March 22, 2026
9 & 11 AM WORSHIP
Participants In the Service
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Michelle Bogue-Trost Reader: Craig Dennison Liturgist: Rev. Kathy Thiel Musician: Dr. Carl Johengen
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Fifth Sunday in Lent
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PRELUDE WELCOME *CALL TO WORSHIP (found on the facing page) *OPENING SONG: #500 “Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart” PRAYER OF CONFESSION (found on the facing page) *PASSING THE PEACE SCRIPTURE: John 11:1-45 (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: #383 “This is a Day of New Beginnings” *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: “Prelude in C minor” BWV 546 — J.S. Bach INTROIT Lord Jesus Christ, be present now, our hearts in true devotion bow, your Spirit send with grace divine, and let your truth within us shine. (Words: Wilhelm II, Duke of Sachse-Weimar, tr. Catherine Winkworth; Music: Felix Mendelssohn) *CALL TO WORSHIP There are moments when loss feels final and hope arrives late. We bring our grief and our questions into this place. Jesus stands at the tomb and does not turn away. He weeps with those who mourn. We trust that God meets us in sorrow. A voice calls a name in the darkness. Life answers. We listen for the One who calls us toward life. *PROCESSIONAL HYMN: #500 “Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart” *WELCOME *GATHERING HYMN: #262 “Heal Me, Hands of Jesus”, vv. 1, 4 PRAYER OF CONFESSION God who knows both tears and hope, admit how often we try to avoid grief or rush past what hurts. We want resurrection without acknowledging what has been lost. We struggle to trust you when your timing feels different from ours. Stay near to us in our questions. Receive what we carry. Call us, in your time, toward the life you are still bringing forth. We ask it in hope and trust. Amen. SILENT CONFESSION WORDS OF ASSURANCE Christ is not distant from our sorrow. Love stands even at the grave. And where Christ calls, life is still possible. We hold tightly to that assurance. *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) SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM: Carson Stanley Williams, born October 7, 2025, child of Anna & Chris Williams Thanksgiving over the Water God be with you. And also with you. God brings us to this moment of grace. And for this, we give God thanks and praise. Promises AND BAPTISM *Congregational Pledge Siblings of the household of faith, members of the body of Christ, we commend to your love and care George, whom we this day recognize as a member of the family of God. What promise will you make to this family? With God's help we will so order our lives after the example of Christ, that this child, surrounded by steadfast love, may be established in the faith, and confirmed and strengthened in the ways that lead to life eternal. *HYMN: #611, v. 1 Child of blessing, child of promise, baptized with the Spirit's sign; with this water God has sealed you unto love and grace divine. SCRIPTURE: John 11:1-45 (Common English Bible) A certain man, Lazarus, was ill. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This was the Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped his feet with her hair. Her brother Lazarus was ill.) So the sisters sent word to Jesus, saying, “Lord, the one whom you love is ill.” When he heard this, Jesus said, “This illness isn’t fatal. It’s for the glory of God so that God’s Son can be glorified through it.” Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus. When he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed where he was. After two days, he said to his disciples, “Let’s return to Judea again.” The disciples replied, “Rabbi, the Jewish opposition wants to stone you, but you want to go back?” Jesus answered, “Aren’t there twelve hours in the day? Whoever walks in the day doesn’t stumble because they see the light of the world. But whoever walks in the night does stumble because the light isn’t in them.” He continued, “Our friend Lazarus is sleeping, but I am going in order to wake him up.” The disciples said, “Lord, if he’s sleeping, he will get well.” They thought Jesus meant that Lazarus was in a deep sleep, but Jesus had spoken about Lazarus’ death. Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died. For your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there so that you can believe. Let’s go to him.” Then Thomas (the one called Didymus) said to the other disciples, “Let us go too so that we may die with Jesus.” When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Bethany was a little less than two miles from Jerusalem. Many Jews had come to comfort Martha and Mary after their brother’s death. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, while Mary remained in the house. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. Even now I know that whatever you ask God, God will give you.” Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha replied, “I know that he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though they die. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She replied, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, God’s Son, the one who is coming into the world.” After she said this, she went and spoke privately to her sister Mary, “The teacher is here and he’s calling for you.” When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to Jesus. He hadn’t entered the village but was still in the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who were comforting Mary in the house saw her get up quickly and leave, they followed her. They assumed she was going to mourn at the tomb. When Mary arrived where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.” When Jesus saw her crying and the Jews who had come with her crying also, he was deeply disturbed and troubled. He asked, “Where have you laid him?” They replied, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus began to cry. The Jews said, “See how much he loved him!” But some of them said, “He healed the eyes of the man born blind. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?” Jesus was deeply disturbed again when he came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone covered the entrance. Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said, “Lord, the smell will be awful! He’s been dead four days.” Jesus replied, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believe, you will see God’s glory?” So they removed the stone. Jesus looked up and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. I know you always hear me. I say this for the benefit of the crowd standing here so that they will believe that you sent me.” Having said this, Jesus shouted with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his feet bound and his hands tied, and his face covered with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Untie him and let him go.” Therefore, many of the Jews who came with Mary and saw what Jesus did believed in 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 “Jesus, at Your Name” — Mark Hayes; words by John Parker Over all of heaven’s bliss Jesus chose a birth like this; Laid aside his royal crown, the Son of mercy traveled down. No feather bed on which to lie, instead this Christ was born to die. (Refrain:) Jesus, at your name every knee will bow. Jesus, at your name every tongue confess. Jesus, at your name every voice proclaim that you are Lord of all! O Jesus, at your name. Pilate set Barabbas free, but you they hung for all to see. A cross, a spear, a thorny crown became your emblems of renown. Faithful to your final breath, obedient even unto death. (Refrain) Let this mind be now in you, that though Christ owned the earth, He laid aside his very life to embrace this humble birth. (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. *HYMN: #420 “Breathe on Me, Breath of God” SERMON CALL TO PRAYER Unseal our lips to sing your praise, our souls to you in worship raise, make strong our faith, increase our light, that we may know your ways aright. (Words: Wilhelm II, Duke of Sachse-Weimar, tr. Catherine Winkworth; Music: Felix Mendelssohn) 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: Juli Elliot, soprano; Petros Karapetyan, violin; Brian Donat, cello; Duane Prill, organ “I Know that My Redeemer Liveth” (from Messiah) — G.F. Handel I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. For now is Christ risen from the dead, the first-fruits of them that sleep. *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 God of life beyond loss, we offer these gifts from lives that know both grief and gratitude. Use them to bring comfort to those who mourn, strength to those who wait, and signs of life where hope feels fragile. May what we give participate in your work of unbinding and renewal for us, and for others. Amen. *RECESSIONAL HYMN: #383 “This is a Day of New Beginnings”, vv. 1-4 *BENEDICTION *BENEDICTION RESPONSE: Amen. (Franz Schubert) POSTLUDE: “Fugue in C minor” BWV 546 — J.S. Bach
SCAN TO GIVE VIA VENMO
Permissions:
“Jesus, At Your Name” © 2007 Lorenz Publishing Co.; “I Know that My Redeemer Liveth” public domain; 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.
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Michelle Bogue-Trost Liturgists: Rev. Kathy Thiel, Rev. Pat Dupont, Mike Mullin Reader: Sean Mahan Organist: Duane Prill Sanctuary Choir Section Leaders: Juli Elliot, Brenda Nitsch, Dan McInerney, Jordan Bachmann Director of Music Ministry: Dr. Carl Johengen Crucifer, Acolyte: Giovanni Bucci, Kathie Collier-Bryant Altar Guild Team: Cindy Malone, Martha Tuke, Ellen Williams Head Usher: Dennis Roote, Tommy Johnson, Jr. Production Director: Kenny Bailey Production Suite Team: Rick Church, Tommy Johnson, Jr., Joe Blakely Technology Support Team: Dave Rice, Kenny Bailey, Dave Berg, Larry Dugan, Rick Church
Spring is around the corner, and with it, a first chance for the Memorial Garden to grow into its new home in the newly opened Columbarium, a sacred place to pray, reflect and meditate. Niches can be reserved for yourself or a loved one. Contact Kathy Thiel to reserve your niche or learn more at kthiel@asburyfirst.org or call (585) 271-1050 x106
Celebrations and concerns
SCAN TO ORDER FLOWERS FOR THE EASTER ALTAR.
Scan the QR code learn more or visit asburyfirst.org/columbarium
ALTAR FLOWERS The flowers on the altars are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Roy Kinney by his grandson John Anders; and in loving memory of Eli Eckman by his parents Brian & Ashley and brother’s Will & Sam. 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. Our hearts and prayers are with Kay Layton and her family as they grieve the death of Gary Layton, who died on February 18. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 28 at 11 am in the Sanctuary. Our hearts and prayers are with George Heydweiller and his family as they grieve the death of Kay Heydweiller who died on March 11. Information about a service to celebrate Kay's life will be available soon. 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.
