March 7, 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
Prelude in C Minor, BWV 546 — J.S. Bach
Welcome
Call to Worship Based on Psalm 19
All are invited to read the bold-faced type; the lay reader will read the unbolded type. Come into this sacred space to worship God — whose teaching is perfect; whose directions are sure. Come into this holy place to worship God — whose commandment is clear; whose judgments are true. Come with holy fear, to be given life, to be made wise — to have your heart stirred and your eyes opened wide. Come, let us worship God! Let our words and meditations be pleasing in God’s sight.
11 am • March 7, 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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Third Sunday in Lent
Opening Hymn
#559 "Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation", vv 1-3 Words: 7th cent., trans. John Mason Neale, 1851; Tune: Westminster Abbey, Henry Purcell, c. 1680
11 am
Scripture John 2:13-22
The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
To hear the word
Prayer of Confession Based on Psalm 19
O God, your glory is declared in the holy silence of the heavens, and told in the silent succession of day and night. The sun joyfully leaps across the sky, and nothing is hidden from its heat or light. So nothing that we do or say or whisper in our hearts is hidden from you, Lord God. Bring us forth from the dark corners where we try to hide from you. Let our lives be radiant with holy fear, delighting in your teaching, receiving insight from your commandments and wisdom from your encouraging.
Silent Confession
Word of Assurance
Hear the Good News: God’s justice is perfect, and refreshes all souls that return to God in love and reverence. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Amen.
Gloria Tune: “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”
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
“Jesus, Clear the Temple” — Words and Music by Pepper Choplin Jesus clear the temple, come and make it clean and bare. Purge the needless clutter, make this place a house of prayer. Cast out all distractions that would take our eyes from You. Jesus clear the temple, make our worship true. Jesus clear the temple, chase away our prayerless pride. Strip away pretenses, places where our sin can hide. Scour every corner where temptation draws us in. Jesus clear the temple, make us clean again. Drive out self ambition, cast out petty things. Break down the divisions and the conflict that they bring. Overturn the tables of our selfishness and greed. Break our hearts to minister to those in need. Jesus clear the temple, let Your Spirit fill this place. Immerse us in Your power, transform us by Your wondrous grace. Let this place be sacred, where your healing may be found. Jesus clear the temple, make this holy ground.
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
#427 "Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life", vv. 1,2,5,6 Words: Frank Mason North, 1903; Tune: Germany, William Gardiner’s “Sacred Melodies”, 1815
Sermon
Turning the Tables
Call to Prayer
Gracious Lord, thyself impart! Light of light, from God proceeding, Open thou our ears and heart; help us by thy Spirit’s pleading; Hear the cry thy people raises; hear and bless our prayers and praises.
Pastoral Prayer
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 Bess Phillips & Dan McInerney, Soloists
“God the Sculptor of the Mountains” Words: John Thornburg; Music: Harold Friedell God the sculptor of the mountains, God the miller of the sand, God the jeweler of the heavens, God the potter of the land: You are womb of all creation, we are formless; shape us now. God the nuisance to the Pharaoh, God the cleaver of the sea, God the pillar in the darkness, God the beacon of the free: You are fount of all deliverance, we are sightless; lead us now. God the unexpected infant, God the calm, determined youth, God the table-turning prophet, God the resurrected truth: You are present every moment, we are searching; meet us now.
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
God of justice, we bring gifts of love and offerings from our hearts. Bless our gifts with your grace, that others may come to know your wisdom and love. Amen.
To Renew Commitment
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. Jacqueline Nelson 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: Jake Schwartz Graphics Operator: Connor Nelson Technology Support Team: Ruth Phinney, Carolyn Curran, Ted Skomsky Technical Consultant: Justin Ocello
Permissions: “Jesus, Clear the Temple” © 2014 Beckenhorst Press, Inc.; “God the Sculptor of the Mountains” text © 1993 John Thornburg, from The Faith We Sing; 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
Fugue in C Minor, BWV 546 — J.S. Bach
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!
Click here for Discipleship Meetings
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.
Virtual meetings
Click here for Changing Weighs
challenge
Challenge Remind yourself this week that there is no one you will encounter that is not loved by God.
Sermon Turning the Tables
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.)
Visit www.asburyfirst.org for the live-stream link and more information.
On Saturday, March 13 at 1 pm, Flower City Habitat will be dedicating the home at 395 Campbell Street in a live streaming event which will include a house tour by the homebuyer, Patrese Thomas.
LIVE-STREAM EVENT
A behind-the-scenes conversation
Stay tuned after the postlude for a new feature: A conversation with ministers, staff, musicians, and more, as they give a behind-the-scenes look at the workings of the church.
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 $860,000!
To donate, please visit www.asburyfirst.org/bettertogether and help us Bring It Home!
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
Thank you all for such amazing and continued generosity! We truly are Better Together!