{"id":1472,"date":"2020-04-18T01:10:00","date_gmt":"2020-04-18T01:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/?p=1472"},"modified":"2020-04-18T01:10:03","modified_gmt":"2020-04-18T01:10:03","slug":"worship-for-the-second-sunday-of-easter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/2020\/04\/18\/worship-for-the-second-sunday-of-easter\/","title":{"rendered":"Worship for the Second Sunday of Easter"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1>First United Methodist Church of Schenectady<br \/>\nWorship for the Second Sunday of Easter<\/h1>\n<h2>April 19, 2020<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/image-000-2.jpg\"><br \/>\n\u201cThe Stillness of a New Day\u201d by Barbara Armstrong<br \/>\nPhoto Show: Very Early in the Morning<\/p>\n<h2>Getting Centered<\/h2>\n<p>It may help to center yourself into worship by lighting a candle, as a symbol of God&#8217;s presence with you during the time of worship.<\/p>\n<h3>Prelude<\/h3>\n<p><strong>&#8220;Trumpet Tune in D Major&#8221; by David N. Johnson<\/strong><br \/>\nHarmonic Brass and Matthias Eisenberg (Organ)<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Trumpet Tune in D Major - David N. Johnson\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zAplq3znUJs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Call to Worship \/ Poetry As Prayer &#8220;Listening as Wisdom&#8221;<\/h3>\n<p><em>By Tina Datsko de S\u00e1nchez on <a href=\"https:\/\/progressivechristianity.org\/resources\/listening-for-wisdom\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Progressive Christianity<\/a><\/em><br \/>\n<em>If you are with another person, you may wish to read this out-loud. Otherwise, you can read it as a reminder that this is communal worship done in a large geographical area.<\/em><br \/>\nWe tune our hearing to silence.<br \/>\nWe wait on the source of being.<br \/>\nOur minds release the roar of thoughts.<br \/>\nWe incline our hearts to listen<br \/>\nfor the still small voice of Wisdom.<br \/>\nIt is Sophia who beckons.<br \/>\nHoly Wisdom, be now among us,<br \/>\nfill our hearts with your dancing light,<br \/>\ngive us to know our true being.<br \/>\nLet us be beacons of God\u2019s peace,<br \/>\nshining with the light of justice,<br \/>\nliving out God\u2019s love in the world.<\/p>\n<h3>Hymn #2215: <em>Chris Has Risen<\/em><\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Christ Has Risen While Earth Slumbers, by Hymn #231\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OU6IV-ulHPs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><br \/>\nChrist has risen while earth slumbers, Christ has risen where hope died,<br \/>\nas he said and as he promised, as we doubted and denied.<br \/>\nLet the moon embrace the blessing; let the sun sustain the cheer;<br \/>\nlet the world confirm the rumor: Christ is risen, God is here!<br \/>\nChrist has risen for the people whom he died to love and save;<br \/>\nChrist has risen for the women bringing flowers to grace his grave,<br \/>\nChrist has risen for disciples huddled in an upstairs room.<br \/>\nHe whose word inspired creation can\u2019t be silenced by the tomb.<br \/>\nChrist has risen and forever lives to challenge and to change<br \/>\nall whose lives are messed or mangled, all who find religion strange.<br \/>\nChrist is risen, Christ is present making us what he has been<br \/>\nevidence of transformation in which God is known and seen.<\/p>\n<h2>Connecting in Prayer<\/h2>\n<h3>Shared Prayer<\/h3>\n<blockquote><p><strong>Holy Wholeness,<br \/>\nOn this second Sunday of Easter,<br \/>\nwe wonder what it means to be called to abundant life<br \/>\nright now.<br \/>\nWe wonder how you call us to wholeness,<br \/>\ngiven our current restraints.<br \/>\nWe seek to be centered in your love,<br \/>\nto trust in our goodness,<br \/>\nand sometimes we are.<br \/>\n(And sometimes we are not.)<br \/>\nGuide us, Holy One,<br \/>\nshow us the way,<br \/>\nespecially when we can&#8217;t find it ourselves.<br \/>\nAmen<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><em>We will share joys and concerns during the Second Hour Zoom conversation.<br \/>\nIf you have joys or concerns to add, please send them to the office.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Silent Prayer<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/image-001-1.jpg\"><br \/>\n\u201cRainbows are a longtime message of hope.\u201d by Jane Baker<br \/>\nPhoto Show Theme: Do Not Be Afraid<\/p>\n<h3>Pastoral Prayer<\/h3>\n<p><em>You are welcome to read this out-loud or silently.<br \/>\nNormally the pastoral prayer is in response to the prayers of the body,<br \/>\nthis one is written hoping to respond to the prayers of the body<br \/>\nwithout hearing them first.<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Holy Wholeness,<br \/>\nAs spring begins to take a deeper hold on our world,<br \/>\nwe see signs of hope all around us.