Worship for the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

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

October 18, 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

“Help us Breathe / with Your breath”
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

“Sonata II – Grave, Adagio” by Felix Mendelssohn

Call to Worship

One: Sing to God a new song!
Many: We sing with the wholeness of creation.
One: Tell the stories of God’s goodness.
Many: We see and share the stories of God’s glory.
One: Let the whole of the universe rejoice,
Many: God is with us!

Hymn #2047: Bring Many Names

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Life-Breather,
You breathe into us the breath of life,
and into our lives you continue to breathe,
enlivening us time and time again
with your Spirit.
You aim to bring abundance to life.
Help us find rest,
and the capacity to breathe deeply,
Holy One,
so that we can feel your breath
enliven us again.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Photo by Amanda Taylor

Pastoral Prayer

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

Life-Breather,
The beauty of creation is serving as a balm to our souls.
Thank you.
The generosity and care of people serves as a balm to our whole beings.
Thank you
The creativity and wonder of music breathes new life into us again, as an instrument of your peace.
Thank you.
In the midst of great heaviness, we take some moments to attend to your breath, and be grateful for our capacity to
breathe.
Thank you.
You see to bring abundant life to all your people.
May we be attentive enough to see you in action.
And may all those who need your love, peace, healing, and support find themselves open to your gifts.
Amen

Photo by Amanda Taylor

The Lord’s Prayer (From the Aramaic)

O cosmic Birther of all radiance and vibration.
Soften the ground of our being
and carve out a space within us
where your presence can abide.
Fill us with your creativity
so that we may be
empowered to bear the fruit of your mission.
Let each of our actions bear fruit
in accordance with our desire.
Endow us with the wisdom
to produce and share
what each being needs to grow and flourish.
Untie the tangled threads of destiny that bind us,
as we release others from the entanglement
of past mistakes.
Do not let us be seduced by that which would
divert us from our true purpose, but illuminate
the opportunities of the present moment.
For you are the ground and the fruitful vision,
the birth, power and fulfillment, as all is gathered
and made whole once again.

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

Steal Away to Jesus

Steal away, steal away; steal away to Jesus.
Steal away home. I ain’t got long to stay here.
My Lord calls me, he calls me by the thunder;
the trumpet sounds within my soul. I ain’t got long to stay here.

Scripture – Exodus 33:12-23

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

Poem: “Open Road” by Beatrice Baker Zimmerman
A few weeks ago, I shared a poem by my father. Today as I was getting ready to put their memory book away, I found one by my aunt, his sister. Aunt Beatrice had a congenital hip deformity and some difficulty walking. She rarely traveled. But she found other ways to experience an “open road.” Many of us are feeling confined and restricted by this pandemic. I hope her outlook and positive attitude might be helpful!

Photo by Amanda Taylor

I take my pen in hand to speak a word or two to those who see an open road —
The open road is an invitation
be it near at home or across the nation.
It promises new faces and new places
and summons to experience.
Each new day is an open road.
To walk with joy or gaiety or
tread with peace and dignity or
just to plod along.
The choice is yours.
A book is an open road.
It beckons minds to learn
of great adventure, romance, or philosophy
or just to earn a brief respite from reality.
But take the open road. It welcomes you
to live, to learn, to know, all others of your kind,
who seek the promise of the breath of life
and glorious enrichment of the mind.

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 #388: O Come and Dwell In Me

Scripture Reading: Matthew 22:15-22

Sermon – “Breathe” – 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 Anthem

“Ukrainian Alleluia” – Craig Courtney

This anthem was borne out of the knowledge of the circumstances in Ukraine of the more than 25 million people were killed in the 20th century due to starvation, war and the one of the deadliest nuclear accidents in history. Ukrainian Christians suffered discrimination, torture and death for the sake of their beliefs.

Prayer of Presentation

Life-Breather,
Thank you, thank you, thank you,
for a world in which there are Octobers,
for your love in our lives,
for stamina to get us through.
May the gifts we offer be blessed to do the work of your kindom.
Amen

Photo by Amanda Taylor

Hymn #420: Breathe On Me Breath of God

Benediction

As you leave this time of worship, may you notice that God is with you with every breath that you take! Amen

Postlude

“Sonata II – Allegro maestoso e vivace” by Felix Mendelssohn


Photo by Amanda Taylor

Worship for the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

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

October 11, 2020

Photo by Alice Nash

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

“Spirit of Joy / breathe into us today”
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

“Prelude in G Major” by Felix Mendelssohn

Call to Worship

One: Lay your burdens down.
Many: We’ll let God care for them for a while.
One: Let peace seep in.
Many: We’ll make space for peace.
One: Find a comfortable position.
Many: We are ready to worship the God of Love.

