Sunday Morning Worship Service
January 18, 2004
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 in Ordinary Time
January 18, 2004
GREETING, WORDS OF WELCOME, RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 49
When I waited patiently for you, O God, you bent down to me and heard my cry.
You put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.
I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation;
I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord.
Do not, O Lord, withhold your mercy from me;
Let your steadfast love and faithfulness keep me safe forever.
Let us worship God!
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN # 334 When Israel Was in Egypt’s Land Go Down Moses
*A TIME OF SILENT CONFESSION
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN –
God our Father: you led our ancestors to this land, and, out of conflict, created in us a love of peace and liberty. We have failed you by neglecting rights and restricting freedoms. Forgive pride that overlooks national wrong, or justifies injustice. Forgive divisions caused by prejudice or greed. Have mercy, God, on the heart of this land. Make us compassionate, fair and helpful to each other. Raise up in us right patriotism, that sees and seeks this nation’s good; through Jesus Christ the Lord. 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 Psalm 137
A MOMENT WITH THE CHILDREN OF THE CHURCH
ANTHEM Lord, Can You Hear Us Praying Price/Besig
NEW TESTAMENT READING Philemon 8-22
*HYMN # 404 Precious Lord, Take My Hand Precious Lord
*LITANY FOR THE NATION – from The Worshipbook
O God: your justice is like rock, and your mercy like pure flowing water. Judge and forgive us. If we have turned from you, return us to your way; for without you we are lost people. From brassy patriotism and a blind trust in power; Deliver us, O God.
From public deceptions that weaken trust; from self-seeking in high political places; Deliver us, O God.
From divisions among us of class or race; from wealth that will not share, and poverty that feeds on food of bitterness; Deliver us, O God.
From neglecting rights; from overlooking the hurt, the imprisoned, and the needy among us; Deliver us, O God.
From a lack of concern for other lands and peoples; from narrowness of national purpose; from failure to welcome the peace you promise on earth; Deliver us, O God.
Eternal God: before you nations rise and fall; they grow strong or wither by your design. Help us to repent our country’s wrong and to choose the right. Amen.
Give us a glimpse of the Holy City you are bringing to earth, where death and pain and crying will be gone away; and nations gather in the light of your presence. Great God, renew this nation.
Teach us peace, so that we may plow up battlefields and pound weapons into building tools, and learn to talk across old boundaries as brothers and sisters in your love. Great God, renew this nation.
Talk sense to us, so that we may wisely end all prejudice, and may put a stop to cruelty, which divides or wounds the human family. Great God, renew this nation.
Draw us together as one people who do your will, so that our land may be a light to nations, leading the way to your promised kingdom, which is coming among us. Great God, renew this nation.
Great God, eternal Lord: long years ago you gave our ancestors this land as a home for freedom. Show us there is no law or liberty apart from you; and let us serve you modestly, as devoted people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER CONCERNS AND A TIME FOR SHARING
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
The Reverend Bill Shenk
DEDICATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
*DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*HYMN # 449 My Lord! What A Morning African-American Spiritual
*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.
*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 Bob & Sue Jones.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BETHEL’S ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING – next Sunday, January 25, following a lunch in Fellowship Hall.
A SMALL GROUP MINISTRY INITIATIVE PLANNING MEETING will be held on Monday, January 19th, at 7:00 P.M. in the meeting room below the sanctuary. Anyone interested in becoming a small group facilitator or helping implement the initiative is invited to attend.
PRESBYTERIANS TODAY MAGAZINE – Please call the church office if you would like to receive this magazine subscription at your home. The cost is $11.25 for one year. We already have all the current elders names on the sign-up list.
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH SUMMIT – March 12-14, 2004. Deadline to sign up is Jan. 25. Bethel pays cost, $45 of $90.
OFFICE HELP NEEDED – Debbie Hyder is having ankle surgery on February 9. Office help will be needed in the mornings of February 9,10, 16, 17, and possibly the 23rd and 24th. Phone answering will be the primary need. Please call the church office if you can help. Thanks.
REV. JOHN FIFE, Moderator 1992 General Assembly - Reception Tuesday, Jan. 20, 4:30-6:30 at Center for Campus Ministry, Maryville College. On Wed., Jan. 21, 7 p.m. Rev. Fite will speak in the Music Hall about the church’s role in current immigration issues. Church members are welcome for both events.
MISSION YEARBOOKS & THESE DAYS are available in the narthex.
RECEPTION honoring Harry Wade, retired administrator Roane Medical Center, Jan. 22, 7 p.m., South Harriman Baptist Church Family Life Center.
| PLEASE PRAY FOR: Christine Woods, Al & Dot Davis, Ella Winsbro, Charles Pickel, Ruth Moutoux, Florence Simmons, Susan Todd, Steve Jacks’ Uncle Bill, Ruth Brownell & the family of Fred Loveland, Presbyterian Churches & Pastors Knoxville First (G. Carswell Hughs) & LaFollette First (Malcolm M. King, III) |
THIS WEEK
MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY: BODY RECALL – 9-10 AM
| MON – |
MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY (OFFICE CLOSED)
SMALL GROUP MINISTRY INITIATIVE PLANNING MEETING – 7:00 PM
|
|
|
| TUE – |
DANCE CLASS(IN FELLOWSHIP HALL) – 7:00 PM |
|
|
| WED – |
PROPERTY & PERSONNEL MEETING – 5:30 PM
FAMILY NIGHT SUPPER – 6:30 PM
HANDBELLS – 5:30 PM
CHOIR – 7:30 PM
|
|
|
| THU – |
C E COMMITTEE MEETING – 7:00 PM |
|
