trinity.” A significant reminder of the struggle can be found in James Weldon Johnson’s “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

Children’s Time: Stand By Me

Passing of the Peace

Hymn #512: Stand By Me

Scripture Reading – Mark 4:35-41

Sermon: “God’s Peace – In the Midst of the Storm” by Rev. Sara E. Baron

Responding

Offering

Photo by Alice Nash
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: “My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord”

Prayer of Presentation

Peace that Passes Understanding,
For all the ways you have brought us peace, we bring you thanks. For all the ways you have brought peace into the world through us, we give you thanks. With the gifts we offer to this community and to the kindom, we seek to bring peace and offer our gratitude for all you do. May our gifts be blessed to be useful.
Amen

Hymn #476: Lonely the Boat

Benediction

Peace. Be still. God is with you. Amen

Postlude

“Fugue in g minor” by Johann Sebastian Bach

Online Worship

Worship for the Third Sunday after Pentecost

June 11, 2021June 11, 2021
by Administrator

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

June 13, 2021

Photo by Zach Long

Getting Centered

Breath Prayer

“Source of shade, may we rest”
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

“Prière” by Léon Boëllmann

Call to Worship

One: God in the Spirit revealed in Jesus Christ, calls us by grace
Many: to be renewed in the image of our Creator, that we may be one in divine love for the world.
One: Today is the day, God cares for the integrity of creation, wills the healing and wholeness of all life, weeps at the plunder of earth’s goodness.
Many: And so shall we.
One: Today is the day, God embraces all hues of humanity, delights in diversity and difference, favors solidarity transforming strangers into friends.
Many: And so shall we.

One: Today is the day, God cries with the masses of starving people, despises growing disparity between rich and poor, demands justice for workers in the marketplace.
Many: And so shall we.
One: Today is the day, God deplores violence in our homes and streets, rebukes the world’s warring madness, humbles the powerful and lifts up the lowly.
Many: And so shall we.
One: Today is the day, God calls for nations and peoples to live in peace, celebrates where justice and mercy embrace, exults when the wolf grazes with the lamb.
Many: And so shall we.
All: Today is the day, God brings good news to the poor, proclaims release to the captives, gives sight to the blind, and sets the oppressed free.
And so shall we.

Hymn #311: Now the Green Blade Riseth

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Oh Holy Gardener, the One who tends our souls.
Plant in us Your seeds of love and justice.
Remind us that big trees come from small seeds,
and big fires start as single sparks.
Remind us again that life-giving movements start as single acts of resistance.
The act of staying seated,
the act of throwing a brick,
the act of speaking a truth
are seeds you can nourish,
sparks you can feed.
Grant us wisdom to know your truth.
Grant us courage to be your mouthpiece, speaking truth to power.
Grant us compassion, to comfort the world’s afflicted.
And when the burdens become too heavy, grant us rest
in the shade of your Garden…
So that tomorrow, we can do it all again. Amen

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

Loving God, when life is like a hot sun beating down on us,
you are shade that helps us breathe and recover.
Life has been like a hot sun beating down on us.
Help us take this time to savor the rest and healing you offer.
With many of our support systems disrupted,
and life as we knew it changed forever,
we are still – often – overwhelmed.
Guide us into the shade where we can stop, and be.
With grief that feels like it flows endlessly on,
and grief piled up on more grief,
we worry that we can go no further.
Help us hear you calling us by name,
inviting us to stop pushing beyond our capacities,
to connect with your Spirit,
and trust in you.
When the day continues on, and the shade moves with the angles,
remind us that we are allowed to keep on receiving the gift,
and nudge us to move to receive your shelter.
When we are ready, show us others in the shade with us,
remind us we aren’t alone,
and bless us with new life from new connections. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

I Will Sing With the Spirit by John Rutter

Scripture: Ezekiel 17:22-24

Mission Moment: Summer Lunch Program, Jan Huston

Schenectady Community Ministries (SiCM) is currently planning distribution of summer lunches. Because of COVID, children will be given pre-packaged, bagged lunches. FUMC’s week to help is July 19—23. Volunteers are needed for 2 different jobs:

2 people are needed daily at the central library for ½ hour – 11:00 to 11:30 – to hand out lunches. We will not be reading to or playing with the children.
3 or 4 or more people are needed daily from 8:00—11:00, or any part of that time, to help pack lunches at the SiCM site at 83 9 Albany St.

