Worship for the 24th Sunday after Pentecost

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for the 24th Sunday After Pentecost

November 15, 2020

Photo by Zach Long

Getting Centered

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

Breath Prayer

“May we learn / to listen.”
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

“Wade in the Water” by Sandra Eithun

Call to Worship

One: Like sheep, we are vulnerable.
Many: Like sheep, we are in need of care.
One: God is like a good shepherd.
Many: God cares for each and for all.

Hymn #660: God Is Here

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Compassionate Caregiver,
We are amazed at the ways that you care for us, and for all. We are grateful for the ways that we experience your compassion, the ways that you know us and understand us. As we savor your compassion, may it transform us from the inside out, that we may also be compassionate in our care of your beloveds.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

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

Compassionate Caregiver,
You have called us to love our neighbors as ourselves, to build compassion into our words and actions, and we try to do so.
It can be hard sometimes, though, to have our hearts wide open to others, because a lot of pain comes in. It can be hard now, to see grief, death, illness, fear, injustice, brokenness, exhaustion, and lonesomeness. Our hearts are sore, Holy One, and in need of compassion themselves.
Thank you for loving us, for caring about it, for being willing to listen to even the smallest of aches or delights in our lives. Thank you for loving us so deeply that we are healed simply by attending to your presence. Thank you for loving the whole world, so that when we feel too small, we can remember that you are already enough.
Guide the leaders of the world and its countries, may they learn your compassion. Take care of the caregivers of the world and its inhabitants, may they be held up with your strength.
Heal our broken hearts God, but let them keep breaking so we keep on learning more and more love and compassion.
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

Teach Me, O Lord by Philip Stopford

Scripture: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

UMCOR – Hurricane Eta
Another severe hurricane! Another opportunity to help even in a pandemic by donating to UMCOR (the United Methodist Committee on Relief).

Hurricane Eta is the latest storm in another season of severe hurricanes and tropical storms. Eta has caused deaths and devastation in Central America and is still affecting Florida and the Southeastern US. One area particularly hard-hit
is northeastern Nicaragua. This is one of the poorest sections of that country. It is where Acción Médica Cristiana (AMC/ Christian Medical Action) has several offices and clinics. AMC is the agency with which our missionary, Dr. Belinda Forbes, works. Several of our Volunteers in Mission teams have worked with AMC in this area of Nicaragua. The
need is great. The people work hard and have little.

Donations to UMCOR can be given online on our FUMC website or at UMC Mission’s Web Site. Or you can donate by writing a check to FUMC with an advance number or name in the notation. The advance number for donations to US disaster relief is 901670. The number for donating to Acción Médica Cristiana is 14846A.

Children’s Time

Passing of the Peace

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

Hymn #434: Cuando El Pobre / When the Poor Ones

1.
Cuando el pobre nada tiene y aun reparte,
cuando el hombre pasa sed y aguano da,
cuando el débil a su hermano fortalece,
[Estribillo]
va Dios mismo en nuestro mismo caminar,
va Dios mismo en nuestro mismo caminar.
2.
Cuando sufre un hombre y logra su consuelo,
cuando espera y no se cansa de esperar,
cuando amamos, aunque el odio nos rodee,
[Estribillo]
va Dios mismo en nuestro mismo caminar,
va Dios mismo en nuestro mismo caminar.
3.
Cuando crece la alegria y nos inunda,
cuando dicen nuestros labios la verdad,
cuando amamos el sentir de los sencillos,
[Estribillo]
va Dios mismo en nuestro mismo caminar,
va Dios mismo en nuestro mismo caminar.
4.
Cuando abunda el bien y llena los hogares,
cuando un hombre donde hay guerra pone paz,
cuando “hermano” le llamamos al extraño,
[Estribillo]
va Dios mismo en nuestro mismo caminar,
va Dios mismo en nuestro mismo caminar.
1.
When the poor ones who have nothing share with strangers,
when the thirsty water give unto us all,
when the crippled in their weakness strengthen others,
[Refrain]
then we know that God still goes that road with us,
then we know that God still goes that road with us.
2.
When at last all those who suffer find their comfort,
when they hope though even hope seems hopelessness,
when we love though hate at times seems all around us,
[Refrain]
then we know that God still goes that road with us,
then we know that God still goes that road with us.
3.
When our joy fills up our cup to overflowing,
when our lips can speak no words other than true,
when we know that love for simple things is better,
[Refrain]
then we know that God still goes that road with us,
then we know that God still goes that road with us.
4.
When our homes are filled with goodness in abundance,
when we learn how to peace instead of war,
when each stranger that we meet is called a neighbor,
[Refrain]
then we know that God still goes that road with us,
then we know that God still goes that road with us

