August 2, 2009, 10:00 AM

WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
Welcome to Worship
*Invocation
God of grace, you have given us minds to know you, hearts to love you, and voices to sing your praise.  Fill us with your Spirit, so that we may celebrate your glory and worship you in spirit and in truth through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
*Song of Worship – 249:1,2,4 “Holy, Holy, Holy!  Lord God Almighty”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Each Other
*Continuing Praise –
           “God of Wonders”
“Worthy, You Are Worthy”
“Holiness”
Call to Confession
We cannot come before God unless we are first honest with ourselves about who we are, about the mistakes we make, and about how well or poorly we care for others.  In this spirit, let us offer our prayers to God.
Prayer of Confession
Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone.  We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength.  We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.  In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall be, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name.  Through Christ, our Lord we pray.  Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Hear the good news!
Who is in a position to condemn?  Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us.  Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation.  The old life has gone; a new life has begun.
Know that you are forgiven, and be at peace.
Thanks be to God!
Song of Response – 490:1-2 “Blessed Assurance:  Jesus Is Mine”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Scripture Reading – John 16:33
Message – “Peace Be unto You”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song of Response – 489:1-3 “When Peace like a River”
The Offerings – First:  General Fund
  Second:  CR World Missions – Van Dam
Offertory Prayer
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE DISMISSED TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
We Commission the Van Dam family (see insert)
*God Blesses Us
*Closing Praise – 633 “He Is Lord”
Postlude

THIS WEEK IN THE LIFE OF VALLEY CHURCH

We are pleased to welcome Howard and Ruth Van Dam and their family to Valley Church today.  Howard will be bringing the message and Ruth will be leading the children’s time.  There will also be an 8 minute video of CRC ministry in Haiti which we will view during the offering time.  At the close of the service we will commission the Van Dams for another term of mission service in Haiti, as they will be returning to Haiti in about ten days.

Please join us for a pot luck lunch this noon after the morning service.  This will give us another opportunity to talk with the Van Dams.  There is discussion of a possible missions/construction trip from Valley Church to Haiti next year.  If you have any interest in being part of this, this will be a good opportunity to get some information about what this might entail.

The second offering this morning is for Christian Reformed World Missions, specifically going toward salary support for the Van Dams as they return to their ministry in Haiti.  Let’s give them an encouraging send-off with a generous offering.

The Gelders expect to return from their vacation late Thursday or Friday.  If you have need of any counsel, please contact an elder.

Plan ahead for the annual church picnic on Sunday, August 16, following the morning service.  Meat will be provided, as well as beverages.  You will have an opportunity to sign up for other food dishes you will bring.  This will also be a time to meet the Lapian family, our missionaries to the Indonesian community in Dover, New Hampshire.  They will be with us for the day, including leading worship that morning.

Next Sunday, August 9, 2009

SUNDAY SCHOOL:  Classes for all ages will be resuming September 13 at 9:15 AM
MORNING WORSHIP:     11:00 AM   Pastor Gelder will bring the message “Learning from Early Churches:  Athens” based on Acts 17:16ff.  We will also be celebrating the Lord’s Supper at this service.  Take some time this week to examine your heart and life so this gift from our Lord will have maximum benefit to you.  Our policy on participation in the Lord’s Supper is that it is meant for all who have publicly professed their faith in Jesus as their Savior and who are seeking to live for Jesus.  If you have questions, please talk with an elder or the pastor after he returns.