March 4, 2007, 11:00 AM
Second Sunday in Lent

WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
*Call to Worship
Let us worship God, for whom our souls thirst and our bodies long.
Listen, listen to me, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
We have come to hear the Word God has sent.
God’s Word will not return empty but will accomplish through us his holy purpose.
Let us worship God in spirit and in truth.
Then we will go out with joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills will sing; the trees of the field will clap their hands.
*Opening Praise – 197 “The Trees of the Field”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Each Other
*Continuing Praise – “

Call to Confession
The very stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.  Come now to Christ, that living stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious.  Whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.  Trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ, let us confess our sins before God and one another.
Prayer of Confession
O God, our great shepherd, you tenderly gather us as lambs, carrying us with your all-embracing love.  Yet, like sheep, we wander from you:  following our own ways, ignoring your voice, distrusting your provisions.  Forgive our stubborn rebellion, our hardened hearts, our lack of trust.  Refresh us once again by your quiet waters of mercy and restore our souls by your redeeming love.  Guide our paths, that we might follow you more closely.  Through Jesus Christ, our good shepherd, we pray.  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.
*Song of Assurance – 379:1-3 “What Wondrous Love”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading – Psalm 56
Message – “Holy Tears:  When I Am Afraid”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song – 446 “If You But Trust in God to Guide You”
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 – 548:1,3 “When We Walk with the Lord”
Postlude

THIS WEEK IN THE LIFE OF VALLEY CHURCH
Delegates from the churches of Classis Atlantic Northeast will be meeting this Wednesday and Thursday in the new facilities of the Avery St. CRC in South Windsor, CT.  Pastor Gelder, elder Dot Simonds and deacon Amy Cook will be representing Valley Church.  There will be training session on “Communities First” led by Mr. Al Santino, CRWRC staff person for the northeast, on Wednesday afternoon.  One of the main items on the agenda is the examination for ordained minister of Ms. Tineke Cornelison, called by the Rochester CRC to be their minister of pastoral care.  We are also asked to establish a Classical Abuse Response Team to help churches in the event of allegations of abuse by a church leader.  Pray for safe travel as delegates gather from across upstate New York and New England for these times of fellowship, encouragement and doing the business of Christ’s church.

The second offering next Sunday is for.....

If you have been filling one of the baby bottles with your loose change, it’s time to return it to church.  We plan to turn in the bottles and money to the All Women’s Help Center on March 12, so please bring yours back next Sunday.

Remember to turn your clocks FORWARD Saturday evening.  Daylight Savings Time is beginning earlier this year, 2 AM on Sunday, March 11.  It can be rather embarrassing to walk up the steps while most of us are already nearing the end of the worship service.

If you are interested in being part of a small group in one of the “wish list” areas that were mentioned on Small Group Sunday, please check the lists that are on the table in the entry and sign in any areas you have interest.  If enough people are interested in a given topic, the Small Group Team will try to find someone to coordinate and lead it.

ROUND UP FOR CHOW:
When you shop at any Giant Market in our area you can help CHOW feed the hungry by asking the cashier to “round-up” your total to the nearest dollar for CHOW.  CHOW uses the money raised in the “Round-Up” program to supplement the nonperishable food we give out in our pantries with perishable items such as milk, eggs, fresh fruit, and meat.  The Giant Markets keep an account for CHOW from the money raised this way.  Persons using the pantries are given coupons for perishable items to present to the Giant Markets with the cost of the items being taken from that account.  So when you’re shopping at the Giant, remember to tell the cashier to “Round-Up for CHOW.”

Next Sunday, March 11, 2007

SUNDAY SCHOOL:  9:45 AM Sunday School classes for all ages.  The adults will begin a new study, this being a four-week video study of the book by Bill Hybels Just Walk Across the Room.  All are encouraged to attend this short series which will encourage us to build relationships with people who do not yet know Jesus.  It fits in very well with our participation in the Franklin Graham Festival.

MORNING WORSHIP:     11:00 AM   Our worship will be led by Pastor Gelder.  He will continue the series of messages for Lent which will center on biblical passages that mention tears.  The theme for this week will be “Holy Tears:  No More Tears” based on Isaiah 25:7-8 and Revelation 21:4.  We will also be celebrating Holy Communion at this service.  Please take special time in this Lenten season to examine your own heart and life so you can meaningfully take part in the Communion service.