9 & 11 AM WORSHIP
October 13, 2024
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 Susan Shafer Pastoral Care Fund Rev. Patrick Dupont — Minister for Outreach, x136 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 Paula Dugan — Director of Hospitality and Children’s Ministry, x111 Holly Temming — Children's Music & Ministry; Revenue & Payroll Specialist, x114 David Strong — Church Administrator; Assistant Organist, x110 Deb Bullock-Smith — Office and Data Manager, x117 John Ormsbee — Director of Finance, x107 Johnny Colón — Director of Property Care, x123 David Stith — Director of Communications, x109
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 now display the service stream to aid in visibility. Please help us welcome differently-abled worshipers and visitors by not interacting with or distracting service animals. Need prayer? Share your prayer requests by filling out one of the prayer cards found in the pews or by emailing prayers@asburyfirst.org. All requests are prayed over by the Ministers and Intercessory Prayer Team. Children Children are a sacred gift, and they are welcome in worship. Children will be invited forward during worship for a Children’s Time. Following this, children age 4 through 5th grade are invited to go with the children’s educators for Sunday School or return to their caretaker for the remainder of the service. RECONCILING STATEMENT Asbury First is a reconciling congregation and seeks to be a fully inclusive church, believing that all people are God’s children. Read a full statement at asburyfirst.org/about-us/#reconciling-statement. GIVE TO ASBURY FIRST Your generous gifts support everyday ministries and operations, allowing this church to live into the vision to Do More Good. Cash/Check—We welcome gifts by check in the mail or a cash/check gift placed in the offering plate as it is passed to you. Text to Give—You may give a gift with a debit/credit card by texting the dollar amount to 206-222-1050. Online—Online giving is available on the website at asburyfirst.org/give. Venmo—You may give a gift through Venmo by finding “@givingasburyfirst” or by scanning the QR code to the right. Watch and listen The livestream of the 11 am service is found at asburyfirst.org/live-stream. Listen live on WRFZ 106.3 FM Rochester Free Radio, or call this toll-free number: 833-829-1050. The video archive of past services is at asburyfirst.org/archive.
Asbury First United Methodist Church 1050 East Ave, Rochester NY 14607 (585) 271-1050 asburyfirst.org
* please stand as you are able
Prelude
Suite Gothique, Op. 25 — Léon Boëllmann Introduction-Choral Menuet gothique Prière à Notre-Dame
Introit
We greet the morn, a new day dawning, with open hands and hearts that sing: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! (Words and Music by Ashley Danyew)
*Call to Worship
All are invited to read the bold-faced type; the reader will read the unbolded type. In the beginning God created all things, and God saw that they were good. At our beginning, God created us: unique and irreplaceable, loved and wanted, known and treasured even before we were created. In each new beginning, God creates something new. So we come to worship God in the freshness of this morning, in the colors of creation, in the presence of friends, and in this beautiful place.
*Processional Hymn
“Bring Many Names” This hymn can be found on the following page.
*Greeting and Passing the Peace
*Gathering Hymn
#77 "How Great Thou Art", v. 1
11 am • October 13, 2024
The community gathers As the community gathers, worship begins. Please respect those who are centering in silence.
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Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost
11 am
“Bring Many Names”
Prayer of Confession
Great God of all creation, who are we that you are mindful of us? You who set the stars in motion, who knows the heights and depths of the world; Why do you bother with us? You call us each by name, and uphold us by your Spirit. You tend to us and care for us, and we do not understand why. We cannot grasp your love for us, O God. Turn us around, O God. Help us to see as you see, and to reach out as you reach out. In your mercy, O God, forgive who we are and bless who we will be.
Silent Confession
Words of Assurance
Friends, in the great wonder of creation, we are made in God’s image and are beloved. Through the love of Creator, Redeemer, and Spirit, we are worthy. Thanks be to God.
*Gloria Hymnal #102, 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.
Celebration of Ministry
Rand Warner Ida Hickman Bill Lisi
To Welcome New Members
Joining Today:
Marjorie Chapin Patricia O'Hara Jean Parker Lindsey Seitz Vonda Woodfield
Membership Vows
*Congregational Pledge
Members of the family of God, I commend to you these persons. Do all in your power to increase their faith, confirm their hope and perfect them in love. We give thanks for the faith God has worked within you. We pledge to you our Christian love and hospitality as those who also live by hope. Together with you and all Christians this day, we seek the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.
