All are welcome at Asbury First. Please join us in celebrating our 200th Anniversary!
august 30, 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.
Prelude
Chorale on "Rhosymedre" — Paul Manz Prelude on "Rhosymedre" — Ralph Vaughan Williams
Welcome
Call to Worship
All are invited to read the bold-faced type; the lay reader will read the unbolded type. Holy God, be with us as we create a sacred space to worship you. Awaken us to your holiness which surrounds us every moment. Help us turn aside from our daily worries. Calm us and focus us to hear your voice. Surround us with your wondrous love. As we worship, give us strength for the challenges ahead.
13th Sunday after Pentecost
{{page}}
11 am • August 30, 2020
The community gathers As the community gathers, may the music of the prelude draw your hearts and minds to God.
Opening Hymn
#557 Blest Be the Tie That Binds Words: John Fawcett, 1782; Tune: Dennis, Johann Nageli
11 am
Prayer of Confession
In the midst of your holy presence, O God, we encounter a mystery. You are sacred and indefinable. Forgive us when we frame you in our own image. May your divine image stretch us, define us, and shape us. Guide us with your shepherding love, when we hesitate to follow. Strengthen us to be the disciples you need us to be.
Silent Confession
Word of Assurance
Rejoice and be glad, for in Christ’s love we are reminded of this divine truth: We are God’s beloved creation, reclaimed for a holy purpose. 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.
To hear the word
Scripture Romans 12:9-21
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Anthem Dan McInerney, Tenor
“Make Me a Channel of Your Peace” — Sebastian Temple, arr. Mark Hayes; words attr. St. Francis of Assisi Make me a channel of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me bring Your love, Where there is injury, Your pardon Lord, And where there's doubt, true faith in You. Make me a channel of Your peace. Where there's despair in life, let me bring hope, Where there is darkness, only light, And where there's sadness, ever joy. Oh Master, grant that I may never seek So much to be consoled as to console; To be understood as to understand; To be loved as to love with all my soul. Make me a channel of Your peace. It is pardoning that we are pardoned, In giving of ourselves that we receive, And in dying that we're born to eternal life.
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
#560 Help Us Accept Each Other (vv. 1–2,4) Words: Fred Kaan, 1974; Tune: Acceptance, John Ness Beck, 1977
Sermon
Let's Talk About Sin
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
“Servant Song” — David Schwoebel; words from Mark 9:35, and by Richard Gillard If anyone would be first, they shall be the last of all, They shall be the last, be the servant of all. We are travelers on a journey, fellow pilgrims on the road; We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load. I will hold the Christ-light for you in the night time of your fear; I will hold my hand out to you, speak the peace you long to hear Sister, let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you. Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant too. Brother, let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you. Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant too. I will weep when you are weeping, when you laugh, I'll laugh with you; I will share your joy and sorrow till we've seen this journey through When we sing to God in heaven, we shall find such harmony, Born of all we’ve known together of Christ’s love and agony. If anyone would be first, they shall be the last of all, They shall be the last, be the servant of all.
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
In gratitude for your amazing works in our world, we offer our gifts to further your work, Holy One. Guide our steps, that in everything we do the world may be touched by your love. 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: “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace” © 1967 OCP Publications; this arrangement © Alfred Publishing Co., Inc.; “The Servant Song” © 2007 Birnamwood Publications; text © 1977 Maranatha Music. 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
“Fanfare” — William Matthias
Participants In the Service
Preacher: Mike Mullin Liturgist: Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady Director of Children’s Ministry: Paula Dugan Organist: David Strong Soloists: Bess Phillips, Susan Huppé, Dan McInerney, Jordan Bachmann Director of Music Ministry: Dr. Carl Johengen Audio Operator: Rick Church Video Operator: Kenny Bailey Technical Consultant: Justin Ocello
BICENTENNIAL TRIVIA
The house known as 1050 was originally named what? Bonus—what famous Rochesterian lived there while his own house was being constructed?
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
From last week: The original plans for our current sanctuary included space for how many bowling alleys? A. The original concept for the church building called for a large community house to be attached to the sanctuary. Four bowling alleys were to be included, as well as a game room, hobby room, banquet hall, and scout lodge.
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
SERVICE VIEWS
Cities reached Globally including Rochester
We are connected more than we think! Here are some numbers from last week that show our global reach.
Evelyn Munger
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:
Callers listening live on our toll-free number
sermon VIEWS
Live Stream Check-ins
Text Check-ins
Doris Pennington — San Antonio, TX
Social media posts
41
Since July 26, the same-day averages of individual views are:
119
980
You can also access smaller clips, such as children's time or sermons, on our channel.
Still better together
32
209
E-Mail Check-In
13
26
People Watching Together
Viewers Connecting
5 Countries reached globally United States Hong Kong Japan Singapore South Korea
451
1
15
Viewers Watching
2
Did you know that you can access the live stream on Youtube live?