September 26, 2010
10:30 AM

WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
Call to Worship
We have gathered to praise our gracious God.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
We respond to God’s invitation with words of praise.
It is good to praise the lord and make music to your name, O Most High,
to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night,
to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp.
For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord;
I sing for joy at the works of your hands.
How great are your works, O Lord, how profound your thoughts!
You, O Lord, are exalted forever.    (from Psalm 92:1-5,8)
*Opening Praise – 183:1,2,4 “With Grateful Heart My Thanks I Bring”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Others
*Continuing Praise
“The Heart of Worship”
“My Life Is in You, Lord”
“Grace Alone”
Call to Confession
When we come into the holy presence of God, our own humanity is laid bare.  When we stand in the living presence of truth, our own falsehood is revealed.  People of God, let us acknowledge who we are and ask our ever-present God to forgive us.
Prayer of Confession
Lord, we are like sheep, and we get lost.  We forget the needs of our neighbors and do not love you above all else.  We need a Savior, so we long for Jesus.  Come, fill our lives, Jesus.  Amen.
Assurance of Pardon – John 3:16-17
*Song of Response – 501:1,4,7 “Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – Ephesians 2:1-10
Message – “Grace and Good Works”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song of Response – 498:1,3 “I Sought the Lord, and Afterward I Knew”
The Offerings – First:  General Fund
  Second:  Holistic Ministry Team 
Offertory Prayer
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE SENT TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*Blessed to Serve
The grace of Christ attend you,
the love of God surround you,
the Holy Spirit keep you now and forevermore.
Go to do the good works God has prepared for you to do.
We will go to love and serve our God and God’s people.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.  Amen.
*Parting Song – 454:1,2 “Now Thank We All Our God”
Postlude

ANNOUNCEMENTS
The second offering today is for the Holistic Ministry Team of Classis Atlantic Northeast.  The focus of this ministry it to help churches work intentionally with their communities in a full-orbed ministry.  Funds received are used to help start community development projects in places served by the churches of CANE, especially in those places with limited financial resources.
Wednesday, 6:00 AM Men’s breakfast and Bible study at the Spot
        9:30 AM Women’s Bible Study at
        7:30 PM Worship Ministry Team meets
Saturday, 5:30 PM Parents’ Night Out

Parent’s Night Out is resuming for another season this Saturday, October 2.  Your help is both needed and appreciated.  If you can supervise an activity center or if you are available to direct groups from one area to another, please talk with Janet Crawford today.  Also, if you are going to take advantage of this program and are planning to have your child attend, let us know no later than Friday by either using the sign-up sheet on the door or calling the church office.  Invite your children’s friends to attend with them.

We need to involve some new people in leading the children’s church time.  There is a ready-to-go curriculum for you to use.  If you can help with this for a month or two or even for a couple weeks, talk with Ron or Janet Crawford.

Council notes:
1.Greg Huck led the opening devotions.
2.Council officers for the coming year are:  President – Tim Brown; Vice-president – Greg Huck; Secretary – Florence Doller; Treasurer – David Derzanovich; chair of elders – Florence Doller; secretary of elders – Harry Myers; chair of deacons – David Derzanovich; secretary of deacons – Beth Cunningham.
3.Liaisons between council and ministry teams were confirmed.
4.Credentials for the next meeting of Classis Atlantic Northeast were completed and the agenda for the meeting reviewed.
5.Safe Church training will take place on Monday, November 1, led by Beth Swagman, director of Safe Church Ministry for the CRC.  All council members, teachers, youth leaders and others interested in making Valley Church a safe place for children are encouraged to attend.
6.Council began the work of identifying the composition of the search committee that will be appointed to lead the search for the next pastor of Valley Church.


NEXT SUNDAY, October 3, 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.
Pastor Gelder is also offering a class for children and young people who are interested in exploring what it means to publicly profess faith in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. 
MORNING WORSHIP:  10:30 AM   Pastor Gelder will lead our worship, continuing the series of messages from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.  We will be focusing on Ephesians 2:11-22, “Broken Walls and True Peace”.  This is also All Nations Heritage Sunday, the day when Christian Reformed Churches celebrate the diversity found in the body of Christ.