May 10, 2026
9 & 11 AM WORSHIP
Participants In the Service
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Michelle Bogue-Trost Reader: John Messenger Liturgist: Rev. Kathy Thiel Musician: Duane Prill
SIGN IN HERE
Sixth Sunday of Easter
{{page}}
Let us know you're here! Scan to sign in for the 9 am service
PRELUDE WELCOME *CALL TO WORSHIP (found on the facing page) *OPENING SONG: #304 “Easter People, Raise Your Voices” PRAYER OF CONFESSION (found on the facing page) *PASSING THE PEACE SCRIPTURE: Acts 17:22-31 (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: #384 “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” *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.)
SCAN TO SIGN IN FOR THE 11AM SERVICE
PRELUDE: "Air" — Dennis Eliot From The Four Seasons, Opus 8, No. 1, “Spring” — Antonio Vivaldi, arr. Drummond Wolff Allegretto; Largo; Allegro INTROIT Heaven is ringing with glad exultations, bright is the hope that so lately was dim; Jesus has come with a gift for the nations, Lo! He will gather the people to Him. Spread the glad message, ye murmuring rivers, Breezes repeat it from mountain to sea, Jesus has come with the strength that delivers; Jesus has come, and His people are free. (Words: Jesse Brown Pounds; Music: W. A. Mozart) *CALL TO WORSHIP In every place, people have reached for meaning, naming what they could not fully see. We bring our questions and our searching. God is not far from any of us. In God we live and move and have our being. We gather in the presence of the Love that has formed us. Through many lives and relationships, we have been shaped, guided, and sustained. We give thanks for the One who has given us life. *PROCESSIONAL HYMN: #304 “Easter People, Raise Your Voices” *WELCOME *GATHERING HYMN: #89 “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”, vv. 1, 2 PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of all life, we confess how often we lose sight of the relationships that have shaped us. We take for granted the care we have received, or carry wounds that remain unspoken. We settle for partial understandings of you and of one another. We hold tightly to what is familiar instead of growing toward deeper truth. Meet us in our remembering—in gratitude, in grief, in complexity. Expand our hearts to hold one another with compassion, and lead us into the fullness of life you offer. Amen. SILENT CONFESSION WORDS OF ASSURANCE God who gives us life does not withdraw in our remembering or our searching. We are held in a love that formed us and sustains us still. We rest in that love, and give thanks. *GLORIA (#102, “Now Thank We All Our God”, v. 3 alt.) All glory be to God, all praise and thanks be given; Whose Son and Spirit reign as one in highest Heaven; Our one eternal God, whom earth and heaven adore; For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore. SCRIPTURE: Acts 17:22-31 (New Revised Standard Version, Updated) Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, “Athenians, I see how extremely spiritual you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. From one ancestor he made all peoples to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, so that they would search for God and perhaps fumble about for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from each one of us. For ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we, too, are his offspring.’ “Since we are God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” 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 “So the Day Dawn for Me” — K. Lee Scott; words by Timothy Dudley-Smith and from Romans 8:35-37 So the day dawn for me, so the day break, Christ watching over me, Christ as I wake. Be the day shine to me, be the day bright, Christ my companion be, Christ be my light. Be the day dark to me, be the day drear, Christ shall my comfort be, Christ be my cheer. Be the day swift to me, be the day long, Christ my contentment be, Christ be my song. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? For it is written, “For thy sake are we put to death all day long; We are counted as sheep for the slaughter.” No, in all these things are we overwhelming conquerors through him who loved us. 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: #62 “All Creatures of Our God and King”, vv. 1-5 SERMON CALL TO PRAYER The eyes of all look to you, O Lord, and you give them their food in due season; you open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. (Psalm 145:15-16; Music by Carl Johengen) 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 and Brenda Nitsch, soloists “All Manner of Thing” — Sarah MacDonald; words by Julian of Norwich All manner of thing shall be well. And thus our good Lord answered to all the questions and doubts that I might make, saying full comfortably: I may make all thing well, I can make all thing well. I will make all thing well, I shall make all thing well. And thou shall see thyself that all manner of thing shall be well. *DOXOLOGY: (Hymnal #94) Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! *PRAYER OF DEDICATION God who is near to all, we offer these gifts in gratitude for the lives that have nurtured and sustained us. Use them to extend care, to strengthen communities of compassion, and to reflect your life-giving presence in the world. May what we give become part of the love that shapes others for life. Amen. *RECESSIONAL HYMN: #384 “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” *BENEDICTION *BENEDICTION RESPONSE: Amen. (John Stainer) POSTLUDE: “Toccata” — James Southbridge
SCAN TO GIVE VIA VENMO
Permissions:
“So the Day Dawn for Me” © 2002 Birnamwood/MorningStar Music Publishers; “All Manner of Thing” © 2019 St. James Music Press; 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. Pat Dupont, Mike Mullin Reader: John Messenger Organist: Duane Prill Sanctuary Choir Section Leaders: Juli Elliot, Brenda Nitsch, Dan McInerney, Jordan Bachmann Director of Music Ministry: Dr. Carl Johengen Coordinator for Age-Level Ministries: Jo Urriola-Schonewolf Crucifer, Acolyte: Martha Neubert, Poppy Marsiglio Altar Guild Team: Sharon Parker, Martha Tuke Head Usher: Dennis Roote, Tommy Johnson, Jr. Production Director: Larry Dugan Production Suite Team: Rick Church, Noel Nichols Technology Support Team: Dave Rice, Kenny Bailey, Larry Dugan, Rick Church
Help Me Connect!
ALTAR FLOWERS The flowers on the altars are The flowers on the altar are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Rev. Russell Clark & June Clark, on the date that was their wedding anniversary, by Nancy & Sebastian Specht, and in loving memory of Gary Leszcynski by Ed and Joanne Zelazny. 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 Our hearts and prayers are with George Heydweiller and his family as they grieve the death of Kay Heydweiller who died on March 11. A Memorial Service was held May 9 in the Sanctuary. 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.
Spring is here, 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
The Columbarium & Memorial Garden
Scan the QR code learn more or visit asburyfirst.org/columbarium
Are you interested in finding your place in the life of Asbury First? To find your deeper connection speak to one of the ministers after the service, scan the QR code, visit asburyfirst.org/help-me-connect or call the church office at (585) 271-1050.
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
FOR ZOOM ADDRESSES, SEE KEY BELOW
SUNDAY
MOTHER'S DAY
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
6th – 8th and 9th – 12th grade Youth Groups – 1040, Fellowship Hall
Lunch – 1010, Dining & Caring Center
6 pm
ACT Rehearsal — 1040, Fellowship Hall
MONDAY
Library Work Day – 1040, Library
Monday Morning Crew – 1040
5:30 pm
Governing Board Meeting – 1010, Red Room
TUESDAY
8:30 am
Lectio Divina – Zoom #
9:30 am
Tuesday Morning Women's Fellowship – Zoom #
3 pm
Companions in Christ – 1050, Pastor Michelle's Office
Gentle Yoga – 1040, Gathering Center
ACT Rehearsal– 1040, Fellowship Hall
WEDNESDAY
7 am
Breakfast – 1010, Dining & Caring Center
Men's Devotional Group – Zoom #
Wednesday Morning Study Group – 1010, Red Room and Zoom *
Older Adult Luncheon – 1040, Gathering Center
Community Dinner – 1040, Gathering Center
Wednesday Evening Programming – 1040, Wesley Hall and Zoom #
Children's Musical Rehearsal – 1040, Sanctuary
6:30 pm
Youth Nosh, Bells & Choir – 1040, Gathering Center
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
ACT Rehearsal – 1040, Fellowship Hall
UR Well Clinic – 1010, Red Room
FRIDAY
Disciple V Bible Study – Zoom #
Asbury Women's Art Class – 1040, Room 205
1:15 pm
Disciple IV Bible Study – Zoom #
SATURDAY
Geranium Sale Pick-up – 1010, Red Room
SUNDAY (5/17)
Children's Sunday School – 1040, 2nd Floor, Ed. Wing Prek – 2nd grade – Room 206 (final for the season!) 3rd – 5th grade – Room 201 (final for the season!)
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
Meetings & Rehearsals MAY 10 – MAY 17
Sunday, June 14, Asbury First's Summer Choir kicks into gear! Join the choir for the whole summer or for any individual Sunday! Summer Choir gathers at 10 am in Wesley Hall to rehearse accessible music that will be sung at the 11 am service. No need to be a member of Sanctuary Choir — but basic choral singing experience is recommended. If you have any questions, please reach out to our Director of Music Ministry, Carl Johengen at cjohengen@asburyfirst.org.
Adult Sunday School: Rough Sleepers Four-session series investigating homelessness in America
We're so excited for Asbury First's Summer VBS! Children in grades Pre-K (age 4) through 5th grade are invited to join us August 3–6 from 9 am to Noon for fun, faith-filled days exploring the Bible through arts, crafts, games, and more! Registration fees can be paid online via credit card or bank account through this form, or select "Pay Later" to mail a check to Asbury First United Methodist Church, 1050 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14607, Attn: John Ormsbee. For questions, email programs@asburyfirst.org.
The Library Prepares for Summer
Are you shocked by the rise in homelessness across America? Have you noticed it’s happening even here on the Asbury First campus? You can learn more in adult Sunday school classes through May 19 at 9:45 am in person in Fellowship Hall and on Zoom # as we consider the 2023 book, Rough Sleepers, by Tracy Kidder. Please contact programs@asburyfirst.org to learn more.
Join Summer Choir!
Summer is coming — time to return your library books and find some new ones! Stop by the Gathering Center on June 14, where the bibliocart will be stocked with great summer reads. You'll also find a table with tips on native plants and garden prep. Return your books, grab a new one, and get your garden ready to enjoy it in!
Memorial Service Volunteers Needed! Want to make a meaningful difference? Join our hospitality ministry and help families feel welcomed during Memorial Services! You'll assist with setting up the Gathering Center, prepping beverages, plating food, and tidying up afterward — about 4 hours per Service. Weekday and weekend availability is a plus (sometimes on short notice), but all are welcome! Reach out to hospitality@asburyfirst.org to get involved.
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 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 Jo Urriola-Schonewolf — Coordinator for Age-Level Ministries, x111 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 Austin Retzlaff — Communications Assistant Jordan Cole — Hospitality Coordinator
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 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. A video archive of past services is available at asburyfirst.org/archive.
Come As You Are. This May, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Asbury First invites you to an evening series unlike any other. On the first three Wednesday evenings in May at 6 pm in Wesley Hall, voices from within our congregation and beyond will share personal stories about mental health challenges they or their loved ones have faced. These evenings are about more than awareness; they're about breaking down stigma, building community, and discovering how we can better support ourselves and each other. Come as you are. Listen. Share. Heal — together.
Join us for our Spring gathering of worship, lunch, and fellowship! We will be accepting donations (suggested $5 - $10 per person) by cash, check, or via our online giving system on May 13. Please RSVP to Barbara Eltinge by Wednesday, May 6 by calling (585) 737-8775 or email programs@asburyfirst.org. Please indicate any dietary restrictions.
Summer Schedule begins May 24! 9 am Worship will take place outdoors on the East Ave lawn
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
Asbury First's summer tradition of hosting our 9 am worship service outside on fair Sundays continues this year from May 24 to September 6 (Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend). We will assemble in front of the 1050 building. We ask that you bring your own lawn chair or lawn blanket if at all possible—toss them in your trunk now!
Love God and Neighbor. Live Fully. Serve All. Repeat.
Older Adult Spring Worship and Lunch Wednesday, May 13 at 11 am in the Sanctuary Noon lunch in the Gathering Center
*PROCESSIONAL HYMN: #304 “Easter People, Raise Your Voices”
*GATHERING HYMN: #89 “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”, vv. 1, 2
*HYMN: #62 “All Creatures of Our God and King”, vv. 1-5
*HYMN: #62 “All Creatures of Our God and King” (cont'd)
*RECESSIONAL HYMN: #384 “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”
*RECESSIONAL HYMN: #384 “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” (cont'd)