We hope that participating at SiCM will help us get an updated understanding of SiCM and a better feel for the community. Please try to volunteer for one of these tasks by contacting Jan Huston, or the Church Office.

Children’s Time: Seeds of Love

Passing of the Peace

Hymn #97: For the Fruits of This Creation

Scripture Reading – Mark 4:26-34

Sermon: “Shade” by Rev. Sara E. Baron

Responding

Offering

Offertory: “You Are Holy” by Per Harling

Prayer of Presentation

God who gives us rest,
Thank you for all that you give to us.
Please receive this offerings as signs of our gratitude and our hope.
May they be blessings for others who need your gifts as well.
Amen

Hymn #583: You Are the Seed

Benediction

May God’s shade give you rest, and life, hope, and restoration. Amen

Postlude

“Chaconne” by Louis Couperin

Online Worship

Worship for the Second Sunday after Pentecost

June 4, 2021June 4, 2021
by Administrator

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

June 6, 2021

Photo by Zach Long

Getting Centered

Breath Prayer

“God of Love, Center us here”
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 of the Dance” by Charles Callahan

Call to Worship

One: From the depths of despair,
Many: we have cried out for God.
One: From the heights of wonder,
Many: we have shouted our praises.
One: From the midst of our living spaces,
Many: we have worshipped.
One: In the midst of the people of God,
Many: we have worshipped.
One: Our humanity cries out for God.
Many: Our very beings need to worship.

Hymn #68: When In Our Music God is Glorified

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Steadfast Love,
You who created us, love us.
We are so grateful.
You who give us life, wish for us to live abundant.
We are so grateful.
You who offer us love, offer it to all people.
We are so grateful.
We seek, with all our hearts, to be expressions of your steadfast love
for all people.
Guide us, please, Holy One.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

Steadfast Love that Endures Forever,
How good you are to us.
You put in place a rhythm, a schedule to life that brings abundance to life.
You ask us to separate work from rest,
to take time for recovery,
to connect with you and each other.
You commanded Sabbath,
a rest,
a break,
a different day from the other 6.
You commanded us to take a gift you
give to us.
Scriptures are full of words of worship,
showing us how deep the human need to connect to you
and each other
is in our souls.
We give you thanks for worship, in its many formats and styles,
as a break,
a respite,
a gift.
6 days a week we seek to build your kindom,
today we seek to let it be build in us.
May it be so. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

Simple Gifts Shaker Folk Song

Scripture: Psalm 130

Children’s Time: Just Like Me

Passing of the Peace

Hymn #92: For the Beauty of the Earth

Scripture Reading – Mark 3:20-35

Sermon: “Only Love Can Do That” by Rev. Sara E. Baron

Responding

Offering

Offertory: “Everything Possible” by Fred Smith

Prayer of Presentation

Wellspring of Love,
You have given us so many gifts, including time to rest and time to worship. We are grateful and wish to respond as we can. Please accept the gifts of our presence when we are able to connect, our financial gifts when we are able to give, our service when it is possible to serve, our witness of love, and our lives devoted to your kindom. Bless all that we offer, to make it useful for your work -and your rest. Amen

Hymn #496: Sweet Hour of Prayer

Benediction

The God of Love is capable of transformation. Neither anger nor hate can stand against the power of God’s love. May God’s transformational power be found in you and through you! Amen!

Postlude

“The Heavens Declare the Glory of God” by Benedetto Marcello

Online Worship

Worship for Pentecost Sunday

May 30, 2021May 30, 2021
by Administrator

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for Pentecost Sunday

May 30, 2021

Photo by Zach Long

Getting Centered

Breath Prayer

“God of homelands and diasporas, you are with us here.”
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

“Come, Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire” by Wilbur Held

Call to Worship

One: Peace.
Many: Paz.
One: Shalom.
Many: Salaam.
One: Pace.
Many: Paix.
One: Skén:nen.
Many: Rugare.

