January 10, 2021 • 11 AM
All are welcome at Asbury First. Please join us in celebrating our 200th Anniversary!
FIRST TIME HERE We are so glad you are joining us! If you’re out there watching, check in through the website or take a picture and post it on social media using #asburyfirstathome. Our hope is to get 
to know you better and help you find your place within our community. Additionally, drop us an email at info@asburyfirst.org and we will answer any questions you may have. Need prayer? We invite you to share with us how we can be praying for you by emailing prayers@asburyfirst.org. All prayer requests are prayed over by our Ministers and Intercessory 
Prayer Group. Children We believe children are a sacred gift. You can join us at 10 am for the Sunday morning Zoom with Paula and Holly (us02web.zoom.us/j/86857108916?pwd=aHF4TEppZERJSXZoZm
FxUHgrQ1hjdz09). We will have a segment during our live stream for Children’s Time. If there is a way our children’s ministry can be more welcoming to you and your child, please contact Paula Dugan at pdugan@asburyfirst.org. RECONCILING STATEMENT We are a reconciling congregation and seek to be a fully inclusive church, believing that all people are God’s children. We encourage full participation in our community for all, regardless of age, race, origin, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, family structure, education/economic background, and physical/mental ability. We recognize that we hold a variety of opinions. We do not seek to erase our differences, but to journey together in faith toward greater understanding and mutual respect. We believe that reconciliation to God and to one another is central to our mission and ministry. GIVE TO ASBURY FIRST There are three ways to make a gift to Asbury First. Each gift supports the everyday ministries and operations of this church, allowing us to live into our vision to Do More Good. Cash/Check—We welcome you to send a gift of cash/check in the mail. Text to Give—You may give a gift with a debit/credit card by texting the dollar amount to 206-222-1050. Online—Online giving is available on our website at www.asburyfirst.org/give. Watch and listen Tune into the live video stream of the 11 am service at www.asburyfirst.org/worship/live. To listen to the service tune into WRFZ 106.3 FM Rochester Free Radio, or call our toll-free number at 833-829-1050. A video archive of past services is also available at www.asburyfirst.org/worship/video-archive. You can also view all sermons on our YouTube channel.
Prelude

Fugue in D Minor ("Dorian"), BWV 538 — J. S. Bach

Welcome
Call to Worship

All are invited to read the bold-faced type; the lay reader will read the unbolded type. Created in God’s loving image, we gather as the children of God. Beloved by Christ, who loves us well, we gather as the beloved body of Christ. Blessed by the Spirit of God, we gather in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Baptism of the Lord
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11 am • January 10, 2021
The community gathers As the community gathers, may the music of the prelude draw your hearts and minds to God.
Opening Hymn
#608 "This Is the Spirit's Entry Now"





























Words: Thomas Herbranson, 1972; Tune: Azmon, Carl Glazer, arr. Lowell Mason, 1839
 







Words: Charles Wesley, 1746; Tune: Darwall’s 148th, John Darwall, 1770
11 am
Scripture
Mark 1:4-11
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.†In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.â€
To hear the word
Prayer of 
Confession
Beloved God, who calls us together in love, even as we rejoice in your love, we ask that you strengthen our love for one another. Embolden us to love our adversaries and be kind to those who wrong us. Cover us with your amazing grace, that we might love ourselves, despite all of our misgivings, self-doubts, and wrongdoings. Guide us to live in your mercy, that we may remember our baptismal call, and live as those who are chosen and beloved.
Silent Confession
Word of Assurance
Hear the Good News: You are God’s beloved— chosen by God to love one another as you have been loved. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Amen.
Gloria Hymnal #102, Tune: “Now Thank We All Our Godâ€
All glory be to God, all praise and thanks be given; Whose Son and Spirit reign as one in highest Heaven; Our one eternal God, whom earth and heaven adore; For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore. 

Anthem
"Like a Dove†— John Purifoy
 Behold the Lamb of God who takes our sins away. “After me will come a man whose sandals I’m not worthy even to untie.†And then Jesus came; when from the water he arose, Behold, the heavens opened up, he saw the hand of God descending from on high.
 (Refrain:) Like a dove the Spirit came to him; like a dove, and it remained with him. From above a voice cried: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I’m well pleased.†
Prepare ye the way, the way of the Lord, And every valley shall be filled, each mountain and each hill will be brought low. The crooked shall be straight, the rough ways be made smooth. He on whom you see the Spirit descend, this shall be the Son of God. (Refrain)
Children’s Time
Children of all ages are invited to join us in this special moment.
Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, 
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. 
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. 
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Hymn
#605 "Wash, O God, Our Sons and Daughters", vv. 1, 3

The hymn can be found on the next page.
Sermon
Transfer of Power
Choral Response
Renewing Spirit, hear our praise for your baptismal power
that washes us through all our days, Lord, cleanse again this hour.
#605 "Wash, O God, Our Sons and Daughters", vv. 1, 3








































