Youth/children musical

Our youth and children put on a musical for Christmas, No Ordinary Night. Mike shares some pictures of the event. Here are the littlest angels, the Holy Family, and the teen angels. Everyone did a great job. A DVD is available if any want a copy.

Worship for the 4th Sunday of Advent

As we near Christmas, we concentrate on the Scriptures that set the stage for the birth of the Savior. The messge of Jesus' specific coming is first given to Mary and Joseph. The gospel writer Luke tells us of the visit of the angel to Mary (the Annunciation in Luke 1.26-33) and she responds in a song of praise (the Magnificat in Luke 1.46-55). We recognize this as the fulfillment of the eternal Kingdom, promised by God in the Old Testament, in such scriptures as 2 Samuel 7.1-13. Our worship Sunday will be a celebration of the eternal Kingdom begun in Jesus Christ, which will lead us to celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas Eve.

Our Communion this week will be on Christmas Eve--the service begins at 5 pm. This is a great way to begin your Christmas celebration. Remember that Christmas does not end on December 25, but it is a season of 12 days that takes us to the celebration of Epiphany on January 6--more about that later.

Prayer of the Day for the 4th Sunday of Advent:
Almighty God, we glorify and rejoice in you for you are the Mighty God who has come to save us. In your holiness and mercy you have come as Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Son to establish your eternal Kingdom. Grant that we, being filled with the Spirit, may live lives of holiness and mercy ourselves, to the glory of Christ our Lord, who is Emmanuel, God with us, AMEN

Christmas Tea

For the second year, we hosted a Women's Christmas Tea here at Colonial Heights. Here are some of the images: beautifully decorated tables, lots of guests, music, food and good fellowship.

Hostesses decorated their tables with their own china and decorating ideas and gifts.

Several of the men of the church 'volunteered' for duty as servers. They actually did a good job, too!

Lots of thought and effort was put into this fun and fulfilling event.

Worship for this week

This week, beginning with the Third Sunday of Advent, will be the day our Chancel Choir presents their cantata. For more information and a sample, check out the music blog. Some of the scripture we consider on this Sunday includes 1 Thessalonians 5.16-24, some of Paul's concluding remarks about Christian living in light of Jesus' coming; and John 1.24-28, the ministry of John, identified as a witness (rather than the Baptizer) who tells us of one in our midst, whom we do not know. Through the choir's musical retelling of the birth of Jesus, may we relearn who Jesus is and why we should know him.

The prayer for this Sunday is the Prayer of Invocation for the cantata:

Almighty our hearts are warmed as we approach the season of Christmas. We enjoy the sights and sounds, the joys and the lights, the gifts and the gatherings, the traditions and nostalgia. Some of us, however, enter into this season with fearful anticipation of the stresses it can bring. Our memories of Christmases past may not be pleasant. For those of our number, and for all of us gathering, we pray that this retelling of the coming of Christ, the story of your infinite love for all humankind, will so captivate our hearts that we will be bursting to “go tell it.” May Jesus Christ be our focus as the plan for our redemption unfolds in song and story. May the Holy Spirit give us fresh perspective of your love in this Advent. We pray these things in the name of Emmanuel, God with us, AMEN.

Some of our prayer concerns include our choirs and musicians, the children and youth preparing for their program next week, the 2nd annual Women's Christmas Tea, the Church in Ivory Coast, Togo and Benin, all our sick and shut-ins, and community food banks.

Communion will be offered at the 9 am service.

Worship for Sunday

Sunday is the Second Sunday of Advent. Our scripture this week includes Mark 1.1-8: The beginning of the gospel with John in the river baptizing and preparing the people for the Coming Greater One; Isaiah 40.3-4, 9: a prophecy on preparing the way of the Lord; and Psalm 85: Hear what the Lord will speak. The theme is prepare for God's act of Wisdom in Jesus Christ. We spend vast amounts of money preparing for December 25, so much so, that at times we have not prepared our hearts for what the coming of Jesus means. His presence means steadfast love, faithfulness, righteousness and peace (see the psalm). Communion will be served at the 10.45 am service. Lauren King will be a guest soloist for both services. The rest of the music may be found at chumcmusic.blogspot.com; see the link on this page.

