September 6, 2026
9 & 11 AM WORSHIP
Let us know you're here! Scan to sign in for the 9 am service
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Participants In the Service
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Michelle Bogue-Trost Clergy: Rev. Pat Dupont Reader: Cindy Haag Musician: Carl Johengen
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WELCOME *CALL TO WORSHIP (found on the facing page) *OPENING SONG: #408 “The Gift of Love” (found on the handout) PRAYER OF CONFESSION, SILENT CONFESSION, WORDS OF ASSURANCE (found on the facing page) *PASSING THE PEACE SCRIPTURE: Romans 13:8-14 (found on pg. 4) SERMON INVITATION TO DISCIPLESHIP AND ENGAGEMENT OFFERING OURSELVES TO GOD'S PURPOSES COMMUNION: The Lord be with you. And also with you Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. Sanctus: Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. The Mystery of Faith: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again. PRAYER AFTER RECEIVING: God of all, we give you thanks and praise, that when we were still far off, you met us in your Son and brought us home. Dying and living, he declared your love, gave us grace and opened the way to you. May we who share Christ’s body live his risen life; we who drink his cup bring life to others; we whom the Spirit lights give light to the world. Amen. *CLOSING SONG: #384 “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”, vv. 1, 3, 4 (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.)
SCAN TO SIGN IN FOR THE 11AM SERVICE
PRELUDE: Duane Prill, organ “Dearest Jesus, We Are Here” — arr. David Cherwin “Living Bread” — arr. Richard A. Williamson “Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness” — arr. Donald Busarow MOMENTS OF SILENCE *CALL TO WORSHIP The night is far gone; the day is near. Wake us, O God, to the world as it is and to the love you require. “Owe no one anything, except to love one another.” Keep us alert to our neighbors and attentive to your call. The day is near. We turn toward the light and worship the living God. *PROCESSIONAL HYMN: #559 “Christ is Made the Sure Foundation” *WELCOME *GATHERING HYMN: #632 “Draw Us in The Spirit's Tether”, v. 1, 2 PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of love, you call us to wake from sleep and live as people of the coming day. Yet we become accustomed to what should trouble us. We learn to look past suffering, to accept division as inevitable, and to move through the world without noticing how our choices affect our neighbors. Fear can make strangers of us. Anger can become easier to carry than compassion. Awaken us again. Open our eyes to what love requires, disarm what is destructive within us, and clothe us with the way of Christ, until love becomes more than what we believe and takes flesh in how we live. It is in his name we pray. Amen. SILENT CONFESSION WORDS OF ASSURANCE The night does not last forever. God’s grace meets us in the places where fear and failure have taken hold and calls us again toward the light. By the grace of God, we begin again in love. *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: Romans 13:8-14 (Common English Bible) Don’t be in debt to anyone, except for the obligation to love each other. Whoever loves another person has fulfilled the Law. The commandments, Don’t commit adultery, don’t murder, don’t steal, don’t desire what others have, and any other commandments, are all summed up in one word: You must love your neighbor as yourself. Love doesn’t do anything wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is what fulfills the Law. As you do all this, you know what time it is. The hour has already come for you to wake up from your sleep. Now our salvation is nearer than when we first had faith. The night is almost over, and the day is near. So let’s get rid of the actions that belong to the darkness and put on the weapons of light. Let’s behave appropriately as people who live in the day, not in partying and getting drunk, not in sleeping around and obscene behavior, not in fighting and obsession. Instead, dress yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ, and don’t plan to indulge your selfish desires. 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. CHILDREN'S TIME: Jo Urriola-Schonewolf, Coordinator for Age-Level Ministries Children of all ages are invited to join us in this special moment, and to attend Sunday School afterward. 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: #408 “The Gift of Love” SERMON 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 below. OFFERTORY: Juli Elliot, Carl Johengen, soloists "We Walk in Love" — Deanna Witkowski & Lemuel Colon We walk in love united in purpose. We join our hands and lift up one voice. We speak the truth with strength and compassion resounding with hope, with courage and joy. We cry for peace and rights for all people. We welcome friends from far and near. We fight for those whose voices are silenced, resisting in faith until all are free. We dream a world of justice and kindness. We build a bridge creating new paths. We march with joy as all walk together. Embracing each one, we boldly stand. THE GREAT THANKSGIVING The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. Words about the works of God. Words about the works of Jesus Words about the work of the Holy Spirit. COMMUNION Please follow the ushers' direction and leave your pew via the center aisles. Step forward to receive the bread. Once you have received the bread, move aside to receive the juice: — by intinction (dipping the bread in the cup), or — by taking a small cup from the tray, drinking the juice, and placing the empty cup in the basket. Return to your pew via the side aisle. Communion elements are grape juice and gluten-free bread. MUSIC DURING COMMUNION: Juli Elliot, Carl Johengen, soloists Let Beauty Be Our Memorial — J.A.C. Redford Let beauty be our memorial; let love be our last, best word. Let our dissonant counterpoint finally resolve in a graceful, consonant chord. Let goodness hallow the holy ground where under the Mercy we rest; Let beauty be our memorial and let all the earth be blest. *PRAYER AFTER RECEIVING: God of all, we give you thanks and praise, that when we were still far off, you met us in your Son and brought us home. Dying and living, he declared your love, gave us grace and opened the way to you. May we who share Christ’s body live his risen life; we who drink his cup bring life to others; we whom the Spirit lights give light to the world. Amen. *RECESSIONAL HYMN: #384 “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” *BENEDICTION POSTLUDE: Epilogue on “Lobe den Herren” — arr. Lani Smith
SCAN TO GIVE VIA VENMO or PAYPAL
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.
Permissions:
“We Walk in Love” © 2017 Deanna Witkowski, Lemuel Colon; “Let Beauty Be Our Memorial” © 2013 J.A.C. Redford; 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 Clergy: Rev. Pat Dupont Reader: Cindy Haag Organist: Duane Prill Soloist: Juli Elliot Director of Music Ministry: Dr. Carl Johengen Acolytes: Griffin Allen, Alé Bucci Communion Stewards: Frances Bryniarski, Judy Messenger Altar Guild Team: Karen Barner, Cindy Dankert, Karen Johnson Head Ushers: Dennis Roote, Tommy Johnson, Jr. Production Suite Team: Larry Dugan, Rick Church, Joe Blakely Technology Support Team: Dave Rice, Kenny Bailey, Larry Dugan, Rick Church
The Tears of Things: Prophetic Wisdom for an Age of Outrage
Help Me Connect!
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.
Celebrations and concerns
ALTAR FLOWERS The flowers on the altars are given to the glory of God and in gratitude of 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 prayers are with the family and friends of James Brazda, brother of Tom Brazda, who died August 25. As we give thanks for their lives, we hold their families 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 their sorrow. 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 who will be most glad to be with you in that moment. (585) 271-1050 x106.
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
Lectio Divina Tuesdays, 8:30 - 9 am and Thursdays, 8 - 9 am, both via Zoom Lectio Divina is a contemplative prayer practice focused on one scripture. There is prayer, reading of the passage, silent contemplation and discussion. The silence is an opportunity to reflect upon what you experienced in the scripture and how it resonates with you. Come to either or both sessions. For more information please contact Lori Jeanne Peloquin: programs@asburyfirst.org. All are welcome.
Join the Wednesday Morning Book Study this fall for The Tears of Things: Prophetic Wisdom for an Age of Outrage by Richard Rohr, starting September 9, 10 - 11:30 am in the Red Room (at 1010). Explore contemplative wisdom for navigating outrage and grief while holding onto hope. A relaxed 5-week format with community sharing. Get your book and read the Introduction and Chapters 1–2 before our first session!
FOR ZOOM ADDRESSES, SEE KEY BELOW
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
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
SUNDAY
9 am
Worship Service – Outdoors on the East Ave Lawn
10:45 am
Childcare – 1040, 1st Floor, Education Wing
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, Dining & Caring Center
MONDAY
Labor Day – Church Office Closed
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, Ministry Library
Gentle Yoga – 1040, Narthex
WEDNESDAY
7 am
Breakfast – 1010, Dining & Caring Center
Men's Devotional Group – Zoom #
10 am
Wednesday Morning Book Study – 1010, Red Room
5:30 pm
Community Dinner – 1040, Gathering Center
6 pm
Youth Musical Auditions - 1040, Fellowship Hall
7:30 pm
Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal – 1040, Wesley Hall
THURSDAY
8 am
Lectio Divina – Zoom ^
Morning Prayer – 1040, Sanctuary
Asbury First Civics Team – 1010, Red Room
1 pm
UR Well Clinic – 1010, Red Room
FRIDAY
Disciple V – Zoom #
Women's Art Class - 1040, 2nd Floor, Ed. Wing, Room 205
SATURDAY
Grocery Bag Ministry – 1010, Dining & Caring Center
SUNDAY (9/13)
CONNECTION SUNDAY
Worship Service – In-Person in the Sanctuary
9:45 am
As the Spirit Moves Us – 1040, Smart Meeting Room, Zoom ^
Youth Music Rehearsal – 1040, Room 205
Sanctuary Choir Warm-up – 1040, Sanctuary
12:30 pm
UMYF Lunch – 1040, Fellowship Hall Followed by UMYF, 1040, Youth Room
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 (at which time you can also join us to write postcards). Thank you for your support!
Meetings & Rehearsals SEPTEMBER 6 – September 13
Every Thursday, the Weekly Newsletter reminds you of all the upcoming events we have planned, and every Monday, the Monday Reader brings you stories, reflections, and celebrations from our congregation — right to your inbox. Scan the QR code to subscribe — and never miss out!
Annual School Supply Drive Begins!
Beginning September 11, Fridays, 1 to 3:30 pm
Discover your creative sanctuary at the Asbury Women's Art Class, a warm, non-judgmental space to unwind and explore creativity as prayer, meditation, and reflection, prioritizing process over product. No experience needed! Join us Fridays, 1 to 3:30 pm starting September 11, in Room 205 (the bell room in 1040). Supply fee varies; a free-will offering supports the facilitator. Come as you are, leave renewed. Questions or registration: programs@asburyfirst.org or call the Church Office at (585) 271-1050.
Music Rehearsals Resume September 9!
We're collecting school supplies again this year for students at School 17 (PreK–6th grade). Drop off donations Sundays through September 13 at the table in the Welcome Hall. Needed items: backpacks, crayons, pencils, colored pencils, erasers, pens (blue, black, red), color-safe markers, highlighters, child-safe scissors, rulers, glue sticks, pencil boxes/pouches, index cards, sticky notes, solid-color folders with pockets, binders, composition books, notebooks, hand sanitizer, and tissues. Thank you for your support! Questions? Contact John Smalt at (585) 924-8624 or email us at programs@asburyfirst.org.
Stay Connected to the Life of Asbury First!
It's time to welcome back musicians for weekly rehearsals! Sanctuary Choir resumes Wednesday, September 9, 7:30 - 9 pm in Wesley Hall. Asbury Ringers will resume weekly rehearsals Wednesday, September 16, 6:30 - 8 pm in Room 205. Asbury Orchestra's first rehearsal is Sunday, September 27, 9:30 - 10:30 am in Wesley Hall. To join a group or ask questions, contact Dr. Carl Johengen at cjohengen@asburyfirst.org. We look forward to welcoming new members as well as returning musicians!