Hymn #200: Tell Out My Soul

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Spirit of God,
You are with us when everything feels wrong
and you are with us when everything feels right.
You never abandon us.
You call us to joy.
At times like these, joy can seem inappropriate,
yet you keep calling us towards it.
May we find subversive,
delightful,
in-spite-of-it-all
joy.
And may we share it.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Photo by Jan Huston

Pastoral Prayer

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

Spirit of God,
What a mess we are in.
You already know the details.
As people who try to build the kindom and work for justice,
we are dismayed and appalled by what we see.
Many things seem to be sliding backward,
or out of reach,
and more often than we would like to admit,
we are afraid.
Yet, You are with us,
You are our hope,
You are our joy,
and You will show us the way.
You show us the way from here,
and you’ll show us the way
each and every time we get lost or appalled.
So, may we attend to your hope, your joy, and your presence.
Amen

Photo by Jan Huston

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

We Give Thee But Thine Own – Neil Harmon

This anthem was donated to FUMC by Nancy Walden in memory of her parents.
We give thee but thine own, whate’er the gift may be;
for all we have is thine alone, a trust, O Lord from thee.
May we thy bounties thus as stewards true receive,
and gladly, as thou blessest us, to thee our first fruits give.
To comfort and to bless, to find a balm for woe,
to tend the lone and fatherless is angel’s work below.
And we believe thy word, though dim our faith may be;
whate’er we do for thine, O Lord, we do it unto thee; we do it unto thee.

Scripture – Philippians 4:1-19

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

Helping Schenectady’s Children
Children and teachers in much of the world are struggling with virtual learning. In Schenectady there is a great need for more Chromebooks for children. Last spring each family was given a Chromebook, but it is essential that each student have their own. I worked with my grandson last week while he was doing online learning with his Chromebook. I realized that it is essential for each child to have their own. There is no way they could share with siblings and have effective class time.

We can help with this urgent need!!! Schenectady Clergy Against Hate is working to provide Chromebooks to the schools. Pastor Sara is coordinating with Viki Brooks who is providing leadership with this project. The Chromebooks will be purchased and distributed by Schenectady school staff. FUMC has agreed to handle financial donations. A Chromebook costs approximately $300. As of last week, over $8000 had been donated to this project – some from FUMC members and some from the community. Much more is needed. Donations can be made either by sending a check made out to FUMC with “Chromebooks” in the notation or by going to the church’s website and donating online.
There might be some confusion about donating used, cleaned laptops. Schenectady schools do not want these. But Sylvester Doyer has contacts in Albany that would find them useful. If you want to donate a cleaned laptop, it can be taken to the church for Sylvester

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.

Photo by Jan Huston

Hymn #2145: I’ve Got Peace Like a River

Scripture Reading: Matthew 22:1-14

Sermon – “Rejoice!?!?” – 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 Anthem

“Rejoice in the Lord Alway” – Henry Purcell

Rejoice in the Lord alway,
and again I say rejoice.
Let your moderation be known unto all people.
The Lord is at hand.
Be careful for nothing;
but in every thing
by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving,
let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God,
which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayer of Presentation

God of Compassion,
As we give to you of our monetary gifts,
our time,
our passion,
and our dreams,
may each be blessed for the
building of your kindom.
Amen

Hymn #644: Jesu, Joy of Our Desiring

Benediction

May God surprise you with God’s compassion,
and may you be able to surprise the world with yours! Amen

Postlude

“Processional in F# Minor” by Stephen H. Best


Photo by Jan Huston

Worship for the 18th Sunday After Pentecost

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

World Communion Sunday

October 4, 2020

Photo by Alice Nash

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, feed us now”
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

“Rondeau in F Major” by David Lasky

Call to Worship

One: We bring our hearts together.
Many: Space cannot keep us from God.
One: We open our hearts to the struggles of the world.
Many: We aim to be God’s love for a struggling world.
One: We make space for God’s hope to enter our hearts.
Many: May hope pervade our lives.

Photo by Barbara Armstrong

Hymn #620: One Bread, One Body

Refrain:
One bread, one body,
One Lord of all,
One cup of blessing which we bless.
And we, though many,
Throughout the earth,
We are one body in this one Lord.

1. Gentile or Jew,
   Servant or free,
   Woman or man, no more.
   Refrain
2. Many the gifts,
   Many the works,
   One in the Lord of all.
   Refrain
3. Grain for the fields,
   Scattered and grown,
   Gathered to one, for all.
   Refrain

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Steadfast Foundation,
When the seas of life are turbulent,
you are our lifeboat.
When we are lost and disoriented,
you are our guiding star.
When we are hungry and thirsty you
are the bread of life and
the cup of justice.
We cling to you, Holy One.
And trust that you hold us up.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Photo by Barbara Armstrong

Pastoral Prayer

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

Steadfast Foundation,
You are the solid rock on which we build our lives,
and even when the world around us is shifting sand,
we know that you hold us steady.
The world is shifty, Holy One.
We need you more than ever.
Grief and fear slam into us.
Our bodies and minds don’t always work like we think they should.
Our Church and Country don’t always work like we think they should.
Without you, we would be aimless,
and easily blown to pieces.
Without you, we might miss the signs of hope and resurrection:
food for the hungry,
flowers and leaves for those needing beauty,
healing for the body,
laughter for the soul.
Guide our eyes, our ears, and our hearts, Holy One.
Aim them so we can see your hope,
and take refuge in your love.
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

Will You Come and Follow Me – Tom Trenney

Scripture – Exodus 16:1-2

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

World Communion Sunday
On World Communion Sunday, we focus our attention on hunger all over the world. According to Bread for the World (bread.org), progress has been made in just 2 generations. In 1960, 1 in 3 people was hungry. Now chronic hunger
affects 1 in every 8 or 9 people worldwide – about 795 million people. Hunger causes immense suffering and sometimes death. The dead are most commonly young children – thousands every day. Those who survive early childhood malnutrition face lifelong health and learning problems. Adults can’t be fully productive without enough nutritious food. Countries where many people are hungry have weaker economies.

