Worship - September 12, 2010

Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
September 12, 2010
Worship 10:00 am Sunday School 11:10am

Bethany Seminary Sunday

Beginning with Praise (9:50 am) "Come, let us all unite to sing" 12
Announcements
Prelude "Lord, keep me steadfast" Wilson

*Call to Worship

*Hymn "Immortal, invisible, God only wise" 70

*Opening Prayer

Scripture 1 Timothy 1:12-17

A Moment in Mission from Bethany Seminary

Prayer of Thanksgiving

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

Responsive Intercessory Prayer 722

Hymn "Joys are flowing like a river" 301

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

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

Scripture Mark 10:17-27

  Message                        "Did Jesus Ever Laugh?" (mp3)
                                           Rev. Gene Hagenberger
                                Mid-Atlantic District Executive Minister

*Hymn "Ask ye what great thing I know" 337

*Benediction

*Postlude "Sunday School March in G" Schreiner

*Rise in body or in spirit

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Call to Worship

All: Listen, O people of God, for Wisdom cries out to us.

One: We are called to seek understanding, to hunger for knowledge, and to embrace instruction, for in God�s wisdom we find many hidden treasures.

All: Struggle, O people of God, to hold holy tension.

One: We must learn to trust in God that, though we may not always find comfort, God is ever with us, holding us in our times of growth.

All: Kneel, O people of God, stoop to serve one another.

One: As Jesus washed his disciples� feet, so we serve each other in a spirit of humility and love.

All: Rejoice, O people of God, for we are not alone.

One: We rejoice that we need not solely rely on our own insight, but rather God walks with us, and God gives us companions and mentors on our journey.

All: Rejoice!

by Katie Shaw Thompson,
Bethany Seminary MDiv student
Stone Church of the Brethren (Pa.)
from Bethany Sunday worship resources

Opening Prayer

Almighty God, who raises the dead,
    who renews our spirits,
    who gave us wisdom and the Word
    so that we may do your good work,
Bless our worship today.
Open our hearts that we might follow as you lead us
    to take part in the work of the community that lies ahead.
In the name of Jesus, the ultimate servant-leader, Amen.

by Katie Shaw Thompson,
Bethany Seminary MDiv student
Stone Church of the Brethren (Pa.)
from Bethany Sunday worship resources

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Spirit of the Living God,
we give thanks for the many gifts you give us -
     a caring heart, eloquent preaching
     a listening ear, a patient teacher
May we notice gifts for ministry
     within our brothers and sisters.
Your voice calls out
Come, follow me.

Spirit of the Living God,
we give thanks for opportunities to learn -
     foundational scriptures
     Brethren ideals and identity
May present and future students of Bethany Seminary
     be enriched and empowered for enduring Christian witness.
Your voice calls out,
Prepare a way for the Lord.

Spirit of the Living God,
we give thanks for Bethany Seminary.
We thank you for the professors and staff
     who instruct and guide our future leaders.
May our lives display appreciation
     for the gift of ministry education
     and respect for the dedication
     of those who share the gift with us.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer. Amen.

by Rebecca O. Rhodes
Bethany Seminary MDiv 2010
Interim Pastor, Good Shepherd Church of the Brethren (Va)
from Bethany Sunday worship resources

Responsive Intercessory Prayer

(Pause for silence after each intercession. Specific requests may be added)

Leader: Merciful God,
                       your love for us makes us bold to join our prayers
                       with all who need your help.
              We bring our prayers to you:

                       For those who suffer pain;
                       For those who struggle with limits of body and soul;
                       For those who are satisfied with less than the life
                                              for which they were created;
                       For those who know their guilt and their need
                                              but do not know of Jesus;
                       For those who know that they must shortly die
                                              and for those who cannot wait to die.

   ALL: Come, Redeeming God,
                       take all these sufferings upon yourself and transform them.
              Be merciful also to us, who offer these prayers,
                       so that we might enter the sufferings of others
                       and become agents of your healing love,
                       through Jesus Christ, our Lord. AMEN

Hymnal #722
adapted from Contemporary Prayers for Public Worship,
ed. Caryl Micklem, � 1956 1967 SCM Press, Ltd.

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

In response to the songs we sing,
the Word we hear,
and the fellowship we celebrate,
we bring our offerings to lay before the giver of all good gifts.

Some bring offerings of service,
     some offerings of prayer,
          some offerings of thanksgiving,
               and some offerings of financial support,
                    all of which are necessary
to carry the love of God into the world we journey through together.

As we bring what we have to offer today,
may it in return
bring a smile to the face of our God.

by Robert Miller
Bethany Seminary MDiv student
Pastor, Northview Church of the Brethren (Ind.)
from Bethany Sunday worship resources

Benediction

Go now. Listen, struggle, kneel, and rejoice
in the unique path God has given each of us.
Go, seek the wisdom that calls us to be servant-leaders
in this community and throughout God�s great creation. Amen.

by Katie Shaw Thompson,
Bethany Seminary MDiv student
Stone Church of the Brethren (Pa.)
from Bethany Sunday worship resources