Worship for the Third Sunday After Epiphany

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for Third Sunday After Epiphany

January 24, 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

“I trust in God / my rock and my refuge.”
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 Paul Manz

Call to Worship

One: For God alone we wait.
Many: God is our rock.
One: For God we wait in word and in silence.
Many: God is our refuge.
One: God alone is our hope.
Many: God is our fortress.
One: Because of God we cannot be shaken.
Many: God is our salvation.

Hymn #344: Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Our Rock and Our Salvation,
You are our anchor,
our healer,
our hope.
Some among us are inspired, delighted, hope-filled.
Some among us are hesitant, worried, unsure.
Many of us are all of the above.
We want to be a part of building the kindom,
but we aren’t quite sure what this moment asks of us.
Guide us, Holy One.
Show us how to rely on you,
and each other,
so we can be sources of healing and hope too.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer and “Grown Up’s Time”

You are welcome to read this out-loud or silently.
Safe Fortress,
We humans spend so much of our time seeking safe harbors.
They’re necessary for us.
We need food, clothing, and shelter,
and we need them to be safe to access.
We are, after all, mortal beings with needs.
Sometimes our need for safety can become an impediment,
when it requires us to seek more than we need,
when it encourages us to lock others out,
when it prevents us from going where we need to go.
In these days, we think about safety a lot.
We consider it in every action we take,
thinking about how what we do takes care of ourselves and each other.
We consider it as we make sense of the attack on our Capitol.
It can be exhausting.
Help us remember to lean back on you,
to remember that you are our rock, our refuge, our fortress.
Remind us again that because you are our safe place,
we can let go of excessive needs for unnecessary safety.
And remind us again that because you are our safe place,
we can do the hard work of isolation,
to be safe places for our communities.
Help us find balance,
help us find safety,
help us find good paths forward.
Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father 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.

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

Longing for Light, We Wait in Darkness by Bernadette Farrell

Scripture: Psalm 62:5-12

Mission Moment

A Poem shared by Jan Huston
“The Peace of Wild Things” by Wendell Berry

When despair for the world grows in me
And I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
Rests in his beauty on the water and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
Who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free

We are all feeling stressed. Hopefully, most of us have found some ways to relieve it. Getting outdoors, with or without friends, can relieve anxiety for many. We are very fortunate living in this area where there are so many opportunities to experience nature. We can make day trips to the Adirondacks, Catskills, Vermont or the Berkshires (depending on Covid restrictions). Or we can stay close to home and just enjoy an hour or 2 outside. Some local sites and sources for more information are:

• Schenectady’s Central Park
• Saratoga Plan
• Vischer Ferry Preserve
• Environmental Clearinghouse of Schenectady
• Schenectady County Forest Preserve
• Wilton Wildlife Nature Preserve
• Thacher Park
• FUMC’s monthly outings sponsored by our Children and Youth Ministry Team

There are many more! If you have a place you would like to share as a mission moment, please let me know

Children’s Time

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 #508: Faith, While Trees Are Still in Blossom

Scripture Reading – Mark 1:14-20

Sermon: “What Did They See?” by Rev. Sara 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 Anthem: In Thee Is Gladness by David Cherwien

Prayer of Presentation

God in Whom We Trust,
We respond to your calls, trusting you to be with us on our way.
As we offer to you our time, our talents, and our gifts,
may they be blessed,
and may all that we offer be used wisely,
for the building of your kindom.
Amen

Hymn #733: Marching to Zion

Benediction

May God who is our rock our refuge, our shelter, our fortress, and our salvation, guide you through, call you out, and show you the way. Amen

Postlude

“Processional in D Major” by David N. Johnson

Worship for Human Relations Day

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for Human Relations Day

January 17, 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

“Our Rock and our Refuge, hold us steady.”
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

“Life Every Voice and Sing” by Wayne L. Wold

Call to Worship

One: Welcome to worship beloved of God.
Many: We come desperately seeking a steady place to stand.
One: Whatever winds may blow, God remains steadfast.
Many: We come desperately seeking hope for the future.
One: God’s work for a just and whole world never stops.
Many: We come with our fears and our sadness,
our dismay and our distress.
One: God is with us, ready and able to receive all that we bring.
Many: God is our rock, our refuge, and our salvation.

