Worship - October 5, 2008

Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
October 5, 2008
Worship 10:00 am, Sunday School 11:10 am

“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:2)

Morning Praise (9:45 am)
Announcements
Prelude "The Heavens are Telling" (Ps. 19) Beethoven

Call to Worship

*Hymn "From all that dwell below the skies" 49

*Opening Prayer

Scripture Psalm 19:7-14

Quiet Confession

Song "Christ be in my mind" (see insert)

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

Offertory "All Creatures of our God and King" arr. Christopher
(Please sign the attendance pad and pass it on)

*Response "Grant us, Lord, the grace" 388

*Dedication

Video Presentation “Long Green Valley - The Second Decade”

Scripture Philippians 3:4b-14

Sharing a joy, a concern, a word of testimony or praise
(please be brief, and aware of God’s listening presence)

Prayer Hymn "Obey my voice" 162

Pastoral Prayer

Scripture Exodus 20:1-20

Message "Known for what we’re for,
not just for what we’re against"

*Hymn "Come, thou fount" 521

*Benediction

*Postlude "Filled with the Spirit’s Power" Birmingham

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Call to Worship

1 - The heavens are telling the glory of God;

2 - Are you paying attention?

1 - and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.

2 - Creation is praising its Creator. Are you listening?

1 - Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.

2 – What do you hear in the constant rising and setting of the sun?

1 - There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard;

2 – Be still and know beyond your senses. Quiet your soul and be filled with awe.

1 - yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.

2 – Ours is not the only voice speaking!

1 - In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,

2 – Look up and be aware!

1 – the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy.

2 – Each day is a gift. Every hour is precious. Are you living in the joy of this very moment?

1 – The sun’s rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hid from its heat.

2 - If nothing is hidden from the sun, so also nothing is hidden from the One who created it.

1 – (pause) Stand, if you are able, and sing a song of praise, “From all that dwell below the skies,” #49 in your hymnal.

scripture portion from The New Revised Standard Version,
copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of
the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Opening Prayer

Glorious, gracious God,
    shine upon us with your wisdom.
Call us into your kingdom.
Help us hear your words,
    that our hearts might be transformed
        into your likeness.
Help us know your grace,
    that our lives might be transformed
        into your love.
Speak to us now,
    that the clutter of our lives
        might be cleared away.
We want to know you.
We want to be like you.
We want to press on to the prize
    that is your kingdom on this earth.
Make it so, Lord.
Make it so.

taken from Cokesbury's Worship Connection

Scripture
Psalm 19:7-14

1 - The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;

2 - the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple;

1 - the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;

2 - the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes;

1 - the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever;

2 - the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

1 - More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;

2 - sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.

1 - Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

2 - But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults.

1 - Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me.

2 - Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.

1 - Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

scripture (except last verse) from The New Revised Standard Version,
copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of
the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Quiet Confession

(2) In the stillness of this moment, remember the week you have just lived. Release to God the times you blew it, when your thoughts, words, or actions were anything but pleasing to the One who is your rock and redeemer. (pause) God’s Grace makes it possible for us to let these sins go – to halt our harmful ways, as well as to stop kicking ourselves over our transgressions. Be forgiven and live in Christ.

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

(1) Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

We bring to God our failures and our successes, that these – like the heavens above and the ground below, like the daily rising and setting of the sun, may tell the glory of God and proclaim his handiwork. What we place into the plates just now is only part of our offering to the One who knows us best and loves us most.

Dedication

You who know us best and love us most, receive not only what we give, but also who are, and make of our imperfections something far greater than we can ever dare imagine. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Video Presentation
"Long Green Valley—The Second Decade"

As part of our upcoming Homecoming celebration, October 25-26, a video has been commissioned highlighting the history of our church. This is the second installment.

Pastoral Prayer

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

Benediction