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 “Thirty-Five Miniatures, No. 1 ” Flor Peeters, Op. 55
*Responsive Call to Worship Psalm 138:1-8
ONE: I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise. I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name.
ALL: For your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame. When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me.
ONE: May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord, when they hear what you have decreed. May they sing of the ways of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord is great.
ALL: Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me. The Lord will vindicate me; your love, Lord, endures forever—
Opening Prayer
*Hymn 269 “Lead On, O King Eternal”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading (In Unison) Exodus 1:6-14
Now Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation died, but the Israelites were exceedingly fruitful; they multiplied greatly, increased in numbers and became so numerous that the land was filled with them. Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become far too numerous for us. Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.”
* Please Stand
So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites 13 and worked them ruthlessly. They made their lives bitter with harsh labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their harsh labor the Egyptians worked them ruthlessly.
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
Lord you have called us, like Moses, to help save our people. But instead we react impulsively and then run to our own Midians and hide. Lord, you share your plans and visions of hope -and we say- “why me”? Lord, we try and use every excuse in the book: “maybe they won’t listen”, or “I can’t speak in public”. We even ask “l Lord, could you pick someone else?” Today, let our answer be “yes Lord.” 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)
Sermon Babies Save Nations The Rev. Cindy Wilcox
*Hymn 406 “We Are Standing on Holy Ground”
*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 “Sonata, L. 90” Domenico Scarlatti
*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 743 “O God, You Are My God”
*Benediction (All are welcome to join us for lemonade hour!)
Thank you to our liturgist, Allyson Roe.
The flowers in the chapel today were given by Sandra & Henry Gerstman, in memory of Henry’s parents, Max & Charlotte, and Henry’s brother, Solomon.
Happening this Week:
Sunday, August 23, after worship, ACT/Friends of Grace Open Committee Meeting in the chapel.
Thursday, August 27, Sweet Hour of Prayer at the Manse.
Friday, August 28, 7:00 PM, Alison’s Farewell party at the Oscar’s home.
Saturday, August 29, 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 September 13, 5-6:30 PM at St. John’s Episcopal, 55 Montclair Avenue. If you are able to donate an appetizer, salad, entree or dessert to feed 30 guests, please let a Friends of Grace member know.
SOS Food Pantry Supplies needed! Our little food pantry is always in need of non-perishable food items. Please continue to drop supplies off at the Manse or bring to church with you on Sundays.
It’s not too late for the 2nd Annual Summer Reading Challenge The Mission, if you dare, is to read through the Gospel of John plus 1st, 2nd and 3rd 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 Pastor Cindy knows you’re participating and can encourage you!
All are invited to the Open Committee meetings / Pot Lucks at the manