Worship for the Second Sunday in Lent

February 28, 2021February 28, 2021
by Administrator

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

February 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

“Life-source, help us connect with you.”
Breath prayers involve breathing in the first phrase, and breathing out the second.
You may wish to simply pray for a moment before starting, or you may wish to pray while listening to the prelude.

Prelude

Largo by Mark Thewes
https://youtu.be/Ezfh1pMPBYA

Call to Worship

One: Come, bring your attention to the things of God.
Many: We let go of what holds us back.
One: Be present to this moment and the One Who Loves All.
Many: Here we are, here we worship.

Hymn #451: Be Thou My Vision

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Holy Spirit,
In this season of Lent, prepare us to be Love.
In this season of pandemic, let us be Love.
In this season of grief, let us remember Love.
In this season of waiting, let us savor Love.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

God Who Breathed Life Into Us All,
What a precious and awesome gift our lives are.
We are so aware of both life and death these days,
as we hear how many have died in the pandemic,
and as we grieve within our own community.
In some ways this past year has been an aside from our lives,
in other ways it has been as precious as any other year.
We remain discombobulated by the forms life takes these days,
and in seeking answers to unanswerable questions.
Sometimes the tolls of the past year are unbearably heavy, God,
and we need you to help us stay together.
Keep us going, dear one.
Give us strength,
give us patience,
give us love to share.
Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

God Be In My Head by John Rutter

Scripture: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

Texas Relief and Lent
This week’s mission moment has 2 parts:
Part 1: Once again we are asked to assist with disaster recovery.

This time it’s for the winter storm in Texas that left many people without water and electricity. Even though those necessities are being restored, there is extensive damage to homes and other facilities. We can help by sending money to UMCOR Disaster Relief, advance # 901670 (umcmission.org/advanceproject/901670). Or we can donate to the Texas Annual Conference.
As usual, donations can be given by writing a check to FUMC with the designation in the notation or by going to the church’s website and donating online.
Part 2: Fasting during Lent

Fasting during Lent is a tradition for many people. Pope Francis has suggestions if you want to fast during Lent:

Fast from hurting words and say kind words.
Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.
Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.
Fast from worries and have trust in God.
Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.
Fast from pressures and be prayerful.
Fast from bitterness and fill your hearts with joy.
Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others.
Fast from grudges and be reconciled.
Fast from words and be silent so you can listen.

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 #525: We’ll Understand It Better By and By

Scripture Reading – Mark 8:31-38

Sermon: “Self-Denial in a Plague?” 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: “Adoramus te, Christe” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee,
who by Thy Holy Cross hast redeemed the world.

Prayer of Presentation

God who moves us further into life,
May the gifts we are able to give bless the lives of others,
and may wisdom guide their use in building your kindom.
Amen

Hymn #140: Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Benediction

May God help you keep on going on, even when it seems like there is nothing more in you. And may you feel God’s presence guiding you when you are most lost. Amen

Postlude

“Prayer for the Innocents” by Michael Helman

Worship for the First Sunday in Lent

February 21, 2021February 21, 2021
by Administrator

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

February 21, 2021

Photo by Zach Long

Getting Centered

Breath Prayer

“Awe-inspirer, we reach for you”
Breath prayers involve breathing in the first phrase, and breathing out the second.
You may wish to simply pray for a moment before starting, or you may wish to pray while listening to the prelude.

Prelude

Prelude on a Welsh Hymn Tune “Rhosymedre” by Ralph Vaughan Williams

My song is love unknown, My Savior’s love to me;
Love to the loveless shown, that they might lovely be.
O who am I, that for my sake my Lord should take frail flesh, and die?

Call to Worship

One: Breathe deeply, dear one,
let your body take in air.
Many: We breathe in, and we breathe out,
and we let go.
One: Breathe deeply, dear one,
let God’s presence nurture you.
Many: We breathe in, and we breathe out,
and God is with us.
One: Soften your grip, dear ones,
trust God to hold for you.
Many: We lower our shoulder and
remember God is trustworthy.
One: Prepare, get ready, dear ones,
make space for hope.
Many: We acknowledge and loosen our grip on fear,
to let God’s hope in.