Prayer of the Day:
Almighty and Most High God, you have sent your Wisdom to the world in Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Son. Grant us, through the Holy Spirit, to prepare our hearts to receive his wisdom so that we would follow the ways of his Kingdom. All honor and glory are yours Almighty God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Other prayer concerns include: the many fellowship activities of the week, the Women's Tea on Saturday, The Church in Senegal, Gambia, Cape Verde, Guinea, Weekly Mission focus: Asbury Center, Weekly Ministry focus: UMW and the Choir Cantata and Hand Bells playing next Sunday.

Thanksgiving at Colonial Heights

For many years Colonial Heights has given out food baskets, using names shared with us by community agencies. This year was no exception.

Here Steven and Don help load a basket for a family.

In 2000, as a memorial to member Rick Flanagan, tragically killed by an impaired driver, we began a Thanksgiving Day meal. This year, we fed about 375 folks, many of them homeless or from public housing, and many of them who had no family to spend the day with.

Here's a picture of some of the crowd there that day. We had lots of help from church folks and a few from other churches: Seymour, Fairview UMCs and Hillcrest UMC let us borrow their van. We transported quite a few folks, because many of those who want to come have no transportation.

Jon came all the way from Massachusettes to give haircuts. Some of the folks who took advanage of this gift had not had a professional haircut for many years, apparently.

Table decorations were provided by South Knoxville Elementary School: the woven mat, and by our Girl Scout troop: the pine cone turkey and gourds.

Thanks go to all who made this a special time at Colonial Heights. We see all this as a response in Thanksgiving for all that God has provided for us as a people and as a congregation.

Worship for Sunday

The Christian Church year starts on the First Sunday of Advent. For many years Colonial Heights has begun this season with a traditional service called the Hanging of the Green, recognizing the greenery that we decorate our sanctuary with during this season.

Scripturally, Advent begins looking back by looking forward. We hear Jesus speaking about the End and how we should approach it. Keep in mind two things about the End. Jesus himself says that no one can know the time; we shouldn't spend out time in needless speculation. But the other thing he tells us is always to keep watch! Do you see the signs of the Kingdom?

Our main scripture is Mark 13.28-37 where Jesus speaks these words. There ar several other readings from Scripture that help to interpret the various actions of decorating: the greenery, the tree, paraments, the poinsettia, the nativity scene, the Advent Wreath and candles.

Watch and listen for the traditional titles for Jesus from the Old Testament in our worship. There are seven of these.

Prayer of the Day:
Almighty God our Father, in Jesus Christ, the Root of Jesse, you have restored us and brought your Kingdom near to us. Grant us by the power of the Holy Spirit to be on watch for the signs of your Kingdom, and to live the Kingdom sings of love and grace; to your eternal glory, Almighty God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Our prayer concerns and joys include: those served and serving at the 9th annual Rick Flanagan Thanksgiving Day Meal. We served about 375. We remember the church in Sierra Leone and Liberia. Our ministry focus is the Worship Ministry Area. Our mission focus is the UM Student Day. We also want to remember all the upcoming Advent activities.

Worship for Sunday

This Sunday is both the Sunday before Thanksgiving--on our secular calendar, and Christ the King--on the calendar of the Church year. Both are significant events that we want to acknowledge in our worship. We will focus on these scriptures:
Deuteronomy 8.7-18: Israel, newlys settled in the land, must come to grips with their situation. There is the expectation of growing wealth and prosperity, but it must never be at the expense of forgetting the Lord, who has brought them to this place.
Psalm 100: Make a joyful noise to the Lord!
Matthew 25.31-40: the glorious King judges the people--have they seen to the needs of the people God loves?
Music will include Come Ye Thankful People Come, We Gather Together, Give Thanks, Praise to the Lord the Almighty. The choir anthem is Harvest of Praise, and Del will have a solo: Jesus King of Angels.

