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

January 2, 2022

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

“Light of the World, Illuminate Me.”
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

Two Settings of “In Dulci Jubilo” (In Sweetest Joy) by Johann Sebastian Bach and Dieterich Buxtehude

Call to Worship

One: The Light of God has come into the world!
Many: The Light shines on us and shows us the way!
One: God has sent the Light to us,
Many: To gather us in to the source of our being.
One: The darkness of the tomb shall not overshadow us,
Many: The Light has come to bring us new life and love.
One: The darkness of the womb leads to birth and new understanding.
Many: We are born anew into the light of Christ that has come to us.

Hymn #220: Angels from the Realms of Glory

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer (from Ruth C. Duck)

Gracious One, we give you thanks for the hope that is ours in Jesus Christ. We thank you that you forgive us and give us power to begin anew. Therefore, we pray that you will come to us and touch those secret places in our lives that we most need to change. Tear down the barriers that keep us from loving others. Root out all violence from our lives. Free us from dependency on any person or thing or substance, that we may place our full trust in you. Instill us with discipline to establish new habits. Teach us to care for your bodies. Prune away the dead leaves of our lives; through your creative power, may new shoots come forth from the barren stem. Bring forth your new life within us, through the grace of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Silent Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father (Creator) 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

Hymn #221: In the Bleak Midwinter

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14

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.

Scripture Reading – John 1:1-18

Sermon: “Darkness of the Womb” – Michele Cole

Responding

Offering

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

Offertory: Voluntary on “Angels We Have Heard on High” by Christopher Uelein

Prayer for New Beginnings

Holy One, you bring light to our days with your persistent love and care. When the darkness threatens to overwhelm us your Light shines through in the faces of those we love, and who love us, reaching in to give a hand or to lift us up. When we see a dimming in the eyes of those we care about we share your Light with them too. You promise us that this Light will overcome any darkness that surrounds us, and that you are with us always. In this new year, help us to re-commit our lives to you as you are committed to us. Help us to use the gifts we are given as you would have us use them, to dispel the darkness wherever we find it. We ask in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Hymn #230: “O Little Town of Bethlehem”

Benediction

Go in the love and peace of Christ, to shine your Light in a world that desperately needs it, and you. Amen.

Postlude

“Chorale Prelude on “In Dulci Jubilo” (In Sweetest Joy) by Johann Sebastian Bach

Worship for the First Sunday of Christmas

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

December 26, 2021

Getting Centered

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

Breath Prayer

“God who is with us, center us.”
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

“Celebration!” by David Paxton

Call to Worship

One: Welcome, dear ones, it is Christmas!
Many: We celebrate God with us!
One: May your hearts find peace in worshipping together.
Many: We celebrate new life and new hope!
One: May your spirits seek the Divine and learn to trust God!
Many: We celebrate God’s trustworthy love!

Hymn #239: Silent Night, Holy Night

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

O Holy One,
In this season of in-breaking,
we bring our attention to how you are with us.
As we hear the story of Jesus as a young child,
we see the holiness in children,
and the sacredness of all.
As we savor the stories of angels and shepherds,
a young mother and an uncertain father,
a terrified King and faithful foreigners,
help us find its meaning for us today.
Let new life be birthed among us, too.
Amen

Silent Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father (Creator) 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

Hymn #217: Away in a Manger

Scripture Reading: Psalm 148

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.

Scripture Reading – Luke 2:41-52

Sermon: “The Narrow Way” – Rev. Sara Baron

Responding

Christmas Prayer

God who is always arriving, it is still Christmas, with all its wonders and complications.
There is joy, and love, peace and hope, sounds, and smells, and tastes of delight.
We are still filled with the story of birth, and now too with the twelve-year-old Jesus left at the Temple.
Sometimes, we too, don’t want to leave the peace of being with you and yours.
Yet, we leave this place to continue to share your love in the world, and we give our gifts to you out of our commitment to your kindom.
May Mary and Joseph’s journeys to Bethlehem and Jerusalem continue in our journey to the places you next lead us.
Amen

Offering

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

Hymn #246: “Joy to the World”

