Sunday Morning Worship Service
December 3, 2006
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
December 3, 2006
11:00 a.m.
GREETING, WORDS OF WELCOME, RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed;
the night is far gone, the day is near.
PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP
To you, O Lord, we lift up our souls,
In you, we put our trust.
For you guide the humble in what is right,
and teach the lowly your ways of love.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN #8 Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates Truro
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN
Coming Lord, as we wait and watch and yearn and ache, we look around for signs of your presence. But what we see mostly are indications of our sinfulness. The needy are overlooked. Selfishness has the upper hand. Hatred and violence triumph over peace and reconciliation. Our commitments waver; our resolve weakens; and we find ourselves further away from the path for which you have marked in Christ. We long for a word of forgiveness and direction, and for a sense of purpose and meaning. Come quickly, Lord. With mercy and grace, come quickly Lord. Amen.
*WORDS OF ASSURANCE
Hear the good news! Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us. Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life has gone; a new life has begun. Know that you are forgiven and be at peace.
Thanks be to God. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
*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.
*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.
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE
FIRST LESSON Jeremiah 33
ANTHEM
SECOND LESSON Luke 21
SERMON Happy New Year Rev. Bill Shenk
DEDICATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
*DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION 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.
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
In Christ, God gave us a glimpse of the new creation he has already begun and will surely finish. We do not know when the final day will come. In our time we see only broken and scattered signs that the renewal of all things is under way. We do not yet see the end of cruelty and suffering in the world, the church, or our own lives. But we see Jesus as Lord. As he stands at the center of our history, we are confident he will stand at its end. He will judge all people and nations. Evil will be condemned and rooted out of God’s good creation. There will be no more tears or pain. All things will be made new. The fellowship of human beings with God and each other will be perfected. Amen.
*HYMN #442 The Church’s One Foundation Aurelia
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
GREAT THANKSGIVING AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Let us pray.
COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
*HYMN #2 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Hyfrydol
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE People Look East Hymn #12 vs. 1
People, look east.
The time is near of the crowning of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able,
Trim the hearth and set the table.
People look east:
Love the guest is on the way.
*POSTLUDE
*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 Laura Thomas.
The Ushers today are Bill & Marianne Shadden.
The flowers today given by Jill McMaster in memory of her organ donor.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Today is the last day to get your paperback book donations in before Joni Morgan sends them off to the soldiers in Iraq. New or used books of all types would be appreciated: science fiction, westerns, thrillers, historical fiction, general novels and non-fiction. Please drop off your donations in the designated box in the room below the sanctuary.
Circle II of the Bethel Presbyterian Women will meet on Tuesday, December 5, at 1:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall for a “Cookie Exchange” and Carol Sing. All the women in the church are invited to come and bring a dozen cookies to eat (with coffee and tea), and a dozen cookies to exchange.
Bethel’s Book Discussion Group will meet on December 7 for an early Christmas celebration at Joni Morgan’s home. Everyone who enjoys good fellowship and a lively discussion is invited to attend. For this meeting you should bring: a book (new or used), gift wrapped for a gift exchange, a salad or dessert to go with Joni’s soup, and ideas for books you’d like to discuss in the coming year.
Bethel would like to congratulate Larry Benfield, the son of Madge Benfield and brother of Sue Carter, on his recent election as Bishop of Arkansas. He will be installed in January.
Roane County Schools is actively collecting Food City Receipts and Big G box tops for educational equipment? Please leave them in the Narthex.
This is just a reminder that we need your pictures! We would really love to put your pictures of Bethel holiday activities on our web site. Please e-mail our web editor by clicking HERE in order to set up a user id and password.
Thanks a bunch!
Bethel still has three openings to ring bells for the Salvation Army at Food City on Saturday, December 16; two openings from 3 to 4 p.m. and one from 4 to 5 p.m. Please sign up on the bulletin board in the back of the sanctuary or call the church office to volunteer. Volunteers must be 16 years old or accompanied by an adult.
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Doris Barber, Sue Carter, Wanda Carter, Roberta Cash, Al & Dot Davis, Mary B. Hines, Marc Sherrod, Anne Smith, Justin Trivette, Christine Woods
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The gathering this afternoon for The Hanging of the Greens will begin at 3:30 p.m. and dinner will be at 6:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to join in – we will need ALL your helping hands!
