Bethel Presbyterian Church
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
September 24, 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
In quietness and darkness, in peace and confusion, Jesus Christ wants to make his home and meet his friends. He is the Light of Life:
He is the hope for the world.
In him there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither Protestant or Catholic -
All are one in Jesus Christ.
He is the Light of Life:
He is the hope for the world.
In him there is neither male nor female, neither master nor servant –
All are one in Jesus Christ.
He is the Light of Life:
He is the hope for the world.
In him there is neither rich nor poor, neither working class nor middle class –
All are one in Jesus Christ.
He is the Light of Life:
He is the hope for the world.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN #288 I Sing the Mighty Power Ellacombe
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN
Hear our prayers, loving God, for the parts of ourselves that will not fix: the rough edges and sharp corners in ourselves and others . . . the unruliness that we cannot quite control . . . the insecurity that breeds envy . . . the habits that become addictions . . . the opinions that become prejudices . . . the stubbornness of sin’s grip upon us. Free us from these and all our sins, and forgive us. Help us to trust your love more, to judge ourselves and others less, and to accept with joy and gratitude the forgiveness you offer 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.
FIRST LESSON Psalm 1
MINUTE FOR MISSION Peacemaking Offering Carol Brown
ANTHEM
SECOND LESSON James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a
SERMON Tough Words Rev. Bill Shenk
*HYMN #329 Break Thou the Bread of Life Bread of Life
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe God made us for life in community. 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 #282 If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee
*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
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The youth group will be selling hot dogs and hamburgers after the service today to raise money for a “bonding trip” they plan to take later in the year. Please be sure to stay after the service today for a delicious lunch and help out our youth at the same time.
You are all invited to make a joyful noise to the Lord at our Annual Hymn Sing tonight from 7 – 8 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Afterwards, we will adjourn to the Fellowship Hall for refreshments.
Take a moment to read the Peacemaking bulletin insert this morning. Each year twenty-five percent of the Peacemaking Offering is devoted to presbytery and synod peacemaking initiative like the story shared in the bulletin insert. Twenty-five percent is retained in congregations, and fifty percent is designated for General Assembly peacemaking work. Prayerfully consider how your portion of the Peacemaking Offering can be used to make a difference in the world. Give generously to the Peacemaking Offering next week, October 1.
The book Club will meet at Carolyn Tulley’s home at 712 Hill Street this Thursday, September 28 at 1:30 p.m. For directions, please call Carolyn at 376-5421. All are welcome to join.
The deadline for the October Open Door is Monday, September 25.
Be sure to get your articles to Karen Schall by Monday to be included in the newsletter.
Meals for Muffins is an ongoing program to collect dried cat and dog food for the Roane County Animal Shelter. Please place all donations in the designated area in the Choir Room. Designated funds are also welcome.
We are in need of Ushers for Sunday mornings in October. Please take a minute after worship to sign up on the chart in the back of the Sanctuary.
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Doris Barber, Sue Carter, Wanda Carter, Roberta Cash, Al & Dot Davis, Denise Martin, Tom & Helen Roostee, Bettie Shenk, Marc Sherrod, Anne Smith, Justin Trivette, Hugh Webb, Christine Woods
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Flu shots are coming to Bethel. Our Parish Nurse, Deb Hyder, will be giving shots in the Fellowship Hall from 9 – 10 a.m. Sunday, October 22. The shots will cost $12. Be sure to ward off the flu this year - plan to get your shot at Bethel. If you are allergic to eggs or have had a previous allergic reaction to flu shots you should not get the shot. For more information, call Deb at 376-6340.
The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.
