Sunday Morning Worship Service
March 27, 2005

Jump to Announcements
Jump to This Week's Events
(please wait until the page has completed loading)

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
Bethel Presbyterian Church
Easter Sunday
March 27, 2005

GREETING, WORDS OF WELCOME, RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!

CALL TO WORSHIP

Christ has risen. Christ has risen indeed.
God is alive . . . New birth is given.
Hope is alive . . . A new age is dawning.
Joy is alive . . . Redemption is here.
Love is alive . . . Death cannot harm us.
We are alive . . . New life is within us.

The church is alive . . . God’s Spirit is within us.
God of life, we worship you.
God of creation, we praise you.
God of revelation, we learn from you.
God of resurrection, we are here to celebrate you.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

*HYMN # 123    Jesus Christ Is Risen Today   Ellacombe

CALL TO CONFESSION

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. In humility and faith let us confess our sins to God.

(Silent Prayer)

*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN

God, giver of life and breath, we come before you this day asking forgiveness for those times when we have failed to believe in you. You have surprised us with the constancy of your love, yet we confess that we have failed in our confidence in you. Loving God, forgive us when we flee from the empty tombs of our lives in despair. Forgive us for running away when we are confronted with a new experience, a chance to experience new life. Forgive us our past mistakes and failures and our disbelief. Bless us and lift us anew by the Easter promise. Through Christ our Risen Savior. Amen.

*WORDS OF ASSURANCE

Our confession is an acknowledgment of our humanness, our need for God’s grace. God has promised that we can be forgiven for our weaknesses, our insensitivities, our cynicism and our lack of faith. We accept this assurance with humility and with the hope that it will lead us toward resurrection. Give thanks to God, for . . .

in Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE   Gloria Patri   Hymn #579

OLD TESTAMENT READING   Jeremiah 31:1-6

A MOMENT WITH THE CHILDREN   

ANTHEM    Easter Hodie    Chancel Choir

EPISTLE READING   Acts 10:34-43

GOSPEL READING   Matthew 28:1-10

SERMON  “Fear and Joy”
Rev. Marc Sherrod, ThD

*HYMN #106   Alleluia, Alleluia! Give Thanks   Alleluia

BANNER PRESENTATION   Confirmation Class

PRAYER CONCERNS AND A TIME FOR SHARING

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER

DEDICATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

*DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION    Hymn #592

*HYMN #525 vs. 1   Here I Am, Lord   Here I Am, Lord

RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS AND THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

PRESENTATION OF THE CONFIRMATION CLASS

CONGREGATION’S COMMITMENT   (Congregation Responds)

Do you, as members of the church of Jesus Christ, promise to guide and nurture these candidates by word and deed, with love and prayer, encouraging them to know and follow Christ and to be faithful members of his church?

We do.

PROFESSION OF FAITH   (Candidates Respond)

Do you renounce all evil, and powers in the world which defy God’s righteousness and love?

I renounce them.

Do you renounce the ways of sin that separate you from the love of God?

I renounce them.

Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Lord and Savior?

I do.

Will you be Christ’s faithful disciple, obeying his Word and showing his love, to your life’s end?

I will, with God’s help.

Will you be a faithful member of this congregation, share in its worship and ministry through your prayers and gifts, your study and service, and so fulfill your calling to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?

I will, with God’s help.

Will you devote yourself to the church’s teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers?

I will, with God’s help.

*THE APOSTLE’S CREED

Do you believe in God, the Father almighty?

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ?

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?

I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

THANKSGIVING OVER THE WATER

THE BAPTISM

LAYING ON OF HANDS

PRESENTATION OF THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

You are the light of Christ. Let your light shine in the darkness.

WELCOME   (Congregation Responds)

Kerry and John have been received into the one holy catholic and apostolic church through baptism and profession of faith. Ellen, Jacob, Ryan and Eden, by publicly professing their faith, have expressed their intention to continue in the covenant God made with them in their baptism. God has made them all members of the household of God, to share with us in the priesthood of Christ. Let us welcome them as they join with us in the worship and mission of the church.

With joy and thanksgiving we welcome you into Christ’s church to share with us in his ministry, for we are all one in Christ.

The peace of Christ be with you.

And also with you.

*HYMN #525 vs. 2 & 3   Here I Am, Lord   Here I Am, Lord

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE   Christ the Lord Is Risen Today!   Hymn #113

“Christ the Lord is risen today!” Alleluia!
All creation, join to say; Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high; Alleluia!
Sing, O heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

*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.

A Special Thank You

The flowers are given by George and Mary Lee McGill in memory of Bill Lemons and Sharon McGill.

The Liturgist today is Pat Harvey.

The Ushers/Greeters are Jack & Carolyn McNew.

