Grace Presbyterian Church
Meeting in the Chapel at Union Congregational Church
Serving people, through Christ, to meet the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the community and the world around us.
Welcome
Prelude “I Love You, Lord” Laurie Klein, arr. Mark Hayes
Call to Worship (adapted from Psalm 124:8))
One: Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
All: In speaking, in silence, in movement, in stillness, God is with us.
One: God hears us when we pray.
All: God prays for us.
One: God sets us on the path of peace.
All: In gratitude and thanksgiving, let us worship God.
Hymn 322 * “Spirit Of The Living God”
Opening Prayer
Hymn 322 * “Spirit Of The Living God”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Lesson (Unison) Esther 7:1-6
So the king and Haman went in to feast with Queen Esther. On the second day, as they were drinking wine, the king again said to Esther, “What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.” Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have won your favor, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me — that is my petition — and the lives of my people — that is my request. For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. If we had been sold merely as slaves, men and women, I would have held my peace, but no enemy can compensate for this damage to the king.” Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is he, who has presumed to do this?” Esther said, “A foe and an enemy, this wicked Haman!” Then Haman was terrified before the king and the queen.
Time with Children
Call to Confession
Unison Confession of Faith
God of All Peoples who loves each child the same, give us your eyes, your heart, and your wisdom. Keep us from hatred. Keep us from dehumanizing others. Keep us loving. And may our love not be solely in theory but in practice. May your Spirit move us to show up for others and discern when to speak and when to keep silent. Help us to listen so that we might understand and work for justice in this world in a way that honors all—people and creation. Together with you and with your beloved children help us make a way for peace. We pray in the name of Jesus, our Savior. Amen.
Assurance of Forgiveness
Praise be to God in Song “Gloria Patri”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen.
Passing of the Peace
Scripture Reading Mark 9:38-50
Message Us vs. Them = Us vs. Us The Rev. Robin Miller Currás
Hymn * “Bind Us Together”
Bind us together, Lord; bind us together
with cords that cannot be broken.
Bind us together, Lord; bind us together, Lord,
Bind us together with love.
There is only one God,
calling us to the fold.
We’re the sheep of God’s pasture
Jesus leads us all home.
Bind us together, Lord; bind us together
with cords that cannot be broken.
Bind us together, Lord; bind us together, Lord,
Bind us together with love.
Affirmation of Faith (responsive) from Matthew 5:1-9, The Message
One: When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:
All: You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be
embraced by the One most dear to you. You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought. You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. God is food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat. You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for. You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
Offertory “He Reigns Forever” Marshal Carpenter
Doxology Lasst Uns Erfreuen
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures here below;
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Praise him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Pastoral Prayers concluding with the Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Hymn 438 * “Blest Be The Tie That Binds”
Announcements
Benediction
This morning’s liturgy was written by Pastor Robin and © Presbyterian Outlook, 2024, by Rev. Dr. Whitney Wilkinson Arreche and provided for free distribution. The pastoral prayer has been shaped in conversation with World In Prayer, a ministry of the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist, in Lodi, CA, USA, whose mission is to assist Christians to pray with current events in mind.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Tuesday, Oct 1, Men’s Fellowship Breakfast, 8:00 am, St John’s Episcopal Church
Wednesday, Oct 2, Caregivers’ Group, 10:30 am at UCC Learning Center
Wednesday, Oct 2, Robin’s Women’s Bible Study, 2:30 pm at the Manse
Choir Rehearsal, every Thursday at 7:30 pm in the Chapel
Food for the Little Pantry is always wanted and needed. 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.