Prayer of the day:
Almighty Christ, King of Glory, our Lord and Savior: to you we lift our hearts in thanksgiving for the Kingdom you have proclaimed and called us to. Give us humble and thankful hearts to remember your gracious acts and to follow your ways, caring for those you love; to the glory of Almighty God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Our prayer concerns include Thanksgiving activities, especially the meal on Thursday (11 - 1), upcoming Advent activities, the adoption of the 2009 budget, our sick and needy, those touched by death, the ministry of our youth, the Church in Chad, Niger and Mali, the work locally of KARM and the Salvation Army in helping the homeless.

New Link and New Staff

Eric has returned! Last Sunday Eric returned to serve as our Music Director. We had an opening and Eric was available, following his decision to return to school full time. He's hit the ground running with the establishment of a new blog, just for the music here at Colonial Heights: http://chumcmusic.blogspot.com/

Here's Eric back in 2005, when he was leading the youth in a Easter Sunrise Service practice

Thanksgiving Day Lunch Coming

Our annual Rick Flanagan Memorial Thanksgiving Day Lunch is coming up on November 27. We've been participating in this event for 9 years now, and every year it never ceases to be a blessing to our congregation. In looking back through some pictures I found these from 2004--

Here are the tables set and the room decorated and waiting for the celebration.

This is a picture of the kitchen crew working. Our typical menu includes turkey, dressing and gravy, creamed potatoes, yams, corn, green beans, cranberry sauce, slaw, bread and a number of choices of pie. Good stuff!

A Letter from our Bishop

United Methodist Student Day
Your congregation will have an opportunity on November 30, 2008, to invest in the future of the young people in your church, district, and annual conference. Last year the Holston Annual Conference invested $5,551.75 dollars in the students. Our students received $86,150 in scholarships last year! It is clear that we have received much for our investment. I urge you to give to increase the hope for a brighter future for youth and young people. This is a critical time and you hold the key to the future for our young people and for our United Methodist Related Colleges and Universities.
If you need more information to help the people of your church to give please go to this web site: www.umcgiving.org/umstudentday
Blessings,James E. Swanson, Sr.Resident BishopHolston Area United Methodist Church

New Link

Our young adult group, YAM, a very active part of the church has a blog of their own: http://www.myspace.com/chumcyam I have added it in the link section. YAM has organized and leads a Sunday evening service, starting at 6.45 pm. Several of the group take turns leading the devotional and in worship planning.

Here is a picture of YAM last January at the Holston Conference retreat for young adults, Divine Rhythm. We had the largest group registered in the entire conference! The group has grown since then, too.

Worship for the 26th Sunday after Pentecost

Hand Bell Call to Worship
Prayer Joys and Concerns
Prelude: Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus
Hymn: When We All Get to Heaven
Prayer of the Day

Children’s Time

Special Music: Angel Band/Amazing Grace
giving our Offering to God
Offertory
Presentation A Doxology

Scripture Joshua 24.14-25
Matthew 25.1-14
Words of Praise from Psalm 78
Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in a parable;
We will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord,
His might, and the wonders that he has done.
He established a decree in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel,
Which he commanded our ancestors to teach to their children;
That the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn,
And rise up and tell them to their children,
So that they should set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God.


