May 27, 2007, 11:00 AM
Pentecost Sunday

WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
Call to Worship –
Come, Creator Spirit, and move over this chaotic world.
Come, Creator Spirit, and bring life to this world.
Come, Creator Spirit, and move over the chaos of our lives.
Come, Creator Spirit, and bring us new life.  Amen.
*Opening Praise – 425 “Creator Spirit, by Whose Aid”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Each Other
*Continuing Praise – “”

Call to Confession
The Spirit of the Lord fills the world and knows our every word and deed.  Let us then open ourselves to the Lord and confess our sins in penitence and faith.
Prayer of Confession
Almighty God, you poured out your Spirit upon gathered disciples creating bold tongues, open ears, and a new community of faith.  We confess that we hold back the force of your Spirit among us.  We do not listen for your word of grace, speak the good news of your love, or live as a people made one in Christ.  Have mercy on us, O God.  Transform our timid lives by the power of your Spirit and fill us with a flaming desire to be your faithful people, doing your will for the sake of Jesus Christ, our lord.  Amen.
Assurance of Pardon – Romans 8:1-2, 11
*Song of Assurance – 490 “Blessed Assurance:  Jesus Is Mine”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading – Hebrews 12:1-
Message – “We Remember”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song – “God, We Sing Your Glorious Praises”
The Offerings – First:  General Fund
  Second:  CHOW
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE DISMISSED TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Service
*God Blesses Us
*Parting Song – 556:1,3 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
Postlude

THIS WEEK IN THE LIFE OF VALLEY CHURCH

Today we begin a three-week celebration of God’s blessings in the life of the Christian Reformed Church over the past 150 years.  The theme for our celebration is “Grace through Every Generation”.  It was in April, 1857 that five small congregations in west Michigan joined together to form what later became known as the Christian Reformed Church in North America.  Our celebration will be shaped by three key words – remember, rejoice and rededicate.  Today, being Memorial Day weekend, it is especially relevant to focus on remembering. 

This is also Pentecost Sunday, the day when Christians recall the outpouring of the Holy Spirit which gave the power needed for the birth of the Christian church.  The children will help carry out the cross from the church building to set it outside, picturing for them and us that the gospel of the living Jesus must be shared with our entire world, not just kept inside the church.

The second offering this morning is for the Broome County Council of Churches and particularly for the CHOW program.  While our local pantry is well stocked now, CHOW also provides vouchers for meats and other perishable items needed to balance the diet.  This takes money, so your generous offering will be much appreciated and wisely used.

There will be refreshments following our morning worship in honor of the 40th wedding anniversary of Al and Jan Gelder, which is today, and of the 45th anniversary of George and Ann De Jager, which was observed last month.

It’s less than two weeks until the start of the NYPENN Franklin Graham Festival at the BU Event Center.  We all need to ramp up our prayer efforts and renew our invitations to friends and neighbors to join us at the festival. 

Repeat announcement about community invitation and pot luck supper for Franklin Graham festival for Wednesday evening, 6:00 PM.
Also, repeat about graduation Sunday if there’s room.  Else skip it for a week.
Repeat note about church cleanup day.

Wednesday, 6:00 PM Pot luck supper followed by neighborhood invitation.
Thursday, 7:00 PM Prayer meeting
Saturday, 9:00 AM Church clean up day

Please reserve Thursday, June 14 for the regular spring congregational meeting.  There will be prayer meeting at 7 and the congregational meeting will start at 7:30.  Each family should plan to be represented.

Next Sunday, June 3, 2007

SUNDAY SCHOOL:  9:45 AM Sunday School classes for all ages. This is the last week of regular classes – the adults will conclude their study of Philippians.  Next Sunday there will be a breakfast to mark the end of this Sunday School season.

MORNING WORSHIP:     11:00 AM   Our worship will be led by Pastor Gelder. The message this week will be “We Rejoice”, based on II Corinthians 1:18-20.  We will continue to observe the 150th Anniversary of the Christian Reformed Church in North America as well as rejoicing in God’s blessings evident here at Valley Church.  There is much reason to rejoice in “Grace through Every Generation.”