Night
DECEMBER 21, 2021 • 7 PM
Longest
Service
* please stand as you are able
Prelude
“Arioso†— Peter Pindar Stearns

*Call to Worship

All are invited to read the bold-faced type; the reader will read the unbolded type.

Holy Spirit, Love Divine, we gather together this evening as the time of sunlight begins to lengthen in our world again. Yet even with more light, our hearts are heavy with sadness and fear, and we wonder how long we can bear it. We long to feel again the hand of our beloved, to live the life we once knew. Hear our stories, accept our grief. Keep us ever mindful of your presence and your love for us. Guide us as we mourn and change, grateful for your love and light as our reminders that we do not go through this alone. 

7 pm • December 21, 2021
Longest Night Service
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*Hymn
#475 “Come Down, O Love Divineâ€â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨â€¨Words: Bianco di Siena, 1851, tr. Richard Littledale; Tune: Down Ampney, Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906 

 







Words: Charles Wesley, 1746; Tune: Darwall’s 148th, John Darwall, 1770
Invocation
Solo
Dan McInerney, Tenor
“Pie Jesu†— Gabriel Fauré

Pious Lord Jesus, give them everlasting rest.
Scripture
Revelation 22:1–5

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. Nothing accursed will be found there any more. But the throne of God and 
of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him; they will see his face, 
and his name will be on their foreheads. And there will be no more night; 
they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, 
and they will reign for ever and ever.
Meditation
Trust
Lighting Candles 
of Remembrance
Each person is invited to come forward, take a candle, light it from the Christ Candle, and light a votive candle of remembrance for a loved one. At the end of the service, you may take your votive home if you wish.
Unison Reading
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul. 
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil For thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou annointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
“Warm the Time of Winter†— Lori True; words by Ruth Duck
Pastoral Prayer
Hymn
#111 “How Can We Name a Loveâ€, vv. 1, 2, 4







































Words: Brian Wren, 1973; Tune: Terra Beata, Trad. English melody
*Benediction
Postlude
Chorale Prelude on “Our Father In Heaven Above†— Johann Schneider
Participants in the Service
Preacher: Rev. Kathy Thiel
Liturgist: Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady
Organist: David Strong
Soloist: Dan McInerney
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.
Visit asburyfirst.org/christmas or scan the QR code to give.
New Small Group Opportunities
Reclaim the Method, Renew the Mission, Reignite the Movement! Sign up online at asburyfirst.org/
the-discipleship-project.
During the Christmas season, our attention is drawn to the abundance in our lives. As Christian disciples, we believe that abundance should be shared. 
As we exchange gifts with loved ones at Christmas, let us also consider gifts 
that we can offer to those who need them most.
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
The DISCIPLESHIP PROJECT
The Discipleship Project integrates Faith and Action! We call our small groups ‘Classes’ after the original Methodist discipleship groups. Join us as we start new groups in January to walk with Jesus between Sunday mornings, to learn by doing, and to form a spiritual community.