{"id":2195,"date":"2021-05-14T21:12:22","date_gmt":"2021-05-14T21:12:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/?p=2195"},"modified":"2021-05-14T21:12:30","modified_gmt":"2021-05-14T21:12:30","slug":"worship-for-the-seventh-sunday-of-easter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/2021\/05\/14\/worship-for-the-seventh-sunday-of-easter\/","title":{"rendered":"Worship for the Seventh Sunday of Easter"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1>First United Methodist Church of Schenectady<br \/>\nWorship for the Seventh Sunday of Easter<\/h1>\n<h2>May 16, 2021<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Page-2-Image-2-1.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>\u201cGod of then and now, help us be present\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>\u201cLiebster Jesus, wir sind hier (Blessed Jesus, we are here)\u201d by Charles Callahan<\/strong><br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier - J.S. Bach\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/SrKMng_juvw?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: We seek.<br \/>\n<strong>Many: We seek peace.<\/strong><br \/>\nOne: We seek.<br \/>\n<strong>Many: We seek wholeness.<\/strong><br \/>\nOne: We seek.<br \/>\n<strong>Many: We seek hope.<\/strong><br \/>\nOne: We seek.<br \/>\n<strong>Many: We seek the Divine.<\/strong><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Page-3-Image-3-1.png\"><\/p>\n<h3>Hymn #496: <em>Sweet Hour of Prayer<\/em><\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Hymn 496: Sweet Hour of Prayer\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/CsYnpRltjnU?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\/ToPr2011\/page\/741\"><\/p>\n<h2>Connecting in Prayer<\/h2>\n<h3>Shared Prayer<\/h3>\n<p><strong><br \/>\nGod of All Time,<br \/>\nYou are with us now, as you were in the past, as you will be in the future.<br \/>\nYou are our North Star, our guiding light, our map, and our compass.<br \/>\nOn you we can depend.<br \/>\nWhen we find ourselves lost in memories of the past, you are with us,<br \/>\nand can guide us home.<br \/>\nWhen we find ourselves lost in worries for the future, you are with us,<br \/>\nand can guide us home.<br \/>\nWherever we are, wherever we go, you are with us.<br \/>\nAs you call us into the present now,<br \/>\nmay we open our hearts to receive and give your good gifts.<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\/05\/Page-4-Image-4-1.png\"><\/p>\n<h3>Pastoral Prayer<\/h3>\n<p><em><br \/>\nEternal One,<br \/>\nWe&#8217;ve lived in weird time warps for a long time now.<br \/>\nTime hasn&#8217;t been behaving,<br \/>\nand the regular rhythms of life that we depend on have been disrupted.<br \/>\nFor some, more possibilities are emerging again,<br \/>\nand it is time to decide what to bring back,<br \/>\nto answer the question \u201cwhat matters.\u201d<br \/>\nFor others, long waits remain before change is possible,<br \/>\nand this limbo retains its power.<br \/>\nThere is some unexpected sadness in it all.<br \/>\nEven as the world reawakens,<br \/>\nit does not return to what it once was.<br \/>\nMany we loved are no longer with us.<br \/>\nMuch of what we valued has changed<br \/>\nand will not ever look the same.<br \/>\nBe with us Holy One,<br \/>\nand help us,<br \/>\nas we face the present and the future.<br \/>\nGive us courage to meet what is with love,<br \/>\nand to make space for our own sadness and grief.<br \/>\nAmen<br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>The Lord&#8217;s Prayer<\/h3>\n<blockquote><p><strong>Our Father (Creator) 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<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Page-4-Image-4.png\"><\/p>\n<h2>Word and Reflection<\/h2>\n<h3>Choir Anthem<\/h3>\n<p><em>Behold, How Good<\/em> by Michael John Trotta<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Behold, How Good (Michael John Trotta)\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/kVj7X2Qk-Ek?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Scripture: Psalm 1<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Psalm 1\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vLMbih4QAYM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Mission Moment &#8211; Rev. Bob Long<\/h3>\n<p><strong>United Methodist Economic Ministries, Salem, Maine<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cLuv that place n people that work there\u201d \u2026 \u201cFriendly people, great quality, great<br \/>\nprices.\u201d So evaluate two shoppers. And a volunteer says: \u201cI love being able to call<br \/>\nthese folks family. I am one of the lucky team players at U.M.E.M. We serve a lot of<br \/>\nfamilies and it is truly a blessing to be a part of this experience in life&#8217;s journey.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Faith, love, justice and compassion lived with joy.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Page-5-Image-5-1.png\"><br \/>\n<strong>The Mission:<\/strong> The United Methodist Economic Ministry in Salem, Maine, exists to be in partnership with rural communities in western Maine to create healthy, sustainable communities within the region. In response to God\u2019s call in Christ to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, and care for the homeless (Matthew 25:35-37), the UMEM seeks to promote social justice and provide material, educational, and spiritual support as first steps toward self-sufficiency in this region of severe economic challenge.<br \/>\n<strong>The Story:<\/strong> In 1969, the Rev. Charles Reid was assigned to two small, rural churches near Salem, Maine. There he witnessed the need of the hard-working people in the area. Many struggled economically; poverty and the people in its grip were apparent. Although the residents of the community were strong and hardy, many families struggled to meet basic, daily needs like food, clothing, and adequate shelter. With the assistance of their churches and other local congregations, Rev. Reid and his wife Norma moved a building to the current site the Salem UMEM and began a thrift shop, which offered good, used clothes at affordable prices. Norma Reid stocked the accompanying Food Cupboard with items from her own pantry.