Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
August 27, 2006
Worship 10:00 am, Sunday School 11:10 am

  Morning Praise (9:45 am)
  Announcements
  Prelude

  Call to Worship                            Psalm 84

*Hymn                                  "O worship the King"                                     66

*Opening Prayer

*Affirmation                          "The Spirit Gives Life"              (back of bulletin)

*Song                                  "Grace like Rain" (mp3)                        (see insert)

  Sharing a joy, a concern, a word of testimony or praise

  Hymn                         "Spirit, come, dispel our sadness"                         290

  Pastoral Prayer

  For Children                    "God will be with me"
                                  (Our younger children then leave for Sunday School)

  Returning our Tithes and Offerings

  Offertory

  Scripture                                   John 6:56-69

  Message                     "Lord, to whom can we go?"

*Hymn                        "I know not why God’s wondrous"                        338

*Benediction

*Postlude

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Opening Prayer

         Grant, O God, that thinking, we may think your thoughts; that speaking, we may speak your word; that singing, we may sing to your praise; that hearing, we may hear your truth; and that willing, we may make your will our own, so that walking forward at the end of our worship, we may walk in your love and your peace, and departing from one another, not depart from you. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

John W. Lowe jr., adapted
from For All Who Minister, p.85
©1993, Brethren Press
   

Affirmation
"The Spirit Gives Life"

Do we know why Jesus Christ is in our lives?

Is it because whatever we do...
         His love is unconditional.

Is it because whatever we say...
         He first chose to reveal himself to us.

Is it because whether we feel weak or strong.
         We have committed our lives to him.

Is it because throughout the words of the New Testament...
         We see God-s love personified in Jesus Christ.

Is it because whenever we read the words of his teaching.
         We believe Jesus' way is the truth for our lives.

Is it because wherever we are..
         His words promise he will be with us in eternal life.

Is it because whenever we feel the work of the Holy Spirit.
         We remember that Jesus said he would send us a helper

Is it because we often remember him...
         And drink the wine which is his blood
         And eat the bread which is his body.

It is ultimately because...
         His words convey the Spirit that gives us life!

Ken Wenger, General Board member
Lorton, Virginia
Woodbridge Church of the Brethren
Church of the Brethren Living Word Bulletin
Anchor/Wallace, Sleepy Eye MN 56085, "The Living Word Series"
            

For Children
"God will be with me"

         Our resident children's storyteller - Ed Lewis - will talk about doing something for the first time, recalling a moment in his own childhood when he grew in trusting that God was with him. This is an appropriate focus on the Sunday before school starts back up for most of our children. Some of our littlest ones will be headed there for the first time (or for a whole, not half a day).
    

Pastoral Prayer

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

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

         As you return your offering just now, remember the question Joshua laid before the children of Israel long ago:

         "Now therefore revere the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. Now if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:14-15)

         Who will you serve this day? Not yesterday. Not tomorrow. Not re-living the "good-old days." Not waiting for when you’ve got it all together, a moment in time that may never arrive. "Choose this day whom you will serve." You may not even be able to speak for your own household, just for yourself. "As for me, I will serve the Lord." Can you make that step today?

         If so, cast aside any false gods you may be trusting more than the Lord God. Serve with sincerity and faithfulness the One who said, "I am who I am." Pray with me.

         We are thankful, O Lord, that you are with us always, even to the end of the age. Help us to be with you, to serve you today - one step at a time, one day at a time. Bless these offerings we are about to give as an act of faith. Guide us to use them wisely in the earthly work to which you call us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Benediction

Go now:
         Go in safety,
                  for you cannot go where God is not.
         Go in love,
                  for love alone endures.
         Go with purpose,
                  and God will honor your dedication.
         Go in peace,
                  for it is the gift of God to those
         whose hearts and minds are in Christ Jesus.
Amen

Earl W. Fike jr.
from For All Who Minister, p.85
©1993, Brethren Press