First United Presbyterian Church

First United

Presbyterian Church

Spirit

–

Service

–

Community

Third Sunday after Epiphany

January 31, 2021

We Gather Along the Journey

We Prepare for Worship Just a Closer Walk with Thee source unknown Setting by Jack Schrader Passing of the Peace

The peace of Christ be always with you. And also with you.

Gathering Words

We gather to respond to the call of God’s love.

Thankful that someone cared enough to share this good news with us.

May we be compassionate enough to share this divine presence with others. Love, when shared, is not divided but multiplied.

Love, given away, is not diminished but expanded.

May our gathering beckon and welcome those near and far to know the love of this divine presence.

From deep within us we know of a loving presence. All around us we see glory, beauty, life, and light. We have no words for what we experience so we cry out,

“God!” In this moment of worship may that loving presence grow deeper, may our awareness of the divine presence around us grow more intense. May we, gathered in this place, learn to pay more attention to God, who loves us at all times and in all places.

God of love and life, in this moment of prayer be more and more in us, that we might live more and more in you. Amen!

Opening Song Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore

Lord, you have come to the lakeshore looking neither for wealthy nor wise ones; You only asked me to follow humbly.

O Lord, with your eyes you have searched me And while smiling have spoken my name;

Now my boat’s left on the shoreline behind me. By your side I will seek other seas.

You know so well my possessions; my boat carries no gold and no weapons; You will find there my nets and labor.

O Lord…

Announcements

Sign up for Camperships

Albany Presbytery has a campership fund to help send our young people to summer camp. Starting February 1, applications will be posted on the

presbytery’s website.

Prayers of the People and the Prayer of Jesus

For the family members of the three National Guard pilots who died when their helicopter crashed during training.

From Barbara D. – asking for prayers for my niece, Anna, who is 25 and in the neuro ICU unit in Boston, suffering from multiple brain hemorrhages.

Birthdays This Week

Our Father*, 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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom*, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

(*Expansive language options: substitute Parent, Creator, Mother, etc. for “Father” and kin-dom for “kingdom”)

If you have a prayer concern or joy to share with the community, please contact Pastor Amanda by email or by calling 518-279-6647. You can also leave a comment on the Facebook video of today’s service.

Prayer Response Behold, Behold, I Make All Things New 2x

Behold, (behold), behold, (behold), I make all things new, beginning with you and starting from today.

Behold, (behold), behold, (behold), I make all things new, My promise is true, for I am Christ the way.

Bread for the Journey

After John’s arrest, Jesus appeared in Galilee proclaiming the Good News of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The reign of God is at hand! Change your hearts and minds, and believe this Good News!”

While walking by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus saw the brothers Simon and Andrew casting their nets into the sea, since they fished by trade. Jesus said to them, “Follow me; I will make you fishers of

humankind.” They immediately abandoned their nets and followed Jesus.

Proceeding a little further along, Jesus saw the brothers James and John Bar-Zebedee. They too were in their boat, putting their nets in order. Immediately Jesus called them, and they left their father Zebedee standing in the boat with the hired help, and went off in the company of Jesus.

Message The Choice to Follow

Message Response From the Nets of Our Labor

(Singers will sing first verse, congregation-at-home please join in on the following verses)

From the nets of our labors, through the noise and confusion, From the city or seashore, Jesus summons us all.

We will rise up and follow, Christ before and beside us, Loving pattern to geode us, as we answer the call.

With a message of comfort, Jesus summons us all. We will rise up and follow, Christ before and beside us, Loving pattern to guide us, as we answer the call. Like disciples before us, from the city or seashore, Risking selfless compassion: Jesus summons us all. We will rise up and follow, Christ before and beside us, Loving pattern to guide us, as we answer the call.

We Continue on the Journey

As the disciples walked with Christ long ago, so we walk with Christ in our hearts and spirits. Feel the power of the Holy Spirit guiding your path.

Know the love of God which is poured out for you. Amen! Sending Song Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore

You need my hands, full of caring, through my labors to give others rest And constant love that keeps on loving.

O Lord, with your eyes you have searched me, And while smiling have spoken my name;

Now my boat’s left on the shoreline behind me. By your side I will seek other seas.

You, who have fished other oceans, ever longed for by souls who are waiting, My loving friend, as thus you call me:

O Lord…

~~~~~~~

Questions for Reflection

Psalm 62 ends by saying, “God, you repay to all according to their work.” Would you rather have God treat you with the payment you deserve or with the grace that you hope for in Jesus Christ?

Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts

You can give online through Tithe.ly https://tithe.ly/give?c=1309305

Tithes and offerings can also be mailed to the church. Please note where you would like your gift to be directed (general fund, deacons, etc.)

First United Presbyterian Church, 1917 5th _{Ave, Troy NY 12180}

~~~~~~~ Worship Leader: Rev. Amanda E. Wagner

Volunteer Music Coordinator: Judy Moyer

Guitar: Rick Moyer

Reader: Noel Hains

Music Production: Bill Moyer

Video Production: Lisa Hotte, Bill Moyer

Today’s singers, called the Virtualeers (for fun): Alan Chandler, Diane Chandler, David Hains, Florie Parmelee, Miriam Parmelee, Dan Rogers, and Sue Steele. Thank you for your special participation today!

Artwork: Walsh, George. Jesus Fish with Cross, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.

http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56393 [retrieved January 27, 2021]. Original source:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tullow_Church_of_the_Most_Holy_Rosary_South_Transept_Windo w_Mysteries_of_Light_and_Pope_John_Paul_II_Detail_Bicentennial_2013_09_06.jpg - Andreas F. Borchert.