Photo by Barbara Armstrong
Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad. Charity is not enough. By changing policies, programs, and conditions that allow hunger and poverty to persist, we provide help and opportunity at home and far beyond where we live. By making our voices heard in Congress, we try to make our laws more compassionate for people in our country and around the world who struggle with hunger.
Each year Bread for the World equips people to write letters and emails to members of Congress to try to effect change with an Offering of Letters. First UMC has encouraged this offering for many years. The need is exacerbated this year because of the corona virus. Bread for the World asks us to write to ask our representative and senators to support $20 billion for a Global Response to COVID-19. The pandemic is impacting the world’s poorest and most vulnerable communities. The number of people experiencing extreme hunger could double according to the U.N. World Food Program. A
suggested letter and format for sending a letter by email are on the Bread for the World website. The organization’s website has much more information about hunger and many suggestions for trying to alleviate it. You are encouraged to visit it. A prayer Volunteer in Mission teams learned in Nicaragua:

Thank you, God, for bread.
Give bread to those who have hunger.
Give hunger for justice to those who have bread.
Thank you, God, for bread.

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.

Photo by Anne Phillips

Hymn #612: Deck Thyself, My Soul, With Gladness

Scripture Reading: Matthew 26:26-28

Sermon – “Feeding and Being Fed” – 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 Anthem

“You Are Holy” – Per Harling, arr. John Helgen

Prayer of Presentation

Steadfast Foundation,
You are the source of the world,
the giver of all we have.
As we give these gifts back to you
for your work
may they be blessed:
to be abundant in your work.
Amen

Hymn #618: Let Us Break Bread Together

This is a tribute to George Floyd. The singer’s thoughts are shared before the performance in the video below.

Benediction

May the great cloud of witnesses – past, present, and to come – bring you hope, and guide you home. Amen

Postlude

“The Rejoicing” by Charles Callahan


Photo by Barbara Armstrong

Worship for the Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost

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

September 27, 2020

Photo by Alice Nash

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

“Thank you, God / Help us, God”
Breath prayers involve breathing in the first phrase, and breathing out the second.
You may wish to simply pray for a moment before starting, or you may wish to pray while listening to the prelude.

Prelude

“Rondeau in B Flat” by David Lasky

Call to Worship

One: Listen, dear ones, for the voice of God.
Many: May our hearts be tuned for God’s voice.
One: The ways of God are not always what we expect.
Many: May our hearts be tuned for God’s love.
One: The wonders of God abound.
Many: May we savor them, and share them.

Photo by Anne Phillips

Hymn #156: I Love to Tell The Story

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

God,
You are the One We Center In,
You are the Source of Goodness and Love,
You are the authority we turn to,
the moral guidance of our lives.
Help us.
Help us hear you.
Help us follow you.
Help us see as you see,
and love as you love.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Photo by Anne Phillips

Pastoral Prayer

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

God, Our Center,
We have known heaviness this year.
Heavy hearts.
Sometimes, even, heavy limbs,
encumbered by the weight of the world around us.
Yet we remember that you are with us, even as we are weighed down.
You are lightening even our heavy loads.
You are willing and able to carry our loads with us.
We hand to you our grief.
We hand to you our stress.
We hand to you our worries.
We hand to you our overwhelmed.
We hand to you our underwhelmed.
We hand it to you, trusting you to take it,
transform it,
and hand us back something we can handle.
Ways of responding.
Ways of living.
Ways of making it.
Ways of helping each other.
Ways of finding moments of rest and hope.
Trusting you, O God, we hand you all that we have,
and ask for your help.
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 Call – Z. Randall Stroope

Scripture – Psalm 78:1-4,12-16

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

Poem: “Cope’s Lookout at Sunset”
Recently I was going through some old papers of my parents and found this poem written by my father in 1964. Cope’s Lookout is in the Mohonk Preserve in Ulster County. I feel that it expresses the feelings that many of us are having as we are able to experience nature.

Cope’s Lookout at Sunset
A place where nature fashions lofty thoughts,
where heavens and earth unite near close of day.
Here height lends elevation to the mind
and lifts it from the little things of life.
The far hills stand in quiet dignity,
and cast their lengthening shadows back across
the broad valley below. Beyond all,
the setting sun sinks down below the earth,
content for awhile to let the twinkling stars
shed their soft light upon a slumbering world.
But in the beauty of its afterglow
lies hope and promise of a bright new day.
Here “two or three gathered together,” in silence
can be alone with the Maker of all they see.

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.

Photo by Anne Phillips

Hymn #100: God, Whose Love Is Reigning o’er Us

God, whose love is reigning o’er us,
source of all, the ending true;
Hear the universal chorus
raised in joyful praise to you:
Alleluia, Alleluia,
worship ancient, worship new.
Word of God from nature bringing
springtime green and autumn gold;
Mountain streams like children singing,
ocean waves thunder bold:
Alleluia, Alleluia,
as creation’s tale is told.
Holy God of ancient glory,
choosing man and woman too;
Abram’s faith and Sarah’s story
formed a people bound to you.
Alleluia, Alleluia,
to your covenant keep us true.
Photo by Anne Phillips
Covenant, new again in Jesus,
starchild born to set us free;
Sent to heal us, sent to teach us
how love’s children we might be.
Alleluia, Alleluia,
risen Christ, our Savior he!
Lift we then our human voices
in the songs that faith would bring;
Live we then in human choices
lives that, like our music sing:
Alleluia, Alleluia,
joined in love our praises ring!

