Bethel Presbyterian Church
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
September 10, 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
Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song; give praise in the assembly of the faithful.
For the Lord takes pleasure in the people and adorns the humble with victory.
Let us praise God’s name with dancing, making melody with tambourine and lyre.
Let the faithful exult in glory; we will sing for joy and let the high praises of God be in our throats. Let us worship God!
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN #469 Morning Has Broken Bunessan
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN
Gracious God, forgive us for the many ways we fail you. You invite us to commit ourselves to your never failing care, but trust is difficult for us. You ask us to reconcile broken relationships, but we avoid that demanding work. You call us to live a new life, bold in love and faith, but we are timid. In these and many other ways, we resist your rule in our hearts. Forgive us, O God, in your mercy. Through your Spirit accomplish your will in us, strengthening us for your service and leading us in your grace, we pray through Jesus Christ. 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.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Psalm 125
A MOMENT WITH THE CHILDREN
NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Mark 7:24-37
ANTHEM
SERMON Rev. Leigh S. McCaslin
*HYMN #507 I Come with Joy Dove of Peace
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – from A Brief Statement of Faith
We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children, healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal. 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 #435 We All Are One in Mission
*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
