Worship for the Second Sunday of Easter

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

April 11, 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

“Our God, of abundant life”
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

“Peal con Brio” by Karen Thompson

Call to Worship

One: Hear the Good News:
Many: Love wins!
One: Rest assured of that truth.
Many: Not only does love win, but hope abides.
One: Let hope roll down like an ever-flowing stream.
Many: God never gives up.
One: Justice is coming!
Many: Easter is here.

Hymn #303: The Day of Resurrection

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Shared Prayer
God of Resurrection, Easter God,
God of Abundant Life,
You are working within us and
around us to magnify life itself.
Help us attend to your work.
Guide us out of the way when we get in the way.
Show us how to help.
Remind us to rest, and to trust each other,
so that what is meant to be life-giving doesn’t become death-dealing.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

God of Abundant Life, In this Easter season we encounter the metaphors of the natural world coming to life right before our eyes day in and day out.
And yet the heaviness of the world remains every present. The pandemic takes more lives every day, grief, loneliness, fear, exhaustion and anxiety continue.
There are so many emotions, there is so much to respond to. Sometimes the heavy is so big we can’t see the wonder. Sometimes the wonder is so bright we almost forget the heavy. And sometimes we feel guilty forgetting for a moment – either way.
Help us make space for your grace, in our lives, and in the world. Let us feel what we feel, grow into our realities, see your work, and face the heaviness too.
Help us with the joys, the concerns, the anger, the fear, the wonder, the beauty, and all the rest.
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

Christ Goes Before by Carl Schalk

Scripture: Psalm 133

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

Belinda’s Easter Message
Today’s mission moment is an Easter reflection by Dr. Belinda Forbes. Belinda is a United Methodist missionary in Nicaragua. She is a dentist and is married to a Nicaraguan physician, Gerardo Gutiérrez. They work with Acción Médica Cristiana (AMC/ Christian Medical Action) in the poorest areas of Nicaragua, which is the second poorest country in this hemisphere. AMC works to improve the health of the people by focusing on the basics – clean water supplies, sanitation, health education, disease prevention, maternal and childcare, and teaching local community health workers. Our church has a covenant relationship with Belinda. That means that we have committed to sending a certain amount of financial support each year. The amount is based on the numbers of members we have. Missionaries are expected to visit their supporting churches every few years. Several people from FUMC and the former Troy Conference have been fortunate to work with Belinda and other members of AMC when we have gone on Volunteers in Mission trips. Many more of us have been able to enjoy being with Belinda when she has visited FUMC and reported on conditions in Nicaragua and her work there. She sent the following Easter message to her supporting churches. Sara and I wanted to share it with all of you.

“Que barbaridad!” This expression can mean many things in Nicaragua, but when Padre Angel Torellas (r.i.p.) said it years ago at an Easter Mass in the Centro Cultural Batahola Norte, a Catholic center in Managua known for its beautiful musicians and revolutionary murals, it was a reprimand (literally, “how barbaric!”) to the sparse number of congregants gathered for what is the most important day of the Christian calendar. He went on to scold the “fieles” (faithful) for spending more time on Jesus’s death with Good Friday processions and fanfare than the importance of the Resurrection three days later.
As I listened it occurred to me that in my Protestant upbringing, we did the exact opposite. We gingerly “passed over” (no pun intended) the Passion of Christ to avoid bad feelings and the deep pain that this moment implies for us as Christians, in order to get to the good stuff – a new outfit, a glorious worship service, Easter egg hunts, overindulgent parties or lunch out (Easter and Mother’s Day are traditionally the busiest times in restaurants in the US, at least pre-pandemic.)
It seems to me that there is no one day to focus on during Holy Week, but the week itself as the culmination of the Lenten journey. The triumphant entrance to Jerusalem with “Hosanna’s” (Save us!) ringing in the air, which quickly turned to shouts of “Crucify him!” (read, “save us” but not like that…”), then death….and all it implies; pain, loss, grief…if ever there has been a year or more to understand this part of Holy Week, the pandemic has been that… Then, victory. Death is overcome, sins are forgiven, hope lives on once more. From the fireworks of Midnight Masses and to the cantatas of Sunrise Services, we are now called to be the Easter people today and every day to share the love of Christ wherever we find ourselves.
Happy Easter! Grace and peace, Belinda

This picture is the central mural in Batahola Norte. It depicts a brown baby Jesus in the center. On the left are some of the revolutionary heroes and poets. The right side includes women and peasants (campesinos).

Children’s Time: Doubt and Faith

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 #307: Christ Is Risen

Scripture Reading – John 20:19-31

Sermon: “Journey with Jesus” 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: “Christ the Lord Is Risen Again” by Philip Stopford

Prayer of Presentation

God of Easter,
As we watch new life emerge this spring,
we notice the ways you nurture life in us and in the world.
As we give our gifts to you,
we offer them so they too can nurture life in us and in the world.
Amen

Hymn #312: Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise

Benediction

Dear ones, may your journeys be blessed, and with God’s help may we support each other along the way. Amen

Postlude

“Rondo Passacaglia” by Cynthia Dobrinski

Worship for Easter Sunday

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for Easter Sunday

April 4, 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

“Alleluia / A-le-lu-ia”
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

Improvisation – Toccata on “The Strife Is O’er” by Alfred V. Fedak1

Call to Worship

One: Christ the Lord is risen today!
Many: Christ is risen, indeed!
One: Easter people, raise your voices!
Many: Sounds of heaven on earth do ring!
One: Raise your joys and triumphs high!
Many: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Hymn #302: Christ the Lord Is Risen Today

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

God of Life,
many years ago, faithful women
were trusted to
proclaim the good news
of Jesus’ resurrection,
and the world was changed
forever.
May we learn from them,
keep faith with them,
witness as boldly,
and love as deeply.
May our faith be as true.
Amen.

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

God of Life,
Last year we said to ourselves,
“Easter is just delayed,”
and we waited
to hear the brass,
to smell the lilies,
to wander through the photo show.
Last year we laughed at the idea of combining holidays,
Pentecost and Easter? Homecoming and Easter?
This year we know enough,
to be present to this holy moment when it comes,
not to delay or wait,
because now is the sacred time we are in.
This year we know that this is Easter,
even without the sanctuary,
or the organ.
This is Easter.
God lives.
Life abounds.
Hope is alive.
This. Is. Easter.
This is life.
It doesn’t look like the one we knew,
and there are so many new challenges,
yet this is our one, holy, sacred life.
We’ve found you, Holy One,
in the most unexpected places and moments.
We’ve noticed you holding us up when we couldn’t hold ourselves up.
We’ve seen you in the kindness of strangers.
We’ve found wonders that were around us all along,
but we were too busy to notice.
And dear one, we have grieved.
The grief has reminded us to live.
Not to waste this life you have given us.
And so God of Good Friday and of Easter,
we are here to worship you
with hearts and minds
open to this moment,
this Sacred Day.
May it transform us anew.
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

Hallelujah, Amen by George Frideric Handel

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:1-6

Mission Moment – Anne Phillips

Young Parents United

Young Parents United, Inc.(YPU) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization supporting teen parents in the Capital Region. Located at 34 Jay Street in Schenectady, New York. The issues associated with teenage parents and their children profoundly impact families and society on many levels.

Young Parents United offers support and services, advocacy and resource coordination designed to meet the unique needs of teen parents and their children. YPU breaks destructive cycles and opens the doors for growth and opportunities for achieving successful outcomes for struggling teen parents right here in our local community. The impact is far reaching as their supportive programs aim to build independence, life and parenting skills among teen parents – resulting in improved parenting skills, stability and self-sufficiency, while transforming unhealthy patterns.
YPU offers extensive case management, mentoring, child development and parenting skill training, educational programs, assistance with housing stability, high school education completion, college planning, employment assistance, homework help, childcare planning, a safety network, social connections, family activities and much more.

The organization works with other human service and nonprofit organizations in the community to provide direction, to support positive change for adolescent parents and to help change the landscape for very young parents, their children and society for generations to come. Please visit the website for program information and more details by going to:
their web site or send questions to their their e-mail.

