April 10, 2011
10:30 AM
Fifth Sunday in Lent


WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
Welcome
Call to Worship –
*Song of Praise – 603:1,3,4 “Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service”
*Invocation
*We Greet Others
*Continuing Praise
“God of Wonders”
“You Are So Good to Me”
“Come to Jesus”
Call to Confession
In this season in which we remember our Savior’s suffering, let us confess our sinfulness to him.
Prayer of Confession
God of mercy, you sent Jesus Christ to seek and save the lost.  We confess that we have strayed from you and turned aside from your way.  We are misled by pride, for we see ourselves pure when we are stained and great when we are small.  We have failed in love, neglected justice, and ignored your truth.  Have mercy, O God, and forgive our sin.  Return us to paths of righteousness through Jesus Christ, our Savior.  Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.  He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we, free from sins, might live for righteousness; by his wounds we have been healed. (from I Timothy 1:15; I Peter 2:24)
*Song of Assurance – 379:1 “What Wondrous Love Is This”
A Commitment to Holy Living
Since we have been saved by grace, how shall we live in obedience to Him who saved us?
We will love the Lord our God with all our heart, our mind and our strength; and we will love our neighbors as ourselves.
And how will it be clear that your Lord has first place in your life?
We will have no other gods before God; we will not make for ourselves any substitute gods; we will not abuse the name of the Lord but speak it only in reverence and love; we will honor the Lord’s day through worship, witness, and fellowship with God’s people.
And how will it be clear that you love others as yourself?
We will honor our parents and hold the family in high esteem; we will not abuse, hate, or injure our friends or neighbors by word, gesture or deed; we will live sexually holy and disciplined lives; we will not steal; we will not lie’ we will not grasp for what we do not have, nor reject others for having it.
Will you commit yourselves to this obedience?
Yes, by God’s grace we will do it!
HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – John 13:1-17
Message – “Look at Jesus:  The Footwasher”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song – “The Servant Song”  (vs. 1-3,6)
The Offerings – First:  General Fund
  Second:  Lissette Perez Matos, Dominican Republic
Offertory Prayer
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE SENT TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*Called to Service – Philippians 2:3-8
*Blessed to Serve
May the God of love, who shared his love, strengthen us in our love for others.
May the Son who shared his life grant us grace, that we might share our life.
And may the Holy Spirit dwelling in us empower us to be only and always for others.
Amen.
*Parting Song -291:1,4,5 “May the Mind of Christ, My Savior’
Postlude

ANNOUNCEMENTS

This morning elder Tim Brown will lead the opening of the worship services as a reminder of the continuity of the church during our time of pastoral transition. 

The second offering this morning is for support of a Christian school in the Dominican Republic led by Lisette Perez Matos and her husband.  Lisette was a student at Broome Community College some years ago and lived with Al and Joyce Vos for part of that time, worshipping here at Valley.  Since her return to the Dominican Republic, she and her husband are pastoring a church and building and leading a Christian school.  The school continues to be in need of supplies and furnishings.  Our generous support last year was greatly appreciated.  Let’s encourage them again this time.

Tuesday, 7:00 PM Pastor Search Committee meets
Wednesday, 6:00 AM Men’s breakfast at the Spot
                   9:30 AM Women’s Bible study at Ruth Giese’s home
                 11:30 AM Women’s luncheon at Cracker Barrel
Are you prayerfully considering who might serve Valley Church as elders and deacons in the coming years?  In this bulletin there is another insert which you can use to suggest names of persons you feel are qualified for these positions.  Remember, do not include any of the people serving on the Pastor Search Committee, as this is already a major commitment of time and energy.  Completed forms must be placed in Beth Cunningham’s mail slot no later than next Sunday, April 17.
Advance notice:  Holy Week activities include the Palm Sunday worship and children’s program on Sunday, April 17.  Also, plan to attend the Maundy Thursday Communion service on Thursday, April 21, 7:00 PM as well as the Chenango Valley area Good Friday Tenebrae service which we are hosting at 7:00 PM on Good Friday, April 22.  Easter events on April 24 include an early service on the front lawn at 7:30 AM, Easter breakfast from 8:30 – 10:00 AM, and Easter worship at 10:30 AM.  There will be no Sunday School that day.
The people planning the Easter breakfast need to know how many hope to be here for the breakfast.  There is a sign up sheet on the entry door.
Broome Community College is looking for host families for students in the SEED program (formerly CASS).  If you are interested in opening your home to a student from Central America or the Caribbean, more information is found on the information center.
NEXT SUNDAY, April 17, 2011
SUNDAY SCHOOL:  9:15 AM  Classes for all ages meet.  The adult class continues the  video series with Ray Vander Laan  titled “Fire on the Mountain” which deals with the wilderness stories of Israel after they crossed the Red Sea and before entering Canaan.  All are welcome.
The youth Sunday School classes will be practicing the Easter production they will be presenting in the morning service.
PALM SUNDAY WORSHIP:  10:30 AM  Pastor Gelder will bring us God’s Word, continuing the series of Lenten messages “Look at Jesus - the King”, based on Matthew 21:1-17.  We will notice how children’s praises fill Jesus’ heart with joy.

Worship will include the public profession of faith of Annette and Roby Ann Vernon.  We thank God for leading them to take this important step.

The Valley Church youth will be presenting “The Time Machine’s Witnesses”, an Easter play, written by Natalie Doller, as part of our Palm Sunday worship.