Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
May 22, 2005
Worship 10:00 am, Sunday School 11:10 am

Health Promotion Sunday

  Morning Praise (9:45 am)
  Announcements
  Prelude

  Call to Worship                  2 Corinthians 13:11-13

*Hymn                           "Holy Spirit, come with power"                              26

*Opening Prayer

  Scripture                                   Luke 2:36-38

  For Children                             "Elderhood"
                                         (Pre-schoolers then leave for playful worship)

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

  Hymn                              "My faith looks up to thee"                                 565

  Pastoral Prayer

  Returning our Tithes and Offerings

  Offertory

  Hymn                                  "There are many gifts"                                    404

  Scripture                                Psalm 71 (portions)

  Message                          "And still I proclaim"

  Unison Prayer                                                (see "Celebrate Older Adults" insert)

*Hymn                                     "God of our Life"                                        486

*Benediction

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Call to Worship

         The apostle Paul ended his second letter to the believers in Corinth with these words, which actually sound like a good place to begin. Listen:

         "Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you."
                            (2 Corinthians 13:11-13)

         Please stand if you are able, and sing a gathering song. May this Holy Spirit, indeed, come with power - #26 in your hymnal.
   

Opening Prayer

Come, Lord,
         work upon us,
         set us on fire and clasp us close;
         be fragrant to us,
         draw us to your loveliness;
         let us love,
         let us run to you. AMEN

Hymnal #675
St. Augustine of Hippo, North Africa, ca. 400
   

For Children
"Elderhood"

Pastoral Prayer

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

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

         "...Lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ's gift... The gifts (God) gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ..." (Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-12)

Think about this as you return your offering just now. Ushers?
  

Unison Prayer

God of all seasons of time,
We are humbly and boldly grateful for the gift of life.
We beseech your gentle and vigorous blessing upon our
         elders this morning.
May they know they are held and summoned by your Love.
May they feel empowered by the knowledge that their lives
         are vital to the future of our world.
May they teach us to live fully, passionately, and gracefully
         in companionship with the limitations of mortal life.
May they lead us to illuminating understanding of what it means to
         "become a new creature in Christ" with each passing year.
God of our life, through all the circling years, we ask for your
         blessings and give our trust to you.

by Deanna Brown
   

Benediction