December 13, 2009
10:30 AM
Third Sunday of Advent
WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
Lighting the Advent Candle
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me,because the Lord has anointed me;he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release
to the prisoners;
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God.
We light these candles with joy as a sign of our waiting in hope for the coming Christ who loves us so much.
*Opening Praise – 328:1,4,6 “O Come, O Come, Immanuel”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Others
*Continuing Praise
“Children’s Time
Call to Self-Examination
Prepare the way of the Lord!Let us make our confession to God.Prayer of Confession
God of salvation, in Christ you have done great things – our hearts are filled with joy. By your power you lifted us out of the wasteland of sin and brought us with joy and laughter into your kingdom. Salvation is your gift to us.
But we confess that often we try to replace your gift with our own efforts. We try to complete what is already perfect; we try to add to what is already full; we try to earn what we already have. Forgive us for our foolishness. Help us to focus on your grace. Help us to live grateful lives in return.
For Jesus’ sake alone, Amen.
*Song of Assurance – 353 “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – Psalm 23; John 10:14-18
Message – “The Shepherd’s Staff”
The Lord’s Supper
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song – 591:1,2 “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us”
The Offering –General Fund
Offertory Prayer
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE SENT TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*Response of Praise and Prayer
Strengthen us, O God, in the power of your Spirit to bring good news to the poor and lift blind eyes to sight, to loose the chains that bind and claim your blessing for all people.
Keep us faithful in your service until Christ comes in final victory and we shall feast with all your saints in the joy of your eternal realm.
Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are yours, almighty God, now and forever.
All God’s people said,
Amen!
*Parting Song – 161:1,4,5 “The Lord’s My Shepherd”
Postlude
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Today we celebrate an Advent Communion. While we are focusing on preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ birth while looking ahead to his coming again at the end of time, we also celebrate the fact that the baby of Bethlehem grew up to be the final sacrifice, the one whose death and resurrection gained our salvation and made possible our restoration to the family of God. We will receive the Communion as an interlude in the sermon. If you have publicly professed your faith in Jesus as your personal Savior and if you are living your life in a way that shows Jesus is your Lord, please receive the bread and cup as they are passed to you where you are sitting. We will eat and drink together after all have been served.
Wednesday, 7:00 PM Aerobics Class
7:00 PM Council Meets
Friday, 5:30 PM Live Nativity Dress Rehearsal
Saturday, 5:30 PM Live Nativity
The Live Nativity will be presented on Saturday, December 19 at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 PM. We can always use more “townspeople” for the production. And, of course, we need your help in baking and serving cookies and other goodies with coffee and hot cocoa between the presentations. Check the sign up sheets in the entry and indicate how you will help this year. One way everyone can be involved is to invite friends and neighbors to come with you to enjoy and celebrate.
Parents, there will be a dress rehearsal for the Live Nativity on Friday, December 18 with food for the participants at 5:30 PM. If your children are involved, it is really important that they attend the dress rehearsal.
Thank you for all the items already brought for the Giving Tree this year. You can still bring blankets and small items such as mittens, socks, underwear, scarves, hats, etc. until Thursday, when they will be brought to the Chenango Forks Fire Station for the school sponsored gifting on Saturday.
The annual Christmas Eve Candlelight service will be held on Thursday, December 24 at 7:30 PM. This too is a good time to invite friends to attend with you.
We extend our sympathy and prayers to the entire Vermaat family on the death of Pete last Sunday. Our special thoughts go out to Joel, Robin and Jennifer in their tragic loss. May God’s presence with them and promises to them give a measure of peace.
Janet Crawford had surgery on her knee on Wednesday. Pray for a complete and speedy recovery as well as for patience during these weeks of limited activity.
NEXT SUNDAY, December 20, 2009
SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:15 AM There are classes for all ages. The adult class concludes the study of the book of Revelation using a video series “God Wins”. The focus will be on Rev. 21-22 “The New Jerusalem”.
MORNING WORSHIP: 10:30 AM This is the fourth Sunday in Advent. Pastor Gelder continues a series of messages focusing on some of the Advent symbols, this week seeing “Christ Over the World” from Matthew 28:19.
The children of Valley Church will also be presenting the Christmas puppet pageant again this year, adding a third segment to complete the telling of the Christmas story. If your child is a part of the pageant, please make sure they are here by 9:15 for the final practice.
The second offering will be for the Indonesian Christian Reformed Church in Dover, New Hampshire. In addition to your prayers for this ministry, your generous financial help will also be greatly appreciated.
