August 23, 2009, 10:00 AM
WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
*Invocation
Christ, in this hour of worship lift us out of the routine of our daily lives and set us up on your holy mountain. Let our worship come from our hearts, that it may be genuine. Let our praises for you leap from our mouths, that we may be alive with faith and joy. Make us fresh again!
Amen.
*Opening Praise – 253:1,2,4 “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Each Other
*Continuing Praise
“The Heart of Worship”
“Holiness”
“Create in Me a Clean Heart”
Call to Confession
The psalmist models an honest faith with these words:
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my thoughts.
See if there is any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting. (Ps. 139:23-24)
We express our longing for God’s leading by our own confession.
Prayer of Confession
God of love, in the wrong we have done and in the good we have not done, we have sinned in ignorance; we have sinned in weakness; we have sinned through our own deliberate fault. We are truly sorry. We repent and turn to you. Forgive us and renew our lives through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Here are words you may trust, words that merit full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. To all who confess their sins and resolve to lead a new life, he says, “Your sins are forgiven.” He also says, “Follow me.” Now to the one who rules all worlds, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. (I Timothy 1:15, 17)
*Song of Dedication – “I Give You My Heart”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – Acts 18:1-11
Message – “Learning from Early Churches: Corinth”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song of Response – 547 “Fill Thou My Life, O Lord, My God”
The Offering - General Fund
Offertory Prayer
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE DISMISSED TO LOVE AND SERVEOpportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*God Blesses Us
*Closing Song – 420:1 “Breathe on Me, Breath of God”
Postlude
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Tuesday, 7:30 PM Worship Ministry Team meets
Wednesday, 6:00 AM Men’s Breakfast and Bible study at the Spot
11:30 AM Women’s luncheon at Cracker Barrel
Thursday, 7:00 PM Deacons meet
Reserve Sunday, September 13, 1-4 PM for our annual Fall Festival. We will again be inviting our neighbors to an afternoon of fun for all ages. As in the past few years, we will need YOUR help to pull this off for God’s glory, not ours. There are sign up sheets on the table in the foyer where you can indicate what area you will work in and what hours you are able to work. We need everyone’s help so that no one has to spend the full three hours working the same area – you deserve a break!
September 13 is also the first Sunday of our new Fall season. In addition to beginning Sunday School classes for all ages that day, we are also changing the time of our services and classes. Beginning that day, Sunday School will begin at 9:15 AM and morning worship will start at 10:30 AM. Please start thinking in terms of this new schedule.
Claire Krempel had cataract surgery on Wednesday. All seems to be going well. Join her in thanking God for his care.
Council notes:
1.Barb Komaromi led the devotions, sharing the story of the Good Samaritan and challenging us to show kindness, even in dealing with people we don’t like or who don’t like us. We also prayed for needs in the congregation.
Barb Komaromi led the devotions, sharing the story of the Good Samaritan and challenging us to show kindness, even in dealing with people we don’t like or who don’t like us. We also prayed for needs in the congregation.2.We reviewed the report of a visit with council by a representative of the Holistic Ministry team of Classis Atlantic Northeast.
We reviewed the report of a visit with council by a representative of the Holistic Ministry team of Classis Atlantic Northeast.3.Having seen the cross placed several places on church grounds, it was decided to ask the congregation to look at pictures of the options and to express their preference as to placement, along with reasons for that choice, so that council at the next meeting can decide where it will be erected.
Having seen the cross placed several places on church grounds, it was decided to ask the congregation to look at pictures of the options and to express their preference as to placement, along with reasons for that choice, so that council at the next meeting can decide where it will be erected.4.In order to allow more time to reach a consensus we can all live with while recognizing the fact that there are strongly held and widely divergent views, council deferred action on approval of the edited policy on placement of the flag.
In order to allow more time to reach a consensus we can all live with while recognizing the fact that there are strongly held and widely divergent views, council deferred action on approval of the edited policy on placement of the flag. 5.The deacons presented information on discussions with the Broome County Council of Churches regarding services to homeless people in our community. They will keep us informed about how Valley Church might be involved.
The deacons presented information on discussions with the Broome County Council of Churches regarding services to homeless people in our community. They will keep us informed about how Valley Church might be involved.6.The finance team needs input from all ministry teams on their 2010 budget requests by September 27.
The finance team needs input from all ministry teams on their 2010 budget requests by September 27.7.
NEXT SUNDAY, August 30, 2009
SUNDAY SCHOOL: Classes for all ages will be resuming in a couple weeks – September 13, 9:15 AM. Plan to be a regular participant this year.
MORNING WORSHIP: 10:00 AM Pastor Gelder will bring another message in the summer series “Learning from Early Churches”. We will visit Ephesus, as described in Acts 19:8-20.
