{"id":1531,"date":"2020-05-17T01:39:00","date_gmt":"2020-05-17T01:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/?p=1531"},"modified":"2020-05-17T01:39:03","modified_gmt":"2020-05-17T01:39:03","slug":"worship-for-the-6th-sunday-of-easter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/2020\/05\/17\/worship-for-the-6th-sunday-of-easter\/","title":{"rendered":"Worship for the 6th Sunday of Easter"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1>First United Methodist Church of Schenectady<br \/>\nWorship for the Sixth Sunday of Easter<\/h1>\n<h2>May 17, 2020<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/image-000-1.jpg\"><br \/>\n\u201cFUMC from the Air\u201d by Peter Frisoni<\/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.  You may also want to pay attention to lighting, the position of your body, and the availability of distractions.<\/p>\n<h3>Breath Prayer<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cIn You we live and move and have our being.\u201d<br \/>\n<em>Breath prayers involve breathing in the first phrase, and breathing out the second.<br \/>\nYou may wish to simply pray for a moment before starting, or you may wish to pray while listening to the prelude.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Prelude<\/h3>\n<p><strong>\u201cI Heard the Voice of Jesus Say\u201d by Sandra Eithun<\/strong><br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say (3, 4, or 5 Octaves) - Sandra Eithun\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_spGlI2AyDU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Call to Worship<\/h3>\n<p><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 \/>\nOne: The God of everywhere, and all time, is with you.<br \/>\n<strong>Many: We are not alone.<\/strong><br \/>\nOne: Every breath you take, is in and with God.<br \/>\n<strong>Many: We are connected by the Divine.<\/strong><br \/>\nOne: So breathe with ease, dear ones.<br \/>\n<strong>Many: God is with us.<\/strong><br \/>\nOne: And prepare to worship.<br \/>\n<strong>Many: God is good, and we are ready to worship<\/strong><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/image-001-1.jpg\"><br \/>\n\u201cA Fern Growing Out of Volcanic Lava\u201d by Jan Huston<br \/>\nPhoto Show Theme: Stone Rolled Away<\/p>\n<h3>Hymn #660: <em>God Is Here<\/em><\/h3>\n<p><em>If you wish to sing along, the words are here: <a href=\"https:\/\/hymnary.org\/hymn\/UMH\/660\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">God Is Here<\/a><\/em><br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"God Is Here! (ABBOT&#039;S LEIGH)\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QbkNXq71iis?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>Connecting in Prayer<\/h2>\n<h3>Shared Prayer<\/h3>\n<blockquote><p><strong>God of Creation, God who is in all of creation,<br \/>\nJesus&#8217; commandment seems so simple:<br \/>\n\u201cLove one another as I have loved you\u201d<br \/>\nbut we have spent our lives trying to live up to it,<br \/>\nwithout ever truly succeeding.<br \/>\nAnd now, love itself has been upended,<br \/>\nwe show our love with distance and caution!<br \/>\nGuide us, God of Creation,<br \/>\nhelp us see all the wonders around us,<br \/>\nand show us how to love each other well,<br \/>\nso we may love the world itself well.<br \/>\nAmen<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3>Silent Prayer<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/image-004-1.jpg\"><br \/>\n\u201cA Surprise from Mother Nature\u201d by Barbara Armstrong<br \/>\n2019 Photo Show Theme: Surprise<\/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, this one is written hoping to respond to the prayers of the body without hearing them first.<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>God of Creation, God who is in all of creation,<br \/>\nAs Jesus-followers, we are committed to working with you to build the kindom. From this perspective, it makes sense that we take our labor seriously. We want to use our time and talents well, for the communal well-being. In this time when so much has changed, we bring you prayers about labor:<br \/>\ngratitude for those doing \u201cessential work\u201d<br \/>\nconcern for those doing \u201cessential work\u201d<br \/>\na yearning for justice for workers to be paid fairly for their work<br \/>\ngratitude for those able to go back to work<br \/>\nconcern for those missing their work<br \/>\na yearning for justice for those whose work is not meaningful or<br \/>\nappreciated.<br \/>\ngratitude for those whose \u201chobbies\u201d are their meaningful work (especially when they keep us healthy and loved)<br \/>\nconcern for those who aren&#8217;t sure what to do with their time<br \/>\na yearning for justice for those whose capacity to share their gifts is limited by others lack of openness or creativity.<br \/>\nWe are holding time tenderly right now, knowing how different it is for people based on their circumstances. For some, time marches painfully slowly, for others there is so little time and so much to do. We bring our prayers about time:<br \/>\ngratitude for games that can be played online<br \/>\nfor ways we can connect with church family, and other loved ones<br \/>\nfor good books, and other works of art<br \/>\nfor the time used to bring loved ones home again<br \/>\nconcern for those exhausted and have no time to rest<br \/>\nfor those grieving without the moments of being held up by community<br \/>\nfor the interminable time between when medical tests are taken, and when results come back<br \/>\nfor the limbic time of being ill, and no one knowing when or if recovery will come<br \/>\nyearning for times of shared joy,<br \/>\nand even of shared sorrow &#8211;<br \/>\nwhen we can integrate our lives with each others, safely.