To worship with us
TO UNITE IN FAITH TO DO MORE GOOD TO JOIN A COMMUNITY TO MAKE A CHANGE TO CELEBRATE DIVERSITY
July 3, 2022 • 11 AM
COVID-19 Guidelines Our current COVID-19 safety policy is “masking by choice.” Everyone on our campus may choose to wear a mask at any time as an additional precaution to protect themselves and those around them. We will respect everyone’s choice in this matter. To learn more about the new policy, visit asburyfirst.org/news/2022/6/june-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 sign in on the red fellowship pad and pass it down your pew. 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 asburyfirst.org/live-stream. 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 asburyfirst.org/archive.
* please stand as you are able
Prelude
“Crown Imperial March”— William Walton
*Call to Worship (Based on Psalm 30)
All are invited to read the bold-faced type; the reader will read the unbolded type. Sing praises to the Lord, O you faithful ones, Let us give thanks to God’s holy name. God’s anger is but for a moment; God’s favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning. God has turned our mourning into dancing, and has clothed us with joy. Let us praise God and not be silent! O Lord, we give thanks to you forever.
*Processional Hymn
#437 “This Is My Song” (Note: Online users may click the link of the title to access the hymn)
*Greeting and Passing of the Peace
*Gathering Hymn
#57 “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing”, vv. 1, 2
11 am • July 3, 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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Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Scripture Luke 10:1-11
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way; I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ And if a person of peace is there, your peace will rest on that person, but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.’
Prayer of Confession
Spirit of the Living God, temptation surrounds us. Self-preservation lures us to indifference. Fear of confrontation coaxes us to keep silent about things that matter. The desire to be right entices us to ignore the cries of our neighbors. We refuse to welcome you into our intimate space, and resist the work of transformation. Spirit of Gentleness, redirect us back to the path of life, the way of justice, and the hope of peace.
Silent Confession
Words of Assurance
Our Companion and Advocate takes this journey with us. The Righteous One opens the door and eases our entry into new life, new mercy, and new grace. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Amen.
*Gloria Hymnal #102, v. 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.
11 am
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.
Anthem
“The Summons” — Scottish traditional tune, arr. Sondra Tucker; words by John Bell Will you come and follow me if I but call your name? Will you go where you don't know and never be the same? Will you let my love be shown? Will you let my name be known, will you let my life be grown in you and you in me? Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name? Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same? Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare? Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me? Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name? Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same? Will you kiss the leper clean and do such as this unseen, and admit to what I mean in you and you in me? Will you love the "you" you hide if I but call your name? Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same? Will you use the faith you've found to reshape the world around, through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me? Lord your summons echoes true when you but call my name. Let me turn and follow you and never be the same. In Your company I'll go where Your love and footsteps show. Thus I'll move and live and grow in you and you in me.
To Renew Commitment
*Hymn
#593 “Here I Am, Lord”, vv. 1, 2
Sermon
The Cost of Discipleship
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: Sir Richard of Chichester; Music: Arthur Somervell)
Pastoral Prayer
Introduction to Discipleship, Membership, and Commitment
We are delighted you have joined us and ask that you sign and pass the ritual of friendship pad from the center aisle down the pew. We invite you to prayerfully consider making a gift to support the everyday ministries and operations of this church, allowing us to live into our vision to Do More Good. There are multiple ways to make a gift to Asbury First: Cash/Check—We welcome you to send a gift of cash/check in the mail or place it in the offering plate as it is passed to you. 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.
Offertory Bess Phillips, Soprano Brenda Nitsch, Alto
“I Will Magnify Thee” Joseph Corfe (English, 1740-1820) I will magnify thee, O Lord: For thou, O Lord, has set me up, and made me to triumph in thy salvation.
*Doxology Hymnal #95
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*Prayer of Dedication
Creator, bless these gifts that we bring to this community and the world. May our time be used wisely, our treasure shared faithfully, and our talents demonstrated gloriously in your name. Amen.
*Closing Hymn
#573 “O Zion, Haste”, vv. 1, 3, 4
*Benediction
Postlude
“America/God of Our Fathers” — Albin Whitworth
Participants In the Service
Preacher: Rev. Jackie Nelson Liturgists: Rev. Kathy Thiel, Rev. Pat Dupont, Rev. Dr. Timothy James Johnson Organist: Duane Prill Soloists: Bess Phillips, Brenda Nitsch, Dan McInerney, Jordan Bachmann Head Usher: Brian White Audio Operator: Rick Church Video Operator: Jake Schwartz Graphics Operator: Connor Nelson Technology Support Team: Deb Bullock-Smith, Carolyn Curran, Ted Skomsky Technical Consultant: Justin Ocello
“The Summons” words © 1987 Wild Goose Resource Group, arr. © 2009 GIA Publications, Inc.; “I Will Magnify Thee” arr. © 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 2022 Abingdon Worship Annual. Illustration Credits: Designed by Sarah Brubaker and Freepik and Vecteezy.
To Disperse in Mission
Permissions:
Meetings & Rehearsals JULY 3–9
For a full list of events with links, visit our online calendar at asburyfirst.org/events
Celebrations and concerns
Sunday Youth Mission Trip (High School)—Kentucky 9 am Worship Service Outdoors—1040 Front Lawn 11 am Worship Service In-Person and Livestream 1 pm Dining & Caring Center Sunday Lunch—1040 Welcome Hall MONday Independence Day—Campus Closed Youth Mission Trip (High School)—Kentucky Tuesday Youth Mission Trip (High School)—Kentucky 8:30 am Lectio Divina—Zoom (zoom.us/j/8347173468) 9:30 am Tuesday Morning Women's Fellowship —Zoom (zoom.us/j/8347173468) 12:30 pm Asbury Art Class – Hot Textiles —1040 Room 205 ($30 per person) 3 pm Gentle Yoga—1040 Gathering Center 6:45 pm Discipleship Project Class—1040 Library Wednesday Youth Mission Trip (High School)—Kentucky 10 am A Year of Biblical Womanhood: Summer Study —Zoom (zoom.us/j/6174865464) Thursday Youth Mission Trip (High School)—Kentucky 1 pm Book of Judges Bible Study—Canceled 6 pm UR Well Clinic—1040 Welcome Hall FRIDAY Youth Mission Trip (High School)—Kentucky SATURDAY Youth Mission Trip (High School)—Kentucky 9 am Yoga on the Lawn—1050 Granger Lawn 2 pm Memorial Service for John Crouch —1040 Sanctuary 7:30 pm Barnstormers Men's Chorus Concert —1040 Sanctuary
ALTAR FLOWERS The flowers on the altars for Sunday, June 26 were given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Doris Johnson Williams by her son Dr. Timothy J. Johnson; and in celebration of the wedding of Sheneika Latty & Nicholas Corieri. The flowers on the altars are given to the glory of God and in gratitude of past and present church members. 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 Ali Parent and family, on the death of her husband, Jonathan Parent, who passed away June 23. A memorial service was held at Asbury First on June 29. We offer our prayers and concerns to the friends and family of Adrienne Dahl, who passed away on June 23, 2022, in Penfield, NY. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 20 at 11 am. We offer our prayers and concerns to Glenn Peck and his family, on the death of his mother, Jean, on June 16, 2022. We offer our prayers and concerns to Sharon Crouch and her family, on the death of her husband, John, on July 11, 2021. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 9 at 2 pm. We offer our prayers and concerns to the friends and family of Rev. Roger Nicholson, who passed away on May 28 in Connecticut. Roger was "pastor to young adults” at Asbury First in 1957.
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.
Our values represent a description of our guiding principles. These statements are standards of behavior, which are inherent in all we do.
You can still check out our other Summer classes:
Other Summer Classes
Barnstormers Men’s Chorus in Concert
Two evenings of conversation on Zoom, Wednesday, August 3 from 7-8 pm; Thursday, August 4 from 7-8 pm
Due to Summer activities, the Judges class will be canceled and rescheduled at a later time. Stay tuned for the return of this amazing Bible study.
Wednesdays, June 22 – August 10, 10 am, Zoom
A Year of Biblical Womanhood
Saturday, July 9, 7:30 pm, Sanctuary (Free-will offering)
Bible Study on the Book of Judges — Canceled
The Barnstormers Men’s Chorus will visit Asbury First, presenting a concert on Saturday, July 9 at 7:30 pm, and serving as our guest choir for the 11 am service on Sunday, July 10. Founded in 1946, the Barnstormers presents concerts three times a year in various locations throughout the northeast, gathering men for a long weekend of rehearsing and performing. This is their first visit to the Rochester area, and we hope to provide them a warm welcome. Friday evening’s concert is free of charge (a free-will offering will benefit the ensemble.)
Faithful Politicking
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
JOIN US FOR VBS!
Saturday, July 16, 1 pm, Park Avenue (Meet up at Asbury First at 11:30 am to march)
August 8–11, 9 am–12 pm, Register online at asburyfirst.org/vbs-2022 All children age 4 through 5th grade are invited this Summer to our Vacation Bible School themed "Under Construction" where we will highlight the work being done on 1010 to better serve our community. We will have a week full of music, crafts, games and science. We hope to see you there!
March with Asbury First!
We invite LGBTQ+ persons and allies alike to join Asbury First, Fairport, UMC, Macedon Center UMC, and Covenant UMC in marching with us in the Pride Parade or cheering from anywhere on the parade route! If you'd like to march with us, please meet at Asbury First at 11:30 am (we can walk or carpool to the line-up area on Alexander together), or find the Reconciling UMCs along Alexander. For more information, please contact Deb Bullock-Smith at dbullocksmith@asburyfirst.org. Learn more about ROC Pride Fest at www.rocpridefest.com.
#437 “This Is My Song”
Continued on next page
*Recessional Hymn