August 16, 2009

Pre-service music HWB 651
Call to Worship
Leader: This is the day that the Lord has made,
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
People: We worship the eternal God,
the source of love and life, who creates us.
Leader: Let us worship Jesus Christ,
the risen one, who lives among us
People: We worship the Holy Spirit,
the holy fire, who renews us.
Leader: to the one true God be praise in all times and places,
through the grace of Jesus Christ.
Prayer of Invocation
Hymns Morning has broken HWB 648
O worship the Lord HWB 124
Children's Story

Hearing

Scripture John 6:51-58; Ephesians 5:15-20
Sermon Joining the Spiritual Special Olympics
Hymn I sought the Lord HWB 506

Responding

Sharing of Praises and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
Offering/Hymn Praise God from Whom HWB 119
...and extra change for "Penny Power" missions (collected by children)
Announcements
Hymn Soon and very soon HWB 611
Benediction

Today

Announcements

Please email all bulletin announcements by Wednesday 8:00 pm to Becky.

Please join us for the Back to School picnic at Walnut Creek Park on Sunday August 30 after the church service. We have reserved a picnic shelter with grills. Please bring a dish to share and extra drinks for your family for the afternoon. Possible activities at the park include swimming in the lake, biking and hiking.

Laurelville offers training in the worship artsRegister now for Laurelville's Music and Worship September Training, September 11-13, 2009. This training is designed for music leaders, accompanists and worship leaders both new and experienced who hope to grow, deepen or explore their gifts. Registration forms are available at www.laurelville.org or call 800-839-1021. Registration for the January 8-10, 2010 Music and Worship Leaders Retreat begins 9/14. Participants in the September Training will be eligible to register early.

Middle East Work Group Opportunity for 2010! Registration is now open for a Partners in Mission Work Group to Nazareth and Bethlehem, May 7-24, 2010. Group leaders will be Dorothy Jean Weaver, Professor of New Testament, Eastern Mennonite Seminary, and Les Horning, Pastor, Christiansburg Mennonite Fellowship. The work group will volunteer their services at Nazareth Village, Nazareth, and at the International Center of Bethlehem at Christmas Lutheran Church, Bethlehem. Group size will be limited to 18; and registration is open to all interested persons on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information and to reserve your spot in the group, please contact Dorothy Jean or Les at your earliest opportunity.

Mark your calendars for the Mennonite Women of Virginia Fall Retreat, November 13-15, 2009, at the Holiday Inn Express, Richmond-Koger South. Call for Hotel Reservations: 1-800-282-0244Mary Thiessen Nation will share out of her life experiences in which labor seemed lost, dreams were dashed and hope gone. But she also discovered that out of the ashes grow new possibilities and a renewed hope firmly grounded in grace. Your heart will be warmed and your faith strengthened as you interact with a woman who understands heartbreak as well as glorious joy. Registration details and contact information are available on the Mennonite Women of Virginia website. http://vmconf.org/related/mwv.htm

Prayers and Praises

MMN:Pray for Mary Raber, Mennonite Mission Network worker, and staff, faculty and students of Odessa Theological Seminary, Odessa, Ukraine, as the seminary launches a new master's program in applied theology in late August. Pray that God provides the means for young pastors to attend this program.

VMM: The Centro Koinonia congregation from Bari, Italy, is participating in a family camp at a mountain retreat. For some members, it's the first time they are experiencing a Christian camp. Pray that God strengthens their faith and commitment in this event.

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