<br \/>\nWe seek, as well to hold each other tenderly, and to hear each other well. We raise together the prayers named within our community:<br \/>\ngratitude for Fran&#8217;s cousins who became grandmothers,<br \/>\nand Andrew&#8217;s friends who became parents,<br \/>\nfor Hazel&#8217;s bendy pencil,<br \/>\nand (cat) Nightmare&#8217;s \u201camens\u201d<br \/>\nconcern for Anita, struggling with both cancer and with chemo<br \/>\nfor Ann, with terrible headaches,<br \/>\nfor kids without nurturing home environments<br \/>\nand for adults without safe homes<br \/>\nyearning for wholeness, peace, justice, and compassion.<br \/>\nAll this we bring to you, trusting that you listen, care, and respond. Thank you for being with us through these days, and throughout our lives, and for all the ways you share your love in our world.<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>I Will Not Leave You Comfortless<\/em> &#8211; Everett Titcomb<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"I Will Not Leave You Comfortless\" width=\"1140\" height=\"855\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/FDoTpCYubLU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Scripture &#8211; Acts 17:22-31<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Acts 17:22-31\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RXhegsCU09A?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Mission Moment &#8211; Jan Huston<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Part 1: Mission E-Academy<\/strong><br \/>\nThe Northeast Jurisdiction Volunteers in Mission program has a mission academy every spring. It is usually a several-day retreat with many different course offerings. This year it is being given online. You don\u2019t have to pack a bag and travel and the only cost is a suggested donation! Many of the courses are related to the current pandemic. Some of the titles are COVID-19 Pandemic: Crisis Spiritual Care for Congregations, Online ERT recertification, Systemic Racism and Discrimination during COVID-19, UMC Social Principles in the context of mission, Foundations of Disaster Ministry, and Food Insecurity during COVID-19.  Instructors come from UMCOR, Board of Church and Society, NY State Disaster Interfaith Services, New England Conference, NY Conference, and more. I strongly encourage you to go to the <a href=\"umvimnej.org\">website<\/a> and<br \/>\nsee what interests you. It\u2019s a good opportunity!<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/image-005-1.jpg\"><br \/>\nSign on a humanitarian aid office in southern Arizona\u201d by Jan Huston<br \/>\nPhoto Show Theme: Do Not Be Afraid<br \/>\n<strong>Part 2: Request to FUMC members and friends to offer mission moments.<\/strong><br \/>\nDuring this unusual time we are going to try experimenting with Mission Moments. We are inviting you to share your thoughts and concerns. Sharing  can be done either by writing a few paragraphs or by producing a video which would be part of the online worship service. The Intersectional Justice team has come up with some suggestions for topics \u2013 you probably have more! Some possibilities are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Where do you see God at work in the world today?<\/li>\n<li>What is your favorite non-profit (other than FUMC)?<\/li>\n<li>What helping agencies in Schenectady do you like and why?<\/li>\n<li>What gives you joy these days?<\/li>\n<li>What are you grateful for?<\/li>\n<li>Have you found a way to help others while remaining physically distant?<\/li>\n<li>Maybe the current situation is taking all of your time and energy. If so, have you found a way to provide some self-care for yourself?<\/li>\n<li>What is your \u201cmission\u201d and why do you do what you do?<\/li>\n<li>How is your Bridging the Distance group working?<\/li>\n<li>Can you recommend a book, TV program, movie, etc? Why?<\/li>\n<li>If you have extra time, have you found a way to make it satisfying?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>There are many other suggestions \u2013 I\u2019ll share more another time. Please consider offering your thoughts in a mission moment. Contact Jan Huston with questions or to schedule a time. We are getting to know each other in new ways through zoom. Let\u2019s try this way, too!<\/p>\n<h3>Children&#8217;s Time<\/h3>\n<p>(Please read to kids as appropriate)<br \/>\nDid you know that grownups are afraid of things too? Well, we are. Several weeks ago I was in the sanctuary at church, and noticed how lonely it looked all alone. I took a picture of it, and submitted it to the photo show under the theme \u201cThe Women Were Silent\u201d and the title \u201cThe Pews are Silent but God and the Church Are Not.\u201d The picture reminded me that \u201cthe church\u201d isn&#8217;t just the name for the building we meet in, but is also the name for the people who come<br \/>\ntogether to worship God on Sunday, and who seek to live out God&#8217;s love every day.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/image-006-1.jpg\"><br \/>\nIt felt like a good reminder.