March 21, 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 and Fughetta — Healy Willan Prelude on “Christ Whose Glory Fills the Skies†— Garth Edmundson
Welcome
Call to Worship
Based on Psalm 51
All are invited to read the bold-faced type; the lay reader will read the unbolded type. We enter this time of worship with you, Loving God. Teach us your wisdom in our inner hearts. Let us hear joy and gladness; let us give voice to your praise! Create in us each a new heart, and a strong spirit within. Deliver us from all that harms us and others. Restore us to the joys of your love in this world.
11 am • March 21, 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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Fifth Sunday in Lent
Opening Hymn
#173 "Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies"








































Words: Charles Wesley, 1740; Tune: Ratisbon, Werner’s Choralbuch, 1815
11 am
Scripture
John 12:44-50
Then Jesus cried aloud: “Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness. I do not judge anyone who hears my words and does not keep them, for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my word has a judge; on the last day the word that I have spoken will serve as judge, for I have not spoken on my own, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I speak, therefore, I speak just as the Father has told me.â€
To hear the word
Prayer of Confession
Loving God, we open our hearts to your ways in our lives. Forgive us for the times we have ignored your voice and listened to our own instead. Instill in us the true knowledge of your love. Keep us focused on you in all that we do.
Silent Confession
Word of Assurance
Hear the Good News: through Jesus Christ you are forgiven. God clears away the obstacles that keep you from full relationship with God, your neighbor and yourself. 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

“Christ Is the World's Light†— K. Lee Scott; words by Fred Pratt Green
 Christ is the world's light, he and none other: born in our darkness, he became our brother; if we have seen him, we have seen the Father: Glory to God on high.
 Christ is the world's peace, he and none other: no one can serve him and despise a brother; who else unites us, one in God the Father? Glory to God on high.
 Christ is the world's life, he and none other; sold once for silver, murdered here, our brother. He who redeems us, reigns with God the Father: Glory to God on high.
 Give God the glory, God and none other; give God the glory, Spirit, Son and Father; give God the glory, God in man my brother; Glory to God on high.
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
#405 "Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God"































Words and Music: Karen Lafferty
Sermon
Whose Judgment?
Call to Prayer
Day by day, Dear Lord, of Thee three things I pray: to see Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly, follow Thee more nearly, day by day. 
(words by Sir Richard of Chichester; music by Arthur Somervell)
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

“Savior, Teach Me Day by Day†
Raymond Weidner; words by Jane Leeson
 Savior, teach me day by day thine own lesson to obey, Better lesson cannot be, loving Him who first loved me.
 With a childlike heart of love at thy bidding may I move, Prompt to serve and follow thee, loving him who first loved me.
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, Loving God, we give you thanks for all that you have given to us. Receive back a portion of our bounty with our infinite gratitude. 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. Kathy Thiel
Liturgist: Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady 
Director of Children's Ministry: Paula Dugan
Organist: David Strong
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: “Christ Is the World’s Light†text © 1969 Hope Publishing Co., Inc.; music © 2004 Concordia Publishing House; 
“Savior, Teach Me Day by Day†© 2012 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
Variation on “Christ Whose Glory Fills the Skies†— Garth Edmundson
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
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.)
ONE YEAR 
OF THE PANDEMIC
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.
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
Sermon Whose Judgment
Challenge Find ways to bring love into every situation 
you encounter.
Lenten
challenge
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!
JOIN US IN THE CELEBRATION!
Anyone can participate in this fun Asbury First tradition that goes back 44 years! Visit www.asburyfirst.org/pretzelsunday for fun information, a recipe and, video!