Worship Order for Sunday

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

Sunday School Dedication

      "Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might." (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)

  Morning Praise (9:45 am)
  Announcements
  Prelude

  Call to Worship (2 Timothy 1:5–6, 2 Corinthians 4:7, and Matthew 5:14–16)

*Hymn                        "Immortal, invisible, God only wise"                          70

*Opening Prayer

  Scripture                               Deuteronomy 6:4-9

  For Children                 "Reminded everywhere"

  Hymn                                      "Obey my voice"                                      163

  Dedication - with confession and celebration                                  (see insert)

  Moment for Mission - Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center

  Returning our Tithes and Offerings

  Offertory

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

  Prayer Hymn                           "God of our Life"                                     486
                              (Our younger children leave for bells and Sunday School)

  Pastoral Prayer

  Scripture                                   Mark 8:28-34

  Message                            "A listening people"

*Song                                             "Shema"                                  (see insert)

*Benediction

*Postlude


#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Call to Worship
(2 Timothy 1:5–6, 2 Corinthians 4:7, and Matthew 5:14–16.)

Voice 1: I am reminded of your sincere faith,
              a faith that lived first
              in your grandmother Lois
              and your mother Eunice

Voice 2: and now, I am sure, lives in you . . .

Voice 1: I remind you

Voice 2: to rekindle
              the gift of God that is within you . . .

Voice 1: But we have this treasure in clay jars.

Voice 2: We have this treasure in clay jars . . .

Voice 1: You are the light of the world.

Voice 2: A city built on a hill cannot be hid.

Voice 1: No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel
              basket,
              but on the lampstand,
              and it gives light to all in the house.

Voice 2: In the same way,
              let your light shine before others,

Voice 1: let your light shine

Voice 2: before others.

Voice 1: so that they may see your good works
              and give glory to your Father in heaven . . .

Voice 2: I remind you

Voice 1: to rekindle

Voice 2: the gift of God that is within you . . .

from Worship Resources for Gather ’Round Sunday
    

Opening Prayer

Thank you, God, for gathering us here
    to learn from each other
    and to grow in our faith.
Help us to know you better,
    feel your presence among us,
    and remember that you are always with us
    wherever we go. Amen.

from the Gather 'Round Middler student book,
Fall 2006, page 2
   

For Children
"Reminded everywhere"

         Scrolls with the text from Deuteronomy 6:4–9 (in both Hebrew & English), will be in a basket on the worship center, one for each child. We’ll unroll and read from one of the scrolls and talk simply about the meaning of these verses, telling the story of the people gathering to hear God’s words through Moses. Invite responses on how to talk about God when at home and away. If time, share about the Jewish practice of mezuzahs, placing a box on the doorway to remind families about God’s commandment. Think of places where children can be reminded of God’s love. Give each child a scroll to take home as a reminder.

from Worship Resources for Gather ’Round Sunday
    

Dedication - with confession and celebration

One: Passing on the faith from one generation to the next is an important responsibility. Faith is a part of life’s journey, and our faith is formed in many ways and in many settings. The congregation and the home are partners in the faith formation of our children.

All: We confess that we have not always been faithful in sharing God’s story. We don’t take time to talk about our faith at home. We’ve lost the language and habits of faith. We are preoccupied with work and family life. We don’t know how to love God with heart, and soul, and mind, and strength. Forgive us for not making faith nurture a priority in our home and church life. Forgive us for not being faithful. Help us to draw closer to you.

One: Listen, people, our God is faithful and steadfast, and closer than a heartbeat. Look for signs of God’s activity within and around you, when you are at home and away, when you go to bed and when you get up. Everywhere you go, God is! Open your eyes and your heart to God’s surprising ways. And know that you are deeply loved.

All: This is God’s good news. Thanks be to God.

One: We celebrate, then, what God can do through our Sunday School.

All: We celebrate Christ’s message of love and grace, healing and hope.

One: We celebrate the centrality of the Bible, God’s story.

All: We celebrate the many ways we can respond and share this story.

One: For all who have offered their time & talents to get ready for today.

 All: We give you thanks, O God.

One: For teachers who love and accept each learner, and offer their gifts with joy,

All: We give you thanks, O God.

One: For parents and caregivers who nurture and respect their children. All: We give you thanks, O God.

One: For all learners who come with energy and enthusiasm,

All: We give you thanks, O God.

One: We dedicate this new year of gathering ‘round your Word, O God, and pray that we will grow as followers of Jesus Christ.

All: Thanks be to God. Amen.

adapted from Worship Resources for Gather ’Round Sunday
    

Moment for Mission
Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center

         A member of our congregation's Witness Commission will take a few moments to lift up the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center, a center for theological, ministerial and leadership education related to the Church of the Brethren, in partnership between Bethany Seminary and five Church of the Brethren districts, including our own Mid-Atlantic district.
   

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

         Sharing about this ministry training center on the day in which we dedicate our congregation’s own education program reminds us that the local church is itself a "seminary." It is here that we learn what ministry is all about, growing disciples to serve God and our neighbor within and beyond this fellowship. We couldn’t run our Sunday School without your involvement - giving your time to teach, help organize, and learn as disciples. Likewise, part of your offering this day helps pay for the curriculum and other costs of this local "seminary," even as we help support ministry training places like Bethany Seminary and the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center.
         As you return your offering this morning, know that you are helping to make a difference. But also ask yourself, "what is my ministry right now, and how am I growing toward fulfilling what God is calling me to be?"
         Will the ushers come forward to receive what we have to give?
   

Pastoral Prayer

 

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

 

Song
"Shema"

written by Pete Haynes for this service
   

Benediction

Go now from this place, and know that
     God’s love surrounds you.
Go now to a new time,
     and feel God within and beside you.
Go now into today,
     and live as God’s own. Amen.

from the Gather 'Round Junior Youth student book,
Fall 2006, page 9
  

(para traducir a español, presione la bandera de España)

 

Interested in Sunday School?
Below is a growing list of possible sites to visit. As you discover others, please let us know.

International Lesson thoughts
from the
Mennonite Publishing House

"Jesus is all"
commentary on the
International Lesson

Living Web Sunday School Project

 

©2006 Peter L. Haynes
(unless otherwise stated, worship resources were written by him)

 

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