<br \/>\nBut then, as I was preparing worship, I looked through the pictures from last year&#8217;s photo show and realized I&#8217;d submitted almost the exact same picture last year under the title \u201cI&#8217;m Afraid of This.\u201d (I had entirely forgotten!)<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/image-007.jpg\"><br \/>\nIt seems funny, now. I was afraid of the church being empty last year, and yet this year the empty church is a sign of hope! We aren&#8217;t at the church building because we love each other enough to take care of each other by staying apart.<br \/>\nSo, I&#8217;m learning that the very things we can be afraid of can be OK after all. I hope that&#8217;s true for you too.<br \/>\nWill you pray with me? (Pinkies) God, help us face our fears, and notice when they become blessings! Amen<\/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. You may want to reach out to speak peace to another during this week.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Hymn #88: Maker, In Whom We Live<\/h3>\n<p><em>If you wish to sing along, the sheet music is here: <a href=\"https:\/\/hymnary.org\/hymn\/UMH\/88\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Maker, in Whom We Live<\/a><\/em><br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Maker, in Whom We Live\" width=\"1140\" height=\"855\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/DYSD3uKnSzI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Scripture Reading: John 14:15-21<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"John 14:15-21\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bel1MoYH57Y?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Sermon &#8211; Bishop Deborah Kiesey<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Online Sermon from Bishop Deborah Kiesey with an introduction from Bishop Laurie Haller\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/413136330?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen\" 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 \/>\nThe 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?<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/image-009.jpg\"><br \/>\n\u201cBelieve in the Beauty of Nature,<br \/>\nH.G. Reist Wildlife Sanctuary, Niskayuna\u201d<br \/>\nby Alice Nash.<br \/>\n2019 Photo Show Theme: Believe<\/p>\n<h3>Offertory Anthem<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cSouth African Gloria\u201d by William Bradley Roberts<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"South African Gloria\" width=\"1140\" height=\"855\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/FVukx5XNr9o?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>God of Creation, God who is in all of creation,<br \/>\nWe recommit ourselves to the building of your kindom,<br \/>\nto responding to the needs of your people,<br \/>\nand building a society and world where all can thrive.<br \/>\nThe gifts we offer, we give towards this kindom building,<br \/>\nand we ask that you guide us in the use of them,<br \/>\nthat they may be useful in your work.<br \/>\nAmen<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3>Hymn #384: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling<\/h3>\n<p><em>If you wish to sing along, the sheet music is here: <a href=\"https:\/\/hymnary.org\/hymn\/UMH\/384\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Love Divine, All Loves Excelling<\/a><\/em><br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Love Divine, All Loves Excelling\" width=\"1140\" height=\"855\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dRIFam3lDcQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Benediction<\/h3>\n<p>May the love of God, the peace of Christ, and the compassion of the Spirit be with you now and always. Amen<\/p>\n<h3>Postlude<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cInception\u201d by Jason Krug<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Inception (Handbell 3-5 octaves) - Jason W. Krug\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5TKVCcIKlhU?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\/05\/image-011.jpg\"><br \/>\n\u201cWolf Creek Falls, Knox, NY\u201d by Alice Nash<br \/>\n2019 Photo Show Theme: Yes<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>First United Methodist Church of Schenectady Worship for the Sixth Sunday of Easter May 17, 2020 \u201cFUMC from the Air\u201d &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/2020\/05\/17\/worship-for-the-6th-sunday-of-easter\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Worship for the 6th Sunday of Easter<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1529,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1255],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1531","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\/1531","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=1531"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1531\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1532,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1531\/revisions\/1532"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1529"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1531"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1531"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1531"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}