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.
First Week of Advent – Hope
Welcome
Prelude “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord” Stephen Schwartz
Oswaldo Iraheta, tenor
*Lighting of the First Advent Candle – Hope
One: In a weary and worn world, how do we begin again? Where do we start?
All: The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry. Let begin with the good news! Let us begin by trusting that we are a blessing, loved by a gracious God. Let us begin with music and singing! Let us begin with warmth and welcome. Let us begin with hope.
One: Yes, let us begin with hope. Today we light the candle of hope to shine a light in a worn and weary world.
All: May this be our foundation. May this be our fresh start. May this be our beginning.
One: May hope flow forth from here. Amen!
Opening Prayer
*Hymn 97 “Watchman, Tell Us of the Night”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading (In Unison) Isaiah 40:28-31
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who HOPE in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
One: The Word of the Lord All: Thanks be to God
Time With Children
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
Merciful God, We confess that we have sinned against you in thought word and deed, by what we have done and what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart and soul, mind and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. In your mercy, forgive what we have been, help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall be, so that we might delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. 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 Matthew 4:16; Romans 15:4
Sermon The Thrill of HOPE! The Rev. Cynthia Wilcox
Choral Anthem “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” arr. Rich Coburn
*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.
Stewardship Skit/Introduction to the Offering
Offertory
*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
Announcements
*Hymn 62 “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”
*Benediction
The flowers in the Sanctuary today were donated by Jody and Pat Walsh in memory of Jody’s sister, Linda Williamson.
Happening this Week:
November 30, Ecumenical Youth Group for grades 6-12, 3:00-4:30 PM, meeting at Glen Ridge Congregational, 195 Ridgewood Avenue.
December 2, Men’s Fellowship Breakfast, 8:00 AM, St. John’s, 55 Montclair Avenue.
December 2, Big Picture Bible Study, 1 PM or 7 PM at the Manse.
December 3, Caregiver’s Support Group, 10:30 AM, meeting at Pat Warren’s Home, 306 Grove Street, Montclair.
December 3, Sweet Hour of Prayer, 1:30-2:30 PM, meeting at the Manse.
December 4, Choir Rehearsal, 7:30 PM, in the Chapel at Union Congregational.
URGENT!!! Due to the government shut down, we are filling the pantry more than once a day. We are in need of: Pasta, Rice, Cereal (hot or cold), Peanut butter, Tuna fish, Spam, Spaghettios (or similar canned pastas), Canned chili, Soup. Anyone who wants to purchase on Amazon or through their supermarket can have it delivered to Irene at 285 Orange Rd., Montclair, NJ. Or place it in the bin on the Manse driveway! Grace also regularly supports several food pantries in the area that need extra help during this crisis including: Church-on-the Green in Bloomfield, Toni’s Kitchen, Mary’s Pantry and the Human Needs Food Pantry. You may donate to our food offering by putting “Food Offering” in the memo section of your check or offering envelope.
The next Friends of Grace community dinner is December 7, if you can help by donating salad to feed 30 guests, please let a Friends of Grace member know.
Favorite Hymn? If you have a favorite hymn that you would like to hear as part of the worship service, please let Pastor Cindy 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.