The Angel Tree has been set up in the back of the sanctuary with angels for adoption. This year, Bethel has added eight "elderly angels" to the Christmas tree that need sponsors. They can be identified by the “E” in front of their number. The Mission Outreach Committee also needs food donations for 40 baskets. Our distribution date is Saturday, December 16. In the past, Bethel has very generously supported this project and we hope the same will happen again this year.
THIS WEEK'S EVENTS
| Sunday |
Dec 3 |
Christmas Play Practice
Hanging of the Greens
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2:00 P.M.
3:30 P.M.
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| Monday |
Dec 4 |
Seniorcize
Boy Scout Meeting
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9:00 A.M.
7:00 P.M.
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| Tuesday |
Dec 5 |
Circle II
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1:00 P.M.
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| Wednesday |
Dec 6 |
Seniorcize
Handbell Practice
Choir Practice
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9:00 A.M.
5:45 P.M.
7:15 P.M.
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| Thursday |
Dec 7 |
Book Club @ Joni Morgan’s Home
Mission Outreach
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1:30 P.M.
6:30 P.M.
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| Friday |
Dec 8 |
Seniorcize
Officer Training
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9:00 A.M.
6:00 P.M.
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| Sunday |
Dec 10 |
Christmas Play Practice |
2:00 P.M.
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| Attendance Last Week – 116 |
| Average Attendance in 2006 – 109 |
| Undesignated Offering |
$ 2,779.06 |
| Building Fund |
$5,630.00 |
| Local Health Fund |
$1,470.00 |
| Staff Christmas Bonus |
$500.00 |
| Rent – Mid East |
$100.00 |
| Christmas Baskets |
$75.00 |
| Grace School |
$40.00 |
| Miss Dot Hunger Fund |
$30.00 |
| Meals for Muffin |
$25.00 |
| TOTAL |
$10,649.06 |
Bethel Presbyterian Church
Hanging of the Greens
December 3, 2006
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CALL TO WORSHIP
Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture: “See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” to you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner,” and “A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
HYMN #9 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
This is the first Sunday in Advent, the beginning of a four week series of special Sunday services built on prescribed lessons chosen from the Old and New Testaments. The theme is one of preparation for the coming Messiah, and the hope his “Advent” (coming) held for the Captives in Babylon. Through the centuries, Christians have searched the Bible for symbols of God’s promised deliverance. The text is brief, but the promised liberation is life changing.
SCRIPTURE READING Isaiah 11:1-9
So today we have handled again some of those sacred symbols of Advent. Tonight, through scripture, story and song, we will remember all they stand for, especially the sprout coming forth from the Stump of Jesse.
WE THANK YOU, O GOD, FOR THE SYMBOLS OF OUR ADVENT FAITH.
THOUGHTS BY JOE COEN
THE LIGHT – Have you ever been in total darkness? Perhaps in LOST SEA CAVE? And when the Guide turns out the last light, it really feels like total darkness. How quickly we get disoriented when all the lights go out at home. In life and faith, darkness suggests living without God. We could make a stump give light by setting it ablaze. We may remember the phosphorus glow we found at the root of the dead tree “Foxfire.” Think of all the sources of fuel/lights God has provided: wood, oil, electricity, chemicals, stars and angels.
WE THANK YOU, O GOD, FOR THE GIFT OF LIGHT: THE LIGHT IN THE HEAVENS, THE LIGHT ON THE CROSS, THE LIGHT IN OUR HEARTS.
(Lighting of the tree & candles during the hymn)
HYMN #3 Comfort, Comfort You My People
THE WREATH – The wreath has a long history as a decoration but its meaning is also revealed in its colors. The green boughs are symbolic of “evergreen” in both summer and winter where the color is endless in the circle. It is also seen in the rings in the top of a stump, where the rings are the biography of the tree, good years and lean years. Reminding us that life is lived under God’s control and grace. The sprout is sure. The tree of Jesse will live.
WE THANK YOU, O GOD FOR THE PROMISE OF THE GREEN WREATH. MAY WE FIND HOPE IN THIS SYMBOL OF ETERNAL LIFE THAT HAS NO END.
