April 15, 2007, 11:00 AM

WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
Call to Worship –
This is the good news – the grave is empty; Christ is risen.
Hallelujah!
This is the good news – the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never put it out.
Hallelujah!
This is the good news – once we were no people; now we are God’s people.
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!  Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed!
*Song of Praise – 410 “Crown Him with Many Crowns”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Each Other
Continuing Praise

Call to Confession
We know that nothing is able to separate us for the love of God in Jesus Christ.  Let us in freedom confess the wrong we have done.
Prayer of Confession
Almighty God, you have raised Jesus from the grave and crowned him Lord of all.  We confess that we have not bowed before him or acknowledged his rule in our lives.   We have gone along with the way of the world and failed to give him glory.  Forgive us and raise us from sin, that we may be your faithful people, obeying the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ, who rules the world and is head of the church, his body.  Amen.
Assurance of Pardon – Colossians 2:13-15
*Song of Response – 223:1,3,4 “For the Glories of God’s Grace”

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading – Romans 4:1-3, 18-25
Message – “Easter’s Benefits:  Righteous”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song – “The Solid Rock” vs. 1,4
The Offering - General Fund
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE DISMISSED TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministries and Fellowship
*God Blesses Us
*Parting Praise – 473 “To God Be the Glory”
Postlude

THIS WEEK IN THE LIFE OF VALLEY CHURCH

Council wants the input of the congregation in identifying people who have gifts needed to effectively serve in leadership positions as elders and deacons.  You will find in your mail slot today a sheet which tells about the work of elders and deacons and which has a place to submit names of people you believe could serve well in place of those whose three-year terms are concluding this fall.  Give this prayerful thought and return the form to Beth Cunningham’s mail slot no later than next week Wednesday, April 25.  You can also e-mail your list to her at bcunningham@stny.rr.com.

Council report:  1. Paul Peterson led our devotions, reading from Proverbs 16 offering words of encouragement when we get discouraged.  2.  We continued discussion about the possibility of using our facility for a before and after school child care program.  3.  Council continues to be encouraged by our participation in the Franklin Graham Festival and urges regular prayer for this outreach.  4.  We accepted the recommendation of the facilities team to replace all the upstairs south-facing windows at an approximate cost of $20,000.00.  The finance team will be recommending how we can best pay for this needed repair to the building.  5.  We began the process of nominating men and women for elder and deacon.

Women’s Retreat announcement