“A journey can become a sacred thing: Make sure, before you go, to take the time to bless your going forth, to free your heart of ballast so that the compass of your soul might direct you toward the territories of spirit where you will discover more of your hidden life, and the urgencies that deserve to claim you. May you travel in an awakened way, gathered wisely into your inner ground; that you may not waste the invitations which wait along the way to transform you.”

“The Traveler” John O’Donohue

Chimes

Centering Prayer

Light of Christ, awaken us this hour to the glory of your presence in our midst.  Shine among us in such a way that the darkness without and within may be pushed back, such that we might truly see what is really real.  Help us to recognize our sin for what it is.  Enable us to behold the world as you created it to be, as you created us to be.  Empower us to move from darkness to light, from sin to new life.  May your light within us shine through into worship this day, as all days.  This we pray in the name of the Word made flesh, the light which is the light of all people, Jesus Christ. Amen. 1

Welcome

Introit          "Down To The River To Pray"   Traditional

Call to Worship 2

ONE: Arise! Shine! The light you have been waiting for is here!

ALL: Darkness has been banished!

ONE: God's light of hope floods the earth.

ALL: God's light comes to us all.

ONE: Lord, make us ready to journey to this Light.

ALL: Prepare our hearts to receive this Light. Amen.

Hymn 744 Arise, Your Light is Come!

Prayer of Confession

Gracious God, we would like to be among those who saw the coming of the Christ Child, those who dropped all that they were doing and traveled to worship the coming of God's love into this world. We would like to be those who cared for God in infant vulnerability; who tickled and cuddled and comforted the growing child, that he might know love and safety.

And yet, merciful God, we must recognize all the times we are more like Herod. Whenever we, in our actions or in our inactions, find our own need for control more compelling than the needs of others for health and safety. Whenever we cling to the security of our privilege, rather thanstanding up for the rights of the oppressed. Whenever we are complicit in the harming of innocents for the sake of profit, or power, or because we fear to know, and to change, the injustices of this world.

Loving God, we confess our sins against you and one another, and pray that you will fill us with your light, that we may live our lives as true disciples in your name, without counting the cost. In the name of Christ, the one who showed us the way, we pray. Amen.

Response Hymn 425

Son of God, whose heart is peace, Son of God, most holy,

To your presence we have come; give us now your love.

Words of Assurance 3

ONE: God's light is present in this world. Present in the Christ child, born to lead us out of darkness. Present in the star, in all that guides us to love.

ALL:  God's light is in the world, and the darkness did not overcome it. God's grace is in the world, and our mis-steps will not overcome it. We are loved, we are forgiven. Alleluia! Amen.

Sharing the Peace

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 155

Raise of song of gladness, peoples of the earth.

Christ has come, bringing peace, joy to every heart.

Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart!

Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart!

Gospel Reading: Matthew 2:1-12

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem       "Let It Be Known"   Brady, Smith, and Weeks

Sermon:  "What Would It Take?" Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 152 What Star Is This, with Beams So Bright

Invitation to the Offering

In this season of light we are reminded of how bright our lives are when we are able to give of our time, our love, our money, our care and concern, and our very presence. We welcome the chance to give to another and to our church. When you mail your offerings to the church we are not only able to keep our ministries operating and our budget intact, but we also receive the joy of hearing from you. We thank you for your continual giving to our community at Bethany.

Offertory "Coventry Carol"   15th Century English carol

Prayer of Dedication

Generous God, through your Son, Jesus Christ, you have shown us what it means to love. And you call us to follow your example—to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Continue to write your law of love on our hearts. Give us an unwavering passion for justice, and a tenacious faith that will not rest until the hungry are fed, the oppressed find relief, and the outsider finds a welcome. Bless what we give and bless what we keep, that all may be used for your glory. Amen.

Prayers of the People

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Preparation of the Table

Invitation and Great Prayer of Thanksgiving

LEADER: The Lord be with you

PEOPLE: And also with you

LEADER: Lift up your hearts

PEOPLE: We lift them up to the Lord

LEADER: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God

PEOPLE: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

LEADER: Let us pray.  Almighty and ever-living God...

Words of Institution

Sharing of the Cup and Bread

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Prayers of the People

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.

Hymn 159 O Sing a Song of Bethlehem

Announcements

Closing Benediction 4

May this holy season be for each of us a time of moving beyond what is “reasonable” and toward the star of wonder; moving beyond grasping tight to what we have to unclenching our hands and letting go, following the Light where it leads; moving beyond competition toward cooperation, seeing that all humans are sisters and brothers; moving beyond the anxiety of small concerns towards the joys of justice and peace.

