I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your children shall prophesy, your elders shall dream dreams, and your youth shall see visions. —Joel 2:28 (abridged)
September 24, 2023 • 9 & 11 AM
FIRST TIME HERE We are so glad you are joining us, whether in person 
or online. 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. You can also drop us an email at info@asburyfirst.org. If you’re out there watching, check in through the website to let us know you’re worshiping with us. Take a picture and post it on social media using #asburyfirstathome. ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL Large print bulletins and hymnals are available from the ushers. A hearing loop is available for those who have hearing aids with T switches, and you may also request earphones from the ushers to aid you in hearing the service. The screens located toward the back of the sanctuary now display the service stream to aid in visibility. 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 Sunday School 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 or at 585-271-1050 x111. RECONCILING STATEMENT We are a reconciling congregation and seek to be a fully inclusive church, believing that all people are God’s children. Our full statement can be read at asburyfirst.org/about-us/#reconciling-statement. GIVE TO ASBURY FIRST Your generous gifts supports our everyday ministries and operations, 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 The live stream of the 11 am service can 
be viewed at asburyfirst.org/live-stream. Listen live on WRFZ 106.3 FM Rochester Free Radio, or call our toll-free number at 833-829-1050. 
Our video archive of past services is at asburyfirst.org/archive.
Staff Emails are typically first initial 
then last name @asburyfirst.org. 
(ex. scady@asbuyrfirst.org) Rev. Stephen Cady, PhD — 
Senior Minister, x125 Rev. Kathy Thiel — Minister 
for Congregational Care, x106 Rev. Patrick Dupont — 
Minister for Outreach, x136 Mike Mullin — Minister 
for Discipleship and Youth, x105 *Rev. Rachel Dupont — Minister for 
for Christian Formation and Director of the Discipleship Project, x113 Dr. Carl Johengen — 
Director of Music Ministry, x134 Duane Prill — Principal Organist, x100 Paula Dugan — Director of Hospitality and Children’s Ministry, x111 Holly Temming — Children's Music 
& Ministry; Revenue & Payroll Specialist, x126 David Strong — Church Admin.; Assistant Organist, x110 Deb Bullock-Smith — Office 
and Data Manager, x117 Sarah Brubaker — 
Director of Communications, x109 John Ormsbee — 
Director of Finance, x107 Lori Young — Director of Property Care, x122 Robin Manley, LMSW — 
Social Worker, x138 *Ly Tran — Communications Assistant, x108 *indicates part-time status
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
* please stand as you are able
11 am • September 24, 2023
Prelude

“Love Medley†— arr. Marilynn Ham “How Great Thou Art†— arr. Mark Hayes
Introit
Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us to walk in his ways. Let us walk in the light of the Lord! (Isaiah 2:3, 5; Music by Carl Johengen)
*Call to Worship
Based on Isaiah 25

All are invited to read the bold-faced type; the reader will read the unbolded type.

The words and ways of death in this world are many. Fear of death threatens to envelope us. But we come now to hear a different Word: a true Word, a life-giving Word. We are here on Isaiah’s mountain where tears are wiped away, where death has been swallowed up forever. We do not fully understand it. We may not fully believe it. And yet here it is: the power of Christ’s life within us and among us. Let us be glad and rejoice in our salvation!
*Processional Hymn
#57 "O For a Thousand Tongues to Singâ€, vv. 1-5, 7


*Welcome and Passing 
of the Peace
The community gathers As the community gathers, may the music of the prelude draw your hearts and minds to God.
{{page}}
*Gathering Hymn
"Come, Let Us Dream", vv. 1, 3
11 am
To hear the word
Scripture
Isaiah 29:5-8
But the multitude of your arrogant ones shall be like fine dust and the multitude of tyrants like flying chaff. And in an instant, suddenly, you will be visited by the Lord of hosts with thunder and earthquake and great noise, with whirlwind and tempest and the flame of a devouring fire. And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, all that fight against her and her stronghold and who distress her, shall be like a dream, a vision of the night. Just as when a hungry person dreams of eating and wakes up still hungry or a thirsty person dreams of drinking and wakes up faint, still thirsty, so shall the multitude of all the nations be that fight against Mount Zion.
*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.
Silent Confession
Words of Assurance
Friends in Christ, behold and believe the wondrous power and love of God, poured out for you and for God’s beloved world. Rejoice in this good news of salvation. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Patient Lord, forgive our lack of faith in your loving power. We look around us and all that we see is what we don’t have. We fail to notice the daily blessings you lavish upon us. Clear our blindness to the needs of others. Strengthen us and move us from lame excuses for not serving you. Help us to truly listen to one another with loving and generous hearts. Heal us and make us ready to truly be your disciples. We pray in the name of Jesus, the Word made flesh.
Children's Time

Children of all ages are invited to join us in this special moment.

