Worship - January 28, 2006

Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
January 28, 2007
Worship 10:00 am, Sunday School 11:10 am

But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, ‘I am only a boy’; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you." (Jeremiah 1:7)

Morning Praise (9:45 am)
Announcements
Prelude

Call to Worship

*Hymn "Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing" 110

*Opening Prayer

Scripture Jeremiah 1:4-10

Children’s Time "Perfect for the Job"

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

Hymn "Be thou my vision" 545
(Our younger children leave for bell practice & Sunday School)

Responsive Prayer 720

Wellness Moment

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

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

Scripture Luke 4:21-30

Message "God Speaks; Jesus Preaches; We Act"
Rev. Donna Steiner

*Hymn "Lord, speak to me" 499

*Benediction

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Call to Worship
Psalm 71:1-6

Leader: In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame.

All: In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame.

Leader: In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
incline your ear to me and save me.

All: Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress. In you I take refuge.

Leader: Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of the unjust and cruel.

All: For you, O lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord,
from my youth. In you I take refuge.

Leader: Upon you I have leaned from my birth; it was you
who took me from my mother’s womb.

All: In you I take refuge. My praise is continually of you.

developed by Rev. Donna Steiner

Opening Prayer

Living God, we praise you for filling us with the knowledge that in you we do find safety and security. In Jesus Christ, you have given us the confidence to believe that although the worst can happen, your love and your care for us remains as strong and as constant for ever. Jesus demonstrated that rejection, ridicule and even the risk of death did not stop him from proclaiming your love, your mercy and your everlasting life and power. We approach you, O God, confident in your constant love and protection. We praise you, we trust you, we adore you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

by Moira B. Laidlaw - Liturgies Online

For Children
"Perfect for the Job"

Theme - Everybody is suited for an important ministry
Object - Three different size boxes with contents for showing love

Good morning -- In our bible reading this morning God tells Jeremiah - "I chose you before I gave you life and before you were born to be a prophet to the nations." God chose Jeremiah for an important job - he chose him to give a special message to the nations.

Jeremiah thought God had made a mistake. He said - "God, I don't know how to speak well enough. I am too young." Jeremiah wasn't a child, he was a young man - but he thought he wasn't old enough for the job.

Do you ever feel that you not very important because you are young? Because you are small?? Do you ever feel that you are not good enough to do a special job that someone wants you to do??? Or does anyone ever told you that???

It is pretty common for people to think that we can't do some things - and sometimes we can't - but that doesn't mean that we don't have a very special place in God's plan - just like Jeremiah had a special place in God's plan - despite what he thought about it.

To understand this a bit better I want you to look at these three boxes.... If you wanted a box to put a big puzzle into so that you could give it to someone who loves to do them, which box would you choose.... why? (the others are too small)

If you wanted a box to carry around stickers in - stickers to brighten up books and papers with - which would you pick? (you can't get much in the little one - and the other is too big to carry around)

If you wanted a box to give a necklace or a ring to someone special with - which would you choose?? (the little one would be just about right).

You see - the biggest is not always the best - and the littlest is not always the best. What is best is what does the job best. The job of showing God's love. God doesn't say that old people can show his love better to other people than young people; or that young people can serve him better than old people. God picks each of us for a special job and each of us is the best one for that job. God picks each on of to love - and to do good things for others. God has a special job for each one of you - no matter how young you are - or how old you are - no matter how big or how small. Each of you is best for something - because God has made you that way. You are an important part of God's people - and no one can replace you.

borrowed from Rev. Richard J. Fairchild - Sermons & Sermon - Lectionary Resources
based on Eldon Weisheit, God's Promises For Children - Series C, Augsburg, 1982.

Responsive Prayer of the People

ALL: Listening God,
               you hear our prayers before we speak,
                     yet welcome our praying;
               therefore we come with confidence
                      to lay our requests before you.

Leader: We pray for Christian everywhere,
                   for our denomination and our congregation,
                   for faithfulness and strength to persevere in righteousness.
             We pray for the whole people of God.

People: Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader: We pray for the nations of the world,
                   for all leaders
                   and for those who make policy decisions.
             We pray for the commonwealth of our global community.

People: Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader: We pray for those who are overcome by violence,
                   for victims of injustice or oppression,
                   and for those in poverty or pain,
             We pray for all who need healing and peace.

People: Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader: We pray for those who endure trials,
                   for those who are dying,
                   and for those who mourn.
             We pray for all who need comfort and hope.

People: Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader: You have heard the prayers of your people, O God.
We rest in the comfort of your care,
as we pray in Jesus' name.

ALL: AMEN

Wellness Moment

Our Wellness Team has chosen a focus for each month of the year. In preparation for February's theme of Caring for our Heart, Gail Hanna (a cardiac nurse, will share some wellness insights.

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

At the "heart" of our faith lies the great commandment to "love the Lord your God with all your "heart," and with all your soul, and with all your might." It makes sense to take care of our hearts if we are to love God fully. Furthermore, the second commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself" doesn’t make much sense if we don’t love ourselves enough to take care of heart. Please "take to heart" these wellness moments.

As you return your offering just now, please pass and sign the attendance pads found on the center aisle side of each pew. If there is someone you don’t know near you, reach out after worship and get to know them... Would you pray with me?

Powerful and loving God, this offering is a special time. We acknowledge our weakness and your strength. We give money. You gave your life. We give a little time. You are ever with us. This is a special time because we are assured that our giving is special to you. In giving, we admit that we cannot save ourselves but we trust in your power. Receive these gifts, O God, as our expression of thankfulness for all you mean in our lives. We place our trust in your promises though Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

prayer written by the Rev. David S. Bell (dbell@gbod.org),
Director of the Center for Christian Stewardship,
the General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church.

Ushers?

Benediction