February 22, 2026
9 & 11 AM WORSHIP
Participants In the Service
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Michelle Bogue-Trost Reader: David Raymond Liturgist: Rev. Kathy Thiel Musician: Dr. Carl Johengen
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First Sunday in Lent
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PRELUDE WELCOME *CALL TO WORSHIP (found on the facing page) *OPENING SONG: #269 "Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days" PRAYER OF CONFESSION (found on the facing page) *PASSING THE PEACE SCRIPTURE: Matthew 4:1-11 (found on page 4) SERMON PRAYER LORD'S PRAYER Our Father (or Our God), 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 AND ENGAGEMENT OFFERING OURSELVES TO GOD'S PURPOSES *CLOSING SONG: #110 “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” *BENEDICTION POSTLUDE
As the community gathers, may the music of the prelude draw your hearts and minds to God. (* Please rise in body or in spirit.)
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PRELUDE: Organ pieces by Paul Fey: “Solemn Melody”; “Melody for an Oboe”; “Meditation”; “Aria”; “Nordic Melody” INTROIT All glory be unto you, Lord, all glory we give to you. All honor we give unto you, Lord, all glory, all honor, all praise. We give them unto you. Amen. (Michael Kenneth Ross) *CALL TO WORSHIP Jesus is led into the wilderness. Not away from God, but toward truth. There, voices compete for allegiance. We recognize that struggle in ourselves. This is the beginning of a searching season. We enter Lent ready for honesty. *PROCESSIONAL HYMN: #269 “Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days” *WELCOME *GATHERING HYMN: #378 “Amazing Grace”, vv. 1, 3 PRAYER OF CONFESSION Holy One, we acknowledge how easily we are pulled by promises that offer control, comfort, or recognition. We choose what feels secure over what gives life. We avoid the hard clarity of the wilderness and hurry past the questions that might form us. Meet us here in our vulnerability, strip away what distracts us, and root us again in the truth that sustains. Amen. SILENT CONFESSION WORDS OF ASSURANCE The wilderness is not empty of grace; God does not abandon us, and God’s truth is stronger than every false promise. We are not alone on this journey, thanks be to God. *RESPONSE You, Creator God, have written your great name on humankind. For our growing in your likeness, bring the life of Christ to mind that by our response and service earth its destiny may find. (Words: Fred Pratt Green; Tune: Picardy, French carol melody) SCRIPTURE: Matthew 4:1-11 (Common English Bible) Then the Spirit led Jesus up into the wilderness so that the devil might tempt him. After Jesus had fasted for forty days and forty nights, he was starving. The tempter came to him and said, “Since you are God’s Son, command these stones to become bread.” Jesus replied, “It’s written, People won’t live only by bread, but by every word spoken by God.” After that the devil brought him into the holy city and stood him at the highest point of the temple. He said to him, “Since you are God’s Son, throw yourself down; for it is written, I will command my angels concerning you, and they will take you up in their hands so that you won’t hit your foot on a stone.” Jesus replied, “Again it’s written, Don’t test the Lord your God.” Then the devil brought him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. He said, “I’ll give you all these if you bow down and worship me.” Jesus responded, “Go away, Satan, because it’s written,You will worship the Lord your God and serve only him.” The devil left him, and angels came and took care of him. For the Word of God in Scripture. For the Word of God among us. For the Word of God within us. Thanks be to God. ANTHEM: Sanctuary Choir “I Will Arise and Go to Jesus” – American folk tune, arr. John Carter; words by Joseph Hart (1712-1768) Come, ye sinners, poor and needy, weak and wounded, sick and sore; Jesus ready stands to save you, full of pity, love, and power. (Refrain:) I will arise and go to Jesus; he will embrace me in his arms. In the arms of my dear Savior, Oh, there are ten-thousand charms. Come, ye thirsty, come and welcome, God’s free bounty glorify; True belief and true repentance, every grace that brings you nigh. (Refrain) Come, ye weary, heavy laden, lost and ruined