April 27, 2008, 11:00 AM
WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
*Call to Worship – Psalm 24:1-6
*Prayer
O God of all power and majesty, you created the heavens and stretched them out. You formed the earth and all that comes from it. You give the breath of life to all who walk on the face of the earth.
Jesus, you conquered sin and death and now reign victorious. You are Lord; glory is due your name.
The former things have come to pass; we now await the new things you will bring through the Holy Spirit.
We rejoice to be gathered in your name. Alleluia! Accept our praises and petitions. Amen
*Opening Praise – 408 “Rejoice, the Lord Is King”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Each Other
*Continuing Praise
“Awesome God”
“Be Thou My Vision”
“All Hail King Jesus”
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
Almighty God, you raised Jesus from death to life and crowned him Lord of all. We confess that we have not bowed before him or acknowledged his rule in our lives. We have gone along with the ways of the world and failed to give him glory. Forgive us and raise us from sin, that we may be your faithful people, obeying the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ, who rules the world and is head of the church, his body. Amen.
*Song of Assurance – 534:1,3,4 “Come, You Sinners, Poor and Needy”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – John 21:15-25
Message – “Back to Work”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song – 523:1,2,5 “Lord, You Give the Great Commission”
The Offerings – First: General Fund
Second: CRWRC Embrace AIDS Project
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE DISMISSED TO LOVE AND SERVEOpportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*We Express Our Shared Faith – The Apostles’ Creed
*Closing Prayer – 508:1,2,5 “Jesus, with Your Church Abide”
*God Blesses Us
Postlude
ANNOUNCEMENTSMonday, 7:00 PM Growth and Renewal Team meets
Tuesday, 7:00 PM Elders meet
Tuesday, 7:00 PM Youth Team meets
Please take note of the sheet on the exit door where you can list all the members of Valley Church who are graduating from high school or college this year. We will be honoring them on June 29 and want to make sure all who should be noted will be recognized.
The second offering this morning is our response to the “Embrace AIDS” initiative of the Christian Reformed Church, led by CRWRC. As we affirmed last week, God calls us to minister to those who are the victims of HIV/AIDS, both in our own country and around the world. We need to put wings on our prayers through our generous financial gifts. CRWRC is committed to raising three million dollars for AIDS work in Africa, Asia and Latin America over the next two years.
Continue to pray that Jerry Krempel’s recovery from his surgery will be uneventful and speedy. We thank God with him and Claire for God’s care.
Congratulations to the Aukema families on the birth of a baby boy to Brian and Crystal Aukema on Wednesday morning. Pray that Crystal will have a speedy recovery from the surgery and that baby, parents and grandparents will all continue to do well. We thank God for this precious gift.
We are glad to hear from the Van Dams that the situation in Haiti has again stabilized. Pray for more long-term solutions to the many problems that have plagued this country and so many others in the third world.
Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make yesterday’s women’s retreat such a positive event. This was certainly another case of many hands (and minds) creating great things for the Lord and the body of Christ. When the body works together for the common good, it is certainly a delight to behold.
The Wednesday morning women’s Bible study group is starting a new study of the fruit of the Spirit. All women are welcome to join them at 9:30 AM Wednesday at Ruth Giese’s home, 12 Asbury Ave. In preparation please read I John 4:7-16.
Youth Announcements:
NEXT SUNDAY, May 4, 2008
SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:45 AM Classes for all ages. The adult class will continue the series on discipleship titled “Called”. All are welcome to participate.
MORNING WORSHIP: 11:00 AM Pastor Gelder will be with us to bring a message “A Necessary Delay” based on Acts 1:1-11. This will be our observance of Ascension Sunday. We will also publicly welcome into our membership Tim and Sue Brown and Heather De Haan as they reaffirm the faith in Jesus that they professed earlier in other churches.
