Sunday Morning Worship Service
November 28, 2004
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.
THE SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
First Sunday in Advent
November 28, 2004
GREETING, WORDS OF WELCOME, RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
The whole earth is full of God’s glory.
PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP
There is a place of encounter, a meeting between the ordinary the most Holy.
Here burns the sacred fire, the sign of a mysterious presence.
Here the weary find rest and the troubled discover ease.
Here our spirits are kindled afresh and our feed set on the right road.
Here in this place, a call is given and a mission is received.
Send us, O God, to do your work, to bind up the wounds, to free the oppressed, to sing the songs of praise.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN # 551 Come, Ye Thankful People, Come St. George’s Windsor
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of the future, you are coming in power to bring all nations under your rule. We confess that we have not expected your kingdom, for we live casual lives, ignoring your promised judgment. We accept lies as truth, exploit neighbors, abuse the earth and refuse your justice and peace. In your mercy, forgive us. Grant us wisdom to welcome your way, and to seek things that will endure when Christ comes to judge the world.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
In everlasting love, God reaches toward us and draws us into forgiving arms. Our souls are redeemed by grace. Our hope and confidence in eternal life that is ours in Christ Jesus is restored. Let us affirm:
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Gloria Patri Hymn # 579
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Isaiah 2:1-5
A MOMENT WITH THE CHILDREN OF THE CHURCH
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE
SPECIAL MUSIC
Laura Dailey & Mary Ann Hensley
NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Matthew 24:36-44
*HYMN # 9 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Veni Emmanuel
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – from “A Brief Statement of Faith”
We believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth and of all thing visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end. And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And we believe one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
PRAYER CONCERNS AND A TIME FOR SHARING
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER
Rev. Dick Hettrick
DEDICATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
*DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*HYMN # 8 Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates Truro
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
*CHOIR RESPONSE The Lord Bless You and Keep You
*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 Liturgist today is Hannah Sherrod.
Our Ushers/Greeters are Chris Badger & Carol Brown.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
A Head-Start Christmas Party will be held on Friday, December 10, at 1:00 in the Fellowship Hall for the pre-school children and families meeting weekly at Bethel. If you can supply snack food or if you can assist with gluing crafts at the gathering or if you just want to be a part of the merrymaking please contact Amber Jacks (717-6756) or Amy Coen (376-9033). Each Head-Start child will receive a gift in memory of a children-lover among us at Bethel in times past. The names will be displayed at the gathering. All Christmas carol enthusiasts are welcome.
THE ROANE CHORAL SOCIETY will perform seasonal music at the South Harriman Baptist Church, this Friday, December 3, at 8 p.m. All are welcome!
WELCOME – We are glad to welcome Jennifer Jarvis as our new Youth Minister! She will begin her work with our youth next Sunday. Please join us in giving her a big welcome!
MARK THESE DATES!
| Hanging of the Greens – December 5, at 3:30 p.m. Dinner at 6:00 followed by worship. |
| Christmas Covered Dish Supper & Pageant – December 15 at 6:30 p.m. |
| Christmas Caroling – December 19 at 4:30 p.m. followed by fellowship at the Hettrick’s |
| Christmas Eve Communion & Cantata – December 24 at 8 p.m. |
SUGGESTED ITEMS FOR CHRISTMAS BOXES FOR OUR SERVICEMEN:
Gum, Candy (that won’t easily melt)
Bottled Water or Juice, Pringles (or other well-packaged snacks)
Eye Drops, Toiletries
Carmex Lip Balm, Wet Wipes
Gold Bond Powder, Calling Cards
Writing Tablets, Pens/Pencils
Envelopes/Stamps, Playing Cards
Crossword Puzzle Books, Word Search Books, etc.
Small, simple Games or Puzzles (like you might take in a car on a trip)
Items need to be delivered to the Bethel Fellowship Hall by Dec. 5. These items will be packaged at the Hanging of the Greens service and shipped to our Bethel family members who are serving in the military overseas. Place any item into a ziploc bag which might spill during shipment and ruin other items. Packages are handled very roughly in route. Please send things that are very well packaged and are not easily crushed. If you have questions or suggestions, please contact Margaret Murr or a member of the Christian Education committee. Thank you for your generosity.
| PLEASE PRAY FOR: Tora Phillips, Gale King (Doris Barber’s daughter),Kay Michener, Carol Jane Row, Christine Woods, Al & Dot Davis, Mary Sykes, Justin Winsbro, Ruth Moutoux, Susan Todd, Presbyterian Churches & Pastors -Sweetwater-First & Knoxville-First United (George H. Waters) |
THIS WEEK
MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY: BODY RECALL – 9-10 AM
| WED – |
HANDBELLS – 5:30 PM
CALLED SESSION MEETING – 7:00 PM
CHOIR – 7:30 PM
|
|
|
| THU – |
STEWARDSHIP & FINANCE MEETING – 7:00 PM |
|
|
It’s Almost Time….
On Sunday, December 5 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.
We’ll begin gathering for crafts and decorating at 3:30 and dinner will be at 6:00. Everyone is invited to join in – we’ll need ALL your helping hands!
Below are some of the ways that you can help out.
Hanging of the Greens Sign-up Sheet
December 5, 2004
Here are some of the ways you can help out. Please indicate what you would like to do, and call the church office (376-6340) to sign up.
Name _____________________________________________
The meal:
__________ 1 gallon of soup
__________ 25 sandwiches
__________ 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:
(If you want to purchase a poinsettia for the sanctuary, call the church office to let us know. We will contact you about cost and take care of buying them and getting them to church.)
|
|
|
