VALLEY’S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

The Rev. Kristine Heckard, Pastor

Choir Director, Ed Dobbin

Organist, Peggy Berra

Aaron Herb, Acolyte

April 6, 2008

Third Sunday of Easter

(*Indicates all those who are able are invited to stand.)

Chimes

* Passing the Peace Greeting:

All who are able may greet those around them with an

embrace or a handshake, accompanied by such words as:

Greeting: “The peace of God be with you.”

Response: “And also with you.”

Greetings and Announcements

* Call To Worship

L: Every Sunday is set aside as a special time to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

P: Even as we celebrate, let us also be about the business of setting our minds on things that are above and not the things that are on earth.

L: Come, let us worship together.

Prelude - “Praise Ye The Father”

* Praise Hymn - “Rejoice Ye Pure in Heart” Pg. 562

* Solemn Declaration

* Prayer of Invocation (1)

* Call to Confession

* Confession: (In Unison )

Lord, we know that we have been called to love one another deeply from the heart, but we confess that we do not always find this easy. Send your Holy Spirit upon us that we may be born anew through your living and enduring Word. Forgive us for our past weakness and strengthen us to press on toward the goal of our high calling in Christ Jesus. Amen.

* Kyrie: (To Be Sung)

Leader: Lord, have mercy upon us.

People: Lord, have mercy upon us.

Leader: Christ, have mercy upon us.

People: Christ, have mercy upon us.

Leader: Lord, have mercy upon us.

People: Lord, have mercy upon us.

* Assurance of Pardon

* Gloria Patri Pg. 623

* Profession of Faith - (In Unison)

We believe in One God, our Eternal Father, who was made known to us through Jesus Christ, our Lord. We believe in the saving power of the cross and the victory which is ours because of the miracle of the empty tomb. We believe that the spirit of God abides in the heart of man - reminding us always that He would have us be people of love, joy, faith, humility, and charity. We believe in the authority of God’s Word, the blessed sacraments of baptism and The Lord’s Supper; and in fellowship of all believers in Christ. Amen.

Children’s Sermon

Hymn of Preparation - “Fairest Lord Jesus” Pg. 88

Prayer cards will be collected during the 2^nd hymn.

Morning Prayer and Lord’s Prayer - (Using Debts/Debtor)

Choral Response - “Hear Our Prayer, O Lord” Pg. 614

Scripture - 1 Peter 1:17-23 Diane Shaffer - Lay Reader

(Found on Pg. 316 of the NT Pew Bible)

Anthem - “I Will Greatly Rejoice”

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Sermon - “Striving for Holiness“

Our Morning Offering

Offertory - “Take My Life And Let It Be”

* Offertory Response - “We Give Thee But Thine Own” Pg. 620

* Prayer of Dedication

* Closing Hymn - “Lord, I Want To Be A Christian”

(Please See Insert)

* Benediction

* Threefold Amen

* Extinguishing of the Candles

* Postlude - “Our God, Our Help In Ages Past”

Good morning and welcome to all our members, friends, neighbors and a special welcome to all visitors among us on this wonderful Third Sunday of Easter!

The Altar Flowers are presented to the glory of God by Dale and Sue Faust in celebration and honor of their granddaughter Lydia’s 6^th birthday which is today! Happy Birthday Lydia!

Our April Greeters will be Boyd Dimpsey and Elvin Lebo.

April Offering Team will be Team 4: Sue Faust, Dale Faust, Charles Cichy, and Neva Cichy.

There is NO Children’s Church today, Sun. Mar. 30^th and there will be NO Children‘s Church next Sun. Apr. 6^th.

Our Nursery Attendant for today, Sunday, Apr. 6^th is Mary Zeigler. Next Sunday, Apr.13^th Sherry Byerly will be in the nursery to care for your little ones.

Next Sunday, April 13^th Boyd Dimpsey will be teaching the Adult Sunday School Class.

