Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
August 26, 2007
Worship 10:00 am

  Morning Praise (9:45 am)
  Announcements
  Prelude

*Call to Worship

*Hymn                              "O bless the Lord, my soul"                                  80

*Opening Prayer

  Hymn                 (vs. 1-2) "There’s a wideness in God’s mercy"                   145

  Gospel Story                            Luke 13:10-17

  Unison Confession

  Hymn                 (vs. 3-5) "There’s a wideness in God’s mercy"                   145
                              (Our younger children, ages 3-7, leave for Sunday School)

  Scripture                                Hebrews 12:18-24           (New Living Translation)

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

  Hymn                                     "Holy, holy, holy"                                          75

  Pastoral Prayer

  Returning our Tithes and Offerings

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

  Scripture                                   Isaiah 58:6-14

  Message           "What really makes your bones strong"

*Hymn                           "For we are strangers no more"                             322

*Benediction

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Call to Worship
Psalm 103:1-8 (NRSV)

1 - Please stand for the Call to Worship from Psalm 103.

1 - Bless the Lord, O my soul,
2 - and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
1 - Bless the Lord, O my soul,
2 - and do not forget all his benefits:
1 - who forgives all your iniquity,
2 - who heals all your diseases,
1 - who redeems your life from the Pit,
2 - who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
1 - who satisfies you with good as long as you live
2 - so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
1 - The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed.
2 - He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.
1 - The Lord is merciful
2 - and gracious,
1 - slow to anger
2 - and abounding in steadfast love."

1 - Turn in your hymnal to #80, and together let us bless the Lord.
   

Opening Prayer

Come to us, O God!
Come as wind and inspire,
come as fire and empower,
come as dove and bring us peace,
come as water and cleanse our hearts,
         so that we may know your presence and walk
         more closely to you. Amen.

from For All Who Minister, Brethren Press, ©1993, p. 93
  

Gospel Story
Luke 13:10-17 (Contemporary English Version)

         Two persons, a man and a woman, stand eight feet apart in the center of the chancel. Each should, ahead of time, imagine what is would feel and look like to suffer from a crippling disease (arthritis, osteoporosis, etc.) that warps the shape of their bodies, painfully bending them over. During the course of the following reading (read slowly and deliberately, pausing where appropriate), each will take on that form. In the acting out of this scripture, Jesus is an unseen presence.

         One Sabbath, Jesus was teaching in a Jewish meeting place, and a woman     [she begins taking on this form]     was there who had been crippled by an evil spirit for eighteen years. She was completely bent over and could not straighten up. When Jesus saw the woman, he called her over
[she looks up and takes a few steps toward the center]     and said, "You are now well." He placed his hands on her, and right away she stood up straight and praised God.             [a marked transformation takes place, and she stands tall and straight and without pain]

         The man in charge of the meeting place      [he begins to take on the form of a bent over cripple, with a painful scowl on his face]       was angry because Jesus had healed someone on the Sabbath. So he said to the people, "Each week has six days when we can work. Come and be healed on one of those days, but not on the Sabbath."      [he remains in this form]

         The Lord replied, "Are you trying to fool someone? Won't any one of you untie your ox or donkey and lead it out to drink on a Sabbath? This woman belongs to the family of Abraham, but Satan has kept her bound for eighteen years. Isn't it right to set her free on the Sabbath?" Jesus’ words made his enemies ashamed. But everyone else in the crowd was happy about the wonderful things he was doing.

         After a few moments of silence, the woman goes over to the man, and slowly helps him to straighten up and stand. Then they embrace and remain up front through the Unison Confession.

Unison Confession

         Whether we are bent out of shape by some crippling disease, or through our own judgmental attitudes, O Lord, we need your healing touch. Place your hands upon our pain, that it might be transformed into praise. Forgive our words and deeds which hurt others, and also cripple us. Straighten us up, that we might walk together in Jesus’ name. Amen.

[The man and woman then walk together back to their seats.]
   

Pastoral Prayer

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

Returning our Tithes and Offerings
(Psalm 103:2)

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits..."

         As the ushers come and pass the offering plates, this is "remembering time ." As you give, think back over this past week. Where did you see God at work in your life? Were you paying attention? How have you been blessed in the last seven days? It’s easy to forget such things and, in so doing, to lose track of God.       (pause a moment)

         This is also time to pay attention to the people around you. As you sign and pass the attendance pads found on center aisle of each pew, look over the names. If there is someone you don’t know, or don’t know very well, remember to greet them by name later. Pray for the people who surround you.       (pause a moment)

         "Bless the Lord," as you give your offering. Be thankful. Be especially thankful for the little things you may have missed. Sometimes, even in the worst of days, it is in the smallest of ways that God shares his greatest blessings.     (pause a moment)

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits..." Remember!

Ushers?
   

Benediction