Hymn #519: Lift Every Voice and Sing

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Our Rock and Our Refuge,
Throughout history, you have remained steadfast.
You have watched power structures rise and fall.
You have seen violence used to gain and hold power many times.
Throughout history, you have worked for the wellbeing of the whole,
sought the common good,
decried violence and injustice through your prophets,
and subverted structures that harm your beloveds.
For many of us, the degradations of these days are new,
but you have seen it all before.
Guide our country, Holy One, along with our world.
Guide us.
Move hearts towards peace.
Move leaders towards wisdom.
Move structures towards justice.
Move us all towards your kindom.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Photo from United Methodist Communication

Pastoral Prayer and “Grown Up’s Time”

You are welcome to read this out-loud or silently.
Our Rock and Our Refuge,
We need you.
We need your wisdom,
your peace,
your strength,
your perspective,
your guidance.
Violent mobs
who believe conspiracy theories
carefully designed to negate reality
and support authoritarianism
threaten the core of our nation.
An invisible virus
that is asymptomatic in some
Photo from United Methodist Communications
and deadly in others
is raging in our country
after more deaths than we’d ever dreamed possible.
The injustices of our society
that allow people to be malnourished by hunger
in a country with abundance,
that allows public education to be unequal
based on income of communities,
that permits the same job to be paid differently
based on who occupies it,
the ways that poverty
racism
sexism
language
immigration status
determine who has a right to live
and how well they can live,
the injustices of our society
have grown.
People are lonely.
People are ill.
People are grieving.
People are desperate.
Our resources have not been sufficient for the tasks before us.
We need you, and we need your help.
Help us, we pray.
Help our nation, we pray.
Help our world, we pray.
Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father 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.

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

Lift Every Voice by Nalini Calamur

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10

Mission Moment

Human Relations Day – Jan Huston
Today is Human Relations Day in the United Methodist Church. It is one of 6 “special days” when special offerings are collected so that donated money can be directed to specific ministries. Gifts to Human Relations Day offerings support:

• Grants to promote ministries that respond to non-violent youth offenders through education, advocacy, or leadership training and development,
• Organizations and congregations that fight economic, racial, and social injustices,
• Grants to racial, ethnic, and multicultural congregations to hire community developers to empower the underserved.

In Chicago, Maple Park and Englewood-Rust United Methodist Churches are in partnership to engage in community-based alternatives to juvenile incarceration. Mentorship and leadership development support local youth, create healing relationships and reduce recidivism.
Another program benefitting from Human Relations Day offerings is in Buffalo, NY. There the Sons of David program through Lincoln Memorial Church provided academic tutoring, after school basketball opportunities, and mentoring to African American preteen and teen boys who were not in school.
Donations also support programs in other countries. In the Philippines, community organizations are strengthening family resiliency to address substance abuse. In West Congo, UM Churches are working with ecumenical partners to provide pastoral support and advocacy for children and youth who are in prison.
We can help to support these and similar programs either by sending a check to the church with Human Relations Day in the notation or by giving online at www.fumcschenectady.org.

