Sunday Morning Worship Service
November 30, 2003
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 of Advent
November 30, 2003
GREETING, WORDS OF WELCOME, RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE O Come, O Come Emmanuel Ancient Plain Song
CALL TO WORSHIP
I was glad when the said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
For the sake of my relatives and friends I will say, “Peace be within you.”
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.
Our feet are standing with our gates, O Jerusalem. Peace be within your walls.
Let us worship God!
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN # 2 Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus Hyfrydol
*A TIME OF SILENT REFLECTION
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN
God of forgiveness and mercy, hear our prayer as we confess our sin. With moments so critical we let time go by. With deliverance so near we linger in the darkness. With Christ as our armor, we yet fear the unknown foe. With the night having passed, we still hesitate to greet the new day. O God, lead us forth, that we may meet the moment you graciously give us. Dispel the shadows, so that your will may be clear. Clothed with light and new life in Christ, let us go forth as those awake to your will. 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 – Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates
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.
OLD TESTAMENT READING Psalm 25:1-10
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE
MOMENT WITH THE CHILDREN OF THE CHURCH
SPECIAL MUSIC
NEW TESTAMENT READING Thessalonians 3:9-13
SERMON Blameless!
The Reverend Marc Sherrod
*HYMN # 90 Come, O Come Emmanuel Veni Emmanuel
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Do you believe in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
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.
PRAYER CONCERNS AND A TIME FOR SHARING
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
DEDICATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY A New Song Eliot
*DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*HYMN # 7 Lord Christ, When First You Came to Earth Mit Freuden Zart
*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 Come, Thou Almighty King Peterson
*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 the family of Charlotte Crumbliss in her memory. Our Ushers/Greeters are Chris Badger & Jane Walsh.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BETHEL SYMPATHY is extended to the family of William D. Manly who passed away last Saturday. The service was held at Bethel on Tuesday. Memorials may be made to Bethel.
CIRCLE II THANK OFFERING SALAD LUNCHEON – Bring a salad & join the group for their Annual Thank Offering Salad Luncheon. They will meet at Bethel at 12:30 p.m. and carpool to Carolyn Tulley’s home.
ADVENT DEVOTIONALS are available in the narthex.
THE MINISTER & OTHER BETHEL VOLUNTEERS, along with volunteers from Westminster Presbyterian in Knoxville, will lead the 5th Sunday Worship & Communion Service at the Morgan County Correction Facility tonight.
THE PASTOR will be on vacation this week. Next Sunday, we welcome Alex Stuart, retired minister at First Presbyterian, Oak Ridge, to pulpit and table.
SEASON OF DREAMING – Various documents, as well as a commitment form related to our Season of Dreaming, are available in the narthex. Also, the Poster of Commitment is at the rear of the church awaiting your signature. Pleas sign and drop your commitment sheet into the offering plate today.
15TH ANNUAL MERRY TUBA CHRISTMAS – Sat, Dec. 6 @ 11:45 a.m., Williamson Auditorium, Harriman. Free concert.
NEWSLETTER DEADLINE – Dec. 3, 8:30 a.m.
| PLEASE PRAY FOR: Donald Cross, Charles Pickel, Marianne Shadden, Christine Woods, Margaret True, Al & Dot Davis, Ella Winsbro, Cathie Sanders (Amy Coen’s mother), Ruth Moutoux, Florence Simmons,, Susan Todd Steve Jacks’ Uncle Bill, the family of Bill Manly, Presbyterian Churches & Pastors -Knoxville-Erin (John Smart) & Seymour-Eusebia (Robert Williamson, Jr.) |
| TUE – |
CIRCLE II THANK OFFERING SALAD LUNCHEON (AT CAROLYN TULLEY’S) – 1:00 PM |
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| WED – |
HANDBELLS – 6:30 PM
CHOIR
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NEXT–
SUNDAY |
COMMUNION & PANTRY SUNDAY
HANGING OF THE GREENS – 3:30 PM
DINNER – 6:00 PM
WORSHIP – 7:00 PM
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