Scripture Reading – Matthew 25:31-46

Sermon – “Compassion” – 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?

Stewardship

Our church plays an important role in the community and the Kingdom that will
hopefully continue long into the future.
As Stewardship Chair I have asked some members of the congregation to give
their reasons for supporting the church. Here are Terry and Anne Phillips’
reasons for giving.

Prayer of Presentation

May our gifts of compassion,
transform this world,
into your kindom.
Amen

Hymn #437: This Is My Song

Benediction

May the listening of the God of compassion,
Make space within you for peace. Amen

Postlude

“God of Grace and God of Glory” by Paul Manz arr. M. L. Thompson

Worship for the 23rd Sunday After Pentecost

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for the 23rd Sunday After Pentecost

November 8, 2020

Photo by Zach Long

Getting Centered

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

Breath Prayer

“Humble and gentle One / you are rest for my soul.”
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

“Allein Gott in der Höh sei Her” by Johann Sebastian Bach

Call to Worship

One: This is the day that the Lord has made,
Many: Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
One: The heavens declare the glory of God –
Many: Not in words but in a glorious technicolor light show.
One: Every day shouts in wordless language
Many: That God made it all.

Hymn #66: Praise My Soul, the King of Heaven

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

How wonderful, O Lord, are the works of your hands! The heavens declare Your glory, the arch of sky displays Your handiwork. In Your love you have given us the power to behold the beauty of Your world robed in all its splendor. The sun and the stars, the valleys and hills, the rivers and lakes all disclose Your presence. The roaring breakers of the sea tell of Your awesome might; the beasts of the field and the birds of the air bespeak Your wondrous will. In Your goodness You have made us able to hear the music of the world. The voices of loved ones reveal to us that You are in our midst. A divine voice sings through all creation.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

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

God of the sunrise, we awaken to greet you on the morning you have created. Everything around us reminds us of your love. We come here with our hearts open and our minds seeking you. Still our anxiousness, quiet our minds, restore our souls. Remind us when we worry that you are the God of life and breath, that you refresh our spirits. Be with those who are lonely and afraid, those who suffer, those in the hospital. Gather us all up in your loving care and give us the courage to be the people you call us to be. 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

Keep God’s Light by Mark Patterson

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

Nelson Mandela Quote

Children’s Time: All Saint’s Childrens’ Time

Passing of the Peace

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

Hymn #2212: My Life Flows On / How Can I Keep From Singing

Sermon – “What Do We Do While We Wait” – Rev. Dana Carroll

Responding

Offering

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

Offertory Anthem

“Praise His Holy Name” – Keith Hampton

Prayer of Presentation

We bring to you our gratitude, for our lives, our relationships, the love that surrounds us, for your creation, for beauty, for kindness. Bless these gifts that we offer. Amen

Hymn #585: This Little Light of Mine

Benediction

As you go from this worship, remember that God is with you, and all of us, in the present and in the waiting. Amen

Postlude

“Rondeau” by Jean Joseph Mouret

Worship for All Saints Day

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for All Saints Day

November 1, 2020

Photo by Alice Nash

Getting Centered

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

Breath Prayer

“For all the saints / we give you thanks.”
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