Children’s Time

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 #399: Take My Life and Let It Be

Scripture Reading – John 1:43-51

Sermon: “Nonviolence” by Rev. Sara 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 Anthem: Make Me a Channel of Your Peace by Sebastian Temple

Prayer of Presentation

Our Rock and Our Refuge,
In the face of the violence of the Roman Empire,
the Jesus movement exemplified your power of nonviolence.
In the face of violence done under the co-opted name of Christianity today,
we seek to offer you our lives,
and our nonviolent commitment to continue the work of Jesus.
May our lives, our words, our gifts, and our actions,
be blessed to be a gift to you and your world. Amen

Hymn #533: We Shall Overcome

Benediction

May you experience peace that passes understanding,
no matter what tomorrow brings,
may you feel God close at hand,
no matter what this week brings,
may the world see in you
hope
peace
and love
no matter what this year brings.
Amen

Postlude

Improvisation on a Theme of Handel by Darwin Wolford

Worship for Epiphany

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for Epiphany

January 10, 2021

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

“Holy Spirit, open our eyes.”
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

“Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (How Brightly Shines the Morningstar” by Johann Pachelbel

Call to Worship

One: The story says the Magi came from the east seeking.
Many: They were seeking “the King of the Jews.”
One: Their questions discomfited Herod.
Many: Their commitment to a star likely discomfited their families!
One: They were open to new information,
Many: they followed a star,
One: and they trusted their dreams.
Many: May we open our hearts and minds to what God is doing among us.

Hymn #245: The First Noel

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Holy Spirit,
In the stories of this past week, we are reminded of the ancient question,
“How long, O Lord?”
How long will violence be used as means of power?
How long will racism subvert the better angels of our nation?
How long will justifications for the unjustifiable be spoken?
How long will it take us to know how to respond?
Guide us, Holy One.
Help us sit in discomfort,
help us be open to novelty.
Help us.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer and “Grown Up’s Time”

You are welcome to read this out-loud or silently.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father 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.

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

There Shall a Star from Jacob Come Forth by Felix Mendelssohn

Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-6

Mission Moment

VIM Trip & Mission Moments – Jan Huston
First – A request and suggestion! Please consider offering a mission moment some time in the new year. Don’t make it a resolution as those are rarely kept. But maybe it could be a goal – something to think about. I hope that most of you have read a book or had an experience that is worth sharing. It might be hopeful, insightful, inspiring, challenging, etc. – something that would help the rest of us as we are anxious and hopeful about what 2021 will bring. If you can, send me a paragraph or two to share as a mission moment.

Second – In July of 2015, FUMC sent a Volunteers in Mission (VIM) team to the Hogansburg, NY, UMC to build a new ramp on their church. Hogansburg is in northern NY on the Canadian border and on the edge of the Akwesasne/ St. Regis Mohawk Reservation. Most of the members of the church are Mohawk people. Our 4-day experience included receiving bountiful hospitality and friendship and learning about Mohawk culture. They opened their museum just for us; two teenage boys even sang Mohawk songs for us. Every year at Christmas, I receive a card from Dan Cook, one of the leaders of the church. He is also a member of the Upper NY Annual Conference Committee on Native American Ministries. The note on
his card this year is “Greetings from Akwesasne. We pray that you are well and safe. We will always be grateful to FUMC’s Mission Team to Hogansburg. May God bless you always. With love, prayers, and gratitude, Dan C. and Hogansburg UMC family.”

Volunteers in Mission experiences benefit both the recipients of the “project” and the team members in lifechanging ways. Experiences can be for just a few days or for a few weeks. There are many different kinds of needs and, therefore, many different kinds of VIM teams. I hope that when the pandemic is more under control, FUMC might again participate in more VIM activities.

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 #254: We Three Kings

Scripture Reading – Matthew 2:1-12

Epiphany Puppet Show

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 Anthem: Christmas Lullaby by John Rutter

Prayer of Presentation

Holy Spirit,
May the gifts we give be used to build your kindom, and may that in us which resists the kindom be let go.
Amen

Hymn #2095: Star Child

Benediction

May we find new paths, new ways home, ones that bring more life and impede that which God needs to have impeded. Amen

Postlude

March from “Song of the Birth of Our Lord” by Marc-Antoine Charpentier

Worship for the Second Sunday After Christmas

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for the Second Sunday After Christmas

January 3, 2021

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 bring us through our trials, Light of the World.”
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

