Bethel Presbyterian Church
Third Sunday after Epiphany
January 22, 2006
11:00 a.m.
GREETING, WORDS OF WELCOME, RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
This is the day the Lord has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
PRELUDE Dear Lord and Father of Mankind Maker
CALL TO WORSHIP
From the midst of our real lives with their very real problems,
We come to seek courage and strength from the presence of God and the support of one another.
As persons who love imperfectly and are loved imperfectly,
We come to be renewed by the perfect love of God, proclaimed in the community of love and faith.
As persons who never fully live up to their high calling in Jesus Christ,
We come to be encouraged to do our best for one more week. Let us worship, with hearts open to the love of God, with hands outstretched to one another, and with whole selves willing to accept the cost and joy of being Christ’s disciples. Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN #483 Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above Mit Freuden Zart
*CALL TO CONFESSION
Remember that our Lord Jesus can sympathize with us in our weaknesses, since in every respect he was tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with boldness approach the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN
God of all creation, Ruler of all peoples, you know us completely, how mean we are and how good we are. We humbly confess the mistakes we have made and the good we have neglected, the promises we have broken and the duties we have refused. Let the power and joy of your love become a mighty force in our lives. Help us to develop the good that is in us, and not be afraid to use it. Fortify our decision to live with honesty, integrity, joy, and unselfishness, through the grace of Jesus Christ. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
The good news in Christ is that when we face ourselves and God with the awareness of our need, we are given grace to grow, and courage to continue the journey.
Thanks be to God! In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Amen.
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Gloria Patri Hymn #578
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
NEW TESTAMENT READING Mark 1:14-20
A MESSAGE FROM YOUR SESSION Amber Jacks
ANTHEM
OLD TESTAMENT READING Jonah 3:1-5, 10
SERMON Life Does Not Continue the Same Rev. Dale Marshall
*HYMN #391 Take My Life Hendon
*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.
SHARING OF PRAYER CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYER
OFFERTORY MUSIC Still Are the Waters Parks
DEDICATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
*DOXOLOGY Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow Hymn #592
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*HYMN #388 O Jesus, I Have Promised Angel’s Story
*CHARGE AND BLESSING
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Let There Be Peace on Earth
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me,
Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.
With God as our Father, brothers all are we,
Let me walk with my brother, in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now,
With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow,
To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me!
*POSTLUDE O Worship The King Broughton
