{"id":1856,"date":"2020-11-29T03:43:47","date_gmt":"2020-11-29T03:43:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/?p=1856"},"modified":"2020-11-29T03:43:53","modified_gmt":"2020-11-29T03:43:53","slug":"worship-for-the-first-sunday-of-advent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/2020\/11\/29\/worship-for-the-first-sunday-of-advent\/","title":{"rendered":"Worship for the First Sunday of Advent"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1>First United Methodist Church of Schenectady<br \/>\nWorship for the First Sunday of Advent<\/h1>\n<h2>November 29, 2020<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Page-2-Image-2-3.png\"><br \/>\nPhoto by Sue Learner<\/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>\u201cLiving Hope, live in me.\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>\u201cWachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme\u201d (Wake, Awake for Night is Flying) by Johannes Sebastian Bach<\/strong><br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Wachet Auf - Bach\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-PjUxbWralA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Call to Worship<\/h3>\n<p>One: As we enter into this holy season of Advent,<br \/>\nbreathe deeply.<br \/>\n<strong>Many: We are ready for this season of waiting and hoping.<\/strong><br \/>\nOne: As we enter into this holy season of Advent, be alert.<br \/>\n<strong>Many: God is with us, and we will pay attention to see God at work.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3>Hymn #202: <em>People Look East<\/em><\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"People Look East\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2kqoIf-OzzQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Lighting of the Advent Wreath<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Advent 1 Wreath Lighting\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/eY6bSDj2PAI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Page-3-Image-3-4.png\"><br \/>\nPhoto by Alice Nash<\/p>\n<h2>Connecting in Prayer<\/h2>\n<h3>Shared Prayer<\/h3>\n<p><strong><br \/>\nLiving Hope,<br \/>\nBreathe into us, again, the breath of life.<br \/>\nBreathe into us, again, the breath of hope.<br \/>\nMay this Advent season of waiting and hoping,<br \/>\nbe a source of life for us,<br \/>\nand for the world.<br \/>\nAmen<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3>Silent Prayer<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Page-4-Image-4-4.png\"><br \/>\nPhoto by Sue Learner<\/p>\n<h3>Pastoral Prayer<\/h3>\n<p><em>You are welcome to read this out-loud or silently.<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\nLiving Hope,<br \/>\nThe exiles sitting by the rivers of Babylon yearned for You to act, to change their reality, to bring justice, and to heal them. So do we.<br \/>\nThe ancient Judeans, paying tribute to empire after empire, yearned for Your Kingdom to come again, a place of abundant life and security. So do we.<br \/>\nYour prophets of old named the yearning for Your presence to be felt at hand, to shake things up and shake things out, to mold the people into the community you wanted them to be. So do we.<br \/>\nThe early Christians lived in fear and frustration, but also in trust and hope, knowing that you were with them, urging each other to take note of your awe-inspiring grace. So do we.<br \/>\nAs we join our hearts with your peoples of many times and places, we yearn, we wait, and we hope.<br \/>\nAs we join our hearts together, we keep on learning how to trust you more.<br \/>\nAmen<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Page-5-Image-5-3.png\"><\/p>\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>A Stable Lamp is Lighted<\/em> by David Hurd<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Georgia Boy Choir - A Stable Lamp Is Lighted\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/w6Z25glv5ow?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-9<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Isaiah 64:1-9\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/HsjlV0SDdV4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Mission Moment &#8211; Jan Huston<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Alternative Giving \u2013 Sustain Ministry Program<\/strong><br \/>\nFUMC\u2019s Sustain Ministry is a program we are suggesting for alternative giving. This program began many years ago when visitors to the church were stealing toilet paper from the rest rooms. Toilet paper and other hygiene items are not covered by food stamps and some people needed other ways to obtain them. In response, Bill and Donna Price put an attractive basket by the back door of the church and filled it with toilet paper. They included cards encouraging people to take a roll if they needed it. The cards reminded the recipients that God loved them.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Page-5-Image-5-4.png\"><br \/>\nThe program has grown to where we now have 300 families registered to receive basic supplies of toilet paper, soap, diapers, and tissues each month. Other hygiene items are sometimes included as the supplies are purchased from the Regional Food Bank for 16 cents\/ pound. If the food bank has a surplus of other items, we receive and distribute them, too.<br \/>\nOur program has been on \u201cpause\u201d during the pandemic, but we have continued to obtain supplies from the food bank. FUMC volunteers have been giving the supplies to other community programs for distribution until we are able to open our building for this service again.<br \/>\nThis important Schenectady program is partially supported by our church benevolence budget, but additional donations are needed. You can give by sending a check made out to the church with \u201cSustain\u201d in the notation. Or you can go to the church\u2019s website and give online. If you want to give a gift to Sustain in<br \/>\nsomeone\u2019s honor at Christmas, attractive cards are available at church that you<br \/>\ncan give to the honoree. Contact Linda to get cards recognizing your gifts.<\/p>\n<h3>Children&#8217;s Time<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Advent 1 Children&#039;s Time\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/D4hgc1wgDG0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Passing of 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 #210: All Earth is Waiting (Toda la Tierra)<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"All Earth is Waiting\" width=\"1140\" height=\"855\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/baAS2Tfad2s?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><br \/>\nIn Spanish:<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Toda la tierra espera\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fRTqWDzEF3A?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Scripture Reading &#8211; Mark 13:24-37<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Mark 13:24-37\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/a2m5t4TB1OQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Sermon &#8211; Rev. Sara Baron<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"God, Hope, and Fear\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/NRpbSSsfgbg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>Responding<\/h2>\n<h3>Offering<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Page-7-Image-8.png\"><br \/>\nPhoto by Alice Nash<br \/>\nIf 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?<\/p>\n<h3>Offertory Anthem: Prepare the Royal Highway by Timothy Shaw<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Prepare the Royal Highway - Timothy Shaw\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4SGs_aui884?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Prayer of Presentation<\/h3>\n<p>God of Hope,<br \/>\nYou have brought us this far,<br \/>\nand we trust you will be with us for the rest of our journey.<br \/>\nThe gifts we offer to you of our time, our talents, and our treasures,<br \/>\naim to make it possible for others to survive this journey as well.<br \/>\nMay they be blessed to be a blessing.<br \/>\nAmen<\/p>\n<h3>Hymn #204: Emmanuel, Emmanuel<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Emmanuel\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/MH8hn4yPES4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><br \/>\nEmmanuel, Emmanuel, his name is called Emmanuel.<br \/>\nGod with us, revealed in us, his name is called Emmanuel.<\/p>\n<h3>Benediction<\/h3>\n<p>God who is Living Hope is stronger than any fear,<br \/>\nmay you make space to let God create healing in you. Amen<\/p>\n<h3>Postlude<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cWake, Awake for Night is Flying\u201d by Paul Manz<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Wake, Awake For Night is Flying - Paul Manz\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dCAM6aoZiFs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Page-7-Image-7.png\"><br \/>\nPhoto by Sue Learner<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>First United Methodist Church of Schenectady Worship for the First Sunday of Advent November 29, 2020 Photo by Sue Learner &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/2020\/11\/29\/worship-for-the-first-sunday-of-advent\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Worship for the First Sunday of Advent<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1851,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1255],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1856","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\/1856","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=1856"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1856\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1857,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1856\/revisions\/1857"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1851"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1856"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1856"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1856"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}