Bethel Presbyterian Church
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
July 24, 2005
GREETING, WORDS OF WELCOME, RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
This is the day that the Lord has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP
In caring and compassion, God’s arms embrace us when we feel weak and alone.
Let us open our arms to share that embrace with others.
With ideas and inspiration, God pushes us to grow and thrive.
Let us give that seed new roots by planting it in the soil of others’ lives.
With divine generosity, God shares all creation with us.
Let us share that bounty with all for whom God created.
God calls us as partners to build a world of joy and hope.
Let us build a world where our lives, and those of our sisters and brothers, may resound in praise of our gracious God.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN #229 From All That Dwell Below the Skies Lasst Uns Erfreuen
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN
Merciful God, in Jesus you have shown us the way of salvation, the joy of Christian fellowship, and the model of service to others. Yet we turn our backs on your gifts; we dishonor you in the way we treat our bodies; we bring harm to others through the choices we make; we cling to destructive habits and superficial values; we allow the opinions of others to control the way we think about ourselves. Forgive us, we pray. Remind us of your covenant love and fill us with the grace of new beginnings. Help us to rise to new life, so that we might live together in honesty, peace, and unity. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Hear good news! Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us. Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life has gone; a new life has begun. Know that you are forgiven and be at peace.
Thanks be to God! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Gloria Patri Hymn #579
OLD TESTAMENT Psalm 91
CHILDREN’S TIME
NEW TESTAMENT Luke 15:11-32
SERMON Rembrandt and The Father Rev. Marc Sherrod, ThD
*HYMN #527 Near to the Heart of God McAfee
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – Apostle’s Creed (Traditional) Hymnal Page #14
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. Amen.
SHARING OF PRAYER CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYER
DEDICATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
*DOXOLOGY 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 #293 This Is My Father’s World Terra Beata
*CHARGE AND BLESSING
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE God Be with You Till We Meet Again Hymn #540
*POSTLUDE
