Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
October 29, 2006
Worship 10:00 am, Sunday School 11:10 am

  Morning Praise (9:45 am)
  Announcements
  Prelude

  Call to God              "Gentle Shepherd, come and lead us"                     352

  Call from God                        Jeremiah 31:7-14

*Hymn                              "Come, ye thankful people"                              94

*Opening Prayer

  Scripture                                    Psalm 34:1-8

  Song                                          "Step by step"

  Testimony

  Song                                          "Step by step"

  Returning our Tithes and Offerings

  Offertory
                                        (Please sign the attendance pad and pass it on)

  Song                                          "Psalm 126"                               (see insert)

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

  Chorus                                                           (from "Psalm 126," softly repeated)
                     "May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy"
                          (Our younger children leave for bell practice & Sunday School)

  Pastoral Prayer

  Scripture                                  Mark 10:46-52

  Message                                  "Persistence!"

*Hymn                                    "Be thou my vision"                                   545

*Benediction

*Postlude

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Call from God

         We call out to our "Gentile Shepherd," who remains faithful every step along the way, and who has loved us with an everlasting love before we even knew how or where to call (Jer. 31:2). Listen to the long-ago invitation of our God, through the prophet Jeremiah, to his flock scattered in exile. May God’s call to them then beckon us now to come home.

1 - This is what the Lord says:

2 - "Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations. Make your praises heard, and say, ‘O Lord, save your people, the remnant of Israel.’

1 - See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor; a great throng will return.

2 - They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because I am Israel’s father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son.

1 - "Hear the word of the Lord, O nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: ‘He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.’

2 - For the Lord will ransom Jacob and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they.

1 - They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the Lord-- the grain, the new wine and the oil, the young of the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more.

2 - Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and the old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

1 - I will satisfy the priests with abundance, and my people will be filled with my bounty,"

2 - declares the Lord.

----

1 - "Come, ye thankful people, come." Stand, if you are able, and sing a song of praise. #94.

Jeremiah 31:7 - 14 (NIV)
   

Opening Prayer

God of all life,
      we thank you
            for the signs of your love that surround us,
            for sun and warmth and all that comes to life
                  within creation,
            for all that sleeps within the earth awaiting birth.
We praise you
      for the wisdom of your care,
            water on the earth,
            sunlight on our spirits,
            hands on blinded eyes.

Continue to touch us.
Reach out to sue with compassion and forgiveness
      that we may receive your gifts,
      that we may know your love and grace
            and rise to new life in Jesus Christ. AMEN

Hymnal #680, adapted from More Than Words,
by Pat Kozak, C.S.J., and Janet Schaffran, C.D.P.
1st edition ©1986 by the authors;
2nd revised edition ©1988. Crossroad/Continuum Publishing Company.
   

Testimony

         A young single mother in our congregation will share about her baptism and what it has meant since she first said "yes" to Jesus.
     

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

         In a court of law, to give "testimony" is to bear witness to the truth as you perceive it. It is a form of evidence through which decisions are made by those who listen. What would you say if you were to speak about what God has done in your life? Would there be evidence there to share?

         Every day we testify. It may not be with words that we bear witness. Our actions often speak more clearly than anything we say. Just now, as you return your offering (which, by the way, gives evidence of what you value most) think about the testimony that you have shared this past week, through your words or actions at work, at school, at home. Would there be enough evidence for a jury of your peers to decide whether or not you follow Christ, or whether this Jesus is someone worth following? ... Please pray with me.

         We confess, O Lord, that we too often care more about what people think of us than what they think of you. The evidence we reveal, when we do "bear witness," is usually on the ‘meager’ side. In your mercy, God, remind us of the fresh start you offer us each and every day. Help us to step into faith, starting again right now. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Ushers?
      

Pastoral Prayer

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

Benediction