Worship for the Fifth Sunday In Lent

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

March 29, 2020

Getting Centered

It may help to center yourself into worship by lighting a candle, as a symbol of God’s
presence with you during the time of worship.

Breath prayer

Breath of Life, soften our breaths.

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: “Adagio” from Sonata No. 1 in G minor

– Johann Sebastian Bach

Listen Here to Adagio

Call to Worship

If you are with another person, you may wish to read this out-loud. Otherwise, you can read it as a reminder that this is communal worship done in a large geographical area.

One: Out of the depths, we cry together to God.
Many: Lord, hear our voices.
One: We name and offer our worries and fears to the Holy One.
Many: In the midst of our caution,
we also remember that God is with us.
One: We are not alone.
Many: Goodness and love will continue to show their strength.
One: We wait for better news and better days,

Many: More than those who watch for the morning.

Hymn

I Believe in the Sun
– Mark Miller
The words of the song were found etched into the walls of Auschwitz. The words are:

I believe in the sun even when it’s not shining.
I believe in love even when I don’t feel it.
I believe in God even when God is silent.

Listen here to I Believe in the Sun

A Time for Prayer

Morning Prayer

Source of Life,
Even in the darkest of days,
You are at work to move us towards life.
Today we bring to you heavy grief,
and profound concern,
knowing that you are listening to us,
and experiencing pain with us.
Today we are with the ancient Israelites in exile,
wondering if all is lost.
And today we hear again the words of Ezekiel,
promising us that the dry bones will live again.
May we hear what you are saying today,
and find comfort and hope in worshipping you.
Amen

We will share joys and concerns during the Second Hour Zoom conversation.
If you have joys or concerns to add, please send them to the office.

Silent Prayer

Photo credit to Sue Learner

Pastoral Prayer

You are welcome to read this out-loud or silently.
Normally the pastoral prayer is in response to the prayers of the body,
this one is written hoping to respond to the prayers of the body
without hearing them first.

Source of Life,
There are so many sources of wonder and goodness around us.
And there are real sources of fear, anxiety, grief, and sorrow.
So much is spiraling out of control around us.
Yet we find so much to be grateful for.
It is complicated, Holy One.
We thank you for the ministries we can still do,
and for the ways we can help.
We thank you for all who are contributing to our collective well being.
We thank you for the ways we can connect, and for the sweet moments in life.
And we bring our attention to the many who are vulnerable, including those
offering life-giving gifts that may threaten their well-being.
We bring our attention to the ill and injured, to all those receiving care or giving it.
We also bring our attention to all who are lonely, in need of human contact or a
good long hug. The benefits of social distancing are clear, but the costs are real.
We remember that there are still natural disasters, and people responding to
them, including in Tennessee.
We are aware of grief and suffering, and how much harder it is to grieve without
community support.
We bring to you all our concerns about life and death, and all of our joys and
gratitudes, because we trust that you listen, care and respond. May we sense
your care.
Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

God Is Here – Glenn Wonacott
Listen here to God is Here

Scripture Psalm 130

Scripture is meant to be read out-loud.
Below is the version from the New Revised Standard Version.
You are more than welcome to read it in other versions if you wish.

If you are worshiping with children, please take some time to “wonder” about this passage and what it means. (The pastor happily takes questions.) Adults may also enjoy this.

130:1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD.
130:2 Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my
supplications!
130:3 If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?
130:4 But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered.
130:5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;
130:6 my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning,
more than those who watch for the morning.
130:7 O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and
with him is great power to redeem.
130:8 It is he who will redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