Scripture Reading: Matthew 21:23-32

Sermon – “Hunger” – 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 Anthem

“O Clap Your Hands” – Victor C. Johnson

O clap your hands all ye people. Lift up your voice, sing alleluia!
Shout and rejoice, give praise to the Lord. Sing with jubilation.
Let all the earth now cry out with joy, and raise a hymn of exaltation. Alleluia!
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Break forth into jubilant song.
Let the mighty rivers clap their hands. Let the mountains sing together with joy.
O sing out with joy!
Refrain.

Prayer of Presentation

God, Our Center,
We have a deep human need
to give.
We need to respond to goodness, life, and love,
with generosity, hope, and blessings.
Please receive our gifts,
and guide those who make decisions about them,
to use them wisely,
so that our need to give
meets the world’s needs to receive.
Amen

Hymn #405: Seek Ye First

Benediction

May God guide us all to be more able to make decisions in love. Amen

Postlude

“Festive Trumpet Tune” by David German


Photo by Anne Phillips

Worship for the Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost

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

September 20, 2020

Photo by Alice Nash

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

“Lover of our souls / teach us compassion”
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

“Prelude in a Classic Style” by Gordon Young

Call to Worship

One: We worship a God of Compassion.
Many: God feels with us.
One: We worship a God who encourages compassion.
Many: God yearns for us to feel with each other.
One: Given the brokenness of our world,
Many: compassion can be overwhelming.
One: Yet, without compassion,
Many: love cannot win.

Photo by Terry Phillips

Hymn #57 or Hymn #3001 from Worship and Song: O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Living Mercy,
God of Compassion,
Open our hearts,
even when it hurts.
May we see clearly,
even when what we see is uncomfortable.
Show us what needs our attention,
including the wonder
along with the brokenness.
Give us strength to face the world unafraid,
and share your compassion with it.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Photo by Terry Phillips

Pastoral Prayer

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

God of Compassion,
Are you ever overwhelmed like we are?
When you see all the natural disasters,
and human made disasters,
the illness and injury,
the grief and heartbreak,
how do you handle it all?
How do you feel with all of us without breaking?
Or, perhaps it makes more sense to say:
sometimes we feel close to breaking,
and we know how much more you experience.
Help us, guide us, strengthen us,
to see and hear and feel what is happening around us
without shutting down.
And give us the insight to notice all the gifts and wonders around us as well.
Slow us down to see the leaves changing.
Help us savor great music, art, books, or even meals.
May wonderful memories help us as we grieve.
May hope pervade our lives,
along with your dreams for wholeness for all your people.
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

Ave Maria – Franz Biebl

Scripture – Jonah 3:10-4:11

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

UMCOR Disaster Response and Recovery

Have you heard the story about the conversation between two governors after a disaster? The story is that one said to the other, “Have the M and M’s come yet?” He meant the Methodists and the Mennonites. Methodists are often the first in and the last out of disaster situations. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), Early Response Teams (ERTs),
and Volunteers in Mission (VIMs) make a significant difference in times of disaster. UMCOR is currently responding to storms in the Gulf Coast and wildfires in the west.

The website states that UMCOR responds to natural or civil disasters of such magnitude that they overwhelm a community’s ability to recover on their own. When disaster strikes, it is local churches that provide the first response to their communities. This basic understanding – that disaster response is local – forms the foundation for UMCOR’s disaster training and response. UMCOR provides training, financial assistance, expertise, and community collaboration to churches and partners making them more resilient to disasters.

You can learn more on YouTube, at UMC Mission’s Web Site, and at UMCOR’s Facebook page.
UMCOR’s annual financial goal for Disaster and Response Recovery (Advance #901670) is $20 million. We can give by going to UMCOR US Disaster Response and Recovery (there is a way to give our local church credit for the donation) or by going to the FUMC website

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.

Photo by Terry Phillips

Hymn #2126: All Who Hunger

Scripture Reading: Matthew 20:1-16

Sermon – “Hunger” – Rev. Sara E. Baron

Reflection Questions:

• What do you see being done for the common good?
• How should food be distributed?
• In what ways does society treat some people as “expendable”?
• What do you see being done to change that?

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

“O Praise the Lord with Heart and Voice” – Franz Joseph Haydn

Prayer of Presentation

Living Mercy,
With these gifts, we seek to break free of the brokenness of this world, and participate in your blessings instead.
May the gifts that we give: our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness be blessed to be useful to your kindom.
Amen

Hymn #581: Lord Whose Love Through Humble Service

Benediction

May God gift you with awareness of the systems you are in,
and the courage of your convictions to respond! Amen

Postlude

“Joy and Celebration” by Lee Afdahl


Photo by Terry Phillips

Worship for the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

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

September 13, 2020

Photo by Alice Nash

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 mercy guide our lives”
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

“Chanson” by Kevin Norris

Call to Worship

One: Soften your hearts.
Many: We open our hearts to the Divine.
One: Let your minds come to rest.
Many: We settle our minds in to God’s Holiness.
One: Bring your body to stillness.
Many: We gentle our bodies, so as to be fully present.
One: Breathe deeply.
Many: As we breathe in and out, we bring our whole selves to worship

