May 31, 2026
9 & 11 AM WORSHIP
Participants In the Service
Preacher: Mike Mullin Leaders: Rev. Kathy Thiel, Jo Urriola-Schonewolf Reader: Carol Roote Musician: Chris Gold
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Trinity Sunday
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WELCOME *CALL TO WORSHIP (found on the facing page) *OPENING SONG: “God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens” PRAYER OF CONFESSION (found on the facing page) *PASSING THE PEACE SCRIPTURE: Genesis 1.1-2.4a (found on page 4) CHILDREN'S TIME 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: “Prolific Omissions: A Living Lipogram” PRAYER INVITATION TO DISCIPLESHIP AND ENGAGEMENT OFFERING OURSELVES TO GOD'S PURPOSES *CLOSING SONG: "Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord, God Almighty” *BENEDICTION
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: Silver Belles Trumpet Ensemble "Fanfare" — Mel Broiles "All Creatures of Our God and King" — Geistliche Kirchengesäng, arr. Monty J. Budahl "To God Be the Glory" — William Doane, arr. Keith Kunda "The Heavens Declare the Glory of God" (“Psalm 19”) — Benedetto Marcello *CALL TO WORSHIP God of all creation, who calls us into being, You have formed us in your image, and called us each to love. Creator of all things seen and unseen, You have entrusted us to care for this world. Lord of life and death and time eternal, You have called us to be co-creators of your kindom here and now. May it be so. Amen. *PROCESSIONAL HYMN: #150 “God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens” *WELCOME *GATHERING HYMN: #85 "We Believe in One True God" PRAYER OF CONFESSION Lord, we confess that we have fallen short of your call to a fully inclusive community. While we make claims of open hearts, open minds, and open doors, we still harbor judgment, distrust, and division. On this Trinitarian Sunday, we are reminded of the foundational call to community—there is one God in three persons. We are many, but we are called to become the one body of Christ, active and present in this world. SILENT CONFESSION WORDS OF ASSURANCE Friends, we are called to Christian community by the creator, sustainer, and redeemer of all. May we celebrate our diversity as integral to our unity, and know that we are forgiven. By the grace of God, we are forgiven, and we are beloved. Amen. *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: Genesis 1:1-2:4a, from “Initial Instructions” by Rabbi Joseph H. Prouser God’s initial act in God’s constantly unfolding work of cosmogony was formation of our world and its sky. All was, at that point, without form, and chaotic. It was profoundly dark, with God’s Spirit floating in a cosmic limbo. God said: “Now for light!” And it was light!! God saw how good God’s light was, distinguishing light from dark. God’s light was known as “day.” Dark was known as “night.” Following nightfall was morning. A first day!! God said: “Now, a distinct boundary for this sky, so as to distinguish among fluids!” God did form such a division, distinguishing our world’s fluid from fluids on high. And it was so. God’s boundary was known as “sky.” Following nightfall was morning. Day two!! God said: “All fluids will form a solitary pool, allowing for dry land!” And it was so. This dry part is now known as “Land.” All that fluid, though, is commonly known as “ponds,” “brooks” and such (also: cricks, wadis, lagoons, gulfs, lochs, and fjords). And God saw that this was good. God said: “Now plants will sprout (plants such as cactus and carnation, lilac and lily, poppy and poplar, moss and magnolia, acacia and ash…)! Plants which will, in turn, bring about additional off-shoots! And fruit orchards which will bring about young saplings of similar kind throughout this world (So many fruits: apricots, figs, casabas, citrons, and guavas; kumquats and mangos, papaya and passion fruit, pitanga and plum)!” And it was so. Plants did grow—and with just such capacity for off-shoots! Fruits, too—with additional saplings to follow! And God saw that this was good. Following nightfall was morning. A third day!! God said: “Now… lights for My sky, to distinguish day from night! Said lights will act as a natural clock of a daily and annual sort…also providing illumination for this world.” And it was so. God did form two such lights: a sun for ruling days and a moon for ruling nights. Stars, too (amazing astral and galactic displays: Canis and Ursa—both with Major and Minor—Corona Australis, Dorado and Draco, Lupus and Lyra, Cygnus and Grus)! God did assign all lights provision of worldly illumination from on high, ruling day and night, and distinguishing light from dark. And God saw that this was good. Following nightfall was morning. A fourth day!! God said: “All this fluid will now bring forth swarms of living animals (stingrays and swordfish, tuna and trout; marlin and minnow, clam, carp, cod, shark); and birds that fly way up in My sky (bank swallows, barn owls, blackbirds, and buzzards; macaws and mallards, martins and mynas). God did form monstrous aquatic animals (humpbacks and narwhals and so on), and all sorts of living things that crawl forth from pool and pond in swarms (no doubt arthropods, gastropods, mollusks, slugs, and worms). Also all sorts of birds with wings! And God saw that this was good. God did wish God’s animals only good, saying: “Fructify! Multiply! Fill all ponds and pools. Birds, fill My world!” Following nightfall was morning. A fifth day!! God said: “Now… dry land will bring forth all sorts of living animals: cows (Angus, Brahman, Durham) and such; and crawling things (all kinds of bugs and arachnids, gnats, moths, scarabs, locust and woodticks); and all kinds