September 13, 2009, 10:30 AM

WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
*Opening Prayer
On this day of rest and gladness, we praise you, God of creation, for the dignity of work and the joy of play, for the challenge of being witnesses to your grace and the invitation to delight at your table.
Renew our hearts through your Sabbath rest, that we might be refreshed to continue in your work of restoring the world to wholeness.  Amen.
*Opening Praise – 556:1-3, then refrain “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Others
*Continuing Praise
“Shout to the Lord”
634 “Glorify Your Name”
“Give Me Jesus”
Call to Confession
We cannot come before God unless we are first honest with ourselves about who we are, about the mistakes we make, and about how well or poorly we care for God’s world and people created in God’s image.  In this spirit, let us offer our prayers to God.
Prayer of Confession
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.  Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
You did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption.  When we cry, “Abba!  Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.
Thanks be to God!
*Song of Assurance – 262:1-2 “My Faith Looks Up to Thee”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – Acts 27:21-26, 33-44
Message – “Learning from Early Churches:  On Ship”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper  - I Corinthians 11:23-26; 10:16-17
*Song of Thanksgiving – 475:1-2 “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven”
The Offerings- First:  General Fund
             Second: Chenango Forks Nurses’ Discretionary Fund
Offertory Prayer
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE DISMISSED TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*God Blesses Us
*Closing Song – 638 “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”
Postlude
ANNOUNCMENTS
This morning we receive God’s gift of Holy Communion.  The bread and cup are meant for all who have publicly professed their faith in Jesus as Savior and who are seeking to follow him as Lord of their lives.  If this describes you, please receive the elements when they are passed to you.  We will eat and drink together after all have been served.  Thank God for this spiritually nourishing gift.
The second offering this morning is for the Chenango Forks Schools Nurses’ Discretionary Fund.  Our help in the past has allowed school staff to provide extra assistance to needy students, such as shoes, eye glasses or coats, when their own families cannot afford them.
Today is the fifth annual Fall Festival.  Once again our neighbors will be coming by to enjoy an afternoon of fun and activities for all ages.  We will need all the help we can get to supervise the different events and games, as well as people to serve food and welcome people to Valley Church.  If you are staying to help with set up, there will be pizza available for workers.  The Festival runs from 1-4 PM.  Your help with take down will also be appreciated.  Pray that God will receive the glory today.
Wednesday, 7:30 PM Worship ministry team meets
Congratulations to Tyler Stoddard and Rachael Lewis, who were married in a ceremony at Valley Church last evening.  May God bless them as they establish a Christian home.
Add Marcus Doller and Tom Reynolds to the list of people with ongoing needs.
Repeat announcement concerning mentoring Sunday School children.

NEXT SUNDAY, September 20, 2009
SUNDAY SCHOOL:  9:15 AM  Sunday School classes for all ages.  Make participation in a class a priority this year.  The adult class will start with a six week session discussing worship, led by Pastor Gelder.
MORNING WORSHIP:  10:30 AM  Pastor Gelder will continue the series of messages on “Learning from Early Churches”.  The focus this week will be Paul’s arrival at the church in Rome, based on Acts 28.