9 & 11 AM WORSHIP
DECEMBER 29, 2024
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 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.
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 Xiomara Serrano — Property Care Supervisor, x124 David Stith — Director of Communications, x109 Zacqueline Baldwin — Communications Associate, x108
* please stand as you are able
Prelude
A Christmas Carol Sequence — Jerry van der Pol
*Call to Worship
All are invited to read the bold-faced type; the lay reader will read the unbolded type. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them has light shined. The light shines in the darkness. And the darkness did not overcome it. For Christ is born in Bethlehem. Come, let us adore him.
*Carol
#220 "Angels from the Realms of Glory"
*Welcome & Passing the Peace
9 & 11 am • December 29, 2024
The community gathers As the community gathers, may the music of the prelude draw your hearts and minds to God.
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First Sunday after Christmas Service of Lessons and Carols
First Reading
“For Light" — John O'Donahue
Carol
#223 "Break Forth, O Beauteous, Heavenly Light", v. 1
Second Reading
“You are Holy" — Lucien Deiss
#223 "Break Forth, O Beauteous, Heavenly Light", vv. 2, 3
Third Reading Luke 2:22-32
When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
#226 "My Master, See, the Time Has Come", v. 1,
To hear the word
9 & 11 am
Scripture Luke 2:33-38
And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul, too.” There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. The Word of God for the People of God. Thanks be to God.
#224 "Good Christian Friends, Rejoice", vv. 1, 3
Third Reading
“Wage Peace” — Judyth Hill
#249 "There's a Song in the Air", v. 1
Fourth Reading
“There Was a Time I Would Reject Those” — Muhyiddin Ibn Al-’Arabi
#249 "There's a Song in the Air", v. 2
Pastoral Prayer
SIGN IN HERE
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 Our Gifts 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—You may give a gift through Venmo by finding “@givingasburyfirst” or by scanning the QR code to the right.
Let us know you're here! Scan to sign in for the 11 am service
SCAN TO GIVE VIA VENMO
Offertory Carl Johengen, soloist
“Some Children See Him” — Alfred Burt; words by Wilha Hutson Some children see Him lily white, the baby Jesus born this night. Some children see Him lily white, with tresses soft and fair. Some children see Him bronzed and brown, the Lord of heav'n to earth come down. Some children see Him bronzed and brown, with dark and heavy hair. Some children see Him almond-eyed, this Savior whom we kneel beside. some children see Him almond-eyed, with skin of yellow hue. Some children see Him dark as they, sweet Mary's Son to whom we pray. Some children see him dark as they, and, ah! they love Him, too! The children in each different place will see the baby Jesus' face like theirs, but bright with heavenly grace, and filled with holy light. O lay aside each earthly thing and with thy heart as offering, come worship now the infant King. 'Tis love that's born tonight!
Fifth Reading
“Love Does That” — Meister Eckhart
To Renew Commitment
Participants In the Service
Liturgists: Rev. Kathy Thiel, Rev. Dr. Michelle Bogue-Trost, Mike Mullin Lay Reader: Sally Wood Winslow Organist: Duane Prill Director of Music Ministry: Dr. Carl Johengen Head Usher: Dennis Roote, Tommy Johnson, Jr. Production Suite Team: Kenny Bailey, Joe Blakely, Ethan Becks Technology Support Team: Dave Rice, Kenny Bailey, Dave Berg, Larry Dugan, Rick Church, Deb Bullock-Smith Technical Consultant: Justin Ocello
#238 "Angels We Have Heard on High", vv. 1, 2
Sixth Reading
“On the Necessity of Snow Angels for the Well-Being of the World” — Grace Butcher
#251 "Go, Tell it on the Mountain"
Seventh Reading
“Untitled” — Macrina Wiederkehr
Permissions: “Some Children See Him” © 1982, 1985 Hollis Music, Inc.; Hymns © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; OneLicense.net #A-721053. Some of the liturgical elements have been adapted from the 2020 Abingdon Worship Annual. Illustration Credits: David Stith
To Disperse in Mission
*Closing Carol
#246 “Joy to the World"
*Benediction
Postlude
For Unto Us A Child Is Born — G.F. Handel, arr. Lani Smith
January 5, 2025 Piety & Practice Religion is personal and communal, spiritual and physical. What is the relationship between rituals and daily life? How does worship inform action? How does action inform worship? January 12, 2025 Guest Rev. West McNeill: Ending Child Poverty in NY State In 2021, NY State committed to cutting child poverty in half by 2032. The Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council - set up to help meet that goal - has released its policy recommendations. What are these proposals and how can we help support the effort to make them a reality? January 19, 2025 Compassion & Justice Christians are called to ministries of compassion and justice: offering care to individuals and working for equity across communities. How do we balance the two? How are they different? Do they overlap? January 26, 2025 Guest Rev. Rachel Dupont: Elders & Deacons There are two orders of ordained clergy in the United Methodist Church: the Order of Elders and the Order of Deacons. Why? What are the differences? Does it matter? Join Revs. Rachel & Pat Dupont in discussing their respective orders and how they partner in ordained leadership.
Love God and Neighbor. Live Fully. Serve All. Repeat.
LGBTQ Advocacy: Becoming Savvy Allies
Join us New Year's Eve for a drop-in service of meditation and communion. The sanctuary will be open from 5-6 pm and you are welcome to come for the whole time or part of the time as we look back at this year and look with hope toward next year. All are welcome.
Give Online at www.asburyfirst.org/GIVE, text to give at (206) 222-1050, VENMO VIA THE QR CODE, OR MAIL IN A CHECK TO 1050 EAST AVENUE, ROCHESTER, NY 14607 Facebook and instagram: @asburyfirstumc
Wednesdays in January and February 6 - 7 pm, Wesley Hall and Zoom Join us in January as we ground our understanding of everything from LGBTQ+ terms to an inclusive gospel ethic. On February 5, Jeannie Gainsburg, author of The Savvy Ally, will share her personal journey as an ally and some of her favorite tips for creating an LGBTQ+ welcoming, safe, and inclusive faith community.
Tuesday, December 31, 5-6 pm
New Years Eve Open Service of Meditation and Communion
#220 "Angels From the Realms of Glory"
#223 "Break Forth, O Beauteous, Heavenly Light"
#226 "My Master, See, the Time Has Come"
#249 "There's a Song in the Air"
Continued on next page
*Carol (Cont'd)
#251 "Go, Tell It on the Mountain"
#245 "Joy to the World"
*Closing Carol (Cont'd)