“Christmas Bells” by Sandra Tucker

Call to Worship

One: A new year has begun!
Many: We are ready to look forward with hope!
One: Praise God for the blessings of a new day and a new year!
Many: Praise God for the chance to start anew!
One: Trust God to help us move beyond the tribulations of 2020.
Many: We need God’s help, for the year was long and dark.
One: We rejoice in the Light and Love of Christ, born to dispel the darkness.
Many: We turn to the Light, and soak in the Love.
One: We are thankful that God comes into the world as one like us.
Many: We celebrate the birth of one who knows and loves us in all our struggles.

Hymn #220: Angels from the Realms of Glory

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

O Lord of new beginnings, we come to a new year with hopes and dreams, fears, and doubts. As we step across the threshold, may we have confidence in your abiding presence in all the myriad aspects of our lives. Open us to all the possibilities and promises a new year can bring. Help us to leave behind the habits and attitudes that separate us from you and from your beloved children who look, believe, or think differently from us. As we look ahead, we are filled with gratitude for your grace, your healing, your light and your love. Help us to use this new year to bring justice to the oppressed, inclusion to those left out, and peace to our divided world. Amen.

adapted from Opening Prayer, Joanne Carlson Brown, The Abingdon Worship Annual 2021, pg.2

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

You are welcome to read this out-loud or silently.

God of hope, this year has been very hard for all the world. A raging sickness has caused massive illness and death. Individual and systemic racism led to the deaths of many black and brown people from the coronavirus and from a “justice” system that treats them as less than. Our country is splintering into two sides that can no longer talk to each other without shouting, the anger palpable, spotlighted by the bruising election cycle that demonstrated just how differently each side thinks. And underlying that, an economic system that is increasingly unjust, that is leaving behind large segments of society while a favored
few reap billions. How can we keep hope for the future alive in the middle of all this? But yet, in this Christmas season, we are reminded of the babe in the manger, born of a courageous young woman who said yes to you when many would have said no. Who saw in you, and in this baby, hope for a world where all people would be treasured and justice would prevail. Help us to keep our focus on Christ when the going gets tough, to remember what he taught us about Love and Light, and to hold onto hope for a better tomorrow. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father 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.

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

Angel’s Carol by John Rutter

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:7-14

Mission Moment

The Work of Christmas by Howard Thurman – Jan Huston
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and the princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flocks,
The work of Christmas begins.
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among people,
To make music in the heart.

Children’s Time

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 #250: Once in Royal David’s City

Scripture Reading – John 1:1-18

Sermon – A Brand New Year – Michele Cole

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 Anthem: Christmas Lullaby by John Rutter

Prayer of Presentation

God of grace and mercy, through the birth of Jesus we see your love made flesh, born to show us how to live as your children and members of the Beloved Community. Please accept these offerings, freely given from our hearts, in gratitude for all you have given us. Help us to use them wisely to help bring about your wishes for a just and equitable society. We ask through Jesus your Son, Amen.

Hymn #238: Angels We Have Heard on High

Benediction

The Word has become flesh and dwelt among us. Let Christ’s light shine in the darkest corner of your life. Let Christ’s love shine in the darkest corners of our world. God is with us. Alleluia. Amen
– From Ruth Duck, Bread for the Journey, Pilgrim Press, 1981, pg. 26

Postlude

“Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen” by Johann Sebastian Bach

Worship for the First Sunday After Christmas

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for the First Sunday After Christmas

December 27, 2020

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

“Love come down, we savor 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

“Carol of the Bells” by Mykola Leontovych

Call to Worship

One: Love comes down at Christmas,
Many: Love is born at Christmas.
One: Hope comes down at Christmas.
Many: Hope is born at Christmas.
One: In these days, we celebrate God with us.
Many: Thank you, God, for being with us!