(Wreaths hung during hymn)
HYMN #450 O Day of Peace
POINSETTIAS – This bright red “Christmas Flower,” a native of Mexico thrives on the hot sun and dry earth of the region. The red blossoms reflect the “blood” shed for our salvation.
THANK YOU, O GOD FOR OUR SUFFERING SAVIOR WHO SHED HIS BLOOD TO RELEASE US FROM BONDAGE TO SIN.
(Poinsettias placed during hymn)
HYMN #48 Lo, How a Rose E-er Blooming
THE STUMP/TREE – The Isaiah lived in a difficult age not unlike our own. The leaders of Israel had been carried off like common slaves. Their captivity dragged on and many were losing hope in the face of prolonged oppression. Then Isaiah came with a message of hope. “Yes,” he said, “I see the stump. It looks so dead.” But Isaiah sees a shoot in the stump. This little sprout is all that lives, but here is our hope for the future. This Advent promise is not just any stump; this is the stump of Jesse, who was the father of King David. When other prophets promised the soon coming spirit of the tree, it was not about the family tree of David. But we Christians see the fulfillment of the promise in the Advent of Jesus who was also the son of Jesse. The good news of the sprouting stump is for all. Jesus is its fulfillment.
It may be a long time until you again see a stump in our Advent decorations. The candles, poinsettias, the wreaths and the tree will long hold their central place. But a quick search of scripture and history will reveal a rich variety of symbolisms to chew on. When Jeremiah the prophet faced the despair of Israel, he dreamed of a New Covenant, not like the old, but a covenant that would be in our hearts, not on tablets of stone. When Peter faced a discouraged congregation, he challenged them to Come to Him, to the Living Stone, rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in His sight. Like living stones let yourselves be built into a spiritual house . . . for you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people. Once you were no people, now you are God’s people. Once you had not received mercy, now you have received mercy. Ezekiel in the valley of dry bones asked “Can these bones live?” And God replied, “Breath the Spirit into them, and they will live.” And He did, and they did. There is no end to the promises and symbols of God’s unrelenting, never failing grace and redemption.
Perhaps the best words to interpret these promises are with the other Isaiah text found in Chapter 9, verses 2-7. When your faith faces testing, doubts, loss, grief or fear, or the signs of God’s presence fade from view, don’t despair, but look around for shoots in the stump we thought was dead. For the Tree of Jesse lives. What the prophet confessed was not the end but a new beginning. May the vision of the stump of Jesse become the promise of Jesus who brings life from death for each of us in this Advent season.
THANK YOU, O GOD, FOR THE PROMISE OF THE SHOOT OF MESSIAH/CHRIST FROM THE STUMP OF JESSE.
(Pick up sprout during hymn)
HYMN #308 O Sing a Song of Bethlehem
BENEDICTION
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| Below is an excerpt from the journal of Grace School in Kenya, which is on-line at www.graceministries-limuru.org/journal.html. Bethel provides financial and other assistance to the school, and a week’s portion of the journal is usually in our bulletin on the 1st Sunday of the month.
Contact Joe Coen or the Mission Outreach Committee for more information about Grace School.
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Author: Samuel Wambugu
Saturday, November 25, 2006 at 12:50 A.M. (Limuru time)
GRACE SCHOOL CHILDREN ARE OUT ON CHRISTMAS BREAK:
The School calendar which is followed in Kenya has all the Schools closed for Christmas until January. In the past we did not take the whole break but used a few weeks for remedial teaching. This time we are not going to do remedial teaching because there is a lot of construction going on.
On Tuesday the children had a Christmas party. There was a lot of eating, dancing and merry making. The teachers were very happy at the academic performance of the children. We intend to post some of the photographs on the Grace Newsletter. We have our staff meeting on Wednesday 29th. We take our time to critically evaluate our performance in the year and also planning the way forward. It is not possible for you to be physically present with us, but you can send us your thoughts and ideas. We value them.
There is a lot of rain which is causing havoc and death in some parts of Kenya by sweeping away bridges and making most roads impassible.
The irony of this is that we are now crying to be helped from the rain and in just a while we shall be crying to be assisted from drought. We at Grace School are thinking of how we can harvest and store the water during the rain season and use it during dry periods. This is possible because we have enough roof space to warrant such an undertaking.
There is a lot of construction going on and we are very thankful to God for giving us the needed funds to do the work.
Thank you for your prayers and support.
Samuel.
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