October 12, 2008, 11:00 AM

WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
*Call to Worship –
We have gathered to praise our gracious God.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow!
The eternal God, who loved us and set us free from our sins, who loves us still with that love that will not let us go, and who will love us forever, calls us to worship him today as the only true lover of our souls.
The Lord stoops to receive the love of our poor hearts.
He calls us to remember the depth of his love for us in Christ.
God seeks our love!  Hallelujah!
*Opening Song – 267:1,4 “And Can It Be”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Each Other
*Continuing Praise –
           517 “There’s No God”
                  “Shout to the North”
                  “Not I but Christ”
Public Profession of Faith – Alec Peterson
           People of God at Valley Church,
Today we gladly celebrate God’s grace in the life of Alec Peterson.  When he was baptized, he was welcomed into the covenant family of God.  Now he is joining that family at the Lord’s table.  Today he will respond in faith to God’s promises in baptism, tell us of his faith in the Lord Jesus, and commit himself to grow in that faith.
Alec, will you read to us your statement of faith?

Will you continue to learn more about God and his Word, and will you continue to serve him with us in your life and worship?
Alec:  I will.
Will you allow us, your church family, to encourage you in your faith and hold you responsible to your commitment to Jesus and his church?
Alec:  I will.
People of God, will you welcome Alec to the table of the Lord and continue to support him with your prayers and help him grow by the example of your discipleship?
We will, God helping us.
Alec, because you have responded to your baptism by telling us of your personal faith in Jesus Christ, we now welcome you to join the family of God at the table of the Lord.  Strengthened by this heavenly food and drink, we will travel together on the journey of faith that brings us to the promised land of God’s kingdom.
*We Profess Our Shared Faith – “The Apostles’ Creed”
*Song – 285:1-3 “O Jesus, I Have Promised”
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
           Scripture:  John 6:35-40; Matthew 26:26-28
           Invitation
           Receiving the bread and cup
*Song of Thanksgiving – 571 “Jesus Loves Me”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – Mark 1:14-20
Message – “Listen Up, Y’all”
Prayer
*Song of Response – “Open Our Eyes, Lord”
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
The Offerings – First:  General Fund                
                         Second:  CHOW
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE DISMISSED TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*God’s Parting Word
*Closing Song – 638 “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”
Postlude

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Our worship this morning includes the public profession of faith made by Alec Peterson.  He earlier shared his faith with council and today we will publicly rejoice with Alec and his family as he shares with the rest of the congregation his personal faith in Jesus as his Savior and Lord.  Refreshments following the service are in his honor.

We will be celebrating the Lord’s Supper this morning.  Participation in eating and drinking is for all who have publicly professed that Jesus is their Lord and Savior and whose lives demonstrate a desire to obey our Lord.  It is not limited to members of Valley Church but is offered to all who meet the qualification mentioned above.  You will be served by the elders in your seats.  We eat and drink together after all have been served.

The second offering this morning is for the Broome County Council of Churches and specifically the CHOW program.  In addition to your faithful gifts of food items for our local pantry, the money you give today will help provide some of the perishable items (milk, meat, produce) that are so important to a balanced diet.  We are also grateful for the food items donated to our pantry by the Chenango Forks Post Office.  Twelve tubs of food were contributed by our neighbors.

Once again Binghamton is a finalist in the “pierogy capital” contest.  We won last year and if we win again this year, another $10,000.00 will be donated to the CHOW program.  You can vote daily through Oct. 24 at www.pierogypocket.com.  “Vote early and vote often” is legal in this contest.

“Rachel’s Challenge” is coming to the Chenango Forks community with a public meeting this Thursday at 7:00 PM in the High School Auditorium.  “Rachel’s Challenge” is a nation-wide program which encourages students to embrace the values of kindness and compassion so no child needs fear violence in their school.  It is based on the life of Rachel Scott, the first student killed at Columbine High School.  Let’s have a good turnout of Valley Church people to show our support for this positive program.  There will also be a presentation on Monday, Oct. 20, 6:30 PM in the Chenango Valley High School auditorium.  This is CV’s second year participating in “Rachel’s Challenge.”

Monday, 7:00 PM Growth and Renewal Team meets
Thursday, 7:00 PM Rachel’s Challenge at CFHS auditorium
Saturday, 5:30 PM Parents’ Night Out

Parents’ Night Out begins its fifteen year at Valley Church with activities for children from birth through grade 5 this Saturday from 5:30 – 8:30 PM.  If you want your child to attend, please sign the attendance sheet that is posted on the door before you leave today (or call church no later than Thursday evening.)  Also, if you are available to help, please talk with Judy Crawford today.

Ann De Jager had her first chemo treatment Monday and seems to be tolerating it well.  Pray for strength as she has three more treatments (at three week intervals.)

Pastor Gelder will be in Albany from Thursday noon through Saturday morning for the annual meeting of the New York State Boards of Visitors.  He serves in that role at the Broome Developmental Center and for all the facilities in the six-county region served by the local Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.

Youth Announcements: 
October 19 – leadership training

NEXT SUNDAY, October 19, 2008

SUNDAY SCHOOL:  9:45 AM  Classes for all ages meet today and each Sunday.  There’s a class appropriate to your age and interest.  The adult class continues an eight-week study “Developing a Heart for God” based on the wisdom literature in the Old Testament.  Let’s all take advantage of the opportunities we have to grow together in God’s Word.

MORNING WORSHIP:     11:00 AM  Pastor Gelder will bring the message “What Can I Do?” based on Mark 1:14-20.  This is the third message in a series on “Words that Become Habits”.