<br \/>\nAnd yet, at the same time, the global pandemic is also taking a deeper hold in our world.<br \/>\nOur emotions are wide ranging, and often very strongly felt.<br \/>\nWe have such deep gratitude: for the chance to worship you and celebrate<br \/>\nEaster \u201ctogether,\u201d for safe moves, for the gifts of technology to connect, for beautiful music, for meaningful prayers, for sermons and liturgies that touch our souls, for those who are well, for those we connect to, for the ones who have given us gifts that matter, and for all those offering their work and service and care for the well-being of the whole.<br \/>\nWe have such deep worries: for those who are ill, for those who are grieving, for those unable to get the medical care they need, for those offering medical care without adequate protection, for those who aren&#8217;t working, for those who don&#8217;t have enough, for those who are lonely, for those who are trying to do the impossible (work and teach from home, for example), for those in nursing homes and elder care facilities, for those making difficult decisions, for all those struggling with mental illness and addiction, for those who are afraid, for those who need to travel.<br \/>\nAnd more!<br \/>\nSometimes are are overwhelmed with gratitude, other times with despair, and<br \/>\nmany of us are on emotional roller coasters.<br \/>\nHoly One, may we make peace with the ups and downs of life right now, find<br \/>\nways to be patient with ourselves and others, savor the goodness, and acknowledge the challenges.<br \/>\nMay we join you in life, as wonderful and as hard as it is.<br \/>\nAmen<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3>The Lord&#8217;s Prayer<\/h3>\n<blockquote><p><strong>Our Father who art in heaven,<br \/>\nHallowed be thy name.<br \/>\nThy kingdom come.<br \/>\nThy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.<br \/>\nGive us this day our daily bread.<br \/>\nAnd forgive us our trespasses,<br \/>\nas we forgive those who trespass against us.<br \/>\nAnd lead us not into temptation,<br \/>\nbut deliver us from evil:<br \/>\nFor thine is the kingdom, and the power,<br \/>\nand the glory, for ever. Amen.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2>Word and Reflection<\/h2>\n<h3>Choir Anthem<\/h3>\n<p><em>Blest Are the Eyes That Have Not Seen You<\/em> &#8211; Fred Gramann<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Blessed Are the Eyes That Have Not Seen You\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/u0xdvpnqvtM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Scripture &#8211; Genesis 2:4b-7<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/image-003-1.jpg\"><br \/>\n<em>Scripture is meant to be read out-loud.<br \/>\nBelow is the version from the New Revised Standard Version.<br \/>\nYou are more than welcome to read it in other versions if you wish.<\/em><br \/>\n<em>If you are worshiping with children, please take some time to \u201cwonder\u201d about this passage and what it means. (The pastor happily takes questions.) Adults may also enjoy this.<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><sup>4b<\/sup>In the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, <sup>5<\/sup>when no plant of the field was yet in the earth and no herb of the field had yet sprung up\u2014for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was no one to till the ground; <sup>6<\/sup>but a stream would rise from the earth, and water the whole face of the ground\u2014 <sup>7<\/sup>then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3>Mission Moment &#8211; Beth Long Velasquez<\/h3>\n<p><strong>\u201cLet\u2019s Pool Our Resources\u201d: Safety Net in a time of social distancing and quarantines.<\/strong><br \/>\nIn late March, as we struggled to make the difficult but necessary decision to suspend SUSTAIN Ministry distributions through at least May due to the COVID19 situation, we were torn at the decision knowing that the need for essential personal hygiene items in the community would continue, if not increase at this time. This was particularly true regarding baby diapers as SUSTAIN is one of the few programs that addresses this need each month in Schenectady. Of approximately 150 local recipient households that we serve each month, about 120 are families with at least 1 child in diapers and we were all concerned about not being able to meet this need. That was when I saw the subject line on a email from the Schenectady County Public Health Services reaching out to local community outreach programs: \u201cLet\u2019s Pool Our Resources.