Sunday Morning Worship Service
September 21, 2003
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.
THE SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 21, 2003
GREETING, WORDS OF WELCOME, RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
PRELUDE Praise Him Medley Anonymous
CALL TO WORSHIP
This the day.
Yes, Lord, this is the day above all other days.
Which the Lord has made.
Yes, Lord, you created it by your Word and molded it by your power.
Let us rejoice.
Indeed, exceedingly rejoice.
And be glad in it.
Be glad, and happy and thankful and grateful, as we worship the ever-giving God.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN # 151 Crown Him with Many Crowns Diademata
*A TIME OF SILENT REFLECTION
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN
God of mercy and grace, we confess that on our pilgrimage with you our footsteps falter and we lose our way. Our eyes no longer see your light which guides us, our ears grow deaf to the music of heaven’s rejoicing. We are easily distracted by our own needs and indifferent to the suffering of your world; even our love grows cold. Have mercy upon us and give us a new beginning. As the future beckons, keep our feet steady and our hearts strong to follow in the path of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
The good news in Christ is that God offers us life at every moment, forgiving us, and inviting us to the freshness of new beginnings. Let us proclaim this God of grace.
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing Hymn # 356
Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet, Sung by flaming tongues above;
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it, Mount of God’s unchanging love!
OLD TESTAMENT READING Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14
A TIME WITH THE CHILDREN OF THE CHURCH
The Reverend Pat Harvey
ANTHEM Sing A New Song To the Lord Natalie Sleeth
NEW TESTAMENT READING John 6:51-58
SERMON What Would We Ask of God
Ms. Cindy Benz
*HYMN # 388 O Jesus, I Have Promised Angel’s Story
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – Rom. 8:1, 28, 38, 39
We believe there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus; for we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to God's purpose. We are convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER CONCERNS AND A TIME FOR SHARING
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
DEDICATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY My Shepherd Will Supply My Need Wood
*DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*HYMN # 326 Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart Morecambe
*CHARGE AND BLESSING God Be With You 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. Amen.
*POSTLUDE Praise the Lord with Trumpet Harris
*All who are able may stand.
This worship service is broadcast on WKTS 90.1 FM at 12:30 p.m. today.
Bethel offers Sunday school for children and four educational opportunities for adults at 9:45 AM. Childcare (babies and preschool age) is offered at 9:45 and 11 AM. Restrooms are located in our Educational Building, first floor and lower level. Ushers can provide large print hymnbooks and activity sheets for children.
The Sanctuary Flowers today are provided by Justin Trivette. Our Liturgist today is Joe Coen. Our Ushers/Greeters are Scott & Julie McGill.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
WE WELCOME Cindy Benz as today’s preacher. She is recent graduate of Columbia Seminary and a candidate for Minister of Word and Sacrament. The pastor is on study leave this week.
HETTRICK ADDRESS – Dick, Marge, & Teresa Hettrick, 221 Euclid Ave, Kingston, TN 37763, Phone 376-3009
PLEASE PLAN to join us for lunch (meal provided) after worship on Oct. 5th as the session outlines the final phase of the visioning process. Coming in two weeks is World Communion Sunday and reception of the PCUSA Peacemaking Offering.
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN will have a spiritual retreat at First Presbyterian Church of Cleveland on Saturday, October 4. The retreat topic is "God Speaks! Are You Listening?" and the keynote speaker is Mary Elva Smith, Associate Director of Women's Ministries, PC(USA). If you are interested in attending with other Bethel women, contact Edith Miles or Carol Brown. Reservations are due by September 23rd.
THESE DAYS for Oct-Dec are available in the narthex.
ANNUAL WOMEN’S RETREAT at John Knox Center Nov. 14-16. If you are interested in attending, pick up a copy of information & registration form in the narthex.
ALZHEIMER'S MEMORY WALK is September 28th. Please support our Bethel walkers who walk in honor of Roberta Cash. As of this writing our walkers are: Debbie Hyder, Kerry Hyder, Eden Sherrod, Chelsea Richmond, Linda Preston, Julia McGill, Scott McGill, Frederick Morgan, John Richmond. We are looking for more walkers and more sponsors!
NEWSLETTER DEADLINE – Tuesday, September 24, 9 a.m.
COMMUNITY FORUM Sept. 22, 7 p.m. at Kingston Civic Center. One of the topics of discussion will be the serious drug problem facing the citizens of Kingston. Your presence and input is vital. Please plan to attend.
PLAYHOUSE NEWS – Reservation to see "42nd Street" at the Cumberland Playhouse in Crossville on Nov. 2nd, 2:30 p.n. (Central Time). We will carpool from Bethel at 1:45. Please put your reservation in offering plate or call Kathy at the office.
THIS WEEK
TONIGHT – SR HIGH YOUTH GROUP – 6:00 PM
MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY: BODY RECALL – 9-10 AM
| MON – |
CONGREGATION’S NOMINATING
COMMITTEE– 7:00 PM |
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| WED – |
BELLS – 5:30 PM
CHOIR – 7:00 PM
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NEXT –
SUN |
WORSHIP COMMITTEE – 7:30 PM |
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