Please join in singing "The C.O.C. Song"!
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
Sanctuary Choir,
Gwen Paker, Soloist

“Be Thou My Vision†— Bob Chilcott; words Early Irish, tr. Mary Byrne 
 and versified by Eleanor Hull 
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart, Be all else but naught to me, save that thou art; Be thou my best thought in the day and the night, Both waking and sleeping, thy presence my light. 
Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true word; Be thou ever with me, and I with thee, Lord; Be thou my great Father, and I thy true son; Be thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one. 
Be thou and thou only the first in my heart; O Sovereign of heaven, my treasure thou art; Great heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be thou my vision, O ruler of all.
Call to Prayer
Day by day, Dear Lord, of thee three things I pray: to see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, follow thee more nearly, day by day. (Words: Sir Richard of Chichester. c. 1197-1253; Music: Arthur Somervell, 1863-1937)
Pastoral Prayer
Scripture (Cont'd)
winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.†I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, a vast multitude.

Children of all ages are invited to join us in this special moment.
*Hymn
#603 "Come, Holy Ghost, Our Hearts Inspire"
Sermon
Dream On: Present
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.
*Recessional Hymn
#568 “Christ for the World We Singâ€
To Disperse in Mission
Offertory
Dan McInerney, Soloist
Annette Farrington, Flute

“Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee†— Howard Helvey; words by Bernard of Clairvaux 
 (12th c.), tr. Edward Caswall 
Jesus, the very thought of thee with sweetness fills the breast; but sweeter far thy face to see, and in thy presence rest. 
No voice can sing, no heart can frame, nor can the memory find a sweeter sound than Jesus’ name, the Savior of mankind. 
O hope of every contrite heart, O joy of all the meek, to those who fall, how kind thou art! How good to those who seek! 
But what to those who find? Ah, this nor tongue nor pen can show; the love of Jesus, what it is, none but who love him know. 
Jesus, our only joy be thou, as thou our prize wilt be; in thee be all our glory now, and through eternity.
*Benediction
*Benediction Response
Amen. (Gabriel Fauré)
Postlude
“Trumpet Tune in A Major†— David Johnson
*Prayer of Dedication
Gracious God, may the gifts we bring today be an act of praise that drowns out the noise of our divisions and strife. May they find their way to your children who have little or nothing; 
in Christ, we pray. Amen.
*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.
Permissions:
Participants In the Service

Preachers: Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady & Rev. Patrick Dupont Liturgists: Rev. Kathy Thiel, Rev. Rachel Dupont 
Lay Reader: Tammi Vinci Director of Children's Ministry: Paula Dugan Organist: Duane Prill Sanctuary Choir Section Leaders: Gwen Paker, Megan Ormsbee, Dan McInerney, Jordan Bachmann Choral Scholar: Holden Turner Director of Music Ministry: Dr. Carl Johengen Head Usher: Dennis Roote Audio Operator: Rick Church Video Operator: Kenny Bailey Graphics Operator: Griffin Allen
Technology Support: Deb Bullock-Smith, Ted Skomsky Technical Consultant: Justin Ocello 


“Be Thou My Vision†© 2000, 2002 Oxford University Press.; “Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee†© 2010, 2022 by Beckenhorst Press, Inc.; Hymns © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; OneLicense.net #A-721053. Illustration Credits: Designed by Sarah Brubaker and Ly Tran, with Freepik and Vecteezy.
9 am • September 24, 2023
Participants in Service
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady & Rev. Patrick Dupont 
Pianist: David Strong
Chapel service
Prelude
*Call to Worship

