February 28, 2010, 10:30 AM
Second Sunday in Lent
WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
Welcome
Whether we are old or young, whether we are first-time or longtime worshipers, whether we come full of doubts or confidence, joy or sorrow, in this place we are all family, because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. Welcome to all of you today!
*Invocation
O God, who created us in love,create us anew in love as we worship you.O Jesus Christ, who redeemed this world in love,reclaim our hearts as we worship you.O Holy Spirit, who moves this world toward its God-appointed end,move within us as we worship you. Amen.*Opening Praise – 249:1,4 “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Others
*Continuing Praise
Call to Confession
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
(Psalm 139:23-24)Let us confess our sin before God and one another.
Prayer of Confession
Our lives are cluttered, Lord Jesus, by too many things and too much to do. We are driven by the need to succeed and distracted from our service. We have often lost our way.Forgive us.Let us, like Mary, find the one thing that is needed and sit at your feet.Amen.Assurance of Pardon – I Peter 2:24
Call to Service
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.
*Song of Dedication – 424 “Spirit of the Living God”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – Matthew 26:14-16; 27:1-10
Message – “Symbols of Suffering: A Bag of Money”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song – 384 “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
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 – 633 “He Is Lord”
Postlude
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Plan to join us at church this evening at 6:00 PM to view two video presentations on the big screen. The first (about 40 minutes) is a presentation by Dr. Tim Keller on “Leading People to the Prodigal God.” One of the small groups at Valley is studying the book The Prodigal God by Dr. Keller and we may use it in adult Sunday School next year. The other, shorter presentation (about 20 minutes) is by Bill Hybels. These are two of the prime presentations from last summer’s Leadership Summit. There will be opportunity for discussion following the presentations if you choose to stay.
Delegates from the churches of Classis Atlantic Northeast are meeting this Thursday at the Lakeside Retreat Center in Pittsfield, MA. Pastor Gelder, elder Doug Aukema and deacon John Moomey will represent Valley Church at the meetings. Pray for safe travel and for God’s guidance as the business of God’s Kingdom is dealt with. Among other items on the agenda, the delegates will be discussing how churches are providing pastoral care for people in these stress-filled times. There will be an examination of a person from Whitinsville, MA who wishes to be licensed to exhort in the churches of Classis.
Thank you for donating your loose change to the Life Choices Center in Binghamton. If you have been filling a baby bottle, please return it to church today (no later than next Sunday). We will be returning the bottles to the Life Choices Center next week. If you prefer to support this pro-life ministry by writing a check you can do that too – just make out the check to Life Choices Center and put it in the baby bottle or place it in the offering plate. Also, if you have an unused bottle, please return it so it can be recycled for use next year.
The deacons will continue to receive gifts for the Haiti earthquake response. Just be sure to designate it for “Haiti Response” as you fill out the memo line on your check. The need for relief is followed by a huge need for rebuilding. CRWRC is particularly well-positioned for this work. They are focusing their efforts in the city of Leogane, near the earthquake epicenter and an area which is reported to be nearly 90% destroyed.
Sunday, 6:00 PM Video presentations at church
Wednesday, 6:00 AM Men’s breakfast and Bible study at the Spot
Wednesday, 9:30 AM Women’s Bible Study meets at
Our condolences go to the Woodnorth family as they mourn the death of Terry’s father Mr. Paul Woodnorth, Jr. The funeral service was held on Tuesday in Lansing, IL. May God continue to comfort through the faithful words of promise found in Scripture.
Anthony Martinichio’s leg surgery went well, though he has had a lot of pain. Pray for a speedy and uncomplicated recovery.
Repeat announcement about Marila Germain.
NEXT SUNDAY, March 7, 2010
SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:15 AM Classes for all ages meet. The adult class will continue the video series based on John Ortberg’s book The Life You’ve Always Wanted
MORNING WORSHIP: 10:30 AM Pastor Gelder continues the Lenten series of messages on “The Symbols of Suffering”. This week we will read from Luke 23 about Jesus’ clothes and the cloth in which his body was wrapped.
The second offering will be for the Christian school ministry that Lissette Perez Matos and her husband are providing in the Dominican Republic. Lisette was a CASS student at BCC who lived with Al and Joyce Vos several years ago and who worshiped with us at Valley during that time. The deacons encourage your generous support, which will go toward the purchase of books and other supplies needed for this important work.
Pastor Gelder will be conducting a worship service at Fairview-Good Shepherd Care Center at 3:30 PM. You are welcome to join the Gelders at this service and to share this worship time with the residents there.
