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BETHANY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
15th Sunday after Pentecost 10:30 AM September 12, 2004
#Please Stand *Ushers may seat people
GREETING
PRELUDE - Bist du bei Mir J.S. Bach
- Carolyn Curtis, Trumpet / Mary Curtis, Organ
#CALL TO WORSHIP
One: God said through Ezekiel: "I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out.
All: As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep,
so I will seek out my sheep.
One: I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered.
All: I will seek the lost, and will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the
injured, and I will strengthen the weak."
One: Let us worship God, the true shepherd, who searches and finds, saves and brings
home.
#HYMN 15 (blue) – All Creatures of Our God and King
#INVOCATION (unison)
Seeking God, with relentless persistence you look until you find where we are in our lostness. In unconditional love you move to save us from the evil into which we have wandered, following our own will and way. You show us that nothing can deter you from your intention to bring us back to you and enfold us in the safety of your love. How great and good you are! As your sought-out and rescued people, we rejoice in praising and worship you this day. Amen.
# PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison)
O God, we admit that many times we feel lost in the ways and world of our own devising. And yet, we confess we have doubted your ability, even your desire to enter our lives and enlighten our way. We have trusted more in our own knowledge to save us while listening to the messages of the world, thinking that is all there is. Then you confront us through Jesus to awaken us to the truth of your active presence and caring. Forgive us for our wandering, for failing to hear and see you close at hand, and to listen to your word. We confess we are often resistant to being found by you, instinctively knowing you will work changes in us. It is then that you are much more God than we want. Forgive us we pray. Amen.
# ASSURANCE OF PARDON
#GLORIA PATRI - 493 (blue) 579 (red) Glory Be to the Father
ANTHEM - With a Voice of Singing Shaw -Bethany Chancel Choir
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
- (Children dismissed to classrooms)
SCRIPTURE LESSON – Luke 15:1-10 Jan Edwards
SERMON - A God for the Lost Rev. Stephen Gehlert
#HYMN 461 (blue) - Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us (Prayer Request Cards collected during this hymn)
#LITURGY OF RECOVENANTING
One: Through Christ, all things have been reconciled to God; we know he is our hope and the hope of the world. With that hope let us remember what we are promised.
All: By our baptism we are promised God’s love, full of compassion for our suffering, grace for our weakness, and forgiveness of our sins.
One: Let us remember what else we are promised.
All: By our baptism we have been promised the gift of the Holy Spirit, which blesses us with gifts we can share in the work of God’s kingdom.
One: Let us remember what else we are promised.
All: By our baptism we have been promised that as we trust in God’s love and share the gifts of the Holy Spirit we will know the gift of eternal life.
One: Because Christ is our hope and the hope of the world, let us remember the calling rooted in these promises.
All: We are called to be the people of God and to trust and follow our Lord Jesus.
One: Let us remember what that calling means.
All: We are called to nurture our children in faith and to witness to values that conflict with the cheap, easy, selfish and greedy values of our culture.
One: Let us remember more of what that calling means.
All: We are called to love others with the compassion, grace, and forgiveness with which God has loved us.
One: Let us remember still more of what that calling means.
All: We are called to be a community where all people can feel welcome.
One: Let us remember still more of what this calling means.
All: We are called to speak the truth in love, and to receive such truths with trust.
One: Let us remember yet more of what that calling means.
All: We are called to joyfully and generously share the abundance of God’s blessings first, before satisfying our own desires.
One: So, remembering God’s promises and God’s calling let us make our covenant.
All: I promise to remember and trust God’s baptismal promises, to use God’s gifts for the work of God’s kingdom, and to love others as God has loved me.
One: Let us remember what this promise means in particular areas of the life of our church. Let all who serve in our ministry of Christian Education, through teaching, planning, or support make their promise.
Christian Education Ministry:
We will work to teach and nurture faith in ourselves, our children, youth, and one another.
One: Let all who serve in our ministry of Fellowship, through Church Growth, Ministry, or Youth Committees, social hours, greeting, visiting, or offering nurture and care, make their promise.
Fellowship Ministry:
We will work to welcome, serve, and care for one another and for the strangers in our midst.
One: Let all who serve in or help fund our Ministry of Service, through the Mission Committee, Bethany Kitchen, Esperanza, Interfaith Hospitality Network, New Trinity Partnership Committee, Youth Mission Trip or other forms of service, make their promise.
