Sunday Morning Worship Service
February 15, 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
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
February 15, 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 # 264 When in Our Music God Is Glorified Engelberg
*A TIME OF SILENT CONFESSION
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN –
Holy and merciful God, in your presence we confess our sinfulness, our shortcomings, and our offenses against you. You alone know how often we have sinned in wandering from your ways, in wasting your gifts, in forgetting your love. Have mercy on us, O Lord, for we are ashamed and sorry for all we have done to displease you. Forgive our sins, and help us to live in your light, and walk in your ways, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Savior. 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
NEW TESTAMENT READING Ephesians 5:21-33
A MOMENT WITH THE CHILDREN OF THE CHURCH Amy Coen
ANTHEM Sing, Sing Glory to the Lord Wagner
*HYMN # 335 Though I May Speak O Waly Waly
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – from the Confession of 1967
The relationship between man and woman exemplifies in a basic way God’s ordering of the interpersonal life for which God created humanity. Anarchy in sexual relationships is a symptom of human alienation from God, neighbor, and self. The church, as the household of God, is called to lead people out of this alienation into the responsible freedom of the new life in Christ. Reconciled to God, each person has joy in and respect for his or her own humanity and that of other persons; a man and woman are enabled to marry, to commit themselves to a mutually shared life, and to respond to each other in sensitive and lifelong concern; parents receive the grace to care for children in love and to nurture their individuality. The church comes under the judgment of God and invites rejection by humanity when it fails to lead men and women into the full meaning of life together, or withholds the compassion of Christ from those caught in the moral confusion of our time. Amen.
PRAYER CONCERNS AND A TIME FOR SHARING
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
The Reverend Patricia Harvey
DEDICATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
*DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION
HYMN # 554 Let All Things Now Living Ash Grove
*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 Jerry & Jennie Morris. Our Liturgist today is Kathy Banker. Our Ushers/Greeters are Joan Thompson & Denice Martin.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FELLOWSHIP SUPPER THIS WEDNESDAY will be our traditional Fat Tuesday Pancake Supper, hosted by the youth. Monetary donations will be appreciated.
DATES FOR FUTURE MINISTRY INITIATIVE GATHERINGS ARE:
Ministry Initiative on Children and Youth – today 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.
“THE GODBEARING LIFE: Young Adults and the Quest for a Passionate Church” Seminars at Maryville College, Feb 26-28. See brochure on bulletin board.
MEN’S CONFERENCE – March 26-28 at John Knox Center. See registration pamphlet in narthex.
SUNSET GAP WISH LIST – Items donated may be placed in the Church Lounge.
OPEN DOOR DEADLINE is Feb. 20.
BETHEL RECORDS - Feb. 8, 2004 – Attendance 133, Contributions $3,104.80, Miss Dot Hunger Fund $25.00, Parish Nurse $140.00, H.O.M.E. $25.00, Per Capita Assessment $60.00, Memorials $145.00
| PLEASE PRAY FOR: Rev. David Craig, Christine Woods, Al & Dot Davis, Ella Winsbro, Charles Pickel, Ruth Moutoux, Florence Simmons, Susan Todd, Presbyterian Churches & Pastors - Sweetwater First & Knoxville First United (George H. Waters) |
THIS WEEK
MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY: BODY RECALL – 9-10 AM
| TODAY – |
MINISTRY INITIATIVE ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH AFTER WORSHIP
YOUTH GROUP (CATHY McDOWELL & MELANIE SHERROD, SPONSORS) – 6:00 PM
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| TUE – |
PARISH LIFE COMMITTEE – 7:00 PM
DANCE CLASS - FELLOWSHIP HALL – 7:00 PM
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| WED – |
PROPERTY & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE – 5:30 PM
HANDBELLS – 5:30 PM
FAT TUESDAY (ON WED) PANCAKE SUPPER –
6:30 PM
CHOIR – 7:00 PM
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| THU – |
TAI CHI CLASS |
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| NEXT SUNDAY |
REA EVENING CIRCLE – 6:00 PM
MINISTRY INITIATIVE ON MISSIONS – 7:00 PM
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