January 27, 2008, 11:00 AM
WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
*Call to Worship –
The eternal Father, who loved us and set us free from our sins, who loves us still with that love that will not let us go, and who will love us forever, calls us to worship him today as the only true lover of our souls.
The Lord runs to receive the love of our poor, broken hearts. He calls us to remember the depth of his love for us in Christ.
God wants our love!
*Opening Song – 284 “Father, I Adore You”
*God Greets Us
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
*We Greet Each Other
As God has greeted us with his peace, so let us pass the peace of Christ to each other.
The peace of Christ be with you.*Continuing Praise – “
Call to Confession –
No earthly father loves like you, no mother half so mild bears and forbears as you have done with me, your sinful child.
Prayer of Confession –
Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name;Deliver us, and forgive our sins, for your name’s sake.(Silent prayer of confession)Lord, have mercy.Christ, have mercy.Lord, have mercy.Assurance of Pardon –
Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you, says the Lord.
Song of Response – 499:1,4,6 “My God, How Wonderful You Are”
Guide for Grateful Living
As we are to walk humbly with our God in lives of gratitude, let us hear again his Word:
God commands us to serve him alone as God, to serve him according to his Word, to speak of him only with deep respect and love, to attend faithfully the assembly of God’s people on the day of rest, and every day to let the lord work in us through his spirit; to respect and cooperate with all God-given authority, to live purely and joyfully with the gift of sex, to nurture human life as God’s precious gift, to use the resources of this earth as stewards of God’s creation, to use the gift of speech for promoting the truth in love, and to exercise purity of heart in all of life.
May the Spirit of God guide us to be obedient to this Word. Amen!
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – Luke 15:11-32
Message – “The Long Road Home”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song – 231 “How Great Is the Love of the Father”
The Offering – General Fund
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE SENT TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*God Blesses Us
*Closing Praise – 498:1,3 “I Sought the Lord, and Afterward I Knew’
Postlude
ANNOUNCEMENTSIt’s not too late to start saving your spare change in one of the baby bottles provided by the Life Choices Center. You can return the bottles when they are full, but no later than March 2, please.
We are grateful that Jan Vermaat was able to return home from the hospital on Tuesday evening. Pray for her continued recovery – she’s been told it will take quite a while to get back to full speed.
The Komaromis appreciate your prayers for Jacob as he waits for his heart surgery which is now scheduled for Tuesday, February 5. Pray that Jacob will not catch any colds or flu that would cause another postponement.
Continue to remember Beth Cunningham and Dick Crawford in prayer as they battle cancer. Dick hopes to have his last chemo treatment this week.
Please take note of the new information and pictures on the bulletin board behind the sanctuary in the adult Sunday School room. This display highlights our college students. Remember to pray for them – a note of interest is always appreciated.
Wednesday, 7:00 PM – Facilities Team meets
Thursday, 7:30 PM – Worship Ministry Team meets
Advance notice: Lent begins early this year, with Ash Wednesday on February 6. Plan to join us for a short service of penitence and ashes that evening at 7:00 PM.
If you did not get your copy of the 2008 church directory, please check your mail slot or pick up a copy from the table in the entry area.
Pastor Gelder is planning to offer a class for all young adults and adults who are interested in exploring what it means to be a member of Valley Church. The class will start on Sunday, February 24 at 4:00 PM and will likely go for three Sundays. There will be a class for children interested in professing their faith later in the spring. Talk with the pastor for more information or to get your questions answered.
NEXT SUNDAY, February 3, 2008
SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:45 AM Classes for all ages. The adults continue the series of studies of several world religions called “Which Way to God?” We will continue our discussion of Buddhism
MORNING WORSHIP: 11:00 AM Pastor Gelder will be with us to bring another message in the series “On a Journey with Jesus”. The message is “The Road to Jerusalem” based on Matthew 20:17-19.
