Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
August 9, 2015
Worship 10:00 am          Sunday School 11:10am

  Beginning with Praise (9:50 am)        “I believe in you, Lord Jesus”      440
  Announcements
  Prelude                                “Prelude in F Major”                       J.S. Bach

*Call to Worship

*Hymn                          “I sing the mighty power of God”                        46

*Opening Prayer

  Scripture                                Ephesians 4:25-5:2

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

   Baptismal Vows

  Congregational Renewal                                                                      777

  Hymn                           “Lord, I want to be a Christian”                       444

  Prayer

  Congregational Declaration                                                                   778

  Baptism

  Responding with our Tithes and Offerings

  Offertory                        “The Souls of the Righteous”        T. Tertius Noble
                              (Please sign the attendance pad and pass it on)

sermon was pre-empted (in honor of the pastor's 60th birthday) and he was told to go sit with his wife, while our delegate, Sue Ellen Wheatley, shared about our denomination's 2015 Annual Conference

  

*Hymn                                “Great is thy faithfulness”                               327

*Benediction

*Postlude                                      “Gratitude”                                Amos Herr

*Rise in body or in spirit

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Beginning with Praise
“I believe in you, Lord Jesus”

1.
I believe in you, Lord Jesus, as God's beloved Son.
I trust you for salvation, your great atonement's done.
Help me forsake sin's pleasures and all its evil ways.
I promise to be faithful to you through all my days. 

2.
Let me take your way, Lord Jesus, and keep your cross in view,
be buried in your likeness, and rise to walk with you.
O wash me in the fountain that flows for every race.
Redeem and cleanse and pardon, and save me by your grace. 

3.
I believe and I will follow through every day and hour.
Baptize me with your Spirit, with holiness and power.
Yes, I believe, Lord Jesus.  Your follower I will be,
and while your Spirit guides me I'll serve you loyally.

Hymn #440
words by Mary Stoner Wise
Copyright © 1951 Church of the Brethren General Board
to the tune "Munich," anonymous composer
first published in 1693
harmonized by Felix Mendelssohn, 1847
   

Call to Worship

1 - I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2 - My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.

1 - O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.

2 - I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.

1 - Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed.

2 - This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord, and was saved from every trouble.

1 - The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.

2 - O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 34:1-8 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

(to be written by the worship leader)

Baptismal Vows

[Invite candidate to come forward with his sponsor, who will then introduce him. When done:]

             Today you are being received into this community of faith and into the Church of the Brethren.  As part of the whole church of Jesus Christ, we offer you our rich heritage and invite you to share fully in our life and mission.

             As you are received into the Long Green Valley Church, we intend to be a true family of faith to you. We commit ourselves to be for you a loving fellowship, to be a means of grace in your life, and to offer opportunities for worship, study, and service.  One of the happiest times in our life as a church is when new people choose to become members.  We welcome you with joy.

Minister:
      Do you believe that Jesus is God's Son and do you receive and trust him as your Savior and Lord?

Candidate:
      I do. 

Minister:
      Will you turn away from all sin and will you endeavor by God's grace to live according to the example and teachings of Jesus?

Candidate:
      I will. 

Minister:
      Will you be loyal to the church, upholding it by your prayers and your presence, your substance and your service?

Candidate:
      I will.

from For All Who Minister, ©1993, Brethren Press, p.135-137.

Congregational Renewal

As we now receive you into the fellowship of the church, 
     we make this covenant with you 
     as we renew our own covenant with God: 
          to bear each others' burdens, 
          to assist in times of need, 
          to share our gifts and possessions, 
          to forgive as Christ has forgiven us, 
          to support each other in joy and sorrow, 
              and in all things to work for the common good, 
          thus making known Christ's presence among us 
              to the glory of God
As we unite with each other now, 
     may we all be joined with Christ, our Lord.

Hymnal #777
Adapted from The Mennonite Hymnal,
©1969 Faith & Life Press/Mennonite Publishing House,
based on Anabaptist baptismal vows, 16th c.
      

Pastoral Prayer

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

Congregational Declaration

Leader:  Through baptism we are united to Jesus Christ
                    and given part in Christ's ministry of reconciliation.
              Baptism is the visible sign of an invisible event:
                    the reconciliation of people to God.
              Baptism shows the death of the old self and the rising to life of a new self.
              It shows also the pouring out of the Holy Spirit
                    on those whom God has chosen.
              Baptism declares God's forgiveness;
                    it seals the gift of the Spirit
                    and joins the believer to the body of Christ.

People: This is the water of baptism.
              Out of this water we rise with new life,
                    forgiven of sin,
                    and one in Christ,
                    members of Christ's body.

#778 in Hymnal
adapted from Book of Worship
United Church of Christ, ©1986
   

Baptism

 _____________, upon your confession of faith made before God and these people, you are baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

             O God, we are thankful for the commitment made today by (name) May (she/he) experience your forgiveness, acceptance, and peace. Send your Holy Spirit upon (her/him) to guide and to empower. Enable (her/him) to walk in newness of life, using (her/his) gifts in praise to you and in service to others. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

prayer by Carol A. Wise
from For All Who Minister, ©1993, Brethren Press, p.138

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

(to be written by the worship leader)

Benediction