Worship - May 29, 2011

Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
May 29, 2011
Worship 10:00 am Sunday School 11:10am

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” (Luke 5:4)

Beginning with Praise (9:50 am) "Lord, you have come to the lakeshore" 229
Announcements
Prelude

*Call to Worship Psalm 66:1-7

*Hymn "Brethren, we have met to worship" 8

*Opening Prayer

Litany Psalm 66:8-12

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

Responsive Prayer 720

Returning our Tithes and Offerings Psalm 66:13-15

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

Scripture Psalm 66:16-20

Song "Pass it On" (see insert)

Scripture Luke 5:1-11

Message "Into the Deep" (mp3) Ben Barlow

*Hymn "We praise thee, O God" 99

*Benediction 766

*Postlude

*Rise in body or in spirit

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Call to Worship

Our worship this morning centers upon two scriptures - one a psalm, the other a gospel story. In praise of our saving God, Psalm 66 remembers when the children of Israel stood at the end of their rope at the edge of the sea. The Lord made a path through the water and led them onward, saving them from Pharaoh’s advancing army. In the 5^th chapter of Luke, Jesus stands beside a different sea and calls some other, just-as-reluctant children to step out by faith into the water. Please rise in body or in spirit and let us join our voices in the Call to Worship.

One - Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;

All - sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise.

One - Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! Because of your great power, your enemies cringe before you.

All - All the earth worships you; they sing praises to you, sing praises to your name.”

One - Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds among mortals.

All - He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot.

One - There we rejoiced in him, who rules by his might forever,

All - whose eyes keep watch on the nations - let the rebellious not exalt themselves.

Psalm 66:1-7 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

O God, who provides a way through troubled times and who every day feeds us bread from heaven, we “pray with all our power” just now, “while we try to preach the word.” Many of us are “trembling mourners who are struggling hard with sin.” All of us are “seeking grace” and quite often are “filled with tears.” If it were in our own strength that we trusted this hour, O Lord, we would be lost. But, praise be your forgiving and living power! You “make all things new.” Through Christ we have heard your call, and here we stand. Thank you. Lead us in worship this day, and in living this week. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Litany

One - Bless our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard, who has kept us among the living, and has not let our feet slip.

All - For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried.

One - You brought us into the net; you laid burdens on our backs; you let people ride over our heads;

All - we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a spacious place.

Psalm 66:8-12 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.

Responsive Prayer

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

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

Continuing our reading of the 66^th Psalm, we hear these words. Listen.

“I will come into your house with burnt offerings; I will pay you my vows, those that my lips uttered and my mouth promised when I was in trouble. I will offer to you burnt offerings of fatlings, with the smoke of the sacrifice of rams; I will make an offering of bulls and goats.”

As we no longer sacrifice rams or bulls or goats, believing that the supreme sacrifice has already been made, let’s try on this contemporary paraphrase of those ancient words. Listen to this “Laughing Bird” version as you prepare to respond to God with your tithes and offerings.

So now we come to the place of worship
to fulfil our promises and offer our gifts.
All that we vowed to do if you got us out of trouble
we will now make good on with grateful hearts.

We will offer you whatever you ask;
the best of all we have and all we are;
all you have given us, we offer back to you.

Ushers?

the first reading is 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.

the second is ©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net
Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Dedication

Benediction

Leader: Now may the Lord Jesus bless your soul
                   and strengthen your faith.
              Let this hour of worship grow within you
                   and bear fruit which will remain for life eternal.
People: We will together praise and glorify our God forever.

Hymnal #766
by Alexander Mack, Sr., 18th century, Rites and Ordinances, 1713,
translated in European Origins of the Brethren, copyright © 1958 Brethren Press.