The Sermon: The Wealth of a Poor Spirit

Transcription

1 February 22, :15 and 10:45 AM The Sermon: The Beatitudes: Swimming in a Sea of Deep Joy The Wealth of a Poor Spirit Blessed are the poor in spirt, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 Our Mission To trust in Jesus love like Jesus grow in Jesus bring others to Jesus

2 WELCOME TO BETHANY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Enter this Church not as a stranger, but as a guest of God. May the blessings of God rest upon you, both in your coming in and you re going out. We are delighted to have you in worship. We ask that you please sign the Fellowship Pad at the end of the pew. For your convenience, we have a warm and loving nursery adjacent to the sanctuary, complete with an available paging system. We also have a Cry Room at the back of the Sanctuary (near the ushers table) on the pulpit side with windows and a speaker so that you can see and hear the service. If you have any questions or need literature regarding the life of Bethany Presbyterian Church, please visit the Welcome Center, located next to the sanctuary. Please turn off cell phones and pagers before worship. Thank you. *Indicates all who are able, please stand. We Gather Before God The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome and News of the Church The Prelude 8:15 Soul Adorn Yourself with Gladness D. Busarow 10:45 How Can it Be? Amanda Leavitt & Kayla Jackson The Call to Worship *The Hymn no. 59 Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee The Children s Message We Give to God The Presentation of our Tithes and Offerings The Offertory 8:15 How Can it Be? Amanda Leavitt & Kayla Jackson 10:45 This Do In Remembrance of Me J. Hunnicutt The Response Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were an offering far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.

3 CARING FOR ONE ANOTHER: Please let us know if you are going into the hospital, having surgery or will be an outpatient. Also, let us know when you return home. Keep in Our Prayers: Natalie Walters at St. Clair Frances Zaloznik Assisted Living, Country Meadows Earl Swanson recovering at home Dolly Stefanski recovering at home Fred Gerstacker recovering at home Michael Licciardello,, Jr. High Youth Group Member heart surgery on Tuesday Found: A ring was found in the Sanctuary last Sunday. Please call the office to claim. Flowers: The March open dates for flowers are March 1 and March 22. Please call Jill in the office at if you would like to sign up for flowers. FROM THE BETHANY CHURCH OFFICE 740 Washington Road, Bridgeville PA office@bethanypresby.org Attendance for February 15, :45 AM 150 Finance Report: As of February 15, 2015 ($) 2015 YTD 2014 YTD +/- Contributions and investment income 65,309 74,180 (8,870) General Fund Subsidies (transfers) 29,792 18,830 10,962 Total General Fund Income 95,101 93,009 2,091 Year to Date Budget 101,350 +/- Budget (6,249) THANKS TO THOSE SERVING THE LORD THIS MORNING Ushers: 8:15 Andrea Prohaska, Tom Willhite, Lee Restich 10:45 Tom & Carole Aspinall, Maddie Zombek, Nate Petrow Worship & Wonder Mike & Jane Vennum 2 & 3 Year Olds Second Hour Cheryl & Tom Harold Scrip Table Carole Willhite Nursery: 8:15 Joe & Tera Brickner 10:45 Annie Doty and Jordan Krieger Fellowship Greeters - Edgar & Marcia Shaffer, Jack & Amy Ramage

4 Calendar and Events for the week Sunday, February 22 1 st Sunday in Lent Communion Sunday Pray for Joseph, Martha, & Paul Del Conte 8:15 AM - Worship 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:45 AM Worship 12:00 PM New Members Class 6:00 PM Small Group Study 3:30 PM Jr. High Youth Group Off Site, 7:30 PM Sr. High Youth Group Monday, February 23 Pray for Bernard & Olga Deliman 9:30 AM Preschool 5:30 PM Upward Basketball Practice, 6:00 PM Upward Cheerleading Practice 7:00 PM Session Meeting, PW Body Carpenter Workout Tuesday, February 24 Pray for Paul, Marcia, Rachel, & Haley Demnyan 5:00 PM LOGOS Pajama Night 7:00 PM Bethany Youth Ringers, Upward Basketball Practice, Upward Cheerleading 7:15 PM PW CT Meeting Wednesday, February 25 Pray for Alan, Sharon, Joseph & Antonio DePaoli 9:30 AM Preschool 5:30 PM Upward Basketball Practice, 6:00 PM Upward Cheeleading Practice 7:00 PM Bethany Choir Practice 8:30 PM Bethany Bell Ringers Thursday, February 26 Pray for Nicholas, Gretchen, Gunnar, Carson & Mia DeRoss 9:15 AM Quilters, MOPS 12:00 PM Thursday Knitters 5:30 PM Upward Basketball Practice, 6:30 PM Upward Cheerleading Practice 7:00 PM Dartball Friday, February 27 Pray for Gary, Heather, Madison, Collin, Allison, Dominic DiDomenico 9:30 AM Preschool 12:00 PM Men s Friday Lunch at King s Restaurant 7:00 PM Upward Basketball Practice Saturday, February 28 Pray for SuEllen & Alyssa Dillon 9:00 AM Upward Basketball Games, PW Bible Studay 10:00 AM Saturday Knitters Sunday, March 1 2 nd Sunday in Lent 8:15 AM Worship 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:45 AM Worship 12:00 PM New Members Class Session Meeting 6:00 PM Small Group Study, Jr. High Youth Group 7:30 PM Sr. High Youth Group