Hymn #187: Rise, Shine, You People

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Living Mercy,
You engage us with love,
hope,
and grace.
So often, though, we forget.
We treat ourselves with harsh judgement, impossible expectations, and belittling narratives.
Worse, we treat others as we treat ourselves.
May we learn your mercy,
from the inside out,
so we can experience it,
savor it,
and share it.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Photo by Alice Nash

Pastoral Prayer

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

Living Mercy,
As our country struggles with racism, wildfires, natural disasters, and polarization, we are all weakened.
As our world struggles with a pandemic, global warming, and increased authoritarianism, we are all harmed.
As our church struggles with homophobia, racism, sexism, classism, and colonialism, your Love is stifled.
And none of it is the last word.
Guide us, Holy One, to be part of the healing,
the hope,
the blessing of the world.
And help us pay as much attention to the joy as to the concerns,
to the wonder as to the fear.
While we ask for those who are ill to be healed,
may we offer thanks for those who are well.
While we mourn the distance from our communities,
may we offer thanks for the gifts they’ve been in our lives.
Living mercy, guide us,
so that we can see hope and joy,
even in these days,
and then be able to share it with those who also need it.
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

As the Bridegroom to His Chosen – John Rutter

Scripture – Romans 14:1-12

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

“This!”

Today’s Mission Moment is an update and thank you from our missionary in Nicaragua, Dr. Belinda Forbes. In her BlogSpot she reports on how the coronavirus is affecting Nicaragua, what her agency (Acción Médica Cristiana) is doing about it, and how the United Methodist Church is helping. Please go to her blog to read her report.

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 #560: Help Us Accept Each Other

Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:21-35

Sermon – “A Kindom Parable?!” – 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 Anthem

“Dona Nobis Pacem” – Mark Miller

Prayer of Presentation

Living Mercy,
With these gifts, we seek to break free of the brokenness of this world, and participate in your blessings instead.
May the gifts that we give: our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness be blessed to be useful to your kindom.
Amen

Hymn #2171: Make Me a Channel of Your Peace

Benediction

May God gift you with awareness of the systems you are in, and the courage of your convictions to respond! Amen

Postlude

“Fantasia” by Johann Pachelbel
Dominick Giaquinto – Organ


Photo by Alice Nash

Worship for the Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost

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

September 6, 2020

2020 Photo from 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

“Connector / sanctify our relationships”
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

“Sicilienne” by Maria Theresia von Paradis
Transcribed for organ by Charles Callahan

Call to Worship

One: From the silence, or from the noise,
Many: We bring our attention to the things of God.
One: From loneliness, or overstimulation,
Many: We move into worship.

Hymn #89: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Connecting Spirit,
As we struggle to be apart from people we love,
we remember that You still connect us to each other,
as you have always.
You are part of the spirit of love and connection
in all relationships,
and you hold space for our love when we are apart.
May we find ways to connect with you and with each other,
so as to find peace and hope.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

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

Connecting Spirit,
At times we ache for connection with those we love.
(Both those who have passed away and those we are simply distanced from.)
We know some are deeply struggling, and wish we could support them.
It can be hard, right now.
And at times, it can be wonderful too.
At times we get blessed with connections that we never expected.
At times your grace astounds us.
We ask for your blessings on all who are struggling, who are ill, who are injured,
who are grieving, and who are lonely. We seek your help to know how to support your people.
We see the brokenness of the world, including the racial injustice.
Guide us to recognize our part in it,
and to be a part of changing it.
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

Ubi Caritas – Michael John Trotta

Where charity and love are, God is there.
Christ’s love has gathered us into one.
Let us rejoice and be pleased in Him.
Let us fear, and let us love the living God.
And may we love each other with a sincere heart.
“Where there is charity and love, God is there.”

Scripture – Romans 13:8-14

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yeLoGCmhWOs4hC3ZVIL5jLqyAJegy2N4/view

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

“This”
This picture with its Bible verse was on Facebook recently. It inspired a friend of mine to try to lovingly save a friendship that was deteriorating because of political differences. They are still working on greater understanding and maintaining the friendship in spite of their differences.

Caleb Callahan
August 2
This!
He stands because of his conscience (his family serves in military).
Teammates understand and embrace him. They kneel because of conscience (their family experiences inequality). He understands and embraces them.
This is what it looks like to LOVE your neighbor.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 131:7-8

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 #549: Where Charity and Love Prevail

Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:15-20

https://drive.google.com/file/d/156LkxWKF08o1sEyjEOUm9IWZEPcnEhNV/view

Sermon – “Love in Community” – Rev. Sara E. Baron

Questions for Reflection:

• Where do you most tend to try to prove your worth?
• What most effectively reminds you that you are already beloved of God, as you?
• What parts of kindom building bring you joy?
• How does it feel to be reminded that Peter was imperfect and still of value?
• What would it look like in your life to allow yourself a bit more grace to love LESS arduously?