by the fall; If you tarry till you’re better, you will never come at all. (Refrain) CHILDREN'S TIME: Children of all ages are invited to join us in this special moment. LORD’S PRAYER Our Father (or Our God), 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. SERMON CALL TO PRAYER While I’m down here praying, Lord, search my heart. While I’m down here sighing, Lord, search my heart. While I’m down here crying, Lord, search my heart. You know, Lord, all about me. Do Lord, search my heart. (Spiritual) PASTORAL PRAYER INVITATION TO DISCIPLESHIP AND ENGAGEMENT: We are delighted you have joined us and ask that you sign and pass the ritual of friendship pad from the center aisle down the pew. Offering Ourselves to God's Purposes: We invite you to prayerfully consider making a gift to support the everyday ministries and operations of this church, allowing us to live into our vision to Do More Good. There are multiple ways to make a gift to Asbury First: Cash/Check—We welcome you to send a gift by check in the mail or place your cash/check gift in the offering plate as it is passed to you. 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 asburyfirst.org/give. Venmo—To give a gift through Venmo, send to “@givingasburyfirst” or scan the QR code to the right. OFFERTORY: Lis Bischoff-Ormsbee & Megan Ormsbee, soloists “None Other Lamb” — Craig Courtney; words by Christina Rossetti None other Lamb, none other Name, None other hope in Heav’n or earth or sea, None other hiding place from guilt and shame, None beside Thee! My faith burns low, my hope burns low; Only my heart’s desire cries out in me By the deep thunder of its want and woe, Cries out to Thee. Lord, Thou art Life, though I be dead; Love’s fire Thou art, however cold I be: Nor Heav’n have I, nor place to lay my head, Nor home, but Thee. *DOXOLOGY: (Tune: Picardy) God Creator, God Redeemer, God the Spirit, now to thee Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving and unwearied praises be, Honor, glory, and dominion and eternal victory. *PRAYER OF DEDICATION Steadfast God, as we begin this Lenten journey, we offer these gifts as signs of trust. Use them to steady our lives, clarify our commitments, and shape us into people of your truth. May our giving reflect hearts turned toward you and lives open to transformation. Amen. *RECESSIONAL HYMN: #110 “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” *BENEDICTION *BENEDICTION RESPONSE: Amen. (Tom Birchwood) POSTLUDE: Recessional on “Llangloffan” — Franklin D. Ashdown
*HYMN: “Jesus, Tempted in the Desert”
SCAN TO GIVE VIA VENMO
ALTAR FLOWERS The flowers on the altars are given to the glory of God and in in honor of David W. Smith on his birthday by Fernelle C. Rodriguez. If you would like to place flowers on the altars, please contact Jeanne Ristau at (585) 223-4356, preferably two weeks ahead of requested date. Prayers and Concerns We offer our prayers and concerns for all those who are ill at home, hospitalized, or in hospice care. We want to be able to visit and pray with those who are in the hospital. If you know someone who is in the hospital and would like a pastoral call, or if you yourself are in the hospital or have a date for surgery, please call Rev. Kathy Thiel who will be most glad to be with you in that moment. (585) 271-1050 x106.
Permissions:
“I Will Arise and Go to Jesus” © 1975 Roger Dean Publishing Co.; “None Other Lamb” © 1989 Beckenhorst Press, Inc.; Hymns © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; OneLicense.net #A-721053. Illustration Credits: Designed by David Stith
These persons have shared their gifts today for the glory of God. If you felt moved by what they offered, why not take a moment following worship to let them know. If you feel moved to participate with your gifts in worship, please contact Andrew Hunt at worship@asburyfirst.org.
Celebrations and concerns
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Michelle Bogue-Trost Liturgists: Rev. Kathy Thiel, Rev. Pat Dupont, Mike Mullin Reader: Bennet Marsiglio Organist: Duane Prill Sanctuary Choir Section Leaders: Juli Elliot, Megan Ormsbee, Sam Wersinger, Robert Cowles Director of Music Ministry: Dr. Carl Johengen Crucifer, Acolyte: Andrew Hunt, Ethan Hildreth Altar Guild Team: Mindy Louviere, Debbie Merritt, Angie Burch Head Usher: Dennis Roote, Tommy Johnson, Jr. Production Director: Larry Dugan Production Suite Team: Tommy Johnson, Jr., Noel Nichols, Rick Church Technology Support Team: Dave Rice, Kenny Bailey, Dave Berg, Larry Dugan, Rick Church
