March 13, 2022 • 11 AM
COVID-19 Guidelines Monroe County is now in the “low risk” category, according to the CDC and NYS Health Department. As a result, we are now ready to adjust our masking policy from “masks required” to “masks recommended.” We recognize that while many people are ready to get rid of masks altogether, many others would prefer to keep wearing them. We will be respectful of both decisions as we move forward. To learn more about the new policy, visit asburyfirst.org/news/2022/3/covid-masking-update. FIRST TIME HERE We are so glad you are joining us, whether in person or online. If you’re out there watching, check in through the website or take a picture and post it on social media using #asburyfirstathome. If you're in the pews, please fill out the half sheet in your bulletin and place it in the basket upon exiting the sanctuary. 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. Need prayer? We invite you to share with us how we can be praying for you by emailing prayers@asburyfirst.org or by filling out one of our prayer cards found in the pews. All prayer requests are prayed over by our Ministers and Intercessory Prayer Team. Children We believe children are a sacred gift, and they are welcome in our worship. Children will be invited forward during worship for a Children’s Time. Following this, children ages 4 through 5th grade are invited to go with our children’s educators for further enrichment or return to their caretaker for the remainder of the service. If there is more our Children's Ministry can do, 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 multiple 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 or in the basket on your way out of the sanctuary following the service. 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 asburyfirst.org/give. Venmo—You may give a gift through Venmo by finding “@givingasburyfirst” or by scanning the QR code to the right. 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.
* please stand as you are able
Prelude
Fantasia in C Minor, BWV 537 — J. S. Bach
Asbury Ringers Elizabeth Church, Director
“Children, Go Where I Send Thee” — trad. Spiritual, arr. Benjamin Tucker
Introit
The Lord is my light and my salvation. Of whom then shall I be afraid? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom then shall I be afraid? (Words: Psalm 27:1; canon by Antonio Caldara, ed. Carl Johengen)
*Call to Worship Based on Psalm 27
All are invited to read the bold-faced type; the reader will read the unbolded type. The Holy One calls us to trust and pray. God is our light and our salvation, the stronghold of our lives. The Holy One calls us to take courage as we travel the path with Jesus. Teach us your ways, O God, and lead us on our journeys. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Behold the beauty of the Holy One, and bless God’s holy name.
11 am • March 13, 2022
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 of Lent
*Opening Hymn
#139 “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” v. 1, 3, 4, 5 Words: Joachim Neander, tr. Catherine Winkworth, Rupert Davies; Tune: Lobe den Herren, 17th c. German
*Greeting and Passing of the Peace
11 am
Prayer of Confession
Loving Guide and Protector of your children, your Son Jesus knew that his journey would cost him his life. When we cannot see the road ahead, teach us to trust the path you lay before us. When Jesus was threatened, he refused to cease his ministry, but continued to heal, help, and build up. When trouble comes our way, give us boldness to stand firm and carry on. Facing the cross, Jesus still prayed for his people, and longed to draw them under his care. When we are faced with difficulties, give us grace to still reach out in love.
*Gathering Hymn
#396 “O Jesus, I Have Promised", v. 1 Words: John Bode; Tune: Angel’s Story, Arthur Mann
Silent Confession
Words of Assurance
Hear the Good News: The Holy One forgives us, and continues to forge us into the very image of Christ. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Amen.
Anthem
“I Will Arise and Go to Jesus” – American folk tune, arr. John Carter; words by Joseph Hart (1712-1768) Come, ye sinners, poor and needy, weak and wounded, sick and sore; Jesus ready stands to save you, full of pity, love, and power. Refrain: I will arise and go to Jesus; he will embrace me in his arms. In the arms of my dear Savior, Oh, there are ten-thousand charms. Come, ye thirsty, come and welcome, God’s free bounty glorify; True belief and true repentance, every grace that brings you nigh. (Refrain) Come, ye weary, heavy laden, lost and ruined by the fall; If you tarry till you’re better, you will never come at all. (Refrain)
Scripture Luke 13:31-35
At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
*Gloria
O God in whom all life begins, who births the seed to fruit, bestow your blessing on our lives; here let Christ's love take root. Bring forth in us the Spirit’s gifts of patience, joy, and peace; deliver us from numbing fear, and grant our faith increase. (Words: Carl J. Daw; Tune: Kingsfold, English melody, arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams)
Minute for Mission
Kiki Smith, Southeast Area Coalition
To hear the word
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
#295 “In the Cross of Christ I Glory”, vv. 1-4 Words: John Bowring; Tune: Rathbun, Ithamar Conkey
Introduction to Discipleship, Membership, and Commitment
There are multiple 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 or place it in the basket on your way out of the sanctuary following the service. 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 asburyfirst.org/give. Venmo—You may give a gift through Venmo by finding “@givingasburyfirst” or by scanning the QR code to the right.
