December 3, 2006, 11:00 AM
First Sunday in Advent

WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
*Opening Praise – 340:1 “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
Presenting the Jesse Tree – Sunday School children
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Each Other
*Continuing Praise – “Wonderful Counselor
“I Love You, Lord”
“Beautiful Savior”
The Advent Candle Lighting
In ancient times, God’s people were waiting for the coming of the promised Messiah.
The Lord had promised that the day would come when he would fulfill the gracious promise he had made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.
The gospels record how that promised Messiah came as a baby.  That child grew to be a man who was fully human and yet divine – Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Shout for joy to the lord, all the earth!  Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs!
We light this first Advent candle in celebration of the Christ who came.  We look forward to that wonderful day when he will come again.  Let us pray to our Lord who has come and is coming again:
God in heaven, how great it is that we can come to this place and celebrate the Jesus who came and who surely will come again.  May this be a season filled with joy and meaning for us who put our hope in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ – who was and who is and who is to come.  It is in his name that we pray.
Amen.
Advent Song – 329 “Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
*Song of Preparation – “In Christ Alone”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading – Isaiah 9:2-7; John 14:25-26
Message – “He Is the Wonderful Counselor”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song – 421 “Spirit Divine, Inspire Our Prayer”
The Offering – General Fund
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE DISMISSED TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Service
*God Blesses Us
*Parting Song –335:1,4 “Hark, the Glad Sound!  The Savior Comes”
Postlude

THIS WEEK IN THE LIFE OF VALLEY CHURCH
This morning we begin the celebration of Advent, a very special time when we remember Jesus’ first coming to earth as a baby and also look forward to his coming again to this earth as Lord of all.  In addition to the usual lighting of Advent candles and special pre-Christmas music, this morning the Sunday School children are presenting us with a Jesse tree.  They are doing this in memory of Dr. James Palmer, whose book about the Jesse tree inspired this activity.

The worship ministry team thanks all who helped with decorating the church with all the lights and greens for this season.  Again this year, the Petersons donated the tree that graces the chancel.  Thank you.

Advance notices:  The live Nativity will be presented on Saturday, December 16 with showings at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 PM.  Invite your friends and neighbors to what is becoming a Christmas tradition in this community.  Also, we will need your help that evening and a sign up sheet will be available to indicate how you plan to help this year.  The Christmas Eve candle light service is on Sunday, Dec. 24 at 7:30 PM.  If you wish to take part with a reading or a song, please tell Pastor Gelder as soon as you can.

The second offering next Sunday will give us another opportunity to encourage the Lapians as they plant an Indonesian Christian Reformed church in Dover, New Hampshire.  If God is stirring your heart to support them with an added gift this year, please bring it next Sunday.

The annual winter congregational meeting is this Wednesday at 7:30 PM.  A copy of the proposed budget for 2007 is available for your review and adoption at the meeting.  There will also be reports from several ministries and teams, along with a year-end review and a short DVD on “Healthy Churches.”  It is important that all church families be represented for this time when we do some of the business of the church.

We received word from the Kellers in Florida that Bill has a new spot on his lung.  They are waiting the results of further tests to see if this is malignant or not.  Pray that God will again hear our prayers and continue to bless Bill with good health.

Wednesday, 7:30 PM Annual winter congregational meeting
Saturday, 10 AM – 2 PM Parents’ shopping day out

This Saturday we are offering a Parents’ shopping day out to our community.  This is the December version of Parents’ Night Out, but instead of evening, it is from 10 AM to 2 PM, giving parents a chance to do some Christmas shopping without their children seeing what they are purchasing.  Since it is an hour longer than a regular PNO and will include serving a lunch rather than just a snack, we need a few extra adults to help with staffing.  If you can help, even for part of the time, notify Erin Peterson today.  Also, if you are planning to bring your children, we need you to sign the sheet on the door or to call church no later than Thursday so we can have enough supplies and food for all involved.

There is a prayer and praise form from the churches of Classis Atlantic Northeast copied in your mail slots.  Please read it to get a small picture of what is happening in some of the churches of Classis and then use it to help direct your prayers in the coming weeks.

The DVD of the interview of Bono that was seen at the Summit last summer is available for you to watch at home.  You will find it in the leadership lending library located on the shelving unit just outside the church office door.  Please sign it out and return it as soon as you can for others to use.

Next Sunday, December 10, 2006

SUNDAY SCHOOL:  9:45 AM Sunday School classes for all ages.  The adult class continues a short series of Advent lessons “No Small Wonder:  Stories of Hope from the Nativity”.  Why not make this a part of your Advent focus this year.

MORNING WORSHIP:     11:00 AM   Pastor Gelder will be with us as we continue our Advent celebration.  The message is “He Is the Mighty God”, based on Isaiah 9:6 and John 20:26-28.  We will also be celebrating Holy Communion at this service.