September 6, 2009

Pre-service music
Call to Worship (from Words for Worship 2, # 20)
Leader: The Love of God is greater far
than tongue or pen can ever tell.
People: Though tongue and pen falter, our hearts overflow.
We long to fill the skies with praise to God.
Leader: Then let us give thanks to God with all our hearts.
Let us tell of all God's wonderful deeds!
People: We will be glad and exult together.
We will sing praise to the Most High God!
Prayer of Invocation
Hymns Come let us all unite HWB 12
Spirit working in creation STJ 10
Children's Story

Hearing

Scripture Mark 7:24-37; James 2:1-10, 14-17
Sermon Is faith the work of non-partiality?
Hymn Lord you give the great commission STJ 63

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
Farewell for Joel and Bess

Hymn You shall go out with joy HWB 427
Benediction

Today

Announcements

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

Vision Corner: One aspect of our vision process this last year was to strengthen ministry to children. This fall we will start a children's' church time during the worship service. If you would like help out please contact Lara Upton or Maren Hange.

Upcoming fall retreats with Blue Ridge Ministries:
Oct. 3 "Deepen Prayer Life: Explore The Interior Castle
with 16th century Teresa of Avila" led by Lucy O'Meara
Nov. 14 "Contemplative Breadmaking for Body and Soul"
led by Linda Alley
Dec. 12 "Advent: The Word made Flesh" led by Kevin Clark

I'd Like to Buy an Enemy", a new play from Ted & Company starring Ted Swartz, Trent Wagler and Pete Nelson will be presented on Monday evening, Sept. 21 at 7:00 p.m. at the Bridgewater Church of the Brethren, 420 College View Drive, as part of the activities for the International Day of Prayer for Peace. The 90-minute play is a hilarious and poignant satire (presented in drama and music) exploring how we can honestly work for peace and justice. Guaranteed to make you think - and to laugh! Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Cost $5/person. Call 540-515-3581 for more information. - sponsored by the Church of the Brethren Peace Committee.

You are invited to a retreat gathering for artists and anyone interested in connecting to God in visual ways. Beyond Words: Imagining a Visual Spirituality, October 23-25 at Laurelville Mennonite Church Center will include visually focused worship, artist-led workshops, firing of the wood fire kiln, and open time and space for rest, reflection and fellowship. Information at www.laurelville.org/beyond_words.html or 800.839.1021. Register today.

SOME FREE COUNSELING is available at Family Life Resource Center, 540-434-8450, through two graduate students who are doing their internship under the Center's supervision. Call 434-8450 or contact <services@flrc.org>.

MARRIAGE MAINTENANCE, a four-session couples seminar at FLRC led by Harvey Yoder, meets at FLRC Mondays from 7-8:30 beginning September 14. A freewill offering is taken to benefit the Center in lieu of a fee for the class. The text, Lasting Marriage, the Owners' Manual, is $10. Pre-register at 434-8450.

Prayers and Praises

MMN:Radical Journey participants are beginning their year with orientation that focuses on what God is doing in the world and imagining how they may join in. Pray that they would be open to the movement of God's love in and around them.

VMM: Thank God for Richard & Margaret Keeler's life and witness in Trinidad. Richard distributes Christian literature early on Monday mornings, and Margaret is beginning a new year of Friendship Bible Coffee meetings. Ask God to give them strength and wisdom for every task.

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