May the transforming acceptance of Mary and Joseph, the imagination of the shepherds, and the persistence of the wise men guide us as we seek the Truth, always moving toward the Divine promise, always aware God can be hidden in the frailest among us, always open to the unexpected flash of Grace, to the showing forth of that Love that embraces us all.

Postlude “Golden Gate Waltz”      Barbara Arens

1 Peter Haynes

2 Nancy C. Townley

3 Eliza Buchakjian-Tweedy

4 Adapted by J.M. Deren from "Blessings and Benedictions,"

by W.L. Wallace in Shine On, Star of Bethlehem  Education for Justice

Centering Prayer

God, we thank you for the inspiration of Jesus.  Grant that we will love you with all our hearts, souls, and minds, and love our neighbors as we love ourselves, even our enemy neighbors.  And we ask you, God, in these days of emotional tension, when the problems of the world are gigantic in extent and chaotic in detail, to be with us in our going out and our coming in, in our rising up and in our lying down, in our moments of joy and in our moments of sorrow, until the day when there shall be no sunset and no dawn.  Amen.1

Welcome

Introit       “Precious Lord, Take My Hand”    Thomas Dorsey, Arr. Sheldon Curry

Call to Worship 2

ONE: Creating God, we gather in your name to worship you. We give thanks that there is a small spark of God within us.

ALL: Kindle that small spark into a flame of love and service.

ONE: Sustaining God, we gather in your name to worship you. We celebrate the loving presence of God in our life.

ALL: May God’s loving presence be a strong influence in our life.

ONE: Nurturing God, we gather in your name to worship you.

We rejoice that God teaches us about love and forgiveness.

ALL: As we grow in faith, trust and love for God, may our worship, witness and service bring honour to God’s Holy Name. Amen.

Hymn 463 How Firm a Foundation

Prayer of Confession

Thou Eternal God, out of whose absolute power and infinite intelligence the whole universe has come into being, we humbly confess that we have not loved thee with our hearts, souls and minds, and we have not loved our neighbors as Christ loved us.  We have all too often lived by our own selfish impulses rather than by the life of sacrificial love as revealed by Christ.  We often give in order to receive.  We love our friends and hate our enemies.  We go the first mile but dare not travel the second.  We forgive but dare not forget.  And so as we look within ourselves, we are confronted with the appalling fact that the history of our lives is the history of an eternal revolt against you.  But thou, O God, have mercy upon us.  Forgive us for what we could have been but failed to be.  Give us the intelligence to know your will.  Give us the courage to do your will.  Give us the devotion to love your will.  In the name and spirit of Jesus, we pray. Amen. 1

Response Hymn 425

Son of God, whose heart is peace, Son of God, most holy,

To your presence we have come; give us now your love.

Words of Assurance 3

You are loved. Love is the Way. When you love God, you love others. When you truly lay down your life for others, you lay down your life for God. Give yourself to God by serving others. Know that in God’s love there is forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation. Amen.

Sharing the Peace

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 155

Raise of song of gladness, peoples of the earth.

Christ has come, bringing peace, joy to every heart.

Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart!

Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart!

Gospel Reading: John 1:43-51

Old Testament Reading: Psalm 139:1-6;13-18

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem       “I Will Follow You”  Darcy Stanley

Sermon:  "Who Came Before You?"  Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 720 Jesus Calls Us

Invitation to the Offering

God has abundantly blessed us and called us to be a community that honors each other and to be servants to others with joy. We rejoice in what we have been given and in what is ours to give. When you mail your offerings to the church we are not only able to keep our ministries operating and our budget intact, but we also receive the joy of hearing from you. We thank you for your continual giving to our community at Bethany.

Offertory “What Good Can Come From Nazareth”  Wesley/Carolyn Gillette

Prayer of Dedication

Generous God, through your Son, Jesus Christ, you have shown us what it means to love. And you call us to follow your example—to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Continue to write your law of love on our hearts. Give us an unwavering passion for justice, and a tenacious faith that will not rest until the hungry are fed, the oppressed find relief, and the outsider finds a welcome. Bless what we give and bless what we keep, that all may be used for your glory. Amen.

Prayers of the People

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.

