Sunday Morning Worship Service
May 9, 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 of Easter
May 9, 2004
GREETING, WORDS OF WELCOME, RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Worship the Lord with gladness.
And enter the Lord’s presence with songs of joy.
PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP – 2 Corinthians 5:18,20
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.
So that we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us.
Let us come before God in humility and in trust that God who has given us this holy ministry, will prepare us for the task.
We seek guidance and empowerment for our mission.
Let us worship God, the one alone who is able to provide all that we need.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN # 461 God Is Here! Abbot’s Leigh
*A TIME OF SILENT CONFESSION
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN
Lord Jesus, you desire your church to be your arms reaching out to enfold all God’s children regardless of race or social status, wealth or health. Yet too easily we entwine our arms around one another in a closed circle. We have so many excuses for our failure to serve you faithfully, which we convince ourselves are reasons. But your Spirit causes us to question our motives, the depth of our faith, our willingness to risk rejection, to believe you can and will really use us. Forgive our loving of comfort and convenience more than obedience, for failing to fulfill our responsibilities as your church in the way you intend. Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
God is merciful and gracious to all who confess their sin with a sincere heart. In Christ, our sin is forgiven, and we are counted as righteous in God’s sight. What a wondrous gift! What good news we have to share. Let us affirm:
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Gloria Patri Hymn # 579
NEW TESTAMENT READING Acts 11:1-18
TIME WITH CHILDREN
ANTHEM C
OLD TESTAMENT READING Genesis 21:8-22
*HYMN # 322 Spirit of the Living God Living God
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – from “A Brief Statement of Faith”
We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba Father. In sovereign love God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God’s image, male and female, of every race and people, to live as one community. But we rebel against God; we hide from our Creator. Ignoring God’s commandments, we violate the image of God in others and ourselves, accept lies as truth, exploit neighbor and nature, and threaten death to the planet entrusted to our care. We deserve God’s condemnation. Yet God acts with justice and mercy to redeem creation. In everlasting love, the God of Abraham and Sarah chose a covenant people to bless all families of the earth. Hearing their cry, God delivered the children of Israel from the house of bondage. Loving us still, God makes us heirs with Christ of the covenant. Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child, like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home, God is faithful still. 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.
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 # 298 There’s a Wideness on God’s Mercy In Babilone
*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.
Our Liturgist today is Edith Miles.
Our Ushers/Greeters are Mark & Kathy Banker.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BETHEL SYMPATHY is extended to the family of Mary Woodall who passed away May 1. The service was Monday at Bethel.
GINNY WARLICK – Rehab Unit, Centennial Medical Center, 2300 Patterson St., Nashville, TN 37203
MARK YOUR CALENDAR for a special music performance by our own Dianne Griffith, Mary Ann Hensley, and Caleb Sherrod who will offer an afternoon recital May 23 in Bethel’s sanctuary. Afterwards, participants in this year’s mission trip to New Mexico will host a fundraiser dinner in the Fellowship Hall. Come and invite your friends and family!
BETHEL RECORDS
MAY 2, 2003 –
Attendance – 87
Contributions $4,772.60
Parish Nurse $40.00
H.O.M.E. $20.00
| PLEASE PRAY FOR: Ginny Warlick, Betty Ulrich, Tora Phillips, Justin Earl, Carol Jane Row, Marge Hettrick, Henry Tulley, Christine Woods, Al & Dot Davis, Ella Winsbro, Charles Pickel, Ruth Moutoux, Florence Simmons, Susan Todd, Presbyterian Churches & Pastors- Chattanooga Northside (Joseph B. Martin, IV) & Cleveland Northside (John L. Losee) |
THIS WEEK
MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY: BODY RECALL – 9-10 AM
| TODAY – |
RCHS BACCALAUREATE – 7:00 PM |
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| MON – |
RCHS BAND SPRING CONCERT (RSCC) – 7:00 PM |
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| TUE – |
GIFTS DISCERNMENT MINISTRY MEETING – 7:00 PM |
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| WED – |
HANDBELLS – 5:30 PM
CHOIR – 7:30 PM
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| THU – |
SESSION MEETING – 7:00 PM |
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| FRI – |
RCHS GRADUATION – 8:00 PM |
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| SAT – |
BETHEL WORKDAY – 8:30 AM |
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HYMNS WE LIKE TO SING
Parish Life and Worship is planning a Sunday Evening Adult-Fellowship Gathering in the sanctuary on Sunday, July 11, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Please let us know your favorite hymn - just e-mail us or call the church office (865-376-6340). Everyone is invited to make a joyful noise to the Lord. Afterwards we adjourn to the Fellowship Hall for cookies and ice-cream.
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