Grace Presbyterian Church and Union Congregational 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 “Alleluia, Alleluia! Give Thanks” Donald Fishel
Responsive Call to Worship
One: We come to join with all the earth in praise:
All: to sing a new song to the Lord, who has done marvelous things, who has shown us steadfast love and faithfulness.
One: We praise the Lord with joyful noises joining the symphony of the earth:
All: the roar of the ocean, the call of the birds, the wind across the hills, people in every corner of the globe.
One: On this sabbath day of rest and gladness,
All: we greet you with joy, our living God!
Opening Prayer
Hymn 335 * “Though I May Speak”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Lesson (Unison) Psalm 98
O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory. The LORD has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises. Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody. With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD. Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it. Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy at the presence of the LORD, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.
Time with Children
Song “Jesus Loves Me”
Unison Prayer of Confession followed by Silent Personal Confession
Tender God, forgive us for our half-hearted faith and half-hearted love. Nourish us again, to blossom with whole-hearted faith that abides in your love and bears fruit worthy of your realm. Through the grace of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Responsive Assurance of Forgiveness
One: Hear the Good News! The only one who could judge us calls us friends.
All: Jesus chose us over his own life, so let us choose Jesus in the life we have now.
One: By the power of the Spirit, our sins are washed away, and we are made new.
All: Let us live as God’s forgiven children. Alleluia! Amen.
Gloria Patri
Passing of the Peace
Scripture Reading John 15:9-17
Message …So That You May Love One Another The Rev. Robin Miller Currás
Hymn 367 * “Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love”
Affirmation of Faith (in unison) (from the Belhar Confession)
We believe in the triune God…who gathers, protects and cares for the church through Word and Spirit. This, God has done since the beginning of the world and will do to the end.
We believe that Christ’s work of reconciliation is made manifest in the Church, as the community of believers who have been reconciled with God and with one another; that unity is, therefore, both a gift and an obligation for the Church of Jesus Christ.
We believe that this unity of the people of God must be manifested and be active in a variety of ways: in that we love one another, and that we experience, practice and pursue community with one another.
We believe that the variety of spiritual gifts, opportunities, backgrounds, convictions, as well as the various languages and cultures, are by virtue of the reconciliation in Christ, opportunities for mutual service and enrichment within the one visible people of God. Jesus is Lord. Amen.
Choral Anthem “Behold, God Is My Salvation” Jody W. Lindh
Offertory
Doxology Lasst Uns Erfreuen
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Communion Concluding with the Lord’s Prayer
Hymn 300 * “We Are One in the Spirit”
We are One in The Spirit, We are One in The Lord.
We are One in The Spirit, We are One in The Lord.
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.
Chorus
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love,
By our Love,
Yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
We will walk with each other,
We will walk hand in hand.
We will walk with each other,
We will walk hand in hand.
And together we’ll spread the News that God is in our land. Chorus
We will work with each other,
We will work side by side.
We will work with each other,
We will work side by side.
And we’ll guard human dignity
And save each human pride. Chorus
All praise to the Father, from whom all things come,
and all praise to Christ Jesus, God’s only Son,
and all praise to the Spirit, who makes us one; Chorus
Benediction
This morning’s liturgy was written by Carol Prickett (for Presbyterian Outlook, provided for free distribution) and by Pastor Robin.
Mark your calendars:
After Worship, Youth Group 3-5pm
Tuesday, May 7, 7:30 am, Men’s Fellowship Breakfast at St John’s Episcopal, 55 Montclair Ave.
7:30 pm PNC Meeting on Zoom
Wednesday, May 8, 10:00 am, Norma’s Bible Study at Union Congregational’s Learning Center
Thursday, May 9, 10:00 am, Church Rebuild Committee Meeting online
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.
Food for the Little Pantry is always wanted and the supply is low right now. on-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.
The next Community Dinner is May 19. If you can provide an appetizer, salad, or dessert to serve 30 guests, please let a Friends of Grace member or the office know. The entree has been covered.
Give online to Grace Church: https://gracemontclair.org/give