Hymn 726 Will You Come and Follow Me  verses 1,2,5

Announcements

Closing Benediction 1

Lord... We thank you for your church, founded upon your Word, that challenges us to do more than sing and pray, but go out and work as though the very answer to our prayers depended on us and not upon you. Help us to realize that humanity was created to shine like the stars and live on through all eternity. Keep us, we pray, in perfect peace. Help us to walk together, pray together, sing together, and live together until that day when all God’s children - Black, White, Red, Brown and Yellow - will rejoice in one common band of humanity in the reign of our Lord and of our God, we pray. Amen.

Postlude “Battle Hymn of the Republic” William Steffe

1 Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

2 Joan Stott

3 Rev. Mindi

“You are more than the softening touch placed upon our calloused hearts. You are the constant tumbling waves slowly smoothing our roughened stones. You are yeast within the flour of sorrows enabling our lost happiness to rise again. You are spirit-filled chlorophyll greening our ever- developing virtues. Wherever you make your dwelling, necessary change is ready to follow.” 1

Centering Prayer

Holy One, God of all Creation, you call us to be your people, to carry your vision in this time and place, to go where you send us to help welcome your amazing good news.  As we gather in the presence of the risen Christ to spread the news that your realm is near, fill us with your Holy Spirit, O God of all Creation.  Fill us with your glorious Spirit, that we may share your good news with a world in need. Amen. 2

Welcome

Introit       “America”   Samuel Francis Smith

Call to Worship 3

ONE: Jesus calls us to praise and prayer, to song and silence;

ALL: Jesus calls us to worship.

ONE: Jesus calls us to hearing and healing, to service and solidarity;

ALL: Jesus calls us to love.

ONE: Jesus calls us to advocacy and action, to protest and provision;

ALL: Jesus calls us to justice.

ONE: Let us heed the call of Christ.

ALL: Let us worship together with joy.

Hymn 410 God Is Calling Through the Whisper

Prayer of Confession 4

Almighty and everlasting God, we know that your love is over every creature whom your hands have made.  We know that your only wish is not to destroy but to save, not to condemn but to forgive.  And we know that, to receive your forgiveness, we need only bring a penitent and contrite heart.  Save us from all that would hinder us from having an authentic and humble relationship with you.  Grant that with our repentance we may be truly forgiven, so that as we experience your graciousness and compassion, we find your love great enough to cover all of our sin; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Response Hymn 425

Son of God, whose heart is peace, Son of God, most holy,

To your presence we have come; give us now your love.

Words of Assurance 5

ONE: The one who calls us to this place calls us to reconciliation through grace. God will not deny a repentant heart or an open spirit. Know that you are forgiven and walk in the new way that is made known to you in God’s love.

ALL:  Amen.

Sharing the Peace

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 155

Raise of song of gladness, peoples of the earth.

Christ has come, bringing peace, joy to every heart.

Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart!

Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart!

Scripture Reading: Mark 1:14-20

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem       “Walk on Faith”    Mike Reid, arr. Craig Bray

Sermon:  "Identity" Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 751 From the Nets of Our Labor (verses 1, 4, 6)

Invitation to the Offering

God has shown us the meaning of generosity in the beautiful diversity of creation, in the overflowing love of Jesus Christ, in the never-ending gift of the Holy Spirit. God has abundantly blessed us and called us to be a community that honors each other, to be servants to others with joy, to share our love and material possessions. When you mail your offerings to the church we are not only able to keep our ministries operating and our budget intact, but we also receive the joy of hearing from you. We thank you for your continual giving to our community at Bethany.

Offertory Venetian Boat Song, Op.30, No. 6    Felix Mendelssohn

Prayer of Dedication

Generous God, through your Son, Jesus Christ, you have shown us what it means to love. And you call us to follow your example—to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Continue to write your law of love on our hearts. Give us an unwavering passion for justice, and a tenacious faith that will not rest until the hungry are fed, the oppressed find relief, and the outsider finds a welcome. Bless what we give and bless what we keep, that all may be used for your glory. Amen.

Prayers of the People

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.

