July 12, 2026
9 & 11 AM WORSHIP
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Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Participants In the Service
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Michelle Bogue-Trost Liturgist: Rev. Dee Finch Musician: Carl Johengen
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WELCOME *CALL TO WORSHIP (found on the facing page) *OPENING SONG: "Be Thou My Vision” (found on the handout) PRAYER OF CONFESSION (found on the facing page) *PASSING THE PEACE SCRIPTURE: Romans 8:1-11 (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: "God, Whose Love is Reigning o'er Us" (found on the handout) *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: Duane Prill, organ: Prelude and Fugue in C Major, BWV 553; Prelude and Fugue in F Major, BWV 556 — J.S. Bach INTROIT: Blessed Jesus, at thy word we are gathered all to hear thee; let our hearts and souls be stirred now to seek and love and fear thee, by thy teachings sweet and holy, drawn from earth to love thee solely. (Words: Tobias Clausnitzer, tr. Catherine Winkworth; Tune: Liebster Jesu, Johann Ahle) *CALL TO WORSHIP There are voices that tell us we are not enough, that our failures define us, that the story is already written. We are not here to listen to those voices. The Spirit of God is moving among us, bringing life where hope has grown thin and possibility where we see only limits. We are here to listen to the Spirit and to receive the life God offers. We know that in Christ, a new future is already unfolding. We are here to worship the God who makes all things new. *PROCESSIONAL HYMN: #539 "O Spirit of the Living God" *WELCOME *GATHERING HYMN: #465 "Holy Spirit, Truth Divine", vv. 1, 2 PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of life, we spend so much energy measuring ourselves—counting successes and failures, rehearsing regrets, carrying burdens we were never meant to bear. We listen to voices that diminish us and forget to listen for your Spirit. When fear narrows our vision, when cynicism hardens our hearts, when weariness steals our joy, draw us back to the life you desire for us. Remind us that we are more than our mistakes, more than our doubts, more than the stories we tell ourselves. Open us to the renewing work of your Spirit, we pray. Amen. SILENT CONFESSION WORDS OF ASSURANCE Hear this good news: The old story does not have the final word. The Spirit of God is already at work, bringing life, healing, and renewal. We are held in grace and called into life. *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. WELCOMING A NEW MEMBER: Lucy Arbanas *CONGREGATIONAL PLEDGE We, the friends and members of the Asbury First United Methodist Church, do hereby welcome you into this congregation of the Body of Christ. We promise to share with you our experience of faith and ask that you share yourself with us. We do not presume to tell you what you must believe, for this is a search to be made with God’s guidance, and with our company. In this way we shall learn from one another, grow stronger, and more often be faithful to God as servants to all people. So be it. *HYMN: #557 "Blest Be the Tie that Binds", v. 1 Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. SCRIPTURE: Romans 8:1-11 (The Message) With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying dark cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death. God went for the jugular when God sent God’s own Son. God didn’t deal with the problem as something remote and unimportant. In this Son, Jesus, God personally took on the human condition, entered the disordered mess of struggling humanity in order to set it right once and for all. The law code, weakened as it always was by fractured human nature, could never have done that. The law always ended up being used as a Band-Aid on sin instead of a deep healing of it. And now what the law code asked for but we couldn’t deliver is accomplished as we, instead of redoubling our own efforts, simply embrace what the Spirit is doing in us. Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life. Those who trust God’s action in them find that God’s Spirit is in them—living and breathing God! Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. Focusing on the self is the opposite of focusing on God. Anyone completely absorbed in self ignores God, ends up thinking more about self than God. That person ignores who God is and what God is doing. And God isn’t pleased at being ignored. But if God’s own self has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of God. Anyone, of course, who has not welcomed this invisible but clearly present God, the Spirit of Christ, won’t know what we’re talking about. But for you who welcome the Spirit, in whom God dwells—even though you still experience all the limitations of sin—you yourself experience life on God’s terms. It stands to reason, doesn’t it, that if the alive-and-present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, God willl do the same thing in you that was done in Jesus, bringing you alive to God’s self? When God lives and breathes in you (and God does, as surely as God did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With Christ’s Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ’s! 