Mission Moment: 350.org – Elaine Troy

(from wikipedia) 350.org is an international environmental organization addressing the climate crisis. Its stated goal is to end the use of fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy by building a global, grassroots movement. The 350 in the name stands for 350ppm (parts per million) of carbon dioxide, which has been identified as the safe upper limit to avoid a climate tipping point. As of 2019, the current level has reached 415 ppm.
Through online campaigns, grassroots organizing, mass public actions, and collaboration with an extensive network of partner groups and organizations, 350.org has mobilized thousands of volunteer organizers in over 188 countries. It is one of the many organizers of the Global Climate Strike from September 20 to 27, 2019 which evolved from the Fridays for the Future movement. Specific 350.org Campaigns are listed in the Wikipedia article accessed through the link (Click on the blue word – Campaigns) 350.org was founded by American environmentalist Bill McKibben and a group of students from Middlebury College in Vermont. Their 2007 “Step It Up” campaign involved 1,400 demonstrations at famous sites across the United States. McKibben credits these activities with making Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama change their energy policies during the 2008 United States presidential campaign. Starting in 2008, 350.org built upon the “Step It Up” campaign and made it into a global organization. McKibben is an American environmentalist and writer who wrote one of the first books
on global warming for the general public, and frequently writes about climate change, alternative energy, and the need for more localized economies. NASA climate scientist James Hansen contended that any atmospheric concentration of CO2 above 350 parts per million was unsafe. James Hansen opined in 2009 that “if humanity wishes to preserve a planet similar to that on which civilization developed and to which life on Earth is adapted, paleoclimate evidence and ongoing climate change
suggest that CO2 will need to be reduced from its current 385 ppm to at most 350 ppm, but likely less than that.” In May 2013, two independent teams of scientists measuring CO2 near the summit of Mauna Loa in Hawaii, recorded that the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere exceeded 400 parts per million, probably for the first time in more than 3 million years of Earth history. 2 °C (3.6 °F) was agreed upon during the 2009 Copenhagen Accord as a limit for global temperature rise. In the 2015 Paris Agreement, 1.5˚C of warming was introduced as a limit, reflecting the significant difference in impacts between 2˚C and 1.5˚C, especially for climate-vulnerable areas. This was re-affirmed in the 2018 report by the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, where the world’s leading scientists urged action to limit warming to 1.5˚C. In order to stay below a 2˚C increase, scientists have estimated that humans can pour roughly 565 more gigatons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Fossil-fuel companies have about 2,795 gigatons of carbon already contained in their proven coal and oil and gas reserves, and is the amount of fossil fuels they are currently planning to burn. 2,795 gigatons is five times higher than the limit of 565 gigatons that would keep Earth under a global temperature increase of 2 degrees Celsius which is already unsafe according to the latest science.

Children’s Time

Passing 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.
This may take several breaths or moments.
Sometimes sharing works best this way: to think of a dearly beloved with whom to share the peace, then to think of other beloveds, then of friends, then acquaintances, then those who frustrate you, then those you don’t really know, then those you don’t known at all.
God’s peace is spread to all.

Hymn

420: Breathe on Me, Breath of God
If you wish to sing along, the sheet music is here: Breathe on Me, Breath of God
Listen and Watch Breathe on Me, Breath of God here

Scripture Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Scripture is meant to be read out-loud.
Below is the version from the New Revised Standard Version.
You are more than welcome to read it in other versions if you wish.

If you are worshiping with children, please take some time to “wonder” about this passage and what it means. (The pastor happily takes questions.) Adults may also enjoy this.

37:1 The hand of the LORD came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit
of the LORD and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones.
37:2 He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and
they were very dry.
37:3 He said to me, “Mortal, can these bones live?” I answered, “O Lord GOD,
you know.”
37:4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry
bones, hear the word of the LORD.
37:5 Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you,
and you shall live.
37:6 I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover
you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I
am the LORD.”
37:7 So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly
there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone.
37:8 I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them,
and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them
37:9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to
the breath: Thus says the Lord GOD: Come from the four winds, O breath, and
breathe upon these slain, that they may live.”
37:10 I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and
they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude.
37:11 Then he said to me, “Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel.
They say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off
completely.’
37:12 Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: I am going
to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will
bring you back to the land of Israel.
37:13 And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and
bring you up from your graves, O my people.
37:14 I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your
own soil; then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken and will act,” says
the LORD.

Sermon: “Dry Bones Live”

Responding

Offering

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. This is also a particularly good time to reflect on how you are giving of yourself to God – using your time, your talents, and your treasure towards the building of the kindom. It may even be a good time to consider a deeper commitment.

Offertory Anthem

I Want Jesus to Walk With Me – Larry Shackley
Listen here to I Want Jesus to Walk With Me

Prayer of Presentation

Source of Life,
You breathe into us the breath of life,
not just once,
but continually.
For the gifts we now have: for food, for drink, for shelter, for connections,
we give you thanks.
Give us strength as we continue to seek the well being of your people,
and receive our gifts of love as we give them today.
May we as individuals and as a Body of Christ model life and love in your world.
Amen

Hymn

Healer of Our Every Ill – Marty Haugen
If you wish to sing along, the sheet music is here: Healer of our Every Ill

The hymn words are in the video

Benediction

The God of LIFE, of hope, of compassion, and of courage is with you. Savor
your time with God and God’s many gifts. Amen

Postlude

Praeludium and Allegro – Fritz Kreisler
Listen to and watch Praeludium here

Worship for the Fourth Sunday in Lent

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

March 22, 2020

Getting Centered

It may help to center yourself into worship by lighting a candle, as a symbol of God’s
presence with you during the time of worship.

Breath prayer

Rock of the Ages, help steady us now.

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

Prelude Vocalise

– Sergei Rachmaninoff

Listen Here to Vocalise

Call to Worship

If you are with another person, you may wish to read this out-loud. Otherwise, you can read it as a reminder that this is communal worship done in a large geographical area.

One: The Shepherd calls,

Many: and we listen for the Shepherd’s voice.

One: The Shepherd cares for all in the herd.

Many: When we are lost, the Shepherd searches and finds us.

One: We are not alone.

Many: We are cared for by God who cares!

Hymn

128He Leadeth Me, O Blessed Thought

Listen here to He Leadeth Me, O Blessed Thought

Sheet Music: He Leadeth Me, O Blessed Thought

A Time for Prayer

Morning Prayer

God of the Unexpected,
You are always with us,
and you are always ahead of us,
showing us the way.
Often we can’t see the path you are leading us on,
but as we take careful steps,
with your guidance,
the path emerges.
In these days of change and danger,
of fear and unease,
we take tentative steps once again.
Guide our feet,
that we may find the path,
and show others the way.
Amen

We will share joys and concerns during the Second Hour Zoom conversation.
If you have joys or concerns to add, please send them to the office.

Silent Prayer

Photo credit to Sue Learner

Pastoral Prayer

You are welcome to read this out-loud or silently.
Normally the pastoral prayer is in response to the prayers of the body,
this one is written hoping to respond to the prayers of the body
without hearing them first.

God of the Unexpected,
Things are changing around us,
and they don’t feel good.
There are lots of silver linings, and we’re grateful for those:
for the commitment of so many to “flatten the curve”
for those whose work cares for the sick, the vulnerable, and all of us
for the ways we are able to communicate and connect
for those in good health
for the chance to learn new skills
for UMCOR
for a church family who cares
for signs of spring
for moments of peace
for unexpected kindneses.
There are also many worries and fears on our hearts:
for those who are sick
for those who are grieving
for those in harm’s way
for those feeling isolated
for those afraid
for those without the resources they need
for wisdom and patience to respond as well as we can
that we may learn from these days to appreciate the contacts we usually
have!
As we consider those we know who are ill, grieving, or struggling, we expand our
hearts to the others in the world in similar circumstances. We know you are with
us all, even in the times of uncertainty, even in times of illness.
We trust that you are with us now, and that you are with the whole world.
May we all connect to your peace,
trust your wisdom,
and learn to care well for each other.
Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

The Lord is My Shepherd – Goodall
Listen here to The Lord Is My Shepherd

Scripture Psalm 23

Scripture is meant to be read out-loud.
Below is the version from the New Revised Standard Version.
You are more than welcome to read it in other versions if you wish.

If you are worshiping with children, please take some time to “wonder” about this passage and what it means. (The pastor happily takes questions.) Adults may also enjoy this.
New Revised Standard Version

23:1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
23:2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;
23:3 he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
23:4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with
me; your rod and your staff– they comfort me.
23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint
my head with oil; my cup overflows.
23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I
shall dwell in the house of the LORD my whole life long.

