1. Bethel United Church of Christ
Healing the Otherness
October 9th , 2016 – 21st Sunday after Pentecost
No matter who you are or where you are
on life’s journey, you are welcome here.

2. Introit
Gathered Here

3. Responsive Call to Worship
L: In the midst of your hectic week you have come to worship God. P: Our lives are pulled in so many directions, we seek God’s guidance. L: Let go of the burdens that weigh you down. God will take them. P: We thank God for the respite we are given. L: Tune your hearts and voices in praise to God. P: Let our voices bear the joy we feel because of God’s love for us. AMEN.

4. Precious Lord, Take My Hand NCH 472
Gathering Hymn
Precious Lord, Take My Hand NCH 472

5. INVOCATION

6. Welcome & Greetings! Announcements
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here…

7. Anthem
Sea of Mercy
arranged by
Tom Fettke

8. Children’s Time

9. Gloria (#759, NCH)
Glory to the Creator the Christ, the Holy Spirit, Three in One As it was in the beginning Is now and ever shall be, World without end, Amen, Amen

10. Hebrew Scripture Reading
Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 Stacy Thompson

11. 2 Timothy 2:8-15 Donna Saxton
Epistle Reading
2 Timothy 2:8-15 Donna Saxton

12. Gospel Reading
Luke 17:11-19
Dr. Mann

13. Dr. Sylvia Lee Mann, Pastor
Sermon
“Healing the Otherness”
Dr. Sylvia Lee Mann, Pastor

14. Focus Questions Where do you find yourself in this story
What’s the divisive problem we wrestle with in the church today?
Why do you think the Samaritan was the only one who returned to thank Jesus?
What are “Borders” in your own life, where you feel perhaps vulnerable or uncertain rather than secure and safe?
When has someone (perhaps an “outsider”), unexpectedly helped you to see something important?

15. There Is a Balm in Gilead NCH 553
Responding Hymn
There Is a Balm in Gilead NCH 553

16. Prayers of the People - Joys and Concerns
As we share, conclude with “Lord in Your Mercy” Congregational response: “Hear our prayer”

17. Our Father, Who art in heaven Hallowed be thy name
The Lords 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 and ever. Amen

18. Unison Prayer of Confession
Patient Lord, you know how easy it is for us to whine and complain bitterly about all those things in our lives that are difficult. We focus on them as though they were the only things that ever happened to us, forgetting the many blessings that you have given to us and the opportunities you give us to serve you. We feel alienated--you call us beloved. We feel lost--you seek us. We feel broken and battered--your love is a healing balm. Forgive us when we forget those things. Help us to always look to you for our healing and to return thanks to you by praise and serving others in your name. For we offer this prayer of confession of our failures and gratitude for your blessings. AMEN.

19. Words of Assurance Pastoral Prayer

20. Unison Invitation to Share
Most Gracious God, You provide for us in ways that we do not always recognize. In this moment, we pause to express our gratitude for your provisions. We accept this invitation to offer our gifts as an opportunity to say thank you for your many blessings.

21. Offertory Music

22. Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow Praise God all creatures here below Praise God above the heavenly hosts Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost Amen

23. Prayer of Dedication
Stacy Thompson

24. God Speak to Me, That I May Speak
Singing into Mission
God Speak to Me, That I May Speak
NCH 531

25. Benediction

26. (Wayne Howell, programmer)
Carillon Postlude
(Wayne Howell, programmer)