TO UNITE IN FAITH TO DO MORE GOOD TO JOIN A COMMUNITY TO MAKE CHANGE TO CELEBRATE DIVERSITY
To worship with us
August 15, 2021 • 11 AM
COVID-19 Guidelines Following the updated guidance from the CDC and NYS Health Department and monitoring the Delta variant in our community, face masks are required. Out of an abundance of caution, we will require that everyone attending service and activities wear a mask at all times. This includes both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. To learn more about the new policy or to read our FAQs, visit www.asburyfirst.org/news/2021/7/covid-update-delta-variant/. 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. During the summer, the 9 am outdoor service will include 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
“Fantasie in D Minor” — Johann Pachelbel “Concerto in F Major”— BWV 1055 — J. S. Bach 1. Allegro
Welcome
Call to Worship (Based on Psalm 111)
All are invited to read the bold-faced type; the lay reader will read the unbolded type. Let us give thanks to the Lord with all our hearts. Great are the works of our God; the wise take delight in them. The works of the Lord are faithful and just. Mighty are the precepts of our God; the wise put their trust in them. Blessed are the teachings of our God. Let us worship the Lord, whose faithful love endures forever.
11 am • August 15, 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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Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
Opening Hymn
#66 "Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven" (vv. 1–3) Words: Henry Lyte; Tune: Lauda Anima, John Goss
11 am
Scripture John 6.51-58
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.”
To hear the word
Prayer of Confession
Living bread that comes down from heaven, we yearn to be filled with your Spirit of truth. Often we are distracted by the folly all around us. We long to fill ourselves with your sacred presence. Often we choose food that does not feed our souls. Come to us once more, Spirit of wisdom and truth. May we abide in you, and you in us, all our days.
Silent Confession
Word of Assurance
All who ask in Jesus’ name will receive, and all who seek in the power of the Spirit will find. Rejoice in this good news, and be filled with the wisdom and grace of our mighty God. 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
“I Am the Living Bread” — Carl Johengen; text from John 6:51-54 I am the living bread come down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread shall live forever. I am the living bread come down from heaven. The bread I will give is my flesh for the life of the world. I am the living bread come down from heaven. If you come to me, you shall never hunger. If you believe in me, you shall never thirst. I am the living bread come down from heaven. If you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you shall live in me and I in you. I am the living bread come down from heaven. If you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you shall be raised up on the last day. I am the living bread come down from heaven.
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.
Call to Prayer
Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail, in thee do we trust nor find thee to fail; Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end, our Maker, Defender, Redeemer and Friend. (Robert Grant; tune by Johann Michael Haydn)
Pastoral Prayer
Hymn
#164 "Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life" Words: George Herbert; Tune: The Call, Ralph Vaughan Williams
Sermon
Cannibalizing Christianity
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
“Three Romances for Oboe and Piano,” Opus 94 — Robert Schumann 1. Nicht schnell
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
Jesus, when you work within us, we become disciples of mercy and compassion. Help us to be agents of your overflowing grace. 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: Mike Mullin Liturgist: Rev. Jackie Nelson, Rev. Kathy Thiel, Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady Organist: Duane Prill Soloists: Bess Phillips, Brenda Nitsch, Dan McInerney, Joseph Finetti Oboist: Terry Fonda Smith Director of Music Ministry: Dr. Carl Johengen Audio Operator: Rick Church Video Operator: Kenny Bailey Graphics Operator: Jake Schwartz Technology Support Team: Deb Bullock-Smith, Carolyn Curran, Ted Skomsky Technical Consultant: Justin Ocello
Virtual meetings
Permissions: "I Am the Living Bread" © 1994 by the Archdiocese of New York, published by G.I.A. Publications, Inc.; 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 and Freepik and Vecteezy.
Benediction
Postlude
“Prelude and Fugue in F Major”— BWV 556 — J.S. Bach
Check out our online Zoom meetings! There are plenty of different groups and meetings still going as we make our way back together. For a full list of events with links, visit our online calendar at www.asburyfirst.org/events.
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.
Submit your sentence by Friday, August 20
September 12, 2021
Together in Ministry Sunday
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
We want to hear from you! What new thing has God done in your life since March of 2020? This invitation is to participate in a video litany for our Together in Ministry service. To participate, please send a one sentence response to the question, “What new things has God done in your life since March of 2020?” to Rev. Rachel Ann Dupont at rdupont@asburyfirst.org by Friday, August 20. We will work with you to record your sentence to include in our worship service on September 12.
SAVE THE DATE!