November 5, 2006 – 11:00 AM
World Hunger Sunday
WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
Call to Worship- Psalm 24:1-2
*Opening Praise – 237 “We Praise You, O God”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Each Other
*Continuing Praise
Call to Confession – Psalm 24:3-6
Prayer of Confession
We seek your face, O God of Jacob and Rachel, but we confess that our hands are not clean and our hearts are not pure. Creator God, we confess that all too often we have ignored and denied your lordship of the land entrusted to us by assuming the right to do with it as we please, by taking more from it than we have returned to it, by taking for granted its productivity, by denying justice to many who have labored on the land, by wanting food for less than it costs to produce.
We seek your face, O God of Jacob and Leah, but we confess that our hands are not clean and our hearts are not pure.
We confess that material values, rather than kingdom realities, have often determined our relationships. We have indulged our appetites with little consideration for others. We have been more interested in our neighbor’s land than in our neighbor. We have harbored bitterness and resentments because of economic problems. We are not reconciled to some who have hurt us, even members of your body.
Lord of the church, have mercy on us.
Grant us peace with you and with each other in Christ.
Amen.
Assurance of Pardon – Psalm 103:8, 10-12
*Song of Assurance – 583:1,4,5 “The Tender Love a Father Has”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORDChildren’s Time
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading – Exodus 20:15; Luke 18:18-30
Message – “Stop Stealing, Start Sharing”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song – 455:1-2 “For the Fruits of His Creation”
The Offering – General Fund
Reverse Offering for Thanksgiving Baskets
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE DISMISSED TO LOVE AND SERVEOpportunities for Ministry and Service
*God Blesses Us
*Parting Song – 611 “As Stewards of a Vineyard”
Postlude
THIS WEEK IN THE LIFE OF VALLEY CHURCHToday there will be a reverse offering as the deacons invite your help in making up Thanksgiving baskets for some of the needy families in our area, to be distributed by the Chenango Forks Schools’ social workers. We hope to provide at least ten baskets again this year. World hunger is not just something to note across an ocean; hunger is found locally as well and we can help do something about it, both through supporting our local CHOW pantry and by filling these baskets. A reverse offering means the offering plate will be passed but instead of putting something in it, you are asked to take from it a paper which lists something needed to fill the Thanksgiving basket. Please bring those items with you to church next Sunday.
The annual Harvest Dinner will be enjoyed this Saturday, November 11. Punch is served at 6:30 PM with dinner at 7:00 PM. Talk with Barb Komaromi or Shirley Stoddard to indicate how many will be attending and what you will bring for the meal. You can invite family members or friends to join you if you wish.
Next Sunday evening at 6:00 PM we will be showing the interview that Bill and Lynne Hybels had with Bono that was shown at the Willow Creek Summit last August. It also contains concert footage of the group U2. This video is a strong testimony of the power of the Gospel as well as of the challenge of serving Christ in a hurting and needy world. Especially if your friends are fans of U2, this will be a great opportunity to invite them to join you at Valley Church.
