All are welcome at Asbury First. Please join us in celebrating our 200th Anniversary!
October 25, 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. You can join us at 10 am for the Sunday morning Zoom with Paula and Holly (us02web.zoom.us/j/86857108916?pwd=aHF4TEppZERJSXZoZm FxUHgrQ1hjdz09). We will have a segment during our live stream for Children’s Time. 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 Preludes on “If Thou but Suffer God to Guide Thee” — J.S. Bach Max Reger Paul Manz John Behnke
Welcome
Call to Worship
All are invited to read the bold-faced type; the lay reader will read the unbolded type. Come before the Lord with thanksgiving. God turns our mourning into dancing, and our sorrows into laughter. Come before the Lord with yearning. God has blessed us with hearts ready to serve the world. Come before the Lord with expectation. When we love God and our neighbors, everything changes. Let us worship God.
21st Sunday after Pentecost
{{page}}
11 am • October 25, 2020
The community gathers As the community gathers, may the music of the prelude draw your hearts and minds to God.
Opening Hymn
#547 “O Church of God, United” (vv. 1,2,4) Words: Frederick Morley, 1953; Tune: Ellacombe, German, 1784
11 am
Scripture Matthew 22:34-46
When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: “What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” He said to them, “How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet”’? If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?” No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.
To hear the word
Prayer of Confession
Bless your servants, O God, and favor us with your steadfast love. May your eternal love move all that stands before it. In the presence of love such as this, we know that we fall short. Help us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves, as Jesus taught us.
Silent Confession
Word of Assurance
God commands us to fulfill the law of love by loving as we have been loved. In fulfilling the law of love, we find forgiveness and peace. 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.
Anthem
“More Love to Thee” — Timothy Shaw; words by Elizabeth Prentiss More love to Thee, O Christ, more love to Thee! Hear Thou the prayer I make on bended knee; This is my earnest plea: more love, O Christ, to Thee, More love to Thee, more love to Thee! Once earthly joy I craved, sought peace and rest; Now Thee alone I seek, give what is best; This all my prayer shall be: more love, O Christ, to Thee, More love to Thee, more love to Thee! Then shall my latest breath whisper Thy praise; This be the parting cry my heart shall raise; This still its prayer shall be: more love, O Christ, to Thee, More love to Thee, O Christ, to Thee! 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.
#549 "Where Charity and Love Prevail" (vv. 1,2,5,6) Words: 9th cent. Latin, trans. Omer Westendorf; Tune: St. Peter, Alexander Reinagle, 1836
Sermon
Unmuted
Choral Response
Affirmation of Faith
We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in the true person, Jesus, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. God calls us to be the Church, the Body of Christ, to celebrate Christ’s presence, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God.
Rite of Confirmation and Renewal of Covenant
Congregational Response
We are happy to celebrate with you your entrance into the Church of Jesus Christ. We bid you a hearty and official welcome into Asbury First United Methodist Church. We renew our covenant with God and our commitment to Christ to love with our heart, mind, soul and strength. As you have expressed your vows of loyalty, so we also renew our own vows to support the Church through our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness.
Hymn
#557 "Blest Be the Tie that Binds" (v. 1) Words: John Fawcett, 1782; Tune: Dennis, Johann Nageli, arr. Lowell Mason
To CELEBRATE CONFIRMATION
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
“Have You Heard God’s Voice?” — words and music by Jacquie Jones, arr. Frederick Chatfield Have you heard God's voice; has your heart been stirred? Are you still prepared to follow? Have you made a choice to remain and serve, though the way be rough and narrow? Will you use your voice; will you not sit down when the multitudes are silent? Will you make a choice to stand your ground when the crowds are turning violent? Will you walk the path that will cost you much and embrace God's love and sorrow? Will you trust in One who entrusts to you the disciples of tomorrow? Will you watch the news with the eyes of faith and believe it could be different? Will you share your views using words of grace? Will you leave a thoughtful imprint? Will you walk the path that will cost you much... In your city streets will you be God's heart? Will you listen to the voiceless? Will you stop and eat, and when friendships start, will you share your faith with the faithless? We will walk the path that will cost us much and embrace God's love and sorrow? Will you trust in One who entrusts to you the disciples of tomorrow.
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
God, May the offerings we bring this day be a sign of our commitment to be known by our love. Bless our offerings and our loving in your holy name. 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: “More Love to Thee” © 2015 Beckenhorst Press, Inc.; “Have You Heard God’s Voice” © 2018 St. James Music Press. 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
Chorale Improvisation on “”God of Grace and God of Glory” — Paul Manz
Participants In the Service
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady Liturgist: Mike Mullin Organist: David Strong Soloists: Bess Phillips, Brenda Nitsch, Dan McInerney, Jordan Bachmann Director of Music Ministry: Dr. Carl Johengen Audio Operator: Rick Church Video Operator: Kenny Bailey Graphics Operator: Jake Schwartz Technology Support Team: Deb Bullock-Smith, Carolyn Curran, Ted Skomsky Technical Consultant: Justin Ocello
Our values represent a description of our guiding principles. These statements are standards of behavior, which are inherent in all we do.
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.
BICENTENNIAL TRIVIA
From last week: On the front face of the pulpit, there is a carving depicting what Bible story? A. Judas' thirty pieces of silver.
Virtual meetings
How much did the Asbury Society pay in 1860 to purchase the St. John’s Church on the corner of Main and Clinton?
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 (password is "200"), 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 Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org.
We are connected more than we think! Here are some numbers from last week that show our global reach.
People Watching Together
social media posts
Email Check-ins
UNITED KINGDOM
Canada
6
Devices watching:
467
Still better together
2
Countries reached globally Including the United states
181
Callers listening live on our toll-free number
958
8
Viewers Connecting
Finland
Text Check-ins
41
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
JAPAN
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.
Viewers Watching
France
Which equals approximately:
Cindy Dankert
#asburyfirstathome
Live Stream Check-ins