october 31, 2021 • 11 AM
To worship with us
TO UNITE IN FAITH TO DO MORE GOOD TO JOIN A COMMUNITY TO MAKE CHANGE TO CELEBRATE DIVERSITY
COVID-19 Guidelines Following the updated guidance from the CDC and NYS Health Department and monitoring the Delta variant in our community, face masks are required inside regardless of vaccination status. Outside, masks are required for those who have not been vaccinated and encouraged for everyone else. To learn more about the new policy or to read our FAQs, visit www.asburyfirst.org/news/2021/9/updated-covid-protocols. FIRST TIME HERE We are so glad you are joining us, whether in person or online. If you’re out there watching, check in through the website or take a picture and post it on social media using #asburyfirstathome. If you're in the pews, please fill out the half sheet in your bulletin and place it in the basket upon exiting the sanctuary. 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. 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 further enrichment or return to their caretaker for the remainder of the service. 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 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 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.
* please stand as you are able
Prelude
Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565 — J. S. Bach
Introit
So the day dawn for me, so the day break, Christ watching over me, Christ as I wake. Be the day dark to me, be the day bright, Christ my companion be, Christ be my light. (Words: Timothy Dudley-Smith; Music: Carl Johengen)
*Call to Worship
All are invited to read the bold-faced type; the reader will read the unbolded type. God of our hearts, where you go, we will go. Where you live, we will live. Your people are our people. You are our God. We will praise you as long as we live! We will sing our praise to you forever!
11 am • October 31, 2021
The community gathers As the community gathers, may the music of the prelude draw your hearts and minds to God.
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Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost
*Opening Hymn
#108 "God Hath Spoken by the Prophets" Words: George Briggs, 1952; Tune: Ebenezer, Thomas Williams, 1890
11 am
Silent Confession
Word of Assurance
God knows us and God loves us. God's arms wrap around us and hold us safe and secure, always. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Amen.
*Gloria Hymnal #102, vs. 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.
*Welcome and Passing of the Peace
Hymn
#557 "Blest Be the Tie that Binds", v. 1 Words: John Fawcett, 1782; Tune: Dennis, Johann Nageli, arr. Lowell Mason, 1845 Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
Prayer of Confession
Loving God, our lives are fuller because you love us. Our lives have meaning because your word is alive within us. We need your eternal forgiveness and unconditional love. Find us when we are lost. Turn our mistakes into insights. Release us from anything that causes harm in any way.
Anthem Bess Phillips, Soprano Jordan Bachmann, Baritone
“The Gift of Love" — Traditional English melody; words and arrangement by Hal H. Hopson Though I may speak with bravest fire, and have the gift to all inspire, and have not love, my words are vain, as sounding brass, and hopeless gain. Though I may give all I possess, and striving so my love profess, but not be given by love within, the profit soon turns strangely thin. Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control, our spirits long to be made whole. Let inward love guide every deed; by this we worship and are freed. 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.
Scripture Mark 12:28-34
One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; and ‘to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself,’—this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question.
To hear the word
*Hymn
#437 "This Is My Song" Words: Lloyd Stone (v.1-2) and Georgia Harkness (v.3); Tune: Finlandia, Jean Sibelius
Sermon
Original Condition
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 (1197-1253); Music: Arthur Somervell (1863-1937)
Pastoral Prayer
I
Introduction 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
"Salmo 150” — Ernani Aguiar; words: Psalm 150, sung in Latin Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his surpassing greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with clanging cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
*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
We give back all that we have been given: love in abundance, grace in abundance, forgiveness in abundance. May these gifts be used to heal the sick, feed the hungry, offer comfort to the captive, and bring peace to this world. Amen.
To Renew Commitment
To Disperse in Mission
*Closing Hymn
#577 “God of Grace and God of Glory”, vv. 1, 3, 4 Words: Harry Emerson Fosdick, 1930; Tune: Cwm Rhondda, John Hughes, 1907
While some of us find it easy to remember names, many of us could use the reminder of a name tag. Wearing name tags will help us learn one another's names, keep us from worrying when we've forgotten someone's name, and help make our community stronger. Scan the QR code, go to the website, or call the office to order yours!
