March 29, 2009, 11:00 AM
Fifth Sunday in Lent

WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
*Call to Worship
Let us worship God, who has done great things.
We rejoice in our God, who made a way through the desert of his world.
Let us worship God, who has caused streams of mercy to flow in the wasteland.
We are the people God has formed through Christ; we worship him, and we rejoice!
Let us worship God in spirit and in truth.
We praise God for the grace that has saved us.  Alleluia!  We rejoice!
*Opening Praise – 384 “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Each Other
*Continuing Praise
           “At the Cross”
           “And Can It Be”
           “In Christ Alone”
Call to Confession – I John 2:3-6
Prayer of Confession –
Great Shepherd, we all like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way.  We conform to our peers, obey our ungodly desires, and ignore your will and work around us.  We look to Hollywood for models, to professional sports for heroes and to corporate executives for mentors.  Forgive us for not looking first to you, “the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame.”  Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
God has not abandoned us to our own lost wanderings.  Instead he has given us the perfect Guide, the Good Shepherd Jesus, who searches for us, finds us and leads us into what is right and good.
Thanks be to God!  We will follow Jesus.
*Song of Response – 26:1-3 “My Faith Looks Up to Thee”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – I Peter 2:18-25
Message – “Jesus Our Example”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song – 291:1-4 “May the Mind of Christ, My Savior”
The Offerings – First:  General Fund
                         Second:  Project Concern
Offertory Prayer
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE DISMISSED TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*God Blesses Us
*Closing Song – 291:5 “May We Run the Race before Us”
Postlude

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The second offering this morning is for Project Concern, our local community service outreach in Chenango Bridge that provides quality used clothing and household goods at minimal cost for people who have a hard time providing for themselves and their families.  They can also use your gift of time – if you are interested in volunteering, you can get more information from Barb Lockwood (when she returns from Florida soon) or Sue Brown.

Today is the last Sunday to provide input to council regarding your suggestions for nominees for elder and deacons.  Council uses your suggestions as their starting point in coming up with nominations.  There are extra forms on the coffee table in the entry.  Please return your completed form to Paul Peterson’s mail slot today.

Plan ahead for Holy Week:
Palm Sunday worship and children’s Easter program – 11:00 AM
Maundy Thursday communion worship – 7:30 PM
Good Friday community worship at Nimmonsburg United  Methodist Church, 7:00 PM
Easter Sunday: 
7:30 AM Early worship outside (weather permitting)
8:30 – 10:30 AM Easter breakfast
11:00 AM Easter worship

Wednesday, 6:00 AM Men’s Breakfast and Bible study at the Spot
                    9:30 AM Women’s Bible Study at
(study ???????)
        7:30 PM Aerobics class meets
Thursday, 7:00 PM Council meets

There will be an Easter breakfast at Valley Church, served between the two worship services.  To help in planning for the breakfast, please sign up today or next Sunday if you expect to attend.  There is a sign up sheet on the door.

We extend our sympathy to the De Young families on the death of Herleen’s mother last week Sunday in California.  May God’s comfort sustain them as they grieve.

Save Saturday, May 9 for the Celebration Tea.

Women’s retreat at Baldwinsville on Apr. 25. Registration forms are available and need to be returned by April ??

Youth Announcements:

NEXT SUNDAY, April 5, 2009

SUNDAY SCHOOL:  9:45 AM  Sunday School classes for all ages meet.  The adult class continues with its study of Philippians “Paul’s Thank You Letter”.  All are encouraged to take part in discussing and applying this practical and personal letter.  All the children who are taking part in the Easter program need to be here at 9:45 for the final practice.

MORNING WORSHIP:     11:00 AM  Pastor Gelder brings the Palm Sunday message in the Lenten series on the atonement, “He Comes in the Name of the Lord”, based on Mark 11:9-10.  The children will present their Easter musical at this service.  Invite a friend to come with you for this special service.