October 18, 2009, 10:30 AM

WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE

Preparation for Worship
*Call to Worship
We come to worship God in our need,
bringing with us the needs of the world.
We come to God, who comes to us in Jesus,
and who knows by experience what human life is like.
We come with our faith and with our doubts,
we come with our hopes and with our fears.
We come as we are because it is God who invites us to come,
and God has promised never to turn us away.
*Opening Praise – 516:1,4 “God Is Here”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Others
*Continuing Praise
“Come, Now Is the Time to Worship”
“The Heart of Worship”
“Jesus, Draw Me Close”
Call to Confession
We cannot come before God unless we are first honest with ourselves about who we are, about the sins we commit, and about how well or poorly we care for others.  In this spirit, let us offer our prayers to God.
Prayer of Confession
O God, whose nature it is to be generous:  we confess to you our share of the guilt for a world of hungry families and homeless peoples.  Forgive us for our self-centered living and spending; forgive those who blame you for their failures.  Grant that this week some who have given nothing may start to give, and those who have given something may give more, that both our church and our nation may give due place to the cries of those who have nothing to eat and nowhere to live, for the sake of Jesus Christ.  Amen.
Assurance of Pardon –
Hear the good news:
This saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.  He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, that we might be dead to sin, and alive to all that is good.  I declare to you in the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
Thanks be to God!
*Song of Assurance – 260 “Not What My Hands Have Done”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – Genesis 4:1-9
Message – “Am I My Brother’s Keeper?”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*We Stand against Poverty
*Song – 601:1,2,4 “Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love”
The Offering – General Fund
Offertory Prayer
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE DISMISSED TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*God Blesses Us
*Parting Song – 603:4 “Called from Worship into Service”
Postlude

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Our worship this morning leads us to action to alleviate hunger in our world.  Christian Reformed Church congregations will be observing World Hunger Sunday later this month and today many churches are joining in support of the Micah Challenge as millions of Christians around the world will be praying, advocating and standing against poverty.  It is also the day for the CHOW Hunger Walk in Binghamton.  Justice and relief for the poor is not an optional position for Christians.

Tom Reynolds had surgery Monday to remove part of his pancreas, spleen, some surrounding lymph nodes and spots on the liver.  Pray for him during the recovery from this major surgery, as well as for wisdom in deciding on future treatment options.

Following a stay in the hospital for pneumonia, Dick Thomas is in a rehab unit while his family looks at possibilities for his long-term care.  Pray for them all in this difficult time.

The Gelders will be in Michigan this week for a Regional Pastors’ Conference, sponsored by the Pastor-Church Relations Office of the CRC.  They plan to return Friday night.  If you need pastoral care during the week, contact an elder.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD: whatever Tilly sends you.  The focus this week is on toys – small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, etc.  Just remember – it has to be small enough to fit in a shoe box.

The repeat presentation of “Generations”, Ron Crawford’s fast-paced analysis of how people in different age groups respond differently to situations and how they can learn to work together when aware of these differences, has been rescheduled for Thursday, November 12.  Put that date on your calendar and plan to attend and to bring some friends with you.

The annual CHOW Hunger Walk is this afternoon at 2:00 PM on the campus of Binghamton University.  The deacons are encouraging more Valley Church people to walk and get sponsors for your person or team.  Information and contribution envelopes are on the table in the foyer.   If you are not supporting another walker, you can always support Betsy Gelder in her “Hunger Ride” for CHOW.  She will be glad to receive your contribution this morning.

Christian Reformed Home Missions has created a series of short devotions for Reformation Week, October 19-25.  Designed for all ages, each one has a prayer, a challenge to the reader, and a family discussion topic.  Please go to www.crhm.org/transformation to receive these devotions, which are available now.


NEXT SUNDAY, October 25, 2009

SUNDAY SCHOOL:  9:15 AM  Classes for all ages meet.  The adult class will begin a new series of studies on the book of Revelation, “God Wins:  a Look at the Mysteries of Revelation.”  Pastor Gelder will be leading the class, which will include a video segment and discussion based on a study guide.  Plan to join us for an eye-opening view of Jesus walking among his churches, battling the evil one throughout history, winning the victory at Calvary and returning in majesty and glory.

MORNING WORSHIP: 10:30 AM  Pastor Gelder will bring the message, continuing the series of messages “Good Questions, Great Answers”.  The message will be “What Are Mere Mortals?” from Psalm 8:4