Hymn 721 Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore

Announcements

Closing Benediction 6

We go now, following where Christ calls us and proclaiming the message God gives us.  We wait in hope for God, desiring to avoid becoming bound up in the business of the world, but living in readiness for the inbreaking of the Kingdom.  May God be our haven and our glory; May Christ Jesus give us courage for his mission; and may the Spirit embrace our souls in God’s silence. We go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

Postlude

1 Fragments of Your Ancient Name

2 The Abingdon Worship Annual 2012

3 Joanna Harader

4 William Barclay

5 Rev. Madison Shockley

6 © 2003 Nathan Nettleton

“You are more than the softening touch placed upon our calloused hearts. You are the constant tumbling waves slowly smoothing our roughened stones. You are yeast within the flour of sorrows enabling our lost happiness to rise again. You are spirit-filled chlorophyll greening our ever- developing virtues. Wherever you make your dwelling, necessary change is ready to follow.” 1

Centering Prayer

God of power and might, you sent prophets to your people, calling us back to your covenant, and teaching us your ways.  In the fullness of time, you sent us your Son Jesus, teaching with such authority, that our eyes were opened to see your ways anew.  Open our hearts and minds, that we may understand and proclaim your teachings for all to hear.  In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 2

Welcome

Introit       “Christ Is Knocking at My Sad Heart”   Philo Otis, Arr. Ruth Heller

Call to Worship

ONE: God comes into a world filled with uncertainties and darkness.

ALL: God seeks out the voids of belief and conviction.

ONE: God embraces the wounded and broken.

ALL: God knocks down the walls of division and strife.

ONE: God is the candle shining in the darkness of our days.

ALL: God is the light of our lives.

ONE: God is the one who makes all things new.

ALL: Praise be to God, now and forevermore!  Let us worship God.

Hymn 307 God of Grace and God of Glory

Prayer of Confession

How can we look at this world and not sing of your praises, O God?  The beauty and majesty of the world is overpowering!  Yet we have a tendency to take all that you do for us for granted.  We treat the world with callous indifference, using its resources carelessly and with little regard to the future.  We insist on war as a solution for problems rather than peaceful striving.  We turn our backs on people in need, the weak and downtrodden go unnoticed in our midst.  We always believe that someone else will care for those in need.  How foolish we are, O God!  How ignorant we have become!  You have given to us all that we need.  You have blessed us with the witness of Jesus Christ who came so that we might learn how you would have us live, in honor and peace. Forgive us.  Heal our hearts and spirits.  Make us fully aware of all our blessings and our responsibilities.  Give us again a spirit of joy in serving you.  Help us be agents of peace and hope to others.  For we offer this prayer in Jesus' name.  Amen.

Response Hymn 425

Son of God, whose heart is peace, Son of God, most holy,

To your presence we have come; give us now your love.

Words of Assurance 3

Jesus has come to heal our spirits and our souls. The demons of arrogance, indifference and apathy are being cast out. New life is offered to us in Jesus Christ. Rejoice! Be Glad! For God's love is poured out to us this day.  Amen.

Sharing the Peace

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 155

Raise of song of gladness, peoples of the earth.

Christ has come, bringing peace, joy to every heart.

Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart!

Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart!

Scripture Reading: Mark 1:21-28

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem       “O Christ, the Healer”     J.S. Bach

Sermon:  "What Have We Begun?" Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 181  Silence! Frenzied, Unclean Spirit

Installation of Ken Henry to the office of Elder

Opening Statement

Constitutional Questions

PAUSE: Constitutional Questions for the Congregation, and installation prayer will take place following the service on zoom using the link sent in your worship invitation email.

Invitation to the Offering

God has shown us the meaning of generosity in the beautiful diversity of creation, in the overflowing love of Jesus Christ, in the never-ending gift of the Holy Spirit. God has abundantly blessed us and called us to be a community that honors each other, to be servants to others with joy, to share our love and material possessions. When you mail your offerings to the church we are not only able to keep our ministries operating and our budget intact, but we also receive the joy of hearing from you. We thank you for your continual giving to our community at Bethany.

Offertory Cantabile in Bb Major, Op. Posthumous   Frédéric Chopin

Prayer of Dedication

Generous God, through your Son, Jesus Christ, you have shown us what it means to love. And you call us to follow your example—to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Continue to write your law of love on our hearts. Give us an unwavering passion for justice, and a tenacious faith that will not rest until the hungry are fed, the oppressed find relief, and the outsider finds a welcome. Bless what we give and bless what we keep, that all may be used for your glory. Amen.

Prayers of the People

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.

