November 27, 2011 8:15 & 10:45 o clock The Sacred in the Silence THE CANDLE OF HOPE In the days of Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah Luke 1:5 Our Mission To trust in Jesus love like Jesus grow in Jesus bring others to Jesus.
WELCOME 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 your going out. We are delighted to have you in worship. We ask you to 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. 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. ORDER FOR THE PUBLIC WORSHIP OF GOD THE CHIMING OF THE HOUR WE GATHER BEFORE GOD THE WELCOME AND NEWS OF THE CHURCH THE PRELUDE He Came in Blessing J. G. Walther Please take time during the Prelude to meditate & prepare for worship. *THE LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE The Prophet s Candle of Hope The Prayer *THE HYMN NO. 176 Lift Up Your Heads THE CHILDREN S MESSAGE WE GIVE TO GOD THE GIVING OF OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS Please sign the Fellowship Pad and return it to the center aisle. THE OFFERTORY 8:15 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel L. Smith 10:45 Wait, Watch! D. Lantz 2
CARING FOR ONE ANOTHER: Please let us know if you are going into the hospital, having surgery or will be an outpatient and also when you return home. In the Hospital as of November 23: Tom Woodward Mercy (Betty s son) Jeffrey James Gabelhart, Jr. St. Clair (Jim & Ruth s son) Discharged: Remember in Prayer: Zach Noel (Shirley Ellis grandson) Mr. & Mrs. Albert Eisenbeis (Jean Roemer s parents) The Blue Fellowship of Prayer Request Cards are for those having a prayer request, interested in being a part of this group, or wanting more information. Respite Care: Did you know that your church family can cook a meal, shop, drive or just visit for a few hours to give your family or caregiver a break. We are not a permanent or long term solution but we can help. For information or to volunteer please call Margie Smith at 412-221-3730 or Beckie Price at 412-319-7913. NEWS FOR THE BODY OF CHRIST Advent Worship Highlights: December 4 8:15 service. The service will feature lessons and carols; a traditional service of readings and music during Advent. December 4 10:45 service. The service will feature a musical presentation by the Adult Choir and full orchestra. December 11 4:30 p.m. The children of Bethany Church will present the Christmas Pageant Arrest These Merry Gentlemen. A congregational dinner will follow at 5:30 p.m. in the Great Room. Weekly Message Rev. John does a Glimpses of Grace email message most weeks to the church. Please contact the church office by emailing marlett@bethanypresby.org or calling 412-221- 5132 if you would like to receive this often fun, and always inspirational email. 3
The next New Members Class will be held next year. If you are interested in joining the Family of God here at Bethany please note this on the Fellowship Pad along with your name, address and phone number, fill in the red card in the pew and drop it in the offering plate or sign-up on line. We will notify you of the next class. The following were elected at the Congregational Meeting last week: ELDERS: 3-YEAR TERM Debbie Gossic Carrie Emerson Rich Ralston Domenic Poiche Peggy Wolstoncroft Kim Hartnett Kathleen Bonosky ELDER: 2-YEAR TERM Jean Roemer ELDERS: 1-YEAR TERM Ruth Doyle Dennis Biearman DEACONS: 3-YEAR TERM Cindy O Korn Rhonda Blosser Cindy Richards Tim Underwood Karl Salvini Sharon Salvini AUDITORS: 3-YEAR TERM Cathy Schulz Dennis Farrer Upward Basketball and Cheerleading Registration Register online at www.bethanypresby.org or pick up a registration form at the Welcome Center. Cost is $60 per child if registered before Thanksgiving. Volunteer information will also be posted online or you may email upward@bethanypresby.org for more information. "Be an Upward Prayer Partner! This season's Prayer Captains are recruiting Partners to participate in a daily prayer effort for the Upward program. We pray from December 1 through March 31. If you're asked to be a Partner, pray about it and give it a try. You'll be blessed and amazed what the Lord will do! Thanks to everyone who returned their Estimate of Giving Card. If you have not returned your card there are additional cards on the Usher s Table. Fill it in and drop it in the offering plate. 4
