{"id":1954,"date":"2021-01-31T03:50:13","date_gmt":"2021-01-31T03:50:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/?p=1954"},"modified":"2021-01-31T03:50:20","modified_gmt":"2021-01-31T03:50:20","slug":"worship-for-fourth-sunday-after-epiphany","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/2021\/01\/31\/worship-for-fourth-sunday-after-epiphany\/","title":{"rendered":"Worship for Fourth Sunday After Epiphany"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1>First United Methodist Church of Schenectady<br \/>\nWorship for Fourth Sunday After Epiphany<\/h1>\n<h2>January 31, 2021<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Page-2-Image-2-1.png\"><br \/>\nPhoto by Zach Long<\/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>\u201cSpeak to us \/ Holy One\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>\u201cLiturgical Improvisation 1 &#8211; My soul hath a desire and longing to enter the courts of the Lord\u201d by George Oldroyd<\/strong><br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Liturgical Improvisation No  1   Oldroyd\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LH3kNkd2HlY?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: May the words of our mouths<br \/>\n<strong>Many: and the meditations of our hearts<\/strong><br \/>\nOne: be acceptable to you, O God,<br \/>\n<strong>Many: our Rock and our Redeemer.<\/strong><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Page-3-Image-3-3.png\"><\/p>\n<h3>Hymn #861: <em>All Creatures of Our God and King<\/em><\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Hymn 62: All Creatures of Our God and King\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/GUR2XigorCo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/hymnary.org\/page\/fetch\/CH1995\/21\/low\"><\/p>\n<h2>Connecting in Prayer<\/h2>\n<h3>Shared Prayer<\/h3>\n<p><strong><br \/>\nHoly One,<br \/>\nWhat a funny time this is.<br \/>\nWe&#8217;re more attuned to nature than ever,<br \/>\nand more dependent on technology than ever as well!<br \/>\nWe see how the sun, or clouds, snow or ice impact our moods.<br \/>\nWe connect through means once unthinkable!<br \/>\nGuide us, Holy One,<br \/>\nyou who can make sense out of everything!<br \/>\nHelp us savor the wonder of nature,<br \/>\nand the gifts of technology,<br \/>\nwithout being drowned in any of it.<br \/>\nAmen<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3>Silent Prayer<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Page-4-Image-4-2.png\"><\/p>\n<h3>Pastoral Prayer<\/h3>\n<p><em>You are welcome to read this out-loud or silently.<\/em><br \/>\nHoly One,<br \/>\nYou are the source of holy rest, the one we<br \/>\ncan trust to be with us,<br \/>\nthe one we can trust to love us as we are.<br \/>\nWe do not have to prove ourselves to you.<br \/>\nYou see us for who we are,<br \/>\nand love us for who we are.<br \/>\nYou love us into being and into wholeness,<br \/>\nindividually and collectively.<br \/>\nWe seek to be expressions of the wonder of<br \/>\nyour love in the world.<br \/>\nWe seek to be sources of healing and hope.<br \/>\nIn this time of prayer we bring to you all those who are aching, hurting, ill, injured, and heartbroken. We ask that your love, peace, and comfort be felt by those in need of it, and that you guide us to find the ways to share your love, peace, and comfort too.<br \/>\nIn this time of prayer, we also name the wonders of life: sunshine, broken glass ceilings, healing, community, music, the saints, and what happens in \u201cordinary lives\u201d when people are given a chance. We thank you for all the ways you are present in the world, all the ways you mold the world, and for your love that is the foundation of all that is. We savor the gifts you give.<br \/>\nSome of the changes in the past year have been horrid, some exhausting, some heartbreaking, and a few have been good. Help us take lessons from  this time, for the rest of our time. May we glean wisdom from what we miss most, and glean wisdom from the places we&#8217;ve found relief.<br \/>\nHoly One, we need you. Guide us. Show us the way.<br \/>\nAmen<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Page-5-Image-5-2.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>Ubi Caritas<\/em> by Michael John Trotta<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Ubi Caritas  - Michael John Trotta -  composer\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-IWU5pJdjVI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><br \/>\nWhere charity and love are, God is there.<br \/>\nChrist&#8217;s love has gathered us into one.<br \/>\nLet us rejoice and be pleased in Him.<br \/>\nLet us fear, and let us love the living God.<br \/>\nAnd may we love each other with a sincere heart.