December 26, 2010
10:30 AM
Christmastide
WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
*Call to Worship – Luke 2:10-14
*Opening Praise – 214 “Glory to God/Ere zij God”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Others
*Continuing Praise
“A Shield about Me”“My Life Is in You, Lord”“El Shaddai”Call to Confession
We know that nothing is able to separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ. Let us in freedom confess the wrong we have done.
Prayer of Confession
As we draw to the close of this year and claim the year ahead, our Father, we need to confess to you those pieces of the past that persist in pulling us backward. Through admitting our failures and sharing our sin, we would like to put away those things that nibble and nag, de-energize and depress.
With boldness, then, and a certain measure of embarrassment, we admit to squandering time and talent, good intentions and better ideas, opportunities for growth and occasions for grace. We admit that we have most often taken care of ourselves while others have stood in line. We have defined our interests carefully and our goals precisely, using energy and expertise gainfully to the detriment of family, friends, community, and church.
We agonize with memories that sit heavily and images that cause us to blush, and ask that you would grant us your forgiveness as we confess our individual regrets and remorse in silence…
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
Amen.
*Song of Assurance – 32:1,3,5 “How Blest Are They Whose Trespass”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – Ephesians 6:10-20
Message – “A Final Word”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
Song of Response – 566 “In You Is Gladness”
The Offering – General Fund
Offertory Prayer
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE SENT TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
* We Confess Our Faith – Apostles’ Creed
*Blessed to Serve
In response to what we have heard and to what we know ourselves to be, let us begin anew.
We have been called to participate in his mission.
The Lord has laid upon us the responsibility for his world.
Let us offer ourselves to him and to that world, which is his own.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Go in peace. Amen.
Amen.
*Parting Song – 452:1-3 “He Leadeth Me”
Postlude
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Gelders are taking a week of vacation with family this week, leaving on Tuesday and returning the following Monday. If you need pastoral care, please contact one of the elders.
Wednesday, 6:00 AM Men’s breakfast and Bible study at the Spot
Doug Aukema’s recovery from surgery is going well. Thank God with him. Continue to pray for Jerry Krempel, as well as others who are in need of healing or strength for difficult situations.
“‘God with us’ is not just a Christmas greeting - it is at the heart of our life together at Valley Church. Once again our prayer for all our Valley family is that we will remember the reality of Christ’s presence with us not only this Christmas season but as we go on into 2011, a year of transition but also of continuity in doing Christ’s work here.”
The GeldersThere will be no worship service here on New Year’s Eve, but all are urged to take time during this last week of 2010 to recall God’s blessings, to celebrated answered prayer, and to renew the commitment to serve the Lord Jesus in the new year.
NEXT SUNDAY, January 2, 2011
SUNDAY SCHOOL does not meet this week. Classes for all ages will resume on January 9.
MORNING WORSHIP: 10:30 AM We welcome Rev. Tineke Cornelison to Valley Church as she brings us God’s Word in Pastor Gelder’s absence. Some of you know her from the time she led the women’s retreat Valley hosted a couple years ago. She is now serving as pastor of congregational life at the Rochester Christian Reformed Church.