Covenant Partners

We appreciate the following who have served as covenant partners during our confirmation classes:
Pat Harvey   Bob Jones
Nancy King   Denise Martin
Cathy McDowell   Karen Schall

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Body Recall Teacher Needed

We are looking for a person interested in teaching Body Recall three times a week. There is one week of training in Berea, Kentucky that is included. Please contact Nancy King or Deb Hyder if you are willing to take on this ministry.

Cumberland County Playhouse

This is your last chance to sign up for the trip to see “The Spitfire Grill” at the Cumberland County Playhouse on Sunday, April 17, 2:30 P.M. The musical will be performed on the Mainstage. The cost is $17 for a group of 20 or more. Please call Alicia in the church office by Monday, March 28 to make your reservations.

Ink & Blood

Reservations have been made for 16 Bethel folks and two children to go to the Ink & Blood Exhibition on Saturday, April 9th at 11:00 A.M. We will meet at Bethel at 9:30 A.M. and carpool to the Knoxville Convention/Exhibition Center. Please make your checks ($10 for adults, $8 for kids) payable to Bethel Presbyterian Church, earmark Ink & Blood.

Summer Camp Open House

The John Knox Center is having a Summer Camp Open House on Saturday, April 9 from 2-5 p.m. They will have light refreshments and a notary to help finalize your registration forms. A physician will also be there to give camp physicals at a cost of $10 per child. Please call in advance to schedule an appointment time for your child’s physical because space is limited. If you have not already taken advantage of the 10% Early Bird Discount, you may do so if you turn your form in at the Open House. For more information, please log on to johnknoxcenter.org.

Food City Receipts

The last date on Food City purchases for Apples for the students of Kingston Elementary School is March 12. Please turn your receipts in to any KES student as soon as possible after March 12.

Newsletter Deadline – Wednesday, March 30.

Daylight Savings Time Begins!

Remember to set your clocks forward one hour this Saturday night before you go to bed so you don’t miss church on Sunday. We will welcome Rev. Bill Shenk to the pulpit next Sunday.

Stephen’s Ministry

Anyone interested in learning more about Stephen’s Ministry, please call Deb Hyder @ 376-6340.

One Great Hour of Sharing

One Great Hour of Sharing offering is being received today. Please be sure to earmark your checks.

PRAYER CONCERNS:
  • Ronnie Phillips is home from Iraq with no immediate plans to return.

  • Madge Mounger who will be at St. Mary’s in Knoxville for 4-6 weeks with a Staph Infection.

THIS WEEK'S EVENTS

CALENDAR

Sunday

March 27 No Youth Group  
Monday March 28 Office Closed  
Wednesday March 29 Bells

Alpha

Choir

Newsletter Deadline

 5:45 P.M.

6:30 P.M

7:15 P.M.
Sunday April 3 Daylight Savings Time  

Youth Group

Lenten Study Continued

 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.

6:00 P.M.
  

Attendance
Attendance Last Week – 114
Average Attendance in 2005 – 112

Giving Last Week
Budget $3,976.00
Outreach $30.00
One Great Hour of Sharing $390.00
Youth Miission trip $20.00
Grace School $145.00
Grace School - 2 Desks $100.00
Misc. – Non Budget $20.00
Parish Nurse $40.00
Bequest from Manley Estate $50,000.00
Pass Through Gift $75.00
Youth Minister Fund $100.00
TOTAL $54896.00

 

CONFIRMATION FAITH STATEMENTS

Eden Buchanan Sherrod

“I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” Acts 10:3-35

I believe that this is one of the most important passages in the Bible because it tells me that God loves everybody no matter their race or religion. The whole Bible is important to me because it reminds me of how I am supposed to act and live my life.

I believe that God created the world. He is Father and Mother to me and I know that he will always take care of me. I believe that all things are done for a reason, no matter how awful they might seem to us. I believe that God’s spirit always surrounds me, comforts me, and brings me peace.

I believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins. He ate with the sinful and healed the sick. I believe that Jesus proclaimed the good news and set an example for us to follow.

I believe that the church is like a family. It will always be there for me and give me hope when I might be feeling alone or sad. I hope that I will always feel comfort when I enter the church.

I believe that I should go out into the world and share my gifts. I should be loving and kind to everyone no matter what they believe or their race.

One of my favorite hymns is “God of the Sparrow”.

“God of the neighbor, God of the foe, God of the pruning hook. How does the creature say love? How does the creature say peace?”

I am an eighth grader at Cherokee Middle School. I play the flute in the band. I will play tennis at Roane County High School next year. I have three cats and love animals. I am glad to become a member of Bethel Presbyterian Church.

Ellen Christine Dailey

I believe in God the father almighty. I believe that God is the creator of life, earth, and all living and non-living things. He shows love, patience, passion, and forgiveness.

I believe God sent his one and only son to save the world.

I believe he loves everyone, Christian and non Christian, and that he loves every nation equally.

I believe that God gave us each unique gifts to go out into the world and use.

