January 20, 2008, 11:00 AM
WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
*Prayer –
O God, we joyously come together to worship, realizing we need not summon you into our midst, for you are here. We need not call you into the secret places of our hearts, for you are there. We need our eyes of faith to be opened, that we may see you; our ears to be unstopped, that we may hear you; our minds to be sensitive, that we may know you; our hearts to be tender, that we may receive you. Grant each one a blessing, O Lord, as each has need, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
*Opening Song – 238:1,5 “We Come, O Christ, to You”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Each Other
*Continuing Praise – “Oh, How He Loves You and Me”
“In Christ Alone”“There Is a Name I Love to Hear”Call to Confession
We cannot come before God unless we are first honest with ourselves about who we are, about the mistakes we make, and about how well or poorly we care for others. In this spirit, let us offer our prayers to God.
Prayer of Confession
Gracious Father, the God of life, teach us ever more to respect and love all the lives you create.
Forgive us our lack of concern and love for those who are yet unborn, who are born with impairments, who are rejected by their parents.
Teach us to open our hearts and our homes to all your children.
Forgive us when we are negligent and uncaring for those who are elderly, for those who are forgotten in nursing homes, who merely exist in their old age, who cannot afford medical care, who suffer from a careless society.
Teach us to open our hearts, to open our homes and churches, to visit the lonely, to bring your love into their lives on this earth.
Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon – John 11:25-26
*Song of Response - 473:1-3, then refrain “To God Be the Glory”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – Matthew 7:7-14; John 14:1-7
Message – “Choosing the Right Road”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song – 238:2-4 “You Are the Way to God”
The Offering – General Fund
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE SENT TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*God Blesses Us
*Closing Praise – 490 “Blessed Assurance: Jesus Is Mine”
Postlude
ANNOUNCEMENTSToday we observe Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. In view of the Supreme Court decision nearly 34 years ago legalizing abortion on demand in this country, we today celebrate life as a precious gift from God which deserves to be given the full protection of law, especially in those who cannot advocate for themselves. A local agency which provides services for women who find themselves dealing with a difficult or unplanned pregnancy is the Life Choices Center. The insert in today’s bulletin gives more information about this ministry. If you wish to assist them financially, there are empty baby bottles on display in the entry. Take a bottle and fill it with your loose change (bills or checks are gladly received as well) for the next month. You can return the bottle to church when it is full or no later than March 2. To receive a receipt for your tax deductible contribution, be sure to fill out the form in your bottle.
Plan to join us this evening at 6:00 for a showing of the award-winning film “The Reckoning”. This is the story of the work of people in the Dutch Underground during the trying days of World War II. This is appropriate for middle school and older. Families are encouraged to view the film together and then to talk about it at home. We must never forget the horrible things that can be done when the sinful human mind is unchecked by law and justice.
Wednesday, 11:30 AM Women’s Luncheon at
The Junior High Youth group meets this afternoon from 3-4:00 PM.
NEXT SUNDAY, January 27, 2008
SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:45 AM Classes for all ages. The adults continue the series of studies of several world religions called “Which Way to God?” We will begin a discussion of Buddhism
MORNING WORSHIP: 11:00 AM Pastor Gelder will be with us to bring another message in the series “On a Journey with Jesus”. The message is “The Long Road Home” based on Luke 15:11-24.