Hymn #2237: As a Fire is Meant for Burning

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

God of Rain and Rainbows,
You are with us in the ordinary,
and the wondrous.
You shower us with the things of life,
and delight us with moments of awe.
In these long-lasting liminal days,
where life is not what was,
nor what it will be,
show us again the wonder
in the ordinary.
Let us be for others wonder in the ordinary.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

Lover of Humanity,
God of Rainbows,
No one color, no matter how great, makes a rainbow.
The arc of color is defined by many colors.
We are like that. Humans, no matter how great, aren’t meant to be alone.
We exist in relationship to each other,
and we ache for each other when we can’t connect.
As days upon days of distancing pile up on each other,
the pain of distance can become overwhelming.
God who connects us,
be with those who are struggling most
in each moment
with the pains of trying to be human
without the others they need.
As we return to the season of Lent,
the season when life as we knew it stopped last year,
we remember and we grieve.
We grieve those we’ve lost this year,
we grieve those we’ve missed this year,
we grieve the brokenness where once we thought there was strength,
we grieve the normal we once knew,
we grieve who we were.
Help us, Dear One, to allow ourselves space for grief,
and of course space too for wonder.
Help us hold in tension all the emotions of today
(and tomorrow).
Help us, Dear One.
Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

Be Still and Know by Michael John Trotta

Scripture: Genesis 9:8-17

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

Virtual Card Party
FUMC has 2 Lenten mission projects, plus a photo show, and a suggestion from Pastor Sara to recognize daily gratitudes and challenges. Preparing for Easter will be a meaningful time.
Last Sunday’s mission moment focused on the project related to hunger. Although all church members and friends are encouraged to participate, we hope that this project will be particularly meaningful to children as they think about what hunger is and try to alleviate it
.
Today I want to share more about the Virtual Card Party in which we can share our concern for refugees and migrants in the Eloy Detention Center near Tucson, AZ. The Casa Mariposa Detention Visitation Program supports detainees who are living, sometimes for years, in very difficult conditions. Asylum seekers waiting for a hearing, people who have overstayed their visas, and others are kept in detention centers across the US. Before the pandemic, volunteers in the Casa Mariposa program visited detainees to provide friendship, books, and small items. They are not able to visit now and ask for cards to help the detainees know that there are people in the U.S. who care about them.
Before the pandemic, groups had card parties during which they were able to enjoy preparing cards together. Now we are asked to have “virtual card parties.” Create your own party atmosphere and prepare a few cards to brighten the day of someone who feels forgotten. Put each card in an unsealed envelope with a stamp on the envelope and a small letter on the back indicating what language is used – E (English), S (Spanish), F (French), E/S (English and Spanish). No address or return address should be on the envelope. Then put your cards in a larger envelope and mail or deliver them to the church. They will be sent together from the church to the volunteers in Tucson who will complete the process.
Messages should be something like “I’m thinking of you” or “I am praying for you. You are not forgotten.” Not all detainees are Christian so messages should not refer to Easter. ICE does not allow glitter, sequins, bows, stickers, or other pretty decorations on cards. More details as well as suggested messages in Spanish are in the February Spire or can be obtained from Jan Huston. More information about the Casa Mariposa Detention Visitation Program and the Casa Mariposa Community can be found online.
Although we are not able to have a fun card party together, it is hoped that we will be able to gather a large number of cards to express caring for people who are waiting to learn what will be the next part of their lives.
Both mission projects will end on Palm Sunday, March 28. If you participate in the flower sale on March 27, you might take your food for SiCM and/or your cards to church that day. If you need your donations to be picked up at your house, contact Barb Armstrong or Jan Huston.

