May 2, 2004

Like a shepherd calling to his sheep,
Christ awakens the ears of his followers
to listen for his voice above all others.
We are awakened to the Voice of God!

May 2, 2004

Gathering in Christ's name

Call to worship
Prayer of Invocation
Hymns When all thy mercies, O my God HWB 72
We praise thee, O God HWB 99

Children's story
Hymn Jesus shall reign HWB 319

Proclaiming God's Word

Scripture Acts 9:36-43; Ps 23; Is 53:1-6; Rev 7:9-17; John 10:22-30
Sermon "An unusual shepherd for our usual world"
Hymn I am thine, O Lord HWB 505

Responding to God's call

Joys and concerns
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord's Prayer
Offering
Announcements
Hymn Breathe on me, breath of God HWB 356
Benediction

Today

Worship Leader - Lois Alderfer
Music - Jeff Myers, Kim Flash
Sermon - Roy Hange
Scripture readers - Mel Janzen, Joyce Hutchinson, Keely Massie,
Lara Upton, Elizabeth Alderfer
Children's story - Miriam Nissley
Nursery - Jeannine Denlinger

Announcements

Invite a Friend -- All are welcome to an evening with a presentations and discussion exploring the theme: Finding Hope in Religious Peacemaking; a report on Roy's trip to Iran for dialogue in February 2004 and reflections on religious peacemaking on May 11, 2004 at 7 p.m. at Charlottesville Mennonite Church.

Mothers & Others Connecting invites you to an exhibit and sale of Traditional, Fine Palestinian Embroidery, Thursday, May 6th, 2 - 6 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church, 717 Rugby Rd. For information see the flyer in the foyer.

How is MutualAid eXchange (MAX) more than an insurance company? MAX is made up of a number of former mutual aid organizations that have combined their years of experience and commitment to be one insurance body serving Anabaptists throughout North America. Virginia Mennonite Aid Plan is one of those organizations - providing mutual aid service for more than 90 years! To learn more about this property and casualty company take a brochure from the display on the table at the back of the sanctuary on the AV cabinet.

Prayers and Praises

Mennonite Mission Network: Pray for the directors of the SOOP (Service Opportunities for Older People) program as they meet May 8 in Winnipeg to discuss direction and vision for the coming year. This partnership meeting includes Mennonite Mission Network, Mennonite Association of Retired Persons and MCC Canada.
Burkina Faso: Eric and Heidi Dyck Hilty finish their first year as dorm parents and teachers at the International School of Ouagudougou, Burkina Faso. They celebrate graduation with one of their dorm students and will take intensive language classes this summer.
Hong Kong: Pray for strength and wisdom that mission associate Kevin Yao needs in his teaching and research at China Graduate School of Theology, Hong Kong. Pray for social and cultural adjustment for his wife, Szewai, and their three-year old son.
Colombia: Thank God for the service of Helen and Rudy Baergen at the Mennonite Seminary in Bogotá, Colombia. Pray for Alix Lozano, director, and the seminary board as they look for replacement staff due to the Baergens' return to Canada.
Ecuador: Laura and Steve Nafziger teach at a trilingual indigenous Christian school in Cebadas, Ecuador. Pray for the teaching staff as it develops a strategy plan and creates a vision for the upcoming years.
Lithuania: Pray for Lithuania Christian College administrators who prepare during the summer months for the staffing changes and new students of the 2004-05 academic year.
China: Due to a shortage of administrators and trained teachers, some upper level courses at the seminary in Beijing are currently not taught. Pray for adequate seminary personnel to train leaders desperately needed by the church in China.

Pray for the local services for people in need: Love Inc., Shelter for Help in Emergency, Food Bank, Salvation Army, and the initiative for the homeless in Charlottesville.