Bulletin for November 29th - Bethany Presbyterian Church

We are a community of believers called by God to
Worship, Serve, Teach, and Support
November 29, 2015
11:00 a.m.
Service for the Lord’s Day
First Sunday of Advent
www.bethanypresbyterian.org / www.facebook.com/bethanypresbyterian
1500 S. Main Street / Graham, North Carolina 27253 / 336.227.4041
GATHERING IN
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
The chimes of the Trinity
call us to worship and
remind us of the presence
of the Triune God –
Father, Son and Holy
Spirit.
Please share the greeting
of peace with those sitting
near you.
When an asterisk *
appears before a Worship
section, please stand in
body or spirit.
The leader will read the
regular print; the
congregation will read the
bold print.
Our Call to Worship and
Prayers of the Day are
taken from “Ministry
Matters” online resources.
Names in the Bible have great significance. The naming of a child is not only meant
to identify the individual—it also carries with it destiny, character trait, and rich
symbolic meaning. We saw Zechariah share with Elizabeth the name of their
promised child—and it would not be the last time he would write his son’s name
down for others to see. When family and friends assembled for this exciting birth,
they assumed—as did Elizabeth—that the naming of this firstborn son would follow
Jewish tradition. They assumed he would be named Zechariah, after his father.
However, this special child, who both fulfilled and spoke prophecy while extending
hope, would be given another name: “His name is John.”
TRINITY CHIMES
PRELUDE
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
APPROACHING GOD
DEDICATION OF NEW ADVENT CANDLE STAND
INTRODUCTORY WORDS
ADVENT CANDLE STAND BLESSING
Lord our God, we praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ. He is Emmanuel, the hope
of all peoples; he is the wisdom that teaches and guides us; he is the Savior of every
nation.
O God, let your blessing come upon our community gathered here before you.
Bless us and this our new Advent Candle Stand
May the light that shines forth from it illumine our way as we journey towards
Christmas;
May the light that shines forth from it illumine our lives as we wait in hope for the
birth of the Christ-child.
We ask this through Christ who is the Light of the World. Amen.
PRAYER
Advent Wreath Song
PERSONENT HODIE
LIGHTING OF ADVENT CANDLE AND CALL TO WORSHIP
[Advent Candle Liturgy}
* ADVENT CANDLE HYMN: Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah
With its opening “Come,”
this hymn sounds the note
of entreaty and invitation
that characterizes the
Advent season (from the
Latin adventus –
“coming”). Its blending of
memory and hope helps
us to give voice to our
present faith as we stand
between the past and the
future.
TIF IN VELDELE
To you, O Lord, we lift our souls, longing for you to come once again into our lives.
Surely, the Lord is our Salvation.
In you, O Lord, we would trust that goodness, wonder, and grace are drawing near.
Surely, the Lord is our Hope.
With you, O Lord, we would walk your paths of righteousness and justice.
Surely, the Lord is our Way.
* HYMN OF PRAISE #2: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
HYFRYDOL
WE TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT OURSELVES
PRAYERS OF CONFESSION
We know the signs of our faithlessness – the hurtful words we speak, the pain we
gift to others, the mistakes we make over and over and over. But God is our
righteousness, waiting to forgive us, if we will but pray. I invite you to join with me,
as we say,
When we could turn to your Word, God who comes in every moment, we read the
advertisements, believing their slick promises. When we could rely on you for life,
we listen to those who spin truth every way imaginable. When we could prepare
for you to come and dwell in us, we empty out our souls and hearts to make more
room for temptations.
Forgive us, Advent's God. Forget our mistakes, as you pour grace into our lives.
Restore what is missing in our faith, as you fill us with your justice.
Turn our faces towards your Steadfast Love, Jesus Christ, so we might be ready for
his coming to us in these days.
SILENT CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S GRACE
In these moments of
silence, offer to God the
confessions from deep
within your soul.