Benediction

May God help you find your way, even now, even from here. Amen

Postlude

“Praise Ye the Father” by Charles Gounod (arr. Dorothy Wells)

Worship for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 19, 2021

A Service of Story and Song

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

“Holy One, prepare us.”
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

“Veni, veni, Emmanuel” Rebecca te Velde

Spiritual Call to Worship: Micah 5:2-5a

Hymn #210: “All Earth is Waiting”

Story: “God’s Dream” by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Douglas Carlton

Advent Song, Hymn #2128: “Come and Find the Quiet Center”

Advent Wreath Lighting

Scripture – Luke 1:26-38

Hymn #204: “Emmanuel, Emmanuel”

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father (Creator) 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.

Scripture – Luke 1:39-45

Song: “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”

Story: “Hope” by Isabell Monk

Hymn #203: “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed”

Scripture: Luke 1:46:55

Mission Moment: UMCOR – Jan Huston

Scripture: Luke 1:67:79

Song: “O Come All Ye Faithful”

Story of Foreshadowing: “I Am Christmas” by Nancy White Carlstrom

Prayer of Love

Benediction

Postlude

“Horsley” (No. 18 from Forty Hymn-Tunes) by C.S. Lang

Worship for the Third Sunday of Advent

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

December 12, 2021

Getting Centered

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

Breath Prayer

“God of Joy, lead us.”
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

“Of the Father’s Love Begotten” by Wilbur Held

Call to Worship

One: Welcome, people of hope.
Many: God is our hope.
One: Welcome, people of peace.
Many: God brings us peace.
One: Welcome, people of joy.
Many: God calls us to joy.

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

God of Joy,
What a funny thing it is, to call you this, “God of Joy.”
Should it be more balanced?
“God of Sadness and Joy”?
Or “God of Anger and Joy”?
What about when we don’t have joy?
What about others who aren’t experiencing joy?
Or, maybe, that is why we call you God of Joy.
Out of hope for those who are joyless, that they may not be left there.
Out of gratitude for the joy we’ve known.
Out of a sense that joy is more subtle and closer than we remember.
Out of trust that joy can be a source of wisdom to guide our paths.
God of Joy, we worship you. Amen.

Silent Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father (Creator) 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

Hymn #216: Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming

Scripture Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-20

Mission Moment: Alternative Giving: CWS Blankets – Jan Huston

One of our suggestions for alternative giving this year is to donate to the Church World Service blanket program. Church World Service is a cooperative ministry of 37 denominations. They provide sustainable self-help, development, disaster relief and refugee assistance around the world. Their mission is to eradicate hunger and poverty and to promote peace and justice at national and international levels through collaboration with partners abroad and in the United States.

One of their projects is to distribute blankets to those who need them. They have heavy gray blankets for cold areas and lighter yellow ones for warm areas. Last year I saw yellow ones in refugee shelters in both Nogales, Mexico, and Tucson, Arizona. We can purchase a blanket for only $10 as an alternative gift by giving to the church by check or online and noting that the money is for Church World Service.

You have heard more about the good works of this organization for many years. Instead of repeating that information, I want to share a poem written by one of my friends:

We swaddle our newborn babies
in a soft blanket to keep them safe and warm.
The small child clings to a favorite blanket
to feel loved and secure.
Homeless children carry a blanket
as they walk the dusty paths of
their interrupted lives.
Young people pull blankets up around them
when sleeping and feel comforted.
I pull the blanket tight around me
to dream and feel at peace.
A man in Haiti wraps a blanket around
a statue of Mother Mary and carries her
to safety after the earthquake.
A homeless man unfolds his blanket
to make a bed and keep out the cold
and lies down under a shelter until morning.
In times of crises, in times of sadness, in
times when the world seems to be coming
apart, we share blankets, and in doing so
we share love.

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.

