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 “Andante Religioso” Robert George Hailing
Call to Worship
One: The path has led you here.
All: No, we departed from the path. Our spirits waded through streams, climbed over rocks, pushed
aside brambles and branches to be here.
One: The path led you elsewhere.
All: And the Spirit called us home.
One: You are with family.
All: We are the people of God, brothers and sisters in faith.
One: Despite our differences and beyond our bickering, may we, with one voice
All: Worship the One who calls each one of us, “Beloved.”
Opening Prayer
Hymn 482 * “Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Lesson (in Unison) Acts 2:37-47
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what should we do?’ Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.’ And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Time With Children
The Sacrament of Baptism
Presentation
Promises on Behalf of the Child
Pastor (to parents): Do you desire that Liam and Olivia, Finn and Indigo be baptized?
Parents: We do.
Relying on God’s grace, do you promise to live the Christian faith, and to teach that faith to your children?
Parents: We do.
Elder (to congregation): Do we, as members of the church of Jesus Christ, promise to guide and nurture Liam, Olivia, Finn, and Indigo by word and deed, with love and prayer, encouraging them to know and follow Christ and to be faithful members of his church?
Congregation: We do.
Profession of Faith
Renunciations
Trusting in the gracious mercy of God, do you turn from the ways of sin and renounce evil and its power in the world?
Parents: I do.
Do you turn to Jesus Christ, and accept him as your Lord and Savior, trusting in his grace and love?
Parents: I do.
Will you be Christ’s faithful disciple, obeying his Word and showing his love?
Parents: I will, with God’s help.
Profession The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
Thanksgiving over the Water
Pastor: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
The Baptism
Prayer for the Children
Prayer for the Parents
Welcome
Passing of the Peace
Baptismal Hymn 498* “Child of Blessing, Child of Promise”
Call to Confession
Unison Prayer of Confession
God who welcomes, God who embraces, God who seeks us out, we come to you knowing that we are stubborn and can be hard of heart. Your grace is abundant, but we would mete it out with droppers instead of letting it flow like showers, like torrents. Forgive us. Teach us humility. Make us teachable. Through the power of your Spirit, we pray.
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.
Scripture Lesson Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
Message His Father Came Out and Pleaded with Him The Rev. Robin Miller Currás
Hymn 280 * “Amazing Grace”
Call to Offering
Offertory “Listen to the Lambs” Nathaniel Dett
Doxology Old 100th
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
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 376 * “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”
Announcements and Benediction
The liturgy today was created by Pastor Robin and Ellen Williams Hensle of Presbyterian Outlook The prayer of thanksgiving was written by Carol Holbrook Prickett. Pastoral prayers are often informed by the World in Prayer, an online ministry resource
Mark your calendars:
Today, Book Group meeting at the Manse after worship
Youth Group, 5-7 PM at St Luke’s
Tuesday, April 1, Men’s Fellowship Breakfast at St John’s, 55 Montclair Avenue
Wednesday, April 2, 10:30 AM, Robin’s Caregiver’s Group meeting at Union Congregational
Wednesday, April 2, 2:30 PM, Robin’s Women’s Bible study meeting at the Manse
Next Sunday, April 6, 3 PM at Presbyterian Church Upper Montclair, Memorial Service for Jane Leggett
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.
The next Friends of Grace community dinner is this Sunday, April 13, 5 – 6:30 at St John’s Episcopal. If you can provide salad or an appetizer to feed 30 guests, please let the church office know.
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.
