September 14, 2003

The Lord is always before us.
Because God is at our right hand,
we shall not be moved.

September 14, 2003

Gathering in Christ's name

Leader: Come, all who are weary and carrying heavy burdens,
and Christ will give you rest.
People: Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles.
Leader: The Lord is always before us. Because God
is at our right hand, we shall not be moved.
People: God shows us the path of life. In God's presence there is fullness of joy; in God's right hand are pleasures forevermore.
All: Therefore our hearts are glad, our souls rejoice;
our bodies rest secure.

Prayer of invocation
Hymns Sweet hour of prayer HWB 11
God is here among us HWB 16

Children's Story
Hymn Hosanna, loud hosanna HWB 238

Proclaiming God's Word

Scripture Genesis 32:3-28; 33:1-10
Sermon A tale of two brothers
Response HWB 733
Hymn Immortal, invisible, God only wise HWB 70

Responding to God's call

Joys and concerns
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord's Prayer
Offering Meghan Mouberry
Announcements
Hymn Children of the heavenly Father HWB 616
Benediction

Today

Worship Leader - Maren Tyedmers Hange
Music - Jeff Myers, Alderfer family
Sermon - Roy Hange
Nursery - Jean Shumate

Announcements

Mark your calendar for the beginning of Adventure Club 2003 for children K-8th grade. Our first meeting will be on September 19 at 6:30 pm at the church. Have you ever wondered what the apostle Paul was doing? Find out more this fall through "Paul: Shipwrecks & Dreams."

Central Virginia Restorative Justice is sponsoring a compelling work of theater titled "A body in Motion" on Sunday September 21, at 2 pm at Piedmont Virginia Community College. The play is based on the stories of survivors of crime as originally told in the book Transcending. The play presents some of the many varied and complex responses to a violent event with hope of transcendence. These stories remind us of the strength of the human spirit and the fragility of life. A reception will be held immediately following the production. Dr. Howard Zehr, author of Transcending: Reflections of Crime Victims, and The Little Book of Restorative Justice will be on hand to sign copies of these two books. Admission is $ 5 and any proceeds will benefit the work of Central Virginia Restorative Justice.

On November 13 to 15 Eastern Mennonite University is sponsoring a conference on the Ethics of Biotechnology. See www.bioethics.emu.edu for more information.

Myron Augsburger will be the speaker at a Men's Retreat at Williamsburg Christian retreat center from March 12-14, 2004. http://www.wcrc.info/adult_family.htm

Three weeks ago we began a worship series on reconciliation in the Old Testament. Coming up are the following scriptures:

Did you know that the following groups are meeting currently? If you are interested in any of these please contact:

Prayers and Praises

VMBM: During the children's camp that Norma Teles led in Albania this summer, she invited them to write prayers. One young boy prayed, "Dear Lord, please stay with me like You were with Joshua." Another child prayed, "Dear Father, help me to grow up trusting in You." Join Norma and others in praying for these children.

Mennonite Mission Network: Pray for Ester and Omar Cortés-Gaibur, serving with Mennonite Mission Network in Chile, as they mentor a young couple providing leadership to a church that has chosen to be Anabaptist. They are students in Omar's classes at the Baptist Seminary and are striving to put into practice what they are learning.

Pray for the local services for people in need: Love Inc., Shelter for Help in Emergency, Foodbank and the Salvation Army.