Sunday Morning Worship Service
November 13, 2005
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.
Bethel Presbyterian Church
Twenty-Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
November 13, 2005
11:00 a.m.
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 Worthy of Worship Blankenship
CALL TO WORSHIP
Children of light, look to God for goodness and mercy.
Wake us up God so that we may stand firm in faith and love.
Let us encourage one another in the name of the living God.
Let us worship God.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN #11 O Lord, How Shall I Meet You? Valet Will Ich Dir Geben
*CALL TO CONFESSION
Remember that our Lord Jesus can sympathize with us in our weaknesses, since in every respect he was tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with boldness approach the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN
Giving God, you have blessed us with an abundance of gifts and talents. But so often we fail to use them, saving them up for a better time or refusing to believe that we can really use them. We squander the gifts you give us. We are careless with the earth, even though you have entrusted the earth’s keeping to us. We are careless with each other, failing to see your face in the faces of each one of your children. Forgive us, Loving God, and restore us to the new life you promise. In the name of 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 #578
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
OLD TESTAMENT Psalm 123
MINUTE FOR MISSION Christmas Baskets Jane Walsh
A MOMENT WITH THE CHILDREN Kathy Banker
ANTHEM How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place Chancel Choir
NEW TESTAMENT Matthew 25:14-30
SERMON Talanta Rev. Marc Sherrod, ThD
*HYMN #422 God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending Beach Spring
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – Philippians 2:5-11
Jesus Christ though he was in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess to the glory of God: Jesus Christ is Lord! Amen.
SHARING OF PRAYER CONCERNS
MINUTE FOR MISSION Mandy’s Gift Laura Dailey
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYER
OFFERATORY MUSIC Meditation on Beecher Peterson
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 #447 Lead On, O King Eternal Lancashire
*CHARGE AND BLESSING
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE God Be with You Till We Meet Again 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.
*POSTLUDE O Worship the King Smith
*All who are able may stand.
It’s Almost Time . . .
On Sunday, December 4, it will be time for Bethel’s all-church
Hanging of the Greens
In one wonderful (and busy!) afternoon and evening, we will:
- Decorate the Education Building and outside of Sanctuary
- Erect a life-size Nativity
- Share in a time of fellowship and craft-making activities for all ages and skill levels
- Decorate cupcakes to commemorate the birthday of Jesus
- Share a meal of soup and sandwiches
- Form a procession to the church for a special worship service, during which we will decorate the inside of the church and the sanctuary Christmas tree.
This year there will be a special emphasis on our prayers for peace, beginning in the Bethel church family, and extending throughout the world.
We will begin gathering at 3:30 p.m. and dinner will be at 6:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to join in – we will need ALL your helping hands!
Please see the sign-up sheet (below) to see how you can help out.
Hanging of the Greens Sign-up Sheet
December 4, 2005
Here are some of the ways you can help out.
Please indicate what you would like to do, and place this form in the collection plate.
Name_____________________________________________
The Meal:
__________1 gallon of soup
__________25 sandwiches
__________2 dozen cupcakes (baked in paper liners, no icing)
__________Help children with icing cupcakes during the afternoon
__________Help with setup
__________Help with cleanup
Crafts:
__________Help with pre-assembly of materials
__________Give assistance during the afternoon
Poinsettias
Please see Bob Jones if you want to purchase a poinsettia for the sanctuary. He will take care of buying them and getting them to the church.
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Bethel offers Sunday school for children and four educational opportunities for adults at 9:45 A.M.
Childcare for babies and preschool age children is offered at 11:00 A.M.
Restrooms are located in our Educational Building on the first floor and the lower level.
Ushers can provide activity sheets for children and large print hymnals if needed.
The Liturgist today is Mark Banker.
The Ushers today are Ruth Ann Ludwig and Chris Badger.
The flowers are given by Jill McMaster in honor of organ donors and their families.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
We need a multitude of volunteers to contribute to a personalized Advent devotional booklet we plan to prepare for this Advent Season. Suggested devotional scripture verses have been assigned for each day. We are asking each volunteer to select a day and then prepare a personal message of approximately 300 words or less to share with the congregation in the booklet. Time is running out! Please sign up in the back of the sanctuary on the bulletin board.
