Bethel Presbyterian Church
Eleve nth Sunday after Pentecost
August 20, 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
Every generous act of giving, along with every perfect gift, comes from the Father of Lights, in whom is no shadow or variation due to change.
God gave us birth by the word of truth, that we may be the first fruits of God’s creatures.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN #356 Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing Nettleton
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN
Hear our prayers, O Lord. We confess the inadequacy of our devotion and the weakness of our service. For we have honored you with our lips even when our hearts have been far from you. We invoke your name for our own glory more than yours. We obey you only when it suits us. We do not struggle against the things that tempt us. Our outward appearance masks our inward reality, and the sin within us defiles us. But you, Holy God, have the power to forgive us. Cleanse us in your living water, that we may truly serve you with all the strength of our being and bring glory to your name. 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 James 1:17-27
A MOMENT WITH THE CHILDREN
ANTHEM The Lord’s Prayer Mary Ann Hensley
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Song of Solomon 2:8-17
SERMON Love Poetry Rev. Marc Sherrod, ThD
*HYMN #85 What Wondrous Love Is This Wondrous Love
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – from “A Declaration of Faith”
God created human beings with a need for community and with freedom to enter into it by responding to their maker with grateful obedience and to one another with love and helpfulness. We believe that we have been created to relate to God and each other in freedom and responsibility. We may misuse our freedom and deny our responsibility by trying to live without God and other people or against God and other people. Yet we are still bound to them for our life and well-being, and intended for free and responsible fellowship with them. Since every human being is made for communion with God and others, we must treat no one with contempt. We are to respect and love all other people and ourselves as well. 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 #172 My Shepherd Will Supply My Need Resignation
*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
