May 2, 2021 • 9 & 11 AM
COVID-19 Guidelines Following guidance from the CDC and NYS Health Department, the services inside our sanctuary this May will have a limit of 150 people. This will allow us to maintain social distancing and keep everyone safe. Face masks are required while on campus (indoors and outdoors), and we have masks available if needed. If there are more than 150 people who come to one of the services in May, additional socially-distanced overflow seating will be provided in the Fellowship Hall for members to watch the service on a screen in community. To learn more about in-person worship, to read our FAQs, and to watch our fun "Welcome Back" video, visit www.asburyfirst.org/welomeback. 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, and they are welcome in our worship. For now, childcare will be unavailable during the 9 am in-person worship service. You can join us at 10 am for the Sunday morning Zoom with Paula and Holly. 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 Annette Farrington, Flute Kevin Nitsch, Piano
"Romance" from Suite, Op. 34 — Charles-Marie Widor "Christians, We Have Met to Worship" — William Moore, arranged by Brant Adams
Introit
To the members of Christ's body, to the branches of the Vine, to the church in faith assembled, to her midst as gift and sign: Come, Holy Spirit, come. Words: Carl J. Daw, 1981; Tune: Bridegroom, Peter Cutts, 1968
Welcome
Call to Worship
All are invited to read the bold-faced type; the lay reader will read the unbolded type. We gather to worship Christ, the true vine. We have come to abide in the vine, and to bear the fruit of salvation. We gather in love for each other, for love is of God. We have come into the household of God, for God is love. Come, set aside your fears, for perfect love casts out fear. We come in love, for God has first loved us.
9 am & 11 am • May 2, 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 of Easter
Opening Hymn
#318 "Christ Is Alive" (vv. 1, 3, 4, 5) Words: Brian Wren, 1968; Tune: Truro, anonymous, pub. 1789
Prayer of Confession
Source of all life and love, your glory knows no bounds. Show us once more how to love, for only love can cast out all our fear. Show us how to love one another well, for only then can we fully know you. Show us how to live as branches of your vine, for only then can we bear fruit. Silent
Silent Confession
Word of Assurance
When we abide in Christ, we abide in the vine of love and grace. Abide in the vine, and receive mercy beyond measure. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Amen.
9 am & 11 am
Presentation, Vows, and Baptism
Calum Timothy Stevens, child of Mara and Jordan Stevens
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 (11 am Only)
Scripture John 15:1-8
(Jesus said,) “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.
Anthem
“Christ, the Vine” — Robert J. Powell; words by Edith Sinclair Downing Christ, the vine, and God, the gardener, we, the branches bearing fruit. We can bring forth shoots of promise when our lives in Christ take root. Christ, the fruit from Jesse springing, you fulfilled the prophet’s trust. And you pray that we, your body, will fulfill your trust in us. Christ, may we submit to pruning that we bear more grapes for wine. Help us, when we’re overburdened, draw new strength from you, the vine. You invite us to be partners, growing Spirit’s fruit anew. Keep us one in love together: you in us, and we in you!
To hear the word
Gloria Hymnal #102, vs. 3 (alt.)
All glory be to God, all praise and thanks be given; Whose Son and Spirit reign as one in highest Heaven; Our one eternal God, whom earth and heaven adore; For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.
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
#402 "Lord, I Want to Be a Christian" (vv. 1, 2, 4) Words: Spiritual; Tune: I Want to Be a Christian, Spiritual
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
“To His Garden” — American folk tune from Kentucky Harmony, 1826, arr. Susan Matsui The Lord into his garden comes, the spices yield a rich perfume, The lilies grow and thrive, the lilies grow and thrive. Refreshing show'rs of grace divine from Jesus flow to ev'ry vine, And make the dead revive, and make the dead revive. Come, children, you who love the Lord, Who taste the sweetness of his word, In Jesus' word now live, In Jesus' word now live! Unfurling to the Light divine, Let your leaves and blossoms intertwine, Bearing fruit in Christian love, bearing fruit in Christian love.
Doxology Hymnal #94
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Prayer of Dedication
Bountiful God, you fill the hungry with good things, and cause those in need to be satisfied. Make us gifts for your world, signs of your boundless love and overflowing abundance. Amen.
Sermon
And Are We Yet Alive?
#553 "And Are We Yet Alive" (vv. 1, 3, 4) The hymn may be found on the following page.
Pastoral Prayer
To Renew Commitment
#553 "And Are We Yet Alive" (vv. 1, 3, 4) Words: Charles Wesley, 1749; Tune: Dennis, Johann G. Nägeli, arr. Lowell Mason, 1845
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 Liturgists: Rev. Jackie Nelson, Rev. Kathy Thiel Director of Children's Ministry: Paula Dugan Organist: Dr. Carl Johengen Soloists: Bess Phillips, Susan Huppé, Dan McInerney, Jordan Bachmann Flute: Annette Farrington Piano: Kevin Nitsch Director of Music Ministry: Dr. Carl Johengen Audio Operator: Rick Church Video Operator: Kenny Bailey Graphics Operators: Connor Nelson Technology Support Team: Deb Bullock-Smith, Carolyn Curran, Ted Skomsky Technical Consultant: Justin Ocello
Permissions: “Christ, the Vine” © 2015 St. James Music Press, words © 1998 Selah Publishing Co.; “To His Garden” © 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
Easter Postlude on "Thine Be the Glory” — Janet Correll
Attention! Blood Drive, June 5 Once again we have the opportunity to support a vital community service. Current blood donors, and those of you wishing to donate for the first time, are asked to register for the drive in the Gathering Center on Saturday, June 5, from 8:30 am to 1 pm. You can do so at redcrossblood.org, or by calling 1-800-Red Cross.
Click here for Discipleship Meetings
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.
Click here for Changing Weighs
BLOOD DRIVE
For a full list of events and clickable links, visit our online calendar here.
Saturday, June 5, 8:30 am - 1 pm
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.)
Virtual meetings
Click here for Zoom with Paula and Holly
Click here for parables of Parenting class
Visit www.asburyfirst.org/welcomeback to watch the special "Welcome Back" video to know to expect when you return in order to help you feel as safe as possible.
MAY SCHEDULE: (5/2, 5/9, 5/16, 5/23) 9 am Service — In-person INSIDE (limit 150) Request: We encourage those interested to choose one or two Sundays to attend. 11 am Service — Live-stream Only SUMMER SCHEDULE: (5/30 through 9/5) 9 am Service — In-person OUTSIDE — Weather Permitting Only 11 am Service — Live-stream Only
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
B A C K
T H E S C H E D U L E