December 13, 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
Variants on “Es ist ein’ Ros’ entsprungen” — Gerald Near (b. 1942)
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 Psalm 126:3-8
All are invited to read the bold-faced type; the lay reader will read the unbolded type. The Lord has done great things for us! We are glad indeed! Restore our fortunes, O Lord, As the rains and snows restore the earth. May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. May those who go out weeping come home rejoicing!
Third Sunday of Advent Illuminated Lessons and Carols
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11 am • December 13, 2020
The community gathers As the community gathers, may the music of the prelude draw your hearts and minds to God.
COVER IMAGE: Antonie Wierix: "The Christ Child Knocking at the Door of the Believer’s Heart," c. 1600, engraving
Opening Hymn
#196 "Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus" Words: Charles Wesley, 1744; Tune: Hyfrydol, Rowland H. Prichard, 1830 Words: Charles Wesley, 1746; Tune: Darwall’s 148th, John Darwall, 1770
11 am
Lighting of the Advent Wreath Ann Johnson, Carl Johengen & Brad Benson, Don DeMarsh & Donna LaMura, Mary & Elizabeth Church
We light this candle as a symbol of God’s love for us and our love for one another. For the Lord rejoices over us with gladness, and renews us in love. God exults over us with singing and turns our shame to praise. (The first three candles are lit.) May the joyful promise of God’s presence make us rejoice! 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.
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.
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.
illuminated lessons and carols
Images are listed by artist name, title, year of creation, medium, and current location, if known. For more details and thumbnails of the images, click here to look through the Artwork Supplement.
First Lesson Isaiah 11:1–3a; 4a; 6–9 A Prophecy
attributed to Girolamo Genga: The Tree of Jesse, 1535, National Gallery, London Edward Hicks: The Peaceable Kingdom, 1833, Worcester Art Museum Horace Pippin: Holy Mountain I, 1944, Art Bridges, Bentonville, AK
Carol
"People, Look East" Words: Eleanor Farjeon, 1928; Tune: Besançon, trad. French carol
Photo of Asbury Dining and Caring Center, Sarah Brubaker Juan de Flandres: The Wedding at Cana, 1500-04, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Photo of Christmas Roses (helleborus niger) in the Snow, Kyllir Sandro Botticelli: The Virgin Adoring the Christ Child in a Rose Garden, c. 1485, National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh Photo of Winter Birds, Gay Bumgarner Domenico Rosselli: Virgin & Child with a Bird (detail), mid 15th century, Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester NASA Photo of Star Cluster NC6357, August 2017 Emil Nolde: Holy Night, 1911-12, Nolde Collection, Seebüll Hannah Verghese, Annunciation to the Shepherds, 2006, private collection Alan Rohan Crite: The Holy Family, woodblock with gold leaf
Second Lesson Luke 1:26-38 The Annunciation
Henry Ossawa Tanner: The Annunciation, 1898, Philadelphia Museum of Art
Anthem
"Ave Maria" — Jacob Arcadelt (c. 1507-1578) Hail, Mary, full of grace: the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, pray for us.
Fra Angelico: Annunciation with the Fall of Man, 1425-28, Prado, Madrid John Collier: Annunciation, c. 2010, St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church, McKinney, Texas French/German?: Keystone with Annunciation, late 15th century, Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester Paula Modersohn-Becker: Annunciation, 1905, Vatican Collection of Contemporary Art, Rome Jan van Eyck: The Annunciation, c. 1434-36, National Gallery of Art, Washington Gerard David: The Annunciation, 1506, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Nguyen Dinh Dang: Annunciation, 2000, private collection
Third Lesson Luke 1:39-25 The Visitation
Marx Reichlich: The Visitation, 1511, Alte Pinakothek, Munich
“Magnificat in B-flat” — Charles Villiers Stanford, 1907
Käthe Kollwitz: Mary & Elizabeth (Visitation), 1928, woodcut Lawrence Cordova: The Visitation, c. 2011, Museum of International Folk Art, Santa Fe unknown Italian: The Visitation, late 15th century, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Athos Bulcao: Visitation, 1970, Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil, Brasilia Giotto: The Visitation, c. 1305, Arena (Scrovegni) Chapel, Padua Corita Kent: Visitation, 1955, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco Master of Lluçà: Visitation, c. 1230-60, Museu Episcopal, Vich Rogier van der Weyden: The Visitation, c. 1435-40, Museum der Bildenden Künste, Leipzig Romare Bearden: The Visitation, 1941, Museum of Modern Art, New York Chong Keng Sen: Magnificat, 2017, private collection Jakob or Hans Strub: The Visitation, c. 1505, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, Madrid Odilon Redon: The Visitation, c. 1896, Musée d’Orsay, Paris Jeffrey Epstein: Visitation, 1926, Hirshhorn Estate, Greenwich, CT
Fourth Lesson Luke 2:1-5 The Journey to Bethlehem
Pieter Bruegel the Elder: The Census at Bethlehem, 1566, Musée Oldmasters, Brussels
"O Little Town of Bethlehem" Words: Phillips Brooks, c. 1868; Tune: St. Louis, Lewis H. Redner, 1868
Albrecht Altdorfer: The Nativity, c. 1513, Stäatliche Museen, Berlin Michel Sittow: Nativity at Night, c. 1510-20, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna Follower of Jan Joest de Kalkar: Adoration of the Christ Child, c. 1515, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Henri Matisse: Study for Christmas Night, 1952, Museum of Modern Art, New York James Tissot: Nativity, 1886-94, Brooklyn Museum of Art Jyoti Sahi: Dalit Madonna, 2000, Methodist Modern Art Collection, London
