August 9, 2009, 10:00 AM

WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
Welcome to Worship
Invocation
Fill our worship with grace, Lord Jesus Christ, that every thought, word and deed may be acceptable to you, our Rock and our Redeemer. 
Amen
*Song of Worship – 252 “Father in Heaven”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Each Other
*Continuing Praise –
           “Shout to the North”
           “Shout to the Lord”
           “Awesome God”
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
Come to this table:
you who have much faith, and you who would like to have more;
you who have been to this sacrament often, and you who have not been for a long time;
you who have tried to follow Jesus, and you who have failed.
Come.  It is Christ who invites us to meet him here.
(Silent prayer of preparation)
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right for us to give thanks and praise.
We give thanks to God the Father that our Savior, Jesus Christ, before he went to the cross, gave us this memorial of his sacrifice, until he comes again. 
At the last supper, the Lord Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
In the same way, he took the cup after supper and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this in remembrance of me.” 
For whenever we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Therefore we proclaim our faith:
Christ has died,
Christ is risen,
Christ will come again.
Let us pray:
God, who nourishes us for the journey, it is strengthening to know that as we have gathered at your table today, your people throughout the world are offering praise and thanksgiving as bread and wine are shared.  May the mystery of your presence, experienced in our worship, bind us together into one worldwide community.
Amen.
The bread that we break is a sharing in the body of Christ.
We who are many are one body, for we all share the same loaf.
The cup for which we give thanks is a sharing in the blood of Christ.
The cup that we drink is our participation in the blood of Christ.
The gifts of God for the people of God.
The body of Christ, given for you.
Thanks be to God.
The blood of Christ, shed for you.
Thanks be to God.
*Song of Thanksgiving –
297:1,2,5 “O Come, My Soul, Sing Praise to God”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Time
Scripture Reading – Acts 17:16-34
Message – “Learning from Early Churches:  Athens”
Prayer

WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
*Song of Response – 539:1,3,5 “Shout, for the Blessed Jesus Reigns”
The Offering - General Fund
Offertory Prayer
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE DISMISSED TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*God Blesses Us
*Closing Praise – 637 “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”
Postlude

THIS WEEK IN THE LIFE OF VALLEY CHURCH

Worship today includes a celebration of the Lord’s Supper, Jesus’ gift to his people, the church.  If you have publicly professed faith in Jesus as your Savior, either at Valley Church or at another Christian church, and if you are living the life of a follower of Jesus, you are invited to receive the bread and cup when they are passed and to eat and drink with the congregation after all have been served.

Tuesday, 7:00 PM Elders meet
Wednesday, 11:30 AM Women’s luncheon at Cracker Barrel
Thursday, 7:00 PM Deacons meet

Next Sunday, August 16, 2009

SUNDAY SCHOOL:  Classes for all ages will resume on Sunday, September 14 at 9:15 AM

MORNING WORSHIP:     10:00 AM   We are pleased to welcome Pastor Michael and Deibi Lapian and their family as they lead our worship today.  We called the Lapians to develop a ministry to the Indonesian community in Dover, New Hampshire.  They will be sharing stories of this ministry and leading us in the worship of the God of all nations.  Let’s extend a warm welcome to them.
There will be a second offering for the Holistic Ministry Team of Classis Atlantic Northeast.  Your gifts will help churches like the Indonesian Church to serve the needy people of their communities with a holistic message of God’s care for their physical as well as spiritual needs.

CHURCH PICNIC:     11:30 PM  All are invited to stay following the worship service for our annual church picnic.  This will also be a good time to meet the Lapians and find out more about their ministry.  Sign up today for the food you will bring to the picnic.  Meat and beverages will be provided.