Children’s Time: The story of the Wooden Egg

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 #2115: Christ Has Risen

Scripture Reading – Matthew 28:1-10

Sermon: “Quiet Resurrection” 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: 2021 Lenten Photo Show Slideshow, Presented also as an offering

Prayer of Presentation

God of Life,
Bless our lives, make them useful and wonderful as we grow in love.
Bless our gifts, make them useful and wonderful in building your kindom.
Bless our community, make it useful and wonderful in service to the kindom.
Amen

Hymn #304: Easter People. Raise Your Voices

Benediction

May God’s quiet resurrections in your life be noticeable and
transformative. Amen

Postlude

“Toccata” by Léon Boëllmann

Worship for Palm Sunday

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for Palm Sunday

March 28, 2021

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

“God of the Peoples, show us your ways.”
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” by Michael McCabe

Call to Worship

One: Hosanna!
Many: Indeed, God saves!
One: In the midst of oppression,
Many: God acts to bring freedom.
One: In the midst of fear,
Many: God acts to bring courage.
One: In the midst of chaos,
Many: God shows us the way.

Hymn #278: Hosanna, Loud Hosanna

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

God of Palm Trees and Protests,
It is so difficult to live up to the model of Jesus.
He was loving,
empowering,
self-less.
He took risks because they mattered,
and he paid for them.
Help us along the way, Dear One.
Remind us that at each moment you call us to be and do what we can do.
Help us become more loving,
empowering,
self-less.
And help us find grace along the way,
for ourselves and for others,
when we aren’t there yet.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

God of Holy Days and Holy Weeks,
Our Christian story this week confounds and discomfits us.
Jesus was doing your work,
empowering the people,
loving the lost,
claiming your reign,
and the people were enthralled.
The powers of the day were not.
This week we face the story of the powers of the day,
their punishments,
their end-of-life power,
their ability to break up connections,
and lead people to shiver in fear in dark rooms.
We know the end of the story, and your powers,
but those are next week’s narrative.
This week we are called into the pain, the fear, the disempowerment.
In remembering, we are called to notice where it is still happening.
And that, Dear One, is very hard work.
Help us to do it anyway.
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

Hosanna to the Son of David by Dan Shutte

Scripture: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)

The official UMCOR Sunday was 2 weeks ago, but UMCOR is always somewhere in the world working to improve lives! After I had sent Linda my mission moment for UMCOR Sunday, I received an email from Belinda Forbes, our missionary in Nicaragua. She sent some links which she suggested using for UMCOR Sunday. I want to share them with you now.

The first is a video showing how UMCOR is helping with recovery from the 2 severe hurricanes in Nicaragua. The voice on the video is Belinda’s.

Her second reference is an article published by Global Ministries about UMCOR-supported hurricane response in Central America and its importance. We are hearing about the large number of people coming to our southern border from Central America. The situations in their homelands were desperate even before the hurricanes in 2020.

It is hoped that help from UMCOR and other agencies as well as, hopefully, other governments, might mitigate the need to flees from their countries. This article describes some of the effects of the hurricanes and some of UMCOR’s efforts in El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Honduras.

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 #277: Tell Me the Stories of Jesus

Scripture Reading – Mark 11:1-11

Sermon: “Protest Parade and State Sponsored Violence” 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: 2020 Lenten Photo Show Slideshow, Presented also as an offering

Prayer of Presentation

God who chooses the rejected stones for the cornerstone,
You have astounded us time and time again,
with your love,
and the ways you choose us and ask us to participate in building your kindom.
We offer you our gifts,
and ask that they be blessed,
to be a blessing,
in service to your work.
Amen

from 2020 Lenten Photo Show, Barbara Armstrong

Hymn #280: All Glory, Laud and Honor

Benediction

May God guide us, help us, show us the way,
and give us the courage we need to do the work we are called to. Amen

Postlude

Toccata on “All Glory, Laud and Honor” by Michael Burkhardt

Worship for the Fifth Sunday in Lent

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for the Fifth Sunday in Lent

March 21, 2021

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

“Bread of Life, we seek your nourishment.”
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

“O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” by Michael Burkhardt

Call to Worship

One: The days are surely coming, says God.
Many: The days are coming when new life will emerge.
One: The days are coming when we will gather together.
Many: The days are coming when all will know God.
One: The days are coming when hope will live.
Many: The days are coming, and we will be ready.