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: Jordan Bachmann, soloist “We Are the Lord’s” — Irish folk tune, arr. Roland Martin; words by Charles T. Astley We are the Lord’s; His all sufficient merit, sealed on the cross, to us this grace accords. We are the Lord’s and all things shall inherit; whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. We are the Lord’s; then let us gladly tender our souls to Him in deeds, not empty words. Let heart and tongue and life combine to render no doubtful witness that we are the Lord’s. We are the Lord’s; no darkness brooding o’er us can make us tremble while this star affords A steady light along the path before us—faith’s full assurance that we are the Lord’s. We are the Lord’s; no evil can befall us in the dread hour of life’s fast loosening cords; No pangs of death shall even then appall us. Death we shall vanquish, for we are the Lord’s. CHILDREN'S TIME: Jo Urriola-Schonewolf, Coordinator for Age-Level Ministries 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: #451 “Be Thou My Vision” SERMON CALL TO PRAYER Gracious Lord, thyself impart! Light of light, from God proceeding, open thou our ears and heart; help us by thy spirit's pleading; hear the cry thy people raises; hear, and bless our prayers and praises. (Words: Tobias Clausnitzer, tr. Catherine Winkworth; Tune: Liebster Jesu, Johann Ahle) 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 or PayPal—scan the QR code, enter your donation amount, then choose your payment type via the icons on the form. OFFERTORY: Summer Choir “Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit” – Spiritual, arr. Moses Hogan, John Purifoy (Refrain:) Ev'ry time I feel the Spirit movin’ in my heart, I will pray. Yes, ev'ry time I feel the Spirit... On the mountain, my Lord spoke, out his mouth came fire and smoke. Down in the valley, on my knees, I asked my Lord have mercy please. (Refrain) Jordan river chilly and cold, chills the body not the soul. All around me looked so fine, I asked the Lord if all was mine. (Refrain) Ain’t but one train on this track, runs to heaven and right back. St. Peter waitin’ at the gate, said come on sinner, don’t be late. (Refrain) *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 God of renewal, you meet us not with condemnation but with the gift of new life. Receive these gifts, and use them to bring hope where despair has settled, encouragement where spirits have grown weary, and signs of your renewing presence throughout the world. May our giving reflect our trust in the life your Spirit continues to create. Amen. *RECESSIONAL HYMN: #100 “God, Whose Love is Reigning o'er Us" *BENEDICTION *BENEDICTION RESPONSE: Amen. (John Storer) POSTLUDE: Prelude and Fugue in B-Flat Major, BWV 560 — J.S. Bach
A Heads-Up: How you use Venmo at Asbury First is about to change! Starting June 14 the QR code you scan will take you to a form where you'll select Venmo as your payment option. From there, the process will be just as before.
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ALTAR FLOWERS The flowers on the altars are given to the glory of God, and in honor of the youths and adults that just returned from their mission trip, by Marcia Wilke. And in loving memory of Enid Graham-Raad by her son Scot and her daughter Lori. 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 are saddened to share news of the death of Ed Ristau. As we give thanks for his life, we hold Ed's family and friends in our prayers and in the loving embrace of this congregation. May God's grace sustain them, and may cherished memories bring comfort in the midst of sorrow. A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, July 16 at 11 am. 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. Dee Finch so that we can arrange a visit. (585) 271-1050, x106.
Thursday Morning Prayer at Asbury First
"We Are the Lord's" © 2003 St. James Music Press; “Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit” © 1999 Hal Leonard Corporation; 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
Permissions:
In these times of shifting headlines and unsettling political events, our pastoral staff feels called to help our community maintain spiritual grounding. We invite you to join us for Morning Prayer every Thursday from 9:30 to 10 am in the Meditation Chapel (within the Sanctuary). This simple weekly service offers a space to center ourselves in God's presence, solidarity, compassion, and love. No special preparation needed—come as you are, whenever you can join us.
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Michelle Bogue-Trost Liturgists: Rev. Dee Finch Reader: Dawn Riedy Organist: Duane Prill Summer Choir Section Leaders: Juli Elliot, Bess Phillips, Dan McInerney, Jordan Bachmann Director of Music Ministry: Dr. Carl Johengen Crucifer, Acolyte: Jacob Parkes, David Snyder Altar Guild Team: Marlyn Agard, Angie Burch 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
Meetings & Rehearsals July 12 – JUly 19
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
THURSDAY
7 am
Breakfast – 1010, Dining & Caring Center
8 am
Lectio Divina – Zoom ^
9:30 am
Morning Prayer – 1040, Sanctuary
1 pm
Companions in Christ – 1050, Pastor Michelle's Office
3 pm
Ed Ristau Memorial Service– asburyfirst.org/live-stream
6 pm
UR Well Clinic – 1010, Red Room
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY (7/19)
9 am
Worship Service – Outdoors on the East Ave Lawn
10 am
Summer Choir Rehearsal – 1040, Wesley Hall
10:45 am
Childcare – 1040, 1st Floor, Education Wing
11 am
Worship Service – In-Person and Livestream
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
12 pm
Lunch – 1010, Dining & Caring Center
3pm
Intergenerational Nature Walk
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
Children's Sunday School
Welcoming New Staff Celebration – 1040, Gathering Center
Intergenerational Ice Cream Crawl – 1040, Gathering Center
MONDAY
Library Work Day – 1040, Library
Monday Morning Crew – 1040
TUESDAY
8:30 am
Lectio Divina – Zoom #
Tuesday Morning Women's Fellowship – Zoom #
Gentle Yoga – 1040, Gathering Center
WEDNESDAY
Men's Devotional Group – Zoom #
Chapel Challenge: Bottled Water July's Chapel Challenge will help keep our neighbors hydrated during these hot summer weeks. Bring in packages of bottled water for distribution by the Dining and Caring Center. Please drop them off near the rail in the front of the Children's Chapel before or after services. Thank you for caring for our neighbors!