Permissions: “The Gift of Love” © 1972, 2015 Hope Publishing Co.; “Salmo 150” © 1993 Earthsongs; Hymns © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; OneLicense.net #A-721053. Some of the liturgical elements have been adapted from the 2021 Abingdon Worship Annual. Illustration Credits: Designed by Sarah Brubaker and Freepik and Vecteezy.
Prayers and Concerns We offer our prayers and concerns for all those who are ill at home, hospitalized, or in hospice care, and for all those affected and infected by the global pandemic. We offer our prayers and concerns to the friends and family of Sherryn Malm who passed away September 8th. A memorial service will be held via live stream only on Saturday, November 13, at 2 pm. Click here to join this live stream service. We offer our prayers and concerns to the friends and family of Holly Temming on the death of Holly's brother-in-law, Mark Harris, on October 27, 2021 in Grove, OK.
Participants In the Service
Preacher: Rev. Kathy Thiel Liturgists: Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady, Rev. Rachel Dupont, Mike Mullin Lay Reader: Nancy Specht Director of Children's Ministry: Paula Dugan Organist: Duane Prill Combined Choirs Section Leaders: Bess Phillips, Brenda Nitsch, Eric Meincke, Jordan Bachmann Choral Scholars: Kayla Sconiers, Holden Turner Director of Music Ministry: Dr. Carl Johengen Christ Candle Bearer: Charlie Bohrer Crucifer: Quentin Parks Head Usher: Brian White Audio Operator: Rick Church Video Operator: Kenny Bailey Graphics Operator: Connor Nelson Technology Support Team: Deb Bullock-Smith, Carolyn Curran, Ted Skomsky Technical Consultant: Justin Ocello
Order Your Name Tag!
Celebrations and concerns
*Benediction
*Benediction Response
"Amen" — Livingston Gearhart
Postlude
Prelude and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 554 — J.S. Bach
For a full list of events with links, visit our online calendar at www.asburyfirst.org/events
Wednesday Morning Study Group
The Discipleship Project: Small Groups
Lectio Divina
Meetings & Rehearsals October 31–November 6
There’s Something for Everyone at Asbury First!
Sunday 9:45 am Parables of Parenting—1040 Room 203 9:45 am Sunday Adult Bible Study—1050 Teak Room 9:45 am Sunday School (check asburyfirst.org/events) 11 am Worship Service In-Person and Live-Stream 1 pm Dining & Caring Center Sunday Lunch—1040 Welcome Hall 1 pm Youth Musical Rehearsal —1040 Fellowship Hall Tuesday 5 am General Elections 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 Dynamic Disciple Challenge —Zoom (zoom.us/j/6174865464) 3 pm Gentle Yoga—1040 Fellowship Hall 7 pm Gospel of Mary Magdalene —Zoom (zoom.us/j/87195784797) Wednesday 7 am Men’s Fellowship Group —Zoom (zoom.us/j/6174865464) 10 am Wednesday Morning Study Group —Zoom (zoom.us/j/8347173468) 12:15 pm Women On Wednesday - Zoom (zoom.us/j/8347173468) 5 pm Hallelujah Kids Choir—1040 Room 201 6 pm Wesley Singers & Ringers—1040 Room 201 7 pm Asbury Ringers—1040 Bell Room 7:30 pm Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal—1040 Sanctuary Thursday 6 pm UR Well Clinic—1040 Welcome Hall 7 pm Dynamic Disciple Challenge —Zoom (zoom.us/j/6174865464) FRIDAY 9:30 am Dynamic Disciple Challenge —Zoom (zoom.us/j/813450961) SaturDAY 9 am Fall Campus Clean Up
Gentle Yoga
Asbury First Sermon Podcast
Giving For the New Creation
PLEDGE NOW!
Make your pledge to the 2022 Annual Budget today. With your help, we can Do More Good each and every day.
2022 Annual Budget Pledge Drive
give@asburyfirst.org (585) 271-1050
We are beyond excited to invite you to the Outreach Center Groundbreaking Ceremony! For more information about the Outreach Center and the Better Together campaign, visit asburyfirst.org/bettertogether.
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, November 21, 12 pm, 1010 Building
www.asburyfirst.org/ pledge-online