Hymn #420: Breathe on Me, Breath of God

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Bread of Life, Wine of Compassion,
You feed our spirits,
care for our bodies,
and take care of the whole.
You are the source of life,
and nurture,
and hope.
We are ready to be fed again
with your soul-food,
and be prepared for the journeys that come,
and the demands of grace.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

Bread of Life,
You feed us.
You nourish us.
In doing so, we are moved towards wholeness.
In each step in our life further into grace,
we become more able to live your love in the
world,
and share it with all your people.
Along the way, we notice the suffering of your
beloveds,
and it moves our hearts,
and unsettles our guts.
Today we name the struggles of Amelia and young people with serious health concerns, of Paul and adults with serious health concerns, of Claudia and all those worried for their loved ones, of all who are grieving, of all who have lived
through sexual harassment and continue to struggle, and of those who receive the micro and macro aggressions of racism. May all those who struggle know your healing, your peace, and your support.
As we move deeper into love, we also move deeper into love with the earth and all its goodness, and your people and all their wonders.
Today we name the joys of getting vaccine shots and all the work that made that possible, the joy of healing, jobs that bring joy, opportunities to connect, good conversations, good books, grace and compassion, and of spring. We offer our gratitude for the work you and many did to make it possible to ease the lives of so many in poverty with new legislation, and we seek to work with you to continue to make new opportunities possible.
We seek your nourishment, loving God, and we seek to be your nourishment.
May it be so.
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

I Waited for the Lord by Felix Mendelssohn

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31-34

Mission Moment – Virgia Phoenix

Water

World Water Day (March 22) is an annual observance sponsored by the United Nations. It was first observed in 1993. The theme for 2021 is: Valuing Water. The day will focus on what it means to people around the world to value water. Concerns such as water scarcity, pollution, supply, and water and climate change are features to be addressed with a variety of activities. Clean, fresh and safe drinking water and sanitation facilities impact a great part of the world population. The absence results in many health problems, deaths due to chronic diarrhea and many long-term complications especially in children.
The availability or lack of water is the most important humanitarian crisis that is being experienced in real time. With the big snowstorm in the South and Southwest and the failure of the Power Grid in Texas, the loss of water was a
critical example of unforeseen circumstances. We saw a gigantic reality that had been improperly attended for years.
When the Corona Virus invaded the world and made its debut in America, the issue of water exposed the vulnerability of a large segment of the population. This is especially true of underserved, impoverished and Native communities where there is a paucity of resources. Even though hand washing was always good advice, it was strongly advised as one means of mitigating the spread of the virus. However, the reality became clear how many people around the world did not have access to clean water. In some cases, no water at all.
Even though the most essential commodity of our existence is water and the USA is considered to be far advanced over other countries, the water problem is acute. For years, citizens have been advocating for safe and clean water to little avail. In fact, the infrastructure in some cities needs to be completely changed due to life threatening elements such as lead in the water delivery system. Others have issues with chemicals and pollution in the lakes, rivers and ground water (the sources of water for many communities.) These chemicals and pollutants were dumped by manufacturers of industrial and household products in common use today and some agricultural runoff.

Compassionate efforts have been made by benevolent institutions and individuals to improve the quality of life for vulnerable populations here and around the world. Some sponsor wells or systems that are life changing. The list is long and there is at least one to appeal to individual interest. The United Methodist Church through UMCOR is an important contributor to this effort. Many organizations sponsor water projects; among them are: Heifer International, Rotary International and the Navajo Water project-DigDeep. Prominent individuals have embraced the cause for clean water. Well-known personalities such as Matt Damon whose water.org is dedicated to supplying clean water in underserved areas of the world. Charitywater.org has received support from donors who appreciate its philosophy and organizational structure. African Reflections Foundation has been a visible presence in the Capital District. It promotes water projects in Tanzania through public events, art and apparel sales.
The extent to which water projects have proliferated around the world is indicative of the seriousness of the issue. As we approach World Water Day, many citizens in Jackson, Mississippi, are still waiting for water. You are invited to consider the many options that are personally appealing.