King James Version

23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still
waters.
23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his
name’s sake.
23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou
anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will
dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Mission Moment UMCOR Jan Huston

Today is UMCOR Sunday – the day we are urged to donate to the United
Methodist Committee on Relief.
I encourage you to watch UMCOR videos on You Tube. Two especially good
ones are West Virginia flood relief and 75 Years of Hope. There are many others. Watching these videos can make us proud of this
work of the United Methodist Church.
A small amount is in our church’s benevolence budget for UMCOR. If you would
like to contribute more, you can write a check to FUMC with “UMCOR – special
Sunday” in the notation, or on the third line of our online giving page.
Or you can wait until we are together again and use the special envelopes
designated for this cause.

Children’s Time

Passing 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.
This may take several breaths or moments.
Sometimes sharing works best this way: to think of a dearly beloved with whom to share the peace, then to think of other beloveds, then of friends, then acquaintances, then those who frustrate you, then those you don’t really know, then those you don’t known at all.
God’s peace is spread to all.

Hymn

Shepherd Me O God
Listen and Watch Shepherd Me O God here
If you wish to sing along, the words and music are attached.

Sheet Music: Shepherd Me O God
The lyrics are in the video or here:

Refrain: Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants,
beyond my fears, from death into life.
God is my shepherd, so nothing I shall want,
I rest in the meadows of faithfulness and love,
I walk by the quiet waters of peace.
Refrain
Gently you raise me and heal my weary soul,
you lead me by pathways of righteousness and truth,
my spirit shall sing the music of your Name.
Refrain
Though I should wander the valley of death,
I fear no evil, for you are at my side,
your rod and your staff, my comfort and my hope.
Refrain
You have set me a banquet of love in the face of hatred,
crowning me with love beyond my pow’r to hold.
Surely your kindness and mercy follow me all the days of my life;
I will dwell in the house of my God forevermore.

Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Scripture is meant to be read out-loud.
Below is the version from the New Revised Standard Version.
You are more than welcome to read it in other versions if you wish.

If you are worshiping with children, please take some time to “wonder” about this passage and what it means. (The pastor happily takes questions.) Adults may also enjoy this.

16:1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul? I have
rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will
send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among
his sons.”
16:2 Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me.” And the
LORD said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the
LORD.’
16:3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you
shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you.”
16:4 Samuel did what the LORD commanded, and came to Bethlehem. The
elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, “Do you come
peaceably?”
16:5 He said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD; sanctify
yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he sanctified Jesse and his
sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
16:6 When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s
anointed is now before the LORD.”
16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the
height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the LORD does not see as
mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the
heart.”
16:8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said,
“Neither has the LORD chosen this one.”
16:9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the LORD
chosen this one.”
16:10 Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to
Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen any of these.”
16:11 Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There
remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to
Jesse, “Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.”
16:12 He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes,
and was handsome. The LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; for this is the one.”
16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his
brothers; and the spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day
forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah.

Sermon “A Change of Plans, Maybe”

Responding

Offering

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. This is also a particularly good time to reflect on how you are giving of yourself to God – using your time, your talents, and your treasure towards the building of the kindom. It may even be a good time to consider a deeper commitment.

Offertory Anthem

Nearer My God to Thee – Mark Patterson
Listen here to Nearer My God to Thee

Prayer of Presentation

God of the Unexpected,
As we seek to live out your love, and share your gifts,
we give you our thanks for the many blessings we’ve been showered with.
May the gifts we offer now be useful to the building of your kin-dom
Amen

Hymn

God Whose Will Is Health and Wholeness – Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, from a traditional Dutch melody

The hymn words are in the video or here

God whose will is health and wholeness, hear your people as we pray:
Many now are facing illness; more face sickness every day.
As we lift our song toward heaven, may we use the gifts you give—
science, justice, and compassion— to help others safely live.
Jesus taught that your commandments call for us to use the mind.
May we use the gifts of science to seek health for humankind.
Bless the ones who work for healing; bless the ones who seek to be
Builders of a health care system that protects society.
God, you call for love and justice, yet our laws are far from wise:
Many don’t have good insurance; lack of health care threatens lives.
Many workers must keep working, sick or not, to pay the bills.
Turn us round when we have sanctioned greed that leads to greater ills.
Loving God, we ask your blessing on the sick and those they love,
And we pray for those now grieving as they lift their cries above.
There is trouble all around us; illness causes pain and fear.
Give compassion, love and kindness as we serve your people here.

