December21, 2008, 11:00 AM

WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
*Call to Worship –
When the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law
to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption into his family.
God demonstrates his own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Let us worship the God who loves us.
*Opening Praise – “Love Has Come!”
Lighting the Fourth Advent Candle
Reader 1:  God calls us to worship today as followers of his Son, Jesus Christ.  We light these candles as a symbol of the coming light of our Messiah.  (then lights the third candle)
Reader 2:  Jesus asked them, “But who do you say that I am?”  Peter answered him, “you are the Christ.”
Reader 1:  Each day the world asks us the same question Jesus asked Peter:  Who is coming?
All:  With Peter, we declare that Christ, the Son of God, is coming.
Reader 2:  When Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?”
All:  With the disciples, we wonder when Christ will come.
Reader 1:  Jesus warns us not to be deceived but to watch and wait.
Reader 2:  Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.  Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
Reader 1:  Where will Jesus come?
Reader 2:  Jesus comes to this world filled with pain, suffering, and death.
Reader 1:  As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness; ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’”
All:  With John, we call to our world, “Prepare the way of the Lord.”
Reader 2:  As we wait, we celebrate his first coming as a baby and his life of sacrifice.
All:  But even more, we look forward to his glorious second coming when he will make all things new.
* Song – 328:1,4,6 “O Come, O Come, Immanuel”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Each Other
Christmas Pageant
*Song of Response – 346:1,2,5 “Once in Royal David’s City”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – Luke 2:41-52
Message – “Christmas Is for Teens”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song – 352:3-5 “That Boy-Child of Mary”
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 – 354:4,5 “Though an Infant Now We View Him”
Postlude



ANNOUNCEMENTS

Today is the fourth Sunday in Advent.  Advent is a season of tension – Christ has come, and yet not all things have reached completion.  So as we remember Israel’s hoping, give thanks for Jesus’ birth as the Prince of Peace, rejoice that God is with us, and experience God’s amazing love for us, we also anticipate his second coming at the end of time.  The lighting of another candle each Sunday heightens our sense of anticipation.

This morning the children of Valley Church will present a Christmas pageant featuring stick puppets retelling the story of Christmas.  We thank each child who takes part for bringing us back to the true meaning of Christmas.  A special thank you goes to Gina Martinichio for heading up this project again this year, as well as to the other adults and teens who helped get it all ready.

Wednesday, 7:30 PM  Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
ThursdayMerry Christmas!

Valley Church has the privilege this afternoon to host the annual holiday concert by Bronzissimo!, one of the premier community hand bell choirs in our area.  The concert is here at Valley Church at 4:00 PM.  A free-will offering will be received.  There will be cookies and beverages following the concert.  Invite your friends to enjoy this special event with you.

The Valley Church Christmas Eve Candlelight service will be this Wednesday evening at 7:30 PM.  This special service of Word and song and light is more than a tradition for many; it is a time of worship and adoration of the Christ child.  The offering will be for Valley Church youth ministry.  As always, invite someone to come with you to worship.

There will be a New Year’s Eve worship service on Wednesday, December 31 at 7:30 PM.

Crystal Aukema had emergency gall bladder surgery on Thursday.  Pray for her speedy recovery and for patience during the time needed to heal.

As you pray for people, give thanks for the healings we have witnessed this past year and continue to pray that people with chronic illnesses will have the grace and strength to keep on keeping on.

Youth Announcements: 

NEXT SUNDAY,
December 28, 2008

SUNDAY SCHOOL:  9:45 AM  Regular Sunday School classes do NOT meet this Sunday.  Classes will resume on January 4.

MORNING WORSHIP:     11:00 AM  Pastor Gelder will bring the message “Christmas Is for Christians” based on Luke 2: 15-18.  The second offering will be for the Indonesian Christian Reformed Church of Dover, New Hampshire.  Your continued financial support of this vital ministry is needed and appreciated.

Our Christmas prayer for all our Valley Church friends is that you will again be filled with awe and wonder at the Good News that “a Savior has been born to you:  He is the Messiah, the Lord.”  We give glory to God!

The Gelders