October 4, 2009

Pre-service music
Call to Worship
Leader: Glorify the Lord with me;
Let us exalt God's name together
People: We will bless the Lord at all times;
God's praise will always be on our lips.
Leader: When we wander afar, God welcomes us back
People: When we cry out in despair,
God hears and delivers us from our troubles.
Leader: O come and see that the Lord s good.
People: Happy are we when we take refuge in God's care.
Prayer of Invocation
Hymns The Love of God STJ 44
From the Depths HWB 136
Children's Story

Hearing

Scripture 2 Chronicles 7:12-18; Luke 23:27-35; Acts 3:10-21
Sermon - Change your oil every 3,000 words, sentences, days
and years
Hymn Slowly Turning STJ 23

Responding

Sharing of Praises and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
Offering/Hymn Praise God from Whom HWB 119
Announcements
Hymn Praise my Soul HWB 65
Benediction

Today

Announcements

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

Our annual Christmas Play and Party will take place on December 12. Would anyone be willing to give leadership to it together with Deandra? Please contact Maren.

Board of Elders is working on Roy and Maren's Annual Pastoral Review. Please help us by completing your review form by Sunday, October 18, 2009. Hard copies can be found in your mailbox. Responses can be given to Lois by either hard copy or email.

Dr. Roberta Gilbert will speak on the theme: Parenting in a Chaotic World at Eastern Mennonite Seminary, Room 123, on Friday, October 9. The conference starts at 8:30 and concludes at 4:15. Registration opens at 8:00. Dr. Gilbert is the author of Connecting with Our Children: Guiding Principles for Parents in a Troubled World. Dr. Gilbert's practical application of systems thinking to the dilemmas of family life has made her books an important resource for many. See registration information at www.shenfamilysystems.org or contact Kenton Derstine at EMS at derstine@emu.edu.

The new documentary from Third Way Media (formerly Mennonite Media) is scheduled to air Oct. 4 and run through Nov. 28 on NBC-TV (at the discretion of local stations). This will be of special interest to any congregation actively involved in prison ministry. Long Road Back: Ex-Offenders' Struggle For Acceptance takes an inside look at the lives of ex-offenders trying to find their way after prison. The program follows Jamie as she tries to find work and reestablish broken relationships, and Tim as he tries to shake his sentence and the negative press connected with his name. More information and a place to share personal stories, is available at www.LongRoadBack.com. For list of current stations airing, go to Interfaith Broadcasting Commission. If you don't see your NBC station, call your local affiliate to inquire. You can also reserve your DVD copy of the program with study guide for $24.95 by calling 800-999-3534.

Prayers and Praises

MMN:Third Way Media's new documentary, Long Road Back: Ex-Offenders' Struggle for Acceptance, begins airing today on NBC-TV. Pray that viewers may find renewed hope for their lives.

VMM: Rodney & Lindsey Nice and children are serving with Jamaica Mennonite Church at the Maranatha School for the Deaf. Thank God for their availability to serve both in the classes at school and with the Ridge Mennonite Fellowship.

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