Response I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

Sermon A Witness Against Ourselves

Prayer Hymn: Grace Greater Than All Our Sin
Our Prayers and The Lord’s Prayer

Hymn: Standing on the Promises
Benediction
The Eternity Bell dismissing worship

Prayer of the Day for Sunday

Almighty God, your glorious deeds, your might and wonders are always before us. Grant us grace to follow the teaching of Jesus Christ our Lord, whom you have sent. Guide us by the Spirit, so that we may faithfully proclaim to coming generations the goodness of our God. All honor and glory is yours, Almighty God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Prayer Concerns for this week

Our worship services today
New members in 2008
Welcoming our visitors
South Knoxville Elementary School
Meeting this week: SPRC, Church Council
WW program: Wesley Foundation, UT
Ministry Council Planning: Nov 16
Thanksgiving basket offering: Nov 9 & 16
Thanksgiving Meal & Planning
Sanctuary update plans: Worship for the 21st century
All troops in Iraq and other places of danger
The Church in Congo, Gabon, Sao Tome/Principe
Weekly Mission focus: Wesley Foundation
Weekly Ministry focus: Spiritual Growth Area
Our stewardship and care of God’s Creation
Fun and fellowship at Two Rivers last week
$203,000+ committed to 2009 budget

Prayer of the Day for Sunday

Almighty God, our Father: you are our refuge and you deliver us; in Jesus Christ you have called us to be your children. Lead us by the Spirit throughout our lives so that we, like all the saints, may cross over into the promised land of your eternal blessing. All honor and glory is yours, Almighty God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Prayer Concerns for this week

Our worship services today
New members in 2008
Welcoming our visitors
South Knoxville Elementary School
Fellowship @ Two Rivers Pavilion: Nov 2
Ministry Council Planning: Nov 16
Thanksgiving Meal & Planning
Sanctuary update plans: Worship for the 21st century
All troops in Iraq and other places of danger
The Church in Burundi, Congo, Rwanda
Weekly Mission focus: Knoxville District missions
Weekly Ministry focus: Congregational Care Area
Our stewardship and care of God’s Creation

From the Council of Bishops, UMC

A Statement issued by Bishop Gregory V. Palmer, President of the Council:

Public discourse, especially in this season of presidential elections, has often deteriorated into acrimonious, disrespectful and divisive rhetoric. Such speech, in the interest of short-term political gain, will make it more difficult for the nation to unite to work together on the great challenges that face the United States and the world today.

As bishops, we can call on people of faith to raise their voices to challenge all political parties and leaders to embrace a public discourse that is free of divisive and demeaning rhetoric. Respectful, principled, and vigorous debate on the issues which demand attention is the only way to move into a future that offers hope and solutions to our common problems.

Let us urge all the presidential candidates, vice presidential candidates and campaigns to focus on the critical challenges that threaten the future of our nation and the world: poverty, war, racism, inequality of opportunity, the current financial crises, and terrorism in all its forms.

It is my fervent prayer that whoever is elected the next President of the United States will receive respect and loyalty from all and will, through positive words and deeds that transcend party and perspective, help lead our nation and world into a more hopeful future.

Finally, I urge you to invite United Methodists and all people of faith to:

· Daily intercessory prayer for all candidates, voters and leaders in the U.S.

· Urge local religious leaders and groups to develop and circulate similar calls similar to this in their communities,

· Circulate this message as widely as possible to local, state and national leaders and candidates in the U.S.,

· Urge the presidential and vice presidential candidates and their campaigns to commit themselves to conduct their debates, their advertisements and all their public speech in ways that honor the principles of fairness and accuracy.

Worship for the 24th Sunday after Pentecost

Prelude: Victory In Jesus
Hymn: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Prayer of the Day

Children’s Time: Rejoice in the Lord Always

Special Music: Highway to Heaven
Giving our Offering to God
Offertory: Gift of Love
Presentation Praise God from whom All Blessings Flow

Scripture: Words of Praise from Psalm 90
Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had
formed the earth and the world,
From everlasting to everlasting you are God.
For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past,
or like a watch in the night.
They are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning;
In the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers.
So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart.
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, so that we may
rejoice and be glad all our days.
Let your work be manifest to your servants, and your glorious
power to their children.
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper the work of
our hands.

