May 16, 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
Suite in D — Georg Philip Teleman (1681-1767) Trumpet Tune Grazioso Bourée Trumpet Tune
Welcome
Call to Worship
All are invited to read the bold-faced type; the lay reader will read the unbolded type. Holy Spirit, be with us in our worship this day. Draw us ever closer to you, that we may become one. Draw us ever closer to your word, That we may become wise. Draw us ever closer to your world, That we may serve and love as you teach us to do. Holy Spirit, be with us in our worship this day. Gather us together as the family of Christ.
9 am & 11 am • May 16, 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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Seventh Sunday of Easter
Opening Hymn
#551 "Awake, O Sleeper" (vv. 1, 2, 4, 5) Words: F. Bland Tucker, 1980; Tune: Azmon, Carl Glaser, arr. Lowell Mason
Prayer of Confession
We delight in your law, O God, but we confess that we don’t always follow you. Shower us with your mercy, that we may know forgiveness and grace. Guide our steps, that we may follow you more closely. Draw us ever closer to you and to one another. May we follow where you lead, and may we support one another as we journey. Help us to create a world of unity, grace, and love.
Silent Confession
9 am & 11 am
Scripture John 17:9-21
(Jesus prayed,) “I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth. I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
Anthem Bess Phillips, Soloist
“His Eye Is on the Sparrow” — Charles Hutchinson Gabriel; words by Civilla D. Martin Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come, Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n and home; When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is he; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me. (Refrain:) I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free; For his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.
To hear the word
Word of Assurance
God watches over us with mercy and grace. Christ’s forgiveness flows freely, redeeming us and making us whole. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Amen.
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.
Anthem (Cont'd)
“Let not your heart be troubled,” his tender word I hear, And resting on his goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; Though by the path he leadeth, but one step I may see; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me. (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.
Hymn
#547 "O Church of God, United" (vv. 1, 2, 4) Words: Frederick B. Morley, 1953; Tune: Ellacombe, 18th-cent. German The hymn can be found on the following page.
Sermon
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Call to Prayer (Quartet)
What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!
Pastoral Prayer
#526 "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" (v. 2) Words: Joseph Scriven; Tune: Converse, Charles Converse Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.
#547 "O Church of God, United" (vv. 1, 2, 4) Words: Frederick B. Morley, 1953; Tune: Ellacombe, 18th-cent. German
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
“Abide with Me” — W.H. Monk, arr. Moses Hogan and John Purifoy; words by Henry Lyte Abide with me: fast falls the eventide; the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide. When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abide with me. I need thy presence every passing hour. What but thy grace can foil the tempter's power? Who like thyself my guide and stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me. O Thou who changest not, abide with me. In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me. Amen.
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
Abiding God, bless our gifts to be nourishment for a world hungry for your grace. Bless us to be nurturers of love for a world in need of your compassion. 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. Jackie Nelson Liturgists: Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady, Rev. Kathy Thiel 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 Operators: Jake Schwartz Technology Support Team: Deb Bullock-Smith, Carolyn Curran, Ted Skomsky Technical Consultant: Justin Ocello
Permissions: “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” public domain “Abide with Me” arrangement © 1999 Hal Leonard Corporation; 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
Trumpet Tune — Antonio Lotti
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.
Learn more at www.asburyfirst.org
Click here for Changing Weighs
For a full list of events and clickable links, visit our online calendar here.
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
Show your support for:
Parliament of the World’s Religions: Information Session
MAY SCHEDULE: (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
W E L C O M E B A C K
Sunday, May 23, 9:45-10:45, Zoom
This Sunday is Confirmation Sunday and we will be welcoming a new class of confirmands as full members of Asbury First United Methodist Church. Many of us went through our own confirmation classes many years ago—but how much do we really remember? Join us for a refresher.
Don't miss the last Sunday School classes of May!
The first Parliament of the World’s Religions gathered in Chicago in September of 1893. This was the first world-wide organized interfaith gathering. This October, the 8th Parliament of the World’s Religions will gather virtually. Join us to learn more about this dialogue.
Confirmation 101: A Re-membering Class for Adults
Sunday, May 16, 9:45-10:45, Zoom