Sunday October 5th, 2014 11:00 a.m. Worship Service

Worship Leader: Deacon Elmena Bethell Preacher: Rev. Dr. Godfrey A. Bethell

Introit…………………………………………………………………….The Sanctuary Choir

Welcome & Notices……………..…..……..…...... Rev. Dr. Godfrey A. Bethell (Please take your Bulletins home and be guided accordingly)

Opening Hymn …..………………………….”God Is With Us”…...... …..# 252

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH:……………………………………………….Apostles Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty; Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost; Born of the virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate; Was Crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell. The third day He arose from the dead; He ascended into heaven; And is seated at the right hand of God the Father, Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; The Holy Catholic Church; The Communion of saints, The forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting. Amen.

Prayer & Lord’s Prayer.………………….………..…..……………...Deacon Elmena Bethell

Reception of New Member…………………………………………………...Mrs. Lela Higgs

* The Candidate and Congregation standing. Madam Secretary, I present to you Mrs. Lela Higgs to be received into full membership of the Church.:-

Dear Sister in Christ; we are here present , as children of the one family of God and in His sight, to welcome you into the fellowship of His Holy Church. Forasmuch, however, as the true fellowship of our Lord, Jesus Christ is given to those who seek to be saved from their sins, and who trust in Him as their Saviour, it is meet that you, who desire to live in that fellowship, should confess your faith in him. At your baptism you were received into the congregation of Christ’s flock. You have heard the voice of Jesus saying to you, as He said to His first disciples, “Follow Me.” We believe that you have already responded to His call, and that you do sincerely desire to be saved from your sins by faith in Him. In taking your place among the great company of those who in many generations and in every land have become His servants and His brethren, you are called with a high calling. Our Lord Jesus offers you Himself, and in Him all the promises and gifts of God are yours. You can do all things in Him who strengthens you. He will not fail you. Having loved His own which are in the world, He loves them to the end. In this high moment, do you now confirm your response to His gracious call, confessing Him before men, taking up your cross and engaging yourself to continue, through good report and ill, to be His faithful soldier and servant to your life’s end.

Candidate: I do so confess Him and pledge myself to Him.

General Secretary: Do you now resolve, trusting in God alone for strength, to be sincere, pure and upright in thought, word and deed; To hallow your life by prayer and frequent meditation upon God’s Word? Do you resolve to give attention to the means of Grace and Fellowship, to further the work of God by the dedication of yourself and your service and sacrifice to the coming of His kingdom throughout the world?

Candidate: I do so resolve, God being my helper.

General Secretary: In the name of God, the giver of all grace, we now joyfully welcome you into the fellowship of Christ Church. May He who knoweth the thoughts and desires of every heart establish, strengthen, settle you and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace that you may daily rejoice in His salvation and be ready to do and suffer His perfect will, that finally, you may become partakers of His eternal Kingdom and glory. Amen.

Offertory Hymn…………………...”I’ll Praise My Maker”………..…….. ………….# 428 (During this hymn the Tithes and Offering will be received)

Offertory Prayer..…….……….……………...... …………...Rev. Dr. Godfrey A. Bethell

1st Scripture Lesson…...…....”Genesis 20 vs. 1-4; 7-9”……..….....Miss Sasha Ferguson Now Abraham moved on from there into the region of the Negev and lived between Kadesh and Shur. For a while he stayed in Gerar, 2 and there Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” Then Abimelek king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her. 3 But God came to Abimelek in a dream one night and said to him, “You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman.” 4 Now Abimelek had not gone near her, so he said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation?7 Now return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not return her, you may be sure that you and all who belong to you will die.” 8 Early the next morning Abimelek summoned all his officials, and when he told them all that had happened, they were very much afraid. 9 Then Abimelek called Abraham in and said, “What have you done to us? How have I wronged you that you have brought such great guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should never be done.”

READER: THIS IS THE WORD OF THE LORD CONGREGATION RESPONSE: THANKS BE TO GOD

Hymn………………………...”God Of Mercy, God Of Praise”…………………...# 681

2nd Scripture Lesson…………..”Matthew 21 vs. 33-46”…..…………Miss Kim Sawyer 33 “Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. 34 When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit. 35 “The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. 36 Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. 37 Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said. 38 “But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.’ 39 So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” 41 “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.” 42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? 43 “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. 44 Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.”[i] 45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew he was talking about them. 46 They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet.