Hymn #218: It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Embodied Love,
We seek you today, as we seek you all days.
In this Holy Season, we expect to find you.
May joy be with those who seek and find.
May hope and patience be with those who seek without finding.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

You are welcome to read this out-loud or silently.

Embodied Love,
We bring to you very embodied struggles: illnesses and injuries, grief, broken hearts, sore backs, exhaustion, and a hunger for something more.
Thank goodness you care about bodies. May your love, strength, and peace be found in abundance in this world, and most fully
with those who need them most.
We also bring to you embodied joys: people we love being vaccinated (YAY!), watching dear ones open presents, elongating days, a bright “star,” birthdays, books, help when we need it, new life, new joy, new hopes.
We are grateful for all the joys, and we are savoring them as well as we can.
Help us with patience, dear one.
Help us show love.
Help us!
Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father 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.

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

Noel, Noel by Carol Schalk

Scripture: Isaiah 61:10-62:3

Mission Moment

The Gift of Central Park – Barbara Armstrong
As this is Christmas time, I think that it is appropriate for me to talk about this wonderful gift present in the heart of the City of Schenectady. It is a place that I go to frequently to find serenity in this disruptive time. It’s hard for me to wrap my brain around the fore-thinking that went into the formation of this park so long ago. I wonder if those folks would have dreamt the extent to which this beautiful park would benefit so many people along the way.

The original thoughts behind the formation of the park system came at a time when the city was rapidly growing and areas in the city were becoming dumpsites that were becoming eye sores. Mayor George Lunn, a pastor who was elected on the Socialist ticket, believed that the ‘common man’ needed a place to relax from their busy work week and put this on the top of his list for tasks that he wanted to accomplish during his time in office. A park’s commission was formed and three areas in the city were identified for development. The history of this is present in Bill Buell’s book George Lunn-The 1912 Socialist Victory in Schenectady.

The original size of the park was 120 acres and was purchased from three different families. The largest purchase was made from the DeForest family. Henry DeForest was an ex-congressman and was mayor of the city twice. Unfortunately, he died before realizing the benefits of the park, however his wife was responsible for the building of the brick entrance opposite the end of Wright Street, which was considered the grand entrance to
the park. Central Park was named not for its location in the city but because this park was easily accessed by the surrounding neighborhoods and was accessible by the trolley line.
In the original construction of the park, there were roads cut to travel around and through the park, the dredging of marshland that became the Iroquois Lake and clay tennis courts put in where the current Rose Garden now sits. Over the years, additional land purchases were made to increase the size of the park to 470 acres. Some of this purchase has allowed the city to have a municipal golf course, a soccer field, basketball courts and a beautiful baseball diamond. Currently there is an area of the park that allows for bike treks through the woods, expanded nature trails, competitive disc Frisbee course, and a cooperative gardens area. The cooperative garden center is composed of four greenhouses and a heated outbuilding and serves many different programs including the Roots and Wisdom program, Master Gardener program, Youth Agricultural program and the 4H
program. There is rumor that parts of Charles Steinmetz’s greenhouse were used in the construction of the greenhouses within the park.

I could write on about this special place, but want to conclude this as it is already too long. My favorite place in the park has to be the rose garden. This area was established in the late fifties and continued through the seventies at which time it had deteriorated and was no longer cared for and was abandoned. In 1995, a small group of volunteers decided to revive this space
to its full glory, what you see today. I often park my car along the adjacent street and enter and exit the park though this pristine spot. I’ve witnessed weddings in this area, graduates and families posing for special photographs and even recently, a woman dressed in a prom-style gown dredging through the snow and sitting in the snow for a beautiful photo shot.
In conclusion, I think one of the great gifts of this city and why I call it my home, is the people who live here. They give their gift of time to serve this city, either through its food pantries, the library system through the Friends of the Library, working as ushers or bartenders to support our beautiful Proctor’s Theater or through the planting of a garden for its beauty or its nourishment. So I encourage you to take a walk or drive your car around the park and thank those who were responsible for creating this beautiful place that has endured through the years.

Children’s Time

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 #242: Love Came Down at Christmas

Scripture Reading – Luke 2:22-40

Sermon – Rev. Sara 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 Anthem: Before the Marvel of This Night by Carl Schalk

Prayer of Presentation

Embodied love,
With the gifts we give, we seen to be embodiments of your love.
May all that we offer be received for the building of your kindom,
and the spreading of your hope.
Amen

Hymn #249: There’s a Song in the Air

Benediction

God offers you comfort, consolation, rest, and hope. May you receive it well. Amen

Postlude

“Christmas Carol Medley”

Lessons and Carols

Worship for the Second Sunday of Advent

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for the Second Sunday of Advent

December 6, 2020

Photo by Sue Learner

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

“Peace Like a River / flow into 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

“Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland” (Savior of the Nations, Come) by Johann Sebastian Bach

Call to Worship

One: God’s message comes.
Many: God sends comfort.
One: Good, we need comfort.
Many: God sends peace.
One: Good, we need peace.
Many: God sends hope.
One: Good, we need hope.
Many: God is with us.
Thanks be to God!

Hymn #510: Come, Ye Disconsolate

Lighting of the Advent Wreath

Photo by Alice Nash

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Peace Like a River,
We keep trying to access you, to find calm, to find peace, but stress and strain pull us away.
Yet, we remember that your peace isn’t dependent on our actions,
nor on our circumstances.
Your peace is a gift from you,
and you always offer it to us.
It is close at hand.
May we catch a glimpse of your peace with us,
and then to let it in.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

You are welcome to read this out-loud or silently.

Peace Like a River,
You are with us, close at hand, offering us your gifts,
and you are with us when sorrow and exhaustion come too.
In the midst of many struggles,
and in the midst of many joys,
we reach out to you, to be our Steady Rock.
When we cannot find the way,
we reach out to you, to be our Compass.
When everywhere we turn is darkness,
we reach out to you, knowing you are with us in the dark,
helping us grow and heal.
When lights emerge,
we reach out to you, to help us see what you see.
Dear one, be with the world, and all who need you.
Offer strength to those who are weakened,
healing to those who are struggling,
love to those who are aching,
hope to the hopeless,
and peace to all.
And may we keep reaching to you,
so that we may be able to savor your blessings,
and be your blessings in the world. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father 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.

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

E’en So Lord Jesus, Quickly Come by Paul Manz

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11

Children’s Time

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 #200: Tell Out My Soul

https://youtu.be/3E7QWLyDWe8

Scripture Reading – Mark 1:1-8

Sermon – Rev. Sara 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 Anthem: Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus by Robert Hobby

Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free.
from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth Thou art,
Dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever, now our gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit, rule in all our hearts alone,
By thine own sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne.
Rule in us. Hope of all. Come expected Jesus, come.

Prayer of Presentation

Peace Like a River,
In the moments when we experience your peace, we realize how profound it is. Like all of your blessings, as we receive them, we wish to give them to more and more people. With the gifts we give to the church and to the world – our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness – we seek to give so that others can receive. May our gifts be blessed to be blessings.
Amen

Hymn #215: To a Maid Engaged to Joseph

Benediction

May the God of Peace be in your heart all throughout this week,
Guiding you, strengthening you, supporting you. Amen

Postlude

“Savior of the Nations, Come” by Johann Pachelbel

Worship for the First Sunday of Advent

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for the First Sunday of Advent

November 29, 2020

Photo by Sue Learner

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

“Living Hope, live in 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

“Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme” (Wake, Awake for Night is Flying) by Johannes Sebastian Bach

Call to Worship

One: As we enter into this holy season of Advent,
breathe deeply.
Many: We are ready for this season of waiting and hoping.
One: As we enter into this holy season of Advent, be alert.
Many: God is with us, and we will pay attention to see God at work.

