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.

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The Service For The Lord’s Day
Bethel Presbyterian Church
Healing and Wholeness Service
July 31, 2005

OPENING SENTENCES

Our help is in the name of the Lord
who made heaven and earth.

NEW TESTAMENT READING   2 Corinthians 1:4-5

HYMN #210 (v. 1 & 5)   Our God, Our Help in Ages Past   St. Anne

CALL TO CONFESSION

Friends in Christ, God knows our needs before we ask, and in our asking prepares us to receive the gift of grace. Let us open our lives to God’s healing presence, forsaking all that separates us from God and neighbor. Let us be mindful not only of personal evil but also of the communal sins in which we play a part. Let us confess to God whatever has wounded us or brought injury to others, that we may receive mercy and become for each other ministers of God’s grace.

CONFESSION OF SIN

Eternal God, in whom we live and move and have our being, whose face is hidden from us by our sins, and whose mercy we forget in the blindness of our hearts: Cleanse us from all our offenses, and deliver us from proud thoughts and vain desires, that with reverent and humble hearts we may draw near to you, confessing our faults, confiding in your grace, and finding in you our refuge and our strength; through Jesus Christ your Son.

DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS

The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. I declare to you, in the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. May the God of mercy, who forgives you all your sins, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

*HYMN #85 (verse 1)   What Wondrous Love Is This   Wondrous Love

MEDITATION   Unconditional Love   Debbie Hyder, Parish Nurse

HYMN #394   There Is a Balm in Gilead   Balm in Gilead

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Prepare our hearts, O God, to accept your Word. Silence in us any voice but your own, that, hearing, we may also obey your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURE Psalm 142 OFFERING OF OUR LIVES TO GOD

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.

INTERCESSION FOR HEALING

God, our creator, your will for us and for all your people is health and salvation:
Have mercy on us.
Jesus Christ, Son of God, you came that we might have life and have it in abundance:
Have mercy on us.
Holy Spirit, dwelling within us, you make us temples of your presence:
Have mercy on us.
To the triune God, the source of all love and all life, let us offer our prayers. For all who are in need of healing, (Silent or spoken prayers are welcome)
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer
For all who are disabled by injury or illness (silent or spoken prayers are welcome)
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer
For all who are troubled by confusion or pain (silent or spoken prayers are welcome)
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer
For all whose increasing years bring weariness (silent or spoken prayers are welcome)
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer
For all about to undergo surgery, (silent or spoken prayers are welcome)
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
For all who cannot sleep, (silent or spoken prayers are welcome)
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
For all who practice the healing arts, (silent or spoken prayers are welcome)
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer
(Any other petitions can be spoken here) Into your hands, O God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

LAYING ON OF HANDS AND ANOINTING WITH OIL

Those desiring the laying on of hands and anointing with oil come forward. You may make your request known to Rev. Sherrod or Debbie Hyder, Parish Nurse.

THANKSGIVING

Gracious God, source of all healing, in Jesus Christ you heal the sick and mend the broken. We bless you for this oil pressed from the fruits of the earth, given to us as a sign of healing and forgiveness, and to the fullness of life you give. By your Spirit, come upon all who are anointed with this oil that they may receive your healing touch and be made whole, to the glory of Jesus Christ our Redeemer. And now with the confidence of the children of God, let us pray as He taught us to pray:

THE LORD’S PRAYER

HYMN (Insert)   The Summons   Scottland

BLESSING AND BENEDICTION

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord

*POSTLUDE

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The Service For The Lord’s Day
Bethel Presbyterian Church
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
July 31, 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

Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength.

They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

*HYMN #276   Great Is Thy Faithfulness   Faithfulness

*CALL TO CONFESSION

*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN

Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength: we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We find the speck in another’s eyes, and ignore the log in our own. Our hearts have grown dull as we have followed selfish desires and entertained vain pretensions. Our ears have been shut to your call to repentance. Truly, there is no health in us. Yet, you will not break a bruised reed, nor quench a smoldering wick until you bring your justice to victory. In you, you alone, we find our health and hope. Cleanse, restore, and renew us, loving God. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall be, by the power of the Holy Spirit as we claim your costly grace in Jesus Christ.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. I declare to you, in the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. May the God of mercy, who forgives you all your sins, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life.

Thanks be to God! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE   Gloria Patri   Hymn #579

OLD TESTAMENT READING   Psalm 142

MINUTE FOR MISSION   Ken Dungan & Frank Harris
                                        Building Program and Third Century Campaign

SPECIAL MUSIC   Joni & Frederick Morgan

CHILDREN’S TIME

NEW TESTAMENT READING   II Corinthians 1:3-7

MEDITATION   Unconditional Love   Debbie Hyder, Parish Nurse

*HYMN #394   There Is a Balm in Gilead   Balm in Gilead

*LITANY OF THANKSGIVING FOR PARISH NURSING

We give thanks for this congregation’s ministry to the whole person – body, mind and spirit, especially for our Parish Nurse and her call to comfort and counsel with the sick and their families and to spread the gospel of love and healing into our larger community.

