Sunday Morning Worship Service
January 11, 2004
(Want to see a past Bulletin? Just click HERE)
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
Baptism of the Lord Sunday
January 11, 2004
GREETING, WORDS OF WELCOME, RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
PRELUDE Allegro Maestaso Handel
CALL TO WORSHIP Ps. 29:2-4
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due God's name,
worship the Lord in holy splendor.
The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful,
the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN # 70 Christ, When For Us You Were Baptized Caithness
*A TIME OF SILENT CONFESSION
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN –
Merciful God, in baptism you promise forgiveness and new life, making us part of the body of Christ. We confess that we remain preoccupied with ourselves, separated from sisters and brothers in Christ. We cling to destructive habits, hold grudges, and show reluctance to welcome one another; we allow the past to hold us hostage. In your loving kindness, have mercy on us, and free us from sin. Remind us of the promises you make in baptism so that we may rise to new life, and live together in grace. Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON –
The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. I declare to you, in the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. May the God of mercy, who forgives you all your sins, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Let us affirm:
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Gloria Patri Hymn # 579
OLD TESTAMENT READING Isaiah 43:1-7
A MOMENT WITH THE CHILDREN OF THE CHURCH
ANTHEM Unto the Hills Joseph M. Martin
NEW TESTAMENT READING I Corinthians 12:1-11
*HYMN # 435 We All Are One in Mission
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – from “a Brief Statement of Faith”
We trust in God the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life. The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith, sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and neighbor, and binds us together with all believers in the one body of Christ, the church. The same Spirit who inspired the prophets and apostles rules our faith and life in Christ through Scripture, engages us through the Word proclaimed, claims us in the waters of baptism, feeds us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation, and calls women and men to all ministries of the church. In a broken and fearful world the Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in church and culture, to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace. In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, praying, “Come, Lord Jesus!” With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.
PRAYER CONCERNS AND A TIME FOR SHARING
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
DEDICATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY Offertory on ‘Restoration’ Birchwood
*DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*HYMN # 316 Breathe on Me, Breath of God (vs. 1-2) Trentham
*HYMN # 316 Breathe on Me, Breath of God (vs. 3-4) Trentham
*CHARGE AND BLESSING God Be With You Hymn # 540
God be with you till we meet again; Loving counsels guide, uphold you,
With a Shepherd’s care enfold you: God be with you till we meet again. Amen.
*POSTLUDE Hornpipe Handel
*All who are able may stand.
This worship service is broadcast on WKTS 90.1 FM at 12:30 p.m. today.
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.
Our Liturgist today is Chuck Bunch. Our Ushers/Greeters are Nancy King & Ruth Ann Ludwig.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Presbytery of East Tennessee’s Task Force in structures and priorities will interview Bethel’s session this Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Elders not currently on session who have served our Presbytery on divisions or committees are urged to attend.
We are grateful to the following Elders who have rotated off the session after a three year term: Dianne Griffith, Carolyn Matthews, Roger Richmond, Helene Ricker, & Scott McGill.
The Rea Evening Circle will meet tonight at 6:00 P.M. in the church lounge. We will study the woman who anointed Jesus feet (Luke 7: 36 - 50) All women of the church are invited to attend.
MISSION YEARBOOKS & THESE DAYS are available in the narthex.
DANCE CLASS will start again this Tuesday of January at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Contact Duie Swicegood (882-5466) for more information.
BETHEL RECORDS - Jan 4 - Attendance 151, Contributions $4,701.50, H.O.M.E. $20.00, Per Capita Assessment $30.00, Memorials $385.00
Thank you to the "Christmas Elves" who left a beautiful card and gift for me in the office. I enjoy what I do and the people I do it for. In Christian love - Linda Brown
| PLEASE PRAY FOR: Christine Woods, Al & Dot Davis, Ella Winsbro, Charles Pickel, Ruth Moutoux, Florence Simmons, Susan Todd, Steve Jacks’ Uncle Bill, Presbyterian Churches & Pastors Harriman First & Huntsville First (Martha Anne Fairchild) |
THIS WEEK
MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY: BODY RECALL – 9-10 AM
| TUE – |
FUN LUNCH – 12:00 NOON |
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| WED – |
HANDBELLS – 6:00 PM
CHOIR – 7:00 PM |
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