How can we thank God for all the grace, the joy, the wonder which has been
poured out upon us?
We will walk the paths of faithfulness and hope, bringing justice and righteousness
to all people. Thanks be to God, we are forgiven! Amen.
* RESPONSE #23: Angels We Have Heard on High (refrain only)
GLORIA
Glo - - - - - ri-a, in excelsis Deo; Glo - - - - - ri-a, in excelsis Deo.
WE HEAR GOD’S VOICE
PRESENTING OUR OFFERINGS TO GOD
OFFERTORY
* THE DOXOLOGY (with alleluias)
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!
* PRAYER OF DEDICATION
MESSAGE FOR THE YOUNG AND YOUNG AT HEART
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION #53: What Child Is This (one stanza only)
GREENSLEEVES
What Child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet while shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, hate to bring Him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary!
THE WORD IN MUSIC:
THE WORD PROCLAIMED: OUR COMING SAVIOR: ELIZABETH AND ZECHARIAH
REV. JOHNSON
(The text this morning will be selected verses from Luke 1, and will be interspersed
throughout the sermon.)
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
* HYMN OF PREPARATION #9: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
VENI EMMANUEL
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
If in the depths of our spirits we are crying out, “Come thou long expected Jesus;”
This table has been laid out for us.
For those who sing, “born to set your people free,” and desire to be set free; the
Any children worshipping
with us this morning are
invited to sit in the pews
closest to the choir loft.
There are worship
activities provided there.
Our scripture readings will
be read from the Common
English Bible translation.
You may follow along in
the Pew Bible or on the
screen.
These titles of the coming
Christ appeared in daily
Vesper antiphons sung
during the week before
Christmas; their roots date
at least to the reign of
Charlemagne. Both text
and tune are the fruit of
19th-century efforts to
reclaim Christian treasures
from pre-Reformation
sources.
table of the Lord has a place for us.
If your heart aches to be released from fear and sin, receive the bread of Heaven
and the cup of Salvation.
Those who find their rest in Jesus Christ, are welcome here.
The feast of communion is prepared for us. Come, taste and see that the Lord is
good.
GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND LORD’S PRAYER
As is our custom,
communion will be served
by intinction. Please come
forward by the middle
aisle to the serving elders;
take a piece of bread, dip
in the cup, and partake.
You may return to your
seat by the side aisle.
Anyone unable to come
forward will be served at
your seat.
Like many AfricanAmerican spirituals, this
one creates a framework
for almost endless
expansion beyond the four
stanzas given here. This
sung prayer is notable as
an affirmation of God’s
active care for the oncegathered community while
dispersed and of hope to
be reunited.
May the God of Advent be with you!
And also with you!
Lift your hearts to God.
We lift them to the One who comes with hope.
Join in glad songs of thanksgiving.
Our voices resound in glad praises to our God.
You spoke the Word and days came tumbling out . . . We praise you, for you have
not forgotten us, joining our voices with those of every day and place:
[Sung] O come, let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore
Him, Christ, the Lord!
Blessed is the Teacher who comes to us. Hosanna in the highest! . . . As we begin
our journey to Bethlehem, as we celebrate your coming to us in Jesus, we proclaim
that mystery we know as faith:
Christ died, for 'the Lord is our righteousness;' Christ rose, for 'the Lord is our
salvation;' Christ will come, for 'the Lord is our hope.'
Pour out your Spirit upon these Advent pilgrims gathered in this place . . . And
when we gather at the corner of Steadfast Love and Faithfulness, to feast at your
eternal banquet, we will join our voices with our sisters and brothers, forever
singing to your glory, God in Community, Holy in One, and praying as you taught
us:
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.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
COMMUNION BY THE PEOPLE
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Jesus, you truly are Immanuel “God with us”. In this season of hope, may the meal
we`ve shared together nourish us to be your body in the world, your kingdom
come, your will done on earth as it is in heaven. With the angels in heaven we join
in singing your praises, Glory to God in the highest. Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.
