January 10, 2010
10:30 AM

WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
*Call to Worship
Everlasting God, you brought the nations to your light and kings to the brightness of your rising.
Fill the world with your glory, and show yourself to all the nations, through him who is the true light and the bright morning star, Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.
*Opening Praise – 568 “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Others
*Continuing Praise
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Call to Confession
The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil.  Let us confess our sin to God.
Prayer of Confession
Almighty and merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you and one another in both our actions and our inactions.  We recognize that in Jesus Christ our light has come, yet often we choose to walk in shadows and ignore the light.  Gracious God, forgive our sins and remove from us the veil of darkness that shrouds our lives.  Illumined by your Word and sacrament, may we rise to the radiance of Christ’s glory.  Amen.
Assurance of Pardon – I John 1:5-7
*Song of Assurance – 501:3-5 “The Name of Jesus Charms Our Fears”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – Mark 8:27-32
Message – “Who Do You Say That I Am?”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
The Lord’s Supper
Friends, this is the joyful feast of the people of God!  People will come from east and west, from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God.  When our risen Lord was at table with his disciples, he took the bread, and blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.  Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.  This is the Lord’s table.  Our Savior invites those who trust him to share the feast that he has prepared.
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 and praise.
With joy we praise you, gracious God, for you have created heaven and earth, made us in your image, and kept covenant with us – even when we fell into sin.  We give you thanks for Jesus Christ, our Lord, who came as the light of the world to show us your way of truth in parables and miracles.  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.
Let us proclaim our faith.
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.
Amen.
The bread that we break is a sharing in the body of Christ.
We who are many are one body, for we all share the same loaf.
The cup for which we give thanks is a sharing in the blood of Christ.
The cup that we drink is our participation in the blood of Christ.
The gifts of God for the people of God.
The body of Christ, given for you
Thanks be to God.
The blood of Christ, shed for you.
Thanks be to God.
*Song of Thanksgiving – 486 “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”
The Offerings – First:  General Fund
  Second:  Project Concern
Offertory Prayer
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE SENT TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*Closing Prayer
*Parting Song – 632 “To God Be the Glory”
Postlude

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Our worship today includes our monthly celebration of Holy Communion.  If you have publicly professed Jesus to be your Savior and if your life reflects that profession, please receive the bread and cup as they are passed to you where you are seated.  We will eat and drink together after all have been served.

The second offering today is for Project Concern.  This ministry in our local community (on Kattelville Road in Chenango Bridge) has provided clothing and household goods at minimal cost to people in need for many years.  Thank you for your generous offering support. Also, a special thank you goes out to all those who keep this ministry going by volunteering their time and energy.

Wednesday, 11:30 AM Women’s luncheon at Cracker Barrel
Thursday, 7:30 PM Worship Team meets

Council notes:

NEXT SUNDAY, January 17, 2010
SUNDAY SCHOOL:  9:15 AM  Classes for all ages meet.  The adult class continues a  study called “Fossils and Faith:  Finding Our Way through the Creation Controversy.”  The next session is “The Heavens Declare”.  If you haven’t been part of an adult class before (or if you have), plan to join us for this stimulating material.
MORNING WORSHIP: 10:30 AM  Pastor Gelder continues the series of messages “Good Questions, Great Answers”.  The question for this week will be “What Good Deed Must I Do? based on Matthew 19:16.