Response O God our Help in Ages Past

Sermon: Scott Montgomery, Jeremy Rochet
Prayer Hymn: There Will Be a Day (Jeremy Camp video)
Our Prayers and The Lord’s Prayer

Hymn: Here I Am Lord
Benediction
The Eternity Bell dismissing worship

Prayer of the Day for Sunday

Almighty God, our Father: from everlasting to everlasting you are our God and dwelling place. Teach us by the work of the Spirit to know the measure of our days, and to rejoice in our salvation through Christ, so that your work of grace would be made known to all people. All honor and glory is yours, Almighty God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Prayer Concerns for this week

Our worship services today
New members in 2008
Welcoming our visitors
South Knoxville Elementary School
Fellowship @ Two Rivers Pavilion: Nov 2
Scout Eagle ceremony for Mark Gilliam: Nov 2
Ministry Council Planning: Nov 16
Thanksgiving Meal & Planning
Sanctuary update plans: Worship for the 21st century
All troops in Iraq and other places of danger
The Church in the Indian Ocean island nations
Weekly Mission focus: Thanksgiving meal @ CHUMC
Weekly Ministry focus: Lay Speakers
Our stewardship and care of God’s Creation
The ministry of the laity: Laity Sunday
Work on sanctuary: chancel, sound, electricity
Those affected by economy, job loss
Sick, shut-in and hospitalized

Prayer of the Day for Sunday

Almighty God, you call us to give to you what is yours; you call for justice and equity, and the worship of you above all things. Empowered by the Spirit, may we render to you all things, knowing the nearness of Christ our Lord; to the honor and glory of your name, Almighty God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Some prayer concerns for this Sunday

Our worship services today
New members in 2008
Welcoming our visitors
South Knoxville Elementary School
Schools on fall break
Laity Sunday: Oct 26
Ministry Council Planning: Nov 16
Thanksgiving Meal Planning
Sanctuary update plans: Worship for the 21st century
All troops in Iraq and other places of danger
The Church in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
Weekly Mission focus: UMC general administration
Weekly Ministry focus: Soul Patrol
Our stewardship and care of God’s Creation
Commitments of giving for 2009
Transient food bag items
Food items for Vestal food bank
Support for Conference Askings
Bear Buck items

The Worship for the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost

Welcome, Announcements and Greeting each other
Hand Bell Call to Worship
Prayer Joys and Concerns
Prelude: I Know Whom I Have Believed
Hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy
Prayer of the Day

Children’s Time

Special Music
Giving our Offering to God
Offertory: Rock of Ages
Presentation: Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

Scripture
Philippians 4.4-9
Matthew 22.15-22
Words of Praise from Psalm 99
The Lord is king; let people tremble; let the earth quake!
The Lord is great in Zion; he is exalted over all.
Let them praise your great and awesome name. Holy is he!
Mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity.
Extol the Lord our God; worship at his footstool. Holy is he!
O Lord our God, you are a forgiving God, but an avenger of wrongdoings.
Extol the Lord our God,
For the Lord our God is holy.
Response: More Precious than Silver
Sermon: Give to God the Things That Are God’s

Prayer of Confession and Assurance
Lord, have mercy.
Mercy, Lord; for we have not given to you the things that are yours; Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Mercy, Christ; for we know you teach the way of God with truth. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Merciful Lord: forgive our sins and keep our hearts and minds in Christ. Lord, have mercy. Amen.

Hymn of Invitation to Communion: Take Our Bread
The Lord’s Supper
The Great Thanksgiving
The Lord’s Prayer
Giving the Bread and Cup

Hymn: Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus
Benediction
The Eternity Bell dismissing worship

Visit to Duke University

As part of required continuing education I took in the annual Pastor's Convocation at Duke University, where I went to seminary 25 years ago. The center of Duke's campus really isn't the basketball stadium, but the chapel. The chapel was the first building planned and the last completed of the original buildings in the 1930s and is a magnificent, soaring Gothic church, towering 210 feet in the air over the campus. Duke is one of the 13 official United Methodist seminaries and over the years since I was there has grown in students, programs and resources. I noticed only a few teachers were still there from my time those years ago, but I was pleased to note that one of the professors now is Bishop (retired) Ken Carder, who served Church Street UMC, here in Knoxville, another soaring Gothic style church.