Responding

Offering

2017 Photo Show – “Prayers, Presence Gifts, Service, Witness” 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 Anthem

“I’m Gonna Sing ‘Til the Spirit Moves in My Heart” – Moses Hogan

I’m gonna sing ‘till the Spirit moves in my heart
I’m gonna sing ‘till the Spirit moves in my heart
I’m gonna sing ‘till the Spirit moves in my heart
I’m gonna sing ‘till Jesus comes
It was grace that brought me
It was grace that taught me
It was grace that kept me
And it’s grace that will lead me home
I’m gonna pray ‘till the Spirit moves in my heart
I’m gonna pray ‘till Jesus comes
Can’t you feel the spirit moving?
I’m gonna shout ‘till the Spirit moves in my heart
I’m gonna shout ‘till Jesus comes
I’m gonna sing till my Jesus comes
– Copyright 1995, Hal Leonard

Prayer of Presentation

Connecting Spirit,
As we give our gifts to this church,
and to the world,
we seek your blessings on them.
May these gifts be useful in the building of the kindom,
and may we be blessed to see them at work.
Amen

Hymn #97: For the Fruits of This Creation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZjppmwhdwc

Benediction

As you move from worship back into the rest of life, may this time apart give you the energy and capacity to share God’s love in the world! Amen

Postlude

“Celeration” by Charles Callahan
Dominick Giaquinto – Organ

Worship for the Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost

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

August 23, 2020

2020 Photo from Dominick Giaquinto

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

“Holiness / we seek your grace”
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

“Highland Cathedral” by Charles Callahan

Call to Worship

One: The Spirit of God gives many gifts.
Many: We have been blessed with the Spirit’s gifts.
One: The gifts look and sound different,
Many: yet come from the same source.
One: We seek to savor these gifts,
Many: and express our gratitude for them.

Hymn #92: For the Beauty of the Earth

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Spirit of Grace,
May we savor your goodness,
and soak up your love.
We wish to be living grace,
and we know you are the source of such capacity.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

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

Spirit of Grace,
We struggle with grief because we are humans and there are those we have loved, and lost. There are also experiences and identities we have loved, and lost. Be with us as we grieve. May all who are grieving feel your support and experience your compassion.
May all who need healing be able to receive it from you and from caring people. We are amazed at the wonders of life and its vivacity. Thank you for the little and big things that bring life and joy. Help us savor them.
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

O Sacrum Convivium – James Biery

O Christ, come and dwell within, through this sacred mystery.
We celebrate the memory of your holy Passion.
Jesus’ love enfolds our hearts
We receive your covenant of eternal glory! Alleluia

Scripture – Romans 12:1-8

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

“Dehumanizing people debases us all”
Jimmy Carter releases statement on George Floyd protests
(Please consider contributing a mission moment. It can be an experience, a poem, something meaningful that you recently learned, a brief book review, an insight, or maybe something else. Send your idea to me – Jan Huston.)


Axios (online) June 3, 2020 Paul Hennessy/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Former President Jimmy Carter released a statement on Wednesday describing himself and his wife as “pained by the tragic racial injustices and consequent backlash across our nation in recent weeks.”
Why it matters: All living American presidents have now officially weighed in on the civil unrest rattling the nation.

• Former President George Bush W. Bush released his statement on the ongoing protests Tuesday, saying it is “time for America to examine our tragic failures.”
• Former President Bill Clinton said on Saturday that Americans “need to see each other as equally deserving of life, liberty, respect, dignity, and the presumption of innocence,” and called on people to ask themselves a set of “hard questions.”
• Former President Obama said last week that events like George Floyd’s death “shouldn’t be ‘normal’ in 2020 America,” and plans to host a virtual town hall on the topic on Wednesday evening.

Of note: Carter did not mention Floyd by name, instead focusing on “the victims’ families and all who feel hopeless in the face of pervasive racial discrimination and outright cruelty.”
Carter’s full statement:
“Rosalynn and I are pained by the tragic racial injustices and consequent backlash across our nation in recent weeks. Our hearts are with the victims’ families and all who feel hopeless in the face of pervasive racial discrimination and outright cruelty. We all must shine a spotlight on the immorality of racial discrimination. But violence, whether spontaneous or consciously incited, is not a solution. “As a white male of the South, I know all too well the impact of segregation and injustice to African Americans. As a politician, I felt a responsibility to bring equity to my
state and our country. In my 1974 inaugural address as Georgia’s governor, I said: “The time for racial discrimination is over.” With great sorrow and disappointment, I repeat those words today, nearly five decades later. Dehumanizing people debases us all; humanity is beautifully and almost infinitely diverse. The bonds of our common humanity must overcome the divisiveness of our fears and prejudices.
“Since leaving the White House in 1981, Rosalynn and I have strived to advance human rights in countries around the world. In this quest, we have seen that silence can be as deadly as violence. People of power, privilege, and moral conscience must stand up and say “no more” to a racially discriminatory police and justice system, immoral economic disparities between whites and blacks, and government actions that undermine our unified democracy. We are responsible for creating a world of peace
and equality for ourselves and future generations.
We need a government as good as its people, and we are better than this.”

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 #114: Many Gifts, One Spirit by Al Carmines

God of change and glory, God of time and space,
When we fear the future, give to us your grace.
In the midst of changing ways give us still the grace to praise.
Refrain:
Many gifts, one Spirit, one love known in many ways.
In our difference is blessing, from diversity we praise
One Giver, one Lord, one Spirit, one Word
Known in many ways, hallowing our days.
For the Giver, for the gifts, praise, praise, praise!
God of many colors, God of many signs,
You have made us different, blessing many kinds.
As the old ways disappear, let your love cast out our fear.
Freshness of the morning, newness of each night,
You are still creating endless love and light.
This we see, as shadows part, many gifts from one great heart.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 16:13-20

Sermon – “Rock” – Rev. Sara E. Baron

Questions for Reflection:

• Where do you most tend to try to prove your worth?
• What most effectively reminds you that you are already beloved of God, as you?
• What parts of kindom building bring you joy?
• How does it feel to be reminded that Peter was imperfect and still of value?
• What would it look like in your life to allow yourself a bit more grace to love LESS arduously?