We need a multitude of volunteers to contribute to a personalized Advent devotional booklet we plan to prepare for this Advent Season. Suggested devotional scripture verses have been assigned for each day. We are asking each volunteer to select a day and then prepare a personal message of approximately 300 words or less to share with the congregation in the booklet. Time is running out! Please sign up today in the back of the sanctuary on the bulletin board.
The Community Thanksgiving Worship Service will be November 22nd at Morrison Hill Christian Church. There will be a tour of their new building at 6:30 p.m. followed by worship at 7 p.m. Offering collected during the service will go to support Habitat for Humanity.
You are invited to attend an Advent Bible Study lead by Rev. Marc Sherrod. It is a four-week study that will be on Wednesday mornings in the Fellowship Hall at 10:00 a.m. beginning November 30, continuing December 7, 14, and 21. Everyone is encouraged to attend and to bring a friend.
The Roane Choral Society is offering their Annual Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. on December 2 at South Harriman Baptist Church.
Bethel will receive 10% of purchases made through December 25, 2005 at the 10,000 Villages in Knoxville.
The Time, Gifts and Resources Survey are available in the Narthex. Please prayerfully reflect on your commitment to the church and plan to return your completed survey on Dedication Sunday, Nov 20, 2005.
Bethel will be responsible for bell-ringing for the Salvation Army at Food City The date is tentatively set for Saturday, December 3rd from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. We need volunteers for one hour slots. Call the church office if you can help. Volunteers must be 16 years old or accompanied by an adult.
We are in need of Sunday Ushers!
If you are interested, please sign up in the back of the Sanctuary.
Doris Barber, Sue Carter, Al & Dot Davis, Mary Lee McGill, Madge Mounger, Lib Muecke, Marianne Shadden, Fern Stackpole, Justin Trivette, Margaret True, Evelyn Waldrup
A trip to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina has been scheduled for December 5th from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Transportation for senior citizens will be provided by the Alline Terry Transportation Fund, see Debbie Hyder for the discounted price. The cost for everyone else is $86 per person. This price includes transportation, lunch at the Biltmore House, admission, and a tour of the Biltmore House and Village. If you are interested, please sign up in the Fellowship Hall or contact the church office.
Today is National Donor Sabbath. All Americans are encouraged to consider the importance of organ and tissue donation. In 2000, organ transplants saved the lives of more than 20,000 people nationwide. Thousands of others had their quality of life improved through bone and tissue donation. Still, thousands more continue to wait for a life-saving organ. Many, approximately 16 daily, will die before that wait is over. If you haven’t thought about organ and tissue donation before, please take some time to think about it now.
THIS WEEK'S EVENTS
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Sunday
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Nov 13 |
Youth Group
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1:00 – 4:00 P.M.
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| Monday |
Nov 14 |
Seniorcize
Boy Scout Court of Honor
Boy Scout Committee Meeting
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9:00 – 10:00 A.M.
6:00 P.M.
7:00 P.M.
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| Tuesday |
Nov 15 |
Presbytery of East Tennessee
Meeting Parish Life Meeting
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3:00 P.M.
7:00 P.M.
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| Wednesday |
Nov 16 |
Seniorcize
Property & Personnel Meeting
Handbell Practice
Family Supper
Choir Practice
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9:00 – 10:00 A.M.
5:30 P.M.
5:45 P.M.
6:30 P.M.
7:15 P.M.
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| Thursday |
Nov 17 |
Book Discussion Group |
1:00 P.M. |
| Friday |
Nov 18 |
Seniorcize |
9:00 – 10:00 A.M.
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| Sunday |
Nov 20 |
Youth Group
Session Meeting
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1:00 – 4:30 P.M.
6:00 P.M.
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| Attendance Last Week – 111 |
| Average Attendance in 2005 – 111 |
| Undesignated Offering |
$ 6,338.99 |
| Miss Dot Hunger Fund |
$20.00 |
| H.O.M.E. |
$60.00 |
| TOTAL |
$6,418.99 |
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