January 23, 2011
10:30 AM


WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
*Call to Worship – Isaiah 44:1-3
*Song of Praise – 432:1,3,4 “For the Beauty of the Earth”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Others
*Continuing Praise
“Be Thou my vision"
"I love You Lord"
"In the secret"

Call to Confession – Psalm 139:1-12
Prayer of Confession
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.  When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.  All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.  (Psalm 139:13-16)
(Silent Prayer and Reflection)
Assurance of Pardon – Psalm 139:17-18
Commissioning of Pastor Search Committee
Scripture – I Corinthians 12:4-12
Leader:  There are different gifts
People:  but it is the same Spirit who gives them.
Leader:  Each one is given a gift by the Spirit
People:  to be used for the common good.
Leader:  Sisters and brothers, you have committed yourselves to a significant leadership task on behalf of the entire congregation.  In recognition of the importance of your work, we pause to express our gratitude and to remind ourselves that you do not undertake this task alone; you will be guided by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, the prayerful support of the members of Valley Church, and the assistance of the Christian Reformed Church through its Pastor-Church Relations Committee and the counselor appointed by Classis Atlantic Northeast.
Members of the Search Committee of Valley Christian Reformed Church, do you promise to perform faithfully the vital task of searching for a new pastor?  Do you pledge, with God’s guidance and your prayers, to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit in all you do, say and decide?
Search Committee Members:  I do.
Will you endeavor:
to work in harmony within the committee;
to consistently attend Search Committee meetings;
to be open and patient listeners to each other and to the congregation;
to listen to the Spirit’s leading as you develop a description of our church community and the style of pastoral leadership we seek;
to maintain strict confidentiality in all you read, say and hear – protecting the privacy of each other and of potential candidates;
to review all profiles with open minds and hearts, treating all candidates fairly and justly;
to seek decisions not made by majority rule, but by the coming together of minds, hearts, and souls in a consensus that will build a firm foundation for the effective future mission and ministry of this church?
Search Committee Members:  I will.
Leader:  People of Valley Church, how will you support these people as they do their work?
People:  We pledge, as a gathered community of faith, to be patient with you and to respect your need for confidentiality as you do your task.  We recognize that the work of our search committee is a difficult assignment and will take much effort.  We pray for you and offer our support and words of encouragement throughout this time.  These things we promise in the hope and belief that you will be obedient to the guidance of the Spirit as you seek a new pastor to minister with us.
Prayer
*Song of Dedication – 508:1,3,5 “Jesus, with Your Church Abide”
HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – Matthew 6:1-8, 16-18
Message – “Kingdom Living:  Who’s Watching?”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song of Response – 547:1,3 “Fill Thou My Life, O Lord, My God”
The Offerings – First:  General Fund
  Second:  Indonesian CRC
Offertory Prayer
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE SENT TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*Sent to Serve
Hear now this call to service.
God has shown us what is good.
And what does the Lord require of us?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with our God.
*God Blesses Us
May the love of God enfold us, the wisdom of the Son enlighten us, the fire of the Spirit kindle us; and may the blessing of the Lord God come down and remain with us always.
Amen.
*Parting Song – 631:1,3 “Praise and Thanksgiving”
Postlude
ANNOUNCEMENTS
This morning we will be commissioning the members of the Pastor Search Committee as they begin the work to which they are appointed by Council.   Members are:  Pat Aukema, Ron Crawford, Ann de Jager, Adam De Voe, Jeff De Young, Henry Huizinga, Joel Huizinga, Cherly Pierre-Louis, and Terry Woodnorth.  Keep them in regular prayer as they do their work on behalf of all of us at Valley Church.
The second offering is for the Indonesian Christian Reformed Church in Dover, New Hampshire.  As calling church for Pastor Lapian, we also have the opportunity to provide  financial help which this ministry can certainly use and deeply appreciates.  Give generously and be part of God’s blessing on this church as it ministers to the Asian community in Dover and as it extends its reach back to the churches in Indonesia.
Today we will observe Sanctity of Life Sunday, recalling with sadness and confession the Supreme Court decision 38 years ago that legalized abortion on demand in this country.  You will also again have an opportunity to financially support the Life Choices Center in Binghamton by taking a baby bottle from the display in the entry and using it over the next six weeks to collect your spare change.  Last year we raised $289.00 this way.  Bottles can be returned any time but should be back by March 6.

Tuesday, 7:00 PM Pastor Search Committee meets
  7:00 PM Elders meet
Wednesday, 6:00 AM Men’s breakfast and Bible study at the Spot
       9:30 AM Women’s Bible Study at
     11:30 AM Women’s luncheon at Cracker Barrel
       7:00 PM Deacons meet

Notice about signups for the Valentine’s dinner

Directory edits?

Council notes:
1.Tim Brown led opening devotions, based on Galatians 1:15-16, reminding us that a life of service is our response to God’s love.
2.Annette Vernon met with us to talk about her faith and desire to publicly profess that faith as a member of Valley Church.  The date for her public profession of faith is not yet finalized.
3.Joys and concerns were shared and prayed about.
4.We clarified which council members will be concluding their terms in 2011.  Members are asked to begin prayerful consideration of who to suggest for  nomination this spring
5.Most of the time was spent on matters relative to pastoral transition. 
a.Search committee membership was finalized and a chairperson appointed.  The committee will designate other roles as needed.
b.The committee will have its first meeting January 25 under the temporary leadership of council liaison Henry Huizinga.
c.A mandate for the committee’s work was approved.
d.Progress on preparing the church profile was noted and new input was reviewed.  It is mostly finished. 

NEXT SUNDAY, January 30, 2011
SUNDAY SCHOOL:  9:15 AM  Classes for all ages meet.  The adult class concludes the study of the book of Daniel.  Plan to take part in a class this year.
MORNING WORSHIP:  10:30 AM  Pastor Gelder will bring us God’s Word.  He will continue the message series from the Sermon on the Mount, “Kingdom Living”.  We will look at Matthew 6:7-15 “When You Pray”