March 1, 2009, 11:00 AM
WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
*Opening Prayer –
Lord God, in this season of Lent we look forward to our remembrance of Jesus’ death and our celebration of his resurrection. We pray that your Spirit will renew in us today our anticipation for these events and our awareness that Jesus’ death and resurrection are a sure source of hope and life. In the power of Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.
*Call to Worship
Let us worship God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ.We are new creations; the old has gone, the new has come!Let us worship God as Christ’s ambassadors.Through us and through our worship may we announce the good news to all.
Let us worship God in spirit and in truth.Praise God! We are reconciled, redeemed, renewed!*Opening Praise – 479 “I Will Sing of My Redeemer”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Each Other
*Continuing Praise
“Lord, I Lift Your Name on High”
“At the Cross”
“Jesus, I Adore You”
God’s Word of Sin and Forgiveness – I John 1:5-10
*Song of Response – 262:1-2 “My Faith Looks Up to Thee”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Readings – II Corinthians 5:16-6:2; I Peter 2:21-25
Message – “Pardoned”
Receiving Our Pardon
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)
Righteous Judge, we confess that we have disobeyed your law and offended your honor. We stand guilty in your presence, unloving, ungrateful, and intending in our hearts to disregard your law. We have ignored your just decrees, smearing the names of others, fudging the numbers on our tax returns, and envying our neighbor’s big-screen television. We need your pardon, for we have no goodness of our own.
Hear God’s words of pardon: in Jesus Christ our guilt and punishment is taken away. Before the throne of God we stand innocent of all charges. This is the verdict: Jesus Christ has died for us!”
Thanks be to God! We are pardoned!
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song – 482:1-3 “Man of Sorrows – What a Name”
The Offerings – First: General Fund
Second: Ippolito Family
Offertory Prayer
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE DISMISSED TO LOVE AND SERVEOpportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*God Blesses Us
*Closing Song – 401 “Oh, How Good Is Christ the Lord”
Postlude
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The second offering today is for the Ippolito family. Ed and Colleen Ippolito and their two young boys are neighbors of Valley Church who lost their home and all their possessions in a recent fire. Thankfully their lives were spared. The deacons gave $300 from the benevolence budget for their immediate use and the money received in this offering will also be given to them for additional needs.
Wednesday, 6:00 AM Men’s Breakfast and Bible study at the Spot
9:30 AM Women’s Bible Study at Ruth Giese’s home(study ???????)
(study ???????) 7:00 PM Aerobics class meetsDelegates from the churches of Classis Atlantic Northeast will meet this Wednesday and Thursday at the Lakeside Retreat Center in Pittsfield, MA. Three people will be examined for approval to serve in various ministries. There will also be discussion on a request from our council that synod appoint several deacons to serve as advisors at the annual synod meeting. Pray for wisdom in deliberations and for safe travel for all who attend.
Is your baby bottle getting full of your loose change? If so, you can return it this week or no later than next Sunday, March 8. Someone from the Life Choices Center will be collecting the bottles then.
Ladies, the Celebration Tea that had been announced for April 18 has been changed to May 9 due to scheduling conflicts with the earlier date. More details will follow.
Also, repeat announcement for women’s retreat at Baldwinsville on Apr. 25.
Youth Announcements:
The next youth event, which is really an all-congregation event, is the Pinewood Derby to be held on Saturday evening, March 28. Check with Paul or Erin Peterson for more details and for materials.
Council notes:
1.Florence Doller led the devotions, reading from Acts 2 and 4 while reminding us that God used ordinary people to do an extraordinary thing in building the church.
Florence Doller led the devotions, reading from Acts 2 and 4 while reminding us that God used ordinary people to do an extraordinary thing in building the church.2.We reviewed the agenda for the classis meeting.
We reviewed the agenda for the classis meeting.3.The process of nominating people to serve as elders and deacons is beginning. Next Sunday, March 8, you will have your first opportunity to suggest names of members you believe have the spiritual gifts to serve in these positions.
The process of nominating people to serve as elders and deacons is beginning. Next Sunday, March 8, you will have your first opportunity to suggest names of members you believe have the spiritual gifts to serve in these positions.4.We discussed whether the current schedule of Sunday School and worship is the best option for meeting the study and worship needs of Valley Church. Take note of the survey which is inserted in your bulletin today and please share your opinion and ideas with council by putting it in the box which is in the entry and marked for that purpose.
We discussed whether the current schedule of Sunday School and worship is the best option for meeting the study and worship needs of Valley Church. Take note of the survey which is inserted in your bulletin today and please share your opinion and ideas with council by putting it in the box which is in the entry and marked for that purpose.5.We read a letter from the Executive Director of the CRCNA about measures the denomination is taking to lower expenditures in these challenging economic times.
We read a letter from the Executive Director of the CRCNA about measures the denomination is taking to lower expenditures in these challenging economic times.6.We discussed the deacons’ efforts to help needy families in our community who come to us asking for food or other expenses.
We discussed the deacons’ efforts to help needy families in our community who come to us asking for food or other expenses.NEXT SUNDAY, March 8, 2009
SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:45 AM Sunday School classes for all ages meet. The adult class continues with its study of Philippians “Paul’s Thank You Letter”. All are encouraged to take part in discussing and applying this practical and personal letter.
MORNING WORSHIP: 11:00 AM Pastor Gelder brings the second message in the Lenten series on the atonement, “Jesus the Sacrifice”, based on Ephesians 5:2 and I John 2:2. This will also tie in with our celebration of the Lord’s Supper at that service. Take some time this week to examine your life to see that you have truly accepted the benefit of Jesus’ sacrifice in your place and that you are living the life of gratitude that’s appropriate to such a gift.