*Opening Hymn
#451 “Be Thou My Visionâ€
*Welcome & Passing 
of the Peace
"Come, Let Us Dreamâ€, vv. 1-3 This hymn can be found on page 4.
Invitation, Announcements
Scripture
Isaiah 29:5-8 (found on p. 5)
Prayer
*Closing Hymn
#568 “Christ For the World We Singâ€
Are you interested in taking the next step 
in your faith journey, finding your place 
in the life of Asbury First, or are just 
in need of a deeper connection?
Are you interested in taking the next step in your faith journey, finding your place in the life of Asbury First, or are just in need 
of a deeper connection? Scan the QR code, visit asburyfirst.org/
help-me-connect, or call the office at 585-271-1050 to connect.
Help Me Connect
Scan the QR code, 
visit asburyfirst.org/help-me-connect, 
or call the office at 585-271-1050 to connect.
Celebrations and concerns
ALTAR FLOWERS The flowers on the altars are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Dr. Selden Williams by his daughter Ellen Williams; in loving memory of C.S. and Ann Hunter by Dick & Nancy Adamus; in loving memory of Joseph A. Floreano by the Floreano family; and in celebration of Ed and Joanne Zelazny’s wedding anniversary. 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 UMCOR at asburyfirst.org/give. Please note "Ukraine", or mail a check to the church office at 1050 East Ave. 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. We offer our prayers and concerns to the family of Ted Epping, who died on July 22. His memorial service will be held on September 30 at 11 am. We offer our prayers and concerns to the family and friends of Paul Gongloff, who died on Friday, September 15. A memorial service will be held at Asbury First on Friday, September 29 at 2 pm.
Meetings & Rehearsals September 24–30
Sunday 9 am Worship Service—1040 Gathering Center 9:30 am Asbury Orchestra—1040 Wesley Hall 9:45 am Children's Enrichment—1040 Education Wing 9:45 am Adult Sunday School—1040 Fellowship Hall 9:45 am As the Spirit Moves Us—1040 LL03 (lower level) and Zoom (zoom.us/j/6174865464) 11 am Worship Service In-Person and Livestream 11:15 am Children's Sunday School (Ages 4–5th grade)
 —1040 Education Wing 12 pm Lunch—1010 COC Dining & Caring Center 12:30 pm Youth Group—1040 Youth Room 2 pm Godspell Youth Musical Rehearsal
 —1040 Fellowship Hall MONday 9 am Monday Morning Crew—1040 Tuesday 8:30 am Lectio Divina—Zoom (zoom.us/j/8347173468) 9:30 am Tuesday Morning Women's Fellowship
 —Zoom (zoom.us/j/8347173468) 2:30 pm Disciple III Bible Studies
 —Zoom (zoom.us/j/6174865464) 3 pm Gentle Yoga—1040 Gathering Center, 
 $10 pay at the door Wednesday 7 am Breakfast—1010 COC Dining & Caring Center 7 am Men’s Fellowship Group
 —Zoom (zoom.us/j/6174865464) 10 am Wednesday Morning Study Group —1010 COC Red Room and Zoom (zoom.us/j/8347173468) 3 pm Prayer Shawl Ministry—1040 Library 5 pm Hallelujah Kids Choir—1040 Room 201 5:30 pm Community Dinner—1040 Gathering Center 6 pm Let Freedom Read—1040 Fellowship Hall 
 and Zoom (zoom.us/j/8347173468) 6 pm Godspell Youth Musical Rehearsal
 —1040 Fellowship Hall 6 pm Wesley Singers & Ringers—1040 Room 201 6:30 pm Asbury Ringers—1040 Room 205 (Bell Room) 6:30 pm Carvers of Hope—1040 Room 204 7 pm Confirmation Youth/Parent Meeting
 —1040 Youth Room 7:30 pm Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal—1040 Wesley Hall Thursday 7 am Breakfast—1010 COC Dining & Caring Center 7:30 am Bicycle Repairs—Garage behind 1010 4 pm Gentle Yoga—1040 Gathering Center, 
 $10 pay at the door 6 pm UR Well Clinic—1010 COC Evarts UR Well Clinic FRIDAY 7 am Breakfast—1010 COC Dining & Caring Center 9:30 am Disciple III Bible Studies
 —Zoom (zoom.us/j/8347173468) 2 pm Paul Gongloff Memorial—1040 Sanctuary SATURDAY 11 am Ted Epping Memorial—1040 Sanctuary
For a full list of events with links, visit our online calendar at asburyfirst.org/events or call the church office at 585-271-1050
Saturday, October 21, 
Champions Mini Golf in Macedon Tee times starting at 9 am, 
$11 per adult, $9 per under-15
Groups are forming in September and will begin in October. If you are interested in participating in The Discipleship Project, please contact the Rev. Rachel Ann Dupont at rdupont@asburyfirst.org or 585-271-1050 x113.
Our youth will be hosting our first-ever Asbury First Mini-Golf Outing, with all proceeds to support our youth missions.
The costs to play are $11 for adults, and $9 for kids 15 
and under. Tee times will be available starting September 24, 
