March 14, 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
Organ Sonata VI, Op. 65 — Felix Mendelssohn I. Chorale and Variations
Welcome
Marking One Year of Pandemic — Prayer of Remembrance
We light this first candle in remembrance of the lives lost to COVID-19: in our church, in our community, in our nation, in our world. (lighting of the first candle) May the light of Christ overwhelm the darkness. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
Opening Hymn
#384 "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling", vv. 1-3 This hymn can be found on the following page.
11 am • March 14, 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 in Lent
Prayer of Confession Based on Psalm 107
God of grace, you meet us in our time of need. Without you, we were mired in our troubles; we grew ill in our sinful ways. When we cried out to you, you heard us, and saved us from our distress. Increase our faith in your power to save us from destruction.
Silent Confession
Word of Assurance
Beloved, God sent Jesus into the world not to condemn, but to give life. The one who comes from above saves us from death, and leads us into new and eternal life. 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.
#384 "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling", vv 1-3 Words: Charles Wesley, 1747; Tune: Beecher, John Zundel, 1870
11 am
Scripture John 3:14-21
"And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.”
To hear the word
Marking One Year of Pandemic — Prayer of Acknowledgment
We light this second candle to acknowledge all the losses we have experienced this year: jobs, birthdays, graduations, weddings, goodbyes, funerals, friendships, connections. (lighting of the second candle) May the light of Christ renew our souls. God calls us out of darkness and into the light.
Presentation, Vows, and Baptism
Fletcher Matthew Wagner-Glann
Congregational Response
Will you, with God's help, so order your lives after the example of Christ, that this child, surrounded by steadfast love, may be established in the faith, and confirmed and strengthened in the way that leads to life eternal? We will.
To celebrate baptism
Anthem
“My Hope Is in the Lord” — Marianne Forman; words by Norman J. Clayton My hope is in the Lord, who gave himself for me, And paid the price of all my sin at Calvary. (Refrain:) For me he died; for me he lives, And everlasting life and light he freely gives. No merit of my own, his anger to suppress. My only hope is found in Jesus’ righteousness. (Ref.) And now for me he stands before the Father’s throne. He shows his wounded hands and names me as his own! (Ref.) His grace has planned it all, ‘tis mine but to believe And recognize his work of love and Christ receive. (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.
Marking One Year of Pandemic — Prayer of Gratitude
We light this third candle to honor all those we have leaned on this year: medical workers, educators, scientists, essential workers, IT professionals, leaders, loved ones. (lighting of the third candle) May the light of Christ sustain us. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light.
Hymn
#292 "What Wondrous Love Is This", vv. 1-3 This hymn can be found on the following page.
Sermon
Our Turn
Call to Prayer
O Thou who hearest every heartfelt prayer, with Thy rich grace, Lord, all our hearts prepare. Thou art our Life, Thou art our Love and Light, O let this Sabbath hour with Thee be bright.
Pastoral Prayer
#292 "What Wondrous Love Is This", vv. 1-3 American Folk Hymn
Marking One Year of Pandemic — Prayer for Growth
We light this fourth candle to recognize all that we have gained this year: new skills, new perspective, gratitude, conviction, insight, empathy, time. (lighting of the fourth candle) May the light of Christ create in us a heart of gratitude. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness.
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 Brenda Nitsch & Jordan Bachmann, Soloists
“My Spirit Longs for Thee” — Philip Godfrey; words by John Byrom (1692-1763) My Spirit longs for thee within my troubled breast, Though I unworthy be of so divine a guest. Of so divine a guest unworthy though I be, Yet has my heart no rest unless it come from thee. Unless it come from thee, in vain I look around; In all that I can see no rest is to be found. No rest is to be found but in thy blessed love: O let my wish be crowned and send it from above.
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.
Marking One Year of Pandemic — Prayer for the Future
We light this final candle in celebration of the new life that has entered our world this year: for the babies born, the friendships made, the connections built, the churches renewed, the resurrection of hope. (lighting of the fifth candle) Christ is the light of the world! Whoever follows Christ will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
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. 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: “My Hope Is in the Lord” words © 1945 Curb Wordspring Music; music © 2019 Beckenhorst Press, Inc.; “My Spirit Longs for Thee” © 2010 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, Rob Petrosyan and Freepik and Vecteezy.
Benediction
Postlude
Organ Sonata VI, Op. 65 — Felix Mendelssohn II. Fugue
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
Lenten
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 Consider the changes that you have made in the last year and decide which ones are for the better or which ones you’d like to keep.
Sermon Our Turn
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.)
A monk created the first pretzel in A.D. 610 as a reward to children for learning their prayers during Lent. The three holes in a pretzel are said to represent the Trinity: one God in three persons. For forty-four years Asbury First has been celebrating Pretzel Sunday and this year, though virtual, the tradition continues. Stay tuned next week for a link that will provide a recipe for making your own pretzels, a video of Mr. Rogers touring a pretzel factory and more!
ONE YEAR OF THE PANDEMIC
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
SUNDAY, MARCH 21
Check out the new Visitor @ Home this weekend, for a look back at the past year of the pandemic and the effects on how we worship and fellowship at our church.