December 1, 2013 8:15 and 10:45 o clock Communion Sunday First Sunday of Advent God s Missionary Venture Our Mission To trust in Jesus love like Jesus grow in Jesus bring others to Jesus
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 your 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 usher s 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 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 Savior of the Nations, Come P. Manz 10:45 This is My Father s World B. Olstad Brooke Ley, Flute 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 PRESENTATION OF OUR TITHES AND OFFERING THE OFFERTORY 8:15 A.M. This is My Father s World B. Olstad Brooke Ley, Flute 10:45 A.M Come Messiah, Come J. Schrader 2
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. Having Outpatient Surgery: Joan Franks at St. Clair Hospital Recovering: Rosemarie Thielet at Greentree Manor Care Irene Fonte at Asbury Heights Laura Edwards from foot surgery-at home Ed Schneider at Concordia of the South Hills Roberta Gerstacker from knee surgery at home Valerie Bartels at home Nancy Yenchik at home Carole Aspinall at home Riley Karn Eileen Douglas Delphine Prohaska Remember in Prayer Zach Noel Lois Lewis Paula Padgelek 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. Flower Memorials- The flowers this week were in memory of our parents, William C. & Martha Gray and Victor Sr. & Rose Iagnemma from Bill and Elaine Gray. The flowers this week were also in memory of Mr. & Mrs. John Franks, Sr., John Franks, Jr., and Thelma Siller from Joan Franks. FROM THE BETHANY CHURCH OFFICE Finance Report: As of November 24, 2013 2013 Budget 771,982 Sunday School 65.73 Year to Date Budget 672,131 Sunday School YTD 2466.13 Year to Date Income 635,366 2012 Year to Date income 674,623 Attendance for November 24, 2013: 8:15-87 10:45-252 **There are sound amplification devices available to those who might need or want to use them. Please see an usher if you are interested.
NEWS FOR THE BODY OF CHRIST PW Body Carpenters Monday at 7. Ladies---Come join us in the Fellowship Hall for a low impact walking workout. You can bring light weights (1 to 3 lb. range) or do the workout without weights. Bring water, a hand towel, and a floor mat or beach towel for floor exercises. Our workout runs about 50 minutes. Make some time for YOU this week! FOOD BANK ANGEL TREE-The Food Bank Angel tree is in the Welcome Center. Please consider choosing an "Angel" from the tree and purchasing a $20 gift. (not a clothing item). Please have the unwrapped gift, with the angel attached, returned to the church no later than Sunday, December 15th. Thank you. Christmas Progressive Dinner on December 7: 5:00-6:00 Appetizers at Earl and Pat Swanson 359 Terrence Avenue, Carnegie 15106 (412) 278-3578. 6:00-7:30 Dinner at Karl and Sharon Salvini 326 Rowland Avenue, Carnegie 15106 (412) 278-4407. 7:30-8:30 Dessert at John and Melanie Hamilton 46 Rose Leaf Road, Pittsburgh (Scott) 15220 (412) 276-1013. Join the fun! Please see Barb Crawford, Deb Gossic or Sharon Salvini GET YOUR BETHANYWEAR NOW: Bethany Wear items are now available to be ordered. There is a variety of embroidered items (hats, shirts, jackets, bags) that can be ordered at any time during the next few months. Order forms can be picked up and dropped off in the office. The Fellowship of Prayer will be meeting on Wednesday December 4 at 10:00 AM. All are welcome to join. 4
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN - IT S TIME TO GET CREATIVE! WHAT: The PW is planning our annual Christmas Gathering and Silent Auction and need your help. We are asking for donations of NEW GIFT BASKETS ONLY and hope to have individuals and teams form to provide gift baskets to be auctioned off at our gathering on Saturday, December 14. (BE SURE TO MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW AND PLAN TO JOIN US!!) Our gathering will be open to ALL this year & features Seasons a Celtic Christmas concert. Doors open at 10:00 AM. Cookies & Punch will be served. WHEN: NOW is the time to begin thinking about and procuring items for use in your baskets. While we don t need them until Friday, December 13, don t wait until the last minute (remember ladies, we get REALLY BUSY in November and December!) Just a few suggestions: Sewing, knitting, Italian dinner, Games, Travel Games, Movie Night, Tea Time, Cheese & Crackers, Candy Assortments, Kitchen Items, Gift Cards, Books, Personal Care Items, Car Wash, Steelers, Penguins, Pirates, South Fayette, Chartiers Valley (your school district!), craft items, ornaments, Inspirational items, Bible and Devotionals, toys, music, the list goes on and on.use YOUR imagination! If you can t provide an entire basket, consider donating useable individual items! Thank you! SCRIPT CARDS!!! With the holiday season upon us, please remember that Script cards are available in the Welcome Center on Sunday s and in the Church Office during the week. They are easy way to purchase a gift for the hard to buy for person in your family or one of your friends. You can buy the cards for all your Thanksgiving and Christmas needs with scrip cards. The Bethany Men s Ensemble will be singing on Sunday, December 15 at both worship services. There will be one brief practice on Sunday, December 8 after the 10:45 worship service. Please plan on joining us to offer our praise to God.
Mark Your Calendars Bethany Christmas Pageant December 15 at 3 PM "In a Galilee Far, Far Away Join the crew of Bethany Presbyterian Church as they take an interplanetary exploration to discover the Glory of God throughout the universe, and beyond! And where will it all lead them? Back to a manger in Bethlehem, and the Savior of the World, of course! Filled with the ultra-hip songs and rock-solid gospel truth, get ready to boldly go where no kids' choir has gone before! Join them for Cookies and Hot Chocolate afterwards. BRIDGEVILLE WINTER BLAST: Friday, Dec 6 th at 6:30pm at Triangle Park. Come join your Bethany friends for a fun night of family fun. Ice carvings, music, food and raffles will be some of the activities as well as the highlight event when Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive on the fire truck to light the tree! Bethany will be hosting the hot cocoa table, so please come and join the fellowship and festivities!! Golden Oldies and anyone interested in coming to the Golden Oldies Christmas luncheon on Thursday, December 12 still has time to make a reservation. Peters Place is catering this event. Cost is $5 a meal. Please think about joining us. Reservations close at noon on Monday December 9, 2013. 6
THE RESPONSE 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. THE PRAYER OF DEDICATION WE LISTEN TO GOD S WORD THE SCRIPTURE READINGS Lay Reader Old Testament: Psalm 96 page 934 New Testament: John 1:9-14; 20:19-23 page 1646, 1686 Reader: The Word of the Lord People: Thanks be to God PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION THE SERMON God s Missionary Venture -Rev. Donald Dawson *THE HYMN NO. 218 Go Tell it on the Mountain 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.
O come, O come, Emmanuel Come as flesh into our very human world; Come as God for we need saved. Amen 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 THANKSGIVING AND THE LORD S PRAYER THE HYMN NO. 153 Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus *THE BENEDICTION RESPONSE (10:45 only) Threefold Amen *THE POSTLUDE Lift Up Your Heads L. Smith 8