October 17, 2010
10:30 AM

WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
*Call to Worship
Let us call to mind the reason for our hope:
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. 
(from Lamentations 3:21-26)
*Opening Praise – 556:1-3, then refrain “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Others
*Continuing Praise
“A Shield about Me”
“Shout to the North”
“You Are the Reason”
Call to Confession
God’s Word assures us:
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  (I John 1:8-9)
In humility and faith let us confess our sin to God.
Prayer of Confession
Merciful God, you made us in your image, with a mind to know you, a heart to love you, and a will to serve you.  But our knowledge is imperfect, our love inconstant, our obedience incomplete.  Day by day, we fail to grow into your likeness.  In your tender love, forgive us through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
We have confessed our sins.  God is faithful and also just.  In Christ our sins are forgiven and our unrighteousness is washed away, covered by the perfect  righteousness of Jesus.
Thanks be to Jesus.
*Song of Assurance – 463:1,5,7 “O Love of God, How Strong and True”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – Ephesians 3:14-21
Message – “Beyond Measure”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song of Thanksgiving – 480 “Jesus, the Very Thought of You” 
The Offering – General Fund
Offertory Prayer
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE SENT TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*Closing Prayer
God of love, as in Jesus Christ you gave yourself to us, so may we give ourselves to you, living according to your holy will.  Keep our feet firmly in the way where Christ leads us; help our lips speak the truth that Christ teaches us; fill our bodies with the life that is Christ within us.  In his holy name we pray.
Amen.
*God Blesses Us
The grace of Christ attend you,
the love of God surround you,
the Holy Spirit keep you
now and forevermore.
*Parting Song – 419:5 “Teach Me to Love You”
Postlude
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Tuesday, 7:00 PM Growth and Renewal team meets
Wednesday, 6:00 AM Men’s breakfast and Bible study at the Spot
        9:30 AM Women’s Bible Study at

Today is the annual CHOW Hunger Walk at Binghamton University.  Registration at the East Gym parking lot starts at 1 PM, with the walk kicking off at 2 PM.  Donation envelopes for anyone interested in walking are still available in the entry.  As always, Betsy Gelder will be “riding” and will be glad to receive your contribution, and some of the youth group and other Valley members are also participating.  Give them all your support as you support this vital community ministry.

Reserve Monday evening, November 1, for a training session on Safe Church practices with Beth Swaagman, director of Safe Church Ministry for the CRCNA.  Members of council, Sunday School teachers, children’s church leaders, youth group leaders and nursery attendants are expected to attend if at all possible.  But this is open to the whole congregation and all are encouraged to come for this valuable training.  Council is committed to doing everything possible to make sure Valley Church is a safe place for all children and youth.

The fall Harvest Dinner will be Saturday, November 13.  Reserve this evening for an excellent meal and great fellowship.

New addresses for your church directory:
Richard Thomas
Good Shepherd Village at Endwell Health Center
34 Village Dr.
Endwell, NY 13760

Inger Thomas
33 Golden Lane, Apt. 4
Harpursville, NY 13787


Terry’s announcement from last week.

In this political season, we are bombarded with ads and phone calls, many of them harsh, uncivil and twisting the truth.  Such voices are at odds with our Christian calling.  Pastor Gelder has signed a petition pledging to model a better way for discussion of real issues without demonizing people.   A copy of this document is in your mail slots for your reflection and consideration as we exercise our responsibility as citizens of this great country.
NEXT SUNDAY, October 24, 2010
SUNDAY SCHOOL:  9:15 AM  Classes for all ages from pre-school through adult are meeting.  You are encouraged to join a class appropriate to your age and interest.  The adult class continues a video-assisted study of “The Gospel in Life” by Tim Keller.
MORNING WORSHIP:  10:30 AM   Pastor Gelder will lead our worship, continuing the series of messages from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.  We will be focusing on Ephesians 4:1-16 “One and All.”
The second offering will be for Back to God Ministries International, the multi-media arm of the CRC which uses radio, TV, print and increasingly, the Internet to share the gospel of Jesus in places where traditional missionaries cannot go.  Imagine, your offering supports a “missionary” in the Arab/Muslim world, among other places.
Operation Christmas Child this week is gathering “other stuff” - hard candy, suckers gum, socks, sunglasses, jewelry, flashlights (with extra batteries), etc.  We can still use more shoe boxes, either the plastic ones with covers or regular shoe boxes.  It will be helpful if you can cover the regular boxes with Christmas wrapping paper when you bring them in.  Just remember that items you bring must fit in a shoe box.