with options to sign up as a team, or to have us create a team for you. Questions? Contact Mike Mullin at 585-271-1050 x105 mmullin@asburyfirst.org.
We are thrilled to announce year three 
of The Discipleship Project at Asbury First will officially begin this Fall! We will move “From Dreaming to Doing†in thoughtful weekly discussions that are framed by the liturgical seasons in the life of the church.
One week left! Wednesday, September 27, 6-7 pm, Fellowship Hall and Zoom (zoom.us/j/8347173468) On Wednesday, September 27, we will have a special guest speaker. Director of the Monroe County Library System, Patricia Utarro, 
talk about contentious challenges that have taken place at the. Henrietta, Webster, and Riga Public Libraries and what we can do that would be helpful for our local libraries.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT CLASSES & SPECIAL GUESTS
Sunday School Class
Wednesdays, Beginning October 4, 1040 Sanctuary 
and Zoom (zoom.us/j/8347173468) On Wednesday, October 4, we will be joined by representatives 
from the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights & Social Justice 
and the NYS Poor People's Campaign, who will help set the stage 
on a national level for some of the disparities and challenges that we will encounter as we read through Murphy's book. Copies of the book are available for purchase ($27) by contacting the church office at 585-271-1050 x100.
Questions? Contact Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org or at 585-2741-1050 x105.
For more information, please contact the Rev. Kathy Thiel at 585-271-1050 x106, or at kthiel@asburyfirst.org.
On Sunday, October 1, you are invited to join a new Sunday School class in the 1050 Teak Room with a format focusing on weekly conversation about connections. Each week a different person will present a brief devotion and through dialogue about the topic we will discover the places we connect through sharing ideas and experiences. While we recognize that there is always room for grace, and that life happens, we hope that you will commit to a three-month period of attending this class. This ensures some continuity and builds community and trust, and helps us get to know each other a little better.
Sunday mornings, Beginning October 1, 
9–10:15 am, 
1050 Teak Room
Spiritual Perspectives
LGBTQ+ ADVOCACY
Saturday, November 4, 
5 pm Appetizers in the Gathering Center, 
6 pm Host Dinners
Asbury First's LGBTQ+ Advocacy Group will 
be holding its first meeting of the season 
on Sunday, October 15th in the Youth Room 
(in the lower level of the church), as our church community celebrates National Coming Out Day. Anyone affiliated with LGBTQ+ community and allies are welcome to attend. We will be setting our agenda for the year, planning for events, outreach, and educational opportunities in our community. Youth and adults are welcome! 
For more information, please contact Deb Bullock-Smith at 585-271-1050 x117 or at dbullocksmith@asburyfirst.org.
3rd Sunday of the Month, Beginning October 15, 9:45 am, 1040 Youth Room (lower level)
Team Meetings
This November sees the return of the tradition 
of Dining In For Outreach, which is the biggest annual 
fundraiser that supports all of our outreach ministry 
work. Members of our congregation and community 
gather together for appetizers before attending smaller 
dinner parties hosted in private homes. A dinner party 
is also held in the COC itself that is open to anyone who 
wishes to attend without expectation of a contribution. For further information or to volunteer, please contact Erica Coburn or Tim Mahan 
at outreach@asburyfirst.org, or sign up in person on Sunday mornings. Be sure to save the date — Saturday, November 4! All are welcome at the table!
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
Sunday, October 15
The rainbow has long been a sign of God’s promise of love and our need for hope. In that spirit, you are invited to wear rainbow clothing, or the Asbury First rainbow T-shirts, 
to worship on Sunday October 15 as we celebrate and show support for members 
of the LGBTQ community in honor of national Coming Out Day. We will be joined by 
a guest preacher, the Rev. Jess Winderweedle, who will help us celebrate God’s good gift 
of love in all of its prismatic beauty! Learn more about Jess at asburyfirst.org/news.
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#568 "Christ for the World We Sing"
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