Hymn #202: People Look East

Lighting of the Advent Wreath

Photo by Alice Nash

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Living Hope,
Breathe into us, again, the breath of life.
Breathe into us, again, the breath of hope.
May this Advent season of waiting and hoping,
be a source of life for us,
and for the world.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Photo by Sue Learner

Pastoral Prayer

You are welcome to read this out-loud or silently.

Living Hope,
The exiles sitting by the rivers of Babylon yearned for You to act, to change their reality, to bring justice, and to heal them. So do we.
The ancient Judeans, paying tribute to empire after empire, yearned for Your Kingdom to come again, a place of abundant life and security. So do we.
Your prophets of old named the yearning for Your presence to be felt at hand, to shake things up and shake things out, to mold the people into the community you wanted them to be. So do we.
The early Christians lived in fear and frustration, but also in trust and hope, knowing that you were with them, urging each other to take note of your awe-inspiring grace. So do we.
As we join our hearts with your peoples of many times and places, we yearn, we wait, and we hope.
As we join our hearts together, we keep on learning how to trust you more.
Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father 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.

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

A Stable Lamp is Lighted by David Hurd

Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-9

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

Alternative Giving – Sustain Ministry Program
FUMC’s Sustain Ministry is a program we are suggesting for alternative giving. This program began many years ago when visitors to the church were stealing toilet paper from the rest rooms. Toilet paper and other hygiene items are not covered by food stamps and some people needed other ways to obtain them. In response, Bill and Donna Price put an attractive basket by the back door of the church and filled it with toilet paper. They included cards encouraging people to take a roll if they needed it. The cards reminded the recipients that God loved them.

The program has grown to where we now have 300 families registered to receive basic supplies of toilet paper, soap, diapers, and tissues each month. Other hygiene items are sometimes included as the supplies are purchased from the Regional Food Bank for 16 cents/ pound. If the food bank has a surplus of other items, we receive and distribute them, too.
Our program has been on “pause” during the pandemic, but we have continued to obtain supplies from the food bank. FUMC volunteers have been giving the supplies to other community programs for distribution until we are able to open our building for this service again.
This important Schenectady program is partially supported by our church benevolence budget, but additional donations are needed. You can give by sending a check made out to the church with “Sustain” in the notation. Or you can go to the church’s website and give online. If you want to give a gift to Sustain in
someone’s honor at Christmas, attractive cards are available at church that you
can give to the honoree. Contact Linda to get cards recognizing your gifts.

Children’s Time

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 #210: All Earth is Waiting (Toda la Tierra)

In Spanish:

Scripture Reading – Mark 13:24-37

Sermon – Rev. Sara 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 Anthem: Prepare the Royal Highway by Timothy Shaw

Prayer of Presentation

God of Hope,
You have brought us this far,
and we trust you will be with us for the rest of our journey.
The gifts we offer to you of our time, our talents, and our treasures,
aim to make it possible for others to survive this journey as well.
May they be blessed to be a blessing.
Amen

Hymn #204: Emmanuel, Emmanuel

Emmanuel, Emmanuel, his name is called Emmanuel.
God with us, revealed in us, his name is called Emmanuel.

Benediction

God who is Living Hope is stronger than any fear,
may you make space to let God create healing in you. Amen

Postlude

“Wake, Awake for Night is Flying” by Paul Manz


Photo by Sue Learner

Worship for Thanksgiving Sunday

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for Thanksgiving Sunday

November 22, 2020

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

“Holy One, we give you thanks.”
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

“Trumpet Tune” (Homage to the 18th Century) by David N. Johnson

Call to Worship

One: Give thanks with a grateful heart.
Many: When we can we will.
One: Give thanks with a heavy heart.
Many: When we can we will.
One: Know that God is with you.
Many: Thanks be to God.