Easter Altar Flower Donations Easter is just around the corner! If you would like to purchase altar flowers in memory, honor, or celebration of a loved one, please visit asburyfirst.org/news or scan the QR code at the right. Orders will be accepted until March 23. If you would prefer to pay by check, forms are available at the Welcome Desk. Checks should be made payable to Asbury First United Methodist Church Altar Guild and delivered to the church office, attention Beverly Schuman.
The Columbarium & Memorial Garden
Meetings & Rehearsals MARCH 22 – MARCH 29
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
9:30 am
Asbury Orchestra Rehearsal – 1040, Wesley Hall
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
12:30 pm
Fascinator Making – 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 #
Tuesday Morning Women's Fellowship – Zoom #
3 pm
Companions in Christ – 1050, Pastor Michelle's Office
Gentle Yoga – 1040, Gathering Center
6:30 pm
Carvers of Hope – 1040, Room 203
WEDNESDAY
7 am
Breakfast – 1010, COC Dining & Caring Center
Men's Devotional 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
5:30 pm
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
1 pm
UR Well Clinic – 1010, COC
FRIDAY
Disciple V Bible Study – Zoom #
Asbury Women's Art Class – 1040, Room 205
1:15 pm
Disciple IV Bible Study – Zoom #
SATURDAY
Gary Layton Memorial Service — 1040, Sanctuary
SUNDAY (3/29)
PALM SUNDAY
Doorknobs, Locks and Keys Among the hundreds of door latches and locks on campus are a few that need TLC from someone experienced with this kind of repair. If you can help us with this, please contact the Monday Morning Crew's Dave Kennedy at (585) 787-0422 or email programs@asburyfirst.org to lend us your talents!
Auditions for Don't Drink The Water Did you love Cinderella!? Be a part of the next production by Asbury First Community Theatre! Auditions for Woody Allen's "Don't Drink the Water" will be held Tuesday, April 7 at 6 pm in Fellowship Hall. Contact Larry Dugan at ldugan@asburyfirst.org for more information.
Human Rights Campaign Western & Central New York Dinner Saturday, May 16, 5 pm Reception, 6:30 pm Dinner & Program Rochester Riverside Convention Center An evening to remember! Join Asbury First at HRC's Western & Central New York national fundraising dinner on May 16, 5 pm, at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. Tickets purchased by March 20 receive a $50 discount. Read more about the event via the link below. Use the link below to purchase tickets and choose Asbury First United Methodist Church as your Table Captain. After your tickets are purchased complete the pre-check-in process to choose either a vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free meal. For questions, contact Holly Temming at htemming@asburyfirst.org. Visit bit.ly/2026HRC-WCNYDinner or scan the QR code to the left
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.
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 Rev. 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 Dan McInerney — Operations Associate 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 Jordan Cole — Hospitality Coordinator
Asbury First United Methodist Church 1050 East Ave, Rochester NY 14607 (585) 271-1050 asburyfirst.org
Scan the QR code to join via zoom every Tuesday 8:30 - 9 am and weekdays during Holy Week, Mon, Apr 14 – Fri, Apr 18
Lectio Divina each weekday of Holy Week Lectio Divina is a contemplative prayer practice focused on one scripture, which will guide us each day in spiritual reflection. Scan the QR code to join via zoom every Tuesday 8:30 - 9 am and weekdays during Holy Week, Monday, March 30 through Good Friday, April 3.
Holy Week at Asbury First is just around the corner with a series of much-beloved services beginning with Palm Sunday, then a special candlelight Maundy Thursday service with communion and a reenactment of Christ's last night, our traditional Good Friday “Envisioning the Passion” service, along with a special 7 am Easter Sunday Sunrise Service in the Asbury First Community Garden (weather permitting). For more information, visit asburyfirst.org/holy-week
LECTIO DIVINA
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
Love God and Neighbor. Live Fully. Serve All. Repeat.
*PROCESSIONAL HYMN: #500 “Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart”
*GATHERING HYMN: #262 “Heal Me, Hands of Jesus”, vv. 1, 4
*HYMN: #420 “Breathe on Me, Breath of God”
*RECESSIONAL HYMN: #383 “This is a Day of New Beginnings”, vv. 1-4