THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST June 24, 2018 LOCUST VALLEY FIRST CHURCH OF GOD ESTABLISHED 1852 In the love of Christ, we welcome you to worship today. We are glad that you have decided to join us and hope that you will return. May those who are weary or sorrowful find comfort; may the unhappy and the troubled find joy and peace; and may we all find the sense of God s Presence in this holy place. This bulletin contains the order of worship for today s service. Restrooms are located at the back of the church near the parking lot. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to ask or share!
WE GATHER TO WORSHIP The organ prelude accompanies the lighting of the altar candles and the pealing of the church bell, calling all to gather in worship. Call to Worship: (Spoken Responsively) Psalm 107:1-3, 23-31 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those he redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the mighty waters; they saw the deeds of the Lord, his wondrous works in the deep. For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. They mounted up to heaven, they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their calamity; they reeled and staggered like drunkards, and were at their wits end. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out from their distress, he made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad because they had quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind. The Prayer of the Day: (Prayed in Unison) O God of creation, eternal majesty, you preside over land and sea, sunshine and storm. By your strength pilot us, by your power preserve us, by your wisdom instruct us, and by your hand protect us, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.
*Hymn of Praise: God of Grace and God of Glory [435] Prayer of Confession: (Prayed in Unison) Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen. Prayers of the People: The congregation may offer praises and/or petitions to be remembered in prayer. Announcements: Offertory/*Sung Response: The Doxology [815] WE HEAR THE WORD Hymn of the Day: Dear Lord and Father of Mankind [639] The Scripture Lessons: Daniel 1: 2-20 Sermon: Daniel Pastoral Prayer: WE GO FORTH TO LOVE AND SERVE *Sending Hymn: How Great Thou Art [147] *The Benediction: *Please stand as you are able.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS AND SERMON GUIDE Daniel 1: 2-20 The Lord let King Jehoiakim of Judah fall into his power, as well as some of the vessels of the house of God. These he brought to the land of Shinar, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his gods. Then the king commanded his palace master Ashpenaz to bring some of the Israelites of the royal family and of the nobility, young men without physical defect and handsome, versed in every branch of wisdom, endowed with knowledge and insight, and competent to serve in the king s palace; they were to be taught the literature and language of the Chaldeans. The king assigned them a daily portion of the royal rations of food and wine. They were to be educated for three years, so that at the end of that time they could be stationed in the king s court. Among them were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, from the tribe of Judah. The palace master gave them other names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego. But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the royal rations of food and wine; so he asked the palace master to allow him not to defile himself. Now God allowed Daniel to receive favor and compassion from the palace master. The palace master said to Daniel, I am afraid of my lord the king; he has appointed your food and your drink. If he should see you in poorer condition than the other young men of your own age, you would endanger my head with the king. Then Daniel asked the guard whom the palace master had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. You can then compare our appearance with the appearance of the young men who eat the royal rations, and deal with your servants according to what you observe. So he agreed to this proposal and tested them for ten days. At the end of ten days it was observed that they appeared better and fatter than all the young men who had been eating the royal rations. So the guard continued to withdraw their royal rations and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. To these four young men God gave knowledge and skill in every aspect of literature and wisdom; Daniel also had insight into all visions and dreams.
At the end of the time that the king had set for them to be brought in, the palace master brought them into the presence of Nebuchadnezzar, and the king spoke with them. And among them all, no one was found to compare with Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they were stationed in the king s court. In every matter of wisdom and understanding concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. Sermon Guide: The most high God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses. Windows of Daniel 1. The F _ C 2. Daniel s three F 3. Vision of the S _ 4. The Golden Image and the F F 5. Vision of the T _ 6. Writing on the B W _ 7. Lion s D 8. Vision of the F _ B _ 9. Vision of the R and the G _ 10. Vision of the M Life lessons from Daniel 1. God is S over all. 2. God H faithfulness. 3. God P sin. 4. God has a P for the future.
THIS WEEK S ANNOUNCEMENTS The Church Council will meet next Sunday, July 1 at 1:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. The annual Church Picnic will be held on Sunday, August 12, 2018 at the Pleasant Valley Park in Gapland, Maryland. We will gather in the pavilion at 11:00 am for worship. The meal will begin at noon, after which we will have the cake walk and play bingo. *There will be no service at Locust Valley Church this Sunday. The park is located at: 3199 Gapland Road Rohrersville, MD 21779 LOCUST VALLEY FIRST CHURCH OF GOD Welcoming everyone into the family of Christ, Worshiping in spirit and in truth, and Working to serve one another in God s Gospel message of unconditional love. 1236 Mountain Church Road Pastor Richard Frederick 7012 Mountain Church Rd. (Mail) (717) 414-6583 Middletown MD 21769 rafvdf@gmail.com www.locustvalleyfcog.org Follow us on Facebook You are welcome to keep this bulletin or otherwise recycle it in the bin provided in the vestibule.