Bethel Presbyterian Church
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
August 13, 2006
11:00 a.m.
GREETING, WORDS OF WELCOME, RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
The whole earth is full of God's glory.
PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP
God our Creator, you have given us life, one gift we are not able to create by our own skills.
That life is a story not yet finished. You have given us the opportunity to fill that life with what you would have us do.
Grant us wisdom, O God, to discern between your work and our own. Let our work be yours.
Help us to be aware of our limitations and capabilities. When we merge our lives with others, we know you will be there.
Grant us the understanding to know ourselves in our weakness, for you have given us what we could not give ourselves. Let us pass on what we have received from you.
Create in us your Spirit that we may choose to learn to minister in your name.
O God, we can go far, but no farther, without your guidance. We know you will be our guide through the darkness of life.
Take us to you; heal us, strengthen us to touch the lives of others with your changing Spirit. Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN #488 The God of Abraham Praise Leoni
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN
God of life, in our sin we fall short, and our lives miss the mark. We draw the circle of your love too small, favoring ourselves and excluding others. We yearn for treasures that perish and overlook your blessings that endure. Our devotion to you ebbs and flows, depending more on our circumstances than on your never-failing love. Only you, mighty God, can free us from the prison of our sin. Forgive us by your powerful love revealed in Jesus Christ, our Savior. Redeem us, that we may fulfill your will and proclaim to all the world the wonder of your forgiving love. Amen.
*WORDS OF ASSURANCE
Hear the 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 #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 LESSON Ephesians 4:25-5:2
A MOMENT WITH THE CHILDREN Corita Swanson
ANTHEM Out of the Depths Dianne Griffith
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Psalm 130
SERMON “The De Profundis Prayer” Rev. Marc Sherrod, ThD
*HYMN #543 Abide with Me Eventide
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Our capacity to deal creatively with shattered dreams is ultimately determined by our faith in God. Genuine faith imbues us with the conviction that beyond time is a divine Spirit and beyond life is Life. However dismal and catastrophic may be the present circumstances, we know we are not alone, for God dwells with us in life’s most confining and oppressive cells. And even if we die there without having received the earthly promise, he shall lead us down that mysterious road called death and at least to that indescribable city he had prepared for us. His creative power is not exhausted by this earthly life, nor is his majestic love locked within the limited walls of time and space . . . The Christian faith makes it possible for us nobly to accept that which cannot be changed, to meet disappointments and sorrow with an inner poise, and to absorb the most intense pain without abandoning our sense of hope, for we know, as Paul testified, in life or death, in Spain or in Rome, “that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” 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 #404 Precious Lord, Take My Hand Precious Lord
*CHARGE AND BLESSING
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Let There Be Peace on Earth
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me,
Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.
With God as our Father, brothers all are we,
Let me walk with my brother, in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now,
With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow,
To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me!
*POSTLUDE