Ministry of Service:
We will work to see Christ in our neighbor and need, to respond with Christ’s love and compassion, and to foster ever greater financial and spiritual support for such ministry.
One: Let all who serve in our Ministry of Worship, as lay liturgists or readers, singers, musicians or ushers make their promise.
Ministry of Worship:
We will work to welcome all to worship, to proclaim the good news of God’s love, and enable all to offer praise and gratitude to God, and God alone.
One: Let all who serve in our Ministry of Caring, through Lay Visiting, the Prayer Chain, Home Communion, or other forms of visiting and care make their promise:
Ministry of Caring:
We will work to be sure that those with special needs receive Christ’s love as we remember them and share our care and our prayers.
One: Let all who serve in our Ministry of Administration, whether on Consistory, or the Committees of Finance, Stewardship, Property, or office Volunteers make their promises.
Ministry of Administration:
We will work to care for and nurture the stewardship of our church and it’s property, so that we may offer the clearest witness possible to God’s love.
One: God hears our promises and will be with us with comfort and strength, joy and peace.
All: May our re-covenanting strengthen us as a people set apart, dedicated to God, joyfully serving Jesus Christ in a way that brings light and hope to the world.
CHURCH AT PRAYER
RESPONSE - 501 (blue) Hear Our Prayer
Hear our prayer, O Lord; Hear our prayer, O Lord;
Hear our prayer, O Lord; And grant us Thy peace. Amen.
MORNING OFFERING
Offertory - Balm in Gilead arr. L. Smith - Carolyn Curtis, Organ / Mary Curtis, Organ
#Doxology - (592) Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow
#Prayer of Dedication and Lord’s Prayer (debts and debtors)
#HYMN 280 (red) – Amazing Grace
#BENEDICTION
#CHORAL AMEN - 558 (blue) Amen. Amen. Amen.
POSTLUDE - Trumpet Tune Stanley - Carolyn Curtis, Trumpet / Mary Curtis, Organ
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Greeters: Gerry Czetli / Harold and Helen Davis
Nursery is available – You may stay in the nursery with your child if you wish.
Nursery Volunteers – Karen Young, Lauren Dix
The candle on the altar is our candle of HOPE in these times of conflict; a symbol of our ever-present HOPE in God and the triumph of goodness over evil.
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer." Romans 12:12
Would You Like to Donate Altar Flowers?
Altar flowers help us praise and honor God by beautifying our sanctuary for worship. Flowers can be donated in memory of a loved one or in honor of a birthday, anniversary, or some other special occasion. The cost per flower arrangement is $15. If you would like to donate flowers you may sign up for a specific Sunday on the board in the hallway near the drinking fountains, outside the social hall.
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BETHANY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
1235 Broad Boulevard
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44223 330/923-5277
THE PURPOSE OF THIS CHURCH IS ...
to establish a Christian congregation for worship,
to preach and teach the Gospel of Christ,
to celebrate the sacraments,
to render loving service toward humanity,
to strive for righteousness, justice, and peace,
to advance the Realm of God at home and abroad.
(The Bethany Constitution)
Bethany Church is a Stephen Ministry Congregation.
WELCOME TO ALL VISITORS!
We are glad that you have come to worship with us this day. Please register your attendance on one of the visitor cards in the pew rack and put it in the offering plate. We hope you will return soon!
- We have a red and blue hymnal, worship hymn numbers are given for one or both of these.
- Prayer cards are available in the pew rack, these will be collected during the second hymn and your requests will be added to our pastoral prayers.
- Nursery, Pre-K, and Kindergarten classes are available in the church school wing during worship.
- 1st – 6th grade children may remain in worship through the children’s message and then attend
Sunday School until 10:30 except on Family Sunday, the last Sunday of the month, when they
remain for the entire service.
Ministers: Every member of the congregation
Minister to the Ministers: Rev. Stephen Gehlert, Pastor
Rev. Mark Steiner, Pastor of Visitation
Ministry of Administration: Carolyn Shroyer, Consistory President
Ronald Hibbard, Spiritual Council President
Ministry of Care-Giving- Lay Visitors: Bob Charton , Peg Durr, Carole Pletzer, Nancy Read, Ruth Schreiber
Ministry of Music: Paula Donoian, Director – Chancel Choir
Carolyn Curtis - Organist
Donna McDonald, Director - Memory Bell Choir
Beth McDevitt, – Children’s, Youth & Alternative Worship
Ministry of Education: Carolyn Shroyer – Church School Coordinator
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