Visit from a friend

Last Sunday we, celebrated as Consecration Sunday and our guest was an old friend, the Rev. Harry Howe, Director of Project Crossroads in Smyth County, Virginia. We've had several work teams go to Project Crossroads over the years and many of our folks have gotten to know Harry and his fine work in that rural county. For Harry, this ministry grew out of his work at the East Marion Circuit and his own interest and ability in house rehabilitation. I was so pleased that Harry came to be with us. By the way, Harry is best known as appearing in blue jeans so I was glad to get him a bit gussied up in a robe and all!

Some prayer concerns for this Sunday

Our worship services today
New members in 2008
Welcoming our visitors
South Knoxville Elementary School
WW: Music and sharing, led by Patricia Lawhorn
Consecration Sunday and Celebration lunch today
UMM Chili Supper: Oct. 18
Sanctuary update plans: Worship for the 21st century
All troops in Iraq and other places of danger
The Church in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal
Weekly Mission focus: Project Crossroads
Weekly Ministry focus: Outreach Opportunities
Our stewardship and care of God’s Creation
Guest speaker: Harry Howe
12 taking basic or advanced Lay Speaker training
Project Crossroads trips over the years
Bell named Eternity
Work on sanctuary: chancel, sound, electricity
Those affected by economy, job loss
The sick and recovering; shut-ins

Worship for the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost

Welcome, Announcements and Greeting each other
Hand Bell Call to Worship: How Great Thou Art
Prayer Joys and Concerns
Prelude: When We All Get to Heaven
Hymn: Rejoice the Lord is King
Prayer of the Day
Almighty God, our Judge and King: you call us to your righteous Kingdom, established by Jesus Christ, the Son of Man. Open our eyes and hearts to see the needs of the world around us and to care for those who are the least, even as we receive the benefits of salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord. All honor and glory are yours, Almighty God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Children’s Time: Rejoice in the Lord Always

Special Music: A Mighty Rushing Wind
Giving our Offering to God
Offertory: I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
Presentation: Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

Scripture
Matthew 25.31-40: The Great Judgement
Psalm 106: Praise the Lord for his steadfast love
Response: We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise
Sermon: When? The Rev. Harry Howe: Director, Project Crossroads
Response: Presenting our 2009 Estimates of Giving
Hymn: Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service
Prayer of Dedication
Prayers of Intercession and the Lord's Prayer

Hymn: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
Benediction and Blessing of the meal
The Eternity Bell dismissing worship
Postlude

Today, actually beginning at 6 pm yesterday, is the Jewish Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur. Here is a note about the day from the web site, Religion and Ethics Newsweekly
(http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/index_flash.html)

Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is the year's holiest day and a day of fasting. To re-establish oneness with God, Jews ask forgiveness and forgive others. Then they can confess their sins and ask God's forgiveness. Yom Kippur begins at sundown the previous day.

A friend of mine, a retired minister who served most of his ministry in the metro New York area, has a Jewish friend who shared this prayer:
Please, oh Lord, hear my prayer. Give us the grace and clarity to remember who we are. Help us to bear in mind that a handful of the most courageous and practical men of their generation designed this republic not just to survive but to get stronger in times like these...Lord, in this time of trepidation, help us to stay true to the wisdom of Jefferson, Adams and all the others who gave u s this gift of republic on this blessed soil. Only by keeping her strong, free and aware will we continue to offer a sanctuary in which the needy may, by their efforts rise to prosperity and an arsenal and protector for other democracies around the world.