of wild animals (lions and bobcats, dingo and fox; jackal and warthog, llama and lynx)!” And it was so. God did form wild animals of all sorts, and cows of all sorts—and all kinds of crawling things on land. And God saw that this was good. And God said: “Now it is up to Us to form humankind with a Godly capacity—akin to Our own! Humans will control fish in all pools and ponds, all cows and similar animals, all this world! Also all crawling things among land animals.” God did form humankind with a Godly capacity. With a most Godly capacity did God form humanity—woman just as Godly as man, boys just as Godly as girls. God did wish humanity only good, saying: “Fructify! Multiply! Fill all this world, dominating it… ruling all fish that swim, all birds that fly, and all living things that crawl on land.” God said: “Now, a gift to you: all plants throughout this world, all orchards with fruit—all this is yours for food. All this world’s plants, too, I am giving as a gift to all animals on land, all birds that fly skyward, all that crawls on this world—all living animals.” And it was so. And God saw all God’s works, and found it—Oh, so good! Following nightfall was morning. A sixth day!! God’s formation of sky and land was now at its conclusion… also that of a vast, accompanying cosmic host. On our world’s first Sabbath, God found God’s work of formation fully satisfying. On that first Sabbath, God put a stop to all God’s work (thus, typifying for humanity a willing submission to moral constraint). God’s provision of a Sabbath Day would mark it as Holy, for on it God could stop all God’s work of formation. Such is our Story of sky and land and formation of our Cosmos. 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: Juli Elliot, Brenda Nitsch, Dan McInerney, soloists “For the Beauty of the Earth” — John Rutter; words by Folliott Sandford Pierpoint For the beauty of the earth, for the beauty of the skies, For the love, which from our birth over and around us lies: Lord of all, to thee we raise this our joyful hymn of praise. For the beauty of each hour of the day and of the night, Hill and vale and tree and flower, sun and moon and stars of light: Lord of all, to thee we raise this our joyful hymn of praise For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child, Friends on earth and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild: Lord of all, to thee we raise this our joyful hymn of praise. For each perfect gift of thine to our race so freely given, Graces human and divine, flowers of earth and buds of heaven: Lord of all, to thee we raise this our joyful hymn of praise. 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: “Lord, Make Us One” — words and music by Olabanji Onamuti (found on pg. 7) SERMON: “Prolific Omissions: A Living Lipogram” 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: Silver Belles Trumpet Ensemble, Duane Prill, organ “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” — arr. Gordon Schuster *DOXOLOGY: (Hymnal #95) Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above, ye heavenly host; Creator, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. *PRAYER OF DEDICATION May our gifts of time, talent, and treasure be a blessing to this church, this community, and beyond. May we be inspired to be co-conspirators and co-creators as we go forth into the world to do more good together. *RECESSIONAL HYMN: #64 “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty” *BENEDICTION POSTLUDE: Silver Belles Trumpet Ensemble, Duane Prill, organ “O Worship the King” — arr. Gordon Schuster
Our 11 am service this morning is enhanced by the presence of the Silver Belles trumpet ensemble, who have been visiting Rochester as featured performers at the 50th annual International Trumpet Guild conference. While here, they have been using Asbury First's sanctuary for rehearsing and recording. The group has fourteen members, six of whom are with us this morning: Karen Kosmerl Griffin, Cindy Scaruffi-Klispie, Joan Haaland Paddock, Mary Dye, Sharon Jacobson-Stine, and Joan Retzke. We are grateful for their gift of music!
“All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” and “O Worship the King” © 1994 David E. Smith Publications LLC; “For the Beauty of the Earth” © 1980 Oxford University 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.
Permissions:
Preacher: Mike Mullin Liturgist: Rev. Kathy Thiel Reader: Andrew Hunt Organist: Duane Prill Soloists: Juli Elliot, Brenda Nitsch, Dan McInerney Coordinator for Age-Level Ministries: Jo Urriola-Schonewolf Crucifer, Acolyte: Martha Neubert Altar Guild Team: Sharon Parker, Martha Tuke Head Usher: Dennis Roote, Tommy Johnson, Jr. Production Director: Kenny Bailey Production Suite Team: Noël Nichols Technology Support Team: Dave Rice, Kenny Bailey, Larry Dugan, Rick Church
SCAN TO GIVE VIA VENMO
*HYMN: “Lord, Make Us One”
Celebrations and concerns
ALTAR FLOWERS The flowers on the altars are given to the glory of God and in gratitude for past and present Church members. 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 the family of Beth Woolever, who died on May 20. A Memorial Service to celebrate her life will be held here at Asbury First, Friday, June 12 at 11 am. Our hearts and prayers are with the family of David Crawford who died on May 9. Our prayers and deepest condolences are with the family and friends of Donna Schell, who died on May 4. There will be a Memorial Service to celebrate her life later in the Summer. Our hearts and prayers are with the family of Mason Fitch who died on May 14. A Memorial Service to celebrate his life will be held on Monday, June 15 at 1 pm 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.
