July 22, 2007, 10:00 AM

WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
* Call to Worship –
The earth is the Lord’s, for he made it:
Come, let us adore him.
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
Come, let us adore him.
The mercy of the Lord is everlasting:
Come, let us adore him.
Lord, open our lips.
And our mouths shall proclaim your praise.
*Song of Praise – 569 “Praise the Lord with the Sound of Trumpet”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Each Other
*Continuing Praise – “We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise”
“That’s Why We Praise Him”
“O Come, Let Us Adore Him”
Call to Confession –
When we gather to praise God, we remember that we are people who have preferred our wills to his.  Accepting is power to become new persons in Christ, let us confess our sin before God and one another.
Prayer of Confession
Forgive our faithlessness, O faithful God!  And see beyond our apathy, our thoughtlessness, our self-centeredness, our wrong choices.  See into our hearts, for you are our treasure.  Amen.
*Song of Assurance – “Not I but Christ”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Scripture Reading – Luke 14:25-35
Message – “Hating Your Parents”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song – 547 “Fill Thou My Life, O Lord, My God”
The Offerings – First:  General Fund
  Second:  Back to God Hour
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE DISMISSED TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*God Blesses Us
*Closing Praise – 632 “To God Be the Glory”
Postlude

THIS WEEK IN THE LIFE OF VALLEY CHURCH
There is a special council meeting immediately after the morning service today to meet with more people who wish to make their public profession of faith this summer.  This is always one of the best parts of serving as an elder or deacon.

The second offering this morning is for the broadcast ministries of the Back to God Hour.  This ministry of the CRC uses varied media, including the Internet, to present the good news of Jesus Christ in nine languages to people around the world.  Even though the programs are no longer broadcast locally, this is a very effective way our offerings can impact the world for Christ.  Give generously.

Wednesday, 11:30 AM Women’s Luncheon at the Cracker Barrel
Thursday, 7:00 PM Prayer Meeting

Pastor Gelder is in Providence, Rhode Island this week attending a Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders.  This is presented by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center of Illinois.  Council has endorsed his attendance and encouraged him to receive this training, since everyone has to deal with conflict and can benefit from learning how to better work through conflicts.  He will return home Friday night.  Should a pastoral care need arise this week, please contact one of the elders.

Congratulations to Shannon Kutz and Matthew Lamb who were joined in Christian marriage yesterday in a ceremony here at Valley Church.  We wish them God’s richest blessings on their life together and with Danny in this new family unit.

Dick Crawford is at the “break week” in his chemo treatment schedule.  Pray that this is a very good week for him, especially as he enjoys his annual fishing trip to Canada during the break.  Tommy Thompson has received more good news concerning the melanoma he is dealing with – the lymph system appears to be clear.  We thank God for this encouraging report

At this point we have thirteen people planning to attend the Willow Creek Summit August 9-11 in Syracuse.  It’s not too late to add your name to the list, but please do so no later than next Sunday, July 29.  Talk with Pastor Gelder or send him an e-mail at valleycrc@msn.com if you want to attend.

Once again Broome Community College is looking for host families for 20 students from Central America and the Caribbean who will be arriving mid-August to study at BCC as part of the CASS Program.  There is more information on the papers posted at the information center.

Next Sunday, July 29, 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 word of Jesus about “Mountain-moving Faith” based on Matthew 17:20.  Just a reminder - the church picnic that was planned for this date has been postponed.