Worship Order for Sunday
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Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Morning Praise (9:45 am) Call to
Worship
"Here, O my Lord, I see
thee"
(465) Scripture Psalm 34:1-8 *Hymn "Wonderful grace of Jesus" 150 *Opening Prayer Sharing a joy, a concern, a word of testimony or praise Hymn "Jesus, the very thought of thee" 588 Scripture Ephesians 4:14-24 (from The Message) Returning our Tithes and Offerings Offertory Chorus "The Messiah has loved us" (see insert) Scripture Ephesians 4:25-5:2 Message "God's best ad" *Hymn
"Awake"
(see insert) Song "This little light of mine" (see insert) #'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book Worship leaders - see basic guidelines |
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Call to
Worship 1 2 words by Horatius N. Bonar, 1855 |
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God, whose grace is indeed matchless - deeper, higher, and more than sufficient for each and every one of us and all of us together - we count on the wonder of it all. You know that we stumble and fall so quickly and easily. You know that we ‘blow it’ more than we care to admit. Whatever happened to sin? Well, we confess it is all-too-active in our lives, pulling us away from you in ways that are both subtle and obvious. And when it comes to forgiveness, Lord, we often fail to see the connection between you forgiving our debts and us forgiving the debts of others. God, whose grace is indeed a wonder, we count on your mercy being greater than all our sin. We may not be on our knees at this moment, but we bend ourselves to your will, knowing that in your Son Jesus, we behold not a frown but a loving, smiling face. We lay aside each earthly load, and taste afresh the calm of sin forgiven. It’s your Holy Spirit that lifts us up and gets us singing your praise and walking your way. Thank you. Throughout this worship and this week, nudge us to keep tasting and seeing that you are good. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. |
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written closer to the time (if not at the moment)
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Returning our Tithes and Offerings Yes, God wants
us to grow up into an entirely new way of life -- a God-fashioned
life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into
everything we do. As you return your offering just now, look back
over the past week. How have you been growing? How has God been
fashioning your life? Have you allowed him to do so? How is this
entirely new way of life working itself into everything that you
do? Just food for thought. Take a big bite and chew on it as the
plates are passed. Will the ushers now come forward to serve. |
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In the New Testament letter to the Hebrews we find these words: "Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2) "Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses...." I mentioned a few of these witnesses this morning in my message. There was Carl Simmons, whose passion for sharing the good news - not hiding the light of Christ under some bushel basket, but reaching out with it - continues to prod us today. And Verlin Tombaugh, whose integrity as an elder continues to speak, nudging us to make room in our fellowship for others - changing how we do things if need be. And Debbie Huber, whose face many of us still see when we look at her husband and daughter, continues to teach us about courage in the face of adversity. I had a purpose in lifting up these witnesses. You see, money given in memory of them was used to put up this new church sign. Add to this list our dear sister Beatrice Currens, who was a beacon of light in her little corner of the world, someone to whom people came to speak their troubles and receive a listening and loving heart. I will remember her "do nothing window," the daily encouragement to just "be still and know that I am God," says the Lord. Like Verlin, she went to be with the Lord last year. Furthermore, funds also came from Anna Clayton’s memorial. I remember visiting her to find out what was really happening in this congregation. What a wry sense of humor, and a strong faith! Both these Christian women continue to influence who we are. Right now, we want to dedicate this sign, and in the process to remember this "cloud of witnesses" who encourage us - even today - to be "witnesses" ourselves. This sign is one way we reach out and invite with some good news, and we are thankful for it. Remember, though, that you are God’s best sign. Continue to reach out, like many of you did with our dear neighbor, Boots Reichart, who joined our fellowship before she went to be with the Lord - because of your caring. By the way, from her memorial fund will hopefully come some landscaping around this sign - flowers to brighten the eyes of passers-by and to remind us of that "fragrant offering" pleasing to God that we are called to be in this world (Ephesians 5:1-3), drawing people to the One who offered himself for all. Litany All - "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Ephesians 5:1-2) One - We thank you, Lord, for this sign, and for the "cloud of witnesses," these "saints triumphant" who continue to point the way to you. May your Holy Spirit empower us to live such that people know we are Christians by your love in us, and are drawn to you. All - "O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him." (Psalm 34:8) One - May the words placed upon this sign increase the appetite of those who drive by to taste more deeply of your goodness and mercy. Bless them, O Lord, and bless us as we seek to be your "signs" in this world, pointing the way to you. All - "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalms 27:1) One - Cast away our fear of reaching out and sharing your news in Jesus Christ. May our light, the light of Christ, shine out in the darkness like this church sign. All - I dedicate myself to being the best "ad" for Jesus Christ that I can be, everywhere I go. One - Amen? All - Amen!
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Song 1. 2. 3. 4. |
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From the prophet Isaiah, listen: "For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall be to the LORD for a memorial, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off." (Isaiah 55:12-13)
Brothers and sisters, |
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©2003 Peter
L. Haynes
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