Scripture Reading – Luke 3:7-18

Sermon: “Soft Eyes and Third Ways” – Rev. Sara Baron

Responding

Advent Song: Come and Find the Quiet Center

Advent Wreath Lighting

Offering

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

Prayer of Joy

God of Joy,
For that in life that is fun and funny, we give you thanks.
For that in life that is delightful and insightful, we give you thanks.
For the people who listen to us, care about us, see us,
and make us giggle, we give you thanks.
For the homes we have known,
and the homes we have made, we give you thanks.
For pets who companion us,
and nature that inspires us, we give you thanks.
For the chance to build your kindom,
to do meaningful work,
and life-giving play, we give you thanks.
For art, for music, for poetry, for creativity, we give you thanks

Benediction

God from this time, attending to God, attending to joy. Amen

Postlude

“Now Thank We All Our God” by Sigfrid Karg-Elert

Worship for the Second Sunday of Advent

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for the Second Sunday of Advent

December 5, 2021

Getting Centered

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

Breath Prayer

“Make our paths smoother, God of Peace.”
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

Meditation on Veni Emmanuel by Hal Hopson

Call to Worship

One: We are drawn to the promises:
Many: the road home is under construction.
One: It will be a better road soon:
Many: the ups and downs leveled out.
One: When we can walk it with ease,
Many: the compassion of God will be seen.

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

God Who Shows Us the Way,
We ask that you remember your promise
to make straight the paths that lead to you,
and smooth the rough ways.
Our paths are quite curvy and rough,
and your work is appreciated.
We see your work of healing and hope,
and we seek to share it with your world.
Amen.

Silent Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father (Creator) 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

Hymn #206: I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light

Scripture Reading: Malachi 3:1-4

Mission Moment: Alternative Giving: Community Breakfast – Sylvester Doyer

I want to talk to you about considering the Community Breakfast Program for Alternative Giving. I want to share with you what and how the Breakfast Program during the pandemic, from the very beginning to the present, continued to serve those in the community who still needed a place to go to receive at least one nutritious meal for the day. Thanks to seven volunteers who committed themselves to making sure there was no disruption in the program.

At the very beginning of the pandemic, a decision was made to continue the Breakfast Program and adjust it to fit the situation but still be able to feed people. When there was no indoor seating allowed in restaurants, the volunteers at the program put together every Sunday a bag Breakfast to go and usually enough food for breakfast and lunch. We were averaging every 2, 3 and 4th Sunday, and if there was a 5th Sunday, giving out 20 – 30 bag breakfasts to individuals and families who came
to FUMC for our Community Breakfast.

The program throughout the worst of the pandemic and now to this present day continues to serve a nutritious and now hot Breakfast every Sunday to the community surrounding FUMC. We have noticed new faces and seen a slow increase in the elderly and children who are coming to the Community Breakfast. It is only due to the support of you and the commitment of seven volunteers that we have been able to continue providing a nutritious and hot meal to those who come to the doors of FUMC seeking nourishment for their body and a bit of companionship or just looking for someone to listen to them and share some for a moment.
So I am asking you to consider the Community Breakfast Program when you are thinking about Alternate Giving. Help us to continue being a place known where no matter who you are, you are not judged but made to feel important, accepted and welcome, and given a safe place to be who you are and get a warm and nutritious meal.

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.

Scripture Reading – Luke 3:1-6

Sermon: “The Road Home is Under Construction” – Rev. Sara Baron

Responding

Advent Song: Come and Find the Quiet Center

Advent Wreath Lighting

Offering

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

Prayer of Presentation

God, our home and our way home,
Peace that passes understanding,
in you is the stillness that often evades us,
in you is the wholeness we seek.
Open our hearts, our minds, our spirits, our beings to your peace,
so that we may let our lives ring with the aim of
letting there be peace on earth.
Amen

Benediction

Children of God’s Light, People of Peace,
may God steady you to traverse the roads ahead. Amen

Postlude

Postlude on Wachet auf by Johann Gottfried Walther

Worship for the First Sunday of Advent

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for the First Sunday of Advent

November 28, 2021

Getting Centered

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

Breath Prayer

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

Prelude

Chorale Prelude on Hymn 720 “Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying”) by Johann Sebastian Bach

Call to Worship

One: The Christian year begins again,
Many: the yearning for life as it should be continues.
One: We enter together into God’s dreams,
Many: we name together the brokenness of reality.