The Dartball Banquet will be held on April 7^th at 7PM.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Apr. 6 - Sun. School, 9AM; Church, 10:15AM; Fellowship

Covered Dish Meal following church

Apr. 7 - Bible Study, 10:00AM; G. S. Leaders, 6:00PM;

Elders, 7:00PM; Dartball Banquet at Valleys, 7PM

Apr. 8 - Life Line Screening at Valleys, 8:30AM to 5:00PM

Apr. 9 - Exercise, 6:30PM; Study Group Meeting, 8:00PM

Apr. 10 - Choir, 7:30PM

Apr. 13 - Sun. School, 9AM; Church, 10:15AM; (Children’s

Church); G. S. Swap Meet, Noon to 5PM

Apr. 14 - Bible Study, 10:00AM

Apr. 16 - Exercise, 6:00PM; Council Meeting, 7:30PM

Apr. 17 - Choir, 7:30PM

Apr. 18 - Meals on Wheels Appreciation Luncheon, Noon

Apr. 20 - Sun. School, 9AM; Church, 10:15AM;

Youth Group, 6:30PM

Apr. 21 - Bible Study, 10:00AM

Apr. 23 - Exercise, 6:30PM

Apr. 24 - Choir, 7:30PM

Apr. 25 - Wedding Rehearsal, 5PM

Apr. 26 - Webster/Straw Wedding at 4PM (2:00-4:30PM)

Apr. 27 - Sun. School, 9AM; Church, 10:15AM;
(Children’s Church)

* TOPS, Monday evenings, 5:30PM

* G. S. Mon. evenings, 6:30PM; G. S. Thurs. evenings, 6 & 6:30PM

Pastor’s Hours: Pastor Kris is in her office for your convenience

Mondays 10:00AM - 1:00PM;

Tuesday 10:00AM - 1:00PM

Thursday 10:00AM - 1:00PM

or any other time by appointment. Her home phone number is 657-9563 or you may leave a message at the church office (896-3118) if she is unavailable at other times.

Rev. Philip Kneir will lead the April Bible Study. (7)

*PRAYER REQUESTS*

Please remember all the people on our Prayer List with prayers, thoughts, and cards: Margaret E. (Mrs. Stanley) Shoop, (Polk A L Rm. 123); Daniel & June Harris; Leroy and Martha Herb; Margaret A. (Mrs. Irvin) Shoop;. Gladys Walter, (Kinkora Pythian Home); Nancy Davis, (SV Rm. 514); Delmar Hollenbach; Sue Maichle; Baby Marissa Faust; Peggy Berra; Andrew Wagner; Dean Etzweiler; William Motter; Rafela Endara; Jill Herb; Arlene Keiter, (Colonial Park Care Center Rm. G12); Lois Peckrul, (Ken Breeman’s daughter Cancer); Sean Dobbin, Leukemia); Elizabeth Jane Baker, (daughter of Judy and Ken Baker); Tish Calhoun, (Cancer) Ella Hale, (Stonebridge Home Rm.6); Arlene Keiter, (Colonial Park Care Center); Anna Portzline; Scott Hebert; Sandy Zimmerman; Steven Snyder, (Harrisburg Hosp. ICU; Shirley McCartney; Doris Shade, (broken arm); Scott Gonsar, (Home); Judy Baker, (Home.); Carolyn Bahner, (Harrisburg Hosp. ICU); Vickie Shoffler; Mark & Lydia Peiffer); Nancy Wagner, (ALS, Polk A L, Rm. 130); Richard Snyder, (Knee surgery); Melissa & Dominic McGruther & Family); Charles Hendershot; Janet Latsha & Martha & Leroy Herb & Family (Janet’s husband’s went to be with the Lord); Sharon Bumbarger & Family, (Sharon’s mother went to be with the Lord); Hanna Klinger; Vickie Shoffler.

If you wish to have the names that were given on Prayer Cards for the Pastoral Prayer put on the Prayer list please indicate it on Prayer Card or inform Pastor Kris or Donna Novinger.

Prayer cards will be collected during the 2^nd hymn.

Please remember to inform Pastor Kris if you or a member of your family is in the hospital as the hospitals will not inform us unless you tell them to contact us. You may call the church office (896-3118) or Pastor Kris (657-9563).

LAY READER

Apr. 6 - Diane Shaffer Apr. 20 - Jan Shoop

Apr. 13 - Matt Byerly Apr. 27 - Tim Leitzel

If you cannot read on the date assigned, please call Pastor Kris at the church (896-3118) or her home (657-9563).

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We extend our Christian sympathy, love, thoughts and prayers to three families of The Valleys Family:

Melissa and Dominic McGruther and family as Melissa’s grandfather Gene Schaeffer went to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 29, 2008.

Janet L Herb (daughter of Leroy & Martha Herb) & family as her husband Robert “Brownie” Latsha went to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 29, 2008.