Thanks to everyone who brought in food last Sunday for the Food Bank. If you missed it you can bring in non-perishable food anytime during the week. On November 19 th food was distributed to 120 families which included 65 children, 144 adults and 50 elderly. The Food Bank Angels are on the tree in the Welcome Center. Please take an angel and sign your name next to the number on the table. Video College of Biblical Knowledge Class with Mark & Kitty Rackley. We meet in Fellowship Hall Sunday mornings at 9:30. In December we will do a six week study called, The Path of Jesus. This sounds like the same thing, but it is more story telling. I don t know the British Theologian, and the Path is more a spiritual path than the literal Road that BW3 is on. Update on Women s Bible Studies For those dear ones who have been taking the Breaking Free class, please note the dates for upcoming class sessions. The morning class has ended. The evening class will meet on Nov. 29, Dec. 8, and Dec. 13. We will not meet again until early January. Our next study will be on the book of James. The study is called James: Mercy Triumphs. The study book for students costs $16.00. The Friday morning class will start this on January 27, which will give us plenty of time to publicize the class and order materials. The Thursday evening class will start it as soon as they have finished Breaking Free. Annual Advent Brunch Sunday, December 4, 2011 If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 4:11 (NIV) The Men s Ministry Team will be serving the Annual Advent Brunch after both services on Sunday, December 4, 2011 in the Great Room. If you missed our award-winning chili this Fall, you won t want to miss our ever expanding brunch menu. Also, the Team is looking for men to help in the set-up, preparing, serving and clean-up for the Brunch. If you can help, please contact Dennis Biearman (dbiearman@yahoo.com) or Paul Bonosky (pbonosky@yahoo.com). What better way to bring praise to God than serving others in His name. All proceeds go to the continued development of the men s ministry at Bethany Church. 5
Red Hats Christmas Party will be held Saturday the 17th in the Welcome Center at 11:00 a.m. Lunch will be provided along with prizes and entertainment. Please respond by Thursday the 15 th to Marlene at comet246@peoplepc.com or to Joy Heaps at joynalheaps4229@comcast.net or phone 412 221 3284. Hope to see to enjoy the fun and socializing. PS. If you still haven't paid your dues you can pay them at the party. Thanks, Your Queen Marlene Women of Bethany.the PW will be holding their annual Christmas Gathering and Silent Auction on Tuesday, December 6 th at 7:00 p.m. in the Great Room. This year s event will be bigger than ever. It is time to start putting newer items together to make a basket or donating items that can stand alone for the auction. Please do not wait until the last minute. The success of this year s auction depends on your participation. Items will be collected now through Friday, December 2 nd. Drop them off at the office. In addition to the auction we will have Alternative Giving tables which will have items such as beads from Beads for Life, scarf s made in Haiti, chocolate angels made by intercity young people plus opportunities to give in the name of a Bethany mission project such as Tapestries of Life, Mexico, the Food Bank, Meals on Wheels and other mission related areas. And since this time of year always means goodies we will have a Bake Sale table. You will be able to purchase goodies to give or enjoy yourself! An ornament exchange will take place bring an ornament / take one home. You do not have to participate if you don t want to. All proceeds will be given to missions. Let s not forget about our Christmas entertainment this year we are proud to have the South Fayette Show Choir to perform for us. Make your plans now to attend and ask your friends and relatives to join us for this yearly Christmas celebration on Tuesday, December 6 th at 7:00 p.m. If you would like to help, please contact Caroline Poiche at 412-220-9784. 6
