April 11, 2010
10:30 AM
WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
*Invocation
We give you thanks, great God, for the hope we have in Jesus, who died but is risen and rules over all. We praise you for his presence with us. Because he lives, we look for eternal life, knowing that nothing past, present, or yet to come can separate us from your great love made known in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
*Opening Praise – 391:1-3 “The Strife is O’er, the Battle Done”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Others
*Continuing Praise
Call to Confession
The Almighty God, in raising Jesus from the grave, shattered the power of sin and death. Yet we often continue to live in fear, entangled in our old ways of living. Let us confess our sins to the one who can forgive and empower us to live a new way.
Prayer of Confession
Almighty God, we confess that we remain captive to doubt and fear, bound by the ways that lead to death. We overlook the poor and the hungry and pass by those who mourn; we are deaf to the cries of the oppressed and indifferent to calls for peace; we despise the weak and abuse the earth you made. Forgive us, God of mercy. Help us to trust your power to change our lives and make us new, that we may know the joy of life abundant given in Jesus Christ, the risen Lord. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon – Colossians 2:13-15
*Song of Victory – 489:3,4 “It Is Well with My Soul”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – Matthew 27:62-28:4, 11-15
Message – “Eyewitnesses to Resurrection: the Guard”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song of Triumph – 396:1-3, then refrain “Low in the Grave Christ Lay”
The Offerings – First: General Fund
Second: CRWRC Disaster ResponseOffertory Prayer
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE SENT TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*Empowered to Serve
O living Lord, on the first Easter Day you stood in the midst of your disciples as the conqueror of sin and death and spoke to them your peace. Come to us, we pray, in your risen power and make us glad with your presence, and so breathe your Holy Spirit into our hearts that we may be strong to serve you and spread abroad your good news, for the glory of your great name.
Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
And also with you.
*Parting Song – 408:1,2,4 “Rejoice, the Lord Is King”
Postlude
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The second offering this morning is for Christian Reformed World Relief Committee’s Disaster Response ministry. Some of our members have helped in this, both locally after the 2006 flood and in response to other disasters in our country or around the world. This is a very direct way of offering the cup of cold water in Jesus’ name, something he told us is our duty. Be generous in your response.
Tuesday, 7:00 PM Deacons meet
Wednesday, 6:00 AM Men’s breakfast and Bible study at the Spot
Wednesday, 9:30 AM Women’s Bible Study meets at Ruth Giese’s home
Wednesday, 11:30 AM Women’s luncheon at Cracker Barrel
Saturday, 5:30 PM Parents’ Night Out
The final Parents’ Night Out of the season is this Saturday from 5:30 – 8:30 PM. As usual, please pre-register your children if they are going to attend – there’s a sheet on the entry door for your use or call the church (648-8224) no later than Friday morning. If you can help at a station or with directing the children from activity to activity, let Janet Crawford know today. Thanks for your help in this vital outreach ministry.
Joel, Robin and Jenny Vermaat have set up a memorial website for Peter. They want their Valley Church friends to share their memories. You can access the site at http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/petervermaatmemorial/homepage.aspx?cid=direct.
Pastor Gelder is leading a class for teens and adults interested in becoming a member of Valley Church, meeting from 9:15-10:15 AM Sunday mornings. There will also be a class for children who wish to affirm their baptism by professing their faith, which will meet starting in May.
Please remember to complete and return your Talents and Abilities Survey. The deacons are using this to develop a data bank of the abilities and interests of Valley members which can be used to help others in times of need. Extra copies of the form are on the table in the narthex.
Are you interested in attending the Leadership Summit next August 5 and 6 in Syracuse? Let Pastor Gelder know if you are so we can see the level of interest and possibly purchase advance registrations.
Continue to lift up Dick and Judy Crawford in your prayers. Caregivers need prayer support as much as the person who has the physical needs.
NEXT SUNDAY, April 18, 2010
SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:15 AM Classes for all ages meet. The adult class will continue its study of the book of Romans. Pastor Gelder also continues a class for adults interested in becoming members at Valley Church
MORNING WORSHIP: 10:30 AM Pastor Gelder will lead our worship, continuing the series of messages on “Eyewitnesses to Resurrection”. We will consider the experience of Peter and John as recorded in John 20:3-10.
There will be a second offering for Christian Reformed World Relief Committee’s Disaster Response ministry. Some of our members have helped in this, both locally after the 2006 flood and in response to other disasters in our country or around the world. This is a very pointed way of offering the cup of cold water in Jesus’ name mentioned as our duty. Be generous in your response.
