February 11, 2007

Pre-service Music
Prayer of Invocation
Call to Worship
Leader: God reveals God's self not to the person
who is self-sufficient or self-righteous,
People: But to the one whose mind is open,
whose will is receptive, and whose soul is humble.
All: In that spirit, let us come in worship before the Lord.
Hymns Abide with me HWB 653
I hunger and I thirst HWB 474
Prayer of Confession and Litany of Compassion

Our God, forgive us for failing to understand and accept the great demands placed upon us by your love. We enlist in your causes, but find ourselves losing interest. We promise to be courageous, but find ourselves afraid. We want to be sensitive, but find ourselves hard and callous. Forgive us; take our limitations and turn them into possibilities for service. Have mercy on us and grant us your peace. Amen.

Litany of Compassion

Leader: Blessed are those who have daily dialogue with God. Their faces will shine like the sea.

People: Blessed are those who depend upon the Lord. They shall throw away their crutches.

Leader: Blessed are those whose faith moves them to compassion. They will warm our hearts and teach us to love ourselves.

People: Blessed are those who persevere. Their courage will give us hope; their patience will calm our fears.

Leader: Blessed are those who trust in the living God. Their joy in worship will light our path.

People: Blessed are those whose love of the church reveals deep faith. They shall see the living God.

All: Blessed are those whose faith erupts in mission. Their witness will show us the power of God.

Children's Story
Hymn What is this place HWB 1

Hearing

Scripture Luke 6:17-26
Sermon Reaching out with God's hospitality, hope and healing...
Hymn I bind my heart HWB 411

Responding

Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
Parent/Child Dedication Laurel Franz and Samuel Yoder
Congregational Response HWB 791
Child of Blessing HWB 620
Offering/Hymn Praise God from Whom HWB 119
Announcements
Hymn What wondrous love HWB 530
Benediction

Today

Sermon: Julie Haushalter
Worship Leader: Roy Hange
Music: Lee Bidgood
Nursery: Nissley

Announcements

CMC Ladies: You are invited to a bridal shower for April Hutchinson, Saturday, March 10th at 2:30pm at the home of Jan Parks. A Bed, Bath, and Beyond gift registry is available online for Spencer Douglas and April. RSVP to Jan Parks or Libby Showalter by Sunday, March 4th.

The church is sponsoring a table at the Love INC banquet to be held March 2, at 6:30 at First Baptist Church. The speaker is Dr. Bruce A. Beard. There is a choice of menu. Donations and pledges will be accepted at the end of the event. Please contact Gloria or Joyce if interested in attending.

College Scholarships: Students can get financial assistance through MMA College Scholarship program. Each year MMA awards up to 36 scholarships t students who are members of a congregation with a MMA advocate. For details see Barbara Brouse, our MMA advocate, or visit MMA-online.org. Applications are due by March 31, 2007.

On March 10, 2007, Harrisonburg Mennonite Church will host Stewardship University, a ministry partnership between MMA and our local faith community. Of special interest to baby boomers may be the workshop on Retirement Planning for Bloomers, led by Joe Lapp, Chad Hatter, and Joe Shenk. For more information on this course or others, or to register, contact MMA at (800) 348-7468, Ext. 269, or visit our website (www.StewardshipUniversity.org).

Are you interested in traveling to Germany, Northern Ireland, Israel or somewhere in North America? Do you want to serve others and have new experiences? Plan a summer of service with Youth Venture. Youth Venture, a program of Mennonite Mission Network, provides summer service opportunities for individual youth and young adults, ages 14-25, both in North America and Internationally. To find out more visit out our website: Service.MennoniteMission.net, e-mail: YouthVenture@MennoniteMission.net or call 1-866-866-2872.

IMPACT is an organization of about 20 religious groups in the Charlottesville area that has been created to address issues in our community that perpetuate poverty. This is a justice ministry that has identified the issues to be addressed and will seek the involvement of the community leaders to bring about change.

In September of 2006, twelve people from our congregation joined with the other IMPACT members to choose two issues to be the focus for this year. The two issues are affordable housing and improved public transportation. Since September, the housing and transportation committees have been researching these issues to determine the extent of the problem and to make recommendations for change.
This week, on Thursday, Feb. 15, at 6:30 pm at the University Baptist Church, the members of IMPACT will meet to hear the results of this research and the plans for the Action meeting on March 15, 2007. Community leaders who are in positions to make policy have been invited to the March 15 meeting (called Nehemiah Action) and will be asked to support the recommendations. Extensive contact has already been made with these people.
These two events are open to everyone from our church. The meeting this Thursday night is an excellent chance to hear the results of the research and the plan of action. Our church contributes financially to IMPACT and Roy has been involved since it was first created. Steve Koleszar is serving on the transportation committee, and Gene Fifer is our representative on the board. If you have any questions or would like to attend this Thursday evening, please contact Gene Fifer, Dottie Scott or Jennifer Vaughan.

Prayers and Praises

VMBM: Sharon Kniss, VMBM tranSend, participant in London, England, works with BridgeBuilders in mediation and peacebuilding for congregations. Ask God to enlarge her witness as she meets a variety of people.

Mennonite Mission Network: With the changing dynamics as people move away from Altes Lager, Germany, Mission Network workers Dorothy and Jake Unrau request prayer for God's direction in regard to the future ministry of the church there.

Pray for the local services for people in need: Love Inc., Shelter for Help in Emergency, Food Bank, Salvation Army, IMPACT--a justice ministry and PACEM-- the initiative for the homeless.

Gathering in Christ's name

Hearing

Responding

Today

Announcements

Prayers and Praises