READER: THIS IS THE WORD OF THE LORD CONGREGATION RESPONSE: THANKS BE TO GOD

Selection………………………….…………………...…………….The Sanctuary Choir

Sermon…………”Judge Judy and Judge Jesus”…..……….Rev. Dr. Godfrey A. Bethell

Hymn………………….”O For A Closer Walk With God”……………..# 461 (Tune 766)

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING (All Stand, Please) SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION:

The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give God our thanks and praise. It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you; Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. And so, with your people on earth. And all the company of heaven, we praise Your name and join the unending hymn:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of Power and might, heaven and earth are full of Your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Holy are You, O God, and blessed is Your Son, Jesus Christ. By the baptism of His suffering, death, and resurrection, You gave birth to Your church, delivered us from slavery to sin and death, and made us a new covenant by water and the Spirit. On the night in which Christ offered Himself up for us, He took bread, gave thanks, broke the bread, gave it to His disciples, and said: “Take, eat; this is My body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.”

At the conclusion of the supper, having reminded His disciples that He was the vine and they were the branches, Christ took the juice of the fruit of the vine, gave thanks, made it a symbol of His blood and the new covenant, and said to his disciples, “Drink of this all of you, in remembrance of Me.” And so, in remembrance of these Your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving, as a holy and living sacri- fice, in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.

Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.

Pour out Your Holy spirit on all gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and the cup. Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the body of Christ redeemed by His blood. By Your Spirit, O God, make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory, and we feast at his heavenly banquet. Through Your son, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in Your holy church, all honor and glory is Yours, Almighty Father now and forever. Amen.

We do not presume to come to this Your table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in Your manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under your table. But You are the One whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to partake of this Sacrament of Your Son, Jesus Christ, that we may walk in newness of life, may grow in His likeness, and may evermore dwell in him, and He in us. Amen.

Communion Hymns: 314, 173, 453, 462, 461

POST COMMUNION: We thank you Lord, for feeding us in this sacrament; Uniting us in Christ; And giving us a foretaste of your heavenly banquet; Prepared for all mankind Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Closing Hymn…………………………..”God Of Our Fathers“……………………… …………..

God of our fa-thers, whose al-might-y hand Leads forth in beau-ty all the star-ry band Of shin-ing worlds in splen-dor through the skies, Our grate-ful songs be-fore Thy throne a-rise.

Thy love di-vine hath led us in the past, In this free land by Thee our lot is cast; Be Thou our Rul-er, Guard-ian, Guide and Stay, Thy Word our law, Thy paths our cho-sen way.

Re-fresh Thy peo-ple on their toil-some way. Lead us from night to nev-er-end-ing day; Fill all our lives with love and grace di-vine; And glo-ry, laud and praise be ev-er Thine!

Benediction……………………………………………………………Rev. Dr. Godfrey A. Bethell

*********************************************** JUMBLE SALE

The Soup Kitchen is hosting a Jumble Sale on Saturday November 8th, 2014 in the Sir Durward Knowles Auditorium. If you have children clothes, toys, shoes, household items such as dishes, pots, glassware, small appliances and would like to donate them please drop them off at the Church Office or contact Linda Sands or Gwen Johnson.

***************************************** BAKE SALE

Duff….Cupcakes….Fudge....Cakes….Tart….Cookies!!!

There will be a “BAKE SALE” next Sunday October 12th, 2014 immediately following the morning service. Your support will be greatly appreciated.

BIBLE READINGS FOR THE WEEK (*Readings taken from The Discipline)

DAY READING THOUGHT

MON: Psalm 106: 1-6 Creator of the universe help us to stop to praise you.

TUES: Exodus 32: 1-6 Lord, give us the patience to wait for your word.

WED: Exodus 32: 7-14 Lord, may our “yes” mean yes and our “no” mean no.

THURS: Philippians 4: 1-9 Lord, help us to recognize the things that move us away from you.

FRID: Matthew 22: 1-14 Lord, give me the courage to be your disci- ple in the world.

SAT: Matthew 22: 1-14 Lord help us to live up to your expectations.

SUN: Psalm 106: 19-23 Lord, motivate me to pray for others.

COLLECT

Grant to Thy people, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to avoid the defilements of the devil, and with a pure mind to follow Thee, the only God. Amen.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

O most amiable Jesus! who hast admonished us so affectionately to love God and our neighbor, pour the fire of Thy love into our hearts, that all our deeds and actions, our thoughts and words may begin and end with Thy love. Grant, that we may love Thee with all the powers of our body and soul, and thereby be so united to You. Like St. Paul, no temptation, no tribulation, no danger, not even death, may be able to separate us from You. Grant us also, that we may love our neighbors, friends, and enemies as ourselves for Your sake, and thus be made worthy to possess Thee as our Redeemer and merciful judge. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

“No man knows how bad he is, until he has tried very hard to be good.” C.S. Lewis

October Upcoming Events

6th The Men’s Fellowship will meet at 7:30pm. All men of the Church are invited to attend.

