Worship - October 30, 2005

1 - Listen and be drawn into worship by the Psalmist,
2 - side-by-side with a good word from the apostle Paul. Listen.
1 - O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
2 - (Let love be genuine; hate what is evil,
           hold fast to what is good;)
1 - for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 - (love one another with mutual affection;
           outdo one another in showing honor.)
1 - Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,
2 - (Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.)
1 - those he redeemed from trouble and gathered in
           from the lands, from the east and from the west,
           from the north and from the south.
2 - (Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.)
1 - Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to an
           inhabited town; hungry and thirsty, their soul
           fainted within them.
2 - (Contribute to the needs of the saints;
           extend hospitality to strangers.)
1 - Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
           and he delivered them from their distress;
2 - (Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.)
1 - God led them by a straight way, until they reached
           an inhabited town.
2 - (Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.)
1 - O give thanks to the LORD!
2 - O give thanks to the LORD!
               -------------
1 - If you are able, please stand and sing #589,
           "Guide me, O thou great Jehovah"

Unison Prayer of Confession
"A Knowing Teacher"

O God of grace, you know us so thoroughly and so well.
         You know that we live somewhere between hypocrisy and
                  humility.
         You know that sometimes we would lay on others burdens
                  that we would not lift a finger to move ourselves.
         You know that we would like our faith deeds to be seen and
                  admired by others.
         You know that we like honors and privileges and salutations.
Forgive us, Lord, and teach us.
         Teach us that we have one Father, who is in heaven.
         Teach us that we have one Master, who is our Christ.
         Teach us that we have one calling, which is to serve.
Help us to humble ourselves that Christ might be exalted.
We pray in the holy name of our Lord Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Michael Titus, pastor
Covington Community Church Of the Brethren
Covington, Washington
Church of the Brethren Living Word Bulletin
Anchor/Wallace, Sleepy Eye MN 56085, "The Living Word Series"

For Children
"Comforted by 2 words"

When I was little and I got hurt and was crying (not because I didn�t get my way, but because I was really hurting), I remember my mother and my grandmother used to hug me real tight and say two words. I don�t remember thinking about these words very much at the time. Now when I am older and consider what to say to my children, I happen to remember these two words. Does anyone know what these two words might be?. Take a moment and think about it. I�ve heard these words used by a lot of other people to comfort them. The words are simple ... "I know."

I would be crying so hard because I fell down and my grandmother would hug me and say "Now, now, ... I know." What did she know? How it hurt? How afraid I was? As I got older and the kids at school made fun of me for some reason, my mom would say "Eeddie, don�t worry, ... I know." Did she know how bad the kids laughing at me made me feel? Did she know that I never wanted to go back to that dumb school again? I found out as a Dad that all the times that I spent in school getting hurt, busting knees or being afraid of what tomorrow might bring, that I can comfort my children with those same two words ... "I know."

It is good to know that your mom or dad or your elders can feel what you are going through and to know that you are not alone. When we get older, it gets harder for grown-ups to feel comfort by someone telling us they know. It is not the same as a mom or dad, who loves you in that special way. It almost does the opposite when you are a grown-up. I think grown-ups need to hear "1 know" from God in their prayers. God really does know! There is not anything that happens to us that God does not know, and He feels our hurt.

Let us close with a prayer... Dear heavenly Father, we ask through your son Jesus Christ to comfort us and speak to our heart what we already feel, the words "I know." Amen.

by Ed Lewis

Pastoral Prayer

written closer to the time (if not at the moment)

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

At this point in this service of worship, our ushers won�t be carrying an "ark of the covenant," just offering plates. It�s time, you know, to share from our abundance. Of course, many of us may be wondering about that word "abundance," worrying about how deep the water is that lies ahead in our own journey - bills needing to be paid, tasks to be accomplished, responsibilities awaiting us. Is there enough to go around - enough money, enough energy, enough time? Are we stepping in over our heads?

As the plates are passed, remember this Bible story about Joshua leading the children of Israel across the Jordan river into the promised land. When the priests carrying the ark stepped into that overflowing torrent, an interesting thing happened. God once again parted the water. Everyone crossed over. ... Pray with me.

Lord God, bless the feet that step out by faith on this day. Bless the arms that carry the load. Bless the hands that reach out to others along the way. Bless the hearts that release anxiety and move forward with joy. Bless it all, in Jesus� name. Amen.

Benediction

Go now, in the freedom of the gospel of Christ.
Encourage one another to lead lives worthy of God
and walk together in service and humility.
Let your words and your lives be one in Christ.

And may the God of lasting love open the way before you;
May Jesus the Messiah be your one instructor;
And may the Holy Spirit lead you on
........into the promised land of God�s kingdom and glory.

�2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net