February 10, 2008, 11:00 AM
First Sunday in Lent

WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
*Opening Prayer
Journey with us, O holy God, as we begin our way to the cross.
Sharpen our focus, that our attention may center more on you than ourselves.  Lead us through the shadows of darkness and prepare our hearts that we might be a people of prayer, ready to perceive and respond to your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ.   In his name we pray.  Amen.
*Opening Song –“Throughout These Lenten Days and Nights”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Each Other
*Continuing Praise  – “Lamb of God”
“We Will Glorify”
“Glory to the Lamb”
Call to Confession –
Our Lord cries out “Follow me!”
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.”  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And a second is like it:  “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”  (Matthew 22:37-40)
Yet, in spite of our Lord’s call, we fail to surrender our lives.  We close our hearts to God and disobey his law.  People of God, let us acknowledge what we have failed to surrender and ask our loving God to forgive us.
Prayer of Confession –
Great God in heaven, your own Son bore the thorn of following you, even to death on the cross.  You have called us to follow you, to surrender our lives to you, to love you above all else, to love our neighbors more than ourselves; we have sinned.  Forgive us, we pray.  By your Spirit continue to mold us so that in everything we do, we may surrender our all to you.  In our Savior’s merciful name we pray, Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
While it is true that we have sinned, it is a greater truth that we are forgiven:  Jesus Christ has borne our thorns.  To all who humbly seek the mercy of God I say, “In Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven.”  Surrender your all and sin no more.  Amen.
*Song of Assurance – 490:1,2 “Blessed Assurance:  Jesus Is Mine”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – Luke 9:57-62; 14:25-33
Message – “Thorns in Following Jesus”
Prayer
*Song – 285:1,3 “O Jesus, I Have Promised”
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper – Luke 22:14-34
*Song of Thanksgiving – 379:1-3 “What Wondrous Love Is This”
The Offerings – First:  General Fund
  Second:  Howard and Ruth Van Dam
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE SENT TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*God Blesses Us
*Closing Praise – “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me” (Paul Peterson)
Postlude

ANNOUNCEMENTS
This morning we begin a Lenten series of messages centering on the image of Jesus wearing for us the crown of thorns.  We too are called to a life that at times has pain and suffering.  Let us never forget that to those who persevere, God prepares a crown of glory that never ends.

We will observe the Lord’s Supper this morning.  If you have publicly professed that Jesus is your Savior and you are seeking to live in obedience to his revealed will for your life, please participate with us in our celebration of grace.  The bread and cup will be passed to you; we will eat and drink together after all have been served.

There will be a meeting immediately following the service this morning of all who are part of the rotation for leading the intercessory prayer.  We will review the material in the booklet “So You’ve Been Asked to Lead in Prayer” as it pertains to leading prayer in a worship service.  If you have the gift of intercession and are curious as to whether you have the gifts needed to lead prayer publicly, please join us for this meeting.

Wednesday, 11:30 AM Women’s luncheon at

The second offering today is for Christian Reformed World Missions and specifically to help with salary support for Howard and Ruth Van Dam and their family.  Along with your generous financial gift, be sure to add your prayer support of their work in leadership development in the churches in Haiti.  Thank God regularly for his safekeeping as they live and work in what is sometimes a chaotic and dangerous environment.

Pastor Gelder will be offering a class for all young adults and adults who are interested in exploring what it means to be a member of Valley Church.  The class will start on Sunday, February 24 at 4:00 PM and will likely go for three Sundays.  There will be a class for children interested in professing their faith later in the spring.  Talk with him to get more information or to get your questions answered. 

Dick Crawford has returned home after another stay in the hospital.  Give thanks that the infection he had was identified and treated.  Pray for renewed strength each day.

The Gelders are leaving Thursday for a week of vacation with family and friends in Texas.  Please contact an elder if you have a special pastoral care need during their absence.

PLAN AHEAD NOW!  Valley Church will be hosting the annual Women’s Retreat on Saturday, April 26.  Now is the time to start inviting your friends and neighbors to consider an “Ultimate Makeover”.  Retreat leader will be the Rev. Tineke Cornelison from Rochester.
NEXT SUNDAY, February 17, 2008

SUNDAY SCHOOL:  9:45 AM  Classes for all ages.  The adults continue the series of studies of several world religions called “Which Way to God?”  We will continue the study of Judaism.

MORNING WORSHIP:     11:00 AM   Our worship will be led by elder Bill Kutz.  May God bless his preparation and his bringing of God’s Word to us.