WE GATHER IN GOD’S NAME PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP * HYMN OF PRAISE #339 Be Thou My Vision We are invited to give as has been given to us. That is why the biblical concept of First Fruits is so interesting. Like the Hebrew farmers of old who gave to God from the first part of their harvest, so we learn to give from the first part of our income. As a result, we, like those Hebrews, learn that we must actually trust God to meet our needs. We are no longer giving from excess, what’s “left over,” but from that which is precious to us. Our gift to our Lord becomes the first check written rather than from what is “left over” after paying all the bills. The chimes of the Trinity announce the beginning of our worship service as our focus turns to God. Please remain seated as the Voluntary helps us center ourselves for worship. ARR. PACHELBEL SILENT CONFESSION * THE PEACE ASSURANCE OF GOD’S GRACE Please turn to your neighbor and exchange the greeting of peace. JANE MARSHALL / ANNIVERSARY SONG
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen. WE PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD You are God’s beloved child. You belong to God who loves you. PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Seek Ye First Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, And all these things shall be added unto you. Allelu, alleluia! This gift we now bring, this present, this token, These words can’t convey it, the joy of this day! When grateful we come, remembering, rejoicing, This song we now offer in honor and praise! LAFFERTY
PRESENTATION OF GIFTS, TITHES, AND OFFERINGS OFFERTORY Improvisation * DOXOLOGY -‐ FROM PSALM 127 Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest. We shall put our trust in the Lord who gives rest to God’s beloved. Come, let us walk in the light of God! Let us worship God! THE WORD SPOKEN: ord In t he beginning w as the W
And the Word was with God, and the Word was God. A Reading from Luke 21:1-‐4 THE WORD IN MUSIC: Humbly Kneel We Before Thee Humbly kneel we before thee, Lord, God: Oh, blessed be Thy sacred Name: Who, by Thy holy passion and thy death, Hath redeemed us from sin. PEW BIBLE, PAGE 1280 MOZART IMPROVISATION LASST UNS ERFREUEN
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below, Alleluia, Alleluia! Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia, Alleluia! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! Ask and it shall be given unto you, seek and ye shall find, Knock and the door shall be opened unto you. Allelu, alleluia! -‐ THE APOSTLES’ CREED (UPDATED VERSION) YOUNG DISCIPLES TIME / CONGREGATIONAL BLESSING With the whole church, let us confess our faith. Do you believe in God, the Father almighty? I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. Do you believe in Jesus Christ? I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit? I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. FOREST GREEN
*SAYING WHAT WE BELIEVE Glory, Glory, Hallelujah! TRADITIONAL
Glory, glory, hallelujah! since I laid my burden down. (repeat) I feel better, so much better since I laid my burden down. (repeat) Feel like shouting, “Hallelujah!” since I laid my burden down. (repeat) Give thanks for tomorrow, full of surprises, For knowing whatever tomorrow may bring, The Word is our promise always, forever; We rest in God’s keeping and live in God’s love. * HYMN OF RESPONSE #414 As Those of Old Their Firstfruits Brought *RESPONSE Give thanks for the past, for those who had vision, Who planted and watered so dreams could come true. Give thanks for the now, for study, for worship, For mission that bids us turn prayer into deed. * CALL TO WORSHIP WE RESPOND TO GOD What gift can we bring, what present, what token? What words can convey it, the joy of this day? When grateful we come, remembering, rejoicing, What song can we offer in honor and praise? REV. JOHNSON Remember the words of Scripture where it says, “For Christ has Entered . . . into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf . . . to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself.” All who repent and eagerly await him have the assurance that their sins are forgiven. Amen. The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you. GATHERING HYMN What Gift Can We Bring THE WORD PROCLAIMED: FIRST FRUITS PEW BIBLE, PAGE 609 WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS The proof of God’s amazing love is this: while we were sinners Christ died for us. Because we have faith in him, we dare to approach God with confidence. In faith and penitence, let us confess our sin before God and one another. Almighty God, you have named us and claimed us and made us children of light. Yet we reside in the darkness. We settle for the seeming security and comforts of home, where our talents may be tucked away, our gifts preserved, but paralyzed. You call us to live in faith, investing in the world you made to exercise our gifts, even at the risk of losing them. Have mercy upon us, Lord; have mercy. Help us understand your will for us. Teach us what you desire. Embolden us to steward well the gifts you have entrusted, that one day, we might fully enter your joy. SLANE