7th Bible Study meets at 7:00p.m. in the Sir Durward Knowles Auditorium. Everyone is invited to attend.

7th Youth Group Bible Study will meet at 6:30p.m. on the Upper Floor of Epworth Hall.

8th The Focus Group will meet at 11:00 a.m. in the Sir Durward Knowles Auditorium. All are invited.

8th Children’s Choir will rehearse at 6:30 p.m.

8th The Sanctuary Choir will rehearse at 7:30 p.m.

9th Youth Group will meet at 6:30 p.m. in Epworth Hall.

10th Scouts & Brownies will meet at 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. in The Sir Durward Knowles Auditorium. Males and Females between the ages of 4-16 are invited to join.

19th Ebenezer Women’s Fellowship Anniversary Service at 4:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. All are invited to attend.

Sick Members:

Members: Una Russell, Brenda Albury, Eric Darville, Gloria Pinder, Mavis Hall, Leonie Sweeting, Patsy Hanna, Philip Sawyer, Sir Durward Knowles, Ivanhoe Sands, Ann & Gene Lowe, Cynthia Roberts, Lady Holly Knowles, Lilly Knowles, John Phillpot, Enola Morris and Thelma Pinder.

Family & Friends: Dion Strachan, Diane Greene, Barbara Malone, Iris Carey (T. Bay), Majorie Mailis (sister of Cynthia Roberts), Rowena and Hartley Eldon, Janet Brown, Rev. Charles Sweeting, Nancy Cash (daughter-in- law of William Cash Sr.), Kevin Ingraham (husband of Tanya Ingraham), Joy Boyes (sister of Greta Pinder), Brian Burrows (brother of Christopher Burrows, Shelly Sweeting (wife of Andrew Sweeting) and Philip Pinder (Spanish Wells), Andrew Roberts (Epworth Chapel - Cherokee Sound) and Ivy Newton (mother of Pamella Sands).

Sanctuary Flowers: The flowers in the Church's Sanctuary have been graciously donated by the Members of this great church. Thank you for your kind donation

Shut In Members: Lorraine Albury, Vernell Johnson, Ena Russell, Dorothy Evans, Byrle Albury, Douglas Carey, Bernard Evans, Thelma Knowles, Ronald Hicks, Doreen Williams, Mickey Halkitis, Gloria Finley and Benson Knowles.

Birthday greetings are extended to:

Judy Sands 6th Zelia Bethell 6th Enos Johnson 6th Miriam Vargas 8th Robyn Pinder 9th Jamel King 9th Antoinette Burrows 9th Michelle Butler 11th

May God continue to bless your lives.

Sunday October 5th, 2014 7:00 p.m. Service Worship Leader: Rev. Dr. Godfrey A. Bethell Preacher: Deacon Elmena Bethell

Introit……………………………………………...”For I’m Building A People Of Power ” For I’m building a people of power and I’m making a people of praise, that will move through this land by My Spirit, and will glorify my precious name. Build your church, Lord, make us strong, Lord, join our hearts, Lord, through Your Son make us one, Lord, in Your body, in the kingdom of Your Son.

Welcome & Notices……………..…..……..…...... Rev. Dr. Godfrey A. Bethell (Please take your Bulletins home and be guided accordingly)

Opening Hymn …..……………...”With Gladness We Worship”……………………..# 11

Prayer & Lord’s Prayer.………………….………..…..…………...Deacon Elmena Bethell

Offertory Hymn……….……..”Let All The World In Every Corner Sing”.…………….# 5 (During this hymn the Tithes and Offering will be received)

Offertory Prayer……………………………………………….Rev. Dr. Godfrey A. Bethell

1st Scripture Lesson…………………..”Psalm 19”…...…………………Mrs. Linda Pinder The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. 3 They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. 4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. 5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. 6 It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth. 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. 10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. 11 By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12 But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. 13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. 14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. READER: THIS IS THE WORD OF THE LORD CONGREGATION RESPONSE: THANKS BE TO GOD

Hymn……………………….”Help Us To Help Each Other, Lord”………………….# 717

Scripture Lesson………………”Matthew 21 vs. 33-46 ”……………Mr. Earl Pinder 33 “Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. 34 When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit. 35 “The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. 36 Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. 37 Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said. 38 “But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.’ 39 So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” 41 “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.” 42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’[h]? 43 “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. 44 Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.”[i] 45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew he was talking about them. 46 They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet.