I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God, born of the Virgin Mary. I believe he came to share the good news, heal the sick, eat with the outcasts, bless the children, and those who were looked on as non-important.

I believe that we are all knowing sinners. I believe that if we confess our sins and ask for forgiveness that He will forgive us. I believe that Jesus came to forgive the sinners and to teach us about God. I also believe that Jesus suffered on the cross and died for the sins of the world.

I believe the Holy Spirit is the comforting presence of God.

I believe that the Bible is here as a constant reminder to how we should live our lives. I also believe that the Old Testament shows us all the covenants that God made with his people.

I want to be confirmed because I have dedicated my life to God and this is my home where I feel safe. This is my church family whom I look to for encouragement, support, and love.

I want to become a member of Bethel Presbyterian just like the many generations of my family before me. I also want to be involved in congregational decisions, and the various missions of the church.

I am 13 years old. I am an 8th grader at Cherokee Middle School. I play oboe in the middle school band. I enjoy hanging out with friends, playing soccer, swimming, babysitting, and working at the baseball field in the summer.

Kerry Leigh Hyder

God – God is the Creator of life, Earth and heaven. God is compassionate, loving and patient. He sent his son, Jesus Christ, to Earth to be our Savior.

Jesus Christ – Jesus was sinless and God’s and Mary’s Son. Jesus died for our sins, preached God’s news, and healed the wounded and sick.

Holy Spirit – The Holy Spirit is seen as fire and wind at Pentecost.

Sins – These get in the way of God’s plans for us.

The World – We don’t take care of our gift, the world, like we should; we pollute, kill and destroy.

The Church – The church is a home away from home – only with a bigger family.

Other Races – God’s love is color-blind; it doesn’t see a specific race being right or wrong.

Gifts – God gives people gifts, such as: caring for children, music, preaching, a kind heart, friends, etc.

God is a constant reminder of how we should act as His children.

I am 13 years old and play clarinet in the Midway High School Band. I have assorted pets: Dimitri, Brutus, Roxy, Socks, Milo, and a cat and a lizard. I like watching movies, reading and working in the kitchen.

John Andrew Richmond

I believe that God the Father is forgiving. I believe he is the creator of Heaven and Earth and that he sent his son to die for our sins. I believe that God is loving and will forgive us of our sins if we ask for it.

I believe in God the son. I believe he is sinless, and he came to Earth to live for us and die for our sins. I believe he spread the good news of God to the people of Earth. I believe he healed the sick and ate with sinners.

I believe in God the Holy Spirit. I believe he is the presence of God who brings comfort to people.

I believe that Jesus feels pain when we sin, and that humans don’t take care of the world as they should. I also believe that the Bible is important because it is a way to learn about God and about how Jesus came to the Earth to spread the good news and die for us.

I am twelve years old. I am in 7th grade at Cherokee Middle School. I am a Boy Scout and hold the rank of First Class. I play trombone in the school band and enjoy the computer and reading.

Jacob Christian Murr

John 10:11 – I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd will lay down his life for the sheep.

I want to be confirmed as a member of Bethel Presbyterian Church because I’ve gone to this church all of my life and I was baptized here, but now I feel that I am mature enough, and that my love of God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost is strong enough, to become a full-fledged member, and follower of God for the rest of my life and eternity.

I believe that God is the creator of all things, the Eternal Master, and the Greatest of all beings. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah, the Prince of Peace, the King of Kings. I believe that He died to save us from our sins and that if we believe and open our hearts and minds, Jesus will always be there through good times and bad times for us, throughout eternity.

I believe that the church is a sanctuary for worship. It is the house of God and it should be respected and loved.

I am eleven years old. I’ll be in the 7th grade next year and I’m really enjoying middle school. I’m in the band, playing the trumpet there, and the piano at home. My favorite sports are football and baseball, and I love nature. I have four dogs, one cat, and tons of chickens.

Ryan Mark Preston

God: God is the creator of life (humans, plants and animals) and earth. He is a forgiving God. He sent his son to die for our sins.

Jesus Christ: He was a sinless. He was the son of God. He healed the sick. He blessed all the children.

Holy Spirit: He makes us feel better when we are sad.

Sins: God forgives our sins. Jesus feels hurt when we sin. We need to stop hurting each other. We need to stop pollution. We need to treat God’s creations well.

Church: I learn about God and Jesus in church. The church is a peaceful place to worship.

Bible: A book that guides us on how to live our lives.

I am 12 years old. I am in 6th grade at Cherokee Middle School. I like baseball and soccer. I volunteer at Roane County Stroke Club. I have two dogs, Misty and Shiloh.

 
Home | Minister's Welcome | Beliefs | Mission | Ministries | Parish Nurse | History
Memorabilia | Youth News | Sunday Bulletin | Calendar | Newsletter | Photos
Document Archive | Past Sermons | Staff | Session | Contact Us | Locate Us
Visitor Registry | Site Index