Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
July 16, 2006
Worship 10:00 am, Sunday School 11:10 am

  Morning Praise (9:45 am)
  Announcements
  Scripture to ponder                    Ezekiel 2:1-5
  Prelude

  Call to Worship                                                                  (back of bulletin)

*Unison Prayer of Invocation                                                (back of bulletin)

*Hymn                           "Holy Spirit, come with power"                           26

  Returning our Tithes and Offerings

  Offertory

*Response                              "Great is the Lord"                                     87

  Scripture                                    Mark 6:7-13

  For Children                         "Packing Light"

  Song                               "Take, O take me as I am"                    (see insert)
                                                    (sound clip)
                                       (Our younger children leave for Sunday School)

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

  Song                               "Take, O take me as I am"                    (see insert)
                                                    (sound clip)

  Pastoral Prayer

  Scripture                             2 Corinthians 12:2-10

  Message            "I know a man" or "Sufficient grace"

  NYC Sending Litany                                                                   (see insert)

*Hymn                              "You shall go out with joy"                              427

*Postlude

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Call to Worship
(with congregation still seated)

One: Stand up on your feet! God wants to speak to you.

All:   We are a rebellious and stubborn people.

One: God has called me to proclaim the gospel to you.

All:   We would rather do what we want, but since we are here we will listen.

One: I am not afraid, because God has called me to invite you into a time of worship that will transform our lives.

Allen Kahler, district executive
South/Central Indiana District
Church of the Brethren Living Word Bulletin
Anchor/Wallace, Sleepy Eye MN 56085, "The Living Word Series"
            

Unison Prayer of Invocation

         Holy Spirit, come and transform us from a rebellious people into people who are ready to hear from the prophets that are among us. We know what we want and we go after it every day. May today be the day we listen to what God wants, and tomorrow a day we follow through on what God has shown us.

Allen Kahler, district executive
South/Central Indiana District
Church of the Brethren Living Word Bulletin
Anchor/Wallace, Sleepy Eye MN 56085, "The Living Word Series"
    

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

         The prescript to the 121^st Psalm calls it "A Song of Ascents," especially helpful to those on a pilgrimage. Lifting up our "eyes to the hills" keeps us focused not just upon our destination, but upon the source of our help, the One who is with us every step along the way. Listen.

(Read Psalm 121)

         Our young people will be making a "pilgrimage," if you will, to their National Youth Conference later this week. Lifting up their eyes from Ft. Collins, they will see the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, trails through which they will hike a week from this Tuesday. We pray that they will become more aware of God’s presence through this mountaintop experience.

         We also pray that all of us might do the same, even if our pilgrimage today does not involve a flight to a distant land. Our "helper," as the Psalmist says, our "keeper" is with us 24/7. As you bring your offering to the Lord just now, lift up your eyes to the hills, to the One who made heaven and earth. Pray your own prayer of gratitude.

Ushers?

For Children
"Packing Light"
Mark 6:7-13

(Bring forward suitcase and notepad and talk with the children)

         You know, I’m heading to Colorado on Saturday - along with the others who are going to NYC. Do you know what "NYC" is? (Get from them what they think it is, and then simply and briefly talk about this every 4 year event which they may attend when they’re older). Anyway, I’ve got to start packing soon what I’m going to take with me. It all has to fit into this suitcase. I wonder if you could help me start making a list. If you were me, what would you pack? (Write down their ideas, thanking them for each one). You are all so very helpful.

         You know, there is probably a lot of things I shouldn’t take with me. I only have one suitcase, after all. What things shouldn’t I take (again, write these down, with affirmations). Those are wonderful ideas. I think a good rule of thumb is to pack light.

         Long ago, when Jesus sent out his disciples, he told them to pack light. He wasn't sending them to Colorado to a conference. He also wasn’t sending them out together as a big group of 12 (there are eleven youth in our group, by the way, along with 4 adults). No he sent them out in pairs to tell people about God, and to help people when they were sick and hurting - to show God’s love. When Jesus sent them out, he gave them a list of what to take. Actually, it was more like a list of what not to take. Let’s see what was (or was not) on his list:

                  - take nothing but a staff (what’s that? Why a staff?)
                  - no bread (why?)
                  - no bag
                  - no money in their belts
                  - wear sandals
                  - only one tunic

         Hmmm, that’s not very much. I think I’m taking much more than that in my suitcase. You know, sometimes I take more than I really need. It can really weigh me down. Carrying it can make my arms sore, and I can worry about it. What if my suitcase gets lost on the plane? What I didn’t bring something I think I might need? What if someone tried to steal my stuff?

         Jesus told his disciples to pack light when he sent them out. Maybe I need to pay attention to that. What do you think? Do you think that sometimes we bring along more than what we really need? Anyway, thank you so much for helping me think about what I need to pack. And maybe you might remember what Jesus said about packing light....  Would you pray with me?

Pastoral Prayer

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

NYC Sending Litany

(after those who will attend NYC 2006, and previous NYC’ers are up front)

One - In the NYC covenant you have each signed, (in addition to obeying the rules) you promised to "be sincere in (your) motives for attending and to make foremost the goals of personal growth and Christian fellowship." We want you to have lots of fun in Colorado, but we also desire for you to grow spiritually.

Adults - That’s why we have supported you in raising the money you needed to attend. We challenge you to make the most of this experience.

Younger Youth - We’re watching and waiting for our turn.

One - You already have one NYC t-shirt. When you wear it, may you hear the call of Jesus to "Come and see" what God can do in your life. We share with you now another t-shirt, this one from our district youth. When you wear it, remember where you are coming from. After NYC you will return here. (previous NYC’ers give out the shirts)

Adults - We will be waiting to hear all about what you have experienced. We challenge you to allow NYC to be a spark that ignites this youth group to burn brightly for Jesus. Dare to challenge us to do the same. We’re not as stuck in the past as you might think.

Parents - We are proud of the persons you are becoming in the Lord. As always, you will be in our thoughts and prayers. Really enjoy this experience, and don’t be afraid to let your faith grow.

NYC-ers - Thank you for your support and your challenge. We will listen and remember and challenge you in return to "Come and see" what God is doing in us and in you.

One - Let’s pray. O Lord, bless these youth, (Adam, Chris, Joel, Meghan, Mitchell, Morgan, Nathan, Rebekah, Rob, Shawn, and Wes), and their advisors, (Barb, Dave, Judy, and Pete). Keep them safe through the journey to Colorado and back. Fill the time with your playful presence, as they enjoy the setting and all it has to offer. On the other hand, shake them awake with your Spirit, that they might hear your call upon their lives, and see some of what you are and will be doing - in, though, and beyond them. Give to these advisors what they need to accompany and oversee these youth. Amid all the activity, may there be time rest and renewal. For those of us who remain at home, fill us with eager minds and hearts to receive and continue what you are doing in, through, and beyond this Rocky Mountain high" experience. This we pray in the name of the One who calls us daily to "Come and see." Amen.