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 “Arioso” J.S. Bach
*Responsive Call to Worship Psalm 8
One: Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens.
All: Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.
One: When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?
All: You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.
One: Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Opening Prayer
*Hymn 298 “Lord, You GIve the Great Commission”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading in Unison Matthew 28:16-20
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
One: This is 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.)
Call to Confession
Unison Prayer of Confession followed by time of Silent Confession (from Aldous Huxley: Brave New World Revisited)
Lord, We admit that we have not hit the bullseye once again this week. The bullseye represents living in a right relationship with you and all of humanity, and we once again have fallen short. We have not loved you, Lord, with all our hearts and we certainly have not loved the people around us like we love ourselves. We humbly and honestly pick up our stray arrows and will make every attempt to keep our eye on the prize- the bulls eye that brings us abundant faithful life in you. 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)
Scripture 2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Sermon The Triple Crown/ Triple Threat The Rev. Cindy Wilcox
*Hymn 288 “Spirit of the Living God”
*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 “Holy, Holy,Holy! Lord God Almighty!” John Bacchus Dykes
*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 12 “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”
*Benediction
(All are welcome to join us for coffee hour!)
The flowers in the chapel this morning are given by the Sharrock Family in honor of Kathryn’s dad, Spencer White, on his birthday. Flowers are also given today by the Hebberd and Cunningham families in memory of Peter on what would have been his 29th birthday.
Happening this Week:
Sunday, May 31, Deacon’s Meeting after Worship.
Tuesday, June 2, 8:00 AM, Men’s Fellowship Breakfast at St. John’s, 55 Montclair Avenue.
Tuesday, June 2, 1 PM or 7 PM, Big Picture Bible Study at the Manse.
Wednesday, June 3, 10:30 AM, Caregivers Group in the Learning Center at Union Cong.
Thursday, June 4, 1:30 PM Sweet Hour of Prayer, at the Manse.
Thursday, June 4, 7:30 PM, Choir Rehearsal in the Chapel.
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.
The next Friends of Grace Community Dinner is June 14, 5:00-6:30 PM at St. John’s, 55 Montclair Avenue. If you can provide an appetizer, salad, entree or dessert to feed 30 guests, please let a Friends of Grace member know.
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
RSVP now for “A Night at the Oscar’s” (Janet and Richard Oscar) POT LUCK DINNER, Saturday, June 6th, 5 PM, please contact the church office or Janet Oscar. joscar@benefitnavigator.com Reservations are needed so the hosts know how many to expect and what dish you will be bringing!
Potluck dinner party June 19, at 6 PM at the Manse for those who have read Paul Denk’s book, Parallels. The overarching themes of his book will be discussed over dinner. Please email office@gracemontclair.org to RSVP.
2nd Annual Summer Reading Challenge The Mission, if you dare, is to read through the Gospel of John over the summer. All participants are then invited to a Finale Celebration/Discussion, Monday August 31st, at 4 PM on the boardwalk in Spring Lake, followed by a BBQ at Pastor Cindy and Dennis’ home at the shore. Please RSVP so I know you’re participating and can encourage you!
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.
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!
