Bethel Presbyterian Church
Christ the King Sunday
November 20, 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 Come Ye Thankful People, Come Chancel Choir
CALL TO WORSHIP
Come into God’s presence with gladness and singing.
Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth and worship with great joy.
Give thanks to God and bless God’s holy name.
God is good; God’s steadfast love endures forever and God is faithful to all people, young and old, men and women, children and youth.
Let us worship God.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN #31 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Mendelssohn
*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 times of need. Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN
Gracious and Loving God, you know our needs more than we do. We confess this day our failure to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, heal the sick, give release to those who are imprisoned by fear, failure, and fatigue. You call us to be your disciples and yet we are too cautious to follow your will. We count the cost and decide it is just too much. Remind us once again that to do all these things in your name would be as doing it to you. Enable us to be more welcoming of those different than we are, to be more inclusive of those who may believe differently than we do. Restore us to you through your loving kindness and your forgiveness. 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 Malachi 3:16 – 4:3
A MOMENT WITH THE CHILDREN
ANTHEM We Are God’s People Handbell Choir
NEW TESTAMENT Ephesians 1:15-23
SERMON Sun of Righteousness Rev. Marc Sherrod, ThD
*HYMN #462 Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies Ratisbon
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – Canticle of the Sun –Francis of Assisi
O Most High, Almighty, good Lord God, to you belong praise, glory, honor, and blessing!
Praised be my Lord God for all creatures, and especially for our brother the sun, who brings us the day and who brings us the light; fair is he and shines with a very great splendor; O Lord, he signifies you to us.
Praised be my Lord for our sister the moon, and for the stars, which you have set clear and lovely in heaven.
Praised be my Lord for our brother the wind, and for air and cloud, calms and all weather, by which you uphold life in all creatures.
Praised be my Lord for our sister water, who is very useful to us and humble and precious and clean.
Praised be my Lord for our brother fire, through whom you give us light in the darkness and he is very bright and pleasant and very mighty and strong.
Praised be my Lord for our mother the earth, which sustains and keeps us and brings forth many diverse fruits and flowers of many colors, and grass.
Praised be my Lord for all those who pardon one another for love's sake, and who endure weakness and tribulation; blessed are those who endure peaceably, for you, O Most High, will give them a crown.
Praised be my Lord for our sister, the death of the body, from which no one can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin!
Blessed are those who are found to be in your most holy will, for the second death shall have no power to do them harm.
Praise and bless the Lord, and give thanks. Serve the Lord with humility. Amen.
SHARING OF PRAYER CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYER
OFFERATORY MUSIC Lord, Thee I Love With All My Heart Turner
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 #376 Love Divine, All Loves Excelling Hyfrydol
[Please bring your Times, Gifts and Resources Survey forward as we sing.]
*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 Laas uns Erfreuen Peterson
