To worship with us
TO UNITE IN FAITH TO DO MORE GOOD TO JOIN A COMMUNITY TO MAKE A CHANGE TO CELEBRATE DIVERSITY
July 17, 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
“Passacaglia” — Christian Friedrich Witt “Sonatina” Op. 36, No. 4 — Muzio Clementi Con spirito Andante con espressione Allegro vivace
*Call to Worship
All are invited to read the bold-faced type; the reader will read the unbolded type. People of God, let us rejoice in the name of the Lord of hosts! Should all else collapse in a heap, we shall stand up tall. God does not see as we do, but looks into the heart. If anyone travels with Christ, they are a new creation, old things are obsolete, all things become new. Let us worship this God who looks into the human heart. Let us worship Christ Jesus who makes all things new.
*Opening Hymn
#158 “Come, Christians, Join to Sing” (Note: Online users may click the link of the title to access the hymn)
*Greeting and Passing of the Peace
*Gathering Hymn
#560 “Help Us Accept Each Other”, v. 1
11 am • July 17, 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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Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Scripture II Corinthians 5:16-6:1; 4:1
From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we no longer know him in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; look, new things have come into being! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ: be reconciled to God. For our sake God made the one who knew no sin to be sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. As we work together with him, we entreat you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart.
Prayer of Confession
Creator and Redeemer, you look beyond our disobedience and disloyalty. Through Christ you have reconciled us to you. You have opened your arms wide in welcome, when we return to you. Forgive us when we refuse to offer reconciliation and welcome to others. May our prayers this morning be a pledge of our desire to make your redeeming, reconciling love known to others who believe they are not worthy or beyond your reach. Give us the strength to persevere without counting the hurts, and to find within ourselves the capacity to keep on loving.
Silent Confession
Words of Assurance
The Reconciling Savior blesses all those who engage in the sacred work of envisioning new wholeness, and bringing people and nations together. God empowers us for this work. Thanks be to God! 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 Dan McInerney, soloist
“Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace” — Howard Helvey; words attributed to St. Francis of Assisi Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, let there be pardon; where there is doubt, let there be faith; where there is despair, let there be hope; where there is darkness, let there be light; where there is sadness, let there be joy. O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
*Hymn
#325 “Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus”
Sermon
The Two Ms
Call to Prayer
Visit then this soul of mine; pierce the gloom of sin and grief. Fill me, Radiancy Divine, scatter all my unbelief. More and more thyself display, shining to the perfect day. (Words: Charles Wesley; Tune: Ratisbon, German, 1815)
Pastoral Prayer
To Renew Commitment
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
“O for a Closer Walk with God” — Charles Villiers Stanford; words by William Cowper O for a closer walk with God, a calm and heav'nly frame, a light to shine upon the road that leads me to the Lamb! Return, O holy Dove, return, sweet messenger of rest; I hate the sins that made Thee mourn, and drove Thee from my breast. So shall my walk be close with God, calm and serene my frame; so purer light shall mark the road that leads me to the Lamb.
*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
Most loving and welcoming God, we dedicate ourselves to your way this day. Use our gifts according to your purposes, to bring about the work of reconciliation in our world. Amen.
“Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace” © 2005, 2022 Beckenhorst Press, Inc.; “O for a Closer Walk with God” © 2007 Oxford University 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.
*Closing Hymn
#670 “Go Forth for God”
*Benediction
Postlude
“Marche Gothique” — Théodor Salomé
To Disperse in Mission
Permissions:
Participants In the Service
Preacher: Rev. David Lubba Liturgists: Rev. Dr. Timothy James Johnson, Rev. Kathy Thiel Director of Children's Ministry: Paula Dugan Organist: Duane Prill Soloists: Bess Phillips, Brenda Nitsch, Dan McInerney, Peter Schoellkopf Head Usher: Brian White Audio Operator: Rick Church Video Operator: Kenny Bailey Graphics Operator: Harper Nelson Technology Support Team: Deb Bullock-Smith, Carolyn Curran, Ted Skomsky Technical Consultant: Justin Ocello
ALTAR FLOWERS The flowers on the altars are given to the glory of God and in gratitude of past and present church members. Have you noticed the lone sunflower on the altar? The sunflower is the national flower of Ukraine. In solidarity with Ukraine, we will have a single sunflower on the high altar until the war ends. Want to help? You can support the United Methodist Committee on Relief's (UMCOR) Ukraine special advance online at asburyfirst.org/give. Please note "Ukraine", or mail a check to the church office at 1050 East Ave. We will collect these special donations and send them on to UMCOR. 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 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.
Celebrations and concerns
PPD READERS NEEDED!
The Asbury First UR Well Clinic is in need of PPD readers. Every Sunday morning, we read results of PPD tests for the clinic patients and are currently understaffed for volunteers. If you are a qualified medical professional and can volunteer time to assist with these readings, please contact Lin Vanderstyne, an Asbury First member and coordinator for the UR Well PPD readings at 585-383-1043 or by email at Ljv@frontier.com.
Sunday 9 am Worship Service Outdoors—1040 Front Lawn 9:45 am 6th–12th Grade Youth Sunday School —1040 Youth Room 11 am Worship Service In-Person and Livestream 1 pm Dining & Caring Center Sunday Lunch—1040 Welcome Hall Monday 9 am Monday Morning Crew—1040 4 pm NOTA Farmers Market—1050 Granger Lawn 7:15 pm Yoga on the Lawn—1050 Granger Lawn Tuesday 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—1040 Room 205 ($30 per person) 3 pm Gentle Yoga—1040 Gathering Center 6:45 pm Discipleship Project Class—1040 Library Wednesday 10 am A Year of Biblical Womanhood: Summer Study —Zoom (zoom.us/j/6174865464) Thursday 6 pm UR Well Clinic—1040 Welcome Hall SATURDAY 9 am Yoga on the Lawn—1050 Granger Lawn
For a full list of events with links, visit our online calendar at asburyfirst.org/events
There’s Something for Everyone at Asbury First!
A Year of Biblical Womanhood: Summer Study
Church-wide Carnival and Talent Show
Meetings & Rehearsals JULY 17–23
Lectio Divina
VBS: Under Construction
Asbury First Sermon Podcast
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.
Amazing Grace
JOIN US FOR VBS!
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!
Featuring musician Nairobi Smith!
A Worship Celebration
Wednesday, August 10, 6 pm Refreshments, 7 pm celebration, Front Lawn Tent
The Discipleship Project invites you to join us for a special musical and worship celebration on Wednesday, August 10 under the tent in the front lawn. There will be light refreshments served at 6 pm, with the main worship celebration beginning at 7 pm. We are blessed to be joined by musician Nairobi Smith, who is a United Methodist Worship Leader. The celebration is open to all, and we hope you can join us! For more information, contact Rev. Rachel Dupont at rdupont@asburyfirst.org or at 585-271-150 x113.
Tent Sunday at Asbury First aims to give people a great experience of the church, as well as welcome those living nearby who may be curious about our community. We'd love to see you at 11 am, August 7, outside, under the tent for worship and a special outdoor communion! Then, stick around for the Asbury First Talent Show, and come back during the week for VBS: Under Construction. Learn more at asburyfirst.org/news.
August 7, 2022 • 11 am
• Outdoor worship under a tent • Communion • Burgers, Hot Dogs, and more • The Asbury First Talent Show
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
KICK OFF AUGUST WITH
#158 “Come, Christians, Join to Sing”
Continued on next page
*Hymn, Ctd