Hymn #131: We Gather Together

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer (from Allie Scott)

Holy One,
source of all good things in this world,
Let’s be honest. It’s 2020.
You’ve seen this year happen.
In a year of pandemic, and politics,
and isolation, and exhaustion,
We feel a lot more like saying,
“How long, O Lord?”
Instead of “in all things, give thanks.”
Give us eyes to see your wonders, O God,
even in a year like this one.
Give us hearts that overflow with gratitude
for the ways we’ve made it through.
For binge-worthy shows and new crafting skills;
For fresh pots of coffee and surprise deliveries
of bread;
Fires to burn and rooms to paint;
Good Lord, we give you thanks.
For decent internet connection and love-to-hate-it Zoom;
For the ding of a text and long phone chargers;
For online shopping and unemployment checks;
Good Lord, we give you thanks.
For annoying pets and their insistence that we get outside;
For calls for justice so all can breathe;
For music and podcasts and good books to read;
Good Lord, we give you thanks.
For brilliant nurses and dedicated doctors;
For Pharmacists currently making miracles happen;
For family and community, even from far away;
Good Lord, we give you thanks.
For the miracle that we haven’t disowned our children;
For the reminder that we’re in this together;
And the reality that you are God and we are not;
Good Lord, we give you thanks.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

You are welcome to read this out-loud or silently.

Holy One,
For those getting together this week, may they be safe.
For those staying apart this week, may they find ways to be connected.
As we watch the numbers rise, our broken hearts break further open.
We know the medical community is exhausted.
We know essential workers are underappreciated.
We know those who are alone are carrying heavy burdens of loneliness.
We know those who are balancing too much are near breaking.
We know far too many people are ill,
far too many people have died,
and far too many people are grieving.
Worse, people have to grieve alone.
Difficult decisions are being made,
plans are being readjusted,
and there is less light with every passing day.
Oh Holy One, what a time for Thanksgiving.
Bless our smaller and quieter tables.
Bless our sadness and our grief.
Bless the tiny little wonders that still give us life.
As we work through the struggles,
help us take enough time to offer our thanks,
and notice what there is to be grateful for.
Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father 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.

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

Alleluia by Randall Thompson

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:7-18

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

Alternative Giving – Church World Service Blanket Program

For many years, FUMC has supported the Church World Service (CWS) blanket program through our alternative giving at Christmas. For only $10.00 you can provide a warm, sturdy blanket to someone in need. Blankets go to people suffering from climate disasters, fires, displacement, low-income or other situations in which they might be cold. CWS has both lightweight and heavy blankets so that donations can be appropriate in each environment. Blankets are given within the US and also internationally wherever there is a need.

When I was in Arizona with the United Methodist Primetimers “Immigration Immersion” program, I saw CWS blankets in shelters for migrants both in Tucson and in Nogales, Mexico. (See photos.) Virgia has seen CWS blankets being used in Albany.
You can give to this program by writing a check to FUMC with “CWS blankets” in the notation or by donating on the church website. If you would like to give as an alternative gift in someone’s honor and want a card to give to the person you are honoring, contact Linda at the church office.

Children’s Time

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: We Are Gathered – Amanda Udis-Kessle

Scripture Reading – Luke 17:11-19

Sermon – “Giving Thanks – 2020 Style” – Rev. Sara 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 Anthem: Now Thank We All Our God by Johann Sebastian Bach

Stewardship

Our Stewardship light is different in all of us.
We give how we can with our hearts

Prayer of Presentation

Holy One,
This week as we bring our attention to our gratitude,
we are able to attend to the multitude of gifts you have given us.
It is overwhelming.
With our offerings to this faith community,
and to your beautiful world,
we embody our gratitude to you.
May your love, peace, joy, and wisdom
bless all that we give,
and make it useful for the building of the
kindom.
Amen

Hymn #62: All Creatures of Our God and King

Benediction

As you go from this time of worship,
into this week of gratitude,
may you be aware of God’s presence with you,
and the many gifts of love that surround you. Amen

Postlude

“Now Thanks We All Our God” by Michael Burkhardt