October 4, 2026
9 & 11 AM WORSHIP
Let us know you're here! Scan to sign in for the 9 am service
19th Sunday after Pentecost WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY
Participants In the Service
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Michelle Bogue-Trost Clergy: Rev. Pat Dupont, Rev. Dee Finch Reader: Noël Nichols Musician: David Strong
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WELCOME *CALL TO WORSHIP: (found on the facing page) *OPENING SONG: #529 "How Firm a Foundation", vv. 1, 2, 3, 5 PRAYER OF CONFESSION, SILENT CONFESSION, WORDS OF ASSURANCE (found on the facing page) *PASSING THE PEACE SCRIPTURE: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 (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: #634 "Now Let Us from This Table Rise" *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 Variations on “We Place Upon Your Table, Lord” — arr. Robert J. Powell Variations on “O Bread of Life from Heaven“ — arr. Raymond H. Haan INTROIT: Da pacem, Domine in diebus nostris. (Give peace in our time, Lord.) (Melchior Franck, 1579-1639) *CALL TO WORSHIP Across the world today, Christians gather at tables large and small, in many languages and in many circumstances. We gather with them as one body in Christ. God calls us into a life that makes room for our neighbors to flourish. Teach us to live with reverence for you and care for one another. From every place where your people worship, let praise rise. We come to listen, to pray, and to share in your grace. *PROCESSIONAL HYMN: #529 "How Firm a Foundation" *WELCOME *GATHERING HYMN: #404 "Every Time I Feel the Spirit" PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of liberation, you call us to a life shaped by love, yet we often arrange our days as though we belong only to ourselves. We give our attention to what cannot sustain us. We let work crowd out rest, and our own concerns crowd out our neighbors. When we have spoken carelessly, taken too little notice of those who suffer, and treated some lives as though they mattered less than others, forgive us. Turn our hearts toward you and widen our concern for the whole human family. Teach us to live in ways that honor the freedom and dignity of all your children. Amen. SILENT CONFESSION WORDS OF ASSURANCE God’s grace reaches us before we know how to set our lives right. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and drawn again into the life of love God intends for us. Thanks be to God. 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: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 (New Revised Standard Version, Updated) Then God spoke all these words: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above or that is on the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth. “You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name. “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. “Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. “You shall not murder. “You shall not commit adultery. “You shall not steal. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female slave, ox, donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking, they were afraid and trembled and stood at a distance and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen, but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.” Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid, for God has come only to test you and to put the fear of him upon you so that you do not sin.” 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. 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: 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: Sanctuary Choir “Write Your Blessed Name” — K. Lee Scott; words by Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471), tr. S. Kettlewell, alt. Write your blessed name, O Lord, upon my heart, there to remain so indelibly engraved that no prosperity, that no adversity shall ever move me from your love. Be to me a strong tower of defense, a comforter in tribulation, a deliverer in distress, and a faithful Guide to the courts of heaven through the many temptations and dangers of this life. O Jesu, my only Savior! Write your blessed name, O Lord... SERMON *HYMN: #398 "Jesus Calls Us", vv. 1, 3, 4 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. HYMNS DURING COMMUNION: (as needed) #500 "Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart" #623 "Here, O My Lord, I See Thee Face to Face" *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: #634 "Now Let Us from This Table Rise" *BENEDICTION *BENEDICTION RESPONSE: Amen. (Tom Birchwood) POSTLUDE: Festival Postlude on “Westminster Abbey“ — George Towers
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.
Celebrations and concerns
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Michelle Bogue-Trost Clergy: Rev. Pat Dupont, Rev. Dee Finch Reader: Noël Nichols Organist: Duane Prill Sanctuary Choir Section Leaders: Juli Elliot, Brenda Nitsch, Dan McInerney, Jordan Bachmann Director of Music Ministry: Dr. Carl Johengen Crucifer, Acolyte: Johanna Mahan, Jessica Burdick-Giordano Communion Stewards: Angie Burch, Martha Neubert Altar Guild Team: Martha Hunt, Cindy Malone, Barb Denegris Head Ushers: Dennis Roote, Tommy Johnson, Jr. Production Suite Team: Kenny Bailey, Rick Church Technology Support Team: Dave Rice, Kenny Bailey, Larry Dugan, Rick Church
ALTAR FLOWERS The flowers on the altars are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Gene Simmons by his daughter Tammy Clifford & family; in loving memory of Martha’s parents, Henry & Sandra Woodward, by Martha & Jeremy Tuke; and in loving memory of Kathy Welch on her birthday by Norm and Jesse Welch. 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 Beverly Sperring, who died July 3. 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.
