Bethel Presbyterian Church
World Communion Sunday
October 2, 2005
GREETING, WORDS OF WELCOME, RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Worship the Lord with gladness.
And enter the Lord’s presence with songs of joy.
PRELUDE Jesus Loves Me Children’s Bell Choir
CALL TO WORSHIP
The heavens are telling the glory of God, all creation speaks volumes of God’s handiwork.
Each sunrise proclaims God’s faithfulness and the night reveals the Creator’s awe.
Without a word being spoken, all creation bears witness to the goodness of the Lord.
So, too, may we join in witness with all creation. May the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be God’s signature in the world.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
SPECIAL MUSIC Jesus Loves Me Zimbabwe
*HYMN #229 From All That Dwell Below the Skies Lasst Uns Erfreuen
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN
You, O Lord, have created us for goodness and to live in peace with one another and with you. Yet we have ignored your teachings and substituted our own self-serving goals. As a result we have inherited and perpetuated a world torn by violence, oppression, and strife. And at the heart we are estranged from our Creator and from the true selves you intended us to be. Wash us, we pray, with the healing of your grace. Renew us by the power of your Spirit and guide our feet in the way of peace. As we prepare to feast at your Table, may we rediscover our identity as defined by your love. Amen.
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Jesus Loves Me American Sign Language/Scotland
*PASSING OF THE PEACE
Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another. The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
COMMISSIONING OF WORK TEAM
SCRIPTURE LESSONS Luke 1:78-79, Isaiah 25:6-10
ANTHEM And We Remember Chancel Choir
SERMON Lord, Guide Our Feet Rev. Marc Sherrod, ThD
SPECIAL MUSIC Jesus Loves Me Taiwan
OFFERING AND RECEIVING THE PEACEMAKING OFFERING
OFFERATORY MUSIC Let There Be Peace in the Valley Quartet
*DOXOLOGY 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
SPECIAL MUSIC Jesus Loves Me Nepal
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
In the wee hours of the morning, while all was quiet and dark here at our home, the sun was rising on the other side of the world. And with the dawn of this new day, God’s people began gathering for worship amid the sounds of drums or pipes, stringed instruments or pianos and organs. And now we, too, join in this worldwide chorus of those who call upon the name of the Lord. On this World Communion Sunday we remember especially that the Scriptures are fulfilled as “People will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God.” So come, not because you must, but because you may. Come not because you are strong, but because you seek God’s strength. All those who trust in Jesus are invited to come and join in the feast that God has prepared.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND WORDS OF INSTITUTION
O living God, For your blessing in creation, for your image deep within us, for your life in all its fullness, we give thanks.
O Jesus our brother, For your coming to earth, for your calling of us as your friends, for your sharing of our life and death, we give you thanks.
O Spirit of grace and truth, For revealing yourself in community, for healing us in our brokenness, for inspiring us with courage to share, we give you thanks.
O Trinity of love, For the promise of a spreading tree giving shade and protection, for the vision of a body in which each part works for the health of the whole, for the invitation to a feast where the despised will be guests of honor, we give you thanks.
SANCTUS
PRAYERS OF CONCERN AND BLESSING
God of justice and peace, you stand with those who are poor. Now, in prayers spoken and unspoken, we call upon you for those who suffer the injustice of violence and want . . .
(silence or free prayer)
We call upon you for those who carry heavy burdens . . .
(silence or free prayer)
We call upon you for those we love and those who love us . . .
(silence or free prayer)
Where shall we go from your spirit, and how could we be away from your presence? If darkness covers us and night closes in on us, you are there. For the night is not dark for you but luminous as the day, and the two are one to you.
Where shall we go from your spirit? Your presence is there, and here, and everywhere.
Spirit of the living God, present with us now, breathe in us and on these gifts of bread and wine, that sharing your blessing and your broken life we may share in your continual presence and reality, and together, as your body, remain in your love. In the name of Christ who taught us to pray . . .
THE LORD’S PRAYER
SPECIAL MUSIC Jesus Loves Me Brazil
SHARING OF THE GIFTS OF BREAD AND CUP
COMMUNION MUSIC In Remembrance
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Gracious God, you have made us one with all your people in heaven and on earth. You have fed us with the bread of life and renewed us for our service. We give ourselves to you and ask that our daily living may be part of the life of your kingdom. May our love be your love reaching out into the life of the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*HYMN #439 In Christ There Is No East or West St. Peter
*CHARGE AND BLESSING
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE God Be with You Till We Meet Again Hymn #540
*POSTLUDE Melody Gluck
