Bethel Presbyterian Church
Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost
October 16, 2005
GREETING, WORDS OF WELCOME, RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP
The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it.
Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in God’s holy place?
Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false.
Such is the company of those who seek the Lord, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.
Let us worship God!
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN Morning Has Broken
Morning has broken like the first morning,
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird.
Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning!
Praise for them springing, fresh from the Word!
Sweet the rain’s new fall, sunlit from heaven,
Like the first dew fall, on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,
Sprung in completeness, where God’s feet pass.
Mine is the sunlight! Mine is the morning.
Born of the one light Eden saw play!
Praise with elation, praise every morning,
God’s recreation of the new day!
*CALL TO CONFESSION
Hear the words of the psalmist. The law of God is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of God are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of God are right, rejoicing the heart; the ordinances of God are true, and righteous altogether. Have we not doubted and denied God’s ways? In penitence and faith let us now turn to God, seeking the medicine of God’s grace.
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN
Merciful God, in your gracious presence we confess our sin and the sin of this world. Although Christ is among us as our peace, we are a people divided against ourselves as we cling to the values of a broken world. The profit and pleasures we pursue lay waste the land and pollute the seas. The fears and jealousies that we harbor set neighbor against neighbor and nation against nation. We
abuse your good gifts of imagination and freedom, of intellect and reason, and have turned them into bonds of oppression. Lord, have mercy upon us; heal and forgive us. Set us free to serve you in the world as agents of your reconciling love in Jesus Christ. 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.
Thanks be to God! In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Amen.
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Gloria Patri Hymn #579
NEW TESTAMENT Romans 8:18-25
A MOMENT WITH THE CHILDREN Amy Coen
MINUTE FOR MISSION Grace School Joe Coen
OLD TESTAMENT Genesis 3:1-21
SERMON Our Garden Home Rev. Marc Sherrod, ThD
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba Father. In sovereign love God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God’s image, male and female, of every race and people, to live as one community. But we rebel against God; we hide from our Creator. Ignoring God’s commandments, we violate the image of God in others and ourselves, accept lies as truth, exploit neighbor and nature, and threaten death to the planet entrusted to our care. We deserve God’s condemnation. Yet God acts with justice and mercy to redeem creation. In everlasting love, the God of Abraham and Sarah chose a covenant people to bless all families of the earth. Hearing their cry, God delivered the children of Israel from the house of bondage. Loving us still, God makes us heirs with Christ of the covenant. Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child, like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home, God is faithful still.
*HYMN #324 Fairest Lord Jesus
Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature,
O Thou of God to earth come down, Thee will I cherish,
Thee will I honor, Thou, my soul’s glory, joy, and crown.
Fair are the meadows, Fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring; Jesus is fairer,
Jesus is purer, Who makes the woeful heart to sing.
Fair is the sunshine, Fairer still the moonlight,
And all the twinkling, starry host: Jesus shines brighter,
Jesus shines purer, Than all the angels heaven can boast.
SHARING OF PRAYER CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYER
DEDICATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERATORY MUSIC I Surrender All Weeden
*DOXOLOGY
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 This Is My Father’s World
This is my Father’s world,
And to my listening ears all nature sings, and round me rings The music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world:
I rest me in the thought of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father’s world:
Oh, let me ne’er forget That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world:
The battle is not done; Jesus who died shall be satisfied, And earth and heaven be one.
*CHARGE AND BLESSING
