July 1, 2007, 10:00 AM

WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
* Call to Worship –
I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever;
With my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.
I declare that your steadfast love is established forever;
Your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.
You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to my servant David:  ‘I will establish your descendants forever, and build your throne for all generations.’”
Praise the Lord!    (from Psalm 89:1-4)
*Song of Praise – 465 “Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Each Other
*Continuing Praise – “Be Thou My Vision”
" I Will Serve You"
"A Sheild About Me"

A Psalm of Faith – Psalm 91
*Song of Assurance – 169 “I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Remembering God’s Touch Forty Years Ago – Pete Vermaat
Scripture Reading – Lamentations 3:19-24
Message – “Our Faithful God
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song – 556:1-3, then refrain “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
Offertory – Recalling Forty Years of Blessing
The Offering – General Fund
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE DISMISSED TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministries and Fellowship
*Parting Praise – 483:1,3,4 “How Great Thou Art”
*God Blesses Us
*Doxology – 638 “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”
Postlude

THIS WEEK IN THE LIFE OF VALLEY CHURCH

Thursday, 7:00 PM Prayer Meeting

Today we are celebrating God’s faithfulness as seen in the forty years of blessings on ministry in this location.  We are pleased that our founding pastor Pete Vermaat will be with us to share a few insights into God’s blessings.  Also the family of the late John and Grace Aukema are meeting here this weekend to celebrate the 60th anniversary of their arrival in the US.  We welcome many of them to worship today.  John Aukema will bring the message this morning, leading us in this celebration.  Please stay after the service for refreshments and to look at more of the pictures that will be on display.

At the congregational meeting last Tuesday, Doug Aukema was approved for a term as elder and Bill Kutz was selected for a one-year extension of his elder term.  Greg Huck and Barb Komaromi were approved as deacons and it was agreed that Judy Crawford would extend her deacon term for one year.  Several ministry reports were shared, including information about the new upstairs windows that are being purchased.  Your help is needed in raising $10,000 to repay the loan from the estate funds which will be used for initial payment.  Pastor Gelder introduced a discussion on whether children should be taking the Lord’s Supper, reviewing both past practice and the Biblical data relating to this matter.  It was emphasized that the parents of children who made a profession of faith at the Kidzfest recently should be talking with them about whether they are ready to join us at Communion.

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.

As you know, about 20 Valley Church children and youth responded to the invitation to follow Jesus presented at Rock the City, Kidzfest and the Youth Night events of the Franklin Graham Festival.  We want to pair each of these young people with an adult who will serve as a mentor for them in their walk with Christ.  If you are interested in serving in this capacity (and there will be some resources for you to use in your contacts), please talk with Debbie Harmon ASAP.  We need more mentors!

Continue to pray for Dick Crawford.  He was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer and plans to begin an aggressive round of chemotherapy this Thursday.  Pray that God will bless this treatment and provide both strength and healing.  Tommy Thompson also is reviewing treatment options for the melanoma he has.  Pray both for these men and for their families as they deal with the uncertainty of battling cancer.

Next Sunday afternoon we will be providing a worship time for the residents of Fairview-Good Shepherd Home.  If you can join the Gelders at 3:30 PM to help with singing and talking with the people who come to worship, that will be great.
Next Sunday, July 8, 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 call of Jesus to “Take Up Your Cross” as recorded in Mark 8:34.  We will also be celebrating the Lord’s Supper at this service.  If you have questions about whether you or your children should participate in this part of the service, please talk with the pastor or an elder this week.