All are welcome at Asbury First. Please join us in celebrating our 200th Anniversary!
January 31, 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
Präludium und Fuga in F minor — Dietrich Buxtehude
Welcome
Call to Worship Based on Psalm 111
All are invited to read the bold-faced type; the lay reader will read the unbolded type. Praise God! Give thanks to God with your whole heart! Great are the works of God, and great are those who delight in God. God is gracious and merciful, ever mindful of the promise of wholeness for all people. God shows us the power of good works. Holy and awesome is God’s name. Let us praise God forever and ever!
Opening Hymn
#108 "God Has Spoken by the Prophets" Words: George W. Briggs, 1952, alt.; Tune: Ebenezer, Thomas J. Williams, 1890
11 am • January 31, 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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Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
11 am
Scripture Mark 1:21-28
(Jesus and his disciples) went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.
To hear the word
Prayer of Confession
God of the ages, we come to you with our heartfelt apologies for the ways we have neglected your presence in our lives. God of grace and mercy, we ask for your forgiveness. God of power and might, we give you our burdens of guilt and shame, and ask that you cleanse us of all that keeps us from you. God of love and light, we give our own selves to you.
Silent Confession
Word of Assurance
Hear the good news: God knows us and loves us. God’s love for us is pure and true. Our love for God is pure and true. 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
"Who Is Jesus” — Anton Bruckner, adapt. Carl Johengen; words by Timothy Dudley-Smith Who is Jesus? Friend of sinners, whom in love the Father gave; born within a borrowed stable; laid within a borrowed grave, Son of God and son of Mary, Son of Man to seek and save. Who is Jesus? Man of sorrows, see his glory all put by; Prince of life and sinners’ ransom stumbles forth to bleed and die; Lamb of God and Love immortal hangs upon the cross on high. Who is Jesus? Risen Savior! to his Father’s throne restored, firstborn of the new creation, sun and star and saints’ reward: Prince of glory, King of ages, Christ the ever-living Lord!
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
#374 "Spirit Song" The hymn can be found on the next page.
Sermon
A New Teaching
Call to Prayer
God be merciful unto us and bless us; and make his face to shine upon us. (Psalm 67:1)
Pastoral Prayer
#347 "Spirit Song" Words and Music: John Wimber, 1979
To Renew Commitment
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 Dan McInerney, Soloist
“Lord of the Dance” — Trad. Shaker melody, arr. Mark Hayes; words by Sydney Carter I danced in the morning when the world was begun, and I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun, and I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth; At Bethlehem I had my birth. Refrain: Dance, then wherever you may be; I am the lord of the dance, said he, And I lead you all, wherever you may be, and I lead you all in the dance, said he. I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee, but they would not dance, and they would not follow me; I danced for the fishermen, for James and John; they came with me, and the dance went on. (Ref.) I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame; The holy people said it was a shame. They whipped and they stripped and they hung me high, and left me there on the cross to die. (Ref.) I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black; it's hard to dance with the devil on your back. They buried my body, they thought I’d gone: But I am the dance and I still go on. (Ref.) They cut me down and and I leap up high; I am the Life that will never, never die; I'll live in you if you’ll live in me: I am the lord of the dance, said he. (Ref.)
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 of our hearts, we freely give to you all you have given to us. Bless the gifts of our hearts, hands and minds, and direct them to where they will do more good. 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. Kathy Thiel Liturgist: Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady 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: “Who Is Jesus” words © 1984 Hope Publishing Company; “Lord of the Dance” words © 1963, arrangement © 2000 Stainer and Bell Ltd.; 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
Präludium und Fuga in G major — Dietrich Buxtehude
Virtual meetings
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
A VIRTUAL TOUR OF OUR SANCTUARY
It has been too long since most of us have stepped into our sanctuary. To help us get ready for our eventual return, we are going to spend the next three weeks touring our sanctuary space. The first week, we will focus on the windows, and talk about why stained glass is such a quintessential stereotype of churches. Whether in person, or online, all are welcome in this space.
Sundays 9:45-10:45 am on Zoom
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
To donate, please visit www.asburyfirst.org/bettertogether and help us Bring It Home!