“Sine Nomine” by John Weaver

Call to Worship (by Rev. Vicki Flippin)

One: For all the saints who poured love and wisdom and hot chocolate into our lives,
Many: For all the saints whose smiles and touch we miss the most,
One: For all the saints who helped us find our voice,
Many: For all the saints whom we cannot bear to live without,
One: For all the saints whom we have begun to forgive,
Many: For all the saints who forgave us more often than we deserved,
One: For all the saints whose lives continue in ours,
Many: We honor you this day.
One: We hold your sacred life up to God.
Many: We bear witness to the future we have shaped out of your existence

Hymn #711: For All the Saints

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Holy God,
God of Life and Death,
While this holy day is set aside to give thanks for the saints,
we experience it as bittersweet.
Often, the loss of our saints still weigh us down.
This year some of our saints haven’t had their lives celebrated yet.
Yet we seek to live, and to live lives worthy of theirs.
Help us today,
to give thanks,
to stay present,
to be inspired,
and to be honest about loss and gratitude.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

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

Holy God,
God of Life and Death,
We know of course, that there is no life without death,
and no death without life,
but death still takes us by surprise,
sends us into tailspins
and jolts us to our cores.
This year the world has seen tragic death
more time than our minds can comprehend.
This year we have lost dearly beloved members of our church family,
and we haven’t even been able to stay goodbye.
This year has been lived with the threatening veil of death
– for ourselves and our loved ones –
looming over us.
It feels almost mean to call you the God of life AND death,
and yet you are.
Your power and love are larger than even life itself.
You are the one who can bring meaning out of even death.
Today we turn to you,
with gratitude for lives well lived,
and with consternation at lives lost.
Guide us Holy One, on this,
Your Holy Day.
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

Come to Me by Dan Forrest

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

Day of the Dead – Dia de los Muertos
While we are celebrating All Saints’ Day, people with Mexican heritage are celebrating Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos). The Day of the Dead is celebrated in Mexico and in other Latin American countries. It is rooted in
ancient Aztec traditions but was moved from summer to November to coordinate with Catholic celebrations of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. The multi-day holiday involves family and friends gathering to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. This year it is being celebrated Nov. 1 and 2.

Celebrations include setting up altars to remember those who have died. Special foods are prepared. Some are traditional on that day; chocolate and sugar skulls might be put on the altars. A sweet bread, Pan de Muertos, is one
of the traditions. It is baked to resemble a pile of bones. The bones are placed in a cross to symbolize the 4 paths of the universe in pre-Columbian mythology. Other foods might be favorites of the persons who are being remembered.
Marigolds are the most recognizable flower associated with this day. The flowers are placed on graves with the idea that the vibrant colors and powerful scents will lure souls back to the land of the living. They also symbolize the
fragility of life since they bloom in early summer and die with the first frost. The bright color of marigolds is associated with the sun. Some families have picnics in the cemeteries near the graves of their loved ones.

There are many other traditions associated with this festival. Some can be seen in the Disney movie Coco. Some people wear masks or colorful costumes, in some places there are parades, there is humor and poetry. It is a celebration! There are many websites with more information. One of the best ones I found is dayofthedead.holiday. It includes recipes, coloring sheets for adults and children, mask patterns, history, and many traditions.

Children’s Time: God’s Paintbrush Part 2

Passing of the Peace

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

Photo by Barbara Armstrong

Hymn #708: Rejoice in God’s Saints

Scripture Reading: Matthew 23:1-12

Sermon – “For All the Saints” – Rev. Sara E. Baron

All Saints Celebration

Church Members* and Friends who have recently departed

Robert MacKeown*	Mary Ann Balmer	Matt Zwoboda
Charles Chilberg*	Cindy Amell	Bonnie Bailey
Shirley Rivest*	George Michel	Nicole Bryant
Alma Polsinelle*	Carol Brumbaugh	Bishop John Yambasu*
Marylois Tupper*	Louise Lichorat	Christopher
C. Joseph Waring*	Chris Kleinienst	Jim Cronin
Joan Townsend*	Kevin Van Dunk	Malcolm Boggs
Claire Racicot*	Ann Stamm	Bob Bailey
Nancy Walden*	Melinda Shepard	John Drexel
Jan Guzior*	Lori Acquatta	Michael Micklas

