Sunday Morning Worship Service
December 11, 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
Third Sunday in Advent
December 11, 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 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Bell Choir
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 of 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
NEW TESTAMENT Luke 1:47-55
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE
*HYMN #41 O Come, All Ye Faithful Adeste Fideles
*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
God of light, who shines in deepest darkness, we hear you calling us out of hopelessness into hope. But we are frightened by your call. We are afraid of taking chances; we are afraid of following your light, because it leads us into the places where you need us. We don’t want to see how your people hurt. We don’t want to see your light shining in the eyes of our neighbor.
Yet we know that in those places your grace shines; help us to seek your light. Guide us in your way, that we might be your children of day. Through the Light of the World, we pray. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
The good news in Christ is that when we face ourselves and God with the awareness of our need, we are given grace to grow, and courage to continue the journey.
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.
MINUTE FOR MISSION Christmas Joy Offering Carolyn McNew
CHILDREN’S DRAMA According to Luke
ANTHEM Advent Chancel Choir
EPISTLE LESSON I Thessalonians 5:12-24
SERMON Patience Rev. Marc Sherrod, ThD
*HYMN #36 In the Bleak Midwinter Cranham
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High, pervading and permeating all creation, you order all things with strength and gentleness: Come now and teach us the way to salvation.Come, Lord Jesus.
O Adonai, Ruler of the house of Israel, you appeared in the burning bush to Moses and gave him the law on Sinai: Come with outstretched arm to save us. Come, Lord Jesus.
O Root of Jesse, rising as a sign for all the peoples, before you earthly rulers will keep silent, and nations give you honor: Come quickly to deliver us. Come, Lord Jesus.
O Key of David, Scepter over the house of Israel, you open and no one can close, you close and no one can open: Come to set free the prisoners who live in darkness and the shadow of death. Come, Lord Jesus.
O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, Sun of justice: Come, shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death. Come, Lord Jesus.
O Ruler of the nations, Monarch for whom the people long, you are the Cornerstone uniting all humanity: Come, save us all, whom you formed out of clay. Come, Lord Jesus.
O Immanuel, our Sovereign and Lawgiver, desire of the nations and Savior of all: Come and save us, O Lord our God. Come, Lord Jesus.
God of grace, ever faithful to your promises, the earth rejoices in hope of our Savior's coming and looks forward with longing to his return at the end of time. Prepare our hearts to receive him when he comes, for he is Lord forever and ever. Amen.
SHARING OF PRAYER CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYER
OFFERTORY MUSIC Alleluia, He Comes to Us Bell Choir
DEDICATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
*DOXOLOGY Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow 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 #48 Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming Es Ist Ein’ Ros’
*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 Angels from the Realms of Glory Turner
*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 Scott McGill.
The Ushers today are Bill & Bobbie Martin.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Church Directories are now available in the Narthex. 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 a directory, you will need to pick your copy up from Alicia in the church office.
Today is the last day to turn in Angel Tree presents to the Fellowship Hall. The presents should not be wrapped, but placed in Christmas gift bags. Set up will take place in the Fellowship Hall Friday afternoon, December 16 at 2 p.m., until we finish that evening. Distribution will take place Saturday, December 17 from 9:00 a.m. until noon. Volunteers are welcome.
Our Monthly Fun Luncheon will be held at Vic and Nancy King's home this month. It will be Tuesday, December 13, beginning at noon. We will carpool leaving Bethel at 11:30 a.m. All are invited. Please bring your favorite dish to share.
The Charlie Brown Christmas Play practice for those with speaking parts will be held Tuesday, December 13 at 7:00 p.m. Practice for the entire ensemble, including dancers and singers and extras, will be Sunday, December 18 at 9:00 a.m. and sometime during the late afternoon of Wednesday, December 21.
The Head Start Christmas party will be held on Friday, December 16 from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Mark your calendars for our annual Christmas Dinner, Pageant and Party on Wednesday, December 21st beginning at 6:30 p.m. Instead of regular desserts, please bring fingerfood desserts, like cookies, brownies, etc. to the kitchen. Thank you.
Effective December 11, the photo section on our web site will be temporarily closed for new photographs. Photos received prior to December 11 will be posted and you can still view photos that are on the site. When our Webmaster, Dan McDowell, completes the "remodeling" job, all Bethel members will be able to place their Bethel-related photos directly on the web site for everyone to see, without having to send them to the webmaster or editor for posting. We will announce details of the new-and-improved Bethel Digital Photo Center when it is ready for your use.
Doris Barber, Sue Carter, Al & Dot Davis, Marnie Shields, Fern Stackpole, Justin Trivette, Margaret True, Evelyn Waldrup
Scripture Readers: Doris Barber and Jane Pickel
Drama kids: Charlie Coen, Henry Coen, Julie Coen, Jon Dailey, Thomas McGill, Brandi Phillips, Corey Preston, Lyric Rivera, Brianna Walker, Johnny Walker
Our architect/consultant, Chris Malone will be with us next Sunday as he presents the four building options. His presentation will follow lunch in the fellowshi hall. You don’t want to miss this! Proceeds from the lunch will be divided between the Post-Christmas Mission Trip and Kingston Skate Park.
The time of the Roane County High School Christmas Concert was incorrect in the Announcements last week. The correct time is 2 p.m. this afternoon. Sorry for any problems this may have caused.
THIS WEEK'S EVENTS
|
Sunday
|
Dec 11 |
Fellowship Sunday
|
|
| |
|
Session Meeting |
6:00 P.M. |
| Monday |
Dec 12 |
Seniorcize
|
9:00 – 10:00 A.M.
|
| Tuesday |
Dec 13 |
Fun Lunch @ Vic & Nancy King’s Home
Evangelism Meeting
Pageant Practice
|
12:00 P.M.
6:00 P.M.
7:00 P.M.
|
| Wednesday |
Dec 14 |
Seniorcize
Advent Bible Study
Choir Practice
|
9:00 – 10:00 A.M.
10:00 A.M.
7:15 P.M.
|
| Friday |
Dec 16 |
Seniorcize
Head Start Christmas Party
Christmas Basket/Angel Tree Set Up
|
9:00 – 10:00 A.M.
12:00 – 2:00 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
|
| Saturday |
Dec 17 |
Christmas Basket/Angel Tree Distribution |
9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. |
| Sunday |
Dec 18 |
Building Work Team Presentation & Lunch |
12:00 P.M. |
| |
|
Christmas Caroling |
4:30 P.M.
|
| Attendance Last Week – 126 |
| Average Attendance in 2005 – 111 |
| Undesignated Offering |
$6,495.01 |
| Christmas Baskets |
$595.00 |
| Cookbooks |
$112.00 |
| H.O.M.E. |
$50.00 |
| Pass Through Gift |
$41.27 |
| Mission Trip |
$25.00 |
| TOTAL |
$7,318.28 |
|