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 #618: Let Us Break Bread Together

Scripture Reading – 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Sermon: “God’s Extended Table” 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: “Ave Verum” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Prayer of Presentation

One who feeds us,
In your name, we feed your beloveds.
In your name, we offer your grace.
In your name, we seek to live our lives to build the kindom.
May the gifts we give be blessed to be useful in your work.
Amen

Hymn #2255: In the Singing

Benediction

Dear ones who know God, may your lives make God visible to those who do not yet know the God of grace. Amen

Postlude

Aria from “Twelfth Concerto Grosso” by Georg Friedrich Handel

Worship for the Fourth Sunday in Lent

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for the Fourth Sunday in Lent

March 14, 2021

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

“Open our hearts Holy One, so we can see.”
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

“Ah, Holy Jesus” by Andrew Clarke

Call to Worship

One: Like the people wandering in the wilderness,
Many: we often feel dismay.
One: Like the ancients lost and afraid,
Many: we don’t always know the way.
One: Like the wanderers making sense of tragedy,
Many: we seek to find meaning in life.
One: Like your people throughout the ages, God,
Many: we seek you.

Hymn #384: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

God Who Seeks Us,
One Who Reaches Out,
Source of Our Wholeness,
Sometimes we get in the way of our connection with you.
Help us get out of our own ways,
so we can savor you,
and follow you.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

God Who Seeks Us,
God Who Holds Us Close,
God Who Offers Us a Safe Place to Land,
Sometimes we find it hard to find You,
sometimes we get in our own ways,
sometimes guilt gets between us,
sometimes we don’t know how to let it go.
Help us forgive ourselves,
so we can connect with you.
Sometimes we’re overwhelmed with the wonder around us,
the early signs of spring,
unexpected growth in ourselves or our loved ones,
a sign of love we’d never expected.
Help us savor the goodness of the world,
and help us reflect it back to the world in need of more goodness.
Sometimes we are overwhelmed with the brokenness of the world,
the unfairness of it all,
the ways people are failed,
the institutions that are meant to care for them.
Help us see clearly what is broken,
and find the ways to move the world towards your healing.
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

The Tree of Life by K. Lee Scott

Scripture: Numbers 21:4-9

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)

The United Methodist church has 6 “Special Sundays” on which specific ministries are highlighted and offerings to support these ministries are encouraged. Today is UMCOR Sunday. UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, provides relief globally in many forms. In the past year, we have been particularly aware of the aid UMCOR gives in times of disasters.

The offering for UMCOR is collected the fourth Sunday in Lent and provides major support for immediate assistance in the wake of natural and human-caused disasters and helps support on-going ministries of food, shelter, health, and peace. UMCOR Sunday giving allows 100 percent of designated gifts to be used for the specified disaster response or other ministry. There is a small amount for UMCOR in our FUMC benevolence budget, but we hope you will consider giving additional money to help enable UMCOR to “be the hands and feet of Jesus.” You can send a check to the church made out to FUMC with “UMCOR” in the notation. Or you can go to the church’s website and donate online.

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 #2196: We Walk By Faith

Scripture Reading – John 3:14-21

Sermon: “Lifted Up, I Guess” 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: “If Thou But Trust in God to Guide You” by David Cherwien

Prayer of Presentation

God Who Seeks Us, God we seek,
Thank you for always seeking us out, and never letting us go.
Thank you for being close at hand whenever we need you.
Thank you for enriching our lives with your presence, and with the gift of wonder,
and with the wonder of relationships.
With our gratitude, we offer our gifts to you.
With hope, we ask for them to be blessed to be used for the kindom. Amen

Hymn #579: Lord God, Your Love Has Called Us Here

Benediction

God’s powers of life and love are unstoppable. May you leave this worship time filled up with life, with love, and with hope. Amen

Postlude

“Wer nur den lieben Gott (If You But Trust in God to Guide You” by Johann Gottfried Walther