Lunch Bunch ~ Christmas Lunch on Saturday, December 3 rd at 1:00 p.m. at Calabria's Restaurant, 2632 Hidden Valley Drive, Upper Saint Clair - at Frosty Valley Golf Links. The lunch is open to all ladies of the church and you are welcome to bring a friend. We meet at the restaurant, order off the menu and do separate checks. Please contact Amy Rush by Wednesday, November 30 th if you are able to join us. amr_oec@yahoo.com 412-257-0433. SCRIP: Christmas shopping made easy! The Scrip program offers many retail, restaurant, and grocery stores. Some examples are: Shop n Save, Giant Eagle, Get Go, Texas Roadhouse, Wendy's, Arby's, Subway, KMart, Sears, WalMart, Sam's Club, Target, Tanger Outlets, Home Depot, Lowes, JCPenneys, Game Stop, Chuck E. Cheese, and the list goes on! REMINDER: In order to have your Christmas gift cards in time, orders must be received by Sunday, December 4. Scrip will be sold through Sunday, December 18. Also, Shop N Save and Giant Eagle cards may be used to purchase other gift cards - you even get the fuel perks! Order forms are available at the Welcome Center. Proceeds benefit the Adult Mission Team. It is the easiest fundraiser, because it does not cost you anymore than you already spend! Andrea Prohaska will be at the SCRIP table after the 8:15 service. Do we have your meeting date/s on the church calendar? If not, the doors may not be open and the heat not on. Call the office to verify your dates. Once again we are thrilled to be hanging ornaments from the Southwood Boys Home here in Bridgeville on our tree in the Welcome Center. If you are able, please take a "Penguin Ornament" from the tree. On the back of the Penguin ornament is the boys age and items they would like to have - you may purchase 1, 2 or even all 3 of the items - it is entirely up to you. Southwood does request that you place the items in a GIFT BAG and attach the PENGUIN ORNAMENT to the bag. Please be sure and sign your name and telephone number on the sign-up sheet beside the tree. You may return your gifts at any time, but no later than Sunday, December 18th. Thank you so much for your continued generosity and may God Bless you and your family. 7
THIS WEEK AT BETHANY Sunday, November 27 (Isaiah 9:1-7) First Sunday of Advent Communion Pray for Mark, Jody, Lucianna, Luca & Adriana Romanelli 8:15 A.M. Worship Sanctuary 9:30 A.M. Sunday School 10:45 A.M. Worship Sanctuary 12:00 P.M. Orchestra Rehearsal - Sanctuary Monday, November 28 (Psalm 6:1-10) Pray for James & Monna Rossero 7:00 P.M. Session Meeting Room 245 Tuesday, November 29 (Psalm 7:1-17) Pray for Richard Rothermund 9:15 A.M. Staff Meeting 9:30 A.M. Women s Day Out Fellowship Hall 7:00 P.M. Women s Bible Study Room 245 7:00 P.M. Youth Bell Ringers Choir Room 7:30 P.M. Senior High Bible Study Youth Room Wednesday, November 30 (Psalm 8:1-9) Pray for Michael, Shawn & Faith Ruehle 7:00 P.M. Adult Choir Rehearsal Choir Room 7:00 P.M. Young Adult Bible Study Youth Room 8:30 P.M. Bethany Ringers Choir Room Thursday, December 1 (Psalm 9:1-20) Pray for Elizabeth, Bryce, Jordan & Logan Rupp 9:15 A.M. Quilting Room 144 7:00 P.M. Dartball Fellowship Hall (Marlins @ Redsox Orioles & Indians) 7:00 P.M. MOMSnext Welcome Center 7:00 P.M. Associate Pastor Nominating Committee Bethany Room 8:00 P.M. Adult Basketball Great Room Friday, December 2 (Psalm 10:1-18) Senior High Retreat Pray for Dustin Rush 1:00 P.M. Friendship Bible Study Room 240 7:30 P.M. Friday Night Group Room 224 Saturday, December 3 (Psalm 11:1-7) Senior High Retreat Pray for Pat & Amy Rush 9:00 A.M. PW Bible Study Room 224 10:00 A.M. Christmas Pageant Dance Rehearsal Chapel 10:00-12:00 Cantata Dress Rehearsal - Sanctuary 8