“We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to God’s purpose” (Romans 8:28)

We give thanks for the willingness of this faith community to pursue innovative and creative opportunities to expand Christ’s vision of ministry in our fearful and broken world, especially for wounded healers who extend mercy and hope when the darkness comes.

“Have no anxiety at all, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God” (Philippians 4:6)

We give thanks that as we grow older and old in the church, that we have a resource to assist us in understanding medical concerns and terms, and to be a companion on the journey.

“I came that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10)

We give thanks that all of our holistic ministries of compassion and care giving are signs of God’s love and that, together in the church, we have been called to befriend the lonely, bear one another’s burdens, heal the sick, and comfort the afflicted.

“When Jesus . . . saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them and he cured their sick” (Matthew 14:14)
O God, who alone can grace my spirit with the gift of a compassionate heart, teach me to care. Help me to reach out to those who are in pain, to those who are lonely, to those who are afraid. Let me be a vessel of compassion and caring in Your name. Amen.

SHARING OF PRAYER CONCERNS

INTERCESSION FOR HEALING AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

God, our creator, your will for us and for all your people is health and salvation:

Have mercy on us.

Jesus Christ, Son of God, you came that we might have life and have it in abundance:

Have mercy on us.

Holy Spirit, dwelling within us, you make us temples of your presence:

Have mercy on us.

To the triune God, the source of all love and all life, let us offer our prayers. (Silent or spoken prayers) Lord in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Gracious God, help us to be gentle with ourselves, knowing that none of us has the final answers. Grant us the confidence that we have done our best, using well the gifts and tools that have been entrusted to us. Empower our research and the skills we have developed. Enable us to be present to those in need, to speak and symbolize your peace, love, and comfort. Through the power of the Great Physician, Jesus Christ. Hear us as we pray,

Our Father . . .

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 #275   God of Our Life   Sandon

*CHARGE AND BLESSING

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE God Be with You Till We Meet Again Hymn #540

*POSTLUDE

O God, who called me to this holy ministry, keep me faithful to my vocation. Help me to make of my nursing, a prayer of commitment and caring. Let me recognize every sickroom as a tabernacle where You dwell. Direct my work that it will become a prayer of reverence and respect for the sacredness of human life. Bless me, always, with a grateful heart, that I may be ever mindful of the precious gift of serving You in the ill and the infirm. Amen.     –Prayer in Nursing by Mary Elizabeth O’Brien

*All who are able may stand.

A Special Thank You

The Ushers today are Anita & Chelsea Richmond.

The flowers today are from Sam & Peggy Shepard to the glory of God and in loving memory of their parents.

Membership Survey Results - 112 Surveys Returned

1. At the June 19 Congregational Meeting, I voted a. For the motion 61 b. Against the motion 12 c. I did not vote but would have voted i. For 16 ii. Against 10 2. In your view, what is the financial potential of Bethel to address the building program? a. Achievable 27 b. A stretch but possible 61 c. Unrealistic 26 d. Impossible 1 e. Other 2 3. In your view, objections to the proposed plan include: a. I have no objections 61 b. I don’t like the layout because 14 c. I don’t believe we can move the sanctuary building because 17 d. I don’t believe the existing plan is adequate because 3 e. Other objections include 18 4. On the sanctuary building, I prefer we a. Build a new structure 15 b. Renovate the existing building in place 25 c. Renovate and move to new foundation and connect with the educational building 66 d. Do nothing 4 e. Other 12 5. On the educational building, I prefer we a. Renovate the existing building 47 b. Connect it to the sanctuary building 67 c. Do nothing 8 d. Other 6 6. I am willing to support building improvements with increased annual giving in order to support a mortgage. a. Yes 68 b. No 17 c. Maybe 20 7. Regarding my support of the proposed building plans, a. I will support whatever program the congregation approves 50 b. I will support only my personal preference(s) 13 c. I will make a contribution to initiate the program 21 d. I will support the program with increased annual giving to support    a mortgage 45 e. I am unable to financially support any capital program 13 Note: 1.) This survey was not intended as a statistical analysis but as an attempt to hear concerns from those with reservations. 2.) Not every question was answered on all surveys and some questions had more than one answer circled. 3.) Extensive written comments were received. If interested, a full text is available in the church office.

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THIS WEEK'S EVENTS

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Sunday	July 31	Pictorial Photograph Sign Up Session Meeting Youth Group	12:00 P.M. 12:00 P.M. 6:00 – 8:00 P.M.
Thursday	Aug 4	Mom & Tot Group Mission Outreach	8:00 A.M. 6:30 P.M.

   

 

Income Last Week

Undesignated Offering	$2,746.70
H.O.M.E	$20.00
TOTAL	$2,766.70