January 3, 2010
10:30 AM
WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
*Invocation
Almighty God, in the glorious coming of your Son, Jesus Christ, you sent a new light into the world;
Give us grace, that we may receive the same light into our hearts and be guided by it into the way of everlasting salvation, through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
*Opening Praise –337 “Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Others
*Continuing Praise
“Be Thou My Vision”“Let It Rise”“Shine, Jesus, Shine”A Confession of Faith
What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one can say, “Look, this is something new?”
Did not God say, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland”?
Yes, but . . .
Did God not say, “You will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. No longer will they call you Deserted or Desolate, but My Delight”?
That’s true, but . . .
Did Jeremiah not say, “The Lord’s compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness”?
Yes, but . . .
Did Jesus not invite us to experience new life in him at the last supper when he took a cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you”?
Well, yes, he did, but . . .
Because of him, we regard no one, we regard nothing, from a worldly point of view. There is something new under the sun. It is life in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanks be to God! Let us together join in confessing and living out the new life God has given us in the Lord Jesus Christ.
If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!
*Song of Confidence – 556 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – Matthew 6:25-34
Message – “Don’t Worry”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song – 209 “Seek Ye First the Kingdom”
The Offering – General Fund
Offertory Prayer
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE SENT TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*Closing Prayer
God of blazing light, through the power of the cross you shattered our darkness, scattering the fears that bind us and setting us free to live as your children. Give us courage and conviction, that we may joyfully turn and follow you into new adventures of faithful service, led by the light that shines through Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Amen.
*Parting Song – “This Little Light of Mine”
Postlude
ANNOUNCEMENTS
We are glad that Ron Crawford is bringing us the message from God’s Word this morning in the absence of Pastor Gelder. The Gelders are in Michigan with family and plan to return by mid-week. Contact an elder if you need pastoral counsel during their absence. May God bless Ron as he brings us a message that will help us look back on the past but with a particular focus on serving God in the coming year.
Thursday, 7:00 PM Council meets
Saturday, 5:30 PM Parents’ Night Out
Parents’ Night Out is on for this Saturday, from 5:30 – 8:30 PM. Just a reminder that this program is designed to offer parents in our church and community three hours of “time out” where they can do what they want to do, knowing that their young children are having fun and are well cared for. If you are planning to have your children attend, please register them today on the sign up sheet posted on the door or by calling the church (648-8224) no later than Friday morning. Also, if you can help with an activity or with supervising the children, please talk with Janet Crawford today.
NEXT SUNDAY, January 10, 2010
SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:15 AM Classes for all ages resume, The adult class will be starting a four-week study called “Fossils and Faith: Finding Our Way through the Creation Controversy.” The first session is “In the Beginning, God”. If you haven’t been part of an adult class before (or if you have), plan to join us for this stimulating material.
MORNING WORSHIP: 10:30 AM Pastor Gelder will return to the series of messages “Good Questions, Great Answers”, this time with questions from the New Testament. The question for this week will be “Who Do You Say I Am?” from Mark 8:29.
We will be celebrating the Lord’s Supper at this service. Take time during the week to do some introspection, looking at your heart and your life so you can confess the things you need to get taken care of with a forgiving God and then receive this special gift God gives his people.