Sunday, December 4 (Psalm 12:1-8) Second Sunday of Advent Men s Brunch Senior High Retreat Pray for Renee Rusko 8:15 A.M. Worship Lessons and Carols Sanctuary 9:30 A.M. Sunday School 10:45 A.M. Worship Choir Cantata Sanctuary 12:00 P.M. New Members Party FROM THE BETHANY CHURCH OFFICE Finance Report as of November 20, 2011 2011 Budget $733,124 Year to date Budget $610,692 Year to date Income $637,245 Attendance for Sunday, November 20: 8:15 136 10:45 381 Per Capita for 2011 is $23.60 per member. This responsibility covers $14.90 for Pittsburgh Presbytery, $2.20 for Synod of the Trinity and $6.50 for the General Assembly for each member of the church. COMMUNITY EVENTS Christmas in Salem Crossroads, Delmont, PA, will be held Saturday December 3 rd & 10 th from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 4 th & 11 th from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. For information see the bulletin board by the Nursery, contact http://www.christmassalemcrossroads.org or call 724-468-4003 weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for tickets. THANKS TO THOSE WHO ARE SERVING THE LORD Lay Readers: 8:15 Charles Edwards 10:45 Dave Oliver Ushers: 8:15 Stephanie Saracco, Carolyn Garretson, Marc & Dawn Zabicki 10:45 Rusty, Sandy, Zachary & Logan North Randy & Maria Druchniak, Carl & Elizabeth Suppo Fellowship Greeters at 10:45 are Fred & Debbie Gossic. 9
Good News Greeters at 10:45 are Carl Suppo, Bill & Lori Just. In the Nursery: 8:15 Service 10:45 Service Jenny Smith, Dee Wolfe 2, 3 and 4 year olds (room 149) Ryan Brown Children s Worship & Wonder for 4 and 5 years old thru 2 nd grade (room 144) Dee Wolfe, Annie Doty, Brooke Ley & Lindsey Myers. Welcome Center: 8:15 Domenic & Caroline Poiche 10:45 Mike Suchoza The flowers are given in memory of Franklin Mahroney, my dad, from Lovey Kreitzer. Flowers for 2012 it is time to place your order for Chancel flowers. Call the office or email marlett@bethanypresby.org to verify your standing order and to place new orders. CHURCH STAFF Dr. John Hamilton, Senior Pastor Rev. Melany Hamilton, Interim Associate John Henninger, Director of Music Kim McCann. Financial Accountant Barb Crawford, Interim CE Director Matt Fricker, Youth Director Janet Marlett, Secretary Bill Stephan, Custodian Tim Michel, Custodian hamilton@bethanypresby.org mhamilton@bethanypresby.org henninger@bethanypresby.org finance@bethanypresby.org crawford@bethanypresby.org fricker@bethanypresby.org marlett@bethanypresby.org custodian@bethanypresby.org custodia @bethanypresby.org Jenny Smith, Sunday School / Worship Nursery Coordinator Patty Johnson, Week-day Pre-School director 412-206-0166 Web site www.bethanypresby.org Church Phone 412-221-5132 Fax Number 412-220-9107 10
THE RESPONSE (All sing together) O Glorious God, Your Praise We Sing And give our lives as offering; Bring peace on Earth, and with us dwell; Come, Jesus, our Emmanuel. Paula Meador Testerman, Used by permission THE PRAYER OF DEDICATION WE LISTEN TO GOD S WORD THE SCRIPTURE READINGS: Lay Reader Old Testament Isaiah 40:1-5 See page 1119 in pew Bible New Testament Luke 1:5-14, See page 1587 in pew Bible 18-24, 57-66 L: The word of the Lord P: Thanks be to God PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION THE SERMON Rev. John Hamilton The Sacred in the Silence *THE HYMN NO. 154 O Come, O Come Emmanuel vs. 1-2 THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER THE INVITATION TO THE LORD S TABLE THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION THE PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND CONSECRATION O come, O come, Emmanuel... Come as light into our world of darkness; come as life into our world of death. Come as bread into our hungry hearts; come as water into our parched souls. Come as peace into our world of strife; come as love into our world of hate. Come as mercy into our lives of sin; come as hope into our times of despair. 11
O come, O come, Emmanuel... Come as flesh into our very human world; come as God... for we need saved. Amen. Rev. Dr. John G. Hamilton DISTRIBUTION OF THE ELEMENTS Please hold the bread until all have received it, signifying our unity as the Body of Christ as we take it together. Please drink the juice as soon as you receive it, signifying our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Pray and reflect on Christ and his sacrifice as the elements are shared. WE RESPOND TO GOD S WORD * THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVNG AND THE LORD S PRAYER *HYMN NO. 154 O Come, O Come Emmanuel vs. 3-4 *BENEDICTION Choral Response Go With Us, Lord (10:45) *POSTLUDE Lift Up Your Heads L. Smith *All who are able and wish to do so, please stand. 12