<br \/>\n<strong>Prom Shop:<\/strong> provides gowns and dress suits with quick alterations so outfits really fit and a memorable prom becomes an affordable event. Christmas Shop \u2013 where parents get a voucher allowing them to \u201cshop\u201d in privacy for their children&#8217;s gifts.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Page-6-Image-6-1.png\"><br \/>\n<strong>Fuel bank:<\/strong> where a few gallons of heating oil or dry wood is offered.<br \/>\n<strong>Food pantry:<\/strong> where embarrassed users are assured that they have come to the right place. The important thing is providing the resources for the family with a warm and affectionate welcome.<br \/>\nIn the early 1970&#8217;s, summer mission teams began working the ministry during the warm Maine summers to help local families stay safer, warmer, and drier during the harsh Maine winters. The UMEM&#8217;s outreach has expanded over the years to include new locations: the Solon Thrift Shop and Food Cupboard in the fall of 1995 and the Howland Thrift Shop which<br \/>\nstarted serving its neighbors in 2017. Since its inception nearly 50 years ago, the UMEM has continued to provide first-step support for residents of western Maine to promote self-sufficiency as a means to break cycles of poverty. The core of their services continues to be the Food Cupboards, Thrift Shops, and Summer Mission Teams. The scope and nature of outreach continues to evolve to meet the needs within their communities. UMEM strives to create healthy, sustainable communities through respect for and day-to-day connection with the people they serve!<br \/>\n<strong>Those who make it work:<\/strong> The Ministry is guided by a compassionate, skilled and engaging Executive Director, Rev. Michele St. Cyr, and six equally passionate and devoted staff who oversee the extensively used Food Cupboard, two Thrift Shops, maintaining of all facilities, coordination of Summer Ministries, emergency assistance to families in the area, seasonal assistance at specific times of the year, and all financial matters for these outreach offerings. The staff is enhanced by many reliable and compassionate volunteers.  Salem Economic Ministries also partners with The United Way of Tri-Valley, Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine, The Salvation Army, United Methodist Volunteers in Mission and the Brunswick UMC.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Page-6-Image-7.png\"><br \/>\nFor years, The Rev. Arthur Hagy led teams from former Troy Conference on summer VIM work weeks at Salem. Their contributions were substantial to the ongoing work there. Funds are now being gathered for renovation of the Bunk House, which when completed this summer will be named for Rev. Hagy.<\/p>\n<h3>Children&#8217;s Time<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Children&#039;s Time\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_X8gLj9r8-Q?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><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Page-7-Image-9.png\"><br \/>\n<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 #2004: Praise the Source of Faith and Learning<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Hymn 2004: Praise the Source of Faith and Learning\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/AqIMXSQkdT0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Scripture Reading &#8211; John 17:6-19<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"John 17:6-19\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Z0RkLO3nq2o?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Sermon: \u201cLike Trees Planted by Streams of Water\u201d by Rev. Sara E. Baron<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Like Trees Planted by Streams of Water\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Aj07hcQBrs4?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: \u201cSouth African Gloria\u201d by William Bradley Roberts<\/h3>\n<p><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; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Prayer of Presentation<\/h3>\n<p>God of All Time,<br \/>\nWith the gifts of our lives and our resources, we seek to build your kindom. Bless all that we offer with wisdom and abundance to be used well. Amen<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Page-7-Image-8.png\"><\/p>\n<h3>Hymn #560: Help Us Accept Each Other<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Hymn 560: Help Us Accept Each Other\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/1MiF_XwhO0A?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\/GG2013\/754\/Accompaniment.png\"><\/p>\n<h3>Benediction<\/h3>\n<p>May God who is always with you, hold you in the grief you hold now, and may you find yourself able to trust God even in the grief that will come. Amen<\/p>\n<h3>Postlude<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cProcessional Voluntary in C\u201d by David Lasky<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Processional Voluntary in C Major - David Lasky\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/F3KTDXwqJdg?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\/05\/Page-8-Image-10.png\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>First United Methodist Church of Schenectady Worship for the Seventh Sunday of Easter May 16, 2021 Photo by Sue Learner &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/2021\/05\/14\/worship-for-the-seventh-sunday-of-easter\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Worship for the Seventh Sunday of Easter<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2194,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1255],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2195","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\/2195","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=2195"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2195\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2197,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2195\/revisions\/2197"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2194"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2195"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2195"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2195"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}