Some Choir folks

Several members of our choir attended the annual Choir Weekend at Lake Junaluska, the retreat center for the Southeast Jurisdiction of the UMC. Mike reported that about 350 folks from the south east were there and they learned some good 'Jewish style' music. We can look forward to getting in touch with our Old Testament roots.

The bell named Eternity

After three days of work by Eachus & Associates of Gatlinburg, our bell was installed last week and then we consecrated it Sunday. Jean Reynolds, donor, chose the name for the bell: Eternity.

Here you see a view of the bell looking from the back of the belfry--the back parking lot is closer to eye level. Also pictured is our reactions on the first official ring on Sunday morning.

We'll be ringing the Eternity Bell on Sunday mornings to call us to worship (about 10 minutes before the start of worship) and at noon when worship is concluded.

Some prayer concerns for this Sunday

Our worship services
New members in 2008
Welcoming our visitors
South Knoxville Elementary School
Knoxville Dist Lay Speaker training: Oct 10-11
Stroke screening by UT Hosp.: Oct 10, 8.30-12
WW: Living for Giving V
Consecration Sunday: Oct 12
Sanctuary update plans: Worship for the 21st century
All troops in Iraq and other places of danger
The Church in Afghanistan, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan
Weekly Mission focus: missionaries
Weekly Ministry focus: Chancel Choir
Our stewardship and care of God’s Creation

Prayer of the Day for Sunday:
Almighty God, you are our rock and redeemer and in you we rejoice. Through Jesus Christ you have shown us the way to live and the hope of our calling. Grant us, by the power of the Spirit, the ability to press onward, straining forward to the upward call of Christ. All honor and glory are yours, Almighty God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen

Worship for the Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost

Welcome, Announcements and Greeting each other
Hand Bell Call to Worship
Prayer Joys and Concerns
Prelude
Dedication of Church Bell
Prayer and Scripture Matthew 7.7
Presentation and naming of the bell Jean Reynolds
Response by congregation
We accept this bell as a gift to this congregation and we dedicate it to the service of God Almighty. May the voice of this bell direct our hearts toward God and call us joyfully to this church, that we may experience the presence of Christ, hear the Word, offer our prayers and enter into service to the world.
Ringing of the Church Bell
Hymn When They Ring The Golden Bells

Prayer of the Day

Children’s Time
Special Music
Giving our Offering to God
Offertory
Presentation Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow
Scripture
Philippians 3.10-14
Matthew 21.42-43
Words of Praise from Psalm 19
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;
The decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple;
The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever;
The ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether
By them is your servant warned.
Who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Response: Lead Me Lord

Sermon: Straining Forward to What Lies Ahead

Prayer of Confession and Assurance
Lord, have mercy, and forgive us our sins.
Gracious God, there are times when we do not produce the fruit of the Kingdom
Christ, have mercy: let us know the power of your resurrection.
Clear our faults so that we may be acceptable to you.
Lord, have mercy and show us the goal of the Kingdom.
Give us grace to press on to the heavenly call of God in Christ. Amen.

Hymn of Invitation to Communion: Come Sinners to the Gospel Feast
The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Great Thanksgiving
The Lord’s Prayer
Giving of the Bread and Cup

Hymn The Church's One Foundation
Benediction
Bell dismissing worship
Postlude

Church Bell

Up, up and away, goes our beautiful, our beautiful...bell. If you get that little allusion, you're older than you want to admit. But our bell went up yesterday in the belfry. We can look for a great time celebrating its placement Sunday. The bell's consecration will come early in the service and we will hear its first official belfry ring, and Jean will reveal the name she has chosen for it.

We are having a busy day! The upgrades of the sanctuary continue with electrical work in the balcony, sound/visual work over the chancel, and the work has begun on readying the belfry for the bell. Just a few short days ago we began it all by removing a few pews. That was accomplished for us by YAM, our young adult group.

