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 “Pastorale” G.F. Handel
*Responsive Call to Worship Psalm 105:1-5
One: Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.
All: Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
One: Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
All: Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced.
Opening Prayer
*Hymn 22 “God of the Sparrow”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading (In Unison) 1 Kings 19:9-13a
At that place he came to a cave and spent the night there. Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He answered, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts, for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.”
He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind, and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake, and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire, and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
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 remain seated until children have passed through.)
Call to Confession
Unison Prayer of Confession followed by time of Silent Confession
We have not been still. We have not sat still long enough to hear you or see you or to respond to your whispers. We have been distracted by the loud earthly pleasures. We have been distracted by the shiny new objects. We have been distracted by the boom of thunderous fear. We have been distracted by the chaotic blowing winds of untethered thoughts. Lord, we come in stillness now. Settle us and forgive us. 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 Lesson 1 Kings 19:13b-16
Sermon Shhhhhh The Rev. Cindy Wilcox
*Hymn 418 “Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling”
*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 “Come Sunday” Duke Ellington
*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 697 “Take My Life”
*Benediction
Thank you to our liturgist, Emy Kamihara.
The flowers in the chapel today were given by Elizabeth Prochilo in memory of her husband, Joe.
Happening this Week:
Sunday, August 9, 12 Noon, EXALT Open Committee meeting at the Manse.
Sunday, August 9, 5:00 – 6:30 PM, Friends of Grace Community Dinner at St. John’s.
Tuesday, August 11, 7:30 PM, Reach Meeting on Zoom.
Saturday, August 15, 8:30 AM, Walking group at Brookdale Park.
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.
The next Friends of Grace Community Dinner is August 9, 5:00-6:30 PM at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 55 Montclair Avenue.
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!
Pray, Walk, Love – Summer Walking Groups: Saturday Mornings at 8:30 AM at Brookdale Park- meet at the rose gardens (look for our sign) Aug 15, Aug 22, Aug 29. All ages and walking abilities are welcome.
All are invited to the Open Committee meetings / Pot Lucks at the manse:
GROW: Wednesday, Aug 5, 6:30 PM
REACH: Tuesday. Sept. 8, 6:30 PM
ACT/ Friends of Grace: TBD
CARE/ Deacons: Sunday, Sept. 20th, 12 PM
EXALT: Sunday, Aug 9, 12 PM
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!
