March 20, 2011
10:30 AM
Second Sunday in Lent

WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
Welcome
Call to Worship – Isaiah 55:1-3a
*Song of Praise – 63 “O Lord, My God, Most Earnestly”
*Invocation
*We Greet Others
*Continuing Praise
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Call to Confession – Isaiah 55:6-7
In confident faith that these words are true, let us confess our sins before God and one another.
Prayer of Confession
God of mercy, whose Son, Jesus Christ, longs to gather us in the wide embrace of his love, we confess that we have been wayward children.  We have disobeyed your commands; our ears have been deaf to your call; our hearts have been cold to your love.  In thought, in word, and in deed we have hurt others and dishonored your name.  In your great mercy receive us yet again as your well-beloved children, not because we are worthy but for the sake of him who loved us and gave himself for us.  Amen.
Assurance of Pardon – Isaiah 55:8-11
*Song of Response – 197 “The Trees of the Field”
HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – John 4:1-15
Message – “Look at Jesus:  The Living Water”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song of Thanksgiving – 488:1,2 “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say”
The Offering - General Fund
Offertory Prayer
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE SENT TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*Blessed to Serve
Sisters and brothers, let us claim the freedom Christ gives us by his self-giving on the cross.  May he enable us to serve together in faith, hope, and love.  Go in peace and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
May the God of love, who shared his love, strengthen us in our love for others.  May the Son who shared his life grant us grace, that we might share our life.  And may the Holy Spirit dwelling in us empower us to be only and always for others.
Amen.
*Parting Song – 373 (refrain only) “Lift High the Cross”
Postlude

ANNOUNCEMENTS

This morning elder Greg Huck will lead the opening of the worship services as a reminder of the continuity of the church during our time of pastoral transition. 

Tuesday, 7:00 PM Pastor Search Team meets
              7:00 PM Elders meet
Wednesday, 6:00 AM Men’s breakfast at the Spot
                   9:30 AM Women’s Bible study at Ruth Giese’s home
                  11:30 AM Women’s luncheon at Cracker Barrel
It is time to prayerfully consider who might serve Valley Church as elders and deacons in the coming years.  You will find an insert in the bulletin today which you can use to suggest names of persons you feel are qualified for these positions.  Note that we should replace three of our elders and two of our deacons this year.  Also, as you consider who to suggest, do not suggest any of the people serving on the Pastor Search Committee, as this is already a major commitment of time and energy.  Completed forms must be placed in Beth Cunningham’s mail slot no later than Sunday, April 17.
Council notes: 
1.Marsha Conrad led the devotions, reminding us to, like Abraham, hold on to the one who knows all things when we face the fear of the unknown.
2.Plans for having a student intern pastor from Calvin Theological Seminary this summer are moving along.
3.Our delegates to the March 3 meeting of Classis Atlantic Northeast reported on the meeting.
4.The process of nominating people for service as elders and deacons has begun (see bulletin announcement).
5.Ministry and team reports were presented and discussed.
Cindy Krempel will have arthroscopic knee surgery on Wednesday.  Pray that this will relieve her of the pain she’s been having and improve her mobility.  Pray for a good recovery and for patience in the waiting.
Congratulations to Stephanie Moomey and Mike Davis who were married last week Saturday in Gloucester, MA.  May God bless them in this important commitment they have made.
NEXT SUNDAY, March 27, 2011
SUNDAY SCHOOL:  9:15 AM  Classes for all ages meet.  The adult class, joined by the teens, will conclude the series “Becoming a Good Samaritan.”  This video-led discussion, hosted by John Ortberg and developed in partnership with World Vision, is intended to help Christians live out Christ’s love in world-changing ways, right now, right here. 
MORNING WORSHIP:  10:30 AM  Pastor Gelder will bring us God’s Word.  He will continue the series of Lenten messages “Look at Jesus”, focusing on “The Miracle Worker”, based on John 2:1-11.

The second offering this week will be for Christian Reformed World Relief Committee’s Foods Resource Bank program.  This program uses the resources and wisdom of farmers and agriculture leaders in the US to help improve crop production and increase nutrition in third world countries.