*Hymn
#557 "Blest Be the Tie that Binds", v. 1 Words: John Fawcett; Tune: St. Dennis, Johann Nageli, arr. Lowell Mason Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
To hear the word
Scripture Genesis 2:18-24 Common English Bible
Then the Lord God said, “It’s not good that the human is alone. I will make him a helper that is perfect for him.” So the Lord God formed from the fertile land all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky and brought them to the human to see what he would name them. The human gave each living being its name. The human named all the livestock, all the birds in the sky, and all the wild animals. But a helper perfect for him was nowhere to be found. So the Lord God put the human into a deep and heavy sleep, and took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh over it. With the rib taken from the human, the Lord God fashioned a woman and brought her to the human being. The human said, “This one finally is bone from my bones and flesh from my flesh. She will be called a woman because from a man she was taken.” This is the reason that a man leaves his father and mother and embraces his wife, and they become one flesh. The Word of God for the People of God. Thanks be to God.
Anthem Sanctuary Choir
“Creating God” — Daniel Nelson; words by Jeffery Rowthorn Creating God, your fingers trace the bold designs of farthest space; let sun and moon and stars and light and what lies hidden praise your might. Sustaining God, your hands uphold earth's mysteries known or yet untold; let water's fragile blend with air, enabling life, proclaim your care. Redeeming God, your arms embrace all now despised for creed or race; let peace, descending like a dove, make known on earth your healing love. Indwelling God, your gospel claims one family with a billion names; let every life be touched by grace until we praise you face to face.
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.
#152 "I Sing the Almighty Power of God"
Sermon
Let's Talk About Sex
Call to Prayer
We bring ourselves, a humble offering, an instrument, your peace to bring. Amen, amen. (Words and Music: Ashley Danyew)
Pastoral Prayer
SCAN TO GIVE VIA VENMO
Let us know you're here! Scan to sign in for the 11 am service
*Doxology Hymnal #95
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
To Renew Commitment
Offertory Carl Johengen, Soloist, with Sanctuary Choir Annette Farrington, Flute
“All Good Gifts” — Stephen Schwartz; words by Matthias Claudius (1782), tr. Jane M. Campbell (1861) We plow the fields and scatter the good seed on the land, but it is fed and watered by God’s almighty hand. God sends the snow in winter, the warmth to swell the grain, the breezes, and the sunshine, and soft refreshing rain. (Refrain:) All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above. Then thank you, Lord, Oh, thank you, Lord, for all your love. We thank you, then, Creator, for all things bright and good, the seed-time, and the harvest, our life, our health, our food. No gifts have we offer for all your love imparts, but that which you desire: our humble, thankful hearts. (Ref.)
SIGN IN HERE
Stewardship Moment
Amy Allen
Introduction to Discipleship, Membership, and Commitment
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. 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—You may give a gift through Venmo by finding “@givingasburyfirst” or by scanning the QR code to the right.
“Creating God” words © 1979 The Hymn Society/Hope Publishing Co., music © 2011 Paraclete Press; “All Good Gifts” © 1971 Quartet Music, Inc., Range Road Music, Inc., and New Cadenza Music Corp.; Hymns © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; OneLicense.net #A-721053. Illustration Credits: Designed by David Stith
*Prayer of Dedication
Gracious God, we come to You with grateful hearts, knowing that you designed and created us in your image. You have given us all we need to live, love, and serve you as our Creator. As we worship you, may we come to know more fully how to live in relationship with you and with each other. May our acts of giving bring us to fuller knowledge of your Spirit dwelling within us, and may that knowledge embolden us for service in your realm. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Permissions:
*Recessional Hymn
“O God, Creation's Living Source” This hymn can be found on the following page.
*Benediction
*Benediction Response
Show us your vision, what is ours to do, illumined, changed, and made anew. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! (Words and Music by Ashley Danyew)
Postlude
Toccata, from Suite Gothique, Op. 25 — Léon Boëllmann
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.
Participants In the Service
Preacher: Mike Mullin Liturgists: Rev. Kathy Thiel Readers: Ann Johnson (pre-recorded), Miriam Derivan Director of Children's Ministry: Paula Dugan Organist: Duane Prill Sanctuary Choir Section Leaders: Gwen Paker, Brenda Nitsch, Dan McInerney, Jordan Bachmann Director of Music Ministry: Dr. Carl Johengen Head Usher: Brian White, Dennis Roote Production Director: Larry Dugan Production Suite Team: Tommy Johnson, Jr., Rick Church, Joe Blakely Technology Support Team: Dave Rice, Kenny Bailey, Dave Berg, Larry Dugan, Deb Bullock-Smith Technical Consultant: Justin Ocello
To Disperse in Mission
“O God, Creation's Living Source”
Welcome
*Opening Hymn
#152 "I Sing the Mighty Power of God"
*Passing the Peace
9 am • October 13, 2024
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.
