Sunday Morning Worship Service
May 28, 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
Sixth Sunday of Easter
May 28, 2006
11:00 a.m.
GREETING, WORDS OF WELCOME, RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
O give thanks to the Lord, for the Lord is good;
God’s steadfast love endures forever.
PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP
This is God’s testimony to us: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in Christ.
We come to seek life and to have it more abundantly. In Christ the fullness of life is offered to all. Let us offer our thanks and praise.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN #561 My Country, ‘Tis of Thee America
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN
You sent your Son, O God, that we might have eternal life. You send us also, as Christ’s followers, to make your name known in the world. We confess to you the weakness of our witness. We tolerate evil, accept injustice, avoid the needy, and ignore the lonely. Sometimes we look no different from the world, as if Christ means nothing to us. Lord, have mercy on us. Purify our lives, and cleanse us of our sin. Make our lives one with Jesus Christ, that the world may know your truth and find in us the good news of your love. Amen.
*WORDS OF ASSURANCE
Hear the good news! God has forgiven each one of us and calls us to take parts in the drama of redeeming love. Praise God, who accepts and uses our very human lives in the unfolding story of salvation and new life.
Thanks be to God. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
*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.
NEW TESTAMENT READING Matthew 5:1-10
CHILDREN’S SERMON Greg Murr
COMMISSIONING SERVICE FOR MISSION TRIP PARTICIPANTS
Mission Trip Participant - Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I; send me!”
People: God your people are hungry.
Mission Trip Participants: “God, Send Me.”
People: God, your people need help.
Mission Trip Participants: “God, Send Me.”
People: God, we know you need someone to go.
Mission Trip Participants: “God, Send Me.”
People: God, we know you need someone to sleep on floors, eat standing up, travel with people who smell bad, and go without sleep.
Mission Trip Participants: “God, Send Me.”
People: God, we know you need someone to be a light in a dark world.
Mission Trip Participants: “God, Send Me.”
People: God we know you’re calling someone in this church to take what we have and give it away in a faraway place.
Mission Trip Participants: “God, Send Me.”
Mission Trip Participant – Matthew 25:35-36
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.
All: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OF COMMITMENT
OLD TESTAMENT READING Proverbs 11 & 12 (Selected Verses)
SERMON Bumper-Sticker Theology Rev. Marc Sherrod, ThD
*HYMN #555 Now Thank We All Our God Nun Danket Alle Gott
We are the People of God. We are a sign of the New World. We are the sisters and brothers of Jesus. We believe in God. We believe in the goodness of God, the presence of God in human history, and the nearness of God’s love. We believe in Christ. We believe that God was and is revealed in human life, that out of human suffering may come rescue and healing, that out of death comes new life. We believe in the Eternal Spirit, who moves among God’s people and invites the world into God’s reign. We believe that the world can change, that peace and wholeness can come, and that the New World can arrive. We are the people of God. We are the sign of the New World. We are the brothers and sisters of Jesus. Amen.
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 #285 God, You Spin the Whirling Planets Austrian Hymn
*CHARGE AND BLESSING
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE God Be with You Till We Meet Again 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.
*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 Liturgist today is Jill McMaster.
The Usher today is Jack McNew.
Ruth Ann Ludwig is our musician today while Mary Ann Hensley is on vacation.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
We give thanks for those who will be leaving Saturday to repair homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Mission Trip participants are: Burt Cunningham, Shelby Hickey, Matt Hines, Deb & Kerry Hyder, Frank Jones, Christina Kimmer, Max LaDue, Gary LeMasters, Carolyn McNew, Dave Nippert, Jim Schall, and Eden & Jordan Sherrod. Thanks to everyone who has contributed monetary gifts for this trip and for your continuing prayers!
Dirty cars wanted! The youth are having a car wash this afternoon at the church at 2 p.m. The cost per car will be $10. All proceeds go toward the Mission Trip to Bayou la Batre.
Next Sunday we will receive the Pentecost offering, which goes to assist ministries of children at risk. Forty percent of this offering will be designated by the session for a local ministry and the rest will support the PCUSA’s efforts to address issues affecting children. As a way to celebrate our identity as people of the Pentecost, please plan to wear red to church next Sunday, Pentecost Sunday.
| ParkWest |
| Denise Martin – Room #260 |
| Bettie Shenk – Room #326 |
| Baptist Healthcare |
Harriman Healthcare |
Rockwood Healthcare |
National Health |
| Evelyn Waldrup |
Ruby Hunter |
Margaret True |
Wanda Carter |
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Ted Walton |
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Christine Wood |
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Doris Barber, Sue Carter, Al & Dot Davis, Bram Hyder, Denise Martin, Bettie Shenk, Justin Trivette, Angela Wilson
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There will not be Seniorcize classes this week, May 29, 31 and June 2. Classes will resume June 5.
The office will be closed Monday, May 29 in observance of Memorial Day.
We would like to extend our sympathies to the Lander’s family for the loss of Nancy’s sister in Kansas on May 10 and Clay’s brother in Atlanta on May 22.
The deadline for the June Open Door is Monday, May 29. Please be sure to get your articles to Karen Schall by this date to ensure they will be included in the newsletter.
THIS WEEK'S EVENTS
| Sunday |
May 28 |
Youth Group Car Wash |
2:00 P.M. |
| Monday |
May 29 |
Office Closed – Memorial Day
Newsletter Deadline
No Seniorcize
|
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Boy Scout Meeting |
7:00 P.M. |
| Wednesday |
May 31 |
No Seniorcize
Bible Study
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10:00 A.M.
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| Friday |
June 2 |
No Seniorcize |
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| Saturday |
June 3 |
Mission Trip Departure |
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