All are welcome at Asbury First. Please join us in celebrating our 200th Anniversary!
august 23, 2020 • 11 AM
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. We will have a segment during our live stream for Children’s Time. We will also be holding a special Zoom meeting (https://zoom.us/j/8347173468) with Paula and Holly on Wednesdays at 11:30 am to keep connected. 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.
12th Sunday after Pentecost
Prelude
“Solemn Festiva" Op. 174, No. 7 — Josef Rheinberger
Welcome
Call to Worship
All are invited to read the bold-faced type; the lay reader will read the unbolded type. Seek the living God, Who rescues and saves us in times of trial. Seek the living God, Who renews, transforms, and strengthens us in our hour of need. Our help is in the name of the living God, Who shows compassion, mercy, and goodness to all.
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11 am • August 23, 2020
The community gathers As the community gathers, may the music of the prelude draw your hearts and minds to God.
Opening Hymn
#140 Great Is Thy Faithfulness
11 am
Words: Thomas Chisholm, 1923; Tune: Faithfulness, William Runyan, 1923
Prayer of Confession
God of mercy and grace, sometimes we find it difficult to hold onto hope. We witness so much tragedy and pain around us. Sometimes we feel powerless to act as we should. Forgive us, O God, when we accept things as they are. Maker of heaven and earth, giver of hope, transform and renew our minds. Fill our imaginations with your splendid vision for our world.
Silent Confession
Word of Assurance
Jesus promised that the gates of hell would not be able to stand against the Church. Each of us is part of this Church, the body of Christ. Claim the power God hands you, and know that God’s mercy makes you strong. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Amen.
Gloria Hymnal #102, Tune: “Now Thank We All Our God”
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.
Scripture Exodus 1:22-2:10
Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, “Every boy that is born to the Hebrews you shall throw into the Nile, but you shall let every girl live.” Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a Levite woman. The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was a fine baby, she hid him three months. When she could hide him no longer she got a papyrus basket for him, and plastered it with bitumen and pitch; she put the child in it and placed it among the reeds on the bank of the river. His sister stood at a distance, to see what would happen to him. The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her attendants walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid to bring it. When she opened it, she saw the child. He was crying, and she took pity on him. “This must be one of the Hebrews’ children,” she said. Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?” Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Yes.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child and nurse it for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed it. When the child grew up, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and she took him as her son. She named him Moses, “because,” she said, “I drew him out of the water.”
Anthem
“In Egypt Under Pharaoh” — Words by Dosia Carlson; Tune: Llangloffan, David Evans In Egypt under Pharaoh the Israelites were bound, From plagues and tribulations no respite could be found. Praise God who in surprising ways, gave passage through the waves. Our Liberator rescues, our Liberator saves. From Africa to gang-planks, across a friendless sea, Black captives harshly treated all struggled to be free. Praise God who strengthened advocates with power that does and dares. Our Liberator rescues, our Liberator cares. Wherever hurting humans unjustly live in pain, The hungry, homeless, hopeless, cry out for growth and gain. Praise God whose great redeeming love each servant freely gives. Our Liberator rescues, our Liberator lives!
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.
Hymn
#117 “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” (vv. 1–3, 6) Words: Isaac Watts, 1719; Tune: St. Anne, attr. William Croft, 1708
Sermon
Divine Irony
Pastoral Prayer
To Renew Commitment
Invitation 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 Bess Phillips, Soprano
“Steal Away to Jesus” — Spirituals, arr. Mark Hayes Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen. Nobody knows but Jesus. Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen. Glory hallelujah! Sometimes I’m up, sometimes I’m down. Oh yes, Lord. Sometimes I’m almost to the ground. Oh yes, Lord. Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen. Nobody knows but Jesus. Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen. Glory hallelujah! Sometimes I feel like a motherless child. Sometimes I feel like a motherless child. Sometimes I feel like a motherless child, a long way from home. Sometimes I feel like I’m almost gone. Sometimes I feel like I’m almost gone. Sometimes I feel like I’m almost gone, way up in the heavenly land, Way up in the heavenly land, Lord! Way up in the heavenly land, where I’ll... Steal away, steal away, steal away to Jesus. Steal away, steal away home. I ain’t got long to stay here. No, I ain’t got long to stay here.
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
O God, maker of heaven and earth, bless our gifts this day. May our gifts be a sign of your hope and love for those in need of safety and security. Amen.
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
Permissions: “Steal Away to Jesus” © 1997 Alfred Publishing Co., Inc. Hymns © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; OneLicense.net #A-721053. Some of the liturgical elements have been adapted from the 2020 Abingdon Worship Annual. Illustration Credits: Designed by Sarah Brubaker and Freepik, and Sarah Brubaker and Vecteezy.
Benediction
Postlude
“Gaudeamus” — Sidney S. Campbell
Participants In the Service
Preacher: Rev. Jackie Nelson Liturgist: Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady Director of Children’s Ministry: Paula Dugan Organist: David Strong Soloists: Bess Phillips, Dan McInerney, Jordan Bachmann Director of Music Ministry: Dr. Carl Johengen Audio Operator: Jake Schwartz Video Operator: Kenny Bailey Technical Consultant: Justin Ocello
The original plans for our current sanctuary included space for how many bowling alleys?
BICENTENNIAL TRIVIA
From last week: When First and Asbury combined in 1934, First Church had significant financial resources. What did they decide to do with them? A. They set aside $75,000 in a trust to help burdened churches in the area (the receiving churches had to agree to raise at least as much as they were given).
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 Bicentennial Bible Challenge meetings and Sunday morning lessons, there is plenty of variety. For a full list of events, and clickable links, visit www.asburyfirst.org/events. HOW TO JOIN A ZOOM MEETING Follow the link: zoom.us/j/8347173468 for the main meetings, and us02web.zoom.us/j/338565981 for “Changing Weighs," and https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3385 65981?pwd=YW5JdUxhYkh4TWZDandxSWJwc0dRdz09 for the Sunday morning Zoom with Paula and Holly. 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 account to take their meetings online, please contact Rev. Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org.
Virtual meetings
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
Which equals approximately:
#asburyfirstathome
States reached Nationally including New York
Cities reached Globally including Rochester
2–4
We are connected more than we think! Here are some numbers from last week that show our global reach.
8–10
If you’re watching at home, make sure to take a picture and post it with the tag #asburyfirstathome. Here are a few more posts and submitted pictures from last week.
Devices watching:
5–7
Avg. WKly Devices
Callers listening live on our toll-free number
Live Stream Check-ins
Text Check-ins
Linda and Dick Butler
Social media posts
36
120
1,010
Still better together
207
E-Mail Check-In
13
29
People Watching Together
Viewers Connecting
6 Countries reached globally United States Canada France Germany Japan Singapore
498
0
Jeff Fraser
350+
1
Viewers Watching
4