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 “In Christ there is no East or West/Breathe on Me, Breath of God” arr. Mark Albrecht/Elizabeth Moulthrop, violin
*Responsive Call to Worship Psalm 33:1-10
One: Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.
All: For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.
One: By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses.
All: Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. The plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.
Opening Prayer
*Hymn 13 “The Mighty God with Power Speaks”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading in Unison Genesis 12:1-9
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Abram took his wife Sarai and his brother’s son Lot and all the possessions that they had gathered and the persons whom they had acquired in Haran, and they set forth to go to the land of Canaan. When they had come to the land of Canaan, Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him. From there he moved on to the hill country on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east, and there he built an altar to the Lord and invoked the name of the Lord. And Abram journeyed on by stages toward the Negeb.
One: This is the Word of the Lord All: Thanks be to God
Big Picture Bible Project Special Presentation
Time with the Children
*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
Gracious and faithful God, You called Abram to leave behind what was familiar and to follow where You would lead, yet we confess that we often cling to what is comfortable rather than trust Your call. When You invite us to step out in faith, and go where love is needed, when You call us to be a blessing to others, we instead focus on ourselves. Forgive us for the times we have trusted our own plans more than Your promises. Forgive us for our reluctance to change, and our unwillingness to follow wherever You lead. Renew us by Your mercy, strengthen us by Your Spirit, and guide us in the path You have prepared for us, In the name of Jesus Christ, who calls us to follow Him, we pray. Silent Confession.
Assurance of Forgiveness
*Glory Be to God in Song 582 “Glory to God”
Scripture Romans 4:13-25
Sermon Walk By Faith The Rev. Cindy Wilcox
*Hymn 829 “My Faith Looks Up to Thee”
*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 “Contemplation Op. 30, no. 1” Felix Mendelssohn
*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
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper/Pastoral Prayers
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 838 “Standing on the Promises”
*Benediction
The Flowers in the church this morning were donated by Jody and Pat Walsh.
Happening this Week:
Sunday, June 7, Noon, Appreciation Luncheon for liturgists, at the Manse.
Tuesday, June 9, No Big Picture Bible Study!
Tuesday, June 9, 7:30 PM, Reach Meeting on Zoom
Thursday, June 11, 1:30 PM, Sweet Hour of Prayer, at the Manse.
Thursday, June 11, 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.
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!