Children’s Time

Passing of the Peace

Hymn #508: Faith, While Trees are Still in Blossom

Scripture Reading – Mark 1:9-15

Sermon: “Rainbow and Rain” by Rev. Sara Baron

Responding

Offering

Offertory Anthem: “Lord, Sanctify Me Wholly” by Jean Pasquet arr. Lyndell Leatherman

Prayer of Presentation

God of the Rain and the Rainbow,
We thank you for all the gifts you have given in our lives, past and present.
We thank you for all the ways we’re able to contribute to your kindom.
We ask for your blessing on our gifts, that they may be used with wisdom.
We ask for your guidance in our community, that we may be faithful stewards
of the gifts given to the kindom.
Amen

Hymn #500: Spirit Song

Benediction

As we continue to navigate this storm,
may we prepare ourselves to find the rainbows.
May we get ready for God’s hope. Amen

Postlude

“Prélude a 5 parties” by Jacques-Nicolas Lemmens

Worship for Transfiguration Sunday

February 14, 2021February 14, 2021
by Administrator

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for Transfiguration Sunday

February 14, 2021

Photo by Zach Long

Getting Centered

Breath Prayer

“Lover of humanity, may we sense your love”
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 Processional” by Richard E. Frey

Call to Worship

One: On this Valentines’ Day, we celebrate love.
Other(s): In particular, we celebrate God’s love.
One: God’s love is the foundation of the universe.
Other(s): God’s love is the foundation of our lives.
One: On this Valentines’ Day, we gather to worship God.
Other(s): We come seeking God, and seeking our own wholeness.
One: May we be present to this holy time.
Other(s): May we connect.

Hymn #2103: We Have Come at Christ’s Own Bidding

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Lover of Humanity,
We are formed by your love.
We are supported and upheld by your love.
We are, because of your love.
May we breath deeply,
and sense your love with us.
May we see the world and its people with the love you have.
May we be living expressions of your love
for the world and its people.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

Lover of Humanity,
To each of us you say, “this is my child, the beloved, with whom I am well pleased,” and each time we hear it we are amazed by your grace. For some reason, it is hard to hold on and remember the love you have for us. This is why we return, again and again, to seek you out and hear your stories. We need constant reminders of your love. They help us become more loving.
We find you in the natural world, in relationships, in silence, in beauty, in worship, and in unexpected corners! You keep on surprising us. We keep seeking you.
We find you bring life out of what seemed to be lifeless. We find you with us as we grief and as we struggle. We find you helping us make our way when it seems there isn’t a way at all.
Sometimes we seek you and can’t find you, and then we are dependent on each other to help us along the way.
Help us, Lover of Humanity, to be good supporters of each other, to find you whenever we can, and to learn to trust in your love.
Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

Alleluia by Randall Thompson

Scripture: Psalm 50:1-6

Mission Moment – Barbara Armstrong

Hunger Project
The Children and Worship team has identified a project for Lent. This project is one that the whole of our church family can participate in. We are encouraging folks to take time over Lent to think about hunger and what we as individuals can do about it. As a project we are asking that you collect one food item for each week of Lent, non-perishable item, and place it in a brown paper bag located near your dinner table. These items will be collected at the end of Lent and the food will be donated to SiCM food pantry in our community. This will be a gift from our church to our neighbors in Schenectady as an effort to acknowledge and honor their struggle to put food on their table. Mother Theresa stated, “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.”
When thinking about hunger I immediately think of a crying baby who cries to let us know that they are hungry and in need of nourishment. Often, however hunger is present in many more spaces and places, including within homes of people we may know and love and we may not even be aware of this need. There is a stigma that is attached to hunger, often shame and embarrassment, which prevents people from speaking out, asking for or screaming about this injustice in our world.
In researching this topic I was overwhelmed with all the statistics and wondered how it was possible to highlight the significant numbers and if in this time of the pandemic that the numbers might not even be higher? I’m sure they are. Here are some facts that I thought might help highlight this injustice:

One out of six children don’t know where their next meal will come from
Half the number of childhood deaths under the age of 5 are the result of poor nutrition. Over 3 million people die every year from hunger and poor nutrition.
Hunger happens in poverty stricken communities often in third world nations, but there are over 40 million people in the US who are hungry on a daily basis and 13 million of them are children. Many of these people are working-poor; despite their efforts to earn a living and raise a family, their income does not cover all the bills that come in. Many folks who are working-poor have more than one job and still cannot cover all the bills at the end of the month.
Forty-five million Americans rely on stipends (SNAP/supplemental nutrition assistance program) to put food on their table. Food stamps provide approximately $3 per day to support a person’s food budget. This is not nearly enough to provide nutritious food and often results in the purchase of highly processed foods which are cheaper to buy.
Twenty-two million children rely on free meals at school and most children living in poverty within our country consume half their calories while at school. How are they getting access to food during the pandemic?
Learning, growing, playing and working are all significantly impacted by poverty
and hunger.

If we seek justice, want more joy in this world then we need to find ways to better distribute the resources available.
Mohandas Gandhi stated that, “There is enough on this planet for everyone’s needs, but not for everyone’s greed.”
So as a caring and justice seeking community I encourage you to participate in this church wide opportunity to share
our love with our neighbors in Schenectady. Other giving opportunities exist and I encourage us all to think about our
blessings and what we have available to share with others. Additional opportunities include the following:

Schenectady Community Ministries
City Mission of Schenectady
Heifer International
Bread for the World

All of these organizations have websites with more information and ways to donate. Or you can go to the church website to donate online or send a check to the church made out to FUMC with the organization’s name in the notation.
In closing I want to share a quote from Robert Ingersoll, “We rise by lifting others.”

photo by Barbara Armstrong

Children’s Time

Passing of the Peace

Hymn #173: Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies

Scripture Reading – Mark 9:2-9

Sermon: “Becoming More Human” by Rev. Sara Baron

Responding

Offering

Offertory Anthem: “Ukrainian Alleluia” by Craig Courtney

Prayer of Presentation

Lover of Humanity, your love is the foundation of our lives, and we are so grateful. It is impossible to imagine how lost we would be without you. Please accept the gifts we give: our prayer, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness, and sanctify them for your work of loving the world. Amen

Hymn #2182: When God Restored Our Common Life

Benediction

May you go, renewed in your humanity, beloved by God, and ready to share God’s love with all those you interact with his week. Amen

Postlude

“Celebration Fanfare” by Stephen H. Best

Worship for Fifth Sunday After Epiphany

February 7, 2021February 7, 2021
by Administrator

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

February 7, 2021

Photo by Zach Long

Getting Centered

Breath Prayer

“God of every day, may I notice you 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

“Ich ruf’ zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ/I Call to You, Jesus Christ” by Johann Sebastian Bach

Call to Worship

One: What do we know of God?
Many: God is a torrent of love!
One: But the world is still broken!
Many: God is a torrent of love!
One: Perhaps the love is just blocked?
Many: God is a torrent of love!
One: Then our work should be to be the unblockers.
Many: God is a torrent of love!

Hymn #534: Be Still, My Soul

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

God of Every Day,
You are holiness saturating the ordinary.
You are the ground of all being,
and you are love.
When snowflakes glisten, and our eyes are drawn to wonder,
we notice how amazing this world is.
When children squeal with glee, and our ears are filled with delight,
we notice how amazing this world is.
When the noise of traffic quiets, and we hear the wind playing,
we notice how amazing this world is.
Help us see, hear, and attend to the wonder of your sacred presence,
in our every day.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

You are welcome to read this out-loud or silently.
God of Today,
God of Every Day,
God of the Eternal, and the momentary,
Help us see the wonder of today, and savor its goodness.
Help us see the brokenness of today, and attend to the needs for healing.
Help us stay present to this moment, and yet keep in mind the long-view needed for kindom building.
Help us see.
God of ordinary people, remind us of the wonder and love of the people we know, and help us remember to reach out in love to your people.
Help us find ever more ways to soak in your love, and share it.
Remind us, again and again, of the ways you give us to rest, be refreshed, and find joy in life. We somehow forget far too often.
Help us be people who can hold people up in sorrow, in grief, and in dismay.
We know those people are needed.
Help us be people who find peace, joy, and hope, and can share them.
Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

There is a Balm in Gilead by Ken Burton

Scripture: Isaiah 40:21-31

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

Souper Bowl Sunday
Today is Souper Bowl Sunday! Most years on this day our church children carry “soup” cans and ask us to put donations in the cans. Many people in more normal years enjoy Super Bowl parties which include lots of food. The hope is that some of the money spent on party food might instead be donated to those who are hungry.
Schenectady Community Ministries coordinates this collection. 100% of the money raised goes to help the SiCM Food Pantry feed those who are insecure in Schenectady County. Their goal is $15,000. In 2020, SiCM served 300 families per week and a total of 454,000 meals!

This year we aren’t able to put money into cans held by our smiling, eager children. But the need is greater than ever because of the pandemic. You can give directly to SiCM at https://sicm.salsalabs.org/SouperBowl21/index.html. Or you can give by sending a check to FUMC with “Souper Bowl” or “SiCM” in the notation. Or you can go to the church website and donate online there.

Children’s Time

Passing of the Peace

Hymn #110: A Mighty Fortress

Scripture Reading – Mark 1:29-39

Sermon: “Sacred + Ordinary” by Rev. Sara Baron

Responding

Offering

Offertory Anthem: “Sing to the Lord a New Song” by Franz Joseph Haydn arr. Hal Hopson

Prayer of Presentation

God of Every Day, with the gifts we give in the world, we seek to expand your loving expressions in the world. With the gift we give to the church, we seek to support your work in this community. With our lives, we seek to build your kindom. Guide us, our lives, our gifts, and their use. Amen

Hymn #126: Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above

Benediction

May you notice the world around you saturated with the love of God, just as you are! Amen

Postlude

“Toccata in e minor” by Johann Pachelbel

Worship for Fourth Sunday After Epiphany

January 31, 2021January 31, 2021
by Administrator

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

January 31, 2021

Photo by Zach Long

Getting Centered

Breath Prayer

“Speak to us / Holy One”
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

“Liturgical Improvisation 1 – My soul hath a desire and longing to enter the courts of the Lord” by George Oldroyd

Call to Worship

One: May the words of our mouths
Many: and the meditations of our hearts
One: be acceptable to you, O God,
Many: our Rock and our Redeemer.

Hymn #861: All Creatures of Our God and King

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Holy One,
What a funny time this is.
We’re more attuned to nature than ever,
and more dependent on technology than ever as well!
We see how the sun, or clouds, snow or ice impact our moods.
We connect through means once unthinkable!
Guide us, Holy One,
you who can make sense out of everything!
Help us savor the wonder of nature,
and the gifts of technology,
without being drowned in any of it.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

You are welcome to read this out-loud or silently.
Holy One,
You are the source of holy rest, the one we
can trust to be with us,
the one we can trust to love us as we are.
We do not have to prove ourselves to you.
You see us for who we are,
and love us for who we are.
You love us into being and into wholeness,
individually and collectively.
We seek to be expressions of the wonder of
your love in the world.
We seek to be sources of healing and hope.
In this time of prayer we bring to you all those who are aching, hurting, ill, injured, and heartbroken. We ask that your love, peace, and comfort be felt by those in need of it, and that you guide us to find the ways to share your love, peace, and comfort too.
In this time of prayer, we also name the wonders of life: sunshine, broken glass ceilings, healing, community, music, the saints, and what happens in “ordinary lives” when people are given a chance. We thank you for all the ways you are present in the world, all the ways you mold the world, and for your love that is the foundation of all that is. We savor the gifts you give.
Some of the changes in the past year have been horrid, some exhausting, some heartbreaking, and a few have been good. Help us take lessons from this time, for the rest of our time. May we glean wisdom from what we miss most, and glean wisdom from the places we’ve found relief.
Holy One, we need you. Guide us. Show us the way.
Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

Ubi Caritas by 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.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 18:15-20

Mission Moment – Virgia Phoenix

National Freedom Day
The last four years were such contentious ones in which constitutional challenges proliferated more than no other we have experienced in our lifetimes. This is a time to give attention to the commemoration of National Freedom Day, which falls on February 1. National Freedom Day was established 84 years after the passing of the Thirteenth Amendment. This is the amendment that abolished slavery. In 1949, President Harry S. Truman signed a proclamation making it an official celebration day. The proclamation states: “Now therefore, I, Harry S. Truman, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate February 1, 1949, and each succeeding February 1 as National Freedom Day, and I call upon the people of the United States to pause on that solemn contemplation of the glorious blessings which we humbly and thankfully enjoy.”

Even though National Freedom Day is not celebrated or well-known across the nation as a holiday, there is always a wreath lying at the Liberty Bell. When celebrated by cities and towns there are festivals, proclamations, breakfasts, luncheons, Bar B Qs, book readings, musicals, movies, poster making, forums exploring the meaning of freedom and fireworks.
It is appropriate that National Freedom Day occurs at the beginning of Black History Month. It serves as an opportunity to explore the abolition of slavery but also the entire spectrum of the lives, strivings, accomplishments and experiences of a people previously held in bondage.
National Freedom Day is listed on some calendars and especially on the National Day calendar.

Children’s Time

Passing of the Peace

Hymn #265: O Christ, the Healer

Scripture Reading – Mark 1:21-28

Sermon: “Why Do We (the church) Exist?” by Rev. Sara Baron

Responding

Offering

Offertory Anthem: Couldn’t Hear Nobody Pray

Prayer of Presentation

Holy One,
With all that we offer in the world, we seek to be expressions of your love.
May all that we give be blessed to be your blessings in the world.
Amen

Hymn #2177: Wounded World That Cries for Healing

Benediction

May God guide you this week, that the words of your mouth and the meditations of your heart may be sources of love and grace. Amen

Postlude

“Chromatic Fugue” by Johann Pachelbel

Worship for the Third Sunday After Epiphany

January 24, 2021January 24, 2021
by Administrator

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

January 24, 2021

Photo by Zach Long

Getting Centered

Breath Prayer

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

Prelude

“Aria” by Paul Manz

Call to Worship

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

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

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

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

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer and “Grown Up’s Time”

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

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

Longing for Light, We Wait in Darkness by Bernadette Farrell

Scripture: Psalm 62:5-12

Mission Moment

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

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

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

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

Children’s Time

Passing of the Peace

Hymn #508: Faith, While Trees Are Still in Blossom

Scripture Reading – Mark 1:14-20

Sermon: “What Did They See?” by Rev. Sara Baron

Responding

Offering

Offertory Anthem: In Thee Is Gladness by David Cherwien

Prayer of Presentation

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

Hymn #733: Marching to Zion

Benediction

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

Postlude

“Processional in D Major” by David N. Johnson

Worship for Human Relations Day

January 17, 2021January 17, 2021
by Administrator

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for Human Relations Day

January 17, 2021

Photo by Zach Long

Getting Centered

Breath Prayer

“Our Rock and our Refuge, hold us steady.”
Breath prayers involve breathing in the first phrase, and breathing out the second.
You may wish to simply pray for a moment before starting, or you may wish to pray while listening to the prelude.

Prelude

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

Call to Worship

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

Hymn #519: Lift Every Voice and Sing

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

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

Silent Prayer

Photo from United Methodist Communication

Pastoral Prayer and “Grown Up’s Time”

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

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

Lift Every Voice by Nalini Calamur

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10

Mission Moment

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

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

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

Children’s Time

Passing of the Peace

Hymn #399: Take My Life and Let It Be

Scripture Reading – John 1:43-51

Sermon: “Nonviolence” by Rev. Sara Baron

Responding

Offering

Offertory Anthem: Make Me a Channel of Your Peace by Sebastian Temple

Prayer of Presentation

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

Hymn #533: We Shall Overcome

Benediction

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

Postlude

Improvisation on a Theme of Handel by Darwin Wolford

Worship for Epiphany

January 10, 2021January 10, 2021
by Administrator

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for Epiphany

January 10, 2021

Getting Centered

Breath Prayer

“Holy Spirit, open our eyes.”
Breath prayers involve breathing in the first phrase, and breathing out the second.
You may wish to simply pray for a moment before starting, or you may wish to pray while listening to the prelude.

Prelude

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

Call to Worship

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

Hymn #245: The First Noel

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

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

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer and “Grown Up’s Time”

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

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

There Shall a Star from Jacob Come Forth by Felix Mendelssohn

Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-6

Mission Moment

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

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

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

Passing of the Peace

Hymn #254: We Three Kings

Scripture Reading – Matthew 2:1-12

Epiphany Puppet Show

Responding

Offering

Offertory Anthem: Christmas Lullaby by John Rutter

Prayer of Presentation

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

Hymn #2095: Star Child

Benediction

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

Postlude

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

Worship for the Second Sunday After Christmas

January 3, 2021January 3, 2021
by Administrator

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

January 3, 2021

Getting Centered

Breath Prayer

“You bring us through our trials, Light of the World.”
Breath prayers involve breathing in the first phrase, and breathing out the second.
You may wish to simply pray for a moment before starting, or you may wish to pray while listening to the prelude.

Prelude

“Christmas Bells” by Sandra Tucker

Call to Worship

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

Hymn #220: Angels from the Realms of Glory

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

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

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

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

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

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

Angel’s Carol by John Rutter

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:7-14

Mission Moment

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

Children’s Time

Passing of the Peace

Hymn #250: Once in Royal David’s City

Scripture Reading – John 1:1-18

Sermon – A Brand New Year – Michele Cole

Responding

Offering

Offertory Anthem: Christmas Lullaby by John Rutter

Prayer of Presentation

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

Hymn #238: Angels We Have Heard on High

Benediction

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

Postlude

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

Worship for the First Sunday After Christmas

December 27, 2020December 27, 2020
by Administrator

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

December 27, 2020

Getting Centered

Breath Prayer

“Love come down, we savor you.”
Breath prayers involve breathing in the first phrase, and breathing out the second.
You may wish to simply pray for a moment before starting, or you may wish to pray while listening to the prelude.

Prelude

“Carol of the Bells” by Mykola Leontovych

Call to Worship

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

Hymn #218: It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

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

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

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

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

Noel, Noel by Carol Schalk

Scripture: Isaiah 61:10-62:3

Mission Moment

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

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

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

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

Children’s Time

Passing of the Peace

Hymn #242: Love Came Down at Christmas

Scripture Reading – Luke 2:22-40

Sermon – Rev. Sara Baron

Responding

Offering

Offertory Anthem: Before the Marvel of This Night by Carl Schalk

Prayer of Presentation

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

Hymn #249: There’s a Song in the Air

Benediction

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

Postlude

“Christmas Carol Medley”

Worship for the Second Sunday in Lent

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

February 28, 2021

Getting Centered

Breath Prayer

Prelude

Call to Worship

Hymn #451: Be Thou My Vision

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

Scripture: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

Children’s Time

Passing of the Peace

Hymn #525: We’ll Understand It Better By and By

Scripture Reading – Mark 8:31-38

Sermon: “Self-Denial in a Plague?” by Rev. Sara Baron

Responding

Offering

Offertory Anthem: “Adoramus te, Christe” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Prayer of Presentation

Hymn #140: Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Benediction

Postlude

Worship for the First Sunday in Lent

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

February 21, 2021

Getting Centered

Breath Prayer

Prelude

Call to Worship

Hymn #2237: As a Fire is Meant for Burning

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

Scripture: Genesis 9:8-17

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

Children’s Time

Passing of the Peace

Hymn #508: Faith, While Trees are Still in Blossom

Scripture Reading – Mark 1:9-15

Sermon: “Rainbow and Rain” by Rev. Sara Baron

Responding

Offering

Offertory Anthem: “Lord, Sanctify Me Wholly” by Jean Pasquet arr. Lyndell Leatherman

Prayer of Presentation

Hymn #500: Spirit Song

Benediction

Postlude

Worship for Transfiguration Sunday

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady Worship for Transfiguration Sunday

February 14, 2021

Getting Centered

Breath Prayer

Prelude

Call to Worship

Hymn #2103: We Have Come at Christ’s Own Bidding

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

Scripture: Psalm 50:1-6

Mission Moment – Barbara Armstrong

Children’s Time

Passing of the Peace

Hymn #173: Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies

Scripture Reading – Mark 9:2-9

Sermon: “Becoming More Human” by Rev. Sara Baron

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

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

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for Transfiguration Sunday

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

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

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