All are welcome at Asbury First. Please join us in celebrating our 200th Anniversary!
January 17, 2021 • 11 AM
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
Partita on “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light” — John Behnke Theme Cantabile Fantasia
Welcome
Call to Worship Based on Psalm 139
All are invited to read the bold-faced type; the lay reader will read the unbolded type. O Lord, you have searched us and known us. You are acquainted with all of our ways. Before a word is formed on our tongues, you know it. Such knowledge is too wonderful for us; we can scarcely attain it. We praise you that we are awesomely made. We praise you for all your wonderful works.
11 am • January 17, 2021
The community gathers As the community gathers, may the music of the prelude draw your hearts and minds to God.
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Second Sunday after the Epiphany
Opening Hymn
#463 "Lord, Speak to Me" Words: Frances Havergal, 1872; Tune: Canonbury, adapt. from Robert Schuman, 1839 Words: Charles Wesley, 1746; Tune: Darwall’s 148th, John Darwall, 1770
11 am
Scripture I Samuel 3:1-10
Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread. At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. The Lord called again, “Samuel!” Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
To hear the word
Prayer of Confession
Creating God, how deeply you know us. In the mystery of your love, you see who we are and who we might become. You call to us, yet sometimes we hesitate to respond. We hear you, yet we are distracted by many things. Open our hearts to your voice; help us to set aside our doubts. Help us to answer you faithfully and fully.
Silent Confession
Word of Assurance
Hear the Good News: God searches us, knows us, loves us, and forgives us. God’s love shelters us and keeps us safe. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Amen.
Gloria Hymnal #102, Tune: “Now Thank We All Our God”
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
"O Where Can I Go from Your Spirit” — Malcolm Archer; words from Psalm 139 O where can I go from your spirit, and where can I flee from your face? If I climb up to heaven you are there, If I go down to hell you are there also. If I take the winds of the morning and dwell at the sea's furthest end, Even there your hand will guide me, and your right hand will keep me safe. O where can I go from your spirit, and where can I flee from your face?
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
#465 "Holy Spirit, Truth Divine", vv. 1-3 The hymn can be found on the next page.
Sermon
Giving Voice
Call to Prayer
Visit then this soul of mine; pierce the gloom of sin and grief; fill me, radiency divine, scatter all my unbelief; more and more thyself display, shining to the perfect day.
Pastoral Prayer
#465 "Holy Spirit, Truth Divine", vv. 1-3 Words: Samuel Longfellow, 1864; Tune: Canterbury, adapt. from Orlando Gibbons, 1623
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
“The Rain Will Seek the Rivers” — Robert J. Powell; words by Beverly Easterling The rain will seek the rivers, And rivers run to seas, While human hearts will wander Unfulfilled and restlessly. The anxious heart must listen, for the quiet voice That whispers, answers, offers, Calls forth the unforced choice. To grasp the easy burden, God's grace our soul's delight. Oh, run to claim the promise Of everlasting life.
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
God, source of all goodness and life, we bring ourselves and our offerings to you this day. Use our gifts, our talents, and our bodies for your work of peace and justice. Amen.
To Disperse in Mission
Closing Hymn
#672 “God Be With You Till We Meet Again” (vv. 1-2) Words: Jeremiah Rankin, 1880; tune: God Be With You, William Tomer, 1880
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: Rick Church Video Operator: Kenny Bailey Graphics Operator: Jake Schwartz Technology Support Team: Deb Bullock-Smith, Carolyn Curran, Ted Skomsky Technical Consultant: Justin Ocello
Permissions: “O Where Can I Go from Your Spirit” © 2010 St. James Music Press; “The Rain Will Seek the Rivers” © 2014 St. James Music Press; 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.
Benediction
Postlude
Chorale and Variation on “The Old Year Now Hath Passed Away” — J. S. Bach
Virtual meetings
Visit www.asburyfirst.org for a special prayer for our nation.
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.
Click here for Zoom with Paula and Holly
Click here for Discipleship Meetings
Click here for Changing Weighs
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.)
For a full list of events and clickable links, visit our online calendar here.
Click here for parables of Parenting class
Annual Church Conference 2021
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
Building Update
Join us on Sunday, January 24 after the 11 am service on the live stream. For more information, visit www.asburyfirst.org.
We have accomplished a LOT while you've been away! Tune in to the Annual Church Conference on Sunday, January 24 to see some incredible Building Updates with Chuck Hanrahan.