Sunday Morning Worship Service
October 3, 2004
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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
World Communion Sunday
October 3, 2004
GREETING, WORDS OF WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Worship the Lord with gladness.
And enter the Lord’s presence with songs of joy.
PRELUDE Bread of the World in Mercy Broken
CALL TO WORSHIP
What shall we return to the Lord for all the good things God has done for us?
We will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.
O praise the Lord with me,
let us exalt God’s name.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN # 271 Many and Great, O God, Are Thy Things Lacquiparle
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Because you made the world, intended it to be a good place, and called its people your children; because when things seemed at their worst you came in Christ to bring out the best in us; so, gracious God, we gladly say:
Goodness is stronger than evil, Love is stronger than hate,
Light is stronger than darkness, Truth is stronger than lies.
Because confusion can reign inside us, despite our faith; because anger, tension, bitterness, and envy distort our vision; because our minds sometimes worry small things all out of proportion; because we do not always get it right, we want to believe:
Goodness is stronger than evil, Love is stronger than hate,
Light is stronger than darkness, Truth is stronger than lies.
Because you have promised to hear us, and are able to change us, and are willing to make our hearts your home, we ask you to confront, control, forgive, and encourage us, as you know best.
(Pause for silent prayer.)
Then let us cherish in our hearts that which we proclaim with our lips:
Goodness is stronger than evil, Love is stronger than hate,
Light is stronger than darkness, Truth is stronger than lies.
Lord, hear our prayer, and change our lives until we illustrate the grace of the God who makes all things new. Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
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.
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Gloria Patri Hymn # 579
*PASSING OF THE PEACE
Not an easy peace, not an insignificant peace, not a half-hearted peace, but the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ is with us now. The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
Let us share God’s peace with each other.
BELL ANTHEM Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace Kevin McChesney
SCRIPTURE I Thessalonians 4:1-12
SERMON Living to Please God
Samuel Wambugu
THOUGHTS ABOUT PEACEMAKING
Jr High Sunday School Class
DEDICATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY Jesus Loves Me Bradbury
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – Apostles’ Creed (Ecumenical) Hymnal p.14
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND WORDS OF INSTITUTION
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Gratitude, praise, hearts lifted high, voices full and joyful . . . these you deserve, O God. For when we were nothing, you made us something. When we had no name and no faith and no future, you called us your children. When we had lost our way or turned away, you did not abandon us. When we came back to you, your arms opened wide in welcome. And look, you prepare a table for us, offering not just bread, not just wine, but your very self so that we may be filled, forgiven, healed, blessed, and made new again. You are worth all our pain and all our praise. So now, in gratitude, we join our voices to those of the church on earth and in heaven.
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Lord, as we come to share the richness of your Table, we cannot forget the rawness of the earth. We cannot take bread and forget those who are hungry. Your world is one world and we are stewards of its nourishment. Lord, put our prosperity at the service of the poor. We cannot take wine and forget those who are thirsty. The ground and the rootless, the earth and its weary people cry out for justice. Lord, put our fullness at the service of the empty. We cannot hear your words of peace and forget that the world is at war. Show us quickly, Lord, how to turn weapons into welcome signs and the lust for power into a desire for peace. We cannot celebrate the feast of your family and forget our divisions. We are one in spirit, but not in fact. History and hurt still divide us. Lord, heal your church in every brokenness. Lord Jesus Christ, present with us now, for all that you have done and all that you have promised, what have we to offer? Our hands are empty, our hearts are sometimes full of wrong things. We are not fit to gather up the crumbs from under your table. Yet with you are mercy and the power to change us. So as we do in this place what you did in an upstairs room, send down your Spirit on us and on these gifts of bread and wine that they may be for us your body, healing, forgiving, and making us whole; and that we may be for you, your body, loving and caring in the world. And now hear us as we pray together. . . .
