Grace Presbyterian Church
Meeting in the chapel at Union Congregational, 76 Cooper Avenue, Upper Montclair.
Serving people, through Christ, to meet the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the community and the world around us.
Welcome
Prelude “35 Miniatures, no. 21” Flor Peeters, Op. 55
*Responsive Call to Worship Psalm 95:1-7
One: Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
All: Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
One: For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.
All: In his hands are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.
One: The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.
All: Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for He is our God.
Opening Prayer
*Hymn 8 “Eternal Father Strong to Save”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading (In Unison) Exodus 17:1-7
The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.”
Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?” But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.” The Lord answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”
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.
*Waving of the Peace (Due to flu and other illnesses we are going to “wave” to each other vs. hugging and shaking hands.)
Call to Confession
Unison Prayer of Confession followed by time of Silent Confession
Gracious and patient God, you led your people through the wilderness, yet when they thirsted, they quarreled and doubted your presence. We confess that we are not so different. When life feels uncertain, we question your care. When our needs feel unmet, we complain before we pray. When the journey is difficult, we forget the ways you have already provided for us. Forgive us for the hardness of our hearts, for the moments when fear becomes distrust, and when anxiety silences our gratitude. You are the God who brings water from the rock, life from barren places, and hope where we expect none. Soften our spirits, renew our trust, and teach us to seek you instead of testing you. In the name of Jesus Christ, the living water, we pray. Amen.
Silent Confession.
Assurance of Forgiveness
*Glory Be to God in Song 582 “Glory to God”
Scripture Lesson John 4:5-42
Sermon Well, Well, Well, Living Water The Rev. Cindy Wilcox
Choral Anthem “Order My Steps” Glenn Burleigh
Donna Malyszko, soprano
*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
*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 Dedication
Announcements
*Hymn 81 “Glorious Things of thee are Spoken”
*Benediction
(All are welcome to join us for coffee hour!)
The flowers in the Sanctuary this morning were donated by Irene Rottenberg
Happening this Week:
March 8, 12 Noon-1:30 PM, MAKE UP Confirmation Class meeting at the Manse, 63 Tuxedo Road.
March 8, The Ecumenical Youth Group is away on retreat this weekend.
March 10, Reach Meeting, 7:30 PM On Zoom.
March 10, NO Big Picture BIble Study this week!
March 11, Norma’s Bible Study, 10 AM in the Learning Center at Union Congregational.
March 11, Exalt Meeting, 7:30 PM on Zoom.
March 12, Sweet Hour of Prayer, 1:30 PM, at the Manse.
March 12, Choir Rehearsal, 7:30 PM, in the Chapel at Union Congregational.
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.
Anyone interested in attending a dinner party at the manse or hosting a dinner party at your own home? Please Contact Pastor Cindy pastorcindy@gracemontclair.org
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.
Food Pantry Supplies are always needed! We are in need of: Pasta, Rice, Cereal (hot or cold), Peanut butter, Tuna fish, Spam, Spaghettios (or similar canned pastas), Canned chili, Soup. Please bring items to church on Sunday or leave in the bin on the Manse driveway!
The Next Friends of Grace Community Dinner is March 15.
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.