Sharon Bumbarger and Family as Sharon’s mother recently went to be with the Lord.

May God grant all of these families with his comfort and strength at this time.

The Study Group will meet on Wednesday, April 9^th at 8:00PM.

Join us for Exercise class every Wednesday evening at 6:30PM. Bring good walking shoes and a stretch band or long towel.

If you would like to be on one of the Offering Teams, please see Peggy Berra. We currently have nine teams and we would like to have three more as that would give us a team for each month through the year.

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Financial Condition for the Year of 2008

Budget is $131,748.46 for the year or $2,533.62 per week

or $10,979.04 per month and $32,937.12 per quarter.

Income Income Pro-rated Budget Deficit Above

January $8,636.03 $10,979.04 -$2,343.01

February $8,671.39 $10,970.04 -$2,307.65

March $12,007.29 $10,979.04 $1,028.75

Totals $29,315.21 $32,937.12 -$3,621.91

Church Attendance Last Sunday, Mar. 30, 2008 was 78.

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DIRECTOR NEEDED! The Halifax Ministerium is currently seeking a pleasant, well-organized, creative, and motivated Christian to serve as the Director of its Release Time Program for the upcoming 2008-2009 school year. This “hands on” position organizes, coordinates, and oversees the Released Time Program (and volunteers) which currently provides Christian instruction and support to about 170 participating 4^th and 5^th Graders at the Halifax Elementary School.

The Released Time Program format consists of nine (9) Wednesday afternoon sessions (presently from 12:50 to 3:05 p.m.) at the Halifax United Methodist Church. These sessions begin in September and conclude in March. A farewell picnic for the children is also held in Borough Park in May.

As compensation, the Director receives an honorarium of $50 for each session and for organizing the picnic. Some reimbursements for needed supplies and materials are provided.

Because of this nature of this responsible and sensitive position, criminal and child abuse background checks are, of course, required.

For more information and/or to apply for this position please see Pastor Kris as soon as possible. Help our young people. Help our community. Make a difference -- that really matters!

LASAGNA DINNER AT JACOB’S UM CHURCH: Jacob’s UM Church, 36 Jacob’s Church Road Halifax, PA will host an ALL YOU CAN EAT LASAGNA DINNER on Saturday, April 12 from 5pm-7pm. Proceeds will go to the ‘Mother’s Center’ of the LITOMERICE UMC in the Czech Republic. Pastor Radek Novotny visited the CPCUMC area in 2006 and is trying to complete the renovations in his church for the children and mothers who gather several days a week.

Pastor Deb Koretzky

Valleys web address is http://valleysUCC.Net Please check it out. Valleys email address is valleysucc@verizon.net .

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CONGRATULATIONS! 2008 GRADUATES

The Valley’s U. C. C. would like to congratulate the 2008 Graduates by recognizing them during worship service on May 25^th and we also wish to list them in the June newsletter.

Please help us by answering the questions below and return this form to the church office or Donna Novinger no later than Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11^th.

Name_________________________________________________

Parents________________________________________________

School or College _______________________________________

______________________________________________________

College Degree _________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Activities and Special Honors received in school or college:

____________________________________

_____________________________

FOOD BANK DONATIONS

I want to thank everyone who has made a donation to the Food Bank. When Tim and I delivered the donated food items to the food bank, I noticed some items that the Food Bank was in need of: Mac & Cheese, Peanut Butter, Tuna, Cereal. ANY non-perishable food is greatly appreciated. You will find the donation box in the Narthex every Sunday. On the first Sunday of the month, your food donations will be blessed during our Worship Service. May you all be blessed by your generosity.

Pennsylvania Hunger Statistics:

· The emergency food programs served by the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank provide food for an estimated 159,100 different people annually.

· Approximately 36,800 different people receive assistance in any given week.

· 32% of the members of households served by the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank are children under 18 years old.

· 12% of the members of households are children age 0 to 5 years.

· 8% of the members of households are elderly.

· 55% of pantries, 51% of kitchens, and 66% of shelters of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank reported that there had been an increase since 2001 in the number of clients who come to their emergency food program sites.

· Nearly 67% of the clients that access emergency feeding programs are women.

· More than 70% of the households surveyed are “food insecure” which is defined as having “limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways. ~~Patti Leitzel~~

Bring in food donations all month for the Food Bank.