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

God of justice and peace,
you rain down on us mercy and kindness.
You are awe inspiring,
you leave us wonder-struck.
Raise our heads in expectation,
that we may yearn for the coming of the kindom.
Amen.

Silent Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father (Creator) 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

Hymn #202: People Look East

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16

Mission Moment: Alternative Giving: Heifer International

The Intersectional Justice Committee has 4 suggestions for you to consider for alternative giving this year. One is support for our missionary, Belinda Forbes, whom Bob Long highlighted last week. The others are the Church World Service blanket program, our Community Breakfast, and Heifer International.
Heifer International began in 1944 when a farmer in Indiana understood that it would be more effective to rebuild countries after World War II by donating animals than by sending milk. A family was given a heifer, a goat, or another animal along with education about how to take care of the animal. Then the recipient was expected to give away an offspring of that animal. So Heifer Project was known as the “gift that multiplies.”

Their current mission statement is: “We work to end hunger and poverty in partnership with the communities we serve. Our programs support entrepreneurs around the world, creating lasting change from the ground up. It begins with a seed investment of livestock or agriculture, followed by mentorship to help project participants build a business, and ultimately to gain access to supply chains and markets. These families are able to earn a living income and continuously lift up their communities as they train the next generation of leaders. By supporting and training the world’s farmers, ranchers, and female business owners, we”re investing in a new breed of success.”
Their projects are world-wide and include empowerment of women farmers in Nepal and Guatemala, dairy development in East Africa, and support of farmers’ cooperatives in Arkansas. The website, highlights many more projects and is very interesting.

Alternative gifts can be given by donating through the church online or with a check made out to FUMC with the designation in the notation. Or it is more fun to go to Heifer’s website and click “gift catalog.” Then you can choose an animal, bees, seeds or other product, which you are giving in honor of someone. My brother-in-law was really pleased when we gave a water buffalo in his honor! And I “received” a flock of chicks one year. If you give this way, you will be able to create an honor card so that the person you are honoring will know of your gift.

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.

Scripture Reading – Luke 21:25-36

Sermon: “The Past. The Future. Grief” – Rev. Sara Baron

Responding

A Call to Advent Practice

Advent Song: Come and Find the Quiet Center

Advent Wreath Lighting

Offering

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

Offertory: Meditation on Hymn 212 “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” by Paul Manz

Prayer of Presentation

God, our hope, our home,
we bring our selves to you:
body, mind, and spirit,
cares and celebrations,
worries and delights.
Guide us to peace,
no matter how rocky the road.
Bless what we’re able to give,
and bless us when we’re unable to give.
Amen

Benediction

May you find God in the quiet, in the silence, in the grief, in the pain. Amen

Postlude

“Third Fugue” from the Fugue in E Flat
by Johann Sebastian Bach

Worship for Reign of Christ Sunday

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for Reign of Christ Sunday

November 21, 2021

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

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

Prelude

Procession (from the “Partita on Diademata”) by Charles Callahan

Call to Worship

One: We come away for a while, from the demands of the world.
Many: We bring our attention to the things of God.
One: We come away from conflicts and competitions.
Many: We let peace and hope fill us again.
One: We seek to center in the things of God.
Many: We seek to remember what God’s Reign looks like.

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Holy One, God of Us All,
Guide us.
Guide our hearts, and our minds,
guide our words and our actions,
guide our silence and our inaction.
Guide us.
Let us be filled with your love,
thrive in your peace,
soak up your hope.
Let us be brave enough to be
expressions of you,
let us become healed enough to be
signs of your love.
Amen

Silent Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father (Creator) 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

Mission Moment: Belinda Forbes, Missionary in Nicaragua

Children’s Time: Kings, Queens, and God

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.

Scripture Reading – John 18:33-37

Sermon: “Questions to Ask” – Rev. Sara Baron

Responding

Offering

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

Offertory: Offertory (from the “Fantasia” on Darwall’s 148th) by John S. Dixon

Prayer of Presentation

Holy One,
In giving, we receive.
In making commitments,
we find ourselves.
Bless the commitments made to
the church and to the kindom,
and bless the gifts that we give to
you and each other.
May they be received with grace
and used with wisdom.
Amen

Benediction (Franciscan, Traditional)

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.
May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort
them and turn their pain to joy.
And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.
Amen.