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\nGood Afternoon,<br \/>\nThank you all for your tremendous efforts in assisting the community in getting their needs met. We wanted to reach out and hopefully interest you in linking with the growing initiative, Schenectady County COVID-19 Response Coalition, that grew out of the growing needs related to COVID19<br \/>\nand also the related decrease in available volunteers at local safety net organizations. The initiative is running out of the Mont Pleasant Boys and Girls Club, and the primary focus is to deliver (for no cost) resources (food, formula, diapers, etc) to the community as quickly as possible, as well as link community members to additional supports they may need\u2026<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>So between March 31 and April 6, SUSTAIN transferred approximately 2,500 lbs of baby diapers, 500 lbs of adult incontinence products and 100 lbs of baby wipes to the Schenectady County COVID-19 Emergency Response Coalition for distribution until we can safely begin holding monthly distributions again. Until that time, we have also suspended SUSTAIN\u2019s Regional Food Bank pickups so that these highly needed items can be distributed to groups like the Coalition to meet the immediate need in our community.<br \/>\nFrom the Schenectady County COVID-19 Emergency Response Coalition<br \/>\nwebsite:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Schenectady County has partnered with The Schenectady Foundation, The Boys and Girls Club, and other local organizations to address the basic needs of the community during the coronavirus epidemic. The Coalition operates a hotline out of the new Boys and Girls Clubhouse in Mont Pleasant to help address coronavirus-related non-medical issues; and ensure those who are quarantined or isolated, seniors, and other at-risk individuals get the basic supplies they need while they remain at home. Schenectady County residents in need of supplies should call (518) 621-3536. Staff will work with callers to identify their needs, including any dietary or allergy restrictions, and set up a drop-off time. Representatives from the County Department of Social Services will also be on hand to assist with shelter, temporary assistance programs and Medicaid issues. Staff will also have information about resources available to address other identified needs.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>More information about the Coalition can be found <a href=\"https:\/\/www.schenectadycounty.com\/covid19help\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">on their website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Children&#8217;s Time<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Children&#039;s Time: Old Turtle\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/cmsCjCmM1XQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Passing the Peace<\/h3>\n<p><em>If you are worshiping with others, please pass the Peace of Christ.<br \/>\nWhether you are alone or with others, please take a moment to find God&#8217;s peace within, and then to share it with the world. This may take several breaths or moments. Sometimes sharing works best this way: to think of a dearly beloved with whom to share the peace, then to think of other beloveds, then of friends, then acquaintances, then those who frustrate you, then those you don&#8217;t really know, then those you don&#8217;t known at all.<br \/>\nGod&#8217;s peace is spread to all.<\/em><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/image-004-2.jpg\"><br \/>\n\u201cThe Bulbs Will Come to Life Again\u201d by Sara Baron<br \/>\nPhoto Show Theme: See and Believe<\/p>\n<h3>Hymn #420: Breathe on Me Breath of God<\/h3>\n<p><a><em>If you wish to sing along, the sheet music is here: <\/em><\/a><em><a href=\"https:\/\/hymnary.org\/hymn\/UMH\/420\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Breathe on Me Breath of God<\/a><\/em><br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Breathe on Me, Breath of God\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/3qV_lHByYBk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Scripture Reading: John 20:19-29<\/h3>\n<p><em>Scripture is meant to be read out-loud.<br \/>\nBelow is the version from the New Revised Standard Version.<br \/>\nYou are more than welcome to read it in other versions if you wish.<\/em><br \/>\n<em>If you are worshiping with children, please take some time to \u201cwonder\u201d about this passage and what it means. (The pastor happily takes questions.) Adults may also enjoy this.<\/em><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/image-005.jpg\"><br \/>\n\u201cOrange Tulip\u201d by Dana Carroll<br \/>\nPhoto Show Theme: Do Not Be Afraid<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><sup>19<\/sup> When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, \u2018Peace be with you.\u2019 <sup>20<\/sup>After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. <sup>21<\/sup>Jesus said to them again, \u2018Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.