*Doxology Hymnal #95
The One who sits upon the throne says, "I make all things new! Write down the words that you have heard, for they are firm and true." The songs of all our praise belong to you, Almighty God; We give our hearts, our minds, our tongues, to spread your name abroad. (Words: Isaac Watts; Tune: Kingsfold, English melody, arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams)
Sermon
A Sense of Time
Call to Prayer
Creating God, hear our humble prayer and grant us your peace. (Music: Roger Wilhelm)
Pastoral Prayer
To Renew Commitment
Offertory
“Glory, Hallelujah” ("Weepin' Mary") — trad. Spiritual, arr. David Klement Asbury Ringers This piece was arranged specifically for the Asbury Ringers by David Klement, former Director of Music at Asbury First. Is there anybody here like Weepin’ Mary, Call upon your Jesus and he’ll draw nigh. Refrain: Glory, Glory, Glory Hallelujah, Glory be to my God who reigns on high. Is there anybody here like sinkin’ Peter, Call upon your Jesus and he’ll draw nigh. Is there anybody here like doubtin’ Thomas, Call upon your Jesus...
*Prayer of Dedication
Holy One, use our offerings to provide hope to the despairing and comfort to the sorrowful. Bless our gifts and our lives, that we may be blessings of hope for your world. Amen.
To Disperse in Mission
*Closing Hymn
#140 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”, vv. 1, 3 Words: Thomas Chisholm; Tune: Faithfulness, William Runyan
*Benediction
*Benediction Response
Amen. (Arthur Frackenpohl)
Postlude
Fugue in C Minor, BWV 537 — J. S. Bach
Participants In the Service
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady Liturgists: Rev. Kathy Thiel, Rev. Rachel Dupont Lay Reader: Tommy Johnson, Jr. Director of Children's Ministry: Paula Dugan Organist: Duane Prill Combined Choirs Soloists: Bess Phillips, Brenda Nitsch, Dan McInerney, Jordan Bachmann Choral Scholars: Kayla Sconiers, Holden Turner Asbury Ringers, Elizabeth Church, Director Director of Music Ministry: Dr. Carl Johengen Head Usher: Brian White 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
*Due to the rise in COVID cases, some groups will be canceled or will meet via Zoom. Please check the calendar at asburyfirst.org/events for the most up-to-date information.
Permissions:
For a full list of events with links, visit our online calendar at www.asburyfirst.org/events
Celebrations and concerns
ALTAR FLOWERS The flowers on the altars are given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Lib Spencer and Paul Berg from the Berg family; in loving memory of our mother and grandmother, Maureen Krasavage, by Beth and David Rice & family; in loving memory of Roy Kinney by his grandson John Andres; in loving memory of loved ones by Pat McDonell; in loving memory of Eli Eckman by his parents Brian & Ashley and brother’s Will & Sam; and in honor of Beverly Schuman’s birthday. If you would like to place flowers on the altar, please contact Jeanne Ristau at 585-223-4356, preferably two weeks ahead of requested date. Prayers and Concerns We offer our prayers and concerns for all those who are ill at home, hospitalized, or in hospice care, and for all those affected and infected by the global pandemic. We offer our prayers and concerns to the famliy and friends of Arvid Lakeberg, who passed away on March 6. We offer our prayers and concerns to Jeff Camardello on the death of Jeff's father, Nick Camardello, on February 22 in Venice, Florida. We offer our prayers and concerns to the friends and family of Ginny Fitch who passed away on January 21. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, March 22 at 2 pm. We offer our prayers and concerns to Ed Crosby and his family, on the death of his wife Kate on January 13. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 9 at 2 pm. We offer our prayers and concerns to the friends and family of Roger Wilhelm who passed away on October 3. A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 14 at 11 am.
“Children, Go Where I Send Thee” © 2016 Candelaworks Music, a division of Jubilate Music Group, LLC.; “I Will Arise and Go to Jesus” © 1975 Roger Dean Publishing Co.; 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 Vecteezy.