Meetings & Rehearsals FEBRUARY 22 – March 1
For a full list of events with links, visit our online calendar at asburyfirst.org/events or call the church office at (585) 271-1050
FOR ZOOM ADDRESSES, SEE KEY BELOW
SUNDAY
9 am
Worship Service – In-Person in the Sanctuary
Childcare – 1040, 1st Floor, Education Wing
9:45 am
Adult Sunday School – 1040, Fellowship Hall and Zoom #
As the Spirit Moves Us – 1040, Smart Room and Zoom^
10 am
Sanctuary Choir Warm Up – 1040, Sanctuary
11 am
Children's Sunday School – 1040, 2nd Floor, Ed. Wing Prek – 2nd grade – Room 206 3rd – 5th grade – Room 201
Worship Service – In-Person and Livestream
12 pm
Lunch – 1010, COC Dining & Caring Center
6th – 8th and 9th – 12th grade Youth Groups – 1040, Fellowship Hall
2 pm
ACT Rehearsal – 1040, Fellowship Hall
MONDAY
Library Work Day – 1040, Library
Monday Morning Crew – 1040
6 pm
UR Well Dermatology Clinic – 1010, Red Room
TUESDAY
8:30 am
Lectio Divina – Zoom #
9:30 am
Tuesday Morning Women's Fellowship – Zoom #
2:15 pm
Disciple III Bible Study – Zoom #
3 pm
Companions in Christ – 1050, Pastor Michelle's Office
5:30 pm
6:30 pm
Carvers of Hope – 1040, Room 203
WEDNESDAY
7 am
Breakfast – 1010, COC Dining & Caring Center
Men's Fellowship Group – Zoom #
Wednesday Morning Study Group – 1010, Red Room and Zoom *
Knitting Ministry Group – 1040, Library
4 pm
Zoom-Only Grief Group – Zoom &
5 pm
Hallelujah Kids Choir – 1040, Room 201
Community Dinner – 1040, Gathering Center
Wednesday Evening Programming – 1040, Wesley Hall and Zoom #
Wesley Singers & Ringers – 1040, Room 201
Asbury Ringers – 1040, Room 205
7:30 pm
Sanctuary Choir – 1040, Wesley Hall
Red Room: * zoom.us/j/8924819492 PW: 578697 Smart Meeting Room: ^ zoom.us/j/6174865464 PW: Disciple Other Spaces and Zoom-only: # zoom.us/j/8347173468 PW: 200 Grief Group: & zoom.us/j/8173087397 PW: 624424
THURSDAY
8 am
Spiritual Perspectives – Zoom ^
Morning Prayer – 1040, Sanctuary
Asbury First Civics Team – 1010, Red Room and Zoom *
1 pm
UR Well Clinic – 1010, COC
ACT Choreo Rehearsal – 1040, Fellowship Hall
FRIDAY
Disciple V Bible Study – Zoom #
Asbury Women's Art Class – 1040, Room 205
1:15 pm
Disciple IV Bible Study – Zoom #
SATURDAY
Visitation Group Meeting — 1040, Library
SUNDAY (3/1)
Pie for Pi Making – 1040, Fellowship Hall Kitchen
Asbury Orchestra Rehearsal – 1040, Wesley Hall
Young Adulting AF – 1040, Youth Room
Grief Group – Zoom Only (see page 9 for Zoom link)
Visitation Group – Saturday, February 28 at 1 pm in the Library
An important part of our church community is reminding people that they are loved and appreciated. One of the most effective ways to do this is to engage with each other by getting to know one another. If you would like to make in-person visits or phone calls as a way to connect with others in our church, please plan to attend a meeting of the Visitation Group on Saturday, February 28 at 1 pm in the Library (1040). All are welcome. Contact Rev. Kathy Thiel with any questions at kthiel@asburyfirst.org
Sunday, March 1, at 1 pm in the Library
If you are experiencing grief and would like a place to talk about it and share with others, you are welcome to attend via Zoom Only on Wednesday, February 25, from 4 to 5 pm. All are welcome, whether your grief is new and raw, or seasoned and familiar. Please join us. In-Person Grief Group meetings will resume in March.Contact Rev. Kathy Thiel with questions at (585) 271-1050 x106 or kthiel@asburyfirst.org.
Lenten Book Study: Prayer in the Night Next week, we will continue our Lenten Study of Prayer in the Night, by Tish Harrison-Warren, during our 9:45 am Sunday school hour (2/22) and 6 pm Wednesday evening programming (2/25). Both of these times will be open for in-person and Zoom participation. All are welcome to join. Please contact Mike Mullin mmullin@asburyfirst.org for a full reading schedule.
Read Across America Week comes to Asbury First
Sunday, March 1, between 10:30 and 11 am, the Library at Asbury First will begin celebrating Read Across America Week with some very special guests! Stop by the church library to meet and have your picture taken with The Cat in the Hat, Thing 1 and Thing 2! FUN For EVERYONE!