\u2019 <sup>22<\/sup>When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, \u2018Receive the Holy Spirit. <sup>23<\/sup>If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.\u2019<br \/>\n<sup>24<\/sup>But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. <sup>25<\/sup>So the other disciples told him, \u2018We have seen the Lord.\u2019 But he said to them, \u2018Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.\u2019<br \/>\n<sup>26<\/sup>A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, \u2018Peace be with you.\u2019 <sup>27<\/sup>Then he said to Thomas, \u2018Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.\u2019 <sup>28<\/sup>Thomas answered him, \u2018My Lord and my God!\u2019 <sup>29<\/sup>Jesus said to him, \u2018Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.\u2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Sermon: &#8220;Our Bodies Remember&#8221;<\/strong><br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Our Bodies Remember\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5oYQmfPQKyg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>Responding<\/h2>\n<h3>Offering<\/h3>\n<p>If you wish, you are welcome to use this time to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eservicepayments.com\/cgi-bin\/Vanco_ver3.vps?appver3=3_CMn6vY3gbXWj2GvkW32xVh5LubqSJdgKX6KHFre1VuMdS3Q8kj_eIJXGJN8RG-0gmHZvX_Lw1ha8ZXgn-54Krv7ImQMfM68o70RRXIZtDlvXRu7Icp8meYpri-7vHbdSHJK5fST8PKv5rD7H0pV4u2FYADh6CtWzBcTpjLo9qDxBXK0S3J8MPHZwZCFVXkDJkCUTrur4Wm694FEfvylg==&amp;ver=3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">make a donation to the church online<\/a>, or to put a check in the mail.<br \/>\nThis is also a particularly good time to reflect on how you are giving of yourself to God \u2013 using your time, your talents, and your treasure towards the building of the kindom. It may even be a good time to consider a deeper commitment.<br \/>\nAs government stimulus checks come in, it is a time to consider if you are able to use some of what you receive to support others.<\/p>\n<h3>Offertory Anthem<\/h3>\n<p>&#8220;This Joyful Eastertide&#8221; &#8211; Charles Wood<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"This Joyful Eastertide - King&#039;s College Cambridge.\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5tipsbcfuB4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Prayer of Presentation<\/h3>\n<blockquote><p>Holy Wholeness,<br \/>\nWe seek to give gifts to you,<br \/>\nto express our commitment to your vision for the kindom,<br \/>\nand our gratitude for your acts of love<br \/>\nin our lives and in the world at large.<br \/>\nMay all the gifts we give be useful to your kindom,<br \/>\nand used with wisdom. Amen<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3>Hymn #666: Shalom to You<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Shalom To You Now\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-u-WxpmOpN4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><br \/>\nShalom to you now, shalom, my friends.<br \/>\nMay God\u2019s full mercies bless you, my friends.<br \/>\nIn all your living and through your loving,<br \/>\nChrist be your shalom, Christ be your shalom<\/p>\n<h3>Benediction<\/h3>\n<p>May God&#8217;s wholeness settle onto you, and bring you peace. Amen<\/p>\n<h3>Postlude<\/h3>\n<p>&#8220;Rigaudon&#8221; &#8211; Andre Campra<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"National Cathedral,Washington: Organ &quot;Processional  Rigaudon&quot;\" width=\"1140\" height=\"855\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0mIYn2EvnEE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/image-006-2.jpg\"><br \/>\n\u201cBelieve You Will Find The Way\u201d by Joel Fuschino<br \/>\n2019 Photo Show Theme: Believe<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>First United Methodist Church of Schenectady Worship for the Second Sunday of Easter April 19, 2020 \u201cThe Stillness of a &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/2020\/04\/18\/worship-for-the-second-sunday-of-easter\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Worship for the Second Sunday of Easter<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1470,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1255],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1472","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-online-worship"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1472","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1472"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1472\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1473,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1472\/revisions\/1473"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1470"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1472"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1472"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1472"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}