Saints whose departure we are still grieving include:

Leon Adkins. Jr.*

Robert Earl Berry

Pete Huston*

Responding

Offering

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

Offertory Anthem

“Hark I Hear the Harps Resounding” – Craig Carnahan

Prayer of Presentation

Holy God of Life and Death,
May our gift to this church,
and to your world
bring life in abundance.
May our gifts also make space
for the learning of the wisdom of death.
Amen

Hymn #433: Hymn of Promise

Benediction

May God grant you grace,
that in pain you may find comfort,
in sorrow hope,
in death resurrection. Amen
– From United Methodist Book of Worship, Service of Death and Resurrection, pg. 142

Postlude

“Power of Life” by Mons Leidvin Takle

Worship for the Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost

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

October 25, 2020

Photo by Alice Nash

Getting Centered

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

Breath Prayer

“Lover of our souls / teach us compassion.”
Breath prayers involve breathing in the first phrase, and breathing out the second.
You may wish to simply pray for a moment before starting, or you may wish to pray while listening to the prelude.

Prelude

“Festive Processional” by David Lasky

Call to Worship

One: Love the Lord your God,
Many: We love God with all our hearts, soul and minds.
One: Love your neighbors.
Many: We seek to love our neighbors in word and action.
One: May your life be guided by love.
Many: May we find compassion.

Hymn #402: Lord I Want To Be A Christian

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Lover of our Souls,
Lover of our Beings,
Your love is the center of the universe,
and of our lives.
It is in you that we live, and breath,
and have our beings.
May we continue to learn your love,
from the inside out,
so we can rest in it and
share it with the world.
Amen

Silent Prayer

Photo by Barbara Armstrong

Pastoral Prayer

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

Lover of our Souls, Lover of our Beings,
We seek to savor life itself, as a gift.
We have been reminded that life is a gift,
as we lose those we love.
We seek to savor beauty as a source of awe.
We know that we need to store up the wonder of fall,
to keep colors in mind through winter.
We bring our gratitude to healing, and hope,
even as we worry for those who are ill or injured,
or nearing the end of life.
May your loving support be with all who are struggling,
and may it help us find ways to show support beyond ourselves.
Amen

Photo by Barbara Armstrong

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 Gift of Love by Hal Hopson

Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

Thinking of Voting Early?

Voting Hours:

Saturday, October 24	9AM to 2PM
Sunday, October 25	9AM to 2PM
Monday, October 26	12AM to 8PM
Tuesday, October 27	9AM to 5PM
Wednesday, October 28	12AM to 8PM
Thursday, October 29	9AM to 5PM
Friday, October 30	9AM to 5PM
Saturday, October 31	9AM to 2PM
Sunday, November 1	9AM to 2PM

Poll Sites:

If you are registered in a county, you are eligible to vote early at any of the
sites offered in your county. Phone numbers for County Boards of Election
are listed below.

• Schenectady County: 518-377-2469
  • Central Library, 99 Clinton St., Schenectady
  • South Schenectady Fire Dept., 6 Old Mariaville Rd., Rotterdam
  • Glenville Senior Center, 32 Worden Rd., Glenville
  • Niskayuna Town Hall, 1 Niskayuna Circle, Niskayuna
• Saratoga County 518-885-2249
  • Halfmoon Library, 45 Moe Rd., Clifton Park
  • Gavin Park, 10 Lewis Dr., Saratoga
  • Board of Elections, 50 W. High St., Ballston Spa
• Albany County 518-487-5060
  • Albany Board of Elections, 260 Pearl St., Albany
  • Pine Grove UMC, 1580 Central Ave, Albany
  • Boght Comm Fire Dept., 8 Preston Dr., Cohoes
  • Guilderland Fire Dept., 2303 Western Ave., Guilderland
• Rensselaer County 518-270-2990
  • Holy Cross Armenian Church, 255 Spring Ave., Troy
  • Schodack Town hall, 265 Schuurman Rd., Castleton
  • Brunswick Office Building, 336 Town Office Rd., Troy

