Grace Presbyterian Church
Serving people, through Christ, to meet the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the community and the world around us.
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude “Largo from Xerxes” G. F. Handel arr. C.A.A. During
Responsive Call to Worship based on Psalm 107
One: Give thanks to the LORD, for God’s steadfast love endures forever! Let those who
know themselves as God’s beloved say so!
All: We, who have been gathered from the east and from the west, from the north
and from the south, cry out to the Lord in thanksgiving for you claim us and
calm us. You see us through.
One: God saves those who call out in distress.
All: By God’s Word, we are healed. We are delivered from destruction, even that of
our own making.
One: Let us thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works, and his
unrelenting love for us.
All: In thanksgiving, we offer a sacrifice of praise. We pray and sing in faith.
One: Let us worship God!
Opening Prayer
Song* “Here I am to Worship”
Light of the world
You stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes, let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore You
Hope of a life spent with You
Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You’re my God
You’re altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me
King of all days
Oh, so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above
Humbly You came to the earth You created
All for love’s sake became poor
Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You’re my God
You’re altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me
Well, I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
Well, I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
Well, I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
Well, I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
Scripture Lesson (Unison) Numbers 21:4-9
From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient on the way. The people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food.” Then the LORD sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD to take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. And the LORD said to Moses, “Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.” So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live.
Time with Children
Song “Jesus Loves Me”
Unison Prayer of Confession followed by Silent Personal Confession
We confess that we have little tolerance for sitting in discomfort. We want easy fixes, painkillers, and personal peace regardless of its impact on others. We shy away from voices that offer loving feedback that would help us grow and call it unfair criticism. We act as if we are fragile and forget to lean into you as our strength. Help us to face our truths: the pain we’ve endured and the pain we’ve inflicted. Bless us on the other side of honesty and bravery. Through the power of your Spirit, transform our hearts, minds, and lives, we pray.
Responsive Assurance of Pardon
One: “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord:
All: ‘I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds,’
One: and he adds,
All: ‘I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.’ Where there is
forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.”
One: Believe the promise of the Gospel:
All: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
Gloria Patria
Passing of the Peace
Scripture Reading John 3:14-21
Message Looking Up into the Son! The Rev. Robin Miller Currás
Hymn 339* “Be Thou My Vision”
Affirmation of Faith (in unison) Ephesians 2:1-10
You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ–by grace you have been saved– and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God– not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.
Offertory “Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley” Spiritual
Doxology (sung to the tune LASST UNS ERFREUEN, LM with Allelluia)
What are you up to for my sake?
What are you up to “for the Good”
Would you come now, follow, join up?
Let us take up, wake up anew,
Let us build up, fill up with you!
Let us lift up, gifts we raise up,
for the sake of, for the shape of,
Heaven on earth.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Hymn * “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light”
I want to walk as a child of the light.
I want to follow Jesus.
God set the stars to give light to the world.
The star of my life is Jesus.
Refrain:
In him there is no darkness at all.
The night and the day are both alike.
The Lamb is the light of the city of God.
Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.
I want to see the brightness of God.
I want to look at Jesus.
Clear sun of righteousness, shine on my path,
and show me the way to the Father. [Refrain]
I’m looking for the coming of Christ.
I want to be with Jesus.
When we have run with patience the race,
we shall know the joy of Jesus. [Refrain]
Benediction
The liturgy this morning was written either by Pastor Robin, Marcia McFee (the doxology), or Baron Mullis (for Presbyterian Outlook/free distribution).
Mark your calendars:
After Worship: 15 minute Deacon’s Meeting
Today, Friends of Grace Community Meal 5-7 pm at St John’s Episcopal, 55 Montclair Avenue
Wednesday, March 13, 10:00 am Norma’s Bible Study at Union Congregational’s Learning Center
Thursday, March 7, 10:00 am Church Rebuild online
7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal at Union Cong Chapel
Food for the Little Pantry is always wanted. Non-perishables only please. Food may be dropped off at the Manse or placed in the basket as you enter or leave the chapel on Sunday.
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.