Sunday Morning Worship Service
January 2, 2005
TO OUR GUESTS, we extend a warm welcome. We invite you to participate in signing our Friendship Folder, adding your address and phone number if you'd like to receive our church newsletter or a pastoral call. When we pray the Lord's Prayer at Bethel, we say "sins...sin against us" rather than "debts..." or "trespasses..."; during "a time for sharing" we welcome prayer requests from the congregation. On first Sundays each month, all who put their trust in Christ and who have received baptism in any Christian church are invited to share his sacred meal. We are glad you are with us. Please come again.
THE SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
Second Sunday after Christmas
January 2, 2005
GREETING, WORDS OF WELCOME, RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Worship the Lord with gladness.
And enter the Lord’s presence with songs of joy.
PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP
O sing to God a new song!
For God has done marvelous things!
Make a joyful noise all the earth, break forth into joyful songs and sing praises.
Let the earth roar and all that fills it.
Let the floods clap their hands; the hills sing together with joy.
Let us worship God!
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN # 22 Angels, from the Realms of Glory Regent Square
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Amazing and Precious God, you have said to us “Go, Sell, Give, Come, Follow”. We have heard your words of salvation and refused to do your bidding. You tell us to go and sell anything that rivals your power in our lives, but we refuse to admit that those things exist. You tell us to give what we have to the poor, but we say that they will only misuse it. You tell us to leave all behind and to come and follow you, but we ask you first where you are going. We are sorry, O God. We repent of selfish, foolish attempts to find ways around your ways. Forgive us and strengthen us to start again. Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Hear the good news! Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us. Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life has gone; a new life has begun. Know that you are forgiven and be at peace.
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Gloria Patri Hymn # 579
*PASSING OF THE PEACE
Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another. The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
SCRIPTURE John 1:10-18, Genesis 1:26-31
DEDICATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
*DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
*HYMN # 513 Let Us Break Bread Together Let Us Break Bread Together
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
GREAT THANKSGIVING AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is truly right and our greatest joy to give you thanks and praise, God of majesty and splendor. By your power you created all that is, making a universe out of chaos, and ruling over all things in love. Throughout the ages you called your people to love and serve you, and to be your light among the nations. When we failed you, you did not fail us and sent prophets to call us back to your ways. We praise you that in the fullness of time, you revealed your love by sending your Son Jesus to be the Light of the world. He came to heal our brokenness and to set before us the ways of justice and peace. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with angels and archangels and with all the faithful of every time and place, who forever sing to the glory of your name:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
You are holy, O God of majesty, and blessed is Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord. He was born to dwell among us, full of grace and truth; in him we have seen your glory. Baptized by John in the Jordan, he lived for you, spoke your truth, showed your love, and gave himself for others. In his death on the cross, he overcame death. Rising from the tomb, he raised us to eternal life, and made with us a new covenant by water and the Spirit. We give you thanks that the Lord Jesus, on the night before he died, took bread, and after giving thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way he took the cup, saying: This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood, shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me. Remembering your gracious acts in Jesus Christ, we take from your creation this bread and this wine and joyfully celebrate his dying and rising as we await the day of his coming. With thanksgiving we offer our very selves to you to be a living and holy sacrifice, dedicated to your service. According to his commandment:
We remember his death, we proclaim his resurrection, we await his coming in glory.
Gracious God, pour out you Holy Spirit upon us and upon these your gifts of bread and wine, that the bread we break and the cup we bless may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ. By your Spirit make us one with Christ, that we may be one with all who share this feast, united in the ministry in every place. As this bread is Christ’s body for us, send us out to be the body of Christ in the world. Illumine our hearts, O God, with the radiance of Christ’s presence, that our lives may show forth his love in this weary world. Teach us to befriend the lost, to serve the poor, to reconcile our enemies, and to love our neighbors. Keep us faithful in your service until Christ comes in final victory and we shall feast with all your saints in the joy of your eternal realm Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are yours, almighty God, now and forever. Hear us as we pray together...........
BREAKING OF THE BREAD
COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
*HYMN # 630 As with Gladness Men of Old Dix
*CHARGE AND BLESSING
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Spirit of the Living God Hymn #322
*All who are able may stand.
Bethel offers Sunday school for children and four educational opportunities for adults at 9:45 AM. Childcare (babies and preschool age) is offered at 9:45 and 11 AM. Restrooms are located in our Educational Building, first floor and lower level. Ushers can provide large print hymnbooks and activity sheets for children.
The Liturgist today is Anita Richmond.
Our Ushers/Greeters are John & Sue Carter.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
OPPORTUNITIES to review the Proposed Building Plans:
•Wed, Jan 5, 2005, 7-8 p.m. in the sanctuary
•Thursday, Jan. 6, 2005, 7-8 p.m. in the sanctuary
•Sunday, January 9, 2005, afternoon, TBA in the Fellowship Hall
•Tuesday, January 11, 2005, following Fun Lunch in the Fellowship Hall
•Other times arranged with Nancy King (376-9951)
BETHEL’S RADIO MINISTRY will be “off the air” as of January 1, 2005, a budgetary change made by the session of the church. We wish to express deep gratitude to Greg Murr, members of his family and others who, over the duration of this ministry, have recorded the Sunday morning worship service for play each Sunday afternoon at 12:30 on our local radio station WKTS 90.1 FM. Greg and his “crew” have not only operated the sound system for morning worship and other services such as funerals and weddings, but they have also maintained the equipment and delivered recordings to the radio station. A big tip of the halo to each of you! Please spread the word of this change to family or friends who normally listen to Bethel’s worship service. The session has made a commitment to distribute audio recordings of services to any homebound member who wishes to receive it. Contact the church office if you know of anyone unable to attend worship who’d like to receive a recording each week.
YOUTH NEWS: Youth parent meeting January 2 at 4:00pm (youth meet for games). Parents are invited to meet with Jennifer to discuss January Calendar and some long-term planning. Youth meet at 4:00 for games if you want to come with your parents, 5:00-6:00 youth group. Hope to see you there!
| PLEASE PRAY FOR: Carol Jane Row, Gale King, Kay Michener, Christine Woods, Al & Dot Davis, Justin Winsbro, Ruth Moutoux, Susan Todd, Presbyterian Churches & Pastors - Knoxville Graystone & Maryville Highland (Anne Owens Brunger) |
THIS WEEK
MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY: BODY RECALL – 9-10 AM
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CHOIR – 7:30 PM |
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| THU – |
EVANGELISM COMMITTEE MEETING
STEWARDSHIP & FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING – 7:00 PM
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SITUATION REPORT UPDATE TSUNAMIS IN SOUTH ASIA
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2004
As the death toll continues to mount, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance's (PDA) partners are working frantically to protect lives and serve the displaced throughout the region. PDA has just received the preliminary appeal from partners reflecting the crisis phase work. Some plans are already in place for post crisis work and more detailed budgets and plans will be forthcoming. Based on this work, the rising death toll, and unfolding scope of this tragedy, PDA is committing an additional $100,000 in order to allow partners to plan and respond quickly and effectively. This bringsPDA's initial response for disaster survivors to $200,000 from One Great Hour of Sharing and designated funds. Another $20,000 has being given to given to support material aid shipments to Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
INDIA
In India, CASA (Church's Auxiliary for Social Action) is targeting 50,000 families in three states: Andrah Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Using materials and food stuffs that were pre-stocked in CASA warehouses throughout the country, immediate food distribution has been set up through nine member church denominations located in the affected areas.Feeding programs with prepared food are being implemented in 10 centers in three states.
Non-food relief and shelter assistance includes blankets, clothing (saris and dohas), utensils, matches, candles, and plastic sheeting for immediate cover.Note: CASA is a related agency of the National Council of Churches in India and counts 24 Protestant churches in its membership. Both the Church of North and South India are active in CASA.
SRI LANKA
In Sri Lanka, the Council of Churches of Sri Lanka (CCSL) is providing dry ration food to 25,000 families. They are also constructing 100 temporary shelters for the worst hit regions. Each shelter will accommodate 10-15 family units. They have also begun distribution of non-food items.
PDA has provided $20,000 to Church World Service in support of a shipment of family shelter kits (500) and disaster medicine boxes (75) to Sri Lanka. The family shelter kits consist of a tent, plastic cover sheeting, and a ground sheet. The medicine boxes include sufficient key medicines to support a community of 1,000 people for one month. Both medicine and shelter supplies are in critical shortage in Sri Lanka.
INDONESIA
In Indonesia, PDA is responding through Yakkum Emergency Unit (the emergency arm of the Christian Foundation for Public Health), Yayasan Tanggul Bencana (the emergency program of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia), and Church World Service. All are focusing on the islands of Sumatra, Aceh, and Nias.
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