“Write Your Blessed Name” © 1989 Hope Publishing Co.; 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:
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 Grief Group: & zoom.us/j/8173087397 PW: 624424
Asbury First Civics Team Postcarding Continues! Postcard stamps have increased in cost again from $.61 to $.65. 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!
Red Room: * zoom.us/j/8924819492 PW: 578697 Smart Meeting Room: ^ zoom.us/j/6174865464 PW: Disciple Others and Zoom-only: # zoom.us/j/8347173468 PW: 200
THURSDAY
7 am
Breakfast – 1010, Dining & Caring Center
8 am
Lectio Divina – Zoom ^
9:30 am
Morning Prayer – 1040, Sanctuary
10 am
Asbury First Civics Team – 1010, Red Room
6 pm
UR Well Clinic – 1010, Red Room
Youth Musical Rehearsal – 1040, Fellowship Hall
FRIDAY
9 am
Disciple V – Zoom #
1 pm
Women's Art Class - 1040, 2nd Floor, Ed. Wing, Room 205
SATURDAY
Grocery Bag Ministry – Dining & Caring Center, 1010
8:30 am
Red Cross Blood Drive – Gathering Center, 1040
SUNDAY (10/11)
8:45 am
3 and Under Childcare until 12:30 pm
Worship Service – In-Person in the Sanctuary
Asbury Orchestra Rehearsal – 1040, Wesley Hall
9:45 am
Adult Sunday School Forum – 1040, Fellowship Hall and Zoom #
As the Spirit Moves Us – 1040, Smart Mtg Room, Zoom ^
Empty Nesters Adult Sunday School – 1010, Red Room
Youth Music Rehearsal – 1040, Room 205
Sanctuary Choir Warm-up – 1040, Chancel
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
12:30 pm
UMYF Lunch – 1040, Fellowship Hall Followed by UMYF, 1040, Youth Room
Meetings & Rehearsals OCTOBER 4 – OCTOBER 11
SUNDAY
MONDAY
Monday Morning Crew – 1040
TUESDAY
Lectio Divina – Zoom #
Tuesday Morning Women's Fellowship – Zoom #
WEDNESDAY
Men's Devotional Group – Zoom #
Wednesday Morning Book Study – 1010, Red Room, Zoom *
5 pm
Hallelujah Kids Choir – 1040, Room 201
5:30 pm
Community Dinner – 1040, Gathering Center
Youth Musical Rehearsal - 1040, Fellowship Hall
Wednesday Evening Programming – 1040, Wesley Hall
Wesley Singers and Ringers – 1040, Room 201
6:30 pm
Asbury Ringers – 1040, Room 205
7:30 pm
Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal – 1040, Wesley Hall
FOR ZOOM ADDRESSES, SEE KEY BELOW
Celebrate Banned Books Week at the Asbury First Library
Older Adult Autumn Gathering Thursday, October 29, 11 am Worship, Noon Lunch
LIBRARY NEWS!
Please join us for the Older Adult Autumn Gathering on Thursday, October 29. 11 am worship in the sanctuary will be followed by lunch in the Gathering Center at noon. Please RSVP by Thursday, October 22 to Barbara Eltinge at (585) 737-8775 or email programs@asburyfirst.org.
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.
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—process over product, no experience needed. Join us Fridays, 1 to 3:30 pm 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.
Asbury Women's Art Class: Fridays, 1 to 3:30 pm
Help Me Connect!
