All are welcome at Asbury First. Please join us in celebrating our 200th Anniversary!
September 13, 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
“Prelude and Fugue in D Major” BWV 532 — J.S. Bach
Welcome
Call to Worship
All are invited to read the bold-faced type; the lay reader will read the unbolded type. Sing of God’s mercy and grace. Sing of God’s strength and might. Praise God with laughter and joy. Praise God with feasting and dance. For God protects the lowly. God brings forth justice and righteousness. Sing of God’s mercy and grace. Sing of God’s strength and might.
15th Sunday after Pentecost "Together in Ministry" Sunday
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11 am • September 13, 2020
The community gathers As the community gathers, may the music of the prelude draw your hearts and minds to God.
Opening Hymn
#170 “Oh How I Love Jesus” Words: Frederick Whitfield, 1855; Tune: O How I Love Jesus, anon. American melody
11 am
Scripture Romans 14:1-17
Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions. Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand. Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. Those who observe the day, observe it in honor of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honor of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honor of the Lord and give thanks to God. We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. (continued on next page)
To hear the word
Prayer of Confession
Merciful God, we are ever in need of your grace and mercy. Forgive us when we have injured any of your little ones. Renew our minds with the power of your Holy Spirit. Cleanse our spirits by the mercy of your grace. Part the waters of our troubled thoughts, that we might see others as you see them. Bring us into fellowship with one another, and lead us to your promised salvation.
Silent Confession
Word of Assurance
The one who rescues us from perishing calls us into fellowship this day. God grants us the courage to be the people we are called to be. Let us give thanks for the boundless love of God. 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.
Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.” So then, each of us will be accountable to God. Let us therefore no longer pass judgment on one another, but resolve instead never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of another. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. If your brother or sister is being injured by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. Do not let what you eat cause the ruin of one for whom Christ died. So do not let your good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Anthem
“There's a Wideness in God's Mercy” — Calvin Hampton (1938-1984); words by Frederick Faber (1814-1863) There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, like the wideness of the sea; There’s a kindness in His justice, which is more than liberty. There is welcome for the sinner, and more graces for the good; There is mercy with the Savior; there is healing in His blood. For the love of God is broader than the measure of our mind; And the heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind. There is plentiful redemption in the blood that has been shed; There is joy for all the members in the sorrows of the Head. But we make His love too narrow by false limits of our own; And we magnify His strictness with a zeal He will not own. If our love were but more simple, we should take Him at His word; And our lives would be all sunshine in the sweetness of our Lord.
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
#463 “Lord, Speak to Me” Words: Frances Havergal, 1872; Tune: Canonbury, adapted from Robert Schumann, 1839
Sermon
Good
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
“In Thee Is Gladness” — Daniel Kallman, based on In Dir ist Freude by Giovanni Gastoldi (1556-1622); words from various sources In thee is gladness, gone is all sadness, Jesus, sunshine of my heart. By thee are given the joys of heaven, thou the only Savior art. To serve thee ever, forsake thee never, we bow before thee, love and adore thee. Alleluia, alleluia! In him is gladness, gone is all sadness, he who once was dead is raised. Jesus is giving life to the living, now and ever let him be praised. Wherefore the story tell of his glory, with heart and voices all heaven rejoices. Alleluia, alleluia! Wherefore the story tell of his glory, with heart and voices all heaven rejoices. Alleluia, alleluia!
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
Gracious God, transform our offerings into hope and joy for a troubled world. Through our giving and living, help us to do more good. 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: “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” © 1977 G.I.A. Publications, Inc.; “In Thee Is Gladness” © 1992 Birnamwood Publications (a division of MorningStar Music Publishers). 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
“In Dir ist Freude” ("In Thee Is Gladness") BWV 615 — J.S. Bach
Participants In the Service
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady Liturgist: Rev. Kathy Thiel Director of Children’s Ministry: Paula Dugan Organist: Duane Prill Soloists: Bess Phillips, Susan Huppé, Dan McInerney, Jordan Bachmann Director of Music Ministry: Dr. Carl Johengen Audio Operator: Rick Church Video Operator: Kenny Bailey Video Graphics Operator: Connor Nelson Technology Support Team: Deb Bullock-Smith, Carolyn Curran, Ted Skomsky Technical Consultant: Justin Ocello
BICENTENNIAL TRIVIA
Who preached the sermon at the 1920 Centennial Celebration?
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 us02web.zoom.us/j/868571089 16?pwd=aHF4TEppZERJSXZoZmFxUHgrQ1hjdz09 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: Between 1820 and 1830, how many ministers were appointed to First Church? (Bonus: See if you can name them) A. There were 10 ministers. Their names (in order of appointment) were Rev. Orren Miller, 1820; Rev. Reuben Aylworth, 1821; Rev. Elisha House, 1822; Rev. Micah Seager, 1823; Rev. Dana Fox, 1824; Rev. John Dempster, 1825; Rev. Zacchariah Paddock, 1827; Rev. Levi Castle, 1828; and Rev. Gideon Lanning and Rev. Philo Woodworth, 1829.
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
People Watching Together
Finland
Viewers Watching
Mikel and Aidan Roth from Worcester, MA
420
States reached nationally including New York
#asburyfirstathome
We are connected more than we think! Here are some numbers from last week that show our global reach.
915
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.
8
Cities reached globally including Rochester
Sept. 6 marks the
Singapore
Which equals
30
JAPAN
NETHERLANDS
Which equals approximately:
Still better together
South Korea
Callers listening live on our toll-free number
MONTHS
Devices watching:
Week in a row of live-stream only worship
6
since we were together in person
UNIQUE DEVICES watching on youtube live
26TH
131
Countries reached Globally including the United states
18
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.
This year's Together in Ministry Sunday will be different than usual, but we are glad to be together even virtually. Listen to Stephen’s sermon for more details about the start of the new programmatic year, then join us at the TIM Fellowship (Half) Hour at 12 pm on Zoom (https://zoom.us/j/8347173468).
Together in Ministry Sunday