August 23, 2009

Pre-service music
Call to Worship Psalm 84
Leader: How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty!
People: My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the
LORD, my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
Leader: O LORD Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are
those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.
People: Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.
Leader: Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
People: For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD
bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
All: O LORD Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.
Prayer of Invocation
Hymns For the beauty of the earth HWB 89
Nada te turbe HWB 562
Children's Story

Hearing

Scripture John 6:56-69; Ephesians 6:10-20
Sermon Our spiritual engagements as battle
Hymn I am the bread of life HWB 472

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 Guide my feet HWB 546
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.

Thank you for your responses to the Children's Ministry Survey! We are still looking for teachers for the Fall. If you are interested in teaching (weekly) or co-teaching (bimonthly) we have a position available for you in our K-2 class and in our 3-5 class! We are also seeking someone to take the lead in the Adult Bible Study Class. Please consider these options and let Lara know if you want to help out.

Sermon notes: Levels of Wrestling - Reflections on Ephesians 6 via a story from Jesus Matters (Herald Press, 2009, p.99)

Surface threat - direct, immediate reactions often miss deeper realities. Flesh and blood responses miss the deeper dynamics that often surface with physical or emotional forces.

Awareness deepens in relationship - root causes surface in encounter, trauma from one generation seen as moving through to the next, and vendetta is surfaced, deeper structures emerge for transformation.

Transformation is invited after awareness- When the true reality is faced and named and when those blinded by these powers have their eyes opened (Acts 10: 34, Luke 24:31…) spiritual change become new freedom through informed grace.

Prayers and Praises

MMN:Pray for Mennonite Mission Network international ministries workers who are in a time of transition, whether beginning a new assignment, returning to service after North American ministry, or re-entering life in the United states.

VMM: Today Rodney and Lindsey Nice are being commissioned for service with the Maranatha School for the Deaf in Jamaica. They and their children will be going there in early September. Bless them with your prayers and financial support.

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