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 “Come, Worship God” Harmony Francois La Feillee
Grace Presbyterian Chamber Ensemble
*Responsive Call to Worship Psalm 100
One: Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness;
All: come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God.
One: It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;
All: give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Opening Prayer
*Hymn 801 “The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading (In Unison) Ezekiel 34:7-10
‘Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, because my flock lacks a shepherd and so has been plundered and has become food for all the wild animals, and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for my flock, therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.
One: The Word of the Lord All: Thanks be to God
Time with the 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 allow the children to exit before standing)
Ordination/Installation of Officers
Being ordained this morning is Dusty Kennedy to ministry as Elder. Being installed this morning as Honorary Deacons are: Joanne Akiwowo and Fiona Bradley.
Call to Confession
Unison Prayer of Confession followed by time of Silent Confession
Loving God, help us. When we have run away, when we have turned our backs on love, when we have sought immediate satisfaction and not long-term healing, help us.
Merciful God, forgive us. When we have been selfish, when we have been mean, when we have closed our ears to the cries of others, forgive us.
Powerful God, heal us. When we are so broken we cannot move, when we don’t know how to stem the bleeding of our wounds, when we are too ashamed to seek community, heal us. Give us the courage, the strength, and the hope to accept your grace and hear your call in Christ. Amen. Silent Confession. (Written by Beth Merril Neel)
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)
Scripture Lesson John 10:1-10
Sermon Shepherd Shaming The Rev. Cindy Wilcox
*Hymn 803 “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need”
*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 “We Are an Offering” Dwight Liles arr. Mark Hayes
*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
Announcements
*Hymn 187 “Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us”
*Benediction
(All are welcome to join us for coffee hour!)
The Flowers in the chapel this morning were donated by Pastor Cindy in honor of her mother.
Happening this Week:
Sunday, April 26, Special Congregational Meeting after Worship.
Sunday, April 26, 12 Noon – 1:30 PM, Session meets with Confirmands at the Manse.
Sunday, April 26, 3-4:30 PM, The Ecumenical Youth Group is meeting at St. John’s Episcopal, 55 Montclair Avenue.
Tuesday, April 28, 1 PM or 7 PM, Big Picture Bible Study at the Manse.
Thursday, April 30, Sweet Hour of Prayer, 1:30 PM, at the Manse.
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.
National Day of Prayer May 7
You are invited to stop in the Manse, located at 63 Tuxedo Road in Montclair, any time between 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. for prayer.
Save the date for a Crafty Meet up May 9! Meeting 1-3 PM in the 1st Floor Conference Room of the Montclair Public Library at 50 S. Fullerton. For more information reach out to Emily Rishel. emilyandchristianrishel@gmail.com
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!Episcopal, 55 Montclair Avenue.
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
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