Children’s Time: God’s Paintbrush Part 2

Passing of the Peace

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

Photo by Barbara Armstrong

Hymn #2168: Love the Lord Your God

(You may want to substitute “humankind” for “mankind” as you sing.)

Scripture Reading: Matthew 22:34-46

Sermon – “Love” – Rev. Sara E. Baron

Responding

Offering

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

Offertory Anthem

“We Are Singing for the Lord Is Our Light” – Traditional Zulu Song, arranged by Hal Hopson

Prayer of Presentation

Lover of our Souls, Lover of our Beings,
We offer you our gratitude,
our love,
and gifts in service to your kindom.
May the gifts we give be blessed
to be used with love,
and for love.
Amen

Hymn #432: Jesu, Jesu

Benediction

May God’s compassion find its way into you,
and through you. Amen

Postlude

“Ode to Joy” by Ludwig van Beethoven


Photo by Barbara Armstrong

Worship for the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

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

October 18, 2020

Photo by Zach Long

Getting Centered

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

Breath Prayer

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

Prelude

“Sonata II – Grave, Adagio” by Felix Mendelssohn

Call to Worship

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

Hymn #2047: Bring Many Names

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

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

Silent Prayer

Photo by Amanda Taylor

Pastoral Prayer

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

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

Photo by Amanda Taylor

The Lord’s Prayer (From the Aramaic)

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

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

Steal Away to Jesus

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

Scripture – Exodus 33:12-23

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

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

Photo by Amanda Taylor

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

Children’s Time

Passing of the Peace

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

Hymn #388: O Come and Dwell In Me

Scripture Reading: Matthew 22:15-22

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

Responding

Offering

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

Offertory Anthem

“Ukrainian Alleluia” – Craig Courtney

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

Prayer of Presentation

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

Photo by Amanda Taylor

Hymn #420: Breathe On Me Breath of God

Benediction

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

Postlude

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


Photo by Amanda Taylor

Worship for the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

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

October 11, 2020

Photo by Alice Nash

Getting Centered

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

Breath Prayer

“Spirit of Joy / breathe into us today”
Breath prayers involve breathing in the first phrase, and breathing out the second.
You may wish to simply pray for a moment before starting, or you may wish to pray while listening to the prelude.

Prelude

“Prelude in G Major” by Felix Mendelssohn

Call to Worship

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

Hymn #200: Tell Out My Soul

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

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

Silent Prayer

Photo by Jan Huston

Pastoral Prayer

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

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

Photo by Jan Huston

The Lord’s Prayer

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

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

We Give Thee But Thine Own – Neil Harmon

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

Scripture – Philippians 4:1-19

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

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

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

Children’s Time

Passing of the Peace

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

Photo by Jan Huston

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

Scripture Reading: Matthew 22:1-14

Sermon – “Rejoice!?!?” – Rev. Sara E. Baron

Responding

Offering

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

Offertory Anthem

“Rejoice in the Lord Alway” – Henry Purcell

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

Prayer of Presentation

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

Hymn #644: Jesu, Joy of Our Desiring

Benediction

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

Postlude

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


Photo by Jan Huston

Worship for the 18th Sunday After Pentecost

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

World Communion Sunday

October 4, 2020

Photo by Alice Nash

Getting Centered

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

Breath Prayer

“Bread of life, feed us now”
Breath prayers involve breathing in the first phrase, and breathing out the second.
You may wish to simply pray for a moment before starting, or you may wish to pray while listening to the prelude.