Responding

Offering

2017 Photo Show – “Prayers, Presence Gifts, Service, Witness” 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 Anthem

“Simple Gifts” – Traditional
Yo Yo Ma – Cello
Alison Krauss – Soprano

Prayer of Presentation

Spirit of Grace,
As we live our lives,
as we see what you are up to,
we are amazed.
The gifts we have received astound us.
May the gifts we give be blessed to be blessings as profound as what we have received.
Amen

Hymn #2153: I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me

Benediction

May you find ways to soak up God’s love, share your gifts, and build the kindom.
Amen

Postlude

“Rejoicing in D Major” by Stephen H. Best
Dominick Giaquinto – Organ

Worship for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

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

August 16, 2020

2020 Photo from Dominick Giaquinto

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

“O God, make me an instrument of your justice”
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

“Ave Maria” by Giulio Caccini
David Read – Baritone acc. Dominick Giaquinto – Organ (FUMC)

Call to Worship

One: Answer me when I call, O God of my right!
Many: You gave me room when I was in distress.
One: Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.
Many: How long, you people, shall my honor suffer shame?
One: How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies?
Many: But know that the LORD has set apart the faithful for himself; the LORD hears when I call.

Hymn #117: O God Our Help in Ages Past

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us. As we gather in your presence, fill us with your very being. As we worship today, we remember our brothers and sisters who are worshiping elsewhere throughout the world. Inspire each of us to work more faithfully for justice. Raise our vision above the barriers of color and culture that we use to separate us. Give us wisdom as we deal with one another. Help us to recognize and to respect different ways, rather than to judge. In the name of Jesus who came not to be served, but to serve, we now must reach out our hands with help and open our hearts in love. Awake in us the desire to seek your way of service in the world. Amen.

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

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

Give us, O God, the strength to break the bonds of tradition that victimize your people. May we call on the oppressors to see the harm they do. May we
work with the oppressed to lift our communal life out of the swamp for self-righteous greed. May we truly find peace through justice for all. 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 Couldn’t Hear Nobody Pray – Hall Johnson

Scripture – Amos 5:18-24

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York
(Please consider contributing a mission moment. It can be an experience, a poem, something meaningful that you recently learned, a brief book review, an insight, or maybe something else. Send your idea to me – Jan Huston.)


Bethany Stiles of the Regional Food Bank sent an update:
COVID-19 Week 20 Service Update:
Three Cheers for Volunteers!
In any given year, volunteers provide an immense service to the Food Bank by helping us accomplish more than we ever could on our own. In a year like this one, our volunteers are more important, and appreciated, than ever. Whether it’s sorting donated food in one of our warehouses, hosting a food drive, raising funds, or harvesting veggies at our Patroon Land Farm, volunteers expand our capacity and help us get more food out to more hungry people.

Volunteers and staff work together seven days a week and adhere to strict sanitation protocols to keep everyone safe. We appreciate their support so much. Imagine our delight when a volunteer thanked US for the opportunity to serve.

I’m signed up at the Food Bank for a number of dates in August. But things have changed: I’m returning to work, finally, after four months. So I’m afraid I won’t be doing any of these shifts, which actually leaves me feeling a bit wistful. I’ve very much enjoyed my experience at the Food Bank. Not only is it work of immeasurable importance, especially now, but you guys are so pleasant and cheerful. It’s motivating! If only more workplace supervisors were possessed of such qualities.

We are honored to work with volunteers like this, who give so generously of their time and share our commitment to meeting people’s basic needs. If you would like to learn more about our volunteer opportunities, please visit
our website.

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 #729: O Day of Peace

Scripture Reading: Luke 18:1-8

Sermon – “The Way to Peace” – Rev. Bill Pattison

The Loving Ways of Jesus
The loving ways of Jesus
we model every day
Through kindly acts of mercy
in what we do and say
We have the power in us
to live in harmony
And sharing Earth’s resources
we aim for unity
The lessons Jesus taught us
allow us all to see
That everyone around us
forms one humanity
That what we see reflected
in others is ourselves
So let us welcome strangers
just as they see themselves

Responding

Offering

2017 Photo Show – “Prayers, Presence Gifts, Service, Witness” 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 Anthem

“Will You Come and Follow Me” by Tom Trenney

Prayer of Presentation

We offer ourselves, O God, to work toward peace through justice. May our gifts be used to build a more just society. Amen.

Hymn #428: For the Healing of the Nations

Benediction

Let us move from worship to service while aiming for peace through justice. Amen.