Benediction

May the God who has been through all the changes the universe has ever
experienced, be with you and guide you today and in days to come. Amen

Postlude

Prelude on Welsh Hymn Tune “Rhosymedre”
– Ralph Vaughan Williams
Listen to and watch Prelude on Welsh Hymn Tune “Rhosymedre”
here

The hymn words are:

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?

Worship For the Third Sunday of Lent

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

March 15, 2020

Getting Centered

It may help to center yourself into worship by lighting a candle, as a symbol of God’s presence with you during the time of worship.

Breath prayer

Holy God, bless all your people.

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

– Michael Burkhardt/Arr. Martha Lynn Thompson

Listen Here to O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

Call to Worship

If you are with another person, you may wish to read this out-loud. Otherwise, you can read it as a reminder that this is communal worship done in a large geographical area.

One: Welcome, thirsty people.

Many: We gather together, acknowledging our needs.

One: Welcome, frightened people.

Many: We gather together, bringing our emotions with us.

One: Welcome, advocating people.

Many: We gather together, remembering the need of the world.

One: Welcome, loving people.

Many: We gather together, to worship the God of Love.

Hymn

Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah

Listen here to Guide Me Oh Thou Great Jehovah

Sheet Music: Guide Me Oh Thou Great Jehovah

If you wish to sing along, the words and music are attached.

A Time for Prayer

Morning Prayer

Great Jehovah,
Guide us,
show us the way.
Feed us,
help us grow strong.
Open our hearts,
to let more of your beloveds in.
Help us be
living expressions of your love.
Amen

We will share joys and concerns during the Second Hour Zoom conversation.
If you have joys or concerns to add, please send them to the office.

Silent Prayer

Photo credit to Sue Learner

Pastoral Prayer

You are welcome to read this out-loud or silently.
Normally the pastoral prayer is in response to the prayers of the body,
this one is written hoping to respond to the prayers of the body
without hearing them first.

Great Jehovah,
What a time we live in.
So much is happening, and we don’t know how we should be responding.
Some of us are terrified, and some of us are frustrated with what feels like excessive responses.
We want to ensure the safety of your people,
and we want to enjoy our lives without fear.
We have particular concerns about those who are extra vulnerable in our society, and in the response to this outbreak:
those who are ill
those who are grieving
those who are anxious
those who live in poverty
those who work in health care
those whose immune systems are compromised
immigrants still being targeted, and discouraged from getting medical care
those who will be forced to work
for those for whom staying home means having no income
those who are terribly lonely
those who are young, and those caring for the young
those already going stir crazy at home
those without a home to go to
those experiencing outbreaks of racism against them,
and those who are expressing racism rather than compassion.
May we find the ways to love all your people, in tangible and practical ways.
May we find ways to expand your love in the world,
even as we seek to do so in safe and responsible ways.
Help us, Holy One.
These balances aren’t easy for us,
and we never know for sure what we should be doing.
Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

This Gift Is Free – Fred Gramann
Listen here to This Gift is Free

Scripture Exodus 17:1-7

Scripture is meant to be read out-loud.
Below is the version from the New Revised Standard Version.
You are more than welcome to read it in other versions if you wish.

If you are worshiping with children, please take some time to “wonder” about this passage and what it means. (The pastor happily takes questions.) Adults may also enjoy this.

17:1 From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink.
17:2 The people quarreled with Moses, and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?”
17:3 But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?”
17:4 So Moses cried out to the LORD, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.”
17:5 The LORD said to Moses, “Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go.
17:6 I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.” Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel.
17:7 He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”

Mission Moment UMCOR Jan Huston

Next Sunday is UMCOR Sunday. We are trying to let you know about United Methodist “Special Sundays” a week in advance so that you will be prepared to use the special offering envelopes that are in the bulletins. If we are still not worshiping together next week, I’m sure you can give another way. Or maybe we’ll save the envelopes for another time.

