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 from Partita No. 2 in C minor” J. S. Bach
*Call to Worship Psalm 23
One: The Lord is our Shepherd, we shall not want.
All: He makes us lie down in green pastures and leads us beside still waters
One: Our Shepherd restores our soul and guides us along right paths for his name sake.
All: Surely goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!
Opening Prayer
*Hymn 69 “Here I Am Lord”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading (In Unison) Acts 2: 42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
One: The Word of the Lord All: Thanks be to God
Time With Children Jeffrey Blanchard, EYMP Leader
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.
*Passing of the Peace (Please let children pass through before standing.)
Call to Confession
Unison Prayer of Confession followed by time of Silent Confession
Dear Lord, we confess that we have 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 neighbor as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. Silent Confession.
Assurance of Forgiveness
*Glory Be to God in Song 582 “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 Ephesians 3:20-21
One: This is the Word of the Lord All: Thanks Be to God
Sermon Doing CHURCH … Being CHURCH The Rev. Cynthia Wilcox
*Hymn 306 “Blest Be the Tie that Binds”
*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 Song For the Nations Chris Christensen arr. Mark Hayes
*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 Prayers
Announcements
*Hymn 829 “My Faith Looks Up to Thee”
*Benediction
Happening this Week:
September 21, Ecumenical Youth Group for grades 6-12, 3:00-4:30 PM, meets today at Grace Church’s Manse, 63 Tuxedo Road
September 24, Norma’s Bible Study, 10:00 AM, Learning Center at Union Congregational
September 24, Sweet Hour of Prayer, 6-7 PM at the Manse
September 25, Choir Rehearsal, 7:30 PM in the Chapel at Union Congregational
Come meet Jeffrey Blanchard, the leader of the Ecumenical Youth Ministry Project. He will be in the Sunday School wing after worship to answer questions about the youth group. Jeffrey will be in worship the third Sunday of the month and is leading a combined youth group for four area churches for grades 6-12 on Sunday afternoons. Today’s meeting will be at our manse located at 63 Tuxedo Rd from 3:00-4:30 PM. We hope to see you there!
WANTED: A time traveler! We need someone ASAP to help manage the creative discernment and filling of a Grace Presbyterian time capsule. Once filled, It will be placed in the foundation of our church before it is totally closed back up. Imagine future Grace Presbyterian congregants discovering our treasures and messages! Please contact the church office.
Want to come for dinner? Dennis and Pastor Cindy are hosting pot luck dinner parties for 10-12 people at the manse and would love to see you at the table! Please call the church office and get on the guest list for a date that works!
Help keep the little food pantry filled! Please bring non-perishables to church or leave in the storage bin located on the edge of the Manse driveway.
The next Friends of Grace community dinner is October 12. Can you help by providing an appetizer, salad, entree or dessert to feed 30 guests? Please let a Friends of Grace member know.
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. Also, if you have any spare vases you would like to donate, please bring them to church or drop them off at the Manse.
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.
