Sunday Morning Worship Service
November 23, 2003
(Want to see a past Bulletin? Just click HERE)
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.
A SERVICE FOR THE RENEWAL OF THE BAPTISM COVENANT
The Reign of Christ Sunday
Bethel Presbyterian Church
November 23, 2003
GREETING, WORDS OF WELCOME, RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE We Gather Together Dutch Folk Song
CALL TO WORSHIP 1 Cor. 12:12-13,27
Just as the body is one and has many members,
and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.
For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—
Jews or Greeks, slaves or free— and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN # 492 Baptized in Water Bunessan
*A TIME OF SILENT REFLECTION
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN — A LITANY
Sovereign God, in baptism you called us to turn from sin and to turn to Jesus Christ; but we stray from his ways and do not heed your call.
(Silence.)
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
In baptism you joined us to Christ in his death that we might be raised with Christ in new life; but we cherish old ways and fail to embrace the risen life of righteousness, justice, and love.
(Silence.)
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
In baptism you united us with all the baptized who confess your name; but we foster division in the church. We refuse to live as one people, and so fail to witness to your reconciling love before the world.
(Silence.)
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
In baptism you call us to ministry in all realms of life, but we refuse the struggle to know your will; we do not nurture the ways of peace; we allow enmity and hatred to grow among us, putting neighbor against neighbor, and nation against nation. We abuse the earth you entrust to our care, and live in discord with all you made.
(Silence.)
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
In baptism you sent us to serve with compassion all for whom Christ died; but we ignore the suffering of the oppressed and the plight of the poor. We take bread from the hungry, and will not listen to cries for justice.
(Silence.)
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
In baptism you gave us the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us, but we rely on ourselves, and refuse to trust your direction. We spurn your eternal wisdom, preferring the luring ways of the world.
(Silence.)
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Remember the promises you made to us in our baptism, forgive our sinful ways and heal our brokenness. Set us free from all that enslaves us, and raise us to new life in Jesus Christ, that we may be your faithful servants, showing forth your healing love to the world, to the glory of your holy name.
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. Let us affirm:
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 Christmas Baskets
Jane Walsh
NEW TESTAMENT READING I Peter 3:13-22
MOMENT WITH THE CHILDREN OF THE CHURCH
ANTHEM We Rejoice! MacKenzie/Snowdon
OLD TESTAMENT READING Genesis 6:11-22
SERMON Must Be Something in the Water
The Reverend Marc Sherrod
*HYMN # 436 We Are Your People Whitfield
(Members of the session come forward)
*PROFESSION OF FAITH
Do you renounce all evil, and powers in the world which defy God's righteousness and love?
I renounce them.
Do you renounce the ways of sin that separate you from the love of God?
I renounce them.
Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Lord and Savior?
I do.
Will you be Christ's faithful disciple, obeying his Word and showing his love, to your life's end?
I will, with God's help.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM
*LAYING ON OF HANDS
*PASSING OF THE PEACE
Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another. The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
PRAYER CONCERNS AND A TIME FOR SHARING
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
DEDICATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY An Appalachian Air Martin
(Place your signed commitment to particular ministry initiative(s) in the offering plate)
*DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*HYMN # 555 Now Thank We All Our God Nun Danket Alle Gott
*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 Thanksgiving Praise Smith
*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 Dick & Marge Hettrick. Our Liturgist today is Chris Badger. Our Ushers/Greeters are Jim & Karen Schall.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ANGEL TREE is in the sanctuary today. Please choose a name or two if you wish to assist with gifts for our Christmas Baskets.
BETHEL SYMPATHY is extended to the family of Charlotte Crumbliss, St. Simon’s Island. Charlotte was a former member of Bethel.
VISIONING MINISTRY INITIATIVES – For those who wish to learn more about the Visioning Ministry Initiatives shared with the congregation this past Wednesday night, please see the following elders at the front of the sanctuary after worship.
Spiritual Gifts Discernment - Scott McGill
Ecumenical Cooperation - Roger Richmond
Learning Center - Jim Condon
Youth & Children’s Ministry - Margaret Murr
Additional Worship Service - Dianne Griffith
Small Group Ministry - Carolyn Matthews
A BOOKLET OF STATEMENTS from our 15 elders regarding their sense of “God’s preferred future for Bethel” are available on the table in the narthex.
COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING SERVICE – this Tuesday, 7:00 PM. at First Baptist Church, Kingston.
HEALING/WHOLENESS SERVICE – Nov. 30, 9 a.m., Bethel Sanctuary.
ROANE CHORAL SOCIETY PRESENTS MESSIAH! today, 3 p.m. @ Farragut Presbyterian Church.
NATIVITY PAGEANT OF KNOXVILLE 2003 - CHOIR REHEARSALS Calvary Baptist Church, Nov. 24, Dec. 2, Dec. 9, 7:25 PM. Call 691-2452 for more information.
MISSING! - Framed fabric listing of the service men from World War II which hung in the Fellowship Hall. Please return to the church if you have it.
PLEASE PRAY FOR: Donald Cross, Carole Brown, Marianne Shadden, Charles Pickel, Christine Woods, Margaret True, Al & Dot Davis, Ruth Moutoux, Florence Simmons, Bill Manly, Ella Winsbro, Susan Todd Steve Jacks’ Uncle Bill, Presbyterian Churches & Pastors -Knoxville-Emmanuel (John Ghosten) & Tellico Plains-Epperson (Arthur Pflug)
THIS WEEK
MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY: BODY RECALL – 9-10 AM
| SUN – |
MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH (BRING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS) – 6:00 PM |
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| TUE – |
COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING SERVICE (AT FIRST BAPTIST) – 7:00 PM |
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| WED – |
HANDBELLS – 5:30 PM
CHOIR – 7:00 PM
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| THU – |
THANKSGIVING DAY |
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| FRI – |
OFFICE CLOSED |
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