December 10, 2006, 11:00 AM
Second Sunday in Advent

WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
*Opening Praise – 344:1,2,4 “Silent Night! Holy Night!”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Each Other
*Continuing Praise – “My Life Is in You”
“Seek Ye First”
“Wonderful Counselor”
The Advent Candle Lighting
The Scriptures record how even in the Garden of Eden, God had a plan to redeem his fallen people through the coming of the Christ.
Then came the voice from one in the desert, saying:  “Prepare the way of the Lord!”
As we come closer to Christmas, our days are filled with preparations.  Let us also prepare our hearts to celebrate again the coming of the Savior.
Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has redeemed his people!
We light this second Advent candle as we prepare to mark again the coming of the one who would save his people from their sins.  Let us pray to our lord who has come and is coming again:
Heavenly Father, how great and awesome you are.  From the moment that we first failed, you already began to set in motion your amazing plan to gather us back into fellowship with you.  Even now, our Lord Jesus is preparing for his return.  May we be ready not only for this festive season, but also to meet our lord and Savior whenever he comes.  In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.
Advent Song – 327:1,2,5 “On Jordan’s Banks the Baptist’s Cry”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
*Song of Preparation – “In Christ Alone”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading – Isaiah 9:6; John 20:19-29
Message – “He Is the Mighty God”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING AND SERVICE
*Song – 345 “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
The Offerings – First:  General Fund
  Second:  Indonesian CRC
Sharing Joys, Concerns and Opportunities for Service
Intercessory Prayer
We Celebrate Holy Communion
Hear the words of the institution of the Holy Supper of our Lord Jesus Christ:
I Corinthians 11:23-26
With thanksgiving, let us offer God our grateful praise.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right for us to give thanks, it is our joy and peace, at all times and in all places to give thanks to you, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, through Christ, our Lord.
We give you thanks for Jesus Christ, our Lord, whose coming opened to us the way of salvation and whose triumphant return we eagerly await. Therefore we join our voices with all the saints and angels and the whole creation to proclaim the glory of your name.
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.  Hosanna in the highest. 
Therefore we proclaim our faith as signed and sealed in this sacrament:
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Lord, our God, send your Holy Spirit so that this bread and cup may be for us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.  May we and all your saints be united with Christ and remain faithful in hope and love.  Gather your whole church, O Lord, into the glory of your kingdom.
Amen.
Come, then, for all is ready.
I am not worthy that you should come under my roof;
But speak one word only, Lord, and I shall be healed.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
I shall receive the bread of heaven.
I shall drink the cup of salvation.
The gifts of God for the people of God.
The body of Christ, the bread of heaven.
Thanks be to God.
The blood of Christ, the cup of salvation.
Thanks be to God.
Let us pray with praise and thanksgiving.
Strengthen us, O God, in the power of your Spirit to bring good news to the poor and lift blind eyes to sight, to loose the chains that bind and claim your blessing for all people.  Keep us faithful in your service until Christ comes in final victory and we shall feast with all your saints in the joy of your eternal realm. 
Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are yours, almighty God, now and forever.  Amen.
*God Blesses Us
*Parting Song – 355:2,3 “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice”
Postlude

THIS WEEK IN THE LIFE OF VALLEY CHURCH
This morning we continue the celebration of Advent, a very special time when we remember Jesus’ first coming to earth as a baby and also look forward to his coming again to this earth as Lord of all.  In addition to the usual lighting of Advent candles and special pre-Christmas music, this morning we are celebrating the sacrament of Holy Communion.  Taking the bread and cup when they are passed assumes you have publicly declared Jesus to be your Lord and Savior and that you are committed to serving him with your life in a way that honors him.  If this is your situation, please join us in eating and drinking together after all have been served.

The live Nativity will be presented this Saturday, December 16 with showings at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 PM.  Invite your friends and neighbors to what is becoming a Christmas tradition in this community.  Also, we will need your help that evening and a sign up sheet is available on the table in the entry where you can indicate how you will help this year.

Advance notice: The Christmas Eve candle light service is on Sunday, Dec. 24 at 7:30 PM.  If you wish to take part with a reading or a song, please tell Pastor Gelder as soon as you can.

The second offering this morning is another chance to encourage the Lapians as they plant an Indonesian Christian Reformed church in Dover, New Hampshire.  Your generous support and prayers are greatly appreciated.

Saturday, 5:30 PM  Live Nativity presentation
   6:30 PM  Live Nativity
   7:30 PM  Live Nativity

Just a reminder from the deacons that we need your gift items of blankets, mittens, underwear, socks, gloves to be placed on the Giving Tree no later than this week Friday.  The items will be part of the distribution arranged by the Chenango Forks Schools this Saturday at the CF Fire Station.

Dot Simonds returned home from the hospital on Monday.  We are thankful with her and her family for her good recovery.
The Christmas season is often a hard time for people who have lost loved ones or who are in difficult circumstances.  May the celebration of the coming of Jesus remind them and us all that Jesus came for the sick and hurting, not for those who think they have their life in perfect order.  That’s Gospel; that’s Good News.

Next Sunday, December 17, 2006

SUNDAY SCHOOL:  9:45 AM Sunday School classes for all ages.  The adult class continues a short series of Advent lessons “No Small Wonder:  Stories of Hope from the Nativity”.  Why not make this a part of your Advent focus this year.

MORNING WORSHIP:     11:00 AM   Pastor Gelder will be with us as we continue our Advent celebration.  The message is “He Is the Everlasting Father”, based on Isaiah 9:6 and John 10:37-38.