BREAKING THE BREAD & PASSING THE CUP
COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
HYMN # 439 In Christ There is No East or West St. Peter
*CHARGE AND BLESSING
*CHOIR RESPONSE The Lord Bless You and Keep You
*POSTLUDE I Come With Joy to Meet My Lord American Folk Melody
*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 given by Chuck & Brenda Bunch to the glory of God for the ministry of Samuel and Monica Wambugu in Kenya.
Our Ushers/Greeters are Frank & Janet Kornegay.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
WELCOME TO MONICA & SAMUEL WAMBUGU, mission partners from Kenya! There will be a lunch with Monica & Samuel after worship, followed by a 30 minute program on Grace School. All are welcome!
BRIEF CALLED SESSION MEETING after worship in Sunday School room to rear of sanctuary.
TODAY’S HANDBELL ANTHEM composer donates proceeds to anti-violence programs. This piece was written to commemorate victims of the shooting at Columbine High School and other acts of senseless violence.
YOUTH will meet today, after the lunch & program, to work on a service project.
Those interested in serving as a tutor as a part of the Learning Center Initiative should meet tomorrow, Oct. 4, 6:00 p.m. at the Kingston United Methodist Church Mission Center for an orientation program. Tutoring starts Oct. 13.
Joe and Amy Coen's daughter is collecting new or gently used books for the Women’s Shelter in Roane County and for the Head Start Program. Girl Scout Troop 435 is participating in a READING ROCKS community service project to supply books for children ages 6 months to 14 years old and for women served by the shelter and Head Start. A box will be available during October for collecting the books. She will also carry a bag during October if you wish to give them to her personally. Please help support the love of books and improving literacy.
YOUTH MINISTER – The Session recently approved the job description for a part-time youth minister. Click HERE for details for details, and pass the word on to anyone who might be interested!
“COMMUNICATING ACROSS THE GAPS” Sponsored by the Peacemaking Committee of the Presbytery of East Tennessee for ministers and church members, “The Christian/Muslim Gap” Oct 7, 10:00-11:30 a.m. Farragut Presbyterian Church. The Peacemaking Committee is also sponsoring “Opportunities to Meet the Interfaith Listening Team from South Africa”on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 12:25 p.m. at Maryville College Center for Campus Ministry, Wed, Oct 6, 6:30-7:30 First Presbyterian, & Thurs Oct 7, 10-11 a.m. Farragut Presbyterian.
THESE DAYS are available in the narthex.
| PLEASE PRAY FOR: Jerry Morris, Tora Phillips, Fred Meers, Ginny Warlick, Carol Jane Row, Christine Woods, Al & Dot Davis, Ivy Basalone (Justin Trivette’s friend), Mary Sykes, Justin Winsbro, Ruth Moutoux, Susan Todd, Presbyterian Churches - Athens First (Gloria Mencer, CLP) & Cleveland First (Joseph Tanner) |
THIS WEEK
MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY: BODY RECALL – 9-10 AM
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CIRCLE II – 1:00 PM
ALPHA – 6:30-9:30 PM
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| WED – |
HANDBELLS – 5:30 PM
CHOIR – 7:00 PM
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| THU – |
EVANGELISM COMMITTEE (FELLOWSHIP HALL) – 6:00 PM
GET FIT, RC – 6:30 PM
MISSION OUTREACH COMMITTEE – 7:00 PM
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L3 Tutoring MINISTRY
(Listen, Learn, Love)
Our L3 Tutoring Ministry has begun. There are openings for tutors, bus greeters, and snack preparers. Sessions will be on Wednesday afternoons. The students will spend their time together in a snack and Bible story time, with the bulk of their afternoon being spent with a tutor. Patricia Rowan and Daley Rogers, Kingston United Methodist Church, are coordinating this ministry and ask that you prayerfully consider being involved.
Please review the areas of ministry and check the ones for which you would give your time. If you have questions, please contact Jim Condon at 376-4420 or e-mail - jcondon@genchem.net
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