Bethel Presbyterian Church
Third Sunday in Advent
December 16, 2007
Gathering and Greeting of God’s People
Prelude
Call to Worship
This is the season of holy waiting.
We wait for the time when the desert will bloom abundantly.
We watch for the day when all God’s people will come together with singing.
We wait while the dawning light appears on the horizon.
Come let us walk in the light of God!
Lighting of the Advent Candles Joe, Amy, Julie, Charlie & Henry Coen
*Hymn of Praise # 12 People, Look East Besancon
*Call to Confession
Remember that our Lord Jesus can sympathize with us in our weaknesses, since in every respect he was tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with boldness approach the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
*Prayer of Confession
Holy God, Righteous Judge, have mercy upon us. We have been proud in the thoughts of our hearts; you would be right to scatter us. We have grasped at worldly power; you could surely choose to bring us down. We have allowed the rich to prosper and the poor to wither away. Have mercy on us, Lord! Remind us of your grace in ages past. Humble us, that we may find our strength in you. Kindle in us love for all you love, that we may join you in your work of mercy, redemption, and joy. Amen.
Lord have mercy upon us,
Christ have mercy upon us,
Lord have mercy upon us.
*Declaration of Forgiveness
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.
*Response Hark! The Herald Angels Sing V. 3 Hymnal, # 31
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the sun of righteouseness!
Light and life to all He brings, Risen with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by, Born that we no more may die,
Born to raise us from the earth, Born to give us second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King!”
Minute for Mission Christmas Joy Offering Teresa Hettrick
A Moment with the Children Rev. Pat Harvey
Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 35: 1-10
Epistle Lesson: James 5: 7-10
Anthem All Is Well Choir
New Testament Reading: Matthew 11: 2-11
Sermon “Not Always What We Expect” Mike McElhinney
*Affirmation of Faith – The Nicene Creed ( Ecumenical)
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
*Hymn of Affirmation # 20 Watchman, Tell Us of the Night Personent Hodie
Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer
Offering
*Doxology
*Prayer of Dedication
*Hymn of Dedication # 41 O Come, All Ye Faithful Adeste Fideles
*Charge
*Benediction
Congregational Response O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Hymnal, # 9
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
*Postlude
*All who are able, please stand.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
At Home
Doris Barber, Dot and Al Davis, Gene Pierce, Anne Robertson,
John Will, Marci Smith, Pat Hale, Tom and Helen Roostee, Bill Shadden
Jamestown: 851 Lawnville Road, Kingston 37763
Louise Pickel Room 209
Mac Robbins Room 305
Anne Smith Room 312
Wellington Place: 1098 Bradford Way, Kingston 37763
Joan Pemberton Room 306 B
Jan Parker Room 107
Baptist Healthcare: 700 Williams Ferry Rd #45, Lenoir City 37771
Evelyn Waldrup Room 42
Rockwood Healthcare: 5580 Roane State Highway, Harriman 37748
Roberta Cash Room 132 B
Margaret True Room 212 B
Marnie Shields Room 358
Harriman Healthcare: 240 Hannah Road, Harriman 37748
Ruby Hunter Room 305 A
NHC Oakridge: 300 Laboratory Road, Oak Ridge 37830
Wanda Carter Room 212
Summit View of Farragut: 12873 Kingston Pike, Knoxville 37934
Shirley Lumpkins Room 316
In the Hospital
Bettie Shenk – Roane Medical Center, Room 303
The Christmas Joy Offering will be received this week and next Sunday. Thanks for your financial contributions in supporting our racial ethnic college ministry and our denominations fund to assist retired Presbyterian ministers with emergency help.
The Children’s Christmas Pageant will be December 19th after Fellowship Supper. Please remember to bring finger foods for dessert. The pageant will be in Bethel Sanctuary.
A list of the winning bids for items in Bethel’s rental house is available for your review in the church office. Please make checks payable to Bethel and earmark accordingly. The deadline for removal of your item(s) is January 4, 2008.
The 2007 Annual Church Christmas Caroling will be today, December 16th. Meet at the Church at 4:30 P.M. Refreshments afterward at Mike and Jeanette McElhinney’s at 110 Piney Point, Kingston.
A Spanish Class is forming and will start on January 7th, 2008. Anyone who is or has expressed an interest please contact Jack McNew after worship.
The Giant Bethel Auction will be Saturday, December 29th, at 9:00 am, in the Fellowship Hall. Items that we do not keep in our new building will be auctioned. Please do not bring other items from home to be auctioned.
Mark your calendars for the period between Christmas and New Year’s day as the time to come help pack all the “stuff” we will put in storage during construction. All sizes of plastic boxes (water and mouse proof) would be appreciated.
The Children of Bethel Church carved the figures in the crèche, during the Hanging of the Greens. We appreciate your talent and gifts!
The Angel Food Menu is posted at the back of the Sanctuary. Deadline for January sign up is January 7th, 2008.
