July 15, 2007, 10:00 AM

WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
* Call to Worship –
Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?  Though she may forget, I will not forget you!  See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.  (Isaiah 49:15-16)
Praise the Lord.  The Lord’s name be praised!
*Song of Praise –  432:1,3,4 “For the Beauty of the Earth”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Each Other
*Continuing Praise – 457:1,3,6 “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands“
571:1,2 “Jesus Loves Me, This I Know”
“This Little Light of Mine”
Sacrament of Baptism
*Song– 591:1,2,4 “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Scripture Reading – Matthew 18:1-14
Message – “Children Are the Greatest”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song – 484 “Humble Praises, Holy Jesus”
The Offering – General Fund
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE DISMISSED TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*God Blesses Us
*Closing Praise – 440 “Children of the Heavenly Father”
Postlude

THIS WEEK IN THE LIFE OF VALLEY CHURCH
This morning we celebrate the promises of God to his little children as we participate in the sacrament of baptism.  Being baptized are Alyssa Mae Jacob, daughter of Andy and Mindy Jacob (and granddaughter of Jim and Marsha Conrad) and Aiden Joseph Wood, son of Peter and Danielle Wood.  We rejoice that God’s promises are for believers and their children and that we as a church can have a part too in praying for and supporting these families as they live out the vows they make to train these little ones in the ways of the Lord.

Thursday, 6:00 PM Summer Splash Kid’s Party
Thursday, 7:00 PM Prayer Meeting

KID’S SUMMER SPLASH PARTY!!  All kids are welcome to join in this Thursday, July 19 at 6:00 PM for a fun summer water party here at church.  Pizza will be provided and there will be lots of games, including water balloon toss and a water slide, so bring a bathing suit.  Contact Debbie Harmon if you have questions and to sign up your children so she can know how many to plan for.

Once again the Fellowship Team is arranging refreshments for the summer Sundays.  If you can help with a Sunday, please see Ann De Jager or sign up on the sheet which will be on the front door.

Dick Crawford is continuing with his chemotherapy.  Pray that the chemo will effectively attack the cancer while sparing the good cells in his body.  Tommy Thompson should know this week what will come next in his treatment plan.

Valley Church has once again reserved seats for the Willow Creek Summit to be broadcast via satellite to Syracuse on August 9-11.  We need to firm up the list of those who plan to participate, so if you are going to attend or are interested in finding out more information about this inspiring and challenging event, let Pastor Gelder know as soon as possible.  We ask that those who attend pay $75.00 if you can and the church will pick up the rest of the cost.

Council notes:  1. Amy Cook led the devotions by reading from Matthew 25:21 and reminding us to give thanks for God’s faithful people here at Valley Church.  2.  Lindsey Crawford, Emily De Young and Sharyn Huck all met with council to either profess or reaffirm their faith in Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord and to share their desire to be a professing member of Valley Church.  We were delighted to approve their requests.  They will be publicly received into membership later this summer.  3.  Council approved the recommendation of the facilities team that we contract with Jim Conrad and Dave Huizinga to install the new windows when they arrive later this summer.  Just a reminder - your volunteer labor in staining the windows and helping with removal and installation will lower the cost of this project.  4.  The finance team will be heading up the drive to raise the $10,000 needed to complete the window project.  5.  Council endorsed Pastor Gelder’s attendance at a Mediation Skills Training Institute to be held in Rhode Island July 23-27.   6.  Council is looking into options to improve phone service at the church.

Next Sunday, July 22, 2007

MORNING WORSHIP:     10:00 AM   Our worship will be led by Pastor Gelder.  He continues the summer series of messages on “The Hard Sayings of Jesus”, this week hearing the word of Jesus about “Hating Your Parents?” based on Luke 14:26.  There will be a special meeting of council after the service to meet with those who wish to make their public profession of faith this summer.