May 13, 2007, 11:00 AM
Ascension Sunday

WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
*Invocation
Almighty God, grant that, as your only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, ascended into the heavens, so may we also set our minds on things above, where Christ is, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
Amen.
*Song of Praise – 406 “Alleluia! Sing to Jesus”
*God Greets Us
People of God, the Lord of glory, Jesus Christ, sends his greeting to you.  And his greeting is this:  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, through the working of the Holy Spirit.  This is the greeting of Christ, who arose from the grave.
He died and rose that we might have eternal life.  All thanks be to him!
This same Christ has ascended to the Father.
He ascended that we might experience God’s presence and power.  All praise be to him!
*We Greet Each Other
*Continuing Praise

Call to Confession
While we claim to celebrate the ascension of our Lord, the way we live proclaims our lack of faith in his power to deal with the world.  Let us confess the chasm between our faith and practice.  Let us pray.
Prayer of Confession
We come, O Lord, on this day of glory to confess our lack of trust.  While we sing of your lordship over all creation, we have too often acted as though you are powerless in the face of today’s events.  Help us to live with confidence in your presence today and in hope for life with you forever.  Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Hear the good news of the gospel:  If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.  In Christ, we are forgiven!  Thanks be to God.
The Sacrament of Assurance
Scripture Readings:  Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 8:14-17, 31-39
Preparing the Bread and Cup
Is not the bread that we break a sharing in the body of Christ?
We who are many are one body, for we all share the same loaf.
Is not the cup for which we give thanks a sharing in the blood of Christ?
The cup that we drink is our participation in the blood of Christ.
Holy Father, in thanks for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, in the joy of his resurrection, in the hope of his coming again, we present ourselves a living sacrifice and come to the table of our Lord.
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 – 410 “Crown Him with Many Crowns”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Message – “He’s Pleading for Me”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song –406 “Alleluia! Sing to Jesus”
The Offerings – First:  General Fund
  Second:  CRC Leadership Fund
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE DISMISSED TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministries and Fellowship
*God Blesses Us
*Parting Praise –477:1,4 “You Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim”
Postlude

THIS WEEK IN THE LIFE OF VALLEY CHURCH
In honor of Mother’s Day we will have a flower for all the adult women in the church today.  May God bless each and every one.

The second offering today is for ...... (see Judy’s e-mail or last week’s bulletin).

This morning we celebrate the ascension of Jesus from this earth into heaven where he has the position of rule at God’s right hand.  We also receive the good gift of Jesus in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.  Participation in the elements is for all who have publicly professed that Jesus is their Savior and who are seeking to follow him as Lord of their lives.  When the bread and cup are distributed, please wait for all to be served and then eat and drink as directed.

Tuesday, 7:00 PM Deacons meet
Thursday, 7:00 PM Prayer meeting at church.  If you are unable to attend in person you can call in on the church conference line.  See the information received earlier for numbers to call.

Just a reminder that if you wish to help us meet the cost of renting buses for our neighbors to ride to and from the Festival in June, please use an envelope that you can find in the pews and designate “bus” on the memo line.  Thank you.

Hilda Palmer will be leaving our area this week to move to be near her daughter in Arizona.  She hopes to be with us at church today to say farewell and to receive our best wishes on her move.  There may also be some furniture available from her present room.  If you are interested, please talk with her daughter Carol today or contact Pastor Gelder.

We will be honoring our graduates on June 17.  To make sure we don’t miss anyone, there is a sign-up sheet on the door.  Please indicate the name of the graduates, along with the school they are graduating from and future plans.  Perhaps you can also note if the graduate will be able to be here for that service. Thank you.

Are you still praying for your Operation Andrew people?  Are you looking for ways to invite them to come with you to the Festival?  There will be a bus available from Valley Church for the Friday evening, Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon events.  For more information, talk with Bill Kutz (or Debbie Harmon concerning the KidzFest event.)


Next Sunday, May 20, 2007

SUNDAY SCHOOL:  9:45 AM  Sunday School classes for all ages.  The adult class continues the study of the book of Philippians, “Paul’s Thank You Letter.”  All are invited to participate.

MORNING WORSHIP:     11:00 AM   Our worship will be led by John Aukema.  The Gelders will be at a family reunion and then on to Montana for a retreat with the area CRC pastors and spouses, led by Eugene and Jan Peterson.  They plan to be back next Friday.