Worship - November 25, 2001

Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
November 25, 2001
Worship 10:00 am Sunday School for all ages 11:15 am

"May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light."
(Colossians 1:11-12)

Call to Worship "Grace to you" (Colossians 1:2)

Opening Prayer

*Hymn "Crown him with many crowns" 116

Confession (spoken, not sung) 137

Scripture Psalm 46

For Children "God is like..."
(children then leave for choir or pre-school play)

Scripture Colossians 1:3-6

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

Hymn "Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus" 340

Pastoral Prayer

Returning our Tithes and Offerings Colossians 1:21-22

Offertory

*Response "Grant us, Lord, the grace" 388

*Dedication Prayer

Scripture Colossians 1:11-20

Message "Sharing in the inheritance"

*Hymn "Be thou my vision" 545

*Benediction

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Call to Worship
"Grace to You"

(Colossians 1:2), tune �1969, Pete Haynes (to hear the tune)

Confession

One - "Forgive our sins as we forgive,"                         (verse 1)
            you taught us, Lord, to pray,
            but you alone can grant us grace
            to live the words we say.

Left - How can your pardon reach and bless                 (verse 2)
          the unforgiving heart
          that broods on wrongs
          and will not let old bitterness depart?

Right - In blazing light your cross reveals                       (verse 3)
           the truth we dimly knew:
           what trivial debts are owed to us,
           how great our debt to you.

All - Lord, cleanse the depths within our souls              (verse 4)
        and bid resentment cease.
        Then, bound to all in bonds of love,
        our lives will spread your peace.

read from Hymnal #137, text by Rosamund E. Herklots,
100 Hymns for Today, 1969, �1969 Oxford University Press, London.

"God is like..."

summary: using various objects (rock, toilet plunger, insect spray can, etc.), asking whether any of these remind children of God. No, duh! Then pick up one of the younger ones and hug and kiss upon the cheek. Does that remind us of God? That's one reason why God sent Jesus. Message is more than this, but you'll have to buy the book. Based upon Colossians 1:15 - "He is the image of the invisible God..."

from pp. 56-7 of Better Children's Sermons, by Bucky Dann