January 24, 2010
10:30 AM
WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
*Call to Worship –
We come to worship God in our need,bringing with us the needs of the world.We come to God, who comes to us in Jesus,and who knows by experience what human life is like.We come with our faith and with our doubts,we come with our hopes and with our fears.We come as we are because it is God who invites us to come,and God has promised never to turn us away.*Opening Praise – 238:1,4,5 “We Come, O Christ, to You”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Others
*Continuing Praise
“Sanctuary”“Lord, You Are So Good”“Days of Elijah”Call to Confession
“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.” (Psalm 139:23-24)We long for God’s leading. Let us confess our sin before God and one another.Prayer of Confession
Gracious God, giver 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 with impairments, who are rejected by their parents or considered to be of lesser value by our society. Teach us to open our hearts and our homes and church 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
The God who challenges us is also the God who encourages us.The God who confronts us is also the God who accepts us.Be assured that God is with us even now, accepting, guiding, and forgiving.Thanks be to God.*Song of Dedication – 545 “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – Matthew 5:13-16; Luke 14:25-35
Message – “What Good Is Unsalty Salt?”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song – 513 “Christian Hearts in Love United”
The Offering – General Fund
Offertory Prayer
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE SENT TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*God Blesses Us
*Parting Song – 528:4 “O Use Me, Lord”
Postlude
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Today we are observing Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. God values human life, not only in Haiti but also the unborn children here in the US. You can pick up a “Change for Life” baby bottle as a way of helping support the ministry of the Life Choices Center in Binghamton. Use your loose change to fill the bottle (paper money is welcome too!) and then bring it back to church by February 28.
Continue to pray for the disaster response efforts in Haiti. Thank God for Christian groups as well as governmental agencies working in Haiti to get relief to the most needy victims of the horrible earthquake. Our offering last Sunday was almost $3200.00. The deacons decided to immediately send $1500 to CRWRC and $1500 to Samaritan’s Purse. You can continue to give to Haiti relief; just be sure to put “Haiti Relief” on the memo line of your check. Since the need will be great for a long time, further gifts will be sent to one of the reputable Christian agencies later.
Wednesday, 6:00 AM Men’s breakfast and Bible study at the Spot
Wednesday, 9:30 AM Women’s Bible Study meets at
Wednesday, 11:30 AM Women’s Luncheon at Cracker Barrel
Thursday, 7:00 PM Growth and Renewal team meets
DID YOU NOTICE? Did you see the set of mailboxes tucked away next to the steps leading upstairs? These boxes are for the children of Valley Church – they will each have their own box, just like adults have their mail slot. They are not just for show; they are a way to show each child that they are a valued part of the church. WHAT CAN YOU DO? Put something in the box once in a while – a note, pencil, orange, card, homemade cookies, something that says somebody cares. The children are excited about this new project. Let’s not disappoint them. You can talk with Debbie Harmon if you want more information or if you want to be a mentor to one of the children.
Continue in prayer for the Van Dam family. Ruth and the children are back in New York staying with her family in New Berlin. We hope to welcome them at Valley Church soon. Howard remains in Haiti with other CRC staff. Pray for him as he works under difficult circumstances; pray for his safety as aftershocks continue to rock the area; pray for the whole family during this time of being apart; pray for the people of Haiti who are still suffering so much; pray for all those involved in relief efforts.
Jerry Krempel is a bit stronger and the pain that has been keeping him from sleeping well is some less. Remember him as we together pray for his restoration.
Repeat announcement from last week about volunteers for nursery and other Sunday duties.
The Gelders thank the Valley Church family for the generous gift given to them at the end of the year. Your love and encouragement is greatly appreciated.
NEXT SUNDAY, January 31, 2010
SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:15 AM Classes for all ages meet. The adult class concludes the study of “Fossils and Faith: Finding Our Way through the Creation Controversy
MORNING WORSHIP: 10:30 AM Pastor Gelder continues the series of messages “Good Questions, Great Answers”. The question for this week will be “What if I Gain the World and Lose My Life?” based on Mark 8:36.
