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 “Sarabande” Arcangelo Corelli
arr. S. Drummond Wolfe
*Call to Worship
One: Praise the Lord O My Soul!
All: I will praise the Lord all my life- I will sing praise to my God as long as I live!
One: Blessed is he whose hope is in the Lord-
All: the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them.
All: It is the Lord who remains faithful forever!
Opening Prayer
*Hymn 438 “Blest Be the Tie That Binds”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading (In Unison) John 17:20-23
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
One: The Word of the Lord All: Thanks be to God
Mission Moment Ken Meyer & Family
Time With Children
*Passing of the Peace
Call to Confession
Unison Prayer of Confession followed by time of Silent Confession
Merciful God, we confess that we sinned against you in thought, word and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbors, families, friends, or church family as ourselves. We come before you asking for forgiveness. Lord hear our prayer and have mercy. Amen. Silent Confession.
Assurance of Forgiveness
*Glory Be to God in Song “Glory to God”
Glory to God, whose goodness shines on me,
and to the Son, whose grace has pardoned me,
and to the Spirit, whose love has set me free.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.
World without end, without end. Amen. (sing 3 times)
As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be. Amen.
Scripture Lesson 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
One: This is the Word of the Lord All: Thanks Be to God
Sermon CommUnity The Rev. Cynthia Wilcox
*Hymn 367 “Jesu, Jesu, Fill us with Your Love”
*Affirmation of Faith (in unison) 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.
Introduction to the Offering
Offertory “Adagio Cantabile from Sonata Pathetique, Op. 13” Ludwig von Beethoven
*Doxology
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 Dedication
Pastoral Prayer 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.
Announcements
*Hymn “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
Good News! Sunday School will continue throughout the summer! Only exceptions are Fourth of July (this Sunday) and Labor Day Weekends.
Interested in learning how to become a member of Grace? Classes will be held this fall. Please contact Pastor Cindy at PastorCindy@gracemontclair.org to learn more.
Confirmation Classes to begin this Fall for 8th graders thru high schoolers who have yet to be confirmed. For more information, contact Pastor Cindy or the church office.
The flowers on the chancel table will be distributed to congregants who can’t get to church. If you would like to donate flowers in celebration or in memory of anyone please contact Ruth Liang rrliang76@gmail.com.
Summer Wisdom Challenge!
THE MISSION- if you dare…
* in June: read Proverbs * in July: read Ecclesiastes * in August: read Job
with the MISSION ACCOMPLISHED all participants are invited to the celebration, Monday, August 25th, 4-5 PM walk on the Spring Lake boardwalk (or sit on a bench) 5-7 PM BBQ and discussion of the wisdom books back at Pastor Cindy and Dennis’ home.
Help keep the little food pantry filled this summer! Please bring non-perishables to church or leave on the Manse front steps. Kid friendly items are most welcome since school is out for the summer!
The next Friends of Grace Community Dinner is August 10. If you Can you provide salad, appetizer or entree to serve 30 guests please let the office or Friends of Grace member know.
Save the Dates:
August 10, 3 PM, Pastor Cindy’s installation at Union Congregational
August 15, 4 PM, Community-Wide Worship Service marking the second anniversary of the church fire and offering a preview of work being done to rebuild
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.