february 28, 2021 • 11 AM
all are welcome at asbury first
Lent
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

Improvisation on “This Little Light of Mine†— Charles Callahan Improvisation on “We Shall Overcome†— Carl Haywood
Welcome
Call to Worship
Based on Psalms 24, 27, 144
All are invited to read the bold-faced type; the lay reader will read the unbolded type. Lift up your heads, O gates, and be lifted up, ancient doors! Let the King of glory enter in! Who is the King of glory? The Lord who is strong and mighty to save us. Though we may face many obstacles, our hearts need not fear. The Lord is our defender; of whom shall we be afraid? Blessed is our God, who is our mercy and refuge. Blessed is our God, our deliverer and protector.
11 am • February 28, 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 in Lent
Opening Hymn
#127 "Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah"










































Words: William Williams, 1745; Tune: Cwm Rhondda, John Hughes, 1907
11 am
Scripture
Joshua 6:1-5, 15-16
Now Jericho was shut up inside and out because of the Israelites; no one came out and no one went in. The Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have handed Jericho over to you, along with its king and soldiers. You shall march around the city, all the warriors circling the city once. Thus you shall do for six days, with seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, the priests blowing the trumpets. When they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, as soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and all the people shall charge straight ahead.†On the seventh day they rose early, at dawn, and marched around the city in the same manner seven times. It was only on that day that they marched around the city seven times. And at the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, “Shout! For the Lord has given you the city."
To hear the word
Prayer of Confession
God of grace and power, you have told us not to put our trust in princes. Only you are worthy of our trust. Yet we foolishly erect walls to protect ourselves from the things we fear. We isolate ourselves and build barriers to keep others out. Forgive our lack of trust, merciful God. Give us courage to face our struggles unafraid, confident in your love and care.
Silent Confession
Word of Assurance
Hear the Good News: the Lord is our salvation; the Lord will sustain our lives. 
Let us turn again to God who is our stronghold. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Amen.
Gloria Tune: “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silenceâ€
You, creator God, have written your great name on humankind; for our growing in your likeness, bring the life of Christ to mind, that by our response and service, earth its destiny may find.
Anthem
Holden Turner, Guest Soloist
“Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho†— Spiritual, arr. Mark Hayes (Refrain:) Joshua fit the battle of Jericho, Jericho, Jericho, Joshua fit the battle of Jericho and the walls come tumblin' down.
 You may talk about your man of Gideon, you may talk about your man of Saul. There's none like good ol' Joshua at the battle of Jericho. (Ref.)
 Up to the walls of Jericho he marched with a spear in hand. "Go blow them rams' horns", Joshua cried, "cause the battle is in my hand."
 Then the lamb ram sheep horns begin to blow, the trumpets begin to sound. Joshua commanded the children to shout, and the walls come tumblin' down. (Ref.)
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
"How Can I Keep from Singing"

The hymn can be found on the next page.
Sermon
Shout Till the Walls Fall Down
Call to Prayer
Lord, listen to your children praying. Lord, send your Spirit in this place.
Lord, listen to your children praying. Send us love; send us power; send us grace.
Pastoral Prayer
"How Can I Keep from Singing" 











































Words and Music: Robert Lowry, 1869
Introduction 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

“Love Has Broken Down the Wall†— Words and Music by Mark A. Miller
 Love has broken down the wall, love has broken down the wall. Let us join our hearts as one. Love has broken down the wall.
 We’re accepted as we are, we’re accepted as we are. Through love’s power, all is reconciled. We’re accepted as we are.
 Cast aside your doubts and fears, cast aside your doubts and fears. Peace and love, freely offered here; cast aside your doubts and fears.
 We will tear down every wall! We will tear down every wall! Love has called us, one and all. Love has broken down the wall.
Doxology
Tune: "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence"
Unto God be praise and glory: to the Father and the Son, to th’eternal Spirit honor now and evermore be done; praise and glory in the highest, while unending ages run.
Prayer of Dedication
Gracious and loving God, may we never cease to be grateful for the ways you watch over your people. May our gifts be signs of your sustaining love; may our actions bring about change in a hurting world. Amen.
To Renew Commitment
To Disperse in Mission
Closing Hymn
#519 “Lift Every Voice and Sing†(vv. 1-3) 
 










Words: James Weldon Johnson, 1921; Tune: Lift Every Voice, J. Rosamond Johnson, 1921
Participants In the Service
Preacher: Rev. Jacqueline Nelson
Liturgist: Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady
Organist: Duane Prill
Guest Soloist: Holden Turner
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: Connor Nelson
Technology Support Team: Deb Bullock-Smith, Carolyn Curran, Ted Skomsky Technical Consultant: Justin Ocello
Permissions: “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho†© 1998 Alfred Publishing Co., Inc.; “Love Has Broken Down the Wall†© 2014 Choristers Guild. 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, Rob Petrosyan and Freepik and Vecteezy.
Benediction
Postlude
Postlude on “Go Down, Moses/I Want to be Ready†— Charles Callahan
Click here for Discipleship Meetings
challenge
Click here for parables of Parenting class
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.
During this season of Lent, we want to issue a weekly challenge—an action or activity—that the congregation can engage in as part of their Lenten Discipline. The goal is to connect with others and find a way to put the sermon topic into action. Tune into the live stream each week for a new challenge!
Virtual meetings
Click here 
for Changing Weighs
For a full list of events and clickable links, visit our online calendar here.
Click here for Zoom with Paula and Holly
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.)
Sermon: Shout Till the Walls Fall Down
Challenge: Bring down a wall in your life. 
Take the first step toward reconciliation.
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
Now we will work hard to raise the remainder of the $1 million needed to Bring It Home with our UR Well initiative. Visit www.asburyfirst.org/bettertogether to learn more, or click here to watch our new video about the new Outreach Center.
We met our goal, and then some! We raised over $844,000!
To donate, please visit www.asburyfirst.org/bettertogether and help us Bring It Home!
Thank you all for such amazing and continued generosity! 
We truly are Better Together!