Postlude

“Rejoice the Lord is King!” (Darwall’s 148th) arr. Benjamin M. Culli

Worship for the 25th Sunday after Pentecost

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for the 25th Sunday after Pentecost

November 14, 2021

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

“Remember the Saints”
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

“‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’ Homage to Zipoli” (Royal Oak) by Marilyn Biery

Call to Worship

One: God is my strength and my power and has become my salvation.
Many: There are joyous songs of victory in the tents of the righteous.
One: Open to me the gates of righteousness that I may enter through them and give thanks to God.
Many: God is the gate through whom the righteous enter with thanksgiving.

Hymn #147: All Things Bright and Beautiful

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Our God, you are always more ready to bestow your good gifts on us than we are to seek them, and are willing to give more than we desire or deserve. Help us so to seek that we may truly find, so to ask that we may joyfully receive, so to knock that the door of your mercy may be opened to us. Amen.

Silent Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father (Creator) 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

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 #707: Hymn of Promise

Scripture Reading – Luke 21:5-8

Sermon: “In Our End Is Our Beginning” – Rev. Bill Pattison

Responding

Offering

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

Offertory: “Hymn of Promise” by John Carter

Hymn #336: Of All the Spirit’s Gifts to Me

Benediction

Go in peace to be the instrument of peace to all you encounter. Amen

Postlude

“Chaconne” by Louis Couperin

Worship for All Saints Sunday

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for All Saints Sunday

November 7, 2021

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

“Remember the Saints”
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

“In Memoriam” by Flor Peeters

Call to Worship

One: I will bless God at all times;
whose praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Many: My soul makes its boast in God;
let the afflicted hear and be glad.
One: O magnify God with me, and
let us exalt the divine name together.
Many: Happy are those who take refuge in God!

Hymn #64: Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Living God, shake us out of our contentment with a divided Church. In our thanksgiving for the saints in heaven, deliver us from imagining them as all our sort of people. And in our dealing with our fellow Christians on earth, show us how to be true to our consciences without being untrue to the law of love. Amen.

Silent Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father (Creator) 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

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 #558: We Are the Church

Scripture Reading – Matthew 5:1-10

Sermon: “The Gift of the Saints” – Rev. Bill Pattison

Responding

Offering

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

Offertory: “For All the Saints (Sine Nomine)” by Raymond H. Haan

Hymn #711: For All the Saints

Benediction

Celebrate the saints of your past by becoming a saint for someone’s future.
Amen

Postlude

Elegy on Sine Nomine (from the Triptych) by Alfred V. Fedak

Worship for the Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for the Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost

October 31, 2021

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

“Let me treasure giving.”
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

“Elegy” by George Thalben-Ball

Call to Worship

One: The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;
Many: the ordinances of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.
One: More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
Many: sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
One: Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
Many: But who can understand one’s own errors?
Clear me from hidden faults.
One: Also keep your servant from the insolent;
let them not have dominion over me!
Many: Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.

Hymn #145: Morning Has Broken

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Holy Spirit, hear us as we pray. Take the
faltering and stumbling words we say and turn
them into songs. So you will help us give to
God the praise we want to give. Holy Spirit,
speak to us as we pray. Bring merciful and
forgiving words today from God the Author of
our faith. Thus you will help us find the peace
we need to find and to live the life we ought to
live. Amen.

Silent Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father (Creator) 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

Children’s Time

Passing of the Peace

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

Hymn #549: Where Charity and Love Prevail

Scripture Reading – Luke 12:16-21

Sermon: “Stored Treasures, Lapsed Morals” – Rev. Bill Pattison

Responding

Offering

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

Offertory: Trumpet in Dialogue” (from Suite on the First Tone) by Louis Clerembault

Hymn #664: Sent Forth by God’s Blessing

Benediction

Let us go to share our treasures through love. Amen.

Postlude

“Festive Trumpet Tune” by David German