86Th Annual Homecoming

86th Annual Homecoming

Old Bethesda Church

225th Anniversary

Aberdeen, North Carolina

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Order of Worship

Homecoming 11:15 September 29, 2013

THE CALL TO WORSHIP

Prelude Bill Caudill, bagpipes

Welcome and Announcements Davis Clark

Jamie Boles

Neill Caldwell

Introit………...…..…….……….…..Be Still and Know Iona

Nancy Arnold and Tim Wilson

* Procession of the Beadle with the Bible

“Praise God for the Holy Word”

* Procession of the Beadle with the Ministers

Introduction of the Ministers

* Responsive Call to Worship (All Rise) Jonathan Wallace

Leader: A pine grove offers sanctuary.

People: Sap courses our veins. Sand, pure as snow, shifts underfoot.

Leader: God has brought us to this place: Bethesda.

People: We are nurtured, we are cherished, we are loved.

Leader: Thanks be to God!

People: Amen!

* Processional Hymn for Choir and Banner

Bethesda: House of Mercy - words by Martha MacLeod

(see insert)

* Invocation Rev. Steven Wicks

Prayer of Confession

Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall be, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

* Prayer Response….Come Here, Jesus, If You Please Carter

Bethesda Chancel Choir

Assurance of Pardon(Responsively)

Leader: Hear the good news! Who is a position to condemn? Only Christ, and Christ lived for us, Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us.

People: Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life has gone; a new life has begun.

Leader: Know that you are forgiven and be at peace.

People: Amen.

Special Music………..……..The King of Love My Shepherd Is

Bethesda Carol Choir

First Lesson………………...... ……..………Genesis 2:8-10, 15

Lay Reader: Samantha Taylor

Second Lesson (Responsively)………………..Psalm 37:23-28a

Lay Readers: David Keith and Catherine Neill

Leader: Our steps are made firm by the Lord, when the Lord

delights in our way;

People: Though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for

the Lord holds us by the hand.

Leader: I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not

seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.

People: They are ever giving liberally and lending, and

their children become a blessing.

Leader: Depart from evil, and do good; so you shall abide

forever.

People: For the Lord loves justice; the faithful ones of the

Lord will not be forsaken.

Third Lesson……………………………………….John 21:15-19

Anthem……..I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes (Ps. 121) Pfautsch

Sermon ”Cross of Pine” Rev. Laurie Ann McNeill

Special Music………………………...……The Lone Wild Bird

Bethesda Homecoming Choir

Mary K. McNeill, recorder Henry Wicker, guitar

THE RESPONSE OF THE PEOPLE

*The Confession of Faith From: A Brief Statement of Faith

In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve. In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God's new heaven and new earth, praying, Come, Lord Jesus! With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Rev. Caroline Johnson Inlow

Offering and the Offertory………………..The Living Church

Lorraine Nelson Wolf

Nancy Arnold, soloist Larry Arnold, guitar

Emily Braun, violin

* Doxology

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Prayer o * Prayer of Dedication (Unison)

For that which has been, we praise you; for that which is, we give you thanks; for that which shall be, we entrust our lives to you: O Lord, our Lord; Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.

* Recessional Hymn……….…God of the Sparrow (See Insert)

* Benediction

* Congregational Response……………… “God Be With You”

God be with you till we meet again;

loving counsels guide, uphold you,

with aShepherd’scare enfold you;

God be with you till we meet again.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

We welcome visitors who have chosen to worship with us today. If you are looking for a church home, please check the Friendship Pad or speak to the pastor for information on how to join Bethesda. Brochures containing information about some of the activities at Bethesda are located in the pew racks. Please feel free to take one home with you and also a bookmark as our thanks to you for visiting with us today.

Hearing aids are available to anyone who might need one. Please see one of the ushers if you would like to use one. We also have a wheelchair for anyone who would need assistance. It will be located by the side door.