Sunday Morning Worship Service
December 12, 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
Third Sunday in Advent
December 12, 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
Now is the time of watching and waiting.
The time of pregnant expectation of new life.
Now is the season of hope unfolding.
The dark winter season when hope is waiting to be born.
Let us come before God with receptive and willing spirits.
May our souls magnify God’s name and may our spirits rejoice in God our Savior!
Rejoice! Let us worship God.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN # 11 O Lord, How Shall I Meet You? Valet Ich Dir Geben
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Lord Jesus, when you have come to us in the past with life-changing power, our excitement and energy for your work knew no bounds. But we confess that when we have not stayed close to you, nourishing ourselves in your presence, seeking your strength and guidance, we have grown weary. We confess that we have failed to let you into our lives as you are, not as we want you to be. For we have held expectations on when and how we want you to act on our behalf, or for another, or for the world. When these have been unfulfilled, we may become disillusioned, lose our way, or our will to follow you. We acknowledge that we have yet to grasp in fullness your nature and your ways of coming, being, and acting within and among us. Forgive us our blindness, we pray. Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
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.
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Gloria Patri Hymn # 579
MINUTE FOR MISSION Christmas Joy Offering
Tom Pickel
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Isaiah 35:1-10
A MOMENT WITH THE CHILDREN OF THE CHURCH
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE
ANTHEM Will We Know Him
NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Matthew 11:2-11
SERMON Expectation and Reality.
Rev. Marc Sherrod, ThD
*HYMN # 20 Watchman, Tell Us of the Night Aberystwyth
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – The Apostles’ Creed (Ecumenical)
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. 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. 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 & THE LORD’S PRAYER
Rev. Patricia Harvey
DEDICATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
*DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*HYMN # 36 In the Bleak Midwinter Cranham
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Hymn # 31 v. 1
*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 given by the family of Tora Phillips.
The Liturgist today is Danny Holloway.
Our Ushers/Greeters are Henry & Carolyn Tulley.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BETHEL SYMPATHY is extended to the family of Addie Wreath Hunt who passed away Monday in Florida. Her husband was a former minister at Bethel.
CHRISTMAS DINNER – Everyone is invited to our annual Christmas Dinner on Wednesday, December 15th, 6:30. Please bring your favorite dish and for dessert, your favorite cookies/brownies (NO cakes or pies, please) to the kitchen for our party after the pageant.
CAROLERS, get ready to make a joyful noise. All carolers meet at Bethel's parking lot on Sunday, December 19th, 4:30. After the caroling, all are invited to the Hettrick's for refreshments and fellowship.
NO Body Recall in December.
FUN LUNCHEON at Nancy King's House on Tuesday, December 14th. Bring your favorite dish to Bethel by 11:30. We will carpool to Nancy's house from there.
THANK YOU – The 26 children of Head Start and their families who meet at Bethel each week enjoyed a Christmas Party last Friday in our Fellowship Hall. Each child received a gift card in memory of the following that loved children and served God at Bethel: Bob Badger, Delvenia Beasley, Jimmy Beasley, Clara Haler, Harold Haler, Robert Ludwig, Terry Robbins, Frances Smith, Little Bill Smith, and W.J. Smith. The children and siblings were given books, candy, small toys, and the crafts they made at the party to take home. The 24 families accepted food boxes from Bethel in memory of those from 1818 who founded our church. Thank you very much to all those who made this special party so wonderful.
| PLEASE PRAY FOR: Gale King, Kay Michener, Carol Jane Row, Christine Woods, Al & Dot Davis, Mary Sykes, Justin Winsbro, Ruth Moutoux, Susan Todd, Presbyterian Churches & Pastors -Sweetwater Ford Creek (G. David Campbell) & Knoxville Fountain City (Max Reddick) |
| TODAY – |
RCHS BAND CONCERT – 2:00 PM
MIDWAY BAND CONCERT – 3:00 PM
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| TUE – |
FUN LUNCH (AT NANCY KING’S) – MEET AT 11:30AM |
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| WED – |
HANDBELLS – 5:30 PM
PROPERTY & PERSONNEL MEETING – 5:30 PM
FELLOWSHIP SUPPER – 6:30 PM
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| FRI – |
PREPARE CHRISTMAS BASKETS – 6:00 PM |
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| SAT – |
DISTRIBUTE CHRISTMAS BASKETS – 9-10:00 AM |
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NEXT –
SUNDAY |
CHRISTMAS CAROLING – MEET AT 4:30 PM |
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| DEC 24 – |
CHRISTMAS EVE COMMUNION & CANTATA – 8:00 PM |
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