October 22, 2006 – 11:00 AM
WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
*Call to Worship- “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” vs. 1-3
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Each Other
*Continuing Praise
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, 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 less than perfect, 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
In the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, we are assured that there is no sin so terrible that God cannot forgive, no hurt so terrible that God cannot heal. God accepts, God forgives, and God sets free. Receive the forgiving love of God.
Thanks be to God.
Call to Commitment
I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life. (Deuteronomy 30:19-20)
*Song of Commitment - 276:1-3 “Teach Me, O Lord, Your Way of Truth”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORDChildren’s Time
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading – Exodus 20:13; Genesis 9:1-6; I John 2:7-11
Message – “Choose Life”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song – 488:1,3 “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say”
The Offerings – First: General Fund
Second: Christian Reformed Home MissionsSharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE DISMISSED TO LOVE AND SERVEOpportunities for Ministry and Service
*God Blesses Us
*Parting Song – 545 “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace”
Postlude
THIS WEEK IN THE LIFE OF VALLEY CHURCHWednesday, 11:30 AM Women’s Luncheon at Cracker Barrel
Thursday, 7:00 PM Growth and Renewal Team
The second offering today is for Christian Reformed Home Missions, which continues to support outreach to North America by planting new churches and encouraging established churches to reach the unchurched in their communities. This is also a time to give thanks for the support from Home Missions which enabled Valley Church to get its start more than forty years ago.
Advance notice: There is going to be another hymn sing next Sunday evening, October 29, 7:00 PM. This will be a time for singing your favorite hymns, led by the organ and (for some) the piano. To make sure we sing your favorites, please list songs you want sung, either from the grey Psalter Hymnal or the white hymnal. There are papers and books in the area behind the worship center where you can indicate your choices. Also, invite your friends to join you for this inspiring evening.
