Sunday Morning Worship Service
December 25, 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
Chritmas Day
December 25, 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 A Tapestry of Shepherds Smith
CALL TO WORSHIP
A child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulder, and he is named:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
EPISTLE LESSON Titus 3:4-7 Alf & Jan Rybka
LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE
*HYMN #57 The Snow Lay on the Ground Venite Adoremus
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN
We confess, Surprising God, that our sense of anticipation has been dulled. We have ceased to expect any wonders from your hand. We do not see the marvels around us in the people and happenings we view as commonplace. We are not alert to your presence or your action on our behalf. Wake us up, God, lest sleep be our death. Pardon and redeem us, that we may escape the judgment we are bringing on ourselves. Send your light that it may shine through us into a needy world. In Jesus’ name, 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 Once in Royal David’s City Hymn #49
He Came down to earth from heaven.
Who is God and Lord of all,
And His shelter was a stable,
And His cradle was a stall.
With the poor, oppressed, and lowly,
Lived on earth our Savior holy.
*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.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Micah 5:2-5
ANTHEM Julie Bunch, Laura Dailey & Mary Ann Hensley
GOSPEL LESSON Luke 2:15-20
SERMON A Village with a History Rev. Marc Sherrod, ThD
*HYMN #44 O Little Town of Bethlehem St. Louis
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Christmas Spirit Ann Weems
The Christmas spirit is that hope which tenaciously clings to the hearts of the faithful, and announces in the face of any Herod the World can produce, and all the inn doors slammed in our faces, and all the dark nights of our souls that with God all things still are possible, that even now unto us a Child is born! Amen.
DEDICATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY MUSIC Lullay, Thou Little Tiny Chico Davis
*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 #37 Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
THE LORD’S PRAYER
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
*HYMN #31 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Mendelssohn
*CHARGE AND BLESSING
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Joy to the World! Hymn #40
Joy to the world! the Lord is come:
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders of His love.
*POSTLUDE The First Noel Traditional English Carol
We partake of Communion today by intinction.
Please come to the front of the Sanctuary by the center aisle and return by the side aisles.
*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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
A total of 188 people from the Presbytery of East Tennessee will be going to Westminster Presbyterian Church in Gulfport, Mississippi this Tuesday, December 27 through January 2. Their responsibility will be to put thirty roofs on the hurricane stricken buildings. Those participating with Bethel are: Dan, Debbie and Bram Hyder, Denise Martin, Dave Nippert, Chelsea Richmond, Duie Swicegood, Bill Carothers, Dr. E.C. Cunningham and Audrey Norman. Please keep them in your prayers.
Beginning in January, the Evangelism Committee will sponsor Super Saturday on the first Saturday of each month. We will kick off the first Super Saturday on January 7 with Phil Walsh speaking on Energy Policies. We will meet at 9 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall in a very informal setting, with coffee and some goodies. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
Our annual Christmas Joy Offering will be received today. Please earmark your checks or use one of the special offering envelopes provided.
Tuesday, December 27th
Doris Barber, Sue Carter, Al & Dot Davis, Marnie Shields, Justin Trivette, Margaret True, Evelyn Waldrup
Rev. Bill Shenk will be preaching next Sunday while Rev. Sherrod is on leave.
Please pick up your Church Directory today in the Narthex if you haven’t already done so. If you don't see your name on a directory, there are some extras available on the counter.
Effective December 11, the photo section on our website will be temporarily closed for new photographs. Photos posted before December 11 can still be viewed during the remodeling. When our Webmaster, Dan McDowell, completes the "remodeling" job, all Bethel members will be able to place their Bethel-related photos directly on the website 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.
THIS WEEK'S EVENTS
|
Monday
|
Dec 26 |
Office Open
|
12:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M.
|
| Tuesday |
Dec 27 |
Office Open
Newsletter Deadline
|
9:00 A.M. - 10:30 A.M. |
| Wednesday |
Dec 28 |
Office Open |
9:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. |
| Thursday |
Dec 29 |
Office Closed |
|
| Sunday |
Dec 30 |
Office Closed |
|
|
|
Bethel Presbyterian Church
Christmas Eve Service
December 24, 2005
GREETINGS AND WORDS OF WELCOME
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shined.
PRELUDE Sounds of the Season Caleb Sherrod, Saxophone
CALL TO WORSHIP
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.
We have beheld his glory. Alleluia!
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God’s people on earth. Alleluia!
PRAYER OF THE DAY
SCRIPTURE READING Titus 2:11-14 The Jacks Family
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE
*HYMN #41 O Come, All Ye Faithful Adeste Fideles
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN
God of grace and truth, in Jesus Christ you came among us as light shining in darkness. We confess that we have not welcomed the light, or trusted good news to be good. We have closed our eyes to glory in our midst, expecting little, and hoping for less. Forgive our doubt, and renew our hope, so that we may receive the fullness of your grace, and live in the truth of Christ the Lord. 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 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Hymn #31
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.
Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
SOLO One Golden Wagon Mary Ann Hensley
SCRIPTURE READING Philippians 2:5-11
*HYMN #38 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear Carol
*LITANY FOR CHRISTMAS
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Alleluia!
Shout to the Lord, all the earth. Alleluia!
O Christ, splendor of God's eternal glory, the mighty Word, sustaining the universe: Renew our lives by your presence.
Lord, have mercy.
O Christ, born into the world in the fullness of time for the liberation of all creation: Release all into your promised freedom.
Lord, have mercy.
O Christ, begotten of the Father before all time, born in a stable at Bethlehem:
May your church be a sign of hope and joy.
Lord, have mercy.
O Christ, truly God and truly human, born to a people in fulfillment of their expectations:
Fulfill our desires in you.
Lord, have mercy.
O Christ, born of the Virgin Mary, child of wonder and splendor, mighty God of all ages, Prince of Peace: May the whole world live in peace and justice. Lord, have mercy.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
OFFERTORY MUSIC Paraphrase on O Little Town of Bethlehem Katherine Dungan, Harp
DEDICATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
SCRIPTURE READING Luke 2:1-14
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC A Christmas Medley
Katherine Dungan, Harp & Caleb Sherrod, Clarinet
SCRIPTURE READING John 1:1-14
LIGHTING THE CONGREGATION’S CANDLES
CAROL Silent Night, Holy Night (Verses 1 & 2)
Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright,
Round yon virgin mother and child!
Holy infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight,
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing: “Alleluia;
Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born.”
A READING All My Heart Today Rejoices by Paul Gerhardt
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC O Holy Night
BENEDICTION
CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Silent Night, Holy Night (Verses 3 & 4)
Silent night, holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.
Silent night, holy night!
Wondrous star, lend they light;
With the angels let us sing,
Alleluia to our King;
Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born.
POSTLUDE O Little Town of Bethlehem Smith
|
|
|
