Sunday Morning Worship Service
December 7, 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
Second Sunday in Advent
December 7, 2003
GREETING, WORDS OF WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Praise the Lord. The Lord’s name be praised.
PRELUDE O Divine Redeemer Gounod
CALL TO WORSHIP
A voice cries: In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
In accordance with God's promise we wait for new heavens and a new earth
where righteousness is at home.
The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,
the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
and a little child shall lead them.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN # 15 Rejoice! Rejoice, Believers Llangloffan
*A TIME OF SILENT REFLECTION
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN
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 come to judge the world. 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.
*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
PRAYER CONCERNS AND A TIME FOR SHARING
ANTHEM Canticle For Advent Larson
SCRIPTURE Luke 2:1-14
SERMON To Believe in Christmas
The Reverend Alex Sturart
DEDICATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERING Come, Thou Almighty King Peterson
*DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghosts. Amen.
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
*HYMN # 5 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
GREAT THANKSGIVING AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
BREAKING OF THE BREAD
COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE At the River
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
*HYMN # 12 People, Look East Besancon
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION AND RESPONSE
Go, tell it on the mountain Over the hills and everywhere;
Go tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born!
*POSTLUDE Rise up in Praise Paxton
*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 Mary Ann Hensley. Our Ushers/Greeters are Dan & Debbie Hyder.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
WE WELCOME to the pulpit and table The Reverend Alex Stuart, M. Div.,Vanderbilt University 1955, Brief Pastorates in Charleston, WV and Knoxville. Served as Pastor of First Presbyterian, Oak Ridge, from 1960-1973. Psychiatric Chaplain - Lakeshore Mental Health Institute/Retired with 22 years of state service. Special Training in marriage and family therapy and Licensed by State of Tennessee as Marital and Family Therapist and as Professional Counselor. Retired Clinical Member of AAMFT (America Association for Marriage and Family Therapy). Alex and Marylee Cloyd Stuart have been married for 55 years and have two sons and two grandchildren. They reside in Clinton, Tennessee.
BETHEL SYMPATHY is extended to Nancy Landers and family in the death of her father last week.
WE NEED volunteers to assemble Christmas baskets on Friday, 6 p.m. and Saturday, 9-11 a.m. to hand them out.
ADVENT DEVOTIONALS are available in the narthex.
POINSETTIAS are available to purchase for the Sanctuary at $6.00 each. Contact Tom Roostee (376-3927) to purchase yours.
BETHEL RECORDS - November 23 – Attendance 122, Contributions $5,807.45, Christmas Baskets, $160.00, Memorials $25.00
November 30 – Attendance 113 + 17 Wellness & Healing, Contributions $1,454.80, Youth Mission Trip $10.00, Christmas Baskets $505.00, Memorials $75.00
| PLEASE PRAY FOR: Mabel Bradford, Bob Ludwig, 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, Nancy Landers and family, Presbyterian Churches & Pastors -Fairfield Glade Community Church (Dale Marshall) & Knoxville Fairmont (C. Michael Mills) |
| TUE – |
FUN LUNCH – 12:00 NOON
(HOSTS – DICK & MARGE HETTRICK) |
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| WED – |
HANDBELLS – 5:30 PM
SESSION – 7:00 PM
CHOIR – 7:00 PM
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| FRI – |
MISSION WORKERS MEET AT BETHEL TO ASSEMBLE BASKETS – 6:00 PM |
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| SAT – |
FAMILIES TO PICK UP BASKETS – 9:00 AM |
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HANGING OF THE GREENS
LOVE, THE LORD, IS ON THE WAY
December 7, 2003
PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP
Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings;
Lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings,
Lift it up, fear not;
Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!”
HYMN # 12 People, Look East Besancon
CANDLE READING & LIGHTING OF CANDLES
Jesus said, “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” Paul added, “For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord,” and then he encouraged his readers to “Live as children of the light.” Jesus is the light of Christmas. As we accept that light, Jesus, into our lives and share it, the world becomes a brighter place. Our light makes a difference. Without it we live in darkness. As we light the candles, let us remember Jesus’ saying of himself, “I am the light of the world.”
HYMN # 26 Break Forth O Beauteous Heavenly Light Ermuntre Dich
FLOWER READING & PLACING POINSETTIAS
Many symbols and sounds are represented at Christmas. Many of them come from the Christmas story, itself – the star, the angels, the stable, the manger, the shepherds, and the wise men. The poinsettia, growing wild in Mexico, was brought to this country and has become a favorite symbol of Christmas. The shape of the “flower” is like a many pointed star, and the red reminds us that Christ shed his blood on the cross for us and our redemption. As the flowers are placed, let us remember the suffering love of Jesus in our behalf.
HYMN # 48 Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming Es Ist Ein’ Ros’
WREATH READING AND PLACING OF WREATHS
A wreath is symbolic of a crown. Long ago, crowns were given for prizes. They were usually made of leaves and were bestowed to give honor and glory. The crown of thorns Pilate’s soldiers placed on Jesus’ head was intended to be an insult. Little did they know this was Jesus’ coronation, and the person they crowned was the very Son of God, King of kings, and Lord of lords. As we place our wreaths this evening, let us give honor and glory to Jesus Christ, who alone is worthy of the seat of sovereignty in our lives.
HYMN # 38 It Came Upon A Midnight Clear Carol
MEDITATION The Three Trees: A Story
TREE READING AND PLACING OF ORNAMENTS
First Peter 2:24 reads, “He (Jesus) himself bore our sins in his body on the tree. . .” This enduring provision of God is symbolized by an enduring tree, the evergreen. Although our Christmas trees are decorated beautifully, the tree upon which Jesus died became beautiful only in the sense of what was accomplished there. “For God so loved the world he gave his only Son...” Let us remember that this love is for all people. In this “Year of the Child,” we reflect on the ways children around the world celebrate the coming of the Christ Child. Tonight let us celebrate that diversity; let us be aware of the needs of others; and let us never forget that Christ comes into the world to be a Savior to all his children; and that he calls us to love and serve one another.
*HYMN # 53 What Child Is This Greensleeves
*HYMN # 9 O Come, O Come Emmanuel Veni Emmanuel
*HYMN # 56 The First Nowell The First Nowell
LITANY
O Wisdom proceeding from the mouth of the highest, reaching from eternity to eternity and disposing all things with strength and sweetness;
Come, teach us the way of knowledge.
O Lord and Leader of Israel, you appeared to Moses in the burning bush and delivered the law to him on Sinai;
Come, redeem us by your outstretched arm.
O Root of Jesse, you stand as a sign of the people; before you rulers do not open their mouths; to you all nations shall pray.
Come and deliver us, do not delay.
O Key of David and Scepter of Israel, you open and no one shuts; you shut and no one opens;
Come and release from prison those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
O Dayspring, Splendor of Eternal Light and Sun of Righteousness:
Come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
O King of nations, their desire and cornerstone that binds them in one;
Come and save those whom you formed of clay.
O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, the Expectation and Savior of the nations;
Come and save us, O Lord our God.
God of Israel, with expectant hearts we your people await Christ’s coming. As once he came in humility, so now may he come in glory, that he may make all things perfect in your everlasting kingdom. For he is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.
HYMN # 36 In the Bleak Midwinter Cranham
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