READER: THIS IS THE WORD OF THE LORD CONGREGATION RESPONSE: THANKS BE TO GOD

Selection………………..…...... ………...………………………Mr. Vincent Knowles

Sermon..”It’s The Lord’s Doing..And It Is Marvelous In Our Eyes”...Dec. E. Bethell

Hymn………………………..”I Shall Not Be Moved”………………………………. Glory, hallelujah! I shall not be moved. Anchored in Jehovah, I shall not be moved. Just like a tree that’s planted by the waters, I shall not be moved.

Refrain: I shall not be, I shall not be moved. I shall not be, I shall not be moved. Just like a tree that’s planted by the waters, I shall not be moved.

In His love abiding, I shall not be moved. And in Him confiding, I shall not be moved. Just like a tree that’s planted by the waters, I shall not be moved.

Tho’ the tempest rages, I shall not be moved. On the Rock of Ages, I shall not be moved. Just like a tree that’s planted by the waters, I shall not be moved.

SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

Closing Hymn…………..”Saviour, Again To Thy Dear Name We Raise”……# 691

Benediction…………………………………………………..Deacon Elmena Bethell

NURSE NAOMI CHRISTIE HOME

Would you like to join the roster to supply meals for the Naomi Christie Home on the last Sunday of the month? Please speak with Lorraine Phillpot at 393-5298. Kimberley Ferguson will be providing the meal for the month of October. ______THE CHURCH PANTRY

The Church Pantry is being stocked for the month of October by the generous donations of these persons: Barry Newbold, Gwen Johnson, Carina Dorsett. ______

BIBLE STUDY

Bible Study meets each Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in The Sir Durward Knowles Auditorium. All are invited to attend and bring along a friend. ______

PASTORAL CARE

Rev. Dr. Godfrey A. Bethell is available for Pastoral Care and can be contacted at any of the telephone numbers listed on the front of the bulletin.

Members are encouraged to contact the Minister:  When a memorable occasion is celebrated (birth/anniversary)  When there is sickness or death in the family  When and if your address or telephone number changes  When and if you move to another Island  When any other Pastoral Care is required or for any confidential matters that you might need advice or Pastoral Care. Please remember to also call Rev. Bethell when family members are admitted into hospital to say which Ward, or Room number and when your loved ones are discharged out of hospital. ______

CONDOLENCES

To Inga Bostwick and family and Margaret Bostwick and family on the passing of the late Urban Edward Bostwick. Grandfather and father-in-law respectively. Also, our condolences to Joan Patrice Thompson on the passing of his mother the late Mrs. Evelyn Thompson of Wemyss Bight Eleuthera. ______

HALLOWEEN PARTY

Get ready for the costumes, good food, fun games, and much more, at the Ebenezer Methodist Church Halloween Party, hosted by the Youth. Save the date, Friday October 24, 2014, 7 p.m. held at The Sir Durward Knowles Auditorium. Tickets are $10 and will be on sale next week. If you are interested in donating anything for the party, please contact Miss. Giavanna Knowles.

XTRA...XTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT!!!

EVERYONE is asked to donate 1- 2lb bag of rice to the Soup Kitchen. Let’s help our less fortunate brothers and sisters! ______

ITEMS PURCHASED FOR THE CHURCH PANTRY EACH WEEK

ISLAND WHOLESALE

CORN BEEF 24 PER CASE $ 42- $ 46

THOMPSON TRADING

GRITS 12 PER CASE $ 21

BAHAMAS WHOLESALE AGENCY

3LB RICE 20 BAGS PER BALE $ 37.76 VIENNA SAUSAGE 48 PER CASE $ 31- $ 38

D’ALBENAS AGENCY

VIENNA SAUSAGE 48 PER CASE $ 37.75 RICELAND RICE 2 LB BAG 15 BAGS $ 19.75 BUMBLEBEE SARDINE 24 PER CASE $ 22.50 EARLY DAWN TUNA 48 PER CASE $ 43.25

This list has been compiled to give you an idea of what is needed to continue to assist the less fortunate in our Community. You can either purchase any of these items solely or you can get a partner or a group of friends or family members together to donate to the Church Pantry. ______

SHOPPERS! SHOPPERS! SHOPPERS!

The Soup Kitchen is in desperate need of Plastic Grocery Bags. Please bring all your clean unwanted THANK YOU, SUPER VALUE, SOLOMONS,WALMART, K-MART etc. plastic bags to Epworth Hall or the church. Every bag counts! ______JUNIOR CHURCH IS BACK!!!

October 19th and 26th, 2014 11:00 a.m. in the Sir Durward Knowles Auditorium.