Hymn #558: We Are the Church

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

God of Us All,
First there was Jesus, teaching and healing.
Then hope died.
But, you God, brought hope and life back,
and there was a time of visions and prophesies.
You, Holy One, weren’t done yet though.
You were only getting started.
Then there was Pentecost,
and the Spirit of Jesus entered the people,
and hope and life lived on in them.
The church was born,
the body of Christ, alive and well in the world,
sharing love,
being hope,
building the kindom.
Bless us again, Holy One.
Breathe into us the Spirit,
fill us with life anew,
make us into the body of Christ,
let us be vessels of your peace.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

God of Homelands and Diasporas,
You are with us wherever we go, thank you.
Yet we as humans yearn for home.
We are aware of the many people in the world who have been forced from their homelands, and seek a new, safe home.
We are also aware of the people in the world whose lives have been displaced by COVID and no longer feel like home is familiar or safe.
We send our love and care to your displaced, the homeless, the displaced, and the discombobulated peoples.
We ask for your guidance in care for each other, and in care for ourselves, that we may find our homes in you, and be safe homes for your beloveds.
As we speak and act, may our love and yours intermingle, to make this world a better home for more people.
Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

A Gaelic Blessing by John Rutter

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21

Mission Moment – Virgia Phoenix

Peace with Justice
The Peace with Justice Program of the United Methodist Church was officially established at the 1980 General Conference, although peace with justice efforts date back to John and Charles Wesley. Methodism and social action have gone hand in hand struggling against injustice locally and globally.
Peace with Justice is related to our covenant with God in bringing about Shalom. This is realized through an understanding of the Biblical and theological foundations which inform our growth and actions in church and society.
We are called to acknowledge the brokenness in our world and to work for peace and justice in all facets of society affecting the human condition and all of God’s creation. New and emerging concerns play out in real time and challenge
us to respond accordingly.

Within the United Methodist Church, the Peace with Justice program is authorized by the Discipline and falls under the
supervision of the General Board of Church and Society. Each Annual Conference names a Coordinator who is responsible for promoting peace with justice ministries within that Conference.
One of the special observances occurring annually is Peace with Justice Sunday. Historically celebrated on the first Sunday after Pentecost or on a date deemed appropriate by the local church. On this Sunday, a special offering is received for the purpose of supporting Peace with Justice ministries at the local level and throughout the Connection. One half of the offering stays in the annual conference to be administered by the conference Peace with Justice Coordinator and Board of Church and Society. The other half goes to the General Board for Peace with Justice Ministries beyond the annual conference.

Children’s Time

Passing of the Peace

Hymn #603: Come, Holy Ghost, Our Hearts Inspire

Scripture Reading – John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15

Sermon: “Come, Holy Spirit” by Rev. Sara E. Baron

Responding

Offering

Offertory: “Spirit, Open My Heart” by Alfred V. Fedak

Prayer of Presentation

God of homelands and diasporas,
You are with us, wherever we are, wherever we go.
May our gifts to the kindom,
spread the sense of home
into the world.
Amen

Hymn #420: Breathe on Me, Breath of God

Benediction

May God who is with you, in you, among you, beside you, and beyond you, keep on surprising you! Amen

Postlude

“Entrée” by Théodore Dubois

Worship for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

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

August 1, 2021

Getting Centered

Breath Prayer

Prelude

Call to Worship

Hymn #127: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

Scripture Reading – Psalm 14

Children’s Time – Trusting God in the Desert

Passing of the Peace

Hymn #2126: All Who Hunger

Scripture Reading – Exodus 16: 2-4, 9-15

Sermon – Every. Single. Time.

Responding

Offering

Offertory: “My Lord, What a Morning” by Lois Land

Prayer of Presentation

Hymn #463: Lord, Speak to Me, That I May Speak

Benediction

Postlude

Worship for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

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

July 25, 2021

Getting Centered

Breath Prayer

Prelude

Call to Worship

Hymn #395: Take Time to Be Holy

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

Scripture Reading – Psalm 14

Children’s Time – Candles

Passing of the Peace

Hymn #400: Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Scripture Reading – 2 Samuel 11:1-15

Sermon – A God Who Cares (about people)

Responding

Offering

Offertory: “For the Beauty of the Earth” by Calvin Hampton

Prayer of Presentation

Hymn #426: Behold a Broken World

Benediction

Postlude

Worship for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

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

July 18, 2021

Getting Centered

Breath Prayer

Prelude

Call to Worship

Hymn #518: O Thou, In Whose Presence

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

Mission Moment: Update from Belinda Forbes

Children’s Time – Jamaica Miles

Passing of the Peace

Hymn #2058: Shepherd Me, O God

Scripture Reading – Psalm 23

Sermon – Jamaica Miles

Responding

Offering

Offertory: “Come to Me” by Dan Forrest

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

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

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

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

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

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