Sunday 9:45 am Parables of Parenting—1040 Room 203 9:45 am Children's Sunday School—1040 Room 204 9:45 am Atonement: What Does the Cross Mean for Christianity?—Zoom (zoom.us/j/8347173468) 9:45 am Sunday School (check asburyfirst.org/events) 10 am Pie for Pi Day Pickup—1040 Welcome Hall 11 am Worship Service In-Person and Livestream 1 pm Dining & Caring Center Sunday Lunch—1040 Welcome Hall 5 pm Confirmation Class—1040 Youth Room 6 pm Youth Groups—1040 Youth Room MONday 9 am Monday Morning Crew—1040 12 pm Finding Light in the Darkness — Zoom (zoom.us/j/85690419217) Tuesday 8:30 am Lectio Divina—Zoom (zoom.us/j/8347173468) 9:30 am Tuesday Morning Women's Fellowship —Zoom (zoom.us/j/8347173468) 3 pm Gentle Yoga—1040 Gathering Center 7 pm Gospel of Mary Magdalene —Zoom (zoom.us/j/87195784797) Wednesday 7 am Men’s Fellowship Group —Zoom (zoom.us/j/6174865464) 10 am Wednesday Morning Study Group —Zoom (zoom.us/j/8347173468) 12:15 pm Women On Wednesday—Zoom (zoom.us/j/8347173468) 5 pm Hallelujah Kids Choir—1040 Room 201 5:30 pm Wesley Singers & Ringers—1040 Room 201 6 pm Youth Choir—1040 Room 201 7 pm Asbury Ringers—1040 Bell Room 7:30 pm Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal—1040 Wesley Hall Thursday 6 pm UR Well Clinic—1040 Welcome Hall FRIDAY 10 am Disciple Bible Study —Zoom (zoom.us/j/6174865464)
For a full list of events with links, visit our online calendar at asburyfirst.org/events
There’s Something for Everyone at Asbury First!
Disciple Bible Study
Outreach Center Construction Livestream
Finding Light in the Darkness Class
Women On Wednesday
Pie for Pi Day Youth Fundraiser
Meetings & Rehearsals March 13–19
Our values represent a description of our guiding principles. These statements are standards of behavior, which are inherent in all we do.
Open to All We believe we are all equal in God’s eyes and are all one in Christ. We extend hospitality and encourage full participation for all regardless of any perceived defining characteristic. Worship We believe we are at our best when we connect to God together through preaching, prayer, and song. We strive for excellence in all we do, especially in our worship experience. Community We believe we are better together; fellowship and care are keys to love and life. Outreach We believe everyone deserves hope and fullness of life. We endeavor to practice mercy and work for justice in our local and extended community. Discipleship We believe we—adults, youth, and children alike—are called to grow in our faith both as a community and as individuals through education, regular worship, meaningful fellowship, a commitment to service, and celebrating rites of passage together. Generosity We believe what we have is a gift from God. We share our gifts with an open heart to help meet needs at Asbury First, the Rochester community, and throughout the world. Stewardship We believe we must care for the human, physical, and financial resources with which we have been entrusted.
Disciple II Opportunity
A new Disciple II group will be starting on March 22. If you have previously participated in Disciple I, you know the rigor and reward of committing to study the Bible over the course of a year. Disciple II continues this study, but with significantly shorter reading assignments. This allows participants the time to digest and delve into each week's text. This class will spend the spring focusing on Genesis and Exodus, take a summer recess, and then return in the fall with a focus on Luke and Acts. If you would like more information—or if you are ready to sign-up—please contact Mike Mullin, mmullin@asburyfirst.org.
Tuesdays, 2:30-3:30, beginning March 22, Zoom
Weekdays, 10 am–4 pm, Drop off donations at SEAC's Tool Shed, 1255 University Ave. C010 (Lower Level)
In partnership with the South East Area Coalition (SEAC), we are asking for support for the Tool Shed. SEAC's Tool Shed relies on donations to provide local communities with the tools they need to create the change they want to make. The Tool Shed accepts all tools that are in good working order and are safe to use. For more information, visit seacrochester.org.
Keeping Our Promise (KOP) — Helping Hands: Triplets!
"Helping Hands: Triplets!" is a KOP initiative designed to support one of our recently arrived Afghan couples who welcomed triplets on February 9! They live in the Brighton/ Rochester area. We are reaching out to our community to mobilize a group of women volunteers willing to offer hands-on help in caring for the babies. Helpers will have the support of Keeping Our Promise volunteers: Lin Vanderstyne and Deb Abell. If you are interested in volunteering with this family or if you have any questions, please contact Keeping Our Promise volunteer, Jordan Bontrager at Jordan.keepingourpromise@gmail.com.
Hunting for a book to participate in the new classes being offered at Asbury First?
Look no further. The Church Library, off the gathering space, has copies of the books being read at the church classes and they are free for your use. Books currently being studied by our church groups can be found in the church library (see right). The church library is open when the church is open. Checking out a book is easy; you simply sign the library card in the front of the book and deposit the card in the box on the library desk. The book is yours for the reading. Come check us out!
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
Pie for Pi Day!
Our youth are excited to be making and selling pies in honor of Pi Day (March 14; 3.14). All proceeds will go to support our youth and the return of our summer mission trips.
Pick up Sunday, March 13 Visit asburyfirst.org/ news or contact Mike Mullin at mmullin@ asburyfirst.org or (585) 271-1050 x105 to order.
Asbury First is delighted to host Voices in a performance of J.S. Bach's monumental "Mass in B Minor", featuring chamber choir, soloists, and orchestra. A free-will offering will be taken to benefit Ukraine relief, with all donations going to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). For more information, visit asburyfirst.org/news.
Saturday, March 26, 7:30 pm, Sanctuary