| Worship Order for Sunday | ||
|
Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Beginning with Praise
(9:50 am)
“For
God so loved us”
167 *Hymn
“Come,
let us all unite to sing”
12
Sharing
a joy, a concern, a word of testimony or praise Hymn
“God
sent his Son”
345
*Hymn
“What
wondrous love is this”
530 *Postlude *Rise in body or in spirit #'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book Worship leaders - see basic guidelines |
|
One:
Everything is worthless when compared with the All:
For his sake we have discarded everything else, One:
The righteousness from God is based on faith. All:
We want to know Christ and the power of his One:
We have not attained this goal, but we press on All:
We press on toward the goal for the heavenly prize, by Craig L.
Gandy, co-pastor
|
||||||
|
Gracious God, we give you thanks for calling us to be your people. Lend us your strength as we continue to press toward the goal, because we desire to know Christ and the power of his resurrection, and to share in his sufferings so that we might become like him. May your Spirit descend upon us anew, uniting us together as the body of Christ. We pray all this in Jesus' name. Amen.
by Craig L. Gandy, co-pastor
|
||||||
|
Tonight is Love Feast. You are invited to this special meal,
prepared and served by our Deacons. It is one of their
responsibilities as caregivers in this congregation. They are
persons prayerfully called to this task by you. The role of Deacon
came into existence in the early church. The book of Acts tells of
how the twelve apostles were overloaded with the all needs of the
people. Folks were getting left out, especially those on the
margins, like widows and the sick and children. Because the care
of everyone is important, God led the early church to call forth
deacons to take care of people, sort of like how a gardener tends
a garden - feeding, watering, weeding.
When you look closely as those first called to this role,
you discover they weren’t cookie-cutter deacons, they weren’t all
alike. In fact, one of them, Stephen, was a gifted preacher.
Preaching was not in the original job description, but he was so
good at it, he was stoned to death by those who opposed Jesus. By
the way, getting killed is also not in the Deacon job description,
but sometimes persecution happens to all God’s children.
What I’m saying is that every deacon, like every follower
of Jesus, is unique. Each one fulfills their calling in their own
way. In tending this garden called the church, some are more
‘hands on’ in visiting people, while the gift of others is to care
with phone calls or notes of encouragement.
Some are quite vocal, while others work quietly behind the
scenes. Some are blessed with organizing skills, while others
simply do what needs to be done. Thank God for each one!
Would all of our deacons please come forward? Nancy, Jean,
Gail, Linda, Teresa, Mike and Dave, you have been serving
faithfully. This year, we called you, Helen, to replace Lois. We
are grateful for the years Lois served, and are confident that God
will work through you, Helen, in the years ahead. This is not a
new call, for you have served as a deacon in years past.
It is always good to reflect upon and reaffirm vows we have
previously made. Therefore, let me ask all of you deacons the
following questions, that you may once again give voice to your
commitment, and be chastened in and revived for the importance of
your calling as deacons. Do you declare anew your faith in the gospel
of Jesus Christ? If so, say, “I do.” Will you seek to cultivate more fervently
your spiritual life by Bible reading, meditation, prayer, and
Christian witnessing? If so, say, “With God's help, I will.” Will you encourage and lead the congregation
in deepening its spiritual life and its ministries of compassion? If so, say, “I will.” Will you seek to be a good example in faith
and conduct? If so, say, “I will.” Do you, once again, accept the call to the
ministry of deacon in this body of Christ, and promise to perform
faithfully all the duties thereof? If so, say, “I do.”
I now ask those of you who serve on our church board to come
forward to assist in laying hands on these deacons for a prayer of
consecration. If you are able, would you deacons please kneel (or
sit in a chair if your knees are not up to that task).
In the name of Jesus Christ, you are now set apart in the sacred
ministry of deacon.
Serve God and this congregation faithfully and courageously.
And may God bless you in your service.
Congregation:
all but the first 5 paragraphs
|
||||||
|
Returning our Tithes and Offerings The apostle Paul wrote the following to the church in Philippi. Listen.
Lord of grace and forgiveness,
Philippians 3:7-11 from the Contemporary English Version prayer by Bill
Hoppe in
Ministry Matters
|
||||||
|
written closer to the time (if not at the moment)
|
||||||
|
As those whom God loves
|
|
Interested in Sunday School? |
||
|
International Lesson: |
International Lesson: |
International Lesson: |
|
International Lesson: |
International Lesson: |
International Lesson: |
|
While one of our adult classes follows the International
lesson above (see
also), using |
For children and youth, we use the new |
|
|
©2014 Peter
L. Haynes
|
|||
|
return to |
return to |
return to |
return to |