Sunday Morning Worship Service
February 26, 2006
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.
Bethel Presbyterian Church
Transfiguration Sunday
February 26, 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 Meditation Bell Choir
CALL TO WORSHIP
God said, “Out of darkness the light shall shine!”
Shine your light into our hearts, O God.
The knowledge of God’s glory shines in the face of Christ.
Glory to God, and praise to you, O Christ!
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN #142 All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name! Coronation
*CALL TO CONFESSION
Jesus calls us to come, holding nothing in our hands, confessing our need of God.
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN
God of glory, the light of your holiness exposes us in our sinfulness. You hear the secret thoughts we hide from each other. You see the wretched lives we dress up in our Sunday best. You know the motive behind our deeds: so often for our own gain, so seldom for your glory. In your grace, forgive us, God. Help us to know our sins that we might repent of them truly. Lead us into the light of your glory, through mercy and forgiveness, in the name of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
We have seen the Light. We have heard the call. We will dance in the Light with our God.
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.
ANTHEM Rejoice Bell Choir
SCRIPTURE READING 2 Corinthians 8:5-15
SERMON Faith Offering Rev. Michael Sivale
*HYMN #333 Seek Ye First
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We know that God is in the world – was and is and will be. God made it all, and continues to renew and remake and resurrect. We know God best in the life of Jesus, who was and is our maker of hope, the one who saves. We know the power and energy of God in the Holy Spirit. We are filled with God’s joy and pledged to discipleship and love. We trust in God. We celebrate God. We work together for justice and peace through God. We are never alone. We are free in the chosen bonds of the ways of the Christ. Thanks be to God!
SHARING OF PRAYER CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYER
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 #432 Song of Hope Argentina
*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
*All who are able may stand.
Bethel offers Sunday school for children and four educational opportunities for adults at 9:45 A.M.
Childcare for babies and preschool age children is offered at 11:00 A.M.
Restrooms are located in our Educational Building on the first floor and the lower level.
Ushers can provide activity sheets for children and large print hymnals if needed.
The Ushers today are Scott & Julia McGill.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Bethel's Session Records 1818 - 1950 (four volumes) were stored at the Presbyterian Historical Society in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Cathy McDowell requested these four volumes from the Historical Society in preparation for getting all completed volumes of session minutes placed on microfilm. The session has approved this microfilming, and the S & F Committee has approved using Memorial Fund money to cover the cost. It will take about six months for the Historical Society to complete the microfilming. When Cathy receives the microfilm, she will have a master CD made and then CD copies will be available to anyone. If you would like to take a look at the four volumes that were stored in Philadelphia, they will be on display at the front of the sanctuary for a brief period today following the Worship Service. Volume 1 is very fragile - in the early 1800's it lay in a member's damp closet, forgotten for years. This volume has moisture and mold damage, but in 1936 Mrs. Emma Wells transcribed this faded volume onto single sheets of paper. These early 1800 records speak of the Bethel Session having to reprimand members for disorderly conduct - like public intoxication and quarrelsome language. After being microfilmed, the 8 volumes of Session Minutes (1818 - 2000) will be left at the Historical Society for preservation.
We welcome Rev. Michael Sivale to the pulpit today. He is a missionary in our denomination on furlough from Brazil. Please plan to stay after worship today for a luncheon in his honor. Proceeds from the luncheon will be given to Michael as a love offering.
Members of the Mission Outreach committee and other interested individuals are invited to join the Kingston Ministerial Association as we make plans to sponsor the Angel Food Ministry in Roane County. The organizational meeting is this Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. at Kingston United Methodist Church.
There will be an Ash Wednesday worship service Wednesday, March 1 at 7 p.m. at Bethel. Ash Wednesday begins forty days of fasting, preparation and spiritual discipline leading up to the resurrection of our Lord.
Our Wednesday morning Bible study continues this Wednesday at 10 a.m. as we consider Matthew’s Gospel and the Sermon on the Mount in chapters 5-7. All are welcome!
Bethel's new and improved website Photo Center is now available for your Bethel-related photos. Please read the March Open Door for information on how you can upload your own pictures to our website for everyone to see.
Make sure to mark you calendars for the next Super Saturday on March 4. Doug Brown’s lecture is titled “Cherokee 101 Lite.” We will meet at 9 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall in a very informal setting, with coffee and some goodies. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
The pastor will be offering a series of classes for prospective new members who are considering joining Bethel. Anyone is welcome to attend and there is no obligation to join at the conclusion of the classes. The classes will take place in the Pastor’s study on Sunday mornings at 9:45 a.m. on March 12, 19, 26, April 2 and 9.
Your delicious mouth-watering Girl Scout Cookies will be available for pickup from Julie C. next Sunday. If you purchased cookies for the Gift of Caring program, Troop 435 will deliver them to Hands of Mercy, Jamestowne, and Wellington around March 15. Thank you for your support.
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We join Jill McMaster in grieving the death of her step-mother this past week.
Doris Barber, Sue Carter, Wanda Carter, Al & Dot Davis, Charles & Francis Pickel, Bettie Shenk, Marnie Shields, Justin Trivette, Margaret True, Evelyn Waldrup
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The Lenten Study will be offered on Sunday mornings March 5, 12, 19, 26, April 2, & 9 during Mark Banker’s Sunday school class and on Wednesday mornings at 10 a.m. at the church on March 15, 22, 29, April 5, & 12 led by Marc Sherrod. So that the proper number of books ($5 each) can be ordered for our Lenten Study on “Peace, Unity, Purity: Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, & Purity of the Church,” please fill out the information below and drop it in the offering plate today.
Lenten Book Order
I wish to purchase _____ copies of the Lenten study booklet @ $5 each.
Name _____________________________________________________________
Please make checks payable to Bethel - earmarked “Lenten Booklet.”
THIS WEEK'S EVENTS
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Sunday
|
Feb 26 |
Luncheon w/ Michael Sivale
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12:00 P.M.
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| Monday |
Feb 27 |
Seniorcize |
9:00 A.M. |
| Wednesday |
Mar 1 |
Seniorcize
Bible Study – Matthew’s Gospel
Ash Wednesday Service
|
9:00 A.M.
10:00 A.M.
7:00 P.M.
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| Thursday |
Mar 2 |
Mission Outreach Meeting
Design & Development Meeting
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6:30 P.M.
7:00 P.M.
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| Friday |
Mar 3 |
Seniorcize
|
9:00 A.M.
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| Saturday |
Mar 4 |
Super Saturday |
9:00 A.M. |
| Sunday |
Mar 5 |
Lenten Study |
9:45 A.M. |
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