December 7, 2008, 11:00 AM
WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
Call to Worship –
Show us your unfailing love, O God, our Savior,and grant us your salvation.Listen to what the Lord our God says:He promises peace to his people, who are his beloved saints.The Lord will indeed give what is good.Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.
May the Lord make his holy face to shine upon us in this time of Advent worship.
May we see God’s face and so know peace. Amen.Lighting the First Advent Candle
Reader 1: God calls us to worship today as followers of his Son, Jesus Christ. We light these candles as a symbol of the coming light of our Messiah. (then lights the second candle)
Reader 2: Jesus asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “you are the Christ.”
Reader 1: Each day the world asks us the same question Jesus asked Peter: Who is coming?
All: With Peter, we declare that Christ, the Son of God, is coming.
Reader 2: When Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?”
All: With the disciples, we wonder when Christ will come.
Reader 1: Jesus warns us not to be deceived but to watch and wait.
Reader 2: As we wait, we celebrate his first coming as a baby and his life of sacrifice.
All: But even more, we look forward to his glorious second coming when he will make all things new.
*Opening Song – 335 “Hark, the Glad Sound! The Savior Comes”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Each Other
*Continuing Praise
“Alleluia, He Is Coming”
“Emmanuel’
“In Christ Alone”
Call to Confession
Prepare the way of the Lord!
Let us make our confession to God.
Prayer of Confession
O promised Christ:
We are a world at war. Our peace depends on your coming. We are a sinful people. Our pardon depends on your coming. We are full of good intentions but weak at keeping promises; our only hope of doing God’s will is that you should come and help us do it.
Lord Christ, Word made flesh, our world waits for your peace, for your pardon, and for your grace.
Even so: Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.
*Song of Assurance – 345:1,2 “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – Luke 2:25-38
Message – “Christmas Is for Old People”
Prayer
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song – 561:1-3,5 “Rejoice, O Pure in Heart”
The Offering – General Fund
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE DISMISSED TO LOVE AND SERVEOpportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*God’s Parting Word
*Closing Song – 345:3 “Hail the Heaven-born Prince of Peace!”
Postlude
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Tuesday, 7:00 PM Growth and Renewal Team
Thursday, 7:00 PM Council meets
Saturday, 5:30 PM Parents’ Night Out
Today is the second Sunday in Advent. Advent is a season of tension – Christ has come, and yet not all things have reached completion. So as we remember Israel’s hoping and as we give thanks for Jesus’ birth as the Prince of Peace, we also anticipate his second coming at the end of time. The lighting of another candle each Sunday heightens our sense of anticipation.
Parents’ Night Out is this Saturday from 5:30 – 8:30 PM. This is an opportunity to do some Christmas shopping while your children are being well cared for. To help us plan for adequate materials and staff, please sign up your children today (or no later than Friday morning) if they are planning to attend. If you can help out for the evening, talk with Judy Crawford today.
At the annual congregational meeting last Wednesday, members unanimously approved the proposed 2009 budget of $143,072, which is a 3.1% increase over the 2008 budget. Please remember to increase your giving to reflect this increase, especially if you will receive a raise in your pay or benefits in the coming year. We also discussed the importance of supporting the world-wide ministries of the Christian Reformed Church through the ministry share giving which is included in the budget and which we’d like to increase even more. Council thanks the congregation for your faithful financial support of Valley Church and its ministries.
Ann De Jager will receive her final chemo treatment on Monday. Pray again that she will have strength and patience to endure the side effects which are usually worse during the week following a treatment.
Thank you to all who helped decorate the church for the Christmas season. Thank you to the people at the Genegantslet Tree Farm for growing the beautiful tree that fills the front of the sanctuary.
It’s not too soon to start inviting friends and family to both the Live Nativity, which will be on Saturday, December 20 with presentations at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 pm, and to the Christmas Eve Candlelight service on Wednesday, December 24 at 7:30 pm. Also, the younger children will again be presenting a Christmas puppet presentation during the morning worship on December 21. The joy of this special season needs to be shared with our whole community.
Please take note of the sign up sheets in the entry and let us know how you plan to help out with the Live Nativity. There’s a place and a job for about everyone. Thanks.
Youth Announcements:
Grapevine wreath sale (repeat announcement)It’s time to order your 2009 calendar. There is a sign-up sheet for this on the table in the entry. Remember, for every calendar you purchase for $6.00, we will have another one to give away to our neighbors at the Live Nativity on December 20.
NEXT SUNDAY,
December 14, 2008
SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:45 AM Classes for all ages are available. The adult class continues its discussion of the Belhar Confession. All are encouraged to find a class appropriate to your age and interest.
MORNING WORSHIP: 11:00 AM Pastor Gelder will bring the message “Christmas Is for Parents” based on Luke 2: 4-5, 19-20, 39-40. We will also celebrate Holy Communion. Take time this week to do a spiritual self-examination so when you receive the elements of Communion, they will be a blessing to you and those receiving with you.
The second offering next Sunday is for the Valley Church CHOW Pantry. Your generous giving allows our local coordinators to purchase in bulk items which supplement the other food products you donate regularly or which can be obtained from the CHOW warehouse.