Preacher: Mike Mullin Liturgist: Rev. Kathy Thiel Director of Children's Ministry: Paula Dugan Organist: David Strong
Scripture
Genesis 2:18-24 (found on pg. 6)
Prayer
Offering Ourselves to God's Purposes
*Closing Hymn
“Our God, Creation's Loving Source” (found on pg. 10)
Let us know you're here! Scan to sign in for the 9 am service
ALTAR FLOWERS The flowers on the altars are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Kathy Welch by Norm and Jesse Welch. If you would like to place flowers on the altar, please contact Jeanne Ristau at (585) 223-4356, preferably two weeks ahead of requested date. Prayers and Concerns We offer our prayers and concerns for all those who are ill at home, hospitalized, or in hospice care. Our hearts and prayers are with Maya Temperley and her family on the death of her mother, Mary Chaly, on September 20. We offer our condolences to Carol Lamica and the family of Ralph Zimmer, Carol's father, who died on Thursday, October 3. The memorial service was yesterday at Asbury First.
SALE
The Storehouse Holiday Sale is coming up! November 2, 10 am to 4 pm, and November 3, 10 am to 2 pm. Come and get some Christmas shopping done while simultaneously supporting the ministry of Asbury First's Storehouse. You'll find home decorating items, jewelry, unique gifts, and much more! We are in need of volunteers to work shifts during the sale as well as bakers to donate holiday cookies packaged in servings of 6, 12, 18 or 24 cookies for our "Three Kings Dessert Oasis" – a break area for our shoppers. Cookies can be dropped off in the Gathering Center from noon until 4 pm on Friday November 1. Cakes, pies, breads, etc., are also graciously accepted. To volunteer email b.kay@frontiernet.net.
TOWN HALL — OCTOBER 20 Asbury First's Governing Board conducts Town Hall meetings periodically throughout the year, inviting the congregation to weigh-in on a variety of important topics. The next of the sessions will be October 20. Mark your calendar! Join us in the Sanctuary, or via livestream, after the 11 am service for updates on topics important to the daily operation of Asbury First, as well as Outreach, Social Concerns, the budget, and the results of Connection Sunday.
Celebrations and concerns
Support your community and savor the season with delicious holiday pies from Asbury First. These delightful pies, baked by Special Touch Bakery (School of the Holy Childhood), are part of our annual fundraising event for Greater Rochester Habitat for Humanity. Proceeds will help build a new home for Tamica and her two children at 207 Melville St. Order and pay for your pies on these Sundays in Welcome Hall: October 27, November 3, and November 10. Pie pickup will be on Monday, November 25, from 1 to 5 pm in Welcome Hall. Treat yourself while making a difference in our community this holiday season!
Town Hall
Pie
Habitat
Sunday 9 am Worship Service — In-Person in the Sanctuary 9:30 am Asbury Orchestra Rehearsal — 1040, Lower Level, Wesley Hall 9:45 am As the Spirit Moves Us — 1040, Lower Level, Smart Meeting Room, and Zoom ^ 9:45 am Adult Sunday School – 1040, Fellowship Hall and Zoom* 11 am Worship Service — In-Person and Livestream 11 am Children's Sunday School — 1040, Education Wing PreK - 2nd grade — Room 206 3rd - 5th grade — Room 201 12 pm Lunch — 1010, COC Dining & Caring Center 12 pm 6th-8th and 9th-12th Grade Youth Groups — 1040, Lower Level, Fellowship Hall MONday 9 am Monday Morning Crew — 1040 9 am Library Work Day — 1040, Library 5 pm Governing Board Meeting — 1040, Lower Level, Smart Meeting Room Tuesday 8:30 am Lectio Divina — Zoom # 9:30 am Tuesday Morning Women's Fellowship — Zoom # 2:30 pm Disciple III Bible Study — Zoom # 3 pm Gentle Yoga — 1040, Gathering Center WEdnesday 7 am Breakfast — 1010, COC Dining & Caring Center 7 am Men’s Fellowship Group — Zoom ^ 10 am Wednesday Morning Study Group — 1010, Red Room and Zoom * 5 pm Hallelujah Kids Choir — 1040, Education Wing, Room 201 5:30 pm Community Dinner — 1040, Gathering Center 6 pm Wednesday Evening Programming — 1040, Wesley Hall (lower level) and Zoom * 6 pm Wesley Singers & Ringers — 1040, Education Wing, Room 201 6 pm Newsies Rehearsal (Youth Musical) — 1040, Lower Level, Fellowship Hall 6:30 pm Asbury Ringers — 1040, Education Wing, Room 205 7:30 pm Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal — 1040, Lower Level, Wesley Hall Thursday 7 am Breakfast — 1010, COC Dining & Caring Center 8:30 am Spiritual Perspectives — Zoom ^ 6 pm UR Well Clinic — 1010, COC 6:30 pm Bereavement Support Group — 1040, Library FRIDAY 7 am Breakfast — 1010, COC Dining & Caring Center 9:30 am Disciple IV Bible Studies — Zoom # 12:30 pm Asbury Women's Art Class — 1040, Room 205 SaturDAY 8 am Grocery Bag Ministry — 1010, Dining & Caring Center 10 am Older Adult Worship and Luncehon — 1040, Gathering Center NEXT SUNday (10/20) 9 am Worship Service — In-Person in the Sanctuary 9:30 am Asbury Orchestra Rehearsal — 1040, Wesley Hall 9:45 am Adult Sunday School — 1040, Fellowship Hall and Zoom * 9:45 am As the Spirit Moves Us — 1040, Smart Meeting Room and Zoom ^ 9:45 am LGBTQ Advocacy Team — 1040, Youth Room 11 am Worship Service— In-Person and Livestream Stay after for Town Hall in the Sanctuary 12 pm Lunch — 1010, COC Dining & Caring Center 2 pm Newsies Rehearsal (Youth Musical) — 1040, Fellowship Hall
ZOOM KEY
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
* zoom.us/j/8924819492 PW: 578697 ^ zoom.us/j/6174865464 PW: Disciple # zoom.us/j/8347173468 PW: 200
Meetings & Rehearsals OCTOBER 13 – OCTOBER 20
FOR ZOOM ADDRESSES, SEE KEY BELOW
Rand Warner, a retired electrical engineer, started out doing heavy lifting for his late wife, Marge, at the Storehouse. Then he and Bill Lisi started the Dining & Caring Center 31 years ago with some peanut butter sandwiches and the desire to provide a Sunday lunch for people in need. Tens and tens of thousands of hot meals have happened since. Rand continues to connect Asbury First with poverty-fighting efforts and agencies across the city and beyond, from sponsoring a scholarship in honor of a slain child in the JOSANA neighborhood, to coordinating needed home repairs. As a city school teacher, Bill Lisi had a front-of-the-classroom seat to witness poverty in Rochester. Besides founding the Dining & Caring Center with Rand Warner, he took to carrying bread and other staples in his car to give to people in need that he saw during his daily travels. Eventually Bill started and led Asbury First’s more formal grocery program, the Grocery Bag Ministry, which partners with churches in low-income neighborhoods in Rochester and with a refugee resettlement group to distribute bags of groceries each month. It’s no secret that Ida Hickman spent her work years in a caring profession, nursing. For years she was the primary effort behind the establishment and operation of the UR Well Clinic at Asbury First. While her nursing skills were a help, the clinic also called upon Ida’s other skills to mobilize volunteers to be greeters and to read results for medical tests. She also cooked and coordinated meals for the neighbors and their families awaiting medical services.
Rand Warner
Bill Lisi
Over the years, hundreds of volunteers have been moved by the example of Jesus Christ to lend their time to Outreach at Asbury First. As we celebrate Dining In for Outreach this weekend, we’d like to celebrate three who played founding roles.
Ida Hickman
Stewardship Season is here, and we're excited to join together in supporting the ministries of Asbury First UMC! This month is our opportunity to pool our resources to make a lasting impact in our church and community. You should receive a letter in the coming week or so, and you will also find pledge commitment cards in the friendship pads in each pew. November 1 is the date to offer our gifts and pledges and dedicate them to God’s purposes. Let's give joyfully, knowing that together, we can do more for God's mission than we ever could alone!
Team
Get Ready for A Hoedown!
A CALL TO STEWARDSHIP
We invite you to our upcoming meeting on Tuesday, October 22 at 4 pm in the Red Room (1010). Whether you’re already visiting parishioners or interested in learning more about this rewarding experience, we’d love for you to attend! Come share your stories, ask questions, and connect with fellow visitors. Your presence makes a difference! For more information, contact Rev. Kathy Thiel at (585) 271-1050 x106 or email kthiel@asburyfirst.org.
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
Visitation
Date: October 26 Time: BBQ Dinner at 5:30 pm, Dancing starts at 6:30 pm Mark your calendars and dust off your boots! Join us for a night of fun and fellowship at the Asbury First Hoedown. Enjoy a delicious chicken BBQ, followed by an evening of square dancing with a live band in Fellowship Hall! RSVP to Paula Dugan at pdugan@asburyfirst.org by October 21 or stop by the Welcome Desk any Sunday in October.
Love God and Neighbor. Live Fully. Serve All. Repeat.