November 2, 2003

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
The Lord will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;

Psalm 91
November 2, 2003

Gathering in Christ's name

Leader: When we stumble and our faith falters,
All: God's faithfulness bears us along
Leader: When our spirits soar and our faith grows strong,
All: God's faithfulness lifts us to new heights of devotion.
Leader: When our daily duties distract, and our vision grows fuzzy,
All: God's faithfulness pierces the fog to beckon us.
Leader: God's faithfulness endures forever!
Let us lift our hearts in praise to the One
who is our God this day and forever more.

Prayer of invocation
Hymns Unto Thy Temple HWB 4
Praise, I Will Praise You Lord HWB 76

Children's Story
Hymn Come We That Love the Lord HWB 14

Proclaiming God's Word

Scripture Luke 22:7-34
Sermon How to write on a heart
Hymn In Thee is Gladness HWB 114
Covenant Renewal Reading

ALL: We, the people of Charlottesville Mennonite Church, believe in God the creator of the universe. We confess Jesus, the Christ, God's Son as Savior. We have opened our lives to the Holy Spirit, trusting the Spirit to enable us to understand God's will, as revealed in the Bible and through the Christian community, and to equip us to demonstrate the spirit of Jesus in all of our relationships.

Leader: We commit ourselves to a life of discipleship.
ALL: We will follow the teaching and example of Jesus Christ, giving ourselves to learning, repentance, obedience, and active witness. We will practice a life of study, prayer and meditation; confessing openly our spiritual struggles; giving and receiving counsel, support, and teaching. We will strive to live with integrity in a world of materialism, inequity, deception, and idolatry.

Leader: We commit ourselves to a life of worship.
ALL: We will come together having prepared ourselves to meet God and each other, and will actively participate in worship. We will bring to God and God's people expressions of our faith through music, sharing, prayer, giving and proclamation.

Leader: We commit ourselves to a life of ministry.
ALL: We will join ourselves to Christ's purposes by seeking to reconcile persons to God and each other. We will support broader Mennonite Church programs through faithful giving, personal involvement, and prayer. We will recognize our interdependence with the larger body of Christ, maintaining our connections wherever possible.

Leader: We commit ourselves to a life of love.
ALL: We will show our love for each other by sharing abilities, gifts and material resources for the good of the whole. We will offer our time, possessions and abilities to God for the building of the kingdom. We will practice hospitality through warmly accepting all persons in our church, small groups and homes.

In loving response to God's saving acts in our lives, we do hereby bind ourselves to God in Christ and to our brothers and sisters in a covenant relationship. By this covenant we declare our commitment to live in obedience as a fellowship of believers under the lordship of Jesus Christ.

Communion
Amazing Grace HWB 143

Footwashing

Responding to God's call

Joys and concerns
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord's Prayer
Offering
Announcements
Hymn Be Thou My Vision HWB 545
Benediction

Today

Worship Leader - Maren Tyedmers Hange
Music - Jen Larson Sawin, Alderfer family
Sermon - Roy Hange
Nursery - Kim Flash

Announcements

Next Sunday we will conclude our worship series on reconciliation in the Old Testament, drawing from the following scriptures:

The EMU Chamber Singers, conducted by Kenneth J. Nafziger, will present an evening prayer concert at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church (1552 S. High St.) on Sunday, November 16, at 7:00 PM. The hour-long program will include a variety of music as well as congregational singing. A free-will offering will be taken. Call 432-4597 for details.

Our church has been invited to participate in the Fun Fair at Clark School Friday, November 7, from 5:30 to 8:00 pm. They would like for us to provide items for a bake sale table like we did several years ago. If you can bake something, please let Joyce know. Items can be dropped off at the church any time Thursday or by early afternoon on Friday. The Fun Fair will include games, raffles, face-painting, cotton candy, and FUN. A $2 entrance fee includes a fistful of tickets, and 50 cents will purchase dinner of a hot dog, chips and a drink. Bring the family!

Prayers and Praises

VMBM: The women at the church in Lushnje, Albania, have resumed their monthly meetings. Three women in the church help Mary Hess with the planning. Women from the community are invited for a time of worship, teaching, fellowship, and sometimes a game with a small prize. Mary spoke at the first one--the first time she led a public meeting in the Albanian language.

Mennonite Mission Network: Pray for Mission Network worker Dennis Byler, Burgos, Spain, as he teaches each week at United Evangelical Theological Seminary in El Escorial. Ask for protection as he makes the three-hour drive there and for responsive students.

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