All are welcome at Asbury First. Please join us in celebrating our 200th Anniversary!
December 6, 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.
Second Sunday of Advent
Prelude
"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" — arr. Molly Ijames "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence" — arr. Larry Shackley "See Amid the Winter's Snow" — arr. Nigel Hess
Introit
Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates; behold, the King of glory waits; the King of kings is drawing near; the Savior of the world is here!
Welcome
Call to Worship Based on Isaiah 40:1-8
All are invited to read the bold-faced type; the lay reader will read the unbolded type. Comfort, O comfort my people, says our God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Listen to the voice crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord! Make a straight path in the desert for God. Every valley shall be lifted up, every mountain be made low. The glory of the Lord will be revealed. We shall all see it together. God has spoken.
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11 am • December 6, 2020
The community gathers As the community gathers, may the music of the prelude draw your hearts and minds to God.
Opening Hymn
#209 "Blessed Be the God of Israel" Words: Michael Perry, 1973; Tune: Merle’s Tune, Hal H. Hopson, 1983 Words: Charles Wesley, 1746; Tune: Darwall’s 148th, John Darwall, 1770
11 am
Presentation of New Members
Congregational Affirmation
We give thanks for the faith God has worked within you. We pledge to you our Christian love and hospitality as those who also live by hope. Together with you and all Christians this day, we seek the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.
Hymn
#557 "Blest Be the Tie that Binds" (v. 1) Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
Lighting of the Advent Wreath The Featherstone-von Hörsten family – Stacey, Hendrik and Yannik – Brussels, Belgium The Sakamoto Family – Lindsay and Lucy – Tokyo, Japan
We light this candle as a symbol of the peace only God can bring. For God shall purify God’s people like gold and silver, until they shine forth righteousness. (The first and second candles are lit.) May the Word sent from God through the prophets lead us to God’s peace. Come, Lord Jesus, come!
Response Hymnal #213, v. 2
Fling wide the portals of your heart; make it a temple, set apart from earthly use for heaven’s employ, adorned with prayer and love and joy.
To unite as the body of Christ
Scripture Mark 1:1-8
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Anthem
"Come Quickly, Lord Jesus" — words and music by Mark Schweizer O come now Lord Jesus, our Dayspring, our Cheer, And lift up our spirits by your Advent here. The herald is calling, his cry we obey, In deserts and valleys, “Prepare God a way.” O come, Root of Jesse, O come now and free Your people, Your children, from death’s tyranny. The po,Or and the needy who suffer great wrong Give strength and give justice and bid them be strong. O come Key of David, our hearts open wide. Our path, guard with safety and lead us on high. Make straight what was crooked and rough places plain, Make hard hearts be humble for God’s holy reign. Come quickly Lord Jesus, as dawn follows night, Creator, Redeemer, the people’s true light, Let all things on earth and in heaven adore, And own you as Savior and King evermore.
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.
To hear the word
#567 "Heralds of Christ" (vv. 1, 3) Words: Laura Copenhaver, 1915; Tune: National Hymn, George Warren, 1894
Sermon
This Is the Way
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 Night's Dim Shadows” — Robert Lehman; words by Charles Coffin (1676-1749) In night’s dim shadows lying, our limbs fast locked in sleep, to thee, with faithful sighing, our souls their vigil keep. Desire of every nation, hear, Lord, our piteous cry; Thou Word, the world’s salvation, uplift us where we lie. Lord, be thine Advent hastened, lest sin thy people mar; The gates which Adam fastened — the gates of heaven, unbar. Son, to thine endless merit, Redeemer, Saviour, Friend, With Sire and Holy Spirit be praises without end.
Doxology Hymnal #213, v.4 alt.
Eternal praise, eternal fame be offered, Savior, to thy name. Thy Holy Spirit lead us on until our glorious goal is won.
Prayer of Dedication
O God, who restores and makes new, let these gifts prepare the way: for good news proclaimed, for people comforted, and for the earth tended. Through our giving, may all partake in an abundant yield of peace. Amen.
Call to Prayer
Redeemer, come, with us abide; our hearts to you we open wide; let us thy inner presence feel; thy grace and love in us reveal.
Pastoral Prayer
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: “Come Quickly, Lord Jesus” © 2006 St. James Music Press; “In Night's Dim Shadows” © 2016 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
Toccata on “Veni Emmanuel" — James Denton
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, Brenda Nitsch Dan McInerney, Jordan Bachmann Director of Music Ministry: Dr. Carl Johengen Audio Operator: Rick Church Video Operator: Kenny Bailey Graphics Operators: Connor Nelson Technology Support Team: Deb Bullock-Smith, Carolyn Curran, Ted Skomsky Technical Consultant: Justin Ocello
BICENTENNIAL TRIVIA
From last week: In the 19th Century, First ME Church helped the founding of how many other Methodist congregations in Rochester? A. Four other Methodist churches in Rochester sprang from First ME in the 19th century: Asbury, Corn Hill, Franks Street, and Grace ME.
In 1831 the church building at the corner of West Main and Fitzhugh Streets was completed. What was its national claim to fame at that time?
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.
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.
Tuesday, December 15, 1-5 pm Although COVID-19 has received much attention from the media during the year, the need for life-saving blood is constant, and at this time critical. If you can help us with a blood donation on Tuesday, December 15, from 1–5 pm, please call the Red Cross at 800-RED CROSS, or visit www.redcrossblood.org for an appointment or to discuss eligibility.
Monday, December 21, 2 pm, Zoom This reflective moment of worship is a sacred space for those who may feel a special pain or hardship—whether from the loss of a loved one, loneliness around the holidays, and more. Please join us on Saturday, December 21 at 2 pm for this unique and meaningful service.
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
We are putting together a special presentation for Christmas Eve and want to fill it with pictures of you and your family around a candle! Please upload your images here or email them to communication@asburyfirst.org by December 16 to be a part of this special moment.
Call for candlelight photos!
Sunday, December 13, 11 am
The live stream service on Sunday, December 13, will take a different form, featuring a service of lessons (scripture readings) and carols (hymns and choral pieces), each illuminated by visual images curated by Lucy Durkin. These images span 1,500 years, representing male and female artists from 19 nationalities. The service will also feature Asbury First's quartet of singers and organist Duane Prill in beautiful choral selections. Visit asburyfirst.org/christmas for more information.
Keep an eye out for a special introductory video: A Closer Look at the Illuminated Lessons and Carols!