If your child likes to explore music through song, dance, and musical instruments, join us for Children’s Music on Wednesdays in Room 201 (2nd floor of the Ed. Wing in 1040) starting September 16. Hallelujah Kids: Age 4 - 1st Grade, 5 - 5:30 pm Wesley Singers & Ringers: 2nd - 5th Grade, 6 - 7 pm For your convenience there is a Community Dinner at 5:30 pm in the Gathering Center. For more information contact Holly Temming, htemming@asburyfirst.org.
SCAN TO SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY EMAILS
Banned Book Club – Boy Erased
September Chapel Challenge: Bath Towels and Washcloths Each month we collect different supplies needed for the ministries of the Community Outreach Center. For the September COC Chapel Challenge, we will collect Bath Towels and Washcloths. A list of other specific needed items is also available at asburyfirst.org/coc. 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!
AUDITIONS FOR SEUSSICAL! , Grades 6 – 12 Wednesday, September 9 at 6 pm in Fellowship Hall (downstairs in 1040) Come be a part of something extraordinary! Prepare to Sing 16-32 bars of a song (Bring sheet music or a track), Read from the script, and Move! (a short dance/movement combo may be taught). Be creative and have fun! Performances will be at Asbury First November 13, 14 and 15. Questions? email act@asburyfirst.org
Monday, September 14, from 7 to 8 pm in the Red Room, join us for a discussion of Boy Erased, by Gerrard Conley, recounting his childhood in a fundamentalist Arkansas family that enrolled him in conversion therapy.
Free Narcan Training Session
Join us for free Narcan training on Thursday, September 24, 7 - 8 pm in the Gathering Center. Training will be provided by the Monroe County Department of Public Health and each participant will receive a training bag that includes Narcan and various community resources. Please email programs@asburyfirst.org to sign up.
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 Faith Formation, 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, x140 David Stith — Director of Communications, x109 Austin Retzlaff — Communications Assistant Jordan Cole — Hospitality Coordinator
UPDATE YOUR INFO IN THE DIRECTORY!
CONNECTION SUNDAY!
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
Fall is the perfect time to reconnect, re-engage, and renew your spirit! On Sunday, September 13, we’re inviting everyone at Asbury First to join in for Connection Sunday — a chance to discover all the ways you can connect, grow, and belong this year. After both worship services, the Gathering Center will feature tables representing our ministries, programs, and opportunities. Whether you’re looking for: Fun and fellowship with new friends; Spiritual growth through study or prayer; Opportunities to make a difference; Community and connection in small groups or classes… there’s a place for you! Stop by, ask questions, meet leaders, and see what’s ahead this fall. Come ready to discover how you can connect more deeply with God and with one another. We can’t wait to see where this season will take us—together! And that’s not all—later in the month, you'll have an opportunity to explore ways to share your time and talents through volunteering as we continue to host our Fourth-Sunday Volunteer Engagement Table in the Welcome Hall. Let’s connect. Let’s grow. Let’s do more good.
SEPTEMBER 13
Love God and Neighbor. Live Fully. Serve All. Repeat.
Questions? Contact Holly Temming at the Church Office by email at htemming@asburyfirst.org or call the Church Office at (585) 271-1050
In the Gathering Center on Connection Sunday, September 13 (and each subsequent Sunday in September) there will be a table where you can update your contact information and add your photo to our database. Please stop by and make sure we have the correct information for you.
Connection Sunday isn't just for adults! In addition to the children and youth ministries tables in the Gathering Center, we'll have inflatables and activities outside starting at 10 am. Children are invited to come to Sunday School during the 11 am service and youth group begins with UMYF lunch at 12:30 pm and a Bills Watch Party starting at 1 pm.
Connecting Our Kids on Connection Sunday
*PROCESSIONAL HYMN: #559 “Christ is Made the Sure Foundation”
*GATHERING HYMN: #632 “Draw Us in The Spirit's Tether”
*HYMN: #408 “The Gift of Love”
*RECESSIONAL HYMN: #384 “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”
*RECESSIONAL HYMN: #384 “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” (cont'd)