FIRST TIME HERE We are so glad you are joining worship today, whether in person or online. Please sign in on the red fellowship pad and pass it down your pew. Our hope is to get to know you better and help you find your place within this community. You can also drop an email to info@asburyfirst.org. If you’re participating offsite, check in through the website or take a picture and post it on social media using #asburyfirstathome. ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL Large print bulletins and hymnals are available from the ushers. A hearing loop is available for those who have hearing aids with T switches, and you may also request earphones from the ushers to aid you in hearing the service. The screens located in the sanctuary now display the service stream to aid in visibility. Please help us welcome differently-abled worshipers and visitors by not interacting with or distracting service animals. Need prayer? Share your prayer requests by filling out one of the prayer cards found in the pews or by emailing prayers@asburyfirst.org. All requests are prayed over by the Ministers and Intercessory Prayer Team. Children Children are a sacred gift, and they are welcome in worship. Children will be invited forward during worship for a Children’s Time. Following this, children age 4 through 5th grade are invited to go with the children’s educators for Sunday School or return to their caretaker for the remainder of the service. RECONCILING STATEMENT Asbury First is a reconciling congregation and seeks to be a fully inclusive church, believing that all people are God’s children. Read a full statement at asburyfirst.org/about-us/#reconciling-statement. GIVE TO ASBURY FIRST Your generous gifts support everyday ministries and operations, allowing this church to live into the vision to Do More Good. Cash/Check—We welcome gifts by check in the mail or a cash/check gift placed in the offering plate as it is passed to you. 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 the website at asburyfirst.org/give. Venmo—You may give a gift through Venmo by finding “@givingasburyfirst” or by scanning the QR code to the right. Watch and listen The livestream of the 11 am service is found at asburyfirst.org/live-stream. Listen live on WRFZ 106.3 FM Rochester Free Radio, or call this toll-free number: 833-829-1050. The video archive of past services is at asburyfirst.org/archive.
Asbury First United Methodist Church 1050 East Ave, Rochester NY 14607 (585) 271-1050 asburyfirst.org
Staff Emails are typically first initial then last name @asburyfirst.org. (ex. mboguetrost@asburyfirst.org) Rev. Dr. Michelle Bogue-Trost — Senior Minister, x125 Rev. Kathy Thiel — Minister for Congregational Care, x106 Position funded in part by the Susan Shafer Pastoral Care Fund Rev. Patrick Dupont — Minister for Outreach, x136 Michele Layher — Storehouse Coordinator Mike Mullin — Minister for Discipleship and Youth, x105 Dr. Carl Johengen — Director of Music Ministry, x134 Position funded in part by the Helen Fultz Music Fund Duane Prill — Principal Organist, x100 Position funded in part by the Craighead Fund David Strong — Assistant Organist Holly Temming — Operations Manager; Director of Children's Music, x114 Deb Bullock-Smith — Director of Operations, x117 John Ormsbee — Financial Controller, x107 Johnny Colón — Director of Property Care, x123 David Stith — Director of Communications, x109
Wednesday Morning Book Group – Miracles & Wonder
Thank you to everyone who has donated to the Chapel Challenge over the last year or so. You might be wondering how it works. The items requested for the Community Outreach Center (COC) are generally in low supply when we ask. We leave them there through the month as a visual reminder so people know donations are still being collected and can see our progress. If supplies of these particular things run out completely in the COC — as has happened — someone will retrieve what’s needed from the chapel. Otherwise, we wait until the end of the month to clear the donations. Please be assured your donations WILL be used and are very much appreciated. Diana Louise Carter, chair of the Outreach Committee
Give Online at www.asburyfirst.org/GIVE, text to give at (206) 222-1050, VENMO VIA THE QR CODE, OR MAIL IN A CHECK TO 1050 EAST AVENUE, ROCHESTER, NY 14607 Facebook and instagram: @asburyfirstumc
Monday, March 16, from 7 to 8 pm in the Red Room or via Zoom* (see zoom key on Page 9), join the Banned Book Club for a discussion of Jodi Picoult's Nineteen Minutes, a poignant novel exploring the 2007 shooting at Sterling High in New Hampshire, and the intersection of bullying with school shootings. Email programs@asburyfirst.org for more details.
Banned Book Club
February Chapel Challenge: Queen-Sized Bed Sheets
Love God and Neighbor. Live Fully. Serve All. Repeat.
Join our Wednesday morning book study Wednesdays from 10 to 11:30 am in the Red Room (1010) and via Zoom * (see zoom key on Page 9) as we explore Miracles and Wonder by Elaine Pagels, an historical mystery that examines the gospels Jesus's followers left behind. Each chapter addresses fascinating questions—Why a virgin birth? Why the resurrection? Did miracles really happen and what did they mean?—bringing Jesus and his followers vividly to life while shedding light on his enduring power to inspire and attract. All are welcome to join this engaging discussion.
*PROCESSIONAL HYMN: #269 “Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days”
*GATHERING HYMN: #378 “Amazing Grace”, vv. 1, 3
*RECESSIONAL HYMN: #110 “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”