Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
September 2, 2007
Worship 10:00 am

  Morning Praise (9:45 am)
  Announcements
  Prelude

  Calling to Worship                       Psalm 81:1

*Singing                           "Joyful, joyful, we adore thee" 71

*Becoming aware of God’s presence (e-2)

  Listening                                  Psalm 81:10-16

  Leaning toward the Lord        "Oyenos, mi Dios"                                   (358)

  Confessing our sin                                                                                   698

  Being assured of God’s forgiveness

  "Gloria in excelsis Deo" (from "Angels we have heard on high")                      197

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

  Singing                                     "He leadeth me"                                        599
                              (Our younger children, ages 3-7, leave for Sunday School)

  Praying together

  Returning our Tithes and Offerings

  Offertory              (Please sign the attendance pad and pass it on)

*Doxology

*Dedicating our offerings

  Listening                                  Luke 14:1,7-14

  "Table talk"

*Singing                                  "Come to the table"                            (see insert)

*Blessing

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Calling to Worship

         The 81^st Psalm begins with this call to worship:

"Sing aloud to God our strength;
shout for joy to the God of Jacob."

         Are you ready to respond with your praise? If so, please stand. This first hymn is well-known and well-loved, so let your singing of it "raise the roof" of this place. If music is not your gift, allow your heart to soar with the words.

Listening

         "Psalm 81 begins with the praise of God and then turns quickly to preaching, the sermon delivered as the voice of God." Listen to this yearning of the Lord "for a people whose faithfulness answers his choice of them."*

Psalm 81:10-16

*quote from James L. May, Psalms, p. 265
   

Being assured of God’s forgiveness

         This is the promise we have from scripture, that if we confess our sin, God is faithful and just to forgive our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
         Sisters and brothers, we have confessed our sin. Our confession is little enough, God knows. But God declares it is enough. We have done what we could. Now God does the rest. God forgives and God cleanses.
         Thanks be to God!

Assurance by Kenneth L. Gibble
from For All Who Minister (A Worship Manual for the Church of the Brethren),
©1993 Brethren Press, p. 108.
  

Pastoral Prayer

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

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

         In Greek, the word is "koinonia," which elsewhere we associate with a sense of "community" or a deeply connected "fellowship." Our children who go to camp are often pulled together into "K" or "koinonia" groups. In the scripture from Hebrews I just read, the word "koinonias" is translated as "share what you have." When we share with one another, we discover "community." Such "koinonia" is "pleasing to God." As you return your offering, ponder why that might be. Why is sharing what we have pleasing to God?  ...  Ushers?
      

Dedication

         Yes, Lord, may the "words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight" (Psalm 19:14 NIV). In addition, may this "koinonia," this "community," this sharing of what we have - be pleasing to you as well. May our words, thoughts, actions be pulled together into a "sacrifice of praise," a fellowship, a community in Christ that exists beyond this brief hour of worship. As we dedicate these offerings to your work in this world, may we also dedicate our everyday lives - that in them "your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Amen.
   

Benediction

You will sit around many tables this week:
           it may be a picnic,
                          a family meal,
                      or a working lunch;
           you may be served by lunch ladies,
                                         or a waiter,
                                         or your own hand;
           the food may arrive on a tray,
                                          in a brown bag,
                                      or from the stovetop;
           those who surround you may be family or friends,
                                                            co-workers or strangers;
                          or you may just sit all by yourself;
Regardless,
         may you be aware of the Lord’s presence at each and every meal.
         May that strange word "koinonia" bless your "breaking of bread."
                   Even if no one notices but you,
                                be nourished by the refreshing love of God;
                                be filled with the humble love of Jesus Christ;
                                be empowered by the active love of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

(the trinity of blessings at the end were borrowed
from Liturgies Online by Moira B Laidlaw)