Fifth Lesson Luke 2:6-7 The Nativity
Woonbo Kim Ki-Chang: Birth of Jesus, late 20th century, Seoul Museum of Art
“In the Bleak Midwinter” — Harold Darke, 1911; words by Christina Rossetti, 1872
Felice Carena: Nativity Scene, c. 1922, Gallery of Modern Art, Palermo Eric Gill: The Manger, 1916, woodcut Lionel St. Eloi: Untitled (Nativity), date unknown, Le Centre d’Art, Port au Prince, Haiti Candido Portinari: Nativity, 1960, Projeto Portinari, Rio de Janiero unknown French: Nativity with the Annunciation, 16th century, Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester Paul Gauguin: Christmas Night (Blessing of the Oxen), c. 1895, Indianapolis Museum of Art Karolina Danek: Madonna and Child, 1992, High Museum of Art, Atlanta Antonie Wierix: The Christ Child Knocking at the Door of the Believer’s Heart, c. 1600, engraving
Sixth Lesson Luke 2:8-16 The Shepherds
Photos of the Asbury First Christmas Pageant, 2019, Sarah Brubaker
Voluntary Duane Prill, Organ
"Pastorale in F Major" (first movement), BWV 590 — J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
Taddeo Gaddi: Annunciation to the Shepherds, c. 1328-30, Santa Croce, Florence Joachim Wtewael: Annunciation to the Shepherds, 1603, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam unknown Greek: Adoration of the Shepherds, c. 1650, Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg El Greco: Adoration of the Shepherds, 1612-14, Prado, Madrid unknown Mughal: Adoration of the Shepherds from The Mirror of Holiness of Father Jerome Xavier, 1602-04, Cleveland Museum of Art Jan Henryk de Rosen: Adoration of the Shepherds, 1927-29, Armenian Cathedral of Lviv Domenico Ghirlandaio: Adoration of the Shepherds, 1485, Santa Trinità, Florence
Seventh Lesson Matthew 2:1-12 The Magi
unknown English: The Magi Approaching Herod, c. 1190-1200, Getty Museum, Los Angeles Matteo di Giovanni: The Magi Before Herod, c. 1490, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco James Tissot: The Journey of the Magi, c. 1894, Minneapolis Institute of Art Sir Edward Burne-Jones: Tapestry with the Adoration of the Magi, 1904, Musée d’Orsay, Paris
“Star in the East” — from Baptist Harmony, arr. William Walker; words by Reginald Heber, 1811
Pesellino: Journey of the Magi: Melchior Crossing the Red Sea, c. 1440-45, Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, MA Sassetta: Journey of the Magi, 433-35, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Jan Bruegel the Elder: Adoration of the Magi, 1598, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna unknown Byzantine: The Journey of the Magi, 6th century, Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna unknown Northern Italian: Adoration of the Magi, 16th century, Royal Collection, London Clementine Hunter: Baby Jesus and Three Wise Men, 1960, American Folk Art Museum, New York Pierre de Chelle, Jean Ravy & Jean Le Boutellier: Adoration of the Magi, 14th century, Notre Dame, Paris probably Bendetto Bonfigli: Adoration of the Magi with the Crucifixion, c. 1465-75 National Gallery, London
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: Choral Selections all in public domain. Hymns © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; OneLicense.net #A-721053. Illustration Credits: Designed by Sarah Brubaker and Freepik, and Sarah Brubaker and Vecteezy.
Benediction
Postlude
“Es ist ein’ Ros’ entsprungen” — Johann Pachelbel
Participants In the Service
Liturgists: Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady and Rev. Kathy Thiel Artistic Coordinator: Lucy Durkin 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: Jake Schwartz, Connor Nelson Technology Support Team: Deb Bullock-Smith, Carolyn Curran, Ted Skomsky Technical Consultant: Justin Ocello
BICENTENNIAL TRIVIA
From last week: 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? At 80 x 104 feet, it was believed to be the largest United Methodist Church at that time.
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.
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.
Stay tuned for more information on how you can view this video.
Pageant video coming soon!
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.
Like so many other events in 2020 we are so sorry to say that our 4 pm Christmas Eve Pageant service is canceled this year. However, we were able to put together an outdoor production of the pageant in which we used a real stable and live animals! Some devoted members are working hard on editing this production and will have it completed by Christmas Eve.
BLOOD DRIVE
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
Call for candlelight photos!
CLICK HERE FOR VOTING AND MEETING INSTRUCTIONS
GOVERNANCE VOTE 2020
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.
The Church Conference meeting will continue to be broadcast through the normal Asbury First live stream.
Today, following the 11 am service, we will hold a special Church Conference to vote on the proposal from the Governance Task Force. Thank you to all who have attended the virtual Town Halls, read through the materials (www.asburyfirst.org/ governance), and engaged in this process through your questions and conversation. In response to your excellent queries, we have put together a special Frequently Asked Questions document. Please view it here. While we would much prefer this vote to take place in person, our hope is that this provides the simplest method of participation possible. If you have any challenges in the day or in the moment, you can simply send an email with your vote to questions@asburyfirst.org.
Click here to read the FAQs
