October 31, 2010
10:30 AM
WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
*Call to Worship – Psalm 46:1-7
*Silent Reflection
*Invocation
Strong God, still our fearful hearts and calm our troubled spirits.
We know you are God; we are in quiet awe before you.
You are exalted among the nations;
You are exalted in the earth.
Lord God Almighty, be with us in worship and in work;
God of Jacob and Jacob’s family, be our strong fortress at all times and in all circumstances.
Amen.
*Opening Praise – 469:1 “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Others
*Continuing Praise
“Holiness”
“How Majestic Is Your Name”
“Be Thou My Vision”
Call to Confession – Hebrews 4:14, 16
In the strength of this assurance, let us confess our sins to God.
Prayer of Confession
Awesome and compassionate God, you have loved us with unfailing, self-giving mercy, but we have not loved you.  You constantly call us, but we do not listen.  You ask us to love, but we walk away from neighbors in need, wrapped in our own concerns.  We condone evil, prejudice, warfare and greed.  God of grace as you come to us in mercy, we repent in spirit and in truth, admit our sin and gratefully receive your forgiveness through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.  Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
While it is true that we have sinned, it is a greater truth that we are forgiven through God’s love in Jesus Christ.  To all who humbly seek the mercy of God I say, in Jesus Christ your sin is forgiven.
Thanks be to God.
Welcome to Membership
*Song of Welcome – 469:2”Did We in Our Own Strength Confide”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – Ephesians 4:17-5:2
Message – “Radical Change”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song of Response – 469:3 “And Though This World with Devils Filled”
The Offerings – First:  General Fund
  Second:  Operation Christmas Child
Offertory Prayer
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE SENT TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*Blessed to Serve
Go out into the world in peace; have courage; hold on to what is good; return no one evil for evil; help the suffering; honor all; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
With God’s help we will.
And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you, and remain with you forever.
Amen.
*Parting Song – 469:4 “That Word above All Earthly Powers”
Postlude
ANNOUNCEMENTS

Today is Reformation Sunday, a day to celebrate the rediscovery of the good news of salvation by grace through faith as taught in God’s Word.  We thank God for people in the past who led the reforming of the church and we recommit ourselves to continue to be reformed by the Bible into the persons God wants us to be.

We welcome two families into membership at Valley Church today.  The Stocums (Jim and Becky, Claire, Ethan and Eli) last attended the Hawleyton UMC before moving into our neighborhood.  Eugene (Lucky) and Harriet Dimidio were members of Central Assembly in North Carolina before moving back to be closer to children and grandchildren.  They have been received by council and will publicly reaffirm their faith today.  The congregational response to the vow we make is “we do, God helping us.”

The second offering today is for Valley’s Operation Christmas Child.  We hope to pack and send around 70 shoe boxes filled with items for children around the world.  Processing costs are $7.00 per box, which includes a Gospel message for each child, so your generous support is needed and appreciated.

Monday, 7:00 PM Safe Church training
Wednesday, 6:00 AM Men’s breakfast and Bible study at the Spot
        9:30 AM Women’s Bible Study at
Saturday, 5:30 PM Parents’ Night Out

Beth Swaagman, director of Safe Church Ministry for the CRCNA, will be with us this Monday evening at 7:00 PM for a Safe Church training session.  Members of council, Sunday School teachers, children’s church leaders, PNO staff, youth group leaders and nursery attendants are expected to attend if at all possible.  But this is open to the whole congregation and all are encouraged to come for this valuable training.  Council is committed to doing everything possible to make sure Valley Church is a safe place for all children and youth.  If you are able to attend, please note that on the sign up sheet on the door so we will have enough copies of the materials to be presented.

Parents’ Night Out is this Saturday from 5:30-8:30 PM.  Children from nursery through grade five are welcome and older youth can serve as helpers.  We will again need your help with staffing, so talk with Janet Crawford today if you can help.  Also, if you want your children to attend, please sign them up on the sheet on the door or call the church no later than Friday.

The fall Harvest Dinner will be Saturday, November 13.  Reserve the evening for an excellent meal and great fellowship.  A sign up sheet is on the entry door and fellowship team members will be contacting you to see if you are able to attend and what food item you will bring to this special dinner.

Operation Christmas Child is still receiving items for the shoe boxes which will be packed next Sunday and blessed and sent out on November 14.  Toys, hygiene items, school supplies, clothes, wrapped candy and such items small enough to fit in a shoe box are still needed, along with a few more boxes.  Thank you for all you have already given.

Sue Brown had foot surgery on Friday.  Pray for a speedy and complete recovery.

Continue in prayer for Beth and Mike Komaromi and the Komaromi families.  Beth is in Rochester at Strong Memorial Hospital where she may need to have a heart transplant.  Pray for her healing, while praying for strength for Mike and for blessings on their children as well.

Council notes:
1.Henry Huizinga led the devotions, reading from Proverbs 1 and reminding us of the need for God’s wisdom in our work as council.
2.We shared congregational joys and concerns and spent time in prayer.
3.We welcomed Lucky and Harriet Dimidio into membership, having heard their desire to do so and their testimony of God’s place in their lives.
4.Work has started on development of the church profile, part of our transition to new pastoral leadership.
5.We approved purchase of a new copy machine for the church office.
6.The annual winter congregational meeting will be Wednesday, December 15.
7.Ministry team reports were reviewed.

NEXT SUNDAY, November 7, 2010
SUNDAY SCHOOL:  9:15 AM  Classes for all ages from pre-school through adult are meeting.  You are encouraged to join a class appropriate to your age and interest.  The adult class continues a video-assisted study of “The Gospel in Life” by Tim Keller.
MORNING WORSHIP:  10:30 AM  The Gelders are taking a week of vacation so our worship will be led by Pastor Dan Rathmell, assistant to the president of Davis College.  Give him a warm welcome to Valley Church as he leads our worship.