Words: Ruth Duck, 1987; Tune: Beach Spring, attr. B. F. White, 1844


Covenant Renewal
Commit yourselves to Christ as his servants… ….Let us therefore go to Christ, and pray: Let me be your servant, under your guidance. I will work to offer myself up to your will of love in all things. Be satisfied that Christ’s will is that we love as God first loved us. Lord, help me live according to your will. I put myself in your hands: put me to doing, put me to suffering, let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you, let me be full, let me be empty, let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and with a willing heart offer myself. 
Christ is the Savior of all God’s children… …open your hearts to the Lord as we pray: I welcome Christ as the living Way, and sincerely join myself in a covenant with him, acknowledging my own brokenness: hungry, sinful, blind and naked, unworthy even to wash the feet of his servants. I acknowledge my own unworthiness and praise God for loving me in spite of it. I acknowledge my own limited understanding and pray that I might take Christ as my wisdom. I acknowledge my own imperfect will and pray that I might take God’s perfect will of love as my guide. I do here covenant with you, O Christ, to take my lot with you as it may fall. Through your grace I promise that neither life nor death shall part me from you. Amen.
Renewal of Baptism
Living God, we receive this water in the sure knowledge that you claim us as your beloved children. Continue to provide your living water to our thirsty souls. Renew in us the desire to serve you in all that we do and all that we say. May our lives always bear witness to your unending love.
Invitation to 
Discipleship, Membership, and Commitment
Our Creative God endows us with the gifts of time, talent, and treasure. Within this bulletin you will find invitations to enrich your faith journey and enhance your commitment. We invite you to prayerfully consider these opportunities. If you’re out there watching, check in through the website or take a picture and post it on social media using #asburyfirstathome. You may give a gift with a debit/credit card or by e-check by texting the dollar amount to 206-222-1050. Online giving is available 
on our website at www.asburyfirst.org/give.

Offertory
Brenda Nitsch, Soloist
“At the River†— Robert Lowry, 1864, arr. Aaron Copland
 Shall we gather at the river, where bright angel feet have trod, with its crystal tide forever flowing by the throne of God?
 (Refrain:) Yes, we'll gather at the river, the beautiful, the beautiful river; gather with the saints at the river that flows by the throne of God.
 Soon we'll reach the shining river, soon our pilgrimage will cease; soon our happy hearts will quiver with the melody of peace. (Refrain)
Doxology
Hymnal #95
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication
May these gifts be offerings of love and grace, bringing the glory of your love, and the strength of your grace, to those who need them most. Amen.
Permissions: ““Like a Dove†© 1983 Purifoy Publishing Co., © 1995 Lorenz Publishing Co.; “At the River†© 1954 The Aaron Copland Fund for Music, Inc. Hymns © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; OneLicense.net #A-721053. Some of the liturgical elements have been adapted from the 2021 Abingdon Worship Annual. Illustration Credits: Designed by Sarah Brubaker and Freepik, and Sarah Brubaker and Vecteezy.
To Disperse in Mission
Closing Hymn
#431 “Let There Be Peace on Earthâ€â€¨Words and Music: Sy Miller and Jill Jackson, 1955; Tune: World Peace 
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me; Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be. With God our creator, children all are we; Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony. 
Let peace begin with me; let this be the moment now. With every step I take let this be my solemn vow: To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally. Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me
Benediction
Postlude
Toccata in D Minor ("Dorian"), BWV 538 — J. S. Bach

Participants In the Service
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady
Liturgist: Rev. Kathy Thiel
Director of Children's Ministry: Paula Dugan
Organist: Duane Prill
Soloists: Bess Phillips, Brenda Nitsch Dan McInerney, Jordan Bachmann Director of Music Ministry: Dr. Carl Johengen Audio Operator: Jake Schwartz
Video Operator: Kenny Bailey
Graphics Operators: Connor Nelson
Technology Support Team: Deb Bullock-Smith, Carolyn Curran, Ted Skomsky Technical Consultant: Justin Ocello
DISCOVERING SCRIPTURE TOGETHER
Click here for parables of Parenting class
Bicentennial Bible Challenge
Click here 
for Changing Weighs
HOW TO JOIN A ZOOM MEETING Click the button above for your meeting. When you open the link, you should get some pop-ups asking questions like: 1. Do you want to open and run the program Zoom? 2. Do you want to connect with your computer audio? 3. Do you want to connect with your computer video?
 Click yes to any and all of these prompts. Once you have clicked through these prompts, you should be able to see yourself on your computer screen, and you should be able to see the rest of the group that is also logged on.
 If any group would like to utilize our Discipleship Zoom (passcode 200) account to take their meetings online, please contact Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org.
It was a very different year, to say the least, but we hope you enjoyed the Bicentennial Bible Challenge! Congratulations to all who participated for completely reading the Bible in 2020 to help 
celebrate our 200th Anniversary. We are truly, Better Together!
Check out our online Zoom meetings! There are plenty of different groups and meetings to join during the stay-at-home restrictions. From Zoom with Miss Paula and Holly to Guided Meditations, or Dynamic Disciple Challenge meetings and Sunday morning lessons, there is plenty of variety. (Click the buttons below for some of the Zoom links.)
Virtual meetings
Click here for Zoom with Paula and Holly
Click here for Discipleship Meetings
CONGRATULATIONS!!
For a full list of events and clickable links, visit our online calendar here.
Give Online at www.asburyfirst.org/GIVE, text to give at 206-222-1050, 
OR MAIL IN YOUR CHECKS TO 1050 EAST AVENUE, ROCHESTER, NY 14607
Annual Church Conference 2021
Join us on Sunday, January 24 after the 11 am service 
on the live stream. 
For more information, 
visit www.asburyfirst.org.
Visit www.asburyfirst.org for a special prayer for our nation.