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 “’Be Merciful Unto Me, O God” Julia Perry
Call to Worship
One: Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path that sinners tread or sit in the seat of scoffers, but their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. (Psalm 1:1-3)
All: Humility eschews self-righteousness. We can be all these things: wicked, sinner, scoffer, but also like trees.
One: May our worship be like water to our roots, shears to our dead branches, and food that yields the fruit of transformation!
All: We come to worship the Living God who claims us and calls us. Trusting in the eternal love of God, we come.
Opening Prayer
Hymn 454 * “Blessed Jesus, at Your Word”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Lesson (in Unison) Jeremiah 17:7-8
Blessed are those who trust in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.
They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit.
Time With Children
Call to Confession
Silent Prayer of Confession
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 Lesson Luke 6:17-26
Message Blessing and Woes The Rev. Robin Miller Currás
Hymn 434 * “Today We Are All Called to Be Disciples”
Affirmation of Faith (in Unison)* The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Call to Offering
Offertory “Walk in the Light” arr. Andre Thomas
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
Prayers of the People including 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 563 * “Lift Every Voice and Sing”
Announcements and Benediction
The liturgy today was created by Pastor Robin and Teri McDowell Ott writing for Presbyterian Outlook. Pastoral prayers are often informed by the World in Prayer, an online ministry resource.
Mark your calendars:
Sunday, Feb 16, Youth Group, 5-7 PM at St Luke’s
Sunday, Feb 16, 5-6:30 PM, Friends of Grace dinner at St John’s, 55 Montclair Avenue
Monday, Feb 17, Church Office is closed for President’s Day
Tuesday, Feb 18, 8:00 AM Men’s Fellowship Breakfast, Saint John’s Episcopal Church Parish House
Wednesday, Feb. 19, Pastor Robin’s Women’s Bible Study, 2:30 PM at the Manse
Friday, Feb 21, combined Gospel Choir rehearsal in the Sanctuary at UCC, 7-10 PM
Saturday, Feb 22, Full Rehearsal Gospel Choir, 1 – 4 PM in the Sanctuary of UCC
Sunday, Feb 23, Gospel Sunday! Combined worship service in the sanctuary of UCC. Choir 9 AM warm up.
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.
The next Friends of Grace community dinner is February 16, 5 – 6:30 at St John’s Episcopal. If you can help provide salad or appetizers to serve 30 guests, please contact the church office.
Fellowship time food needed for the Gospel Music Celebration. On Sunday, February 23, our annual Gospel Music Celebration will be presented in a joint worship service with Union Congregational Church in their sanctuary. We’re expecting a crowd, and we hope you will be part of that crowd! A joint fellowship time will follow in the Assembly Room adjacent to the sanctuary. Would you be willing to provide some of the food for the fellowship time? Please click on this link to view the needs and sign up to help meet them.
Food for the Little Pantry: Please consider picking up non-perishables on your next grocery trip. Food may be dropped off at the Manse or placed in the basket as you enter or leave the chapel on Sunday.