A Reading from Nehemiah 10:28-‐39 The Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. PRAYER OF CONFESSION TRINITY CHIMES VOLUNTARY Lord God, We All Praise You THE WORD SPOKEN: WE PRAISE GOD AND CONFESS OUR SINS * PRAYER OF DEDICATION WE GO IN GOD’S NAME * CLOSING HYMN #391 Take My Life (stanzas 1, 3, 4, & 6) HENDON * CHARGE AND BENEDICTION * POSTLUDE “Coronation” Fanfares _____________________
* You are invited to stand if you are able ARR. ROBERT LAU
WELCOME TO BETHANY PRESBYTERIAN WELCOME to Bethany Presbyterian Church. Whether you are a member or a visitor we are so glad that you are worshipping with us this morning and pray that this time of worship will be both renewing and rewarding for you. If you have an interest in joining Bethany, please speak to the pastor or call the church at 336.227.4041. Please visit our website at www.bethanypresbyterian.org or Facebook at www.facebook.com/ bethanypresbyterian. Elders of the Month for October are Rick Purcell and Kim Snyder. Today marks the beginning of our Stewardship Emphasis Season! Our worship over the next four Sundays will center our our theme scripture of Luke 21:1-‐4 and the story of The Widow’s Mite. Our focus for today is “First Fruits.” The themes for the next three weeks are: • The Widow’s Mite: Playing the Percentages • The Widow’s Mite: Responding to the Needs of Others • The Widow’s Might: Moving into Tomorrow All Bethany members should be receiving an initial Stewardship Letter from the pastor and the chair of the Stewardship Committee this week. Please keep Bethany in your prayers during this important season. This week’s calendar: Today: • STEWARDSHIP EMPHASIS SEASON -‐ I • 9:45 – Church School for all ages • 10:30 – Coffee & Conversation – Fellowship Hall • 11:00 – Worship Monday, the 13th: • 10:00 – Circle #1 • 7:00 – Circle #3 Tuesday, the 14th: • 6:00 – Bethany NEXT Work Group • 7:00 – Session Meeting Wednesday, the 15th: • 6:00 – Handbell Choir • 7:00 – Choir Practice Thursday, the 16th: • 6:30 – Theology Untapped Sunday, the 119th: • STEWARDSHIP EMPHASIS SEASON -‐ II • 9:45 – Church School for all ages • 10:30 – Coffee & Conversation – Fellowship Hall • 11:00 – Worship • 5:00 – Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat! Mark your calendars for next Sunday, October 19th, for our big Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat. This will be held at the Rec Building from 5-‐7 pm on Sunday afternoon, and the Teach Ministry Team needs your help. They need: five dozen cupcakes (store-‐bought OK!), candy, small toys for prizes for games, volunteers to help with games, volunteers for Trunk or Treat. See Nancy Purcell or Kim Davis if you have questions or can help out! And be sure you tell all the children you know about this fun event! Don’t forget that Online Giving is available. www.Bethanypresbyterian.org/online-‐giving) If you have the QR code reader on your smartphone, you can scan the code here to make a donation. Bethany Presbyterian Church Prayer List: Davis Herron Family of Hilda Hodgin Beth Nall
Bill Faucette Diane Miller Family of Shorty Price
Zine Price Family of Lois Lane Faye Campbell Jack Cook Marie Pittman Robert Cousins Peter Slater Hoover Campbell John & Ann Sutton Jane Hughes Joey Leake Cassie Siegner Layla Benoklen Family of Leon Kerley Pete Black Nancy Florence Jacob Fuller Ronnie Hargis
Polly & Dick Wilson Eunice Bullis Mae Guthrie Sid Johnson Mary Belle Moore Family of Sarah Jones Kim Maye Teresa Wilborn Joe Ferrell Ida Whitney Marie Everett Shannon Russell Family of Bill Reynolds Kim Marley Carlyle Glosson Family Joe Boggs Bud Combs Don Boggs Linda Boggs Ernest Nolan Tiffany Tauchren
Frances Nolan Ebbie Mann Payton Lutterloh Jennifer Smith Ann Doss Susan Liles Donna Mitchell-‐Ayers Ralph Schappacher The Session Class of 2014 Class of 2015 Class of 2016 Randy Cousins Foy Bayliff Don Boggs Glenn Thompson Ron Osborne Jean Payne Pat Flythe Rick Purcell Sylvia Hayes Kim Snyder Brandon Troxler Millie Fuller John W. Johnson, B.M.E., M.A., M. Div., Pastor Kevin Uppercue, B.A, M.M., Music Director Allison Gore, Office Administrator Pam Hurt, Bookkeeper Bethany Presbyterian is a Stephen Ministry Congregation October 12, 2014 11:00a.m. Service for the Lord’s Day Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost www.bethanypresbyterian.org www.facebook.com/bethanypresbyterian 1500 S. Main St. t Graham, North Carolina 27253 t 336.227.4041