November 22, 2009
10:30 AM
WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
*Call to Worship – Psalm 65
*Opening Praise – 237 “We Praise You, O God”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Others
*Continuing Praise
“Call to Confession – Luke 17:12-18
Prayer of Confession
Holy God, you have given us many good gifts. Today we thank you for all of them, but we also confess that sometimes we love those gifts more than we love you. We confess wanting more and more things: food, clothes, toys, money. Forgive us for not being content and thankful. Forgive our selfishness. Help us to love you more than everything else. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon – Luke 17:19
*Song of Assurance – 183:1,2,4 “With Grateful Heart My Thanks I Bring”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time – Blessing the Shoe Boxes
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – Job 38:1-7; 42:1-6
Message – “Where Were You?”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song – 430 “We Sing the Mighty Power of God”
The Offerings – First: General Fund
Second: Valley Church CHOW PantryOffertory Prayer
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE SENT TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*God Blesses Us
*Parting Song – 431:1,5 “All Creatures of Our God and King”
Postlude
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The second offering this morning is for our local CHOW Pantry. We have had a lot more clients coming lately so your financial gifts as well as the food items you bring will enable us to serve more people and show them Christ’s love.
Thank you to all who brought food items for the Thanksgiving baskets being prepared by the deacons for distribution to needy families in our area. The Chenango Forks Schools social workers will be distributing these baskets tomorrow to families they have identified as being in special need of help this Thanksgiving season. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
Wednesday, 7:30 PM Thanksgiving Eve Worship
Continue in prayer for the many people in our congregation and extended family who are in special need right now. Dot Simonds spent much of the week at Lourdes Hospital with the effects of a small stroke. Continue to pray for the Kellers and Crawfords in Florida. May God continue to comfort and strengthen Edele Thompson following the death of Tommy. Tom Reynolds continues to heal from his surgery. He has decided to follow a “wait and see” approach to the small spots remaining on the liver. Dick Thomas has returned home for the time being. Pray for him and for Inger as she again is providing much of his care.
Congratulations to Tyler and Rachel Stoddard on the birth of Madison Marie Stoddard last Sunday evening. All are doing well. Pray for God’s blessing as they assume the awesome responsibility of training her in the ways of the Lord.
Project Concern Food Truck.
The annual Chenango Valley area ecumenical Thanksgiving service is this evening at 7:00 PM at St. Francis of Assisi Church on Chenango St. in Hillcrest. There will be music by the massed choir and Pastor Gelder will be bringing the message. Plan to join your neighbors in this special time of giving thanks.
The Valley Church Thanksgiving Eve service will be held this Wednesday at 7:30 PM. Come prepared to share some of your reasons for thanks as we acknowledge God’s good gifts of family, fruit, freedom and faith.
Again this year we are taking orders for 2010 NIV calendars. For every calendar ordered for $6, an additional calendar will be purchased that will be given away at the Nativity and Christmas Eve service. In the past, extra calendars have also been given out with CHOW distributions, as well as to other visitors to the church. They offer great Scripture references, as well as a way to remind people of events at Valley Church. Sign up sheets, along with a sample of next year’s calendar, are on the table in the narthex.
NEXT SUNDAY, November 29, 2009
SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:15 AM There are NO Sunday School classes this week.
Classes for all ages will resume next Sunday, December 6.
MORNING WORSHIP: 10:30 AM This is the first Sunday in Advent. Pastor Gelder will begin a series of messages focusing on some of the Advent symbols. The first message will present the “Star of David” from Numbers 24:17.
Plan to stay after the service for a light lunch of soup and bread, followed by time to decorate the church for the Advent and Christmas season. Many hands will not only devour the soup but get the task of getting the church building and grounds ready for our seasonal guests finished in short time.