WE LEAVE IN GOD’S NAME
* CLOSING HYMN #536: Lord, Make Us More Holy
* CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
* POSTLUDE
AFRICAN-AMERICAN SPIRITUAL
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 November are Sherrie Moore and Brandon Troxler. Worship leaders for this morning are:
• Advent Candle Lighters: April, Morgan, Tracey, & Brandon Troxler
• Message for the Young and Young at Heart: Tina Patterson
• Sound and Video Operator: Rick Purcell
This week’s calendar:
Today:
• First Sunday of Advent
• 9:45 – Church School for all ages
• 11:00 – Worship with Communion
Wednesday, the 2nd:
• 7:00 – Choir Practice
Sunday, the 6th:
• Second Sunday of Advent
• 9:45 – Church School for all ages
• 11:00 – Worship
This morning we welcome back Betty Griffin as our guest organist and musician.
This morning we are pleased to dedicate our beautiful, new, custom-made Advent Candle Stand. The stand was
designed and built by artisan and furniture maker Will Bucher, owner of Hill Country Woodworks in Chapel Hill.
Will also happens to be John & Debbie’s son-in-law!
Please remember the importance of keeping your pledge up-to-date. A good way of doing this is by
signing up for our Online Giving option on our website. Just follow the E-giving link on the home
page (www.bethanypresbyterian.org), or if you have a smartphone, just scan the QR code here.
Do you have a smartphone? Are you on Facebook? If so, take a moment to “check in” on Facebook, letting your
friends know that you are here at Bethany Presbyterian Church! It may seem like a small thing, but in reality it is
a wonderful message of evangelism and witness, as you let the cyber-world know what is important to you.
Allied Churches Ministries Center is in dire need of food donations. The shelves are bare but the need for food
continues. There are bright pink sheets of paper in your mailboxes with details of where the specific needs lie.
Please bring your donations to the church and put in the box under the table in the Welcome Center.
As we begin this journey to the manger on this First Sunday of Advent, we also begin a new Sermon Series: Our
Coming Savior. Each Sunday during Advent (and also Christmas Eve) we will consider the characters that make
up this amazing story leading up to Christ’s birth. Utilizing creative “first-person” video, we will take closer looks
at these characters and why their stories are so important in the overall story of Advent and Christmas. Here are
the themes for this series:
• Today – Our Coming Savior: Elizabeth and Zechariah
• Sunday, December 6th – Our Coming Savior: Herod
• Sunday, December 13th – Our Coming Savior: Shepherds
• Sunday, December 20th – Our Coming Savior: Mary and Joseph
• Thursday, December 24th – Our Coming Savior: The Innkeeper
Christmas Poinsettia Memorials and Honoraria – 2015
Given by
In Memory of
Foy and Katherine Bayliff
Don and Betty Boggs
Faye Campbell
Sandra Cook
Lou Crutchfield
Gerald and Sylvia Donley
Pat and Henry Flythe
Mary Moore
Sylvia Hayes
Judy Holmes
John and Debbie Johnson
Linda Bayliff Whitson; Andrea Swanner Redding
Don and Mae Boggs; Lee and Annie Black
Mildred Guthrie
Kenneth Cook
Benny Crutchfield
