January 5, 2003

Call to worship
Hymns Brightest and Best MH 143
Lo How a rose HWB 211
Reading based on Psalm 72

Leader: Give the ruler your justice, O God, and your righteousness
to a royal heir. May the ruler judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with justice.
Women: May the mountains yield prosperity for the people,
and the hills, in righteousness.
Men: May the king defend the cause of the poor, give deliverance
to the needy, and crush the oppressor.
Women: May the ruler live while the sun endures,
and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
Men: May the ruler be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
like showers that water the earth.
Women: In those days may righteousness flourish and peace abound,
until the moon is no more.
Men: May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render tribute,
may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts.
Women: May all kings bow down, all nations serve the ruler.
Men: For the ruler delivers the needy when they call,
the poor and those who have no helper.
ALL: THE RULER HAS PITY ON THE WEAK AND THE NEEDY,
AND SAVES THEIR LIVES. THE RULER REDEEMS THEIR
LIFE FROM OPPRESSION AND VIOLENCE AND VIEWS
THEIR LIFE AS PRECIOUS.

Prayer of Confession (see back of bulletin)
Scripture Reading Isaiah 60:1-6 Elizabeth, Joshua, Andrew
Matthew 2:1-12 Nicole, Annie, Gabe, Karina
Children's Story

Proclaiming God's Word

Scripture Ephesians 3:1-12
Sermon "The Others at Christmas"
Hymn Angels we have heard HWB 197

Responding to God's call

Joys and concerns
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord's Prayer
Offering
Announcements
Hymn You Shall go out with joy HWB 427
Benediction

Today

Worship Leader - Maren Tyedmers Hange
Sermon - Roy Hange
Music - Dottie Scott, Alderfer family
Nursery - Libby Showalter

Announcements

There are several sign up sheets in the entrance room, please take a look and see in what ways you would like to be involved in the life of the church.

There are various new books in the church library. Enjoy, browse or let us know what materials you would like to see. Also we have switched to a honor system for signing out books. Please write title, name and date in the check-out book and return the book/video when you are done. Thank you for donating books to update the library.

You are welcome to join in the Sunday School class for those who want to become members or learn more about the Mennonite Church. The group is reviewing the video series "Turning Toward Jesus" and reading "A Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective".

There are several brochures for upcoming Blue Ridge Ministries retreats on the bulletin board in the back of the church:

2/15 Encountering Healing Prayer;
led by Sheryl Shenk and Kay Lanasa
3/15 An Adventure in Self Discovery: Exploring the Enneagram;
led by William Edwards
4/12 When true simplicity is found ….
Led by Lester and Mary Beth Lind
5/17 Finding our Fine-feathered friends;
led by Clair Mellinger
6/14 Rhythm of life;
led by Kevin Clark

All the above retreats are being held on Saturdays from 9 am - 4 pm.

The Pregnancy Centers of Central Virginia are holding Counselor Training Sessions. If you are interested please check the bulletin board in the back of the church.

Prayers and Praises

VMBM: While Earlene Horst was in Trinidad for four months, she accompanied Margaret Keeler to two Bible studies each Thursday. Margaret has a gift for teaching and is always willing to help start a
new group or to lead the group for as long as she is needed. Earlene says, "Margaret could lead studies all day and never feel weary until she reaches home!"

Mennonite Mission Network: Pray for God's blessing on the Cross-Current seminars held at London Mennonite Centre during the early months of 2003. The themes for the seminars include Anabaptism and mediation skills training in the church. May God give strength to mission workers who host the seminars at LMC.

Gathering in Christ's name

Proclaiming God's Word

Responding to God's call

Today

Announcements

Prayers and Praises