October 24, 2004

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,
Who was and is, and is to come!
Revelation: Triumph of the Lamb

October 24, 2004

Gathering in Christ's name

Call to worship
Leader: I saw a new heaven and a new earth;
for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
People: God is the Alpha and Omega,
the beginning and the end.
Leader: I saw the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven
from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
People: God is the Alpha and Omega,
the beginning and the end.
Leader: Behold, God's dwelling is with all people. God will
dwell with them, and they shall be God's people.
People: God is the Alpha and Omega,
the beginning and the end.
Leader: Behold, God makes all things new.
Prayer of Invocation
Hymns
Children's story
Hymn

Proclaiming God's Word

Scripture Revelation 13 - 14
Sermon The face of the lamb and the face of the beast
Hymn of Response

Responding to God's call

Joys and concerns
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord's Prayer
Offering
Announcements
Hymn
Benediction

Today

Worship Leader - Maren Tyedmers Hange
Music - Dottie Scott, Alderfer family
Sermon - Roy Hange
Nursery - Jeannine Denlinger
Scripture readers - Carolyn, Joyce, Lara, Chris, Tim, Maren

Announcements

Covenant Renewal Sunday will be November 7 this year. On that day we will renew our commitment to Christ and one another, as a community of faith. At that time all persons who have been members here will be asked to renew their membership covenant with the congregation. This includes associate members as well. Persons who are members elsewhere and who for various reasons do not want to become a member or associate member are welcome to sign the covenant book as a friend of the congregation.

"When was the last time you got to spend some uninterrupted time with your spouse? When will you do your Christmas shopping? Youth to the rescue: Saturday, November 20th childcare will be provided at the church from 5 P.M.-9 P.M.(supper not included). Donations for your evening of freedom will go to the youth fund for Assembly 2005. Notify Lois Alderfer if your children plan to attend."

Stewardship University, a ministry partnership between MMA and our faith community, is coming to Eastern Mennonite Seminary Oct. 30, 2004! It's a unique opportunity to learn how to put biblical stewardship principles to practical use - with a variety of workshops to choose from on issues that affect your life on a daily basis. One course of particular interest is Investing in Uncertain Times - a workshop that reviews financial strategies and investment principles that will help you practice biblical stewardship of your God-given resources. Co-instructors Chad Hatter of Weaver Insurance and Leo Heatwole of First Financial Services, will compare and contrast a variety of investment opportunities, including equities, CDs, real estate, and other investments, and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each. For more information or to register, contact MMA at (800) 348-7468, Ext. 269, or visit the Stewardship University Web site (www.StewardshipUniversity.org).

Below are the links to the MCC bridges not walls web site.Please contact Mel Janzen or Jean Marie Shumate for a draft letter or if you are planning to write a letter. Writing from the heart as well as a specific question can express a viewpoint and, at the same time, stimulate a response in a brief letter, typed or neatly handwritten on any personal stationary - MCC Washington www.mcc.org/us/washington/bridges/talkingpoints.html

The Oprah Winfrey Show on Monday, October 25, 2004 highlights the issue of restorative justice. Check local listings on ABC television. One of Oprah's guests is Sandra (Sunny) Schwartz, program administrator of the San Francisco Sheriff's Department, which created the Resolve to Stop the Violence Program (RSVP). The show features three families who have experienced violent crime or acts of negligence resulting in death or great bodily injury. All three families and offenders choose to meet each other to replace punishment for its own sake with offender responsibility, victim restoration, and empathy in an effort to heal the harm caused by their violence

Prayers and Praises

VMBM: Pray that participants with DOOR (Discovering Opportunities for Outreach and Reflection) in Denver and Miami will adjust to serving in the city and will grow in understanding and love for the people around them.

Mennonite Mission Network: Jason and Donna Martin write from Bari, Italy: "We are thankful for the special friendships Emily and Sara have with their classmates. God continues to open doors for us with the parents. We pray that these families-parents and children alike-would hunger for Christ and desire to know Him. Our prayer is "Jesus, helps us to be your hands, lips, and heart."

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.