November 12, 2006 – 11:00 AM
WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
Call to Worship- I Corinthians 4:9-13
Prayer for the Persecuted Church
*Song of Prayer – 508:1,3,5 “Jesus, with Your Church Abide”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Each Other
*Continuing Praise
Call to Confession –
The psalmist models a confident faith with these words:“Search me, O God, and know my heart;Test me and know my thoughts.See if there is any wicked way in me,And lead me in the way everlasting.”We express our longing for God’s leadingBy our own honest confessionSilent Prayer of Confession
Assurance of Pardon –
To all who turn from sin in sorrow,To all who turn to God in hope,This is God’s Word of grace:We are accepted, we are forgiven, we are loved.This gift we have from God.Thanks be to God.Invitation to Communion
Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
All who are truly sorry for their sins, who sincerely believe in the Lord Jesus as their Savior, and who desire to live in obedience to him, are now invited to come with gladness to the table of the Lord.
We Declare our Faith
Praise to you, Lord Jesus:Dying, you destroyed our death;Rising, you restored our life.Lord Jesus, come in glory.Prayer
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.
Preparation
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 Communion
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 – 475:1,2 “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORDChildren’s Time
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading – Exodus 20:16; Ephesians 4:1-3, 14-16, 25-32
Message – “Truth Speaking – God’s Fertilizer”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song – 276:1,3,4 “Teach Me, O Lord, Your Way of Truth”
The Offering – General Fund
Missions Report – Zambia (David Dice)
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE DISMISSED TO LOVE AND SERVEOpportunities for Ministry and Service
*God Blesses Us
*Parting Song – 528 “Lord, Speak to Me That I May Speak”
Postlude
THIS WEEK IN THE LIFE OF VALLEY CHURCHToday we will join churches around the world in taking time to pray for the persecuted church. While we enjoy the freedom of worshiping openly, many Christians must meet secretly and in some areas, Christians are being killed because of their faith in Jesus. The least we can do is support them through our prayers.
This morning we celebrate the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. If you have publicly professed that Jesus is your lord and savior and if your life gives testimony to that profession, please receive the bread and cup when they are passed and eat and drink with the others after all have been served.
We are pleased to welcome David Dice back to Valley Church this morning. David and his family have served with Christian Reformed World Relief in Zambia, East Africa for many years and have recently returned to the United States for the next phase of their life and ministry. He will update us on the work in Zambia and on plans for future work there.
This evening at 6:00 PM we will show the interview that Bill and Lynne Hybels had with Bono that was shown at the Willow Creek Summit last August. It also contains concert footage of the group U2. This video is a strong testimony of the power of the Gospel as well as of the challenge of serving Christ in a hurting and needy world. Especially if your friends are fans of U2, this will be a great opportunity to invite them to join you at Valley Church.
Tuesday, 7:00 PM Council meets
Saturday, 6:00 PM Parents’ Night Out
Parents’ Night Out is on this Saturday from 6-9 PM. If you plan to bring your children (infants through grade 5) so you can enjoy some free time, please sign the sheet on the door or call the church office no later than Friday noon. Also, if you can help with one of the activities, please talk with Erin Peterson today.
The cleaning of the church carpet has been rescheduled for this Monday. Please take note and if possible avoid using the building until Tuesday evening.
Next Sunday evening at 7:00 PM is the annual Community Thanksgiving service, hosted this year by St. Catherine’s Roman Catholic Church in Hillcrest. Pastor Gelder will be bringing the message this year. Plan now to join your neighbors in this time of shared thanks to God.
Copies of the 2007 church directory are in your mail slots today. There are some extra copies on the information center if you need one.
Please remember to bring your food items for the Thanksgiving baskets no later than next Sunday. Thank you for your support of this important project.
Once again we want to give beautiful calendars to people from the community who come to enjoy the live nativity presentation December 16. Funds for this come as you buy your own calendar for $6.00. For each calendar purchased we can give one away. Sign up for the number you will be purchasing on the sheets on the table in the entry.
Next Sunday, November 19, 2006
SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:45 AM Sunday School classes for all ages. The adult class concludes its study of “What’s Up with the Church Down the Street” which will help us understand the beliefs and practices of other Christian groups. In doing so, we will come to a clearer understanding of our own Reformed tradition.
MORNING WORSHIP: 11:00 AM Pastor Gelder will be with us and bring us a message “Contentment – Is It Possible?” based on Exodus 20:17 and Philippians 4:11. This will conclude our look at each of the Ten Commandments, God’s guide for Christian living in 2006. We will be receiving Tim and Melissa Talma into membership while celebrating with them Veronica’s baptism.
