Worship for Easter Sunday

April 2, 2021April 2, 2021
by Administrator

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for Easter Sunday

April 4, 2021

Getting Centered

It may help to center yourself into worship by lighting a candle, as a symbol of God’s presence with you during the time of worship. You may also want to pay attention to lighting, the position of your body, and the availability of distractions.

Breath Prayer

“Alleluia / A-le-lu-ia”
Breath prayers involve breathing in the first phrase, and breathing out the second.
You may wish to simply pray for a moment before starting, or you may wish to pray while listening to the prelude.

Prelude

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

Call to Worship

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

Hymn #302: Christ the Lord Is Risen Today

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

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

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

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

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

Hallelujah, Amen by George Frideric Handel

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:1-6

Mission Moment – Anne Phillips

Young Parents United

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

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

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

Children’s Time: The story of the Wooden Egg

Passing of the Peace

If you are worshiping with others, please pass the Peace of Christ.
Whether you are alone or with others, please take a moment to find God’s peace within, and then to share it with the world. You may want to reach out to speak peace to another during this week.

Hymn #2115: Christ Has Risen

Scripture Reading – Matthew 28:1-10

Sermon: “Quiet Resurrection” by Rev. Sara Baron

Responding

Offering

Photo by Alice Nash
If you wish, you are welcome to use this time to make a donation to the church online, or to put a check in the mail.
The time of offering is not only about our financial gifts to the church, it is about offering our lives to God and the building of the kindom. This is a time for reflection: What is being asked of us? What is being given to us? What are we able to offer? What do we need?

Offertory: 2021 Lenten Photo Show Slideshow, Presented also as an offering

Prayer of Presentation

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

Hymn #304: Easter People. Raise Your Voices

Benediction

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

Postlude

“Toccata” by Léon Boëllmann

Worship for Palm Sunday

March 28, 2021March 28, 2021
by Administrator

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for Palm Sunday

March 28, 2021

Photo by Sue Learner

Getting Centered

Breath Prayer

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

Prelude

“Trumpet Tune” by Michael McCabe

Call to Worship

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

Hymn #278: Hosanna, Loud Hosanna

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

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

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

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

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

Hosanna to the Son of David by Dan Shutte

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

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)

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

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

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

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

Children’s Time

Passing of the Peace

Hymn #277: Tell Me the Stories of Jesus

Scripture Reading – Mark 11:1-11

Sermon: “Protest Parade and State Sponsored Violence” by Rev. Sara Baron

Responding

Offering

Offertory: 2020 Lenten Photo Show Slideshow, Presented also as an offering

Prayer of Presentation

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

from 2020 Lenten Photo Show, Barbara Armstrong

Hymn #280: All Glory, Laud and Honor

Benediction

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

Postlude

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

Worship for the Fifth Sunday in Lent

March 21, 2021March 21, 2021
by Administrator

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

March 21, 2021

Photo by Sue Learner

Getting Centered

Breath Prayer

“Bread of Life, we seek your nourishment.”
Breath prayers involve breathing in the first phrase, and breathing out the second.
You may wish to simply pray for a moment before starting, or you may wish to pray while listening to the prelude.

Prelude

“O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” by Michael Burkhardt

Call to Worship

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

Hymn #420: Breathe on Me, Breath of God

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

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

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

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

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

I Waited for the Lord by Felix Mendelssohn

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31-34

Mission Moment – Virgia Phoenix

Water

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

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

Children’s Time

Passing of the Peace

Hymn #618: Let Us Break Bread Together

Scripture Reading – 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Sermon: “God’s Extended Table” by Rev. Sara Baron

Responding

Offering

Offertory Anthem: “Ave Verum” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Prayer of Presentation

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

Hymn #2255: In the Singing

Benediction

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

Postlude

Aria from “Twelfth Concerto Grosso” by Georg Friedrich Handel

Worship for the Fourth Sunday in Lent

March 14, 2021March 14, 2021
by Administrator

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

March 14, 2021

Photo by Sue Learner

Getting Centered

Breath Prayer

“Open our hearts Holy One, so we can see.”
Breath prayers involve breathing in the first phrase, and breathing out the second.
You may wish to simply pray for a moment before starting, or you may wish to pray while listening to the prelude.

Prelude

“Ah, Holy Jesus” by Andrew Clarke

Call to Worship

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

Hymn #384: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

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

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

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

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

The Tree of Life by K. Lee Scott

Scripture: Numbers 21:4-9

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)

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

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

Children’s Time

Passing of the Peace

Hymn #2196: We Walk By Faith

Scripture Reading – John 3:14-21

Sermon: “Lifted Up, I Guess” by Rev. Sara Baron

Responding

Offering

Offertory Anthem: “If Thou But Trust in God to Guide You” by David Cherwien

Prayer of Presentation

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

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

Benediction

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

Postlude

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

Worship for the Third Sunday in Lent

March 7, 2021March 7, 2021
by Administrator

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

March 7, 2021

Photo by Sue Learner

Getting Centered

Breath Prayer

“Justice-Seeker, help us pay attention.”
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

“If You But Trust in God to Guide You” by Robert J. Powell

Call to Worship

One: It has been a year since we gathered together for worship.
Many: For some, even longer.
One: We have learned a lot about Ourselves and our faith.
Many: We know more of what we value.
One: We are more than ready to worship God like we used to,
Many: yet still we await gathering safely.
One: God is with us wherever we are.
Many: Today we worship at home, and next year by the grace of God, in the sanctuary.

Hymn #116: The God of Abraham Praise

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Justice-Seeker,
Since we last gathered in your beautiful sanctuary,
the children have grown
(and some have been born);
the teens have graduated,
or learned to drive,
or gotten jobs,
and gotten very sick of online learning;
the adults have struggled,
and gotten sick and sometimes gotten better,
been exhausted and sometimes gotten rest;
and dear ones have passed on to glory.
What precious time a year is,
how strange it is to have had this one.
Guide us, holy one,
to make sense of this past year,
to see it with your eyes,
to grow with it and from it.
Show us, justice-seeker,
how to be in this moment,
and be your blessing in this your world.
May all those who need you feel your presence,
and may all those depending on your strength
be upheld by it.
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

Cantique de Jean Racine by Gabriel Fauré

Scripture: Psalm 19

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

Is It Time to Volunteer Again?
This week’s mission moment has 2 parts:
Part 1: Once again we are asked to assist with disaster recovery.

Filling volunteer needs during the pandemic has been a concern. Those of us who are older or have underlying conditions have generally followed the advice to stay home as much as possible. A few FUMC members have continued to serve needs of our breakfast guests by providing take-out breakfasts and, when safer, to offer the opportunity to eat in the church. Sustain has been on hold although items which would be distributed through that program have been channeled by volunteers to another program in Schenectady. Some of the volunteer needs in our community have been filled by people whose regular jobs were on pause, such as employees of the public library.
But the needs continue!! As the positivity rate is going down and as more of us are fully vaccinated, two local organizations have expressed the need for more volunteers.
The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY says, “Volunteers are vital to the Food Bank and help us get fresh food out as quickly as possible to our hungry neighbors. Right now, we need additional volunteers to sort the large volume of donated items we have available! We have weekday, weeknight, and weekend shifts, so there are many opportunities for individuals, families with kids in school, and people who work during the day to assist with this important work.” A recent volunteer is quoted as saying, “It was so much fun! The people there provided masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, and everyone was socially distanced –a very safe environment. If you are looking for an easy, fun, meaningful way to make a difference for those struggling with food insecurity, I highly recommend volunteering for a few hours.” The Regional Food Bank’s web address is regionalfoodbank.net.

Schenectady Community Ministries (SiCM) also needs volunteers. They are continuing to try to meet the increasing needs in Schenectady which have resulted from the pandemic. The food pantry is open 3 days/ week with a mass distribution once a month. Food is delivered to 20-30 homes daily! In their new facility, they will have cooking and parenting classes. And more! SiCM has a new video about safety precautions and volunteering at the pantry — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiZfWp4Bec8. For more information contact the church office.

Children’s Time

Passing of the Peace

Hymn #444: O Young and Fearless Prophet

Scripture Reading – John 2:13-22

Sermon: “Angry Jesus” by Rev. Sara Baron

Responding

Offering

Offertory Anthem: “Nearer My God to Thee” by Mark Patterson

Prayer of Presentation

Justice-Seeker,
Sanctify our gifts to you,
so they may bring justice and build the kindom.
We offer our gifts in gratitude to you,
and in hope for the world.
Amen

Hymn #521: I Want Jesus to Walk With Me

Benediction

Dear Ones, get mad, get informed, and get organized. God’s kindom is waiting! Amen

Postlude

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

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

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

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

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

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 Easter Sunday

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady Worship for Easter Sunday

April 4, 2021

Getting Centered

Breath Prayer

Prelude

Call to Worship

Hymn #302: Christ the Lord Is Risen Today

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:1-6

Mission Moment – Anne Phillips

Children’s Time: The story of the Wooden Egg

Passing of the Peace

Hymn #2115: Christ Has Risen

Scripture Reading – Matthew 28:1-10

Sermon: “Quiet Resurrection” by Rev. Sara Baron

Responding

Offering

Offertory: 2021 Lenten Photo Show Slideshow, Presented also as an offering

Prayer of Presentation

Hymn #304: Easter People. Raise Your Voices

Benediction

Postlude

Worship for Palm Sunday

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady Worship for Palm Sunday

March 28, 2021

Getting Centered

Breath Prayer

Prelude

Call to Worship

Hymn #278: Hosanna, Loud Hosanna

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

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

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

Children’s Time

Passing of the Peace

Hymn #277: Tell Me the Stories of Jesus

Scripture Reading – Mark 11:1-11

Sermon: “Protest Parade and State Sponsored Violence” by Rev. Sara Baron

Responding

Offering

Offertory: 2020 Lenten Photo Show Slideshow, Presented also as an offering

Prayer of Presentation

Hymn #280: All Glory, Laud and Honor

Benediction

Postlude

Worship for the Fifth Sunday in Lent

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

March 21, 2021

Getting Centered

Breath Prayer

Prelude

Call to Worship

Hymn #420: Breathe on Me, Breath of God

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31-34

Mission Moment – Virgia Phoenix

Children’s Time

Passing of the Peace

Hymn #618: Let Us Break Bread Together

Scripture Reading – 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Sermon: “God’s Extended Table” by Rev. Sara Baron

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for Easter Sunday

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for Palm Sunday

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

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

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

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