Prelude

“Rondeau in F Major” by David Lasky

Call to Worship

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

Photo by Barbara Armstrong

Hymn #620: One Bread, One Body

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

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

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

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

Silent Prayer

Photo by Barbara Armstrong

Pastoral Prayer

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

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

The Lord’s Prayer

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

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

Will You Come and Follow Me – Tom Trenney

Scripture – Exodus 16:1-2

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

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

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

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

Children’s Time

Passing of the Peace

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

Photo by Anne Phillips

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

Scripture Reading: Matthew 26:26-28

Sermon – “Feeding and Being Fed” – Rev. Sara E. Baron

Responding

Offering

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

Offertory Anthem

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

Prayer of Presentation

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

Hymn #618: Let Us Break Bread Together

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

Benediction

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

Postlude

“The Rejoicing” by Charles Callahan


Photo by Barbara Armstrong

Worship for the Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost

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

September 27, 2020

Photo by Alice Nash

Getting Centered

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

Breath Prayer

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

Prelude

“Rondeau in B Flat” by David Lasky

Call to Worship

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

Photo by Anne Phillips

Hymn #156: I Love to Tell The Story

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

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

Silent Prayer

Photo by Anne Phillips

Pastoral Prayer

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

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

The Lord’s Prayer

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

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

The Call – Z. Randall Stroope

Scripture – Psalm 78:1-4,12-16

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

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

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

Children’s Time

Passing of the Peace

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

Photo by Anne Phillips

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

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

Scripture Reading: Matthew 21:23-32

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

Responding

Offering

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

Offertory Anthem

“O Clap Your Hands” – Victor C. Johnson

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

Prayer of Presentation

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

Hymn #405: Seek Ye First

Benediction

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

Postlude

“Festive Trumpet Tune” by David German


Photo by Anne Phillips

Worship for the Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost

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

September 20, 2020

Photo by Alice Nash

Getting Centered

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

Breath Prayer

“Lover of our souls / teach us compassion”
Breath prayers involve breathing in the first phrase, and breathing out the second.
You may wish to simply pray for a moment before starting, or you may wish to pray while listening to the prelude.

Prelude

“Prelude in a Classic Style” by Gordon Young

Call to Worship

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

Photo by Terry Phillips

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

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

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

Silent Prayer

Photo by Terry Phillips

Pastoral Prayer

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

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

The Lord’s Prayer

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

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

Ave Maria – Franz Biebl

Scripture – Jonah 3:10-4:11

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

UMCOR Disaster Response and Recovery

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

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

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

Children’s Time

Passing of the Peace

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

Photo by Terry Phillips

Hymn #2126: All Who Hunger

Scripture Reading: Matthew 20:1-16

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

Reflection Questions:

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

Responding

Offering

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

Offertory Anthem

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

Prayer of Presentation

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

Hymn #581: Lord Whose Love Through Humble Service

Benediction

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

Postlude

“Joy and Celebration” by Lee Afdahl


Photo by Terry Phillips

Worship for the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

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

September 13, 2020

Photo by Alice Nash

Getting Centered

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

Breath Prayer

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

Prelude

“Chanson” by Kevin Norris

Call to Worship

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

Hymn #187: Rise, Shine, You People

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

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

Silent Prayer

Photo by Alice Nash

Pastoral Prayer

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

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

The Lord’s Prayer

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

Word and Reflection

Choir Anthem

As the Bridegroom to His Chosen – John Rutter

Scripture – Romans 14:1-12

Mission Moment – Jan Huston

“This!”

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

Children’s Time

Passing of the Peace

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

Hymn #560: Help Us Accept Each Other

Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:21-35

Sermon – “A Kindom Parable?!” – Rev. Sara E. Baron

Responding

Offering

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

Offertory Anthem

“Dona Nobis Pacem” – Mark Miller

Prayer of Presentation

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

Hymn #2171: Make Me a Channel of Your Peace

Benediction

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

Postlude

“Fantasia” by Johann Pachelbel
Dominick Giaquinto – Organ


Photo by Alice Nash