Worship - October 12, 2003

Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
October 12, 2003
Worship 10:00 am Sunday School for all ages 11:15 am

As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" (Mark 10:17)

Morning Praise (9:45 am)
Announcements
Prelude

Call to Worship Psalm 105:1-6

*Hymn "The God of Abraham praise" 162

*Opening Prayer

Scripture Jeremiah 33:1-3

For Children "Prayer - anytime, anywhere"
(Pre-schoolers leave for playful worship)

Dedicating our Prayer Chain

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

Moment of Silence

Unison Prayer 728

Song "In His Time" (see insert)

CROP Walk Moment

Returning our Tithes and Offerings Psalm 90:12-17

Offertory

*Response (vs. 1) "We give thee but thine own" 384

*Dedication

Scripture Mark 10:17-31

Message "Inheriting eternal life"

*Hymn "Breathe on me, breath of God" 356

*Benediction

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Opening Prayer

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
         who chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world,
         who destined us for adoption,
         who forgave us our trespasses,
         who made known the mystery of the divine will,
         who marked us with the seal of the Spirit.
Blessed be God's name!

Hymnal #685
Ephesians 1:3-14, adapted from the New Revised Standard Version,
� 1992 The Hymnal Project

For Children
"Prayer - anytime, anywhere"

Theme: We can pray anytime, anywhere, about anything
Scripture: Jeremiah 33:3
Object: Three pipe cleaners

Practice ahead of time. Fold the three pipe cleaners into one "stick person." Bend one pipe cleaner into a loop for the head with the ends of the pipe cleaner remaining straight. Attach another pipe cleaner for arms. Add the last pipe cleaner for legs. Adjust the pipe cleaners to make the stick figure. Then bend the pipe cleaners into the positions mentioned.

TODAY IN OUR WORSHIP, we want to think about prayer. Prayer is talking and listening to God. As we think together about prayer, I�m going to fold these pipe cleaners into different body shapes. Watch and listen.

         We can pray to God anytime, anywhere, and about anything.
         Some people pray on their knees.
         Some people pray with their hands folded.
         Some people pray with their heads bowed.
         Some people pray with their eyes closed.
         It doesn�t matter in what position we pray. God always listens.
         Sometimes, we pray by ourselves.
         Sometimes, we pray as a group.
         Sometimes, we pray aloud.
         Sometimes, we pray silently and only God hears us.
         It doesn�t matter how we pray. God always listens.
         We can pray at mealtime.
         We can pray at bedtime.
         We can pray at other times of the day.
         We can pray when we are troubled or when we are thankful.
         It doesn�t matter when we pray. God always listens and wants to hear our prayers, whether they are thankful and joyful or troubled and sad. Remember that you can pray anytime, anywhere, and about anything.

Let�s pray� Dear God, what a wonderful gift we have in prayer.
Thank you for always listening to us no matter when, where, or how we pray. Amen.

from Even More Little Stories for Little Children, p. 62
by Donna McKee Rhodes, �2000
(buy the book - it's full of great lessons)

Unison Prayer

Almighty God,
         you have given us grace at this time with one accord
                  to make our common supplications to you,
         and you have promised through you well-beloved Son
                  that when two or three are gathered together
                  you will hear their requests.
Fulfill now our desires and petitions,
                  as may be best for us,
         granting us in this world
                  knowledge of your truth,
         and in the age to come
                  eternal life,
                  through Jesus Christ, our Lord. AMEN

Hymnal #728
Attributed to St. John Chrysostom, 4th c., adapted

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

(After reading Psalm 90:12-17:)

         Wisdom... compassion... steadfast love... God's work revealed in our work...
Rejoice and be glad. You do not work or walk alone. Respond with hearts that overflow with God's goodness.
         Will the ushers come forward now to serve?

Dedication

Gracious God,
         we thank you for gifts that belong not to us alone,
                  but to all our sisters and brothers,
                  since they, too, are created in your image.
Let their need become our need;
         let their hunger become our hunger;
         and grant to us also a portion of their pain,
                  so that in sharing ourselves,
                  we discover the Christ who walks
                  with our brothers and sisters. AMEN

Hymnal #750
by Kenneth I. Morse, from We Gather Together,
� 1979 Brethren Press.

Benediction

As you step forth into this week, remember what Jesus said to the disciples, who took to heart the Lord�s song to that rich man, wondering, "Then who can be saved?" Remember his words in response. "For God, all things are possible." Say it now... Repeat it... Now, go out and live it.