Sunday Morning Worship Service
December 14, 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
Third Sunday of Advent
December 14, 2003
GREETING, WORDS OF WELCOME, RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; Romans 13:11
the night is far gone, the day is near.
PRELUDE Lo, How A Rose E’er Blooming Kirchengeseng
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 # 309 Of the Father’s Love Begotten Divinum Mysterium
*A TIME OF SILENT REFLECTION
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN
Our Gracious and Almighty God, to you we admit that you have been one of the priorities of our lives, but not the one and only priority of our lives. Forgive us, O God, for the times and ways we have spoken of you as “Lord,” but did not really mean it. We have tried and tried to maintain control over our lives, instead of surrendering to you. Assure us again this day that you are a better Lord over our lives than we are. Grant us your Spirit anew so that we may love you more, and always serve you first. Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Jesus said that anyone who hears what he says and trusts in God has eternal life. The time is coming, indeed it is already here. All who heed God’s voice shall have life and life eternal. Rest in the assurance of God’s grace made known to us in Jesus the Christ. 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 II Samuel 7:10-17
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE
A MOMENT WITH THE CHILDREN OF THE CHURCH
The Reverend Richard Hettrick
ANTHEM One Solitary Life Pepper Choplin
NEW TESTAMENT READING Luke 1:26-38
SERMON Shadows
The Reverend Marc Sherrod
*HYMN # 19 To A Maid Engaged to Joseph Annunciation
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – The Second Helvetic Confession (1561)
For we teach and believe that this Jesus Christ our Lord is the unique and eternal Savior of the human race, and thus of the whole world, in whom by faith are saved all who before the law, under the law, and under the Gospel were saved, and however many will be saved at the end of the world... we quite openly profess and preach that Jesus Christ is the sole Redeemer and Savior of the world, the King and High Priest, whom all the types of the law and predictions of the prophets prefigured and promised; and that God appointed him beforehand and sent him to us, so that we are not now to look for any other. Now there only remains for all of us to give all glory to Christ, believe in him, rest in him alone, despising and rejecting all other aids in life. Amen.
PRAYER CONCERNS AND A TIME FOR SHARING
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
DEDICATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY Of the Father’s Love Begotten Martin
*DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*HYMN # 27 Gentle Mary Laid Her Child Tempus Adest Floridum
*CHARGE AND BLESSING Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates Hymn # 8
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!
*POSTLUDE Postlude on French Noel Rinehart
*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.
Our Liturgist today is Ken Dungan. Our Ushers/Greeters are Scott & Julie McGill. Today’s Advent readers are the Murr family.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BETHEL SYMPATHY is extended to the family of Bob Ludwig who passed away Monday. The service was held at Bethel on Thursday. Memorials may be made to Bethel.
MISSION YEARBOOKS & ADVENT DEVOTIONALS are available in the narthex.
CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING will be received next Sunday.
THE REA EVENING CIRCLE will meet at 6:00 P.M. at Brenda Bunch's, 1239 River Oaks Drive, Kingston. We will read the Christmas story, wrap Bethel's presents (shoes and socks) for the Head-Start children, and share our own Christmas memories. All women of the church are invited to join us. If you need a ride call Carol Brown, 376-7171.
COOKIE BAKERS AND PUNCH MAKERS needed for the Bethel Head Start Christmas Party on Tuesday, December 16th at 1 P.M. Please contact Brenda Bunch at 717-1355 if you can help.
A REMINDER! Bring finger-food desserts (cookies and such) for the Pageant/Fellowship Supper, to be served after the Pageant.
RCHS CHRISTMAS CONCERT – Today @ 2:00 p.m., Roane Co. High Gym, Kingston. Free concert.
CHRISTMAS RECITAL – Dianne Griffith, soprano, will present a Christmas recital with 3 other students of Sarah Searle, Associate Professor of Music, at the University of Tennessee Music Building Concert Hall, on Saturday, December 20 that 4:00 p.m. Accompanying Dianne will be Danny Brian, pianist at Cokesbury United Methodist Church, and Caleb Sherrod on clarinet.
BETHEL RECORDS – 12-7 – Attendance 123, Contributions $5,433.68, Christmas Baskets $627.25, H.O.M.E. $60.00, Transportation Fund $25.00, Memorials $300.00
| PLEASE PRAY FOR: Mabel Bradford, Donald Cross, Charles Pickel, Marianne Shadden, Christine Woods, Margaret True, Al & Dot Davis, Ella Winsbro, Cathie Sanders, Ruth Moutoux, Florence Simmons, Susan Todd, Steve Jacks’ Uncle Bill, the family of Bob Ludwig, Presbyterian Churches & Pastors -Farner (Patricia Roller) & Farragut (W. Judson Shaw) |
THIS WEEK
TODAY – FELLOWSHIP SUNDAY THIS WEEK
| TODAY – |
FELLOWSHIP SUNDAY THIS WEEK
REA EVENING CIRCLE (AT BRENDA BUNCH’S) –
6:00 PM
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| WED – |
CHURCH CHRISTMAS DINNER (COVERED DISH) –
6:30 PM
PAGEANT (THE INNKEEPER’S BUSY NIGHT) –
7:30 PM
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NEXT –
SUNDAY |
LESSONS & CAROLS (DURING WORSHIP SERVICE)
CHRISTMAS CAROLING – 5:00 PM
CAROLERS RETURN TO VIC & NANCY KING’S HOME
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| DEC 24 – |
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE – 5:00 PM
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE WITH HOLY COMMUNION – 11:00 PM
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