February 24, 2008, 11:00 AM
Third Sunday in Lent

WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
Opening Prayer
O God, in creation you fashion us in your image,
in Christ you reveal to us your love,
through the Holy Spirit you welcome us into the fellowship of believers;
We bow in gratitude before you.
We constantly distort your image, but still you restore it.
We daily betray your love, but still you extend it.
We often disrupt fellowship, but still you bless it.
Come unto us at this time and in this place, O Lord,
that your image in us might be revealed, your love for us returned, and our fellowship in Christ renewed.
Amen.
*Song of Worship – 252 “Father in Heaven”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Each Other
*Continuing Praise – “Above All Else”
“That’s Why We Praise Him”
640 “Alleluia”
Call to Confession
The psalmist declares: 
“I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my supplications.  Because he inclined his ear to me I will call on him as long as I live.”  We gather as a community in need of a Savior.  We offer our honest confession in faith and trust in our covenant God, knowing that God hears our voice.
Prayer of Confession
Lord Jesus, like Judas, we have betrayed you; like Peter, we have denied you; like the other disciples, we have forsaken you.  Yet you remain faithful to us, bearing the thorns unto death, even death on a cross.  We plead for your forgiveness and mercy.  Strengthen us to that we do not turn aside but follow you to the very end – for the final victory belongs to you.  Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
We have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world.  God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God.  God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.  Sisters and brothers in Christ, Jesus bore the thorn of our betrayal and loves us still.  In Christ we are forgiven, and through him God abides with even us.  Praise God, from whom all blessings flow! 
*Song of Assurance – 260 “Not What My Hands Have Done”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Scripture Reading – Matthew 26:14-16, 31-35; 27:1-10
Message – “Forgiving the Thorn of Betrayal”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song – 386:2-4 “Who Was the Guilty?  Who Brought This Upon You?”
The Offering – General Fund
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE DISMISSED TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*God Blesses Us
*Closing Praise – 486:1,3 “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”
Postlude

THIS WEEK IN THE LIFE OF VALLEY CHURCH
Monday, 7:00 PM Council meets
Wednesday, 11:30 AM Women’s Luncheon at
Friday, 7:00 PM Youth Leap event

There will be a second offering next week Sunday to support the Sea to Sea bike tour which will be coming through Binghamton August 27.  All monies raised will go to help “break the cycle of poverty” in our world.  Claire Aukema Zwaanstra, a sister of Doug Aukema and Grace Roossien, is one of the riders, each of whom must raise $10,000 in contributions.  Your generous offering will be credited to her account.

Please remember to return you baby bottles (filled or unfilled) to church next Sunday.  Thanks for your support for the Life Choices Center and their ministry of providing alternatives to abortion.

More details on the Leap event for youth.  (see flyer on table in narthex if there isn’t a specific announcement from Erin or Amy.
 
Next Sunday, March 2, 2008

SUNDAY SCHOOL:  9:45 AM  Classes for all ages meet.  The adult class concludes the study of Islam from the material on “Which Way to God?”

MORNING WORSHIP:     11:00 AM   Pastor Gelder will lead our worship, continuing the Lenten series “Crown of Thorns, Crown of Glory.”  The message this week will deal with “Thorns that Come with Loss”, based on John 11:17-37.