Sunday Morning Worship Service
October 26, 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-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 26, 2003
GREETING, WORDS OF WELCOME, RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
PRELUDE A Crown of Beauty Southbridge
CALL TO WORSHIP – Hebrews 12:1-2
Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
Let us also lay aside every weight
And the sin that clings so closely,
And let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN # 260 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Ein’ Feste Burg
*A TIME OF SILENT REFLECTION
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN
God of our Ancestors: you raised up brave and able persons to reform the church. We confess that we have lost our way again, and need new reformation. We are content with easy religion, with too much money and too little charity; we cultivate indifference. Lord, let your word shake us up, and your Spirit renew us, so that we may repent, have better faith, and never shrink from sacrifice; in the name of Jesus Christ our only Lord and Savior. Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Hear the good news! The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, that we might be dead to sin, and alive to all that is good. I declare to you:
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling Hyfrydol Hymnal p.376, v. 4
Finish, then, Thy new creation; Pure and spotless let us be;
Let us see Thy great salvation Perfectly restored in Thee;
Changed from glory into glory, Till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee, Lost in wonder, love, and praise.
MINUTE FOR MISSION Stewardship
Ken Dungan
OLD TESTAMENT READING Psalm 34:1-8, 19-22
A MOMENT WITH THE CHILDREN OF THE CHURCH
HANDBELL ANTHEM Gift of Grace
SERMON RE: Blind Spots
The Reverend Marc Sherrod
*HYMN # 333 Seek Ye First Rafferty
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – from The Heidelberg Catechism, 1563
Q. 1. What is your only comfort, in life and in death?
A. That I belong–body and soul, in life and in death–not to myself but to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ, who at the cost of his own blood has fully paid for all my sins and has completely freed me from the dominion of the devil; that he protects me so well that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that everything must fit his purpose for my salvation. Therefore, by his holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.
Q. 2. How many things must you know that you may live and die in the blessedness of this comfort?
A. Three. First, the greatness of my sin and wretchedness. Second, how I am freed from all my sins and their wretched consequences. Third, what gratitude I owe to God for such redemption.
PRAYER CONCERNS AND A TIME FOR SHARING
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
Deb Hyder, Parish Nurse
DEDICATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY Lord, Thee I Love With All My Heart Turner
*DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*HYMN # 339 Be Thou My Vision Slane
*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 The Brightest Trumpet Peterson
*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 Helene Ricker in memory of Charles W. Ricker. Our Liturgist today is Deb Hyder. Our Ushers/Greeters are Henry & Carolyn Tulley.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BETHEL SYMPATHY is extended to the family of Margie Gulley, who passed away on Monday, Oct. 20. Margie was the sister of Tom Pickel.
THE REA EVENING CIRCLE is attending today a benefit concert sponsored by the Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church Women's Ministries. Mary Lou O'Hern will perform along with numerous guest artists including the Community Evangelistic Church Celebration Choir. Admission is free and an offering to benefit the Knox Area Rescue Ministries will be received. Everyone is invited to attend with us. We will meet in the church parking lot at 6:15 to carpool to Knoxville. The concert begins at 7:30 P.M. If you need transportation to the church call Carol Brown, 376-7171
A MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION has been called for next Sunday, Nov. 2, 2003 in the sanctuary following worship to hear a report from Bethel’s Nominating Committee. The nominated elders will be Frank Harris, Chad Gaffin, Mark Banker, Nelda Toon, Chris Badger to Session’s Class of 2006. Nominations can also be made from the floor, provided the nominees’ consent has been secured in advance.
DURING OUR ALL SAINTS DAY COMMUNION SERVICE next Sunday, we will remember the faithful who have entered the Church Triumphant. Call the church with names you’d like included.
A REMINDER that feedback from the Visioning Small Groups needs to be turned in to the church office no later than noon, Nov. 4.
JUST A REMINDER – On Sunday, Nov. 2 we will carpool to the Cumberland Playhouse to see “42nd Street.” and should leave Bethel around 1:45 p.m.
SIX OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE have been participating this weekend in the Presbytery’s Senior High Retreat at John Knox Center. Chaperones are Gary LeMaster & Melanie Sherrod.
BALLROOM & LINE DANCING in the Fellowship Hall beginning Oct 28th, Tuesday, 7 p.m. Donations accepted. Call Duie Swicegood (882-5466) if you have questions.
NEWSLETTER DEADLINE – Tuesday, Oct. 28, 9 a.m.
BETHEL RECORDS – Oct. 19 - Attendance 109, Contributions $2,133.76, H.O.M.E. $25.00, Memorials $100.00
PLEASE PRAY FOR: Doris Barber, Christine Woods, Margaret True, Al & Dot Davis, Tora Phillips, Ruth Moutoux, Florence Simmons, the family of Margie Gulley, Presbyterian Churches & Pastors - Knoxville-Emmanuel (John Ghosten) & Tellico Plains -Epperson (Arthur H. Pflug)
THIS WEEK
MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY: BODY RECALL – 9-10 AM
| SUN – |
WORSHIP COMMITTEE – 7:30 PM |
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| MON – |
STEWARDSHIP & FINANCE COMMITTEE – 7:00 PM |
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| WED – |
HANDBELLS – 5:30 PM
CHOIR – 7:00 PM
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