Postlude

“Sinfonia from Cantata 29” by Johann Sebastian Bach
Vincent Dubois – Organ

Worship for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

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

August 9, 2020

2020 Photo from Dominick Giaquinto

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

“Lift every voice and sing”
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
Dominick Giaquinto – Organ (FUMC)

Call to Worship

One: O come and let us praise God.
Many: Who lifts our spirits to sing.
One: Who shows us the path to equal opportunity
Many: Who leads us through change into a new reality

Hymn #97: For the Fruits of This Creation

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Gracious and loving God, you have shown us the way of love. In this time of worship, help us to hear your voice in the music, the words and the silence. Help us to hear your call to reach out in such a way that we are no longer strangers, but united in doing your will. Fill us with a sense of
mission and ministry, and show us ways to respond. We pray this in the name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

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

Our God, we gather our hearts together in prayer for the opportunities we have to be good stewards. Show us where we can best invest for the well-being of all. Help us understand the potential we have for good as we engage in economic activity. Let love of neighbor guide the choices we make in both where we offer aid and where we buy the goods we need for daily living. Help us control the ebb and flow of economic life to provide smooth sailing for all your family. 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

We Give Thee But Thine Own – Neil Harmon

We give thee but thine own, whate’er the gift may be;
for all we have is thine alone a trust, O Lord from thee.
May we thy bounties thus as stewards true receive,
and gladly, as thou blessest us, to thee our first fruits give.
To comfort and to bless, to find a balm for woe,
to tend the lone and fatherless is angel’s work below.
And we believe thy word, though dim our faith may be;
Whate’er we do for thine, O Lord, we do it unto thee; we do it unto thee.

Scripture – Ezekiel 34:1-10

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

An Essay from John Lewis: Together, You Can Redeem the Soul of Our Nation
John Lewis, the civil rights leader who died on July 17, wrote this essay shortly before his death, to be published upon the day of his funeral. It was published in the New York Times on July 30, 2020.


While my time here has now come to an end, I want you to know that in the last days and hours of my life you inspired me. You filled me with hope about the next chapter of the great American story when you used your power to make a difference in our society. Millions of people motivated simply by human compassion laid down the burdens of division. Around the country and the world you set aside race, class, age, language and nationality to demand respect for human dignity.
That is why I had to visit Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, though I was admitted to the hospital the following day. I just had to see and feel it for myself that, after many years of silent witness, the truth is still marching on.
Emmett Till was my George Floyd. He was my Rayshard Brooks, Sandra Bland and Breonna Taylor. He was 14 when he was killed, and I was only 15 years old at the time. I will never ever forget the moment when it became so clear that he could easily have been me. In those days, fear constrained us like an imaginary prison, and troubling thoughts of potential brutality committed for no understandable reason were the bars.
Though I was surrounded by two loving parents, plenty of brothers, sisters and cousins, their love could not protect me from the unholy oppression waiting just outside that family circle. Unchecked, unrestrained violence and government-sanctioned terror had the power to turn a simple stroll to the store for some Skittles or an innocent morning jog down a lonesome country road into a nightmare. If we are to survive as one unified nation, we must discover what so readily takes root in our hearts that could rob Mother Emanuel Church in South Carolina of her brightest and best, shoot unwitting concertgoers in Las Vegas and choke to death the hopes and dreams of a gifted violinist like Elijah McClain.
Like so many young people today, I was searching for a way out, or some might say a way in, and then I heard the voice of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on an old radio. He was talking about the philosophy and discipline of nonviolence. He said we are all complicit when we tolerate injustice. He said it is not enough to say it will get better by and by. He said each of us has a moral obligation to stand up, speak up and speak out. When you see something that is not right, you must say something. You must do something. Democracy is not a state. It is an act, and each generation must do its part to help build what we called the Beloved Community, a nation and world society at peace with itself.

Ordinary people with extraordinary vision can redeem the soul of America by getting in what I call good trouble, necessary trouble. Voting and participating in the democratic process are key. The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society. You must use it because it is not guaranteed. You can lose it.
You must also study and learn the lessons of history because humanity has been involved in this soul-wrenching, existential struggle for a very long time. People on every continent have stood in your shoes, through decades and centuries before you. The truth does not change, and that is why the answers worked out long ago can help you find solutions to the challenges of our time. Continue to build union between movements stretching across the globe because we must put away our willingness to profit from the exploitation of others.
Though I may not be here with you, I urge you to answer the highest calling of your heart and stand up for what you truly believe. In my life I have done all I can to demonstrate that the way of peace, the way of love and nonviolence is the more excellent way. Now it is your turn to let freedom ring.
When historians pick up their pens to write the story of the 21st century, let them say that it was your generation who laid down the heavy burdens of hate at last and that peace finally triumphed over violence, aggression and war. So I say to you, walk with the wind, brothers and sisters, and let the spirit of peace and the power of everlasting love be your guide.

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 #2115: Holy Manna

Scripture Reading: Mark 25:14-30

Sermon – “Refusing to Play the Game” – Rev. Bill Pattison

Responding

Offering

2017 Photo Show – “Prayers, Presence Gifts, Service, Witness” 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 Anthem

“For the Beauty of the Earth” by Calvin Hampton

David Read – Baritone, acc. Dominick Giaquinto, Organ
For the beauty of the earth, for the beauty of the skies,
For the love which from our birth over and around us lies,
For the beauty of each hour of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower, sun and moon and stars of light,
Lord of all, to you we raise this our hymn of grateful praise!
2019 Photo Show theme “Yes” – “Yes! Dusk in Vale Park” by Alice Nash
For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild,
For each perfect gift of yours to our race so freely given,
Graces human and divine, flowers of earth and buds of heaven,
Lord of all, to you we raise this our hymn of grateful praise!

Prayer of Presentation

As we share our resources, O God, help us to see the value of living in harmony with your diverse family. And let the song of life be an ode to the joy of shared love. Amen.

Hymn #671: Lord Dismiss Us With Your Blessing

Benediction

Let us be the peace we want to be. Amen.

Postlude

“God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens”