Bethel Presbyterian Church
Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
October 30, 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 The Joy of the Lord Bendos
CALL TO WORSHIP
O give thanks to God for God is good;
God’s steadfast love endures forever.
God is present to us in all the chaos of our time.
We thank God for a love that overcomes all things; for God’s wonderful works for us all.
God nourishes us as a desert turns into pools of water; our parched souls are quenched by God’s word.
O give thanks to God, for God’s steadfast love endures forever.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN #260 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Ein’ Feste Burg
*CALL TO CONFESSION
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.
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN
God of Promises, you have called us to be witnesses to your great love. But we bicker and blame, gossip and criticize, boast and sing our own praises. We pray so that others will see us and so often our prayers are empty. You have said the greatest of us will be a servant and the humble will be exalted. Humble us this day, O God, and strengthen us to truly be your servants in the service of others. In the name of the Christ, Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. I declare to you, in the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. May the God of mercy, who forgives you all your sins, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life.
Thanks be to God! In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Amen.
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Gloria Patri Hymn #579
NEW TESTAMENT I Thessalonians 2:1-8
A MOMENT WITH THE CHILDREN
ANTHEM With a Joyful Heart Handbell Choir
OLD TESTAMENT Deuteronomy 34:1-12
SERMON The View from Pisgah Rev. Marc Sherrod, ThD
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – The Nicene Creed (Ecumenical) Hymnal Page #15
We believe in God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his Kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
SHARING OF PRAYER CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYER
OFFERATORY MUSIC Come, All Christians, Be Committed Mansfield
DEDICATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
*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
*HYMN #210 Our God, Our Help in Ages Past St. Anne
*CHARGE AND BLESSING
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE God Be with You Till We Meet Again Hymn #540
*POSTLUDE Fantasia on ‘Duke Street’ Paxton
