October 19, 2008, 11:00 AM

WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
*Invocation
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Everything we see reminds us of your power and glory because you made everything out of nothing.  You made the sun and the moon, you made the land and the sea, you made the birds and the fish and all the animals, and you made us to love you and take care of your creation.  We praise you for all your gifts and for helping us take care of your world.  Thank you for your creativity and your love.
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!  Amen.
*Opening Song – 430 “We Sing the Mighty Power of God”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Each Other
*Continuing Praise –
           “Be Thou My Vision”
           “Step by Step”
           “Speak, O Lord”
Call to Confession
As God’s creatures we are made in his image to represent him on earth and to live in loving communion with him.  By sovereign appointment we are earthkeepers and caretakers:  loving our neighbor, tending the creation, and meeting our needs.  God uses our skills in the unfolding and well-being of his world.
Yet often we neglect our task.  Recalling our task leads us to confess our sin and to yearn for God’s forgiveness.    
Prayer of Confession
As human beings we no longer show God’s image perfectly and all creation suffers.  We abuse the creation or idolize it.  We are estranged from our Creator, from our neighbor, and from all that God has made.  Sin is present everywhere – in pride of race, in arrogance of nations, in abuse of the weak and helpless, in disregard for water, air and soil, in destruction of living creatures, in slavery, deceit, terror and war, in  worship of false gods and frantic escape from reality.  We have become victims of our own sin.  In all our strivings to excuse or save ourselves, we stand condemned before the God of Truth.
Assurance of Pardon
Our world, broken and scarred, still belongs to God.  He holds it together and gives us hope.  With the whole creation we wait for the purifying fire of judgment.  For then we will see the Lord face to face.  He will heal our hurts, end our wars and make the crooked straight.  Then we will join in the new song to the Lamb without blemish, who made us a kingdom and priests.  God will be all in all, righteousness and peace will flourish, everything will be made new, and every eye will see at last that our world belongs to God!
            Hallelujah!  Come, Lord Jesus.
*Song – 453 “Let All Things Now Living”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – Mark 1:14-20
Message – “What Can I Do?”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song – 288:1,3,5,6 “Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated”
The Offering - General Fund                
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE DISMISSED TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*God’s Parting Word
*Closing Song – “Speak, O Lord”  (vs. 1)
Postlude

ANNOUNCEMENTS
All are invited to stay following the service today for a congregational dinner in the fellowship hall upstairs.   This is in recognition of Pastor Appreciation Month.  Visitors are especially invited – there will certainly be plenty of food for you too.

Next Sunday is the annual CHOW Hunger Walk at Binghamton University.  As is her custom, Betsy Gelder will again be doing the “hunger ride” in her wheelchair.  If you are supporting others, fine.  Else she will be glad to receive your support for this important fund raising event.  Our Valley Church pantry receives supplemental food items regularly from the CHOW warehouse, thanks to the financial support earned by such events as the Hunger Walk.

Once again Binghamton is a finalist in the “pierogy capital” contest.  We won last year and if we win again this year, another $10,000.00 will be donated to the CHOW program.  You can vote daily through Oct. 24 at www.pierogypocket.com.  “Vote early and vote often” is legal in this contest.

Wednesday, 11:30 AM  Women’s Luncheon at

Ann De Jager has had some challenges as a result of the chemo she is receiving.  Pray for strength to sustain the treatments.

Youth Announcements: 
October 19 – leadership training today following the dinner

NEXT SUNDAY, October 26, 2008

SUNDAY SCHOOL:  9:45 AM  Classes for all ages meet today and each Sunday.  There’s a class appropriate to your age and interest.  The adult class continues an eight-week study “Developing a Heart for God” based on the wisdom literature in the Old Testament.  Let’s all take advantage of the opportunities we have to grow together in God’s Word.

MORNING WORSHIP:     11:00 AM  Pastor Gelder will bring the message “Help Me” based on Mark 1:21-28.  This continues the series on “Words that Become Habits”, helping us see the ordinary words we say so glibly as words that direct our relationship with God.

The second offering next Sunday will be for Christian Reformed World Missions and specifically toward salary support for Howard and Ruth Van Dam as they minister in Haiti.  They have been faithful workers there for many years.  Let’s continue to be faithful too in our financial as well as prayer support.