Oct. 4-10, 2026 is Banned Books Week, and this year's American Library Association theme is "Let Books Be. Protect the Freedom to Read." Explore banned titles in our library, including Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates (nonfiction), The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (fiction), Sold by Patricia McCormick (teen), Melissa by Alex Gino (elementary), and This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman (picture book). Search "banned book" in the library database or visit the Reading Room displays for more. While you're here, add a piece to our jigsaw puzzle and see this month's Welcome Center bulletin board by the Library Team!
SCAN FOR LINKS TO EACH NEW TITLE
Dining in for Outreach, the annual fundraiser for the Community Outreach Center, is back this November! Are you interested in hosting or attending a dinner on November 7? Sign-ups will be in the Narthex beginning on Sunday, October 4. Materials about the COC will be provided to all hosts. In the spirit of building community, dinner groupings are coordinated by the DIFO committee to help foster new connections among church members. It's a delicious way to meet new people and support a great cause!
Join our weekly Empty Nesters Sunday School class, Sundays at 9:45 am in the Red Room (1010). Together we're reading Empty Nest, Full Life by Jill Savage, a book designed to help parents navigate their disorienting emotions as children leave the home. This class will be led by Cheryl Thompson. Email programs@asburyfirst.org if you have any questions.
Asbury First's Sunday School Forum meets weekly on Sundays in Fellowship Hall between services to discuss a range of topics including current events, social justice, and discipleship practices. All are welcome to gather with us as we learn more about ourselves, our community, and the world around us. Each week stands alone, so come as you are able! Pastor Dee and Jo will be coordinating and facilitating this group. For more information, please contact programs@asburyfirst.org.
Dining In For Outreach Sign-ups! Sunday, October 4 in the Narthex
Empty Nesters — Sundays at 9:45 am in the Red Room
October Chapel Challenge: Winter Hats, Gloves and Coats, and Handwarmers Each month we collect different supplies needed for the ministries of the Community Outreach Center. For the October COC Chapel Challenge, we will collect Winter Hats, Gloves and Coats. 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!
Adult Sunday School Forum Sundays, 9:45–10:45 am, Fellowship Hall and Zoom # (see pg 8)
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
Asbury First United Methodist Church 1050 East Ave, Rochester NY 14607 (585) 271-1050 asburyfirst.org
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.
Faithfully Together
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
Thank You for a successful School Supply Drive!
Think you know the Bible? Think again! Join our six-week journey through Karen Armstrong's acclaimed book to explore how this text was written, fought over, and reinvented across thousands of years, from ancient exiles to the printing press and modern science. Whether you see the Bible as divine revelation, historical literature, or a cultural mystery, your voice is welcome, and no background is required, just an open mind and a love for discussion. Wednesdays, 10 to 11:30 am, October 14 through November 18, in the Red Room (1010). Pick up a copy, read the Introduction and Chapter 1, and join us!
Love God and Neighbor. Live Fully. Serve All. Repeat.
The students at School 17 thank you so much for your incredible generosity and support during our Annual School Supply Drive, and so do we! This year's drive was a huge success. Want to continue to help? There is always an opportunity to join the Help Me Read Tutor Team! If you would like more information, please contact John Smalt at programs@asburyfirst.org. If you're a returning tutor, visit asburyfirst.org/help-me-read-needs-tutors for information about tutoring opportunities.
Wednesday Morning Book Study: The Bible, A Biography
Our annual stewardship season is just around the corner! In the coming days, watch your mailbox for a letter from the Generosity Team introducing this year’s theme, Faithfully Together, and inviting you to consider your commitment to Asbury First for 2027. As we enter this season, we hope you will take some time for prayer and reflection, giving thanks for the ways this community has touched your life and considering how you might participate in its ministry in the year ahead. There is no need to rush. We simply invite you to begin the conversation with God and to approach this season with an open heart.
*PROCESSIONAL HYMN: #529 "How Firm a Foundation"
October 4 2026
*GATHERING HYMN: #404 "Every Time I Feel the Spirit"
*HYMN: #398 "Jesus Calls Us", vv. 1, 3, 4
COMMUNION HYMN: #500 "Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart"
COMMUNION HYMN: #623 "Here, O My Lord, I See Thee Face to Face"
*RECESSIONAL HYMN: #634 "Now Let Us from This Table Rise"