“THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS LIKE . . .”

Season of Ordinary Time

Prelude:  When Morning Gilds the Sky (PH 438)                                            
                                                     Hal Hopson; Lyle K. Neff; Raymond Haan
Welcome and Announcements
Call to Worship:  Call to Worship                                                 Klein/Green
O Lord you're Beautiful, Your face is all I seek
For when Your eyes are on this child, Your grace abounds to me.
I love you Lord, and I lift my voice
To worship you, O my soul rejoice
Take joy my King in what you hear
May it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear.

* Opening Hymn:  O Worship the King                                        PH 428:1-5
* God’s Greeting

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

Call to Confession:  Based on Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 16-17
     God’s perfect justice demands that human nature, which has sinned, must pay for its sin. Yet the claims of divine justice for our sin are more than we can ever, in any way, pay.   Only one with the power of divinity and the perfection of humanity can stand in our place and can bear the weight of God’s righteous anger against sin, and earn for us and restore to us righteousness and life.   Let us pray.

Prayer of Confession: 
O Lord, our sins are very great. 
Through the distortion of our sinfulness we may vastly discount our
     sins’ offense. 
Through the sad familiarity we have with sin we become
     comfortable with it; we rationalize it; we adapt ourselves to it. 
Through the seeming immediate benefits of sinning we
      accommodate ourselves and permit it. 
O Lord, save us, not only from our distortion of our guilt, and from
     our familiarities and accommodations to our sin, but even more
     so, save us from our sin, which is very great. 
Hear our prayer, as only in the name of Christ Jesus we are saved.   Amen.
Hymn of Confession:  O Father, from Your Glorious Riches    PH 226:1-4

*Please stand if possible
Assurance of Pardon:  Based on Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 18
            Dear children of the heavenly Father, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our only mediator, who is both true God and at the same time truly human and righteous.  Our Lord Jesus Christ was given to us to set us completely free and to make us right with God.  For this we rejoice and offer our thanksgiving to God! 
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
Anthem:  Thanks be to Thee                                                                Och
Thanks be to Thee, Thanks be to Thee
We give you praise, all voices raise.
Lord we sing thanks be to Thee.
Like a shepherd, you show the way
Lord by Your hand, we are led,
You bring salvation forevermore.

PREPARATION AND PROCLAMATION

* Hymn of Preparation: Psalm 84: How Lovely, Lord, How Lovely
                                                                                            Sing! 184:1-3
(Children may come forward during the last stanza)
Message for Children
Presentation of Offerings and Passing of Friendship Pads
Minute for Missions:  Rev. Rob and Tara Cahill
Offering for Mission Outreach
Offertory:  If with All Your Hearts Ye Truly Seek Me (from Elijah)    
                                                                         Felix Mendelssohn
If with all your hearts ye truly seek me
Ye shall ever surely find me.  Thus saith our God.
Oh that I knew where I might find Him
That I might even come before His presence
Oh that I knew, where I might find Him.

Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading:  Luke 13:6-21                                             (page 848)
Reader:  This is the Word of the Lord.
People:  Thanks be to God!
Sermon: THE MUSTARD SEED—YEAST—MANURE CONSPIRACY: ADDRESSING POVERTY AND HUMAN NEED IN GUATEMALA
Prayer of Application
* Hymn of Response:  Your Spirit, O LORD, Makes Life to Abound
                                                                                          PH 104:1,5,6,7
* Affirmation of Faith: The Apostles' Creed               (front cover of PH)
* Benediction
* Doxology:  For All the Saints                                               PH 505:1,7
For all the saints who from their labors rest,
Who to the world by faith their Lord confessed,
Your name, O Jesus, be forever blest.  Alleluia!  Alleluia!

From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost: Alleluia!  Alleluia!
* Postlude:  Canzona                                                            Jean Langlais

Preaching Pastor:  Rev. Rob Cahill
Liturgist:  Rev. Douglas MacLeod
Organist:  Kenneth Bos
Ministry of Music:  Gwenneth Bean

WORSHIP TODAY                                                                                   
WELCOME TO CALVIN CHURCH!  As we gather for worship this day, we are grateful for the presence of members and guests.  If you are a visitor, we hope you feel warmly welcomed and very much a part of this worshiping community as together we lift up praises to our great God and King.  We invite everyone to come to the Fellowship Hall for refreshments following the morning service.  Our pastors and elders are happy to greet you at the doors as you leave the sanctuary after our service today.  Prior to the service this morning you were greeted by Fay Bos and Lisa Meyer (atrium) and Warren and Joanne Boer (east).  
A FRIENDLY NOTE TO OUR GUESTS:  Our worship service proceeds unannounced.  The Sing! book is located underneath the pew.  Calvin Church also has a hearing loop installed in both the Sanctuary and the Fellowship Hall.  The new Calvin Church DVD is available at the Information Desk for visitors who are interested in Calvin Church and would like to know more about the activities here.
CHANCEL BANNER DESCRIPTION:  Trinity.
This banner expresses the Christian belief that in one God there are three divine Persons:  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  The color green represents the growing and liturgical season.

WORSHIP NEXT SUNDAY, Sept. 12                                                     
Next Sunday morning a number of our covenant youth will be making their profession of faith and joining our communicant membership.  Appropriately we will also share in the Lord’s Supper.  Our Sanctuary and Covenant Choirs will sing a song that Judy Bode  wrote.  Pastor MacLeod will preach from 1 Corinthians 10:14-22, “Are You Coming or Not?” (Lord’s Day 30).  Our offering will be for the Holland Home and the Benevolence Fund.
Next Sunday afternoon our annual Ministry Celebration Potluck and Worship Service begins at 5:00 pm.  Our offerings will be for Grand Rapids Christian Schools and Tuition Assistance.
The MINISTRY CELEBRATION POTLUCK will be held on Sunday, September 12 at 5:00 PM.  Members with the last names beginning with A-O please bring a hot dish and P-Z please bring a salad.  Desserts will be provided by the various groups and committees.  This celebration is your chance to learn about the many programs and opportunities that you and your family can participate in here at Calvin Church.

PLEASE NOTE                                                                                        
BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS:  As the Council begins its planning for the 2011 church budget, it invites suggestions and recommendations regarding next year's budget from members of the congregation.  Please direct your ideas or concerns to Council President Bill Stevenson.

CHURCH FAMILY                                                                                 
Anniversary Celebration: Mark and Bernice Ritzema (District #07) will be celebrating 60 years of marriage on September 7.  They have 5 daughters, 4 granddaughters and 1 great grand daughter!  A future celebration for family and friends will be held in honor of the occasion.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRIES calvinyouthline@calvincrc.org
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK:  9/5—Maria Poortenga (10!), 9/6—Sarah Brouwer (11!), 9/7—Benj Brouwer (14!) and Audrey DeVries (10!), 9/8—Ethan Baker (2!)
CLASSES RESUME:  Our Worship Center and Church School Sunday classes will begin the morning of September 19.  We look forward to another year learning about Jesus and growing in our faith!
TLC SUMMER SCHEDULE:  TLC will not meet today.  Preschool children can join parents for the worship service or play in the nursery.  The last class of the summer schedule will be on September 12. 
78ERS and PARENT MEETING:  Welcome to the new 7th graders and the returning 8th graders!  Our incoming 7th graders are Claire Brouwer, Chase Burghgraef, Ian Ezinga, Zoe Gibson, Samantha Koeman, Stuart Lanning, Megan Noordewier, Doofanter Nyamor, Kate Poortenga, and Ellen Zrimec. We also are inviting our recent Neighbor’s Night graduates!  Our first meeting will be September 22 from 7 to 8:30 PM. A PARENT meeting will occur this same evening from about 7 to 7:20 PM in the Council/GEMS room next door.
CYG and PARENT MEETING:  Calvin Youth Group will begin the new season with a meeting following the Ministry Kick-off evening service next Sunday evening, September 12. Parents are invited to attend an informational Parent/Youth meeting during the first 20 minutes of CYG that evening.  CYG will meet approximately 6:30 to 9:00 PM.

MEETINGS, ACTIVITIES, AND EVENTS                                               
Today:  ADULT EDUCATION:  Come to Room 1 today, following the morning worship service, for a fascinating presentation by Rev. Rob and Tara de Vries Cahill. They will describe their ministry among the Q'eqchi' Maya people in the areas of education, income generation, food security and agricultural development. This first Adult Education class of the season is co-sponsored with the Mission Outreach Committee—coffee and cookies too.
Sept. 8:  FISH DRIVERS mark your calendars for Wednesday, September 8 as our next driving day.
Sept. 10:  BIBLE STUDY FOR SENIOR MEN:  The first meeting is scheduled for Friday, September 10, 7:30 AM.  We will continue to study Ephesians starting at Chapter 5:15.  For further details contact Pastor Bob.
Sept. 12:  ORGAN DONATION REGISTRATION:  On Sunday, September 12, immediately after the morning worship service, the Social Justice Committee will be conducting an Organ Donation Registration Drive.  Please seek out the people sitting behind laptops at the tables in the atrium.  You can sign up (a simple 30 second procedure) while simultaneously drinking your coffee and eating a cookie!  People will be on hand to answer your questions and assist you if you are computer-challenged.  Please be sure you have your driver’s license with you.  There is no age limit (minors may sign up).  Young signees are especially needed.  There are brochures in your mailboxes that further explain this worthy cause.  Help us boost Michigan’s ranking which is currently a dismal 42nd out of 50.  Please call Joanie Rosema if you have any questions (452-4143).
Sept. 12:  KIDS HOPE MENTOR MEETING: There will be a meeting for all current and prospective mentors and prayer partners on Sunday, Sept. 12 after the morning service in Room 16 downstairs.  Short, but important.  Call Jan Wilkins with questions at 241.3753.
Sept. 12:  FAMILY ASSISTANCE SALE:  Our wonderful ladies of Family Assistance have made beautiful gifts that will be available for purchase at the evening Potluck Service of September 12.  We have baby items, craft bags, beach bags, napkin sets, purses, and much more!  Your purchase of these items will enable FA to serve more needy families in Grand Rapids.  Please see your church mailbox for more details.
Sept. 22:  CADETS will be meeting at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, September 22 in Room 10.  Boys between grades 2-6 are welcome to join us!  We will be joining the GEMS.  Please contact Mr. Baker at 285-0642 or Baker5351@sbcglobal.net if you plan on coming so we know how many crafts we need for that evening. 
ALL YOUTH MINISTRY VOLUNTEERS:  According to our updated Health, Safety and Abuse-Prevention Policy, all volunteers and staff are required to complete a Youth-Ministry Volunteer Application form which will be kept on file for three years.  If you did not fill out a form this past year, please do so.  Forms are available at the information desk. Please turn in form to Char Bulthuis.
CALLING MUSICIANS OF ALL AGES:  It’s almost time for the choir year to begin!  Rehearsals start the first week of September and the directors heartily welcome all returning and new members to our choral and handbell groups. 

• Children in grades K-2 are invited to join the Cherub Choir.  Children in grades 3-6 are invited to join the Covenant Choir.  Both choirs meet from 6:15—7:00 PM on Wednesday evenings and rehearsals will begin on September 8.  The Cherub Choir Director is Mrs. Amy Netz and the Covenant Choir Director is Mrs. Maria VandenBosch.  Adults of all ages are invited to join the Sanctuary Choir which will meet on Thursday evenings at 7:00 PM.  Sanctuary Choir rehearsals will begin on September 9.  The Sanctuary Choir Director is Dr. Kenneth Bos.
• The Junior Handbells (Grades 5-8) meet on Wednesdays from 5:30—6:15 PM, and the Joy Ringers (Grades 9-12) from 6:15—7:00 PM.  Rehearsals start September 15.  Each group will need one or two more ringers for this year.  The Junior and Joy Ringers Handbell Director is Mrs. Melanie Tolsma.  The Allegro Ringers are in need of subs for the upcoming ringing season.  Rehearsals are Wednesdays from 7:00—8:30 PM.  If interested, contact Mrs. Luanne Barnes.
• Please call the church office with questions or contact one of the directors.  We are looking forward to a great year of leading worship starting with the music dedication service on September 19.

PERMISSION/RELEASE FORMS NEEDED:  For all youth in 2nd grade through 12th grade, please complete a 2010/11 form and return to Char’s mailbox.  All children in one family can be placed on one form. Additional copies located at the information desk.
SUPPORT FOR OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN.  If you have relatives or loved ones who are currently serving or training in the U.S. military, please send contact information to Lara Heyboer at yawayoof@yahoo.com or 299-0527.  Lara is compiling a list of those in uniform that we can support with expressions of care.  This is the last day Lara will be collecting information.
YOUTH VOLUNTEERS:  We still have volunteer openings in some of our programs.  If you feel a desire to help out in some way, contact Char and we can match up your gifts and interests with a place to bless and be blessed!

CALENDAR

Calvin Christian Reformed Church
700 Ethel SE   Grand Rapids  MI    49506
Office: 451-8467    Prayer Line: 451-9802    FAX: 451-9327
email: Office@calvincrc.org             www.calvinCRC.org
The Prayer Connection:  Gert Bokhout (243-8049) or
Claudia Hoffman (942-0366)