January 4, 2009, 11:00 AM

WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
*Call to Worship –
Arise, shine, for your light has come!
The glory of the Lord has risen upon us.
Let us praise the Lord together.
The sun shall no longer be our light by day,
nor will the brightness of the moon shine on us,
for the Lord will be our light,
and our God will be our glory.
The Lord will be our everlasting light,
and our days of sorrow will end.
Come, let us sing to our light and salvation!
*Opening Praise – 343 “Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Each Other
*Continuing Praise
           “Let’s Worship and Adore Him”
           “Shout to the North”
           “This Little Light of Mine”
Call to Confession
The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil.  Let us confess our sin to God.
Prayer of Confession
God of light, we have been so blind when truth has been so clear.  When we could have looked ahead, we fell behind.  When we could have viewed the wider picture, we saw only a part.  When we could have sensed the Spirit leading, we missed the way.  Forgive our dim apprehension of love’s clear leading.  Give us faith that trust when it cannot see, through the light that lingers when all else fails, even the bright Morning Star of our faith, Jesus Christ, the Savior.  Amen.
Assurance of Pardon –
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.  To all who have received him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to becomes children of God.
*Song of Response – 440 “Children of the Heavenly Father”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading –
Message – “”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song –
The Offering - General Fund
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE DISMISSED TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*God’s Parting Word
*Closing Song – 356 “Go, Tell It on the Mountain”
Postlude

ANNOUNCEMENTS
This morning our worship is led by Bill Kutz and the Valley Church elders.  The Gelders will be returning from Tennessee on Thursday so if you need any pastoral care before then, please contact one of the elders.  We thank Bill for bringing us God’s Word today.

Thursday, 7:00 PM Deacons meet
Thursday, 7:30 PM Worship Team meets
Saturday, 5:30 PM Parents’ Night Out

The January Parents’ Night Out is this Saturday from 5:30-8:30 PM.  If you expect to have your child attend, please sign them up on the sheet posted on the exit door today or call the church no later than Friday morning.  Also, if you can help at any of the stations or to be a guide for a group of children, please let Erin Peterson know today.

Prayer concerns:

Youth Announcements: 

NEXT SUNDAY, January 11, 2009

SUNDAY SCHOOL:  9:45 AM  Regular Sunday School classes for all ages meet.  The adult class continues with “The Lure of the Cults”.  All are encouraged to participate and learn how to respond to these groups that come to our homes or use the media to try to influence us.

MORNING WORSHIP:     11:00 AM  Pastor Gelder will bring us the message as he begins a new series on “Reformed?  What’s That?”  The first message is “One Church, Many Churches” based on John 17:20-21.  We will also celebrate the Lord’s Supper at this service.  Take some time this week to examine your walk with the Lord so you can receive all the benefit he wishes to give you through the sacrament.

The second offering will be for the Valley Church CHOW pantry.