5 NEWS FOR THE BODY OF CHRIST Thank you for your eagerness to serve the Lord and our Bethany family with giving hearts and hands at the Ash Wednesday Dinner this past week. Bill S., Jaymi E., Pat S., Karl S., Fred and Deb G., Tom H., Linda F., Reggie and Pat F., Clare and Caroline A., Geri T., John T., Tish L., Cindy R., Tom W., Ed S., Melanie B., Jackie N., Cindy O., Celina G., Karen T., Doug B., Sean C., Kevin S., Diane C., Anita M., Carl S., Philip C., Ken C., Robert P., Joan K., Jack and Barb C., Tim N., Jill K., and Kim M.. Your Deacons. DO YOU HAVE AN INTEREST? Bethany is again considering a mission trip down to West Virginia in the Lewisburg area. We will again be working alongside of West Virginia Mission and Advocacy Work camps. The plan is to leave Sunday August 2 nd after second service and return on Saturday August 8 th. Remember as always, with this trip you have the opportunity of staying a half week or an entire full week. If you have any interest or questions, please contact Caroline Poiche at All men of the church are invited to sing on Sunday, March 8 at both services. We will have a very brief rehearsal today and on March 1 (next Sunday) after the 10:45 service in the choir room. If you have never sung with the Bethany Men s Ensemble and have thought about it, now is the time! Six-Week Small Groups during Lent SIGN UP TODAY!!! Do you want to go deeper in your relationship with Jesus? Have you wanted to get to know other families with kids at Bethany? Do you want to get more involved with Bethany but are concerned about a long term commitment? Would you like to meet new people and reconnect with others? Is God inviting you to take a step towards Him? Have you wondered how you can better point your kids to Jesus and bring them up in His ways? If you answered, yes, to any of the questions above, then consider joining a Six-Week Small Group. Every Sunday evening, during lent (starting 2/22/15), from 6:00 7:15 pm, groups will gather at Bethany Church to praise God, get to know one another, and grow in their relationships with the Lord. There will be groups made up of families (adults and kids together) and there will be groups for just adults. Each group will have leaders to guide them and resources to aid their discussions so you can just come as you are. If you have questions or are interested in jumping into a small group contact Pastor Robbie (robbie@bethanypresby.org or x202).

6 New Electronic Giving Options Giving options for those of us preferring to do business electronically have now been expanded. These new options will allow members to give securely anytime of the day, 365 days a year. To get started, click on the New Electronic Giving Options link at the top of our home page at Then click the Set Up Giving link which will take you to the Online Donation / Registration page and then create your profile. You may select the payment method, dollar amount and frequency of giving that is right for you. Returning donors can log in to add new transactions, edit existing transactions or view a complete history of all online transactions. The QR code will be appearing ongoing in various printed materials. For added convenience, Smartphone users scanning the code will be taken directly to our mobile donation page enabling on the spot giving. Giving electronically is a convenient and secure way that allows you to keep current in your giving while enabling the church to receive a reliable and predictable stream of income. No more remembering checks and envelopes on Sunday morning as you re getting the family ready for church, or playing catchup at the end of the year. For more information, speak with any member of the Stewardship team. Credit card users are strongly encouraged to cover the associated transaction fees that would otherwise be charged to the church. Thank you! FAMILY PROMISE LUNCHEON- The Bethany Family Promise team is inviting current and prospective volunteers to a Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon and Information Tour in the Youth Group Room on Sunday, March 15 at 12:30 PM. Please join us to learn more about Family Promise and how you can contribute to this very impactful ministry. For more information, please contact Christine Camacho at christinemarie_80@hotmail.com or Molly Mazzarini at bppa1982@yahoo.com. Due to a water leak, the Nursery Room is closed. The temporary Nursery is located in Room 224 which is located on the other side of the Sanctuary. Thank you.

7 The Prayer of Dedication We Listen to God s Word The Prayer of Illumination Thy Word Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. When I feel afraid, think I've lost my way, Still, you're there right beside me. And nothing will I fear as long as you are near; Please be near me to the end. The Scripture Readings Old Testament Psalm 51:1-17 page 889 New Testament Matthew 5:1-12 page 1501 Leader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. The Sermon The Wealth of a Poor Spirit Pastor John Hamilton The Sacrament of Holy Communion The Hymn No. 699 Let Us Break Bread Together The Invitation The Prayer of Confession, Adoration and Consecration The Words of Institution Distribution of the Elements Each person is asked to hold the bread until all have received it. We will then partake of it together, signifying our unity as the Body of Christ. Each person is asked to drink the juice as soon as he or she receives it, signifying the personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Meditate on our Lord and His sacrifice as soon as the elements are received.

8 We Respond to God s Word *The Prayer of Thanksgiving and The Lord s Prayer *The Hymn No. 263 Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed *The Benediction *The Benediction Response (10:45 only) Together Met, Together Bound Postlude Draw Near and Take the Body of the Lord J. Behnke Matthew 5:1-12 The Beatitudes When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.