February 18, 2007, 11:00 AM

WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
*Call to Worship –
Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty!
Just and true are your ways, King of the ages.
Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.  All nations will come and worship you!
(from Revelation 15:3-4)
*Opening Praise – 249 “Holy, Holy, Holy!  Lord God Almighty”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Each Other
*Continuing Praise – “Come, Now Is the Time to Worship”
“All I Once Held Dear”
“Make Me a Servant”
Call to Confession –
When we come into the holy presence of God, our own humanity is laid bare.  When we stand in the living presence of truth, our own falsehood is revealed.  People of God, let us acknowledge who we are and ask our ever-present God to forgive us.
Prayer of Confession –
Holy and merciful God, in your presence we confess our sinfulness, our shortcomings, and our offenses against you.  You alone know how often we have sinned in wandering from your ways, in wasting your gifts, in forgetting your love.  Have mercy on us, O Lord, for we are ashamed and sorry for all we have done to displease you.  Forgive our sins, and help us to live in your light and walk in your ways, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Savior.  Amen.
*Song of Assurance – 489:2-4 “When Peace like a River”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading – Mark 2:13-3:6
Message – “Jesus:  The Afflicter of the Comfortable”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song – 559:1,2,4 “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus”
The Offering –General Fund
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE DISMISSED TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Service
*God Blesses Us
*Parting Song – 285:1,4 “O Jesus, I Have Promised”
Postlude

THIS WEEK IN THE LIFE OF VALLEY CHURCH

Tuesday, 7:00 PM Deacons’ meeting
Wednesday, 7:30 PM Ash Wednesday worship
Thursday, 7:00 PM Elders’ meeting

The second offering next Sunday is for

Continue to pray for Jane Bruster and her family as they grieve the death of Kenny.  His funeral was held at Valley Church on Tuesday.  Also, Peter De Young’s knee surgery went well, but he will need several weeks of therapy to regain his mobility.  Pray for patience as well as healing during this time.

As a result of your input on Small Group Sunday, we hope to start new small groups for people interested in photography, a book club, scrapbooking, family activities, Christian music and flood relief work.  Some of the ideas on the small group “wish list” included computing, walking, genealogy, prayer, weight loss, dancing and sports.  If you are interested in being involved in one of these areas, there are sign up sheets in the back.  If there is enough interest, the Small Group team will try to find a leader and get these groups launched as well.

The Franklin Graham Festival is gathering momentum in our area and in Valley Church.  We are recruiting a team of people to help with Valley’s involvement in several areas including children and youth, training and follow-up, recruitment of volunteers and outreach.  Keep this major endeavor surrounded and supported with prayer.  There will be a major training session for team leaders on Monday, Feb. 26, 7:00 PM at the Forum downtown.  We hope several from Valley will be able to attend.  Let Bill Kutz or Pastor Gelder know if you are interested in getting more directly involved.

Lent begins this Wednesday as Christians from many traditions will observe Ash Wednesday.  There will be a service that evening at 7:30 here at Valley Church.  Receiving the sign of the ashes is optional, but all are encouraged to attend this special time of remembering our mortality and the seriousness of our sins which brought Jesus to the cross.

Next Sunday, February 25, 2007

SUNDAY SCHOOL:  9:45 AM Sunday School classes for all ages.  The adults will continue a study of the life of David, “A King under Construction”.

MORNING WORSHIP:     11:00 AM   Our worship will be led by Pastor Gelder.  He will begin a new series of messages for Lent which will center on biblical passages that mention tears.  The opening passage for the series will be Psalm 42, “Holy Tears:  When in Need of Hope”.