<\/p>\n<h3>Scripture: Deuteronomy 18:15-20<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Deuteronomy 18:15-20\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ELXgWDN4lRI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Mission Moment &#8211; Virgia Phoenix<\/h3>\n<p><strong>National Freedom Day<\/strong><br \/>\nThe last four years were such contentious ones in which constitutional challenges proliferated more than no other we have experienced in our lifetimes. This is a time to give attention to the commemoration of National Freedom Day, which falls on February 1. National Freedom Day was established 84 years after the passing of the Thirteenth Amendment. This is the amendment that abolished slavery. In 1949, President Harry S. Truman signed a proclamation making it an official celebration day. The proclamation states: \u201cNow therefore, I, Harry S. Truman, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate February 1, 1949, and each succeeding February 1 as National Freedom Day, and I call upon the people of the United States to pause on that solemn contemplation of the glorious blessings which we humbly and thankfully enjoy.\u201d<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Page-6-Image-6-3.png\"><br \/>\nEven though National Freedom Day is not celebrated or well-known across the nation as a holiday, there is always a wreath lying at the Liberty Bell. When celebrated by cities and towns there are festivals, proclamations, breakfasts, luncheons, Bar B Qs, book readings, musicals, movies, poster making, forums exploring the meaning of freedom and fireworks.<br \/>\nIt is appropriate that National Freedom Day occurs at the beginning of Black History Month. It serves as an opportunity to explore the abolition of slavery but also the entire spectrum of the lives, strivings, accomplishments and experiences of a people previously held in bondage.<br \/>\nNational Freedom Day is listed on some calendars and especially on the National Day calendar.<\/p>\n<h3>Children&#8217;s Time<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Children&#039;s Time 1 31 21\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/baYxT2S0Ao0?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><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Page-6-Image-4.png\"><\/p>\n<h3>Hymn #265: O Christ, the Healer<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Hymn 265: O Christ, the Healer\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8kwtdrw-CeE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/hymnary.org\/hymn\/RS2016\/page\/1460\"><\/p>\n<h3>Scripture Reading &#8211; Mark 1:21-28<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Mark 1:21-28\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/kCNBcUXDNUE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Sermon: &#8220;Why Do We (the church) Exist?&#8221; by Rev. Sara Baron<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"&quot;Why Do We (the church) Exist?&quot;\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/VkNPFLDwJXg?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: Couldn\u2019t Hear Nobody Pray<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Lord, I Couldn&#039;t Hear Nobody Pray\" width=\"1140\" height=\"855\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/35yypSXVzRs?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>Holy One,<br \/>\nWith all that we offer in the world, we seek to be expressions of your love.<br \/>\nMay all that we give be blessed to be your blessings in the world.<br \/>\nAmen<\/p>\n<h3>Hymn #2177: Wounded World That Cries for Healing<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Hymn 2177: Wounded World that Cries for Healing\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/IExsRE9gwBI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/hymnary.org\/flexscore\/FWS\/2177\/Accompaniment.png\"><\/p>\n<h3>Benediction<\/h3>\n<p>May God guide you this week, that the words of your mouth and the meditations of your heart may be sources of love and grace. Amen<\/p>\n<h3>Postlude<\/h3>\n<p>&#8220;Chromatic Fugue&#8221; by Johann Pachelbel<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Chromatic Fugue  -  Johann  Pachelbel\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ltEtScETDXQ?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\/2021\/01\/Page-8-Image-8-1.png\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>First United Methodist Church of Schenectady Worship for Fourth Sunday After Epiphany January 31, 2021 Photo by Zach Long Getting &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/2021\/01\/31\/worship-for-fourth-sunday-after-epiphany\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Worship for Fourth Sunday After Epiphany<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1953,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1255],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1954","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\/1954","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=1954"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1954\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1956,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1954\/revisions\/1956"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1953"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1954"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1954"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1954"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}