Sunday Morning Worship Service
November 27, 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
First Sunday in Advent
November 27, 2005
11:00 a.m.
GREETING, WORDS OF WELCOME, RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war any more.
PRELUDE Simple Gifts Shaker Hymn
CALL TO WORSHIP
Come, let us be about our preparations for a new advent of love among us.
The wastelands of life around us cannot shut out the promise of life-giving water.
Hatred and warfare, injustice and suffering, are not the last word, for they are not God.
We hear again the promise of peace, coming in the one who lived Shalom among all people.
We see again the light God promises in the midst of our darkness.
We are feeling again the joy that comes through partnership in the gospel.
May our worship recall us to what is centered in life; to the One who gives us breath and purpose in life.
We come to embrace the new advent, to be renewed in faith, hope, and love.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN #560 We Plow the Fields and Scatter Nyland
*CALL TO CONFESSION
The cares of this life weigh us down, and we seek escape more than insight, avoidance rather than confrontation with God’s truth. God comes to us even when we are hiding from the best we know. God waits to hear our story and to restore us to life as it is meant to be. Let us come to God in prayer.
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN
We confess, surprising God, that our sense of anticipation has been dulled. We have ceased to expect any wonders from your hand. We do not see the marvels around us in the people and happenings we view as commonplace. We are not alert to your presence or your action on our behalf. Wake us up, God, lest sleep be our death. Pardon and redeem us, that we may escape the judgment we are bringing on ourselves. Send your light that it may shine through us into a needy world. In Jesus’ name, 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.
EPISTLE READING I Corinthians 1:3-9 Sue & Bob Jones
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE
*HYMN #2 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Hyfrydol
OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 64:1-9
A MOMENT WITH THE CHILDREN Anita Richmond
ANTHEM He Keeps Me Singing Chancel Choir
NEW TESTAMENT Mark 13:24-37
SERMON What to Expect When You’re Expecting Rev. Marc Sherrod, ThD
*HYMN #20 Watchman, Tell Us of the Night Aberystwyth
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – The Coming of God by Ann Weems
Our God is the One who comes to us in a burning bush, in an angel’s song, in a newborn child. Our God is the One who cannot be found locked in the church, not even in the sanctuary. Our God will be where God will be with no constraints, no predictability. Our God lives where our God lives, and destruction has no power and even death cannot stop the living. Our God will be born where God will be born, but there is no place to look for the One who comes to us. When God is ready God will come even to a godforsaken place like a stable in Bethlehem. Watch . . . for you know not when God comes. Watch, that you might be found whenever wherever God comes.
SHARING OF PRAYER CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYER
OFFERATORY MUSIC As the Deer Nystrom
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 #9 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Veni Emmanuel
*CHARGE AND BLESSING
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Hymn #8
Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates
Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates,
Behold, the King of glory waits;
The King of kings is drawing near;
The Savior of the world is here!
Redeemer, come!
I open wide My heart to Thee;
here, Lord, abide.
Let me Thy inner presence feel;
Thy grace and love in me reveal.
*POSTLUDE Thanksgiving Praise Smith
*All who are able may stand.
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 Teresa Hettrick and Chelsea Richmond.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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. We will begin our study with Matthew 1:1-25. Everyone is encouraged to attend and to bring a friend.
You don’t want to miss this! Pick yours up today!
Daily devotions have been prepared by children, youth, and adults of Bethel.
Please turn in the Angel Tree presents to the Fellowship Hall before Sunday, December 11th. They should not be wrapped but placed in Christmas gift bags. Set up will take place in the Fellowship Hall Friday afternoon, December 16, until we finish that evening. Distribution will take place Saturday, December 17 from 9:00 a.m. until noon. Volunteers are welcome.
The 2006 Mission Yearbooks are available in the narthex.
The Church Directories are here! They will be available in the narthex next Sunday, December 4th. If you had your picture taken for the directory there will be one with your name on it on the counter in the Narthex. If you don't see your name on the directories, you will need to pick up your copy at the church office.
Today! Sunday, November 27th
Bethel will be responsible for bell-ringing for the Salvation Army at Food City on Saturday, December 3 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. We are still in need of one more volunteer from 4-5 p.m. Please call the church office if you would like to 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, Madge Mounger, Lib Muecke, Marianne Shadden, Fern Stackpole, Justin Trivette, Margaret True, Evelyn Waldrup
Whitestone Singers will be performing at Whitestone Inn during the holiday season. Phil Walsh has been singing with this group for about four years now. This year a guitarist and a violinist will join the group. The dates are December 3, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, 17 and 22. Reservations for dinner are required. Callers should also check to make sure these dates have not changed.
Roane Choral Society's season begins with the annual Sensational Sounds of the Season on Friday, December 2, 8:00 p.m. at South Harriman Baptist Church, Ruritan Road. The magical warmth and joy of the holiday season will be captured by joining the Roane Choral Society and Orchestra for an evening of carols both old and new. Included in the performance will be traditional seasonal favorites and the audience will join in singing many popular carols. Admission is by donation. Join us as we celebrate this season of Christ's birth!!
THIS WEEK'S EVENTS
|
Sunday
|
Nov 27 |
Pageant Practice
|
4:00 P.M.
|
| |
|
Newsletter Deadline |
|
| Monday |
Nov 28 |
Seniorcize
Boy Scout Meeting
|
9:00 – 10:00 A.M.
7:00 P.M.
|
| Wednesday |
Nov 30 |
Seniorcize
Advent Bible Study
Handbell Practice
Choir Practice
|
9:00 – 10:00 A.M.
10:00 A.M.
5:45 P.M.
7:15 P.M.
|
| Thursday |
Dec 1 |
Mission Outreach Meeting |
6:30 P.M. |
| Friday |
Dec 2 |
Seniorcize |
9:00 – 10:00 A.M. |
| Sunday |
Dec 4 |
Hanging of the Greens
Hanging of the Greens Dinner
Hanging of the Greens Worship
|
3:30 P.M.
6:00 P.M.
7:00 P.M.
|
| Attendance Last Week – 118 |
| Average Attendance in 2005 – 111 |
| Undesignated Offering |
$ 3,452.45 |
| Christmas Baskets |
$368.00 |
| Grace School |
$140.00 |
| Rent – Mid East |
$100.00 |
| Youth Minister Fund |
$100.00 |
| Building Fund |
$50.00 |
| Youth Mission Trip |
$10.00 |
| TOTAL |
$4,220.45 |
|
