Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
February 13, 2011
Worship 10:00 am              Sunday School 11:10am
 

  Beginning with Praise (9:50 am)          "Where charity and love prevail"          305
  Announcements
  Prelude                                 "Marche Religioso"                                 Gounod

  Call to Worship                                                                               (see insert)

*Hymn                         "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling"                            592

*Opening Prayer

  For Children              "Joys and Concerns for kids"

  Hymn                            (vs. 1-2) "Joys are flowing like a river"                           301

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

  Hymn                            (vs. 3-5) "Joys are flowing like a river"                           301

  Pastoral Prayer

  Scripture                                 Matthew 5:21-26

  Returning our Tithes and Offerings

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

  Hymn                         "All praise to our redeeming Lord"                              21

  Scripture                                1 Corinthians 3:1-9

  Message                   "Toward Spiritual Maturity" (mp3)

*Hymn                       "Strong Son of God, immortal Love"                           488

*Benediction

*Rise in body or in spirit

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Call to Worship
(Psalm 119:1-8)

One – “You're blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. You're blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That's right - you don't go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set. You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it.

All – “Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set; Then I'd never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel. I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; I learn the pattern of your righteous ways. I'm going to do what you tell me to do; don't ever walk off and leave me.”

One - “Don’t ever walk off and leave me,” the psalmist cried. As if in response, our risen Lord promised his disciples long ago, “I am with you always.” We bear the same good news they were sent to share long ago, and we walk the same walk of faith. Along the way of the cross and the empty tomb we have gathered this day to worship. Please rise in body or in spirit, and let us sing our praise - #592 in your hymnal.

Psalm taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993,
1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson.
Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.
  

Opening Prayer
(begins by quoting the last line of  "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling")

            If we are lost, O Lord, may we truly be “lost in wonder, love, and praise.” Even so, the gospel message, as we have received it, and proclaim it again this resurrection day, is that we have been found by your love. Though we are prone to wander, you are steadfast in seeking us out. In Christ, you walked the walk that led to our salvation. While we were as yet sinners, he died for all of us – not just for those who have obeyed all your commandments and lived right, but for all who have messed up along the way. And, Lord, we all have done our share of traveling down the wrong path. May this day be a fresh start, this hour be a time to turn toward you, this moment be like the first step in the right direction. This we pray in that name of the One who was your love in human form, and who lives in us today through your Holy Spirit. Amen.
 

For Children
"Joys and Concerns for kids"

Our children's storyteller, Ed, writes:
            "I want to share with the kids the "miracle" of my newfound sight. For children who see normal, how do you explain? I've told adults about the clarity and they are not excited about it like I am (DUH - of course not). I wanted to touch upon the sharing of joys and concerns in the church and how we (as brothers and sisters) respond. I want to share with the kids that God wants us to celebrate with others in their joy and share our concerns in a meaningful way. It is not just the prayers we ask for, but the love of our family in the church through listening and feeling. An example the kids can identify with would be when they go to a friend's birthday party and that friend may receive a gift that they would have like to have gotten. God would like us to be happy for the friend and be joyful for them. It is not an easy thing to do, sometimes even for grown ups. God challenges us to be happy for others and also to share in their sadness, and it works the other way. This is just a rough idea of what I have been thinking about."
  

Pastoral Prayer

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

Returning our Tithes and Offerings
(follows reading of Matthew 5:21-26)

(first paragraph is spoken with a degree of sarcasm)

Of course, none of us “good Brethren” have ever been angry with another person – even someone who sits with us in this very room. And none of us has ever said anything we have later regretted saying, even under our breath, even if that person deserved to be called an “idiot.” Oh, no, we’re too “nice” for that. Or are we?

            We all know the answer to that question. What Jesus said hits us between the eyes, for in his words we hear God’s words, God’s commandments zeroing in on us instead of on somebody else. We can’t hide behind our goodness or niceness. It’s not that we’re supposed to pretend we never are angry or that strong disagreements never threaten to fracture our relationships. What Jesus said calls us into the hard work of reconciliation, finding one another after our relationships have become lost.

            Now, we’re not going to do at this moment what Jesus instructed, stopping our collection of tithes and offerings so that you can go and make peace with someone with whom you may need to be reconciled. However, take these words to heart. If there is someone in that category for you, take these moments to recognize that fact. Think about them, and ask God to help you develop a plan of reaching out, and to give you the courage you need to walk that walk of faith. Do you understand this assignment?

Good. Ushers, would you guide our giving just now?
   

Benediction

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father,
            who has shown us such love,
      and in his grace has given us
            such unfailing encouragement
            and so sure a hope,
       still encourage and strengthen you
             in every good deed and word.

Hymnal #773
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17,
adapted from the Revised English Bible