A SPECIAL WELCOME TO OUR GUESTS: We extend a warm welcome from Bethel Presbyterian Church! We invite you to participate in signing the Friendship Folders adding your name and address and if you desire a church newsletter or a pastoral call. When we pray the Lord s Prayer, we say sins sin against us rather than debts... or trespasses Prayer requests can be noted on the cards provided in the pew racks and placed in the offering plate.
The Service for the Lord s Day Bethel Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time February 17, 2019-11:00 AM * Indicates congregation standing if able. Parents with infants may remain seated. Congregational responses indicated in bold. Chiming of the Hour GATHERING AND GREETING OF GOD S PEOPLE Welcome and Announcements Please sign the Friendship Pad found in your pew, passing it down the pew then back. Prelude HE HIDETH MY SOUL by W. Kirkpatrick Call to Worship (L = Leader, P = People) L: When we turn our hearts away from God and toward ourselves, putting trust in our own strength, P: we become like a shrub in the desert, living in a parched, salty place. L: When we trust in God, when our trust is God, we are like a tree planted by water. P: Our roots go deep, we are ever-green; even in a drought we are not anxious, but bear fruit, full and beautiful, gifts of the God who made us. Prayer of Invocation God our Delight, your word guides us in paths that are true. We do not want to walk so long in sin that we take our place among those opposed to your ways, or settle down in the company of ridicule. Watch over us, we pray, as we meditate on you day and night, and we will be happy. Amen.
* Hymn No. 410 GOD IS CALLING THROUGH THE WHISPER * Call to Confession If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. So let us be honest and confess what separates us from God and our neighbors, trusting in God s constant desire to forgive and renew. * Prayer of Confession Merciful God, your call to discipleship is demanding. You call us to reorder our lives by the kingdom you are bringing in Jesus Christ. Yet we still pass by the ones you especially notice: people who are poor and hungry; people who weep. We have not stood with those who are hated, bullied, and excluded. Comfortable with the way things are, we are too complacent, even complicit with injustice and prejudice. Forgive us, O God, and turn us back to your gospel. We pray this now, for our sake, and for the sake of your world; (silent and personal confession) through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. * Sung Response No 576 LORD, HAVE MERCY SINGAPURA Lord, have mer-cy. Christ, have mer-cy. Lord, have mer-cy on us. * Declaration of Forgiveness Because Christ has been raised from the dead, sin and death do not have the last word! Our faith is not in vain! Baptized into Christ s death and resurrection, we are forgiven and set free to live for God and neighbor. Thanks be to God.
* Sung Response No. 585 GLORY TO GOD MACHU-PICHU Glo-ry to God, glo-ry to God, glo-ry in the high-est! To God be glo-ry for-ev-er! Al-le-lu-ia, A-men! Al-le-lu-ia, A-men! Al-le-lu-ia, A-men! Children s Moment THE WORD Choral Anthem IF THOU BUT SUFFER GOD TO GUIDE THEE setting by J. Lindh Prayer for Illumination Let us pray: O God, whose Word is like water to the root of the tree, let your Word now flow into us that we might flourish bearing gospel fruit for a hungry world. In the name of Jesus, the Living Word, we pray. Amen. Readings from Scripture Wisdom Psalm 1 (The Two Ways) Pg. 463 Prophet Jeremiah 17:5-10 (Judah s Sin & Punishment) Pg. 674 Gospel Luke 6:17-26 (Jesus Teaches and Heals) Pg. 60 Sermon Blessing and Curses RESPONSE TO THE WORD * Affirmation of Faith Hymnal Pg. 37, Sections 1-2 Jesus portion of The Brief Statement of Faith, 1991 * Hymn No. 457 How Happy Are the Saints of God WAREHAM Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Prayers of the People Holy One, you have created us with the ability to choose between life and death, blessings and curses. Help us to reject the advice of the wicked or sit with the scoffers, and by your grace, empower us to put our trust in you. We pray for those who put their trust in themselves instead of in you. We pray for those who put their trust in princes and politicians and find themselves deceived and misled. We pray for those who are poor, who hunger, who weep. We pray for those who are making poor choices in their lives; may they turn to you for guidance. We pray for the trees, for the rivers and streams, and for all your creation: turn us from our exploitive ways to help you renew the earth. God, you demand much, but promise that your yoke is easy. Guide us throughout our lives, keeping us ever mindful of the good news of your forgiving and renewing grace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. The Lord s Prayer (sins / sin against us) Call to Offering Luke tells us the people came to Jesus from all directions, seeking healing and peace. We are the body of Christ, surrounded by the many needs of the world around us. So bring your tithes and offerings, that these gifts may foster healing and encourage peace. Offertory IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL by P. Bliss * Hymn No. 606 PRAISE GOD, FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW
* Prayer of Dedication Let us pray: Holy One, bless and multiply these gifts we give as tokens of our trust in you. Use them to bless the poor, feed the hungry, and comfort those who weep; in Jesus name. Amen. THE SENDING FORTH * Hymn No. 816 IF THOU BUT TRUST IN GOD TO GUIDE THEE * Benediction May the blessing of God, Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit, nourish and sustain us, surprise and reorder us, and strengthen us in faith and hope for this life and the life to come. * Sung Response GOD BE WITH YOU TILL WE MEET AGAIN God be with you till we meet a-gain; lov-ing coun-sels guide, up-hold you, with a shep-herd s care en-fold you: God be with you till we meet a-gain. * Postlude