June 29, 2008, 10:00 AM
Graduation Sunday
WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
*Call to Worship –
O Lord God, how great you are!On the first day of the week we commemorate your creation of the world and all that is in it.
Lord, send forth your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.
O Lord God, how great you are!
On the first day of the week we commemorate the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior, from the dead.
Lord, create in us a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within us.
O Lord God, how great you are!
On the first day of the week we celebrate the presence of your Holy Spirit in the church and throughout the whole world.
Amen and Amen!
*Opening Song – 425 “Creator Spirit, by Whose Aid”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Each Other
*Continuing Praise –
“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You”
“We Will Glorify”
“In My Life, Lord”
We Honor Our Graduates
It seems like just yesterday we dedicated our children to God in baptism.
Today we recognize them as they celebrate their graduation.
We thank you, God, for the unique way you created each of them – some athletic, some musical, some social, some quiet, some scholars, some not.
Yet each one is created in your image and after your likeness.
For most of their lives they have lived in our homes, attended our local schools, been part of our Sunday School and worship.
Now some of them go off to schools across the state or off to a job wherever you lead them.
From elementary school through college and grad school, they have been filling themselves with knowledge and at least some wisdom.
Now we send them off to give back in service to You and to others.
Today we celebrate your blessings in their lives and ours.
May Jesus Christ be praised in them and us.
*Song – “The Servant Song” (vs. 2,3,5)
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – Luke 10:1-12
Message – “Prayer for a Work Force”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song of Thanksgiving – 528 “Lord, Speak to Me That I May Speak”
The Offering – General Fund
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE DISMISSED TO LOVE AND SERVEOpportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*God Blesses Us
*Closing Song – 631 “Praise and Thanksgiving”
Postlude
ANNOUNCEMENTSToday is Graduation Sunday. In addition to recognizing them during the service and presenting them with a gift from the church, there will be opportunity to extend your congratulations over refreshments served following the service. The graduates we will honor are: Ryan Crawford, Kyle Cunningham, David De Young, Maria Redfern and Michael Redfern (all from Chenango Forks High School), Widline Germain and Ryan Komaromi (SUNY Cortland), and Hebert Joseph (Tompkins-Cortland Community College).
We plan to continue with a modified children’s worship during July and August. We will need two people each Sunday (perhaps one adult and one teen) to supervise. If you can help out, please sign up using the sheet that is in the entry. Thanks.
Kids for Christ will be having their first summer activity on Saturday, July 12. If you plan to participate, indicate that by signing the sheet for that in the entry.
Council notes: 1. Paul Peterson led our devotions, reflecting on the truths taught in the song “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” and sharing Psalm 139:1-12. 2. Council talked about the coming summer months and plans for Fall. 3. Pastor Gelder updated council on some of the main discussions at the recent synod meeting. 4. Council will again do a performance review for Pastor Gelder. 5. Ministry team reports were reviewed.
Financial update (January 1 – May 31, 2008):
$2,668 Weekly budget income goal$2,415 Actual average weekly income $253Weekly budget shortfall$5,306YTD budget shortfallCouncil presents this report for your information and to encourage your faithful and generous giving, especially during the summer months.
Bill Kutz is continuing to recover at home following his surgery. Continue to pray for complete healing and for a lot of patience while that happens. We are thrilled to hear that Beth Cunningham has completed her cancer treatments and has been given a clean bill of health. God is great!
The Johnny Hart Memorial Christian Fellowship Breakfast connected with the Dick’s Sporting Goods golf tournament is this Thursday7:30 AM, at the Kalurah Shrine in Endicott. Cost is still just $10.00 and includes free admission to the En-joie golf course for the day. If you’d like to attend with a group of others from Valley, you can get tickets from Ron Crawford.
The Willow Creek Summit will again be available via satellite in the Syracuse area and we plan to have a group from Valley Church attend. This year’s dates are Thursday and Friday, August 7 and 8. Let Pastor Gelder know if you are interested in attending or want more information. We’d appreciate it if you could pay $75 toward the cost of the conference and the church will pay the rest. This is a top-notch conference with world-class speakers, this year including Bill Hybels, Chuck Colson, Wendy Kopp and others.
The Growth and Renewal Team is considering having a community garage sale at the church in late August. You could rent a table for a small fee (to benefit the youth trip) and it would provide help to the community in times of economic hardship as well. If you are interested or think this is a good idea, talk with Florence Doller.
Youth Announcements:
NEXT SUNDAY, July 6, 2008
SUNDAY SCHOOL: There are NO Sunday School classes until September 7.
MORNING WORSHIP: 10:00 AM Pastor Gelder will be bringing the message to introduce the summer series on the Lord’s Prayers. The message is “Creative Imitation”, based on Luke 11:1.