Jerry Donley
Benny Crutchfield; Kenneth Cook; Helen Andrews
Kenneth Cook
Joe F. Hayes; Beulah B. Sanders
Mr. & Mrs. A. W. Holmes, Sr.; Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Bowman
Rev. & Mrs. John S. Johnson, Jr.; Mr. C. Edward
Crosland, Jr.; Mrs. Elizabeth B. Crosland
My parents Ben, Sr. and Mary Ruth Martin
Kenneth Cook; Benny Crutchfield; Helen Andrews
Mom and Dad Thelma and Walter Winning
Bob Moore
Mae Osborne; Ted and Jay Meding
Lewis Payne; Mr. & Mrs. J. W. Enoch
Mr. & Mrs. C. S. Thomas; Mr. & Mrs. J. D. Peele;
Bobbie Gayle Peele
Bolivar Samudio
Willi Schappacher
J. C., Helen, Jennie, and Larry Andrews; Ada, Lillian,
Alease, Marie, Jean and Bud; A. J. and Theda Sutton;
and Robert and Catherine Watlington
Bobbie Gayle Peele; Robert Deloach
Always Dear and Near – My Sister – Bobbie Gayle
Kenneth Cook
Mr. & Mrs. Wright Thompson; Mr. & Mrs. Mark Parrish
Benny Crutchfield
Garland Younts
Pat Kennedy
Ron & Sue Kimrey
Karen Maxwell
Sherrie Moore
Ron and Janine Osborne
Jean Payne
Bobby and Joyce Peele
Rick and Nancy Purcell
Christel Schappacher
Danny Smith Family
Brent Dampier and Kasey Snyder
Kim Snyder
Robert and Brenda Sykes
Glenn and Carolyn Thompson
Tracey Troxler
Ruth Younts
Given by:
Lou Crutchfield
Gerald and Sylvia Donley
Millie Fuller
Pat Kennedy
Ron and Sue Kimrey
Rick and Nancy Purcell
Brent Dampier and Kasey Snyder
Kim Snyder
Robert and Brenda Sykes
Pat Testerman
Tracey Troxler
In Honor of:
Tracey, Brandon, Morgan & April Troxler; Amy, Reid,
& Nick Hargrove
Children and Grandchildren
Jacob, Amy, Matt, and Grandsons
Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren, Kellie,
Devan, Tiara, and Kayla; Greyson, Trenton, Logan,
Meleah, Blaire, and Miller
Nancy Florence; Faye Campbell
Robert and Eleanor Purcell
Sweet Baby Lila Dampier and our healthy girl on the
way
Precious Granddaughters – Piper, Lila, and New Baby
Girl
Emerson Davis
Nancy Florence
Lou Crutchfield
Bethany Presbyterian Church Prayer List:
Davis Herron
Ann Doss
Diane Miller
Bill Sizemore
Jack Cook
Marie Pittman
Hoover Campbell
John & Ann Sutton
Joey Leake
Cassie Siegner
Family of Benny Crutchfield
Nancy Florence
Scotty Scott
Polly & Dick Wilson
Kim Maye
Sid Johnson
Marie Everett
Teresa Wilborn
Sarah Sizemore
Shannon Russell
Ernest Nolan
Carlyle Glosson Family
Peggy Bogle (Pam Hurt’s mother)
Don Boggs
Jean Berry
Tiffany Tauchren
Christy Lutterloh
Payton Lutterloh
Jeremy Harden
Eleanor Thompson
Anne McDaniels
Nancy Sutton
Family of Kenneth Cook
Zach Wagner
C. J. Rice
Worship
Millie Fuller (16)
Sylvia Hayes (16)
Rick Purcell (15)
Bill Faucette
Faye Campbell
Peter Slater
Dr. Bob James
Layla Benoklen
Jacob Fuller
Eunice Bullis
Mary Belle Moore
Ida Whitney
Rachel Poteat
Jeremy Harden
Harold Baldwin
Frances Nolan
Bob Purcell (Rick’s dad)
Family of Helen Andrews
John Snyder
Gary Braswell
The Session
Serve
Teach
Foy Bayliff (15)
Brandon Troxler (15)
Ron Kimrey (17)
Jean Payne (16)
Sherrie Moore (17)
Karen Maxwell (17)
Support
Pat Flythe (17)
Bobby Peele (16)
Ron Osborne (15)
John W. Johnson, B.M.E., M.A., M. Div., Pastor
Joy Saleeby, Office Administrator
Pam Hurt, Bookkeeper
Bethany Presbyterian is a Stephen Ministry Congregation