All are welcome at Asbury First. Please join us in celebrating our 200th Anniversary!
September 27, 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.
17th Sunday after Pentecost
Prelude
“Larghetto†from Recorder Sonata no. 3, HWV 365 — George Friedrich Handel
“Air II†from Water Music — Handel “Air and Gavotte†— Samuel Wesley
Welcome
Call to Worship
All are invited to read the bold-faced type; the lay reader will read the unbolded type. Give ear to God’s teaching. May our eyes be open to see God’s presence. Incline your ears to the stories of God’s wondrous power and redemption. May our minds be open to perceive hope in the midst of despair. Come drink from the wellspring of life and salvation. May our hearts be open to the challenge of becoming God’s community. Let us gather to worship as a people reborn. May our voices sing out the stories of God’s love.
{{page}}
11 am • September 27, 2020
The community gathers As the community gathers, may the music of the prelude draw your hearts and minds to God.
Opening Hymn
#154 “All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name†


 
Words: Edward Perronet, 1779, and John Rippon, 1787; Tune: Coronation, Oliver Holden, 1792
11 am
Scripture
Philippians 2:1-13
If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 
Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Prayer of 
Confession
God of second chances, you are always there for us. Help us to find the strength of our convictions. We want to work gladly in your vineyard, without thought of reward. Renew us in your compassion and grace. In the course of our struggles, remind us of your enduring love. May our minds be filled with the very mind of Christ.
Silent Confession
Word of Assurance
Hear the good news: No matter who you are, or what you have done, Christ welcomes you into God’s kingdom with open arms. When we open our hearts and our lives to Christ, God’s forgiveness is truly ours. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Amen.
Gloria Hymnal #102, Tune: “Now Thank We All Our Godâ€
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
Anthem
“Jesus, Name of Wondrous Love†— Michael Larkin; words by William How
 Jesus! Name of wondrous love, name all other names above, Unto which must every knee bow in deep humility.
Jesus! Name of wondrous love, name all other names above. 
Jesus! Name decreed of old, to the maiden mother told,
Kneeling in her lowly cell, by the angel Gabriel. Jesus! Name of wondrous love, name all other names above.
 Jesus! Name of priceless worth to the fallen sons of earth For the promise that it gave, "Jesus shall His people save."
Jesus! Name of wondrous love, name all other names above. 
Jesus! Name of mercy mild, given to the holy Child When the cup of human woe first He tasted here below.

Jesus! Name of wondrous love, human name of God above; Pleading your redemption true, we flee, helpless, Lord to you. Amen.
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
#562 “Jesus, Lord, We Look to Thee†
 
Words: Charles Wesley, 1749; Tune: Savannah, Johannes Thommen, 1742
Sermon
Common 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
“Lord, I Want to Be a Christian†— Spiritual, arr. Moses Hogan 
Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart. Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart. In my heart, in my heart, Lord, I want to be a Christian. 
 Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart. Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart. In my heart, in my heart, Lord, I want to be more holy.
 Lord, I want to be like Jesus, Lord, I want to be more holy, Lord, I want to be a Christian.
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
Receive our gifts this day, O God, and transform them into blessings that grace the lives of others. Receive our thanks and praise, our industry and love, that all might share your blessings. 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: “Jesus, Name of Wondrous Love†© 2000, Concordia Publishing House; 
“Lord, I Want to Be a Christian†© 1999, Hal Leonard Corporation. 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
“Voluntary in D Major†— John Alcock
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
One of the two large gifts that made the building of our present sanctuary possible was made by Thomas J. Watson. Who was he, and what was his connection to Asbury?
BICENTENNIAL TRIVIA
From last week: The cornerstone of our current chapel was laid in what year? A. The cornerstone 
for our current sanctuary was laid with great ceremony on October 11, 1953. The stone itself 
was quarried from “Solomon’s Quarries†outside Jerusalem, the quarry from which the stone 
for both Solomon’s and Herod’s Temples was excavated. It was a gift to the church from 
Dr. Weldon Crossland.
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
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.
#asburyfirstathome
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.
HAPPY 200TH ANNIVERSARY!
David Berg and Gobi
Jeanne VanVoorst
Text Check-ins
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
JULY 12
9
JULY 19
People Watching Together
500
Viewers Watching
645
400
States reached nationally including New York
We are connected more than we think! 
Here are some numbers from last week
that show our global reach.
SEPT. 6
AUG. 23
1,305
Social media posts
Did you miss out on the 200th anniversary celebration last week? Don’t worry, you can watch the pre-service show, look through our church timeline, learn about our archive treasures, and see our Kudoboard on our website at www.asburyfirst.org/200. You can still post an image, memory, or kudo to our Kudoboard by clicking here! Thanks to all who submitted videos, memories, and pictures and for all who helped make our 200th anniversary a memorable one! It may not have been the way we imagined celebrating 200 years, but the community, fellowship, and love that make up our congregation are still strongly apparent. Thanks everyone, and happy 200th anniversary!
Pre-service video Kudoboard Church Timeline Archive Treasures
SEPT. 13
43
JULY 26
Cities reached globally 
including Rochester
Unique viewership since July 12 on different platforms
200
600
31
YOUTUBE LIVE
SEPT. 20
Which equals approximately:
AUG. 30
Still better together
Live Stream Check-ins
TOLL-FREE NUMBER
300
Devices watching:
0
AUG. 16
700
YOu can subscribe to our Youtube channel by clicking here!
252
100
LIVESTREAM
AUG. 9
147
Countries reached Globally including the United states
AUG. 2
Viewers Connecting
7