Easter Sunday
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 “He is Risen, Alleluia” Eugene Englert
Donna Malyszko and Julie Daidone, soloists
*Responsive Call to Worship Psalm 118: 14-24
One: The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous.
All: “The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things! The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
One: I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done. I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.
All: The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Opening Prayer
*Hymn 232 “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading (In Unison) Matthew 28:1-10
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
One: The Word of the Lord All: Thanks be to God
Time With Children
*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
Merciful God, 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, mind, soul and strength, and we have not loved our neighbor as ourself. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. Silent Confession.
Assurance of Forgiveness
*Glory Be to God in Song 582 “Glory to God”
Scripture Lesson Colossians 3:1-4
Sermon True Value The Rev. Cindy Wilcox
Choral Anthem “This Joyful Easter-tide” 17th Century Dutch melody Harmonized by Charles Wood
*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 “Because He Lives” Bill and Gloria Gaither
Oswaldo Iraheta, tenor
*Doxology Lasst Uns Erfreuen
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
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
Everyone, without exception, is welcome to participate in communion at Grace Presbyterian Church. The bread is gluten-free and water is available instead of grape juice.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
…
…and with all the company of heaven we worship and adore your glorious name:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
…
Together we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died,
Christ is risen,
Christ will come again.
…
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 238 “Thine Is the Glory”
*Benediction
(All are welcome to join us for coffee hour and an Easter Egg Hunt!)
Happening this Week:
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 238 “Thine Is the Glory”
*Benediction
(All are welcome to join us for coffee hour and an Easter Egg Hunt!)
Happening this week:
Tuesday, April 7, 8:00 AM, Men’s Fellowship Breakfast at St. John’s, 55 Montclair Avenue.
Tuesday, April 7, 1 PM or 7 PM, Big Picture Bible Study at the Manse.
Wednesday, April 8, 10:00 AM, Norma’s Bible Study, in the Learning Center at Union Congregational.
Thursday, April 9, 1:30 PM, Sweet Hour for Prayer at the Manse.
Thursday, April 9, 7:30 PM, Choir Rehearsal in the Chapel.
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.
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 desperately 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 April 12. If you can help by providing an appetizer or salad to feed 30 guests please let the office know.
Sign up now for “A Night at the Oscar’s” (Janet and Richard Oscar), Saturday, June 6th, 5 PM,
please contact the church office for details, or Janet Oscar. joscar@benefitnavigator.com
Save the Date for Gospel Sunday! April 19 is Gospel Sunday! The Grace Church Gospel Choir joins with the members of the Union Congregational Church Choir and guest musicians for a spirit-filled service at 10:00 AM in the Sanctuary of Union Congregational Church.
Sight and Sound – date: October 24, 2026 is the performance of “Joshua”; please sign up for the trip after coffee hour and the payment is due by June 1. $165 for adults and $110 for kids. contact Irene or Kem Mackey