Here they are moving a pew--takes a bunch because they are heavy! We decided to take the pews out of the transept, which were constantly cluttered, and make a permanent place for the handbells to practice. If we need the seating, we can use the extra choir chairs in the front of that. In the mean time, in addition to the handbells, the SpiritLed band will also use this space for the 9 am service.

Other pews moved were the first two rows on each side of the nave. This gave us the room to extend out the chancel and also makes a bit more room between the rail and the first row of pews. We also preserved the handicap/wheelchair space up front, too.

We stored the pews in the gray house at the back of the church. We had been letting Bridge Refugee service use it as storage, but they graciously understood our situation and moved the few items they still had there. It was a bit like a puzzle getting the pews in there, though! We had wanted to store all 8 in the garage, but it would only hold 7, and that on two rows.

A suggestion has been made that perhaps some of our Sunday School classes might like to have a pew for their room. It may take a bit of doing, but it is possible. And we always have spare pews, too, in case one of the ones we have 'falls down on the job.' By the way, we did debate putting some of these padded pews in the balcony, replacing the unpadded ones. Sorry, balcony dwellers--they wouldn't fit, too long. No naps upstairs for now.

Back in 2007 our youth won the T-shirt contest for the conference retreat, Resurrection '07. Wonderful! But after it was over we had lots of T-shirts left. We gave away lots of them. But we still had so many left. This past summer, making a connection with another church, we were able to ship them to Paraguay. Here's a picture and a bit of info from the folks concerned:
'We received over 400 of the shirts from Mable this trip and the shirts are such a hit with the children and their families….we had enough to give all the children from first grade and up and most of the staff. Now as I walk through the barrio, I see blue everywhere.'

Visit to SKES

Some of the folks from Colonial Heights who helped at the annual open house for our partner school, South Knoxville Elementary School last week.

Prayer Concerns for this week

GENERAL PRAYER REQUESTS
Our worship services today
New members in 2008
Welcoming our visitors
South Knoxville Elementary School
Knoxville Dist Lay Speaker training: Oct 10-11
Stroke screening by UT Hosp.: Oct 10, 8.30-12
WW: Living for Giving IV
Choir weekend @ Lake Junaluska: Oct 3-5
Consecration Sunday: Oct 12
Sanctuary update plans: Worship for the 21st century
MISSION & GLOBAL CONCERNS
All troops in Iraq and other places of danger
The Church in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia
Weekly Mission focus: UMCOR
Weekly Ministry focus: Handbells
Our stewardship and care of God’s Creation

The Worship of GOD for the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
September 28, 2008

Call to Worship
Tell all the generations to come the glorious deeds of the Lord!
The Nicene Creed

Hymn Majesty
Prayer of the Day
Almighty God, you make streams come out of a rock in the desert and give us to drink abundantly. By your Spirit, fill us with Christ, the Living Water, so that we might think as he has taught us and so work out our own salvation, for you are at work in us. You are our Almighty God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Children’s Time

Special Music I Will Sing Praise

Giving our Offering to God
Offertory He Touched Me
Presentation Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

Scripture
Philippians 2.5-13
Matthew 21.28-32
Words of Praise from Psalm 78
Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
We will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord.
He commanded our ancestors to teach to their children;
That children yet unborn, and rise up and tell them to their children,
So that they should set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God;
And that they should not be like their ancestors: stubborn and rebellious,
A generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.
In the sight of their ancestors he worked marvels in the land--
He divided the sea and let them pass through it, and made the waters stand like a heap.
In the daytime he led them with a cloud, and all night long with a fiery light.
He split rocks open in the wilderness, and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep.
He made streams come out of the rock, and caused waters to flow down like rivers.

Response: Jesus, the Gift Divine I Know [Tune: Sussex Carol]

Sermon: Work Out Your Salvation

Prayer Hymn: Seek Ye First
Our Prayers and The Lord’s Prayer

Hymn All Praise to Thee, for Thou, O King Divine
Benediction