Sunday Morning Worship Service
October 28, 2007

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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.

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The Service For The Lord’s Day
Bethel Presbyterian Church
22nd Sunday After Pentecost
October 28, 2007

Gathering and Greeting of God’s People

Prayer of Preparation Before Worship

O God, light of the minds that know you, life of the souls that love you, strength of the thoughts that seek you: Help us so to know you that we may truly love you, so to love you that we may fully serve you, whose service is perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Prelude   A Mighty Fortress Is Our God   Handbells

Call to Worship

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!

Our souls long for your courts, where we yearn to sing your praises.

Blessed are they who dwell in your house, who are always praising you.

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on the pilgrim’s way.

*Hymn of Praise # 288   I Sing the Mighty Power of God   Ellacombe

*Call to Confession:   (Rom. 5:8; Heb. 4:16)

The proof of God’s amazing love is this: While we were sinners Christ died for us.

Because we have faith in him, we dare to approach God with confidence.

In faith and penitence, let us confess our sin before God and one another.

*Prayer of Confession

God, be merciful to me, a sinner, a sinner in the company of sinners. Too often, we hide beneath the veil of religion or trust in the good things we do. Seemingly safe in our pews, we look down on those not here, thankful that we are not like them. Yet, the truth is, we are. We have all sinned. We have all fallen short of the people you call us to be. Cleanse us and restore us, for the sake of Jesus, our Savior. Amen.

Lord have mercy upon us,
Christ have mercy upon us,
Lord have mercy upon us.

*Declaration of Forgiveness and Congregational Response

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.

A Moment with the Children   Rev. Pat Harvey

Minute for Mission   Bethel’s Building Program   Joe Coen and Ruth Ann Ludwig

Anthem   The King of Love My Shepherd Is   Choir

Old Testament Lesson:   Joel 2: 23-32

New Testament Lesson:   Luke 18: 9-14

Sermon   Warning! Parable Ahead   Rev. Bill Shenk

*A Mighty Fortress Is Our God: A Litany for Reformation Sunday

This litany interweaves Martin Luther’s great Reformation hymn with the words from Scripture that inspired it, the words of Psalm 46.

Musical setting - Hymnal # 260

Leader: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

People: Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.

All Sing: A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; his craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.

Leader: There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.

People: God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns

All Sing: Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing; were not the right man on our side, the man of God’s own choosing. Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus it is he, Lord Sabaoth his name, from age to age the same, and he must win the battle.

Leader: The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; God speaks and the earth melts.

People: The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

All Sing: And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God has willed his truth to triumph through us. The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure, for lo! his doom is sure, one little word shall fell him.

Leader: Be still, and know that the Lord is God!

People: God is exalted among the nations; God is exalted in the earth.

Leader: The Lord of hosts is with us;

All Sing: That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth; the Spirit and the gifts are ours through him who with us sideth; let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; the body they may kill, God’s truth abideth still, his kingdom is forever.

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Offering

*Doxology

*Prayer of Dedication

*Hymn of Dedication # 430   Come Sing, O Church, in Joy!   Darwall’s 148^th

*Charge

*Benediction

Congregational Response

God be with you until we meet again:
Loving counsels guide, uphold you,
With a Shepherd’s care unfurl you:
God be with you until we meet again.

*Postlude

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A Special Thank You

The Liturgist today is Joe Coen

The piano is being played by Karen Gibbons who is a musician that plays at Kingston United Methodist Church’s early worship service

The Ushers are Carolyn and Henry Tulley

The Flowers are given by Dan & Cathy McDowell

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

Bell Ringers

The Salvation Army needs bell ringers. The date is December 15^th, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00p.m. at Food City in Ladd Landing. If you are able to volunteer, please let Debbie Smith know.

Bethel Building Project

Please plan to join us after worship next Sunday for lunch and information-sharing about Bethel’s building project. A sheet, “Bethel Vision 2010: Make the Dream a Reality” is available on the table in the Narthex.

Mission Outreach Meeting

The next Mission Outreach Committee Meeting will be November 8^th, at 6:00 p.m.

Stewardship Dedication Sunday

Plan to bring your Time, Gifts and Resources Survey to worship on November 11, 2007.

Fun Lunch

Fun Lunch for November 13^th has been cancelled due to other upcoming activities.

Angel Food Ministry

The deadline for sign up for the Angel Food Ministry is November 2^nd and pick up is November 17^th. If you have any questions, please contact Jane Walsh at 376-5250. See below for menu.

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THIS WEEK'S EVENTS

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Sunday	Oct 28	Sunday School (all ages) Adult Inquirer’s Forum – Room 4 Worship Youth Group	9:45 A.M. 9:45 A.M. 11:00 A.M. 2:00 P.M.
Monday	Oct 29	Seniorcize Boy Scouts	9:00 A.M. 7:00 P.M.
Tuesday	Oct 30
Wednesday	Oct 31	Seniorcize Choir Practice	9:00 A.M. 7:00 P.M.
Thursday	Nov 1
Friday	Nov 2	Seniorcize	9:00 A.M.
Saturrday	Nov 3
Sunday	Nov 4	Sunday School (all ages) Adult Inquirer’s Forum – Room 4 Worship Bethel Vision Meeting Youth Group	9:45 A.M. 9:45 A.M. 11:00 A.M. After Church 2:00 P.M.