Sunday Morning Worship Service
January 16, 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
Epiphany Sunday
January 16, 2005
GREETING, WORDS OF WELCOME, RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Shout aloud and sing for joy.
For great in our midst is the holy One.
PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP
Creator God, God of energy and life
We come in gratitude and expectation
To be guided by you on our life’s journey
To be joined together as your people
To see our world through your eyes
To be touched by your love
To be set free to love.
Let us worship God!
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN # 85 What Wondrous Love Is This Walker
*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.
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN
Almighty God, you make all things new, and forgive old wrongs we can’t forget. We confess we have spent time without loving, and years without purpose, and the calendar condemns us. Daily we have done wrong, and have failed to keep your commandments. Forgive the past, we pray. Do not let evil cripple or shame us. Lead us into the future, free from sin, free to love, and ready to work for your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Hear the good news! The nature of God is to forgive sinners and to have compassion on those who turn to him. God will grant us perfect remission of all our sins and full assurance of pardon. God will strengthen and confirm us in all good works, and will bring us to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Friends, believe this good news:
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Gloria Patri Hymn # 579
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Psalm 40:1-11
MINUTE FOR MISSION – Building Proposal
Nancy King
CHILDREN'S TIME
Chelsea Richmond
ANTHEM Sing a New Song To The Lord
NEW TESTAMENT LESSON John 1:29-42
*HYMN # 394 There Is a Balm in Gilead
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – from THE CONFESSION of 1967
The reconciling act of God in Jesus Christ exposes the evil in humanity as sin in the sight of God. In sin, people claim mastery of their own lives, turn against God and others, and become exploiters and despoilers of the world. They lose their humanity in futile striving and are left in rebellion, despair, and isolation.
Wise and virtuous people through the ages have sought the highest good in devotion to freedom, justice, peace, truth, and beauty. Yet all human virtue, when seen in the light of God’s love in Jesus Christ, is found to be infected by self-interest and hostility. All people, good and bad alike, are in the wrong before God and helpless without his forgiveness. Thus all fall under God’s judgment. No one is more subject to that judgment than the one who assumes that he or she is guiltless before God or morally superior to others.
God’s love never changes. Against all who oppose him, God expresses his love in wrath. In the same love, God took on himself judgment and shameful death in Jesus Christ, to bring all to repentance and new life.
PRAYER CONCERNS AND A TIME FOR SHARING
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER
DEDICATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
*DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*HYMN #372 Lord, I Want to Be a Christian
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
*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.
Flowers provided by Doug and Carol Brown in honor of birth of Granddaughter, Elizabeth Ryan Baker.
The Liturgist today is Anita Richmond.
Our Ushers/Greeters are Nancy King and Ruth Ann Ludwig.
Sympathies to the family of Mac Robbins in the loss of her daughter, Carol Jane Row, Wednesday, January 12th. A memorial service will be in Bethel’s sanctuary on Sunday, January 22 at 11:00AM. Contributions can be made to Bethel’s Parish Nurse Fund.
Message from Samuel Wambugu of Grace School:
| (This is in response to being notified of Bethel’s decision to send $150/month for Grace School.) |
Thank you so much for the gift. It will go a long way towards helping the Grace School.
Everyone in my family and at Grace School is fine. I am on my way attending Diabetic Seminar as most of you are aware that I was diagnosed to be diabetic when I saw Doctors in the US. It is not that I am in a serious problem, but it is important that I know how to manage the diabetes.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
OPPORTUNITIES to review the Proposed Building Plans:
• Wednesday, January 19th 6:30P.M. The Architect, Chris Malone, will discuss proposed concept following our monthly church supper.
• Other times arranged with Nancy King (376-9951)
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING – Sunday, January 23nd in Fellowship Hall after church service. We will have a Chili & Hot Dog dinner prepared as a fundraiser for the Roane County Cooperative Ministries. We also plan to ordain and install our Elders-elect next Sunday.
YOUTH GROUP ice skating at Icearium – Meet at church 1:30 PM to carpool. Cost is $9.00 plus enough for fast food lunch. Return to church between 5:00 PM - 5:15 PM.
The training for our new elders continues tonight at 6:00 PM in the lounge.
| PLEASE PRAY FOR: George Standridge (Father of Kathy Francis & David Standridge), Gale King, Kay Michener, Christine Woods, Al & Dot Davis, Justin Winsbro, Ruth Moutoux, Susan Todd) |
THIS WEEK
MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY: BODY RECALL – 9-10 AM
| TUE – |
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION – 6:30 PM
PARISH LIFE – 7:00 PM
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| WED – |
BELLS – 5:30 PM
PROPERTY & PERSONNEL – 5:30 PM
FELLOWSHIP SUPPER – 6:30 PM
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