January 31, 2010, 10:30 AM
WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for 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, that we may celebrate your glory and worship you in spirit and in truth through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
*Opening Praise – 171 “It Is Good to Sing Your Praises”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Others
*Continuing Praise
“Call to Confession
Hear the teaching of Christ: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another just as I have loved you.” (John 13:34)
Let us confess our sin to God.
(Silent prayer.)
Assurance of Pardon
Hear the good news:Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Glory to God! Amen!
Call to Grateful Living
As God’s forgiven people, how are we to live? This is the Word of God for our lives.God spoke all these words:“I am the Lord your God.You shall have no other gods before me.You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or worship them.
You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God.
Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy.
Honor your father and your mother.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house, his wife, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind. You shall love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
*Song of Dedication – 548:1,3 “When We Walk with the Lord”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – Mark 8:31-38
Message – “What If I Gain the World and Lose My Soul?”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song – 287:1,3,4 “Have Thine Own Way, Lord”
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 – 289:1,6 “Take My Life That It May Be”
Postlude
ANNOUNCEMENTS
There are still a few baby bottles on the table in the entry. You can use one as a way of helping support the ministry of the Life Choices Center in Binghamton. Use your loose change to fill the bottle (paper money is welcome too!) and then bring it back to church by February 28.
If you haven’t contributed to the Haiti Relief effort or if you feel led to give again, you can do so by placing a check in any offering. Just be sure to designate it for “Haiti Relief” as you fill out the memo line. The need for relief will be followed by a huge need for rebuilding. CRWRC is particularly well-positioned for this work. They will be focusing their efforts in the city of Leogane, near the earthquake epicenter and an area which is reported to be nearly 90% destroyed.
Wednesday, 6:00 AM Men’s breakfast and Bible study at the Spot
Wednesday, 9:30 AM Women’s Bible Study meets at
DID YOU NOTICE? Did you see the set of mailboxes tucked away next to the steps leading upstairs? These boxes are for the children of Valley Church – they will each have their own box, just like adults have their mail slot. They are not just for show; they are a way to show each child that they are a valued part of the church. WHAT CAN YOU DO? Put something in the box once in a while – a note, pencil, orange, card, homemade cookies, something that says somebody cares. The children are excited about this new project. Let’s not disappoint them. You can talk with Debbie Harmon if you want more information or if you want to be a mentor to one of the children.
Continue in prayer for the Van Dam family during this time of separation. Pray that Howard and other CRC staff in Haiti will be kept safe and will find time for renewal in the middle of the chaos. Pray too for Ruth and the children as they try to find some sort of “new normal” with her family in New Berlin.
Repeat announcement from last week about volunteers for nursery and other Sunday duties.
Pastor Gelder and Jan will be leaving Wednesday for a week of meetings and some vacation as well. If you need pastoral care in their absence, please contact one of the elders.
NEXT SUNDAY, February 7, 2010
SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:15 AM Classes for all ages meet. The adult class will begin a new video series based on John Ortberg’s book The Life You’ve Always Wanted. Newcomers are always welcome to the class. Tim Brown will be leading this study.
MORNING WORSHIP: 10:30 AM Mr. Charles Kuperus from Goshen, NY will lead our worship today. Let’s provide him with a warm welcome to Valley Church.
There will be a second offering for Christian Reformed World Missions work in Haiti and the salary support of the Van Dam family. This offering was planned before the earthquake and the need is particularly relevant now. Please once again be generous in your giving.