Our regular youth and children’s programming may be over for the year, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop! Join us for an assortment of activities for all ages on Summer Sundays at 3 pm, including: an Ice Cream Crawl on July 12; a Nature Walk on July 19; Foot Golf at the Genesee Valley Golf Course on July 26; a Meditation Walk on August 2; and Bowling on August 9! For more information, please contact Jo at jurriola-schonewolf@asburyfirst.org. And keep an eye out for details about our Kickball Tournament that will cap off the summer, on August 16, 23, and 30!
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.
VBS IS GONNA BE COSMIC!
Asbury First Civics Team Postcarding Continues! Postcard stamps are increasing in cost again from $.61 to $.65 on July 12. If you wish to support the Social Justice Team's postcard writing initiative please leave the stamps at 1050 East Ave or drop them off at 1010, in the Red Room, any Thursday morning from 10 to 12 pm. Thank you for your support!
ALL AGES FUN
Scan the QR code learn more or visit asburyfirst.org/columbarium
Summer is here, and with it, a 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 Deb Bullock-Smith to reserve your niche or learn more at dbullocksmith@asburyfirst.org or call (585) 271-1050 x117.
The Columbarium & Memorial Garden
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/PayPal—You may give a gift through Venmo or PayPal by scanning the QR code below and selecting your preferred payment method. 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.
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. Patrick Dupont — Minister for Outreach, x136 Rev. Dee Finch — Minister for Nurture and Discipleship, x106 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, x113 Deb Bullock-Smith — Director of Operations, x117 John Ormsbee — Financial Controller, x107 Johnny Colón — Director of Property Care, x123 Michele Layher — Storehouse Coordinator David Stith — Director of Communications, x109 Austin Retzlaff — Communications Assistant Jordan Cole — Hospitality Coordinator
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Welcome Celebration for New Staff — JULY 12
Give Online at www.asburyfirst.org/GIVE, SCAN THE QR CODE TO GIVE BY PHONE, text to give at (206) 222-1050, OR MAIL IN A CHECK TO 1050 EAST AVENUE, ROCHESTER, NY 14607 Facebook and instagram: @asburyfirstumc
Join Asbury First in the Rochester Pride Parade
JOIN IN THE FUN on Sunday, July 12, following 11 am worship, as we celebrate and welcome several new members of our Asbury First staff team! We will have a church-wide picnic, lots of games, and a few special surprises. Come help us offer a warm Asbury First welcome as we celebrate this new season of ministry better together! In addition to welcoming Rev. Dee Finch, our new Minister for Nurture and
Discipleship, we will also welcome staff who have come on board in recent months to fill important roles in the life of the church: Jo Urriola-Schonewolf, Coordinator for Age-Level Ministries; Austin Retzlaff, Communications Associate; Jordan Cole, Hospitality Coordinator; Dan McInerney, Operations Associate; and Alex Hunt, Associate for Age-Level Ministries. Many of these staff members are stepping into positions vacated by departing staff, and we are grateful for the gifts, energy, and care they are already bringing to our shared ministry.
Love God and Neighbor. Live Fully. Serve All. Repeat.
PRIDE T-SHIRTS CAN BE ORDERED BY SCANING HERE!:
Stay Connected to the Life of Asbury First!
Saturday, July 18 at 11 am, join us as we march in the Pride Parade alongside Balloon Jesus! Line up begins at 10 am at Science Parkway, and free parking with shuttle service is available from MCC lot A. T-shirts are available for purchase by scanning the QR code to the right.
*PROCESSIONAL HYMN: #539 "O Spirit of the Living God"
*PROCESSIONAL HYMN: #539 "O Spirit of the Living God" (cont'd)
*GATHERING HYMN: #465 "Holy Spirit, Truth Divine", vv. 1, 2
*HYMN: #451 “Be Thou My Vision”
*RECESSIONAL HYMN: #100 “God, Whose Love Is Reigning O'er Us"