Sunday Morning Worship Service
February 8, 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
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
February 8, 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
The Lord our God is a welcoming God,
Standing with arms outstretched to those gathering here.
The Lord our God is a seeking God,
Calling in love to those who are wondering.
The Lord our God is a hearing God,
With ears that are open to our prayers of need and our hymns of praise.
The Lord our God is a loving God,
For Christ lives and offers us life abundant.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN # 454 Blessed Jesus, At Your Word Liebster Jesu
*A TIME OF SILENT CONFESSION
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN –
O God, we confess that we forget who we are. We don’t listen for a still small voice. We walk with our heads down and miss all the stars that could be ours, but we know, O God, that you are a God of Hope who does not forget your covenant with us, a Shepherd-God who looks for lost sheep, a faithful God who keeps calling us in spite of our deafness, a God who enters our history and opens our eyes and heals our blindness. O God, accept us as your stewards and send us out in the hope of your love. 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 33 Hymn # 185
A MOMENT WITH THE CHILDREN OF THE CHURCH
ANTHEM Shout the Good News Linda Steen Spevacek
*HYMN # 443 O Christ, the Great Foundation Aurelia
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – Our Lord Is Called Hope
Our Lord was a Lord who turned things upside down and inside out, a man who dined with sinners, a man who befriended prostitutes and tax collectors, a man who was called heretic, a man who broke the Sabbath rules, a man who changed water into wine. And he bids us to follow him: to turn things upside down and inside out, to go where the hurting is, to change water into wine, to change who we are into the Kingdom of God. Amen.
from “Searching for Shalom” by Ann Weems
PRAYER CONCERNS AND A TIME FOR SHARING
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
DEDICATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
*DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION
HYMN # 420 God of Grace and God of Glory Cwn Rhondda
*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.
The Chancel Flowers today are provided by Jack & Sue Muecke. Our Liturgist today is Kathy Banker. Our Ushers/Greeters are Scott & Julie McGill.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS 2003 are available in the narthex. PLEASE pick them up to save on mailing costs.
ICE SKATING TODAY – The youth and any other interested adults will leave the church at 1:45 p.m. and we will skate from 2:45 p.m. - 4:45 P.M. The cost is $7.00 per person which covers the cost of admission and skate rental. Additional money may be brought to purchase a snack. All elementary age kids need to bring along an adult chaperone. Contact Amber Jacks if you have any questions.
THE REA EVENING CIRCLE will gather at 6 P.M. in the meeting room below the sanctuary. The Bible study will be An Apostle's Anonymity, based on Luke 8:1-3 and Mark 15:40-41. All women of the church are invited to attend.
THE FIRST GATHERING OF THE MINISTRY INITIATIVE on a Bethel Learning Center will be tomorrow night, 7:00 p.m., Jim Condon, Convener.
THE INITIAL MEETING OF THE GIFTS DISCERNMENT INITIATIVE will be Tuesday, February 10 at 7:00 P.M. in the meeting room below the church sanctuary, Carol Brown, Convener. This organizational meeting will explore the nature of a gifts discernment program and provide various program resources to read and review. Any member or friend of the congregation who feels led to participate in this ministry initiative is invited to attend. Dates for other Ministry Initiative gatherings are:
Ministry Initiative on Children and Youth- February 15 after worship in the Fellowship Hall. Rev. Marc Sherrod, convener.
Ministry Initiative on Mission – February 22nd at 7 P.M. in church lounge area. Mark Banker, convener.
Ministry Initiative on Worship – February 24th at 6:30 P.M. Diane Griffith, convener.
SUNSET GAP WISH LIST – Items donated may be placed in the Church Lounge. Mission Outreach Committee will pick them up and deliver them to Sunset Gap.
OPEN DOOR DEADLINE is Feb. 20. Thanks, Deb Hyder
THIS WEEK
MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY: BODY RECALL – 9-10 AM
| TODAY – |
ICE SKATING
REA EVENING CIRCLE
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| MON – |
MINISTRY INITIATIVE ON A BETHEL LEARNING CENTER – 7:00 PM |
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| TUE – |
VALENTINE FUN LUNCH – 12:00 NOON
GIFTS DISCERNMENT INITIATIVE – 7:00 PM
DANCE CLASS - FELLOWSHIP HALL – 7:00 PM
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| WED – |
SESSION – 7:00 PM
HANDBELLS – 5:30 PM
CHOIR – 7:00 PM
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| THU – |
TAI CHI CLASS |
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| NEXT SUNDAY |
MINISTRY INITIATIVE ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH AFTER WORSHIP |
| LOVE IS A FRUIT IN SEASON
Love is a fruit in season
At all times and within reach of every hand!
Spread love everywhere you go
First of all in your own house
Give love to your children
To your husband or wife
To a next door neighbor
Let no one ever come to you
Without leaving happier
Be the living expression of God’s
Kindness, kindness in your face
Kindness in your eyes
Kindness in your smile
Kindness in your warm greeting! —Mother Teresa
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