Hymn 440 Jesus, Lover of My Soul

Announcements

Closing Benediction 4

We go now, following where Christ calls us and proclaiming the message God gives us.  We wait in hope for God, desiring to avoid becoming bound up in the business of the world, but living in readiness for the inbreaking of the Kingdom.  May God be our haven and our glory; May Christ Jesus give us courage for his mission; and may the Spirit embrace our souls in God’s silence. We go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

Postlude “Power In the Blood”     Lewis Jones, Arr. Gail Smith

1 Fragments of Your Ancient Name

2 Ministry Matters

3 Nancy C. Townley

4 © 2003 Nathan Nettleton

“Holy Spirit: With astonishment, we see that you renew our strength constantly. Allow us not to forget your presence, even in adversity. And, in our turn, we will renew our gratefulness and we will sing for your love. Amen.”  1

Centering Prayer

Loving and living Lord, as we welcome you into our midst we call upon you to hallow this time: that we may know your blessing and you may know our devotion; that we may know your presence and you may know our worship; that we may know your will and you may know our willingness; that we may know you in the silence and you may know us in our praise. Amen. 2

Welcome

Introit       “The Old Lady"  Maxence Cyrin

Call to Worship 3

ONE: Gather us in, the brokenhearted and the joyful.

ALL: Gather us in, the weak and the strong.

ONE: Gather us in, the fearful and the brave.

ALL: Gather us in, the young and the old.

ONE: Gather us in, to sing of God’s works.

ALL: Gather us in, to praise Jesus Christ.

ONE: Gather us in, to worship and wonder.

ALL: Gather us in, to know of God’s love. Let us worship God!

Hymn 401 Here In This Place

Prayer of Confession 4

Everlasting God, we know how easy it is to forget your presence and power in our lives. Focused on our daily planners, we do not pay attention to the night sky and the stars that glitter. Surrounded by the sounds of anger, violence, and hate, we have trouble listening to your whispers of hope and grace. Thinking that Scripture is filled only with stories, we cannot understand your truth which can change lives.

Forgive us. There is no one who can hold a candle to you when it comes to mercy and hope. Lift us to our feet so we may walk with you; fill us with your strength so we may serve your people; touch us with your healing so we may proclaim to everyone the Good News that has come in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Response Hymn 425

Son of God, whose heart is peace, Son of God, most holy,

To your presence we have come; give us now your love.

Words of Assurance 5

Jesus has come to heal our spirits and our souls. The demons of arrogance, indifference and apathy are being cast out. New life is offered to us in Jesus Christ. Rejoice! Be Glad! For God's love is poured out to us this day.  Amen.

Sharing the Peace

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 155

Raise of song of gladness, peoples of the earth.

Christ has come, bringing peace, joy to every heart.

Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart!

Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart!

Gospel Reading: Mark 1:29-39

Psalm Reading: Psalm 147:1-11

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem       “Everything”     Lauren Daigle, Paul Mabury and Jason Ingram

Sermon:  Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 796  We Come to You For Healing, Lord vs. 1, 2, 5

Invitation to the Offering

God has shown us the meaning of generosity in the beautiful diversity of creation, in the overflowing love of Jesus Christ, in the never-ending gift of the Holy Spirit. God has abundantly blessed us and called us to be a community that honors each other, to be servants to others with joy, to share our love and material possessions. When you mail your offerings to the church we are not only able to keep our ministries operating and our budget intact, but we also receive the joy of hearing from you. We thank you for your continual giving to our community at Bethany.

Offertory "Peace Within"   Barbara Arens

Prayer of Dedication

Generous God, through your Son, Jesus Christ, you have shown us what it means to love. And you call us to follow your example—to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Continue to write your law of love on our hearts. Give us an unwavering passion for justice, and a tenacious faith that will not rest until the hungry are fed, the oppressed find relief, and the outsider finds a welcome. Bless what we give and bless what we keep, that all may be used for your glory. Amen.

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Preparation of the Table

Invitation and Great Prayer of Thanksgiving

LEADER: The Lord be with you

PEOPLE: And also with you

LEADER: Lift up your hearts

PEOPLE: We lift them up to the Lord

LEADER: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God

PEOPLE: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

LEADER: Let us pray.  Almighty and ever-living God...

Words of Institution

Sharing of the Cup and Bread

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Prayers of the People

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.

Hymn 792 There is a Balm In Gilead

Announcements

Closing Benediction 6

May we trust in God’s promises to God’s people: peace, security, blessing, even when they are difficult to believe. May we know that God’s news is good news, nourishing, true, even when people tell us it is not. And when we encounter doubt, may you strengthen our belief guiding us in God’s perfect wisdom and counsel.

