March 2 2008, 11:00 AM
Fourth Sunday in Lent

WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
*Call to Worship
Praise the Lord, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all our sins
and heals all our diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies our desires with good things
so that our youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
(Psalm 103:1-5)
*Opening Song – 475 “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Each Other
*Continuing Praise  – 632 “To God Be the Glory”
627 “Bless His Holy Name”
473 “To God Be the Glory”
Call to Confession –
The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel.  (Psalm 103:6-7)
In the strength of this assurance, let us confess our sins to God.
Prayer of Confession
God of all comfort, you are slow to anger and abounding in mercy, welcoming sinners who return to you.  We confess that we have not sought your comfort.  Instead we have sought to find our comfort in food, in movies, in drink, in relationships, in music, in anger, in revenge.  God of all comfort, slow to anger and abounding in mercy, forgive us sinners who return to you with repentant hearts.  We ask this in the name of Jesus, who bears our thorns.  Amen.
Assurance of Pardon – Psalm 103:8-13
*Song of Assurance – 440 “Children of the Heavenly Father”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – John 11:17-44
Message – “Thorns that Come with Loss”
Prayer
*Song – 493 “Precious Lord, Take My Hand”
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
The Offerings – First:  General Fund
  Second:  Sea to Sea
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE SENT TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*God Blesses Us
*Closing Praise – 543:1,3 “Guide Me, O My Great Redeemer”
Postlude

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Monday, 7:00 PM Youth Team meets
Saturday, 5:30 PM Parents’ Night Out

The second offering this morning is for the Sea to Sea Bike Tour to help “break the cycle of poverty” in our world.  The tour will be coming through Binghamton on August 27.  We are working on plans to help host the group at Chenango Forks schools that night.  The offering today will help support Claire Aukema Zwaanstra, one of the people who will be biking the entire route from Seattle to Jersey City.  Each rider needs to raise at least $10,000 for the event.  We will hear a bit more about the tour before the offering is received this morning.

Pastor Gelder will again be offering a class today at 4:00 PM for anyone interested in learning more about the Christian Reformed Church or interested in considering membership in Valley Church.  If you were unable to attend last week’s class, come today anyway.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME starts next Sunday morning at 2:00 AM.  Unless you enjoy walking up the sidewalk to the stares of people giving their offerings, turn your clocks AHEAD one hour before you go to bed Saturday night.

Parents’ Night Out is this Saturday evening from 5:30 – 8:30 PM.  As usual, please sign up today (or no later than Friday noon) if you plan to have your children attend.  Also, talk with Erin Peterson today if you can help with supervising children or leading an activity.

Delegates from the churches of Classis Atlantic Northeast will meet this Wednesday evening and Thursday at the Lakeside Retreat Center in Pittsfield, Mass.  Pastor Gelder, elder Marcus Doller and deacon Greg Huck will represent Valley at the meeting.  Pray for safe travel for the delegates and for wisdom in dealing with the agenda.

Let’s all pray for the Komaromi families as Jacob’s surgery is again scheduled for this Tuesday at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse.  Pray that it will not be postponed again and that the surgery accomplishes what the doctors and family hope.

Retreat announcement

Thank you to all who helped out in the youth LEAP activity, both those at the church and those who provided homes, items for the Easter baskets, or prayer and moral support. 

NEXT SUNDAY, March 9, 2008

SUNDAY SCHOOL:  9:45 AM  Classes for all ages.  The adults continue the series of studies of several world religions called “Which Way to God?” 
MORNING WORSHIP:     11:00 AM   Pastor Gelder will be with us to continue the Lenten series on “Crown of Thorns, Crown of Glory.”  This message will be “Thorns to Keep Me Focused”, based on II Corinthians 12:1-10.

We will be celebrating the Lord’s Supper next Sunday morning.  Take some time this week to examine your heart and your life so you can participate in the sacrament in a way that will honor God and strengthen your life.  If you have any questions about you r participation, please talk with the pastor or an elder this week.