May 4, 2008, 11:00 AM
Ascension Sunday

WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
The Ascension Story – Luke 24:50-53
*Call to Worship –
God has ascended amid shouts of joy,
the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets.
Sing praises to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our King, sing praises.
For God is the King of all the earth;
sing to him a psalm of praise.
God reigns over the nations;
God is seated on his holy throne.
(Psalm 47:5-8)
*Opening Praise – 410 “Crown Him with Many Crowns”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Each Other
*Continuing Praise
           “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High”
           “I Stand in Awe of You”            
Call to Confession
While we claim to celebrate the ascension of our Lord, the way we live proclaims our lack of faith in his power to deal with the world.  Let us confess the incongruity between our faith and practice.  Let us pray.
Prayer of Confession
We come, O Lord, on this day of glory to confess our lack of trust.  While we sing of your lordship over all creation, we have too often acted as though you are powerless in the face of today’s events.  Help us to live with confidence in your presence today and in hope for life with you forever.  Amen.
Song of Assurance – 406:1,3 “Alleluia!  Sing to Jesus”
Reaffirmation of Faith
*Saying What We Believe – Apostles’ Creed
*Song of Faith – “Grace Alone”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – Acts 1:1-11
Message – “A Necessary Delay”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song – 413:1,3,5 “Christ Is Alive!  Let Christians Sing”
The Offering – General Fund
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE DISMISSED TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*Closing Song – 337:1,4 “Joy to the World!  The Lord Is Come”
*Call to Discipleship
Why do you stand looking up toward heaven?
This Jesus will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.
Alleluia!
Go and make disciples of all nations, says the Lord;
I am with you always, to the end of time.
Alleluia!
*God Blesses Us – Revelation 1:4-6
Postlude

ANNOUNCEMENTS
We are pleased this morning to welcome publicly into Valley’s membership Tim and Sue Brown and Heather De Haan.  They will reaffirm their faith, having made their public profession of faith in other churches earlier.  The refreshments following the service provide an opportunity to welcome them as well as to congratulate Dick and Judy Crawford on their 50th wedding anniversary which they observed yesterday, May 3.  Congratulations and God bless you with many more years together.

Saturday, 5:30 PM   Parents’ Night Out

The final Parents’ Night Out of a very successful season will be this Saturday from 5:30 – 8:30 PM.  As usual, please register your children today (or no later than Friday morning) so we can have adequate supplies and staff for the evening.  If you can help out with this closing session, please talk with Erin Peterson or Judy Crawford today.   A hearty “Thank you!” goes to all who have been involved this year.  We have had some of the best turnout ever this season.

HELP!!  Please check your coat pockets, purse, or any other place you can think of for the set of keys for the church elevator that have, until last week, been on the hook in the janitor’s closet.  There are two keys, one the small key that operates the lift and a larger Schlage key that is used to unlock the door to the lift.  Unless we can find the door key, we will need to get a locksmith to put in a new lock so we will not run the risk of having someone locked in the elevator and unable to get out.

Please take note of the sheet on the exit door where you can list all the members of Valley Church who are graduating from high school or college this year.  We will be honoring them on June 29 and want to make sure all who should be noted will be recognized. 

Youth Announcements:
    Junior Youth meet this afternoon at 3:00 PM

The Valley 500 Pinewood Derby will be held Sunday, May 18, time to be announced.  All are invited to participate – this is meant to be an intergenerational event..  See Paul Peterson for wood blocks, wheels and other advice and materials.

NEXT SUNDAY, May 11, 2008

SUNDAY SCHOOL:  9:45 AM  Classes for all ages.  The adult class will continue the series on discipleship titled “Called”.  All are welcome to participate.

MORNING WORSHIP:     11:00 AM   Pastor Gelder will be with us to bring a message “No Longer Orphans” based on John 14:18.  This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, the day we celebrate the ascended Jesus sending the Holy Spirit to the church in fulfillment of the promise to be with us forever.  We will also be celebrating Holy Communion during the service.  If you have any questions concerning your participation in the sacrament, talk with the pastor or an elder this week.
The second offering will be for Valley Church youth projects.