Most of you have heard that many of us think that UMCOR – the United Methodist Committee on Relief – is one of the best parts of the United Methodist Church. We are aware of the wonderful work they do all over the world to provide relief after disasters. At this church we have participated in making hygiene kits and cleaning buckets which are used by UMCOR. I have a friend who was helping to develop hospices in Africa for people with AIDS. UMCOR donated funds to help provide relief for those patients.

Last week I was in Tucson, Arizona, with a United Methodist Primetimers group. I learned about another activity supported by UMCOR! The week was called “Immigration immersion.” The week was packed with information, experiences, and opportunities to meet many volunteers in humanitarian groups. One of the groups is Arizona Justice For Our Neighbors (JFON). JFON is an organization with a national network with offices in many states. It started in a United Methodist church in Tucson. We were told that it was started by UMCOR! The national board has many United Methodists. One of the Tucson board members organized our activities for the week.

Arizona JFON (AZJFON) offers a hospitality ministry that welcomes immigrants by (1) providing affordable, high-quality immigration legal services to low-income immigrants, (2) engaging in advocacy for immigrant rights, and (3) offering education to communities of faith and to the public. Volunteers set appointments, welcome clients, conduct interviews with new clients, and much more. There is a bilingual staff attorney who then works with clients. She is a very capable young woman who gave us an excellent presentation.

I was pleased to learn that UMCOR helps to fund this organization!! Our FUMC budget includes a small amount for UMCOR. But we want to highlight this special time for giving to this organization that provides relief and justice to so many at times of crisis. You can either send in a check with UMCOR in the notation or you can wait until we are together again and have the special envelopes available. Whichever way we do it, contributing to UMCOR is a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people in crisis!!

Passing 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.
This may take several breaths or moments.
Sometimes sharing works best this way: to think of a dearly beloved with whom to share the peace, then to think of other beloveds, then of friends, then acquaintances, then those who frustrate you, then those you don’t really know, then those you don’t known at all.
God’s peace is spread to all.

Hymn

Shall We Gather at the River
– First Plymouth Congregational, Nebraska
Listen and Watch Shall We Gather at the River here
If you wish to sing along, the words and music are attached.

Sheet Music: Shall We Gather at the River

Scripture Reading: Psalm 95

Scripture is meant to be read out-loud.
Below is the version from the New Revised Standard Version.
You are more than welcome to read it in other versions if you wish.

If you are worshiping with children, please take some time to “wonder” about this passage and what it means. (The pastor happily takes questions.) Adults may also enjoy this.

95:1 O come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
95:2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
95:3 For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
95:4 In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also.
95:5 The sea is his, for he made it, and the dry land, which his hands have formed.
95:6 O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!
95:7 For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. O that today you would listen to his voice!
95:8 Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,
95:9 when your ancestors tested me, and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.
95:10 For forty years I loathed that generation and said, “They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they do not regard my ways.”
95:11 Therefore in my anger I swore, “They shall not enter my rest.”

Sermon “A Time to Praise and A Time to Complain”
At the advice of a well-trusted colleague, today’s sermon is shorter than usual, and more deeply based in this moment.
Your feedback on how this felt will be most welcome

Responding

Offering

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. This is also a particularly good time to reflect on how you are giving of yourself to God – using your time, your talents, and your treasure towards the building of the kindom. It may even be a good time to consider a deeper commitment.

Offertory Anthem

The Frozen Earth – James and Marilyn Biery
Listen here to The Frozen Earth

Prayer of Presentation

Great Jehovah,
We thank you for the ways you work in the world,
for the ways you work in our lives,
for the invitations you give us to work towards your kindom.
As we seek to give of ourselves: our time, our talents, and our treasures,
may the gifts we give be well received,
and used with wisdom.
Amen

Hymn

Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above First Plymouth Congregational, Nebraska

Sheet Music: Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above

The words in this version are different from the words in our hymnal, but the words are on the screen, for you to sing along.

Benediction

Beloveds of God, as you transition from soaking up the love of God in worship to sharing the love of God in the world, may you be freed to praise! Amen

Postlude

Grazioso – Arnold B. Sherman
Listen to and watch Grazioso here