Postlude

1 Sacred Pauses blog

2 Rev Iain MacDonald

3 Mary J. Scifres

4 Thom Shuman

5 Nancy C. Townley

6 Jeff's Blog

“You contain a tableau of possibilities, countless opportunities to encounter your indwelling gift of radiance. A glimmer of hope in depression. A ray of courage amid life’s trials. A sparkle of joy at the end of illness. A flash of valuable intuition. A beam of illuminating perception. A glow of pleasure and contentment. A radiance only the stilled soul perceives.” 1

Chimes

Centering Prayer 2

O God of majesty and mystery, you are beyond our understanding. We honor you as Creator God: by your word all things visible and invisible came to be. We honor you as Savior God: by your Son all humanity may receive eternal life. We honor you as Sustainer God: by your Spirit we are empowered to live as Christ lived. Hear our praise, our prayers, our promise to honor you joyfully in our worship together. Amen.

Welcome

Introit      “Tu lo sai” ("Ask thy heart")   Giuseppe Torelli

Call to Worship 3

ONE: The glory of God transfigures the everyday!

ALL: The light of God transfigures familiar faces!

ONE: At the heights of our worship, may God’s presence shine through the commonplace.

ALL:  At the depths of our pain and struggle, may God’s presence give us courage and peace.  May God’s light, shining in the face of Christ, illumine all our days! Let us worship God!

Hymn 189 O Wondrous Sight, O Vision Fair

Prayer of Confession

God of Mercy and Grace, you come to us in Jesus of Nazareth to break down the dividing walls of hostility between us: yet we maintain walls that separate and isolate.  You give us the ministry of reconciliation: yet we nurse our wounds and withhold mercy and forgiveness.  You invite us to join with Peter, James, and John on the mountain of Transfiguration: yet we deny the wonders you have worked in our own lives.  You ask us to acknowledge and share our wealth: yet we refuse to recognize and relieve the poverty around us.  You bless our lives with boundless love: yet we fail to witness to that love, and so keep others from knowing you.  Forgive our selfishness, we pray. Transform us by your Spirit and your Word into that which pleases you, the image of Christ. Amen

Response Hymn 425

Son of God, whose heart is peace, Son of God, most holy,

To your presence we have come; give us now your love.

Words of Assurance 4

Jesus admonished Peter, James, and John not to tell of what they witnessed on the mountain until he was resurrected. But we can tell what we have seen and heard of God’s glory! Here is the good news: Jesus lives! He is raised! We are forgiven! Go, share the vision! Tell of God’s love! In this God is well pleased!

Sharing the Peace

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 155

Raise of song of gladness, peoples of the earth.

Christ has come, bringing peace, joy to every heart.

Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart!

Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart!

Gospel Reading: Mark 1:2-9

Old Testament Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:3-6

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem       "Be Thou My Vision"     Traditional, Arranged by Russel Mauldin

Sermon:  "Prepared"  Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 193  Jesus, Take Us to the Mountain

Invitation to the Offering

God has shown us the meaning of generosity in the beautiful diversity of creation, in the overflowing love of Jesus Christ, in the never-ending gift of the Holy Spirit. God has abundantly blessed us and called us to be a community that honors each other, to be servants to others with joy, to share our love and material possessions. When you mail your offerings to the church we are not only able to keep our ministries operating and our budget intact, but we also receive the joy of hearing from you. We thank you for your continual giving to our community at Bethany.

Offertory "Plaisir D'Amour"  P.G. Martini, Arr. Stroble

Prayer of Dedication

Lord, we bring before you the common things of our common life: our money, our songs, our labors to be your faithful congregation, our needs and dreams, our joys and sorrows, our selves. We celebrate all this with you, seeking the touch of your Spirit so that we will share more deeply what we are and have with all our brothers and sisters in our city and our world.  In faith and gratitude we offer common things made miracles by your grace.  Bless what we give and bless what we keep, that all may be used for your glory.  Amen.

Prayers of the People

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.

Hymn 66  Every Time I Feel the Spirit

Announcements

Closing Benediction 5

We go now with faith, trusting God’s Spirit to guide us; We go now with hope, waiting for the fullness of Christ’s reign. We go now with love, resting in God’s care and the care of God’s people. We go out with joy: to listen and speak, to sing and suffer, to proclaim good news, and give glory to God.

Postlude

1 Fragments of Your Ancient Name

2 Arlene M. Mark

3 Ruth Duck

4 Rev. Dr. Renee C. Jackson

5 Marlene Kropf