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
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
SUNDAY
9 am
Worship Service – Outdoors on the East Ave Lawn
11 am
Children's Sunday School – 1040, 2nd Floor, Ed. Wing Prek – 2nd grade – Room 206 3rd – 5th grade – Room 201 Pick-Up Location: the playground, rain location: Ed. Wing
Worship Service – In-Person and Livestream
Childcare – 1040, 1st Floor, Education Wing
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
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 #
6:30 pm
Youth Nosh, Bells & Choir – 1040, Gathering Center
THURSDAY
8 am
Spiritual Perspectives – Zoom ^
Morning Prayer – 1040, Sanctuary
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 #
SUNDAY (6/7)
YOUTH SUNDAY
Young Adulting AF – 1040, Youth Room
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
Meetings & Rehearsals MAY 31 – JUNE 7
Peace with Justice Sunday — Your Generosity Can Change Lives Today, we celebrate Peace with Justice Sunday, a special day when United Methodists around the world unite in prayer, reflection, and giving. This offering supports peacebuilding programs that address the root causes of conflict. We encourage you to consider how your gift can help bring about the world God envisions: one of peace, justice, and reconciliation. To see how your contributions make a difference, visit UMC.org/yourimpact
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.
Note: This production of "Don’t Drink the Water" is presented in the spirit of separating the art from the artist, and does not reflect an endorsement.
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
Asbury First Community Theatre presents: "Don't Drink the Water!" Tickets now available for June 12, 13 and 14 Reserve your seat today for this comedy about American tourists trapped behind the Iron Curtain, via the QR code!
SCAN TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT TODAY!
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!
VBS IS GONNA BE COSMIC!
Asbury First Community Garden Wants You!
We are looking for volunteers to join us for this growing season. No gardening experience is needed - everyone is welcome. We provide fresh produce to our Dining and Caring Center, and to Food Pantries in Rochester. There is plenty of flexibility, and volunteers can help in ways that fit their schedule and interest. Tasks may include planting, watering, weeding, harvesting, garden upkeep, or delivering produce. Whether you can volunteer regularly or occasionally, your time and support make a difference. If you're interested email programs@asburyfirst.org
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 Alex Hunt — Associate 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 welcome in worship at Asbury First and activity bags are available at each entrance of the Sanctuary. Children of all ages are invited to come forward for Children’s Time during worship; then, 4-year-olds through 5th grade can leave for Sunday School or return to their caretaker for the remainder of the service. Check the calendar in the bulletin for Sunday School pick-up location. Nursery childcare is provided for children three and under for the duration of the service in the Education Wing. 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. 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.
Youth Sunday: June 7 Our 6th-12th grade youth will lead us in worship on this special day. The youth have worked to help put together all aspects of the service—from choosing hymns, to writing prayers, to preparing sermons. Sundays like these help remind us that the youth are not simply our future, they are our present. On June 7, we will bear witness to the talents and offerings of these young people as we are led in worship together.
Sign up or just show up to give blood on Saturday, June 20 from 8:30 am to 1 pm in Asbury First's Gathering Center. Please call Ed Ristau at (585) 223-4356 or call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org to schedule your appointment. Please remember to bring your ID.
Blood Drive – June 20
At Asbury First, we believe God's love includes everyone — no exceptions. Join us June 21 for Pride Sunday as we celebrate the abundant gift of our diversity and reaffirm our commitment to being a place of refuge and blessing for all people. We remember that each of us — and especially our LGBTQIA+ siblings — is created with divine purpose and dignity. As we worship together, we also honor the courageous legacy of those who marched, resisted, and sacrificed so that love and justice could flourish. All are welcome.
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
East Avenue Music Festival Returns! Join Asbury First for the East Avenue Music Festival Sunday, June 14! This FREE afternoon event features 30-minute concerts at Asbury and four other historic churches along East Avenue, with food and strolling between stops, and starts here at Asbury First at 1 pm. Attend all or part of this community celebration. For more information, visit eastavenuemusicfestival.com
Love God and Neighbor. Live Fully. Serve All. Repeat.
Pride Sunday: June 21
*PROCESSIONAL HYMN: #150 “God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens”
*PROCESSIONAL HYMN: #150 “God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens” (cont'd)
*GATHERING HYMN: #85 "We Believe in One True God"
*RECESSIONAL HYMN: #64 “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty”