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 “Jesus, Name Above All Names” Nadia Hearn arr. Mark Hayes
Responsive Call to Worship
One: Worship grounds us in God, like trees planted by streams of water.
All: We do not wither when God’s Spirit refreshes our spirits.
One: Let us lift up our voices in praise!
All: Let us bow our heads in prayer!
One: May the Spirit convict us of God’s presence with us!
All: And our spirits rest in the knowledge of God!
Opening Prayer
Hymn * “Open the Eyes of My Heart”
Open the eyes of my heart Lord,
Open the eyes of my heart,
I want to see You. I want to see You. (2x)
To see You high and lifted up,
Shining in the light of Your glory.
Pour out Your power and love,
As we sing holy, holy, holy.
Holy, holy holy. Holy, holy, holy.
Holy, holy, holy, I want to see You.
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Lesson (Unison) Luke 24:44-53
Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised, so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the temple blessing God.
Time with Children
Song “Jesus Loves Me”
Silent Personal Confession
Assurance of Forgiveness
Gloria Patri
Passing of the Peace
Scripture Reading Acts 1:1-11
Message Ascension Sunday The Rev. Robin Miller Currás
Hymn 153 * “He is King of Kings”
Affirmation of Faith (in unison) Psalm 47:1-8
Clap your hands, all peoples; shout to God with a cry of joy. For the Lord Most High is worthy, the great sovereign over all the earth… who chooses our inheritance for us, the pride of [our ancestors] whom God loves. God has gone up with a shout, with the sound of the ram’s-horn. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our sovereign, sing praises. For God is sovereign of all the earth;
sing praises with all your skill. God reigns over the nations and sits upon the holy throne.
Offertory “Praise the Lord Who Reigns Above” Tune: Amsterdam (Foundery Collection)
Doxology Lasst Uns Erfreuen
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Pastoral Prayer for the Community concluding with the Lord’s Prayer
Hymn (see insert) * “Thuma mina/ Send Me, Lord”
Benediction
This morning’s liturgy was written by Teri McDowell Ott (for Presbyterian Outlook, provided for free distribution) and by Pastor Robin.
Mark your calendars:
Wednesday, May 15, 10:00 am, Norma’s Bible Study at the learning center at Union Cong.
2:30 pm, Robin’s Women’s Bible Study at the Manse
Thursday, May 16, 10:00 am, Church Rebuilding Meeting
Sunday, May 19, Youth Group, 3pm-5pm,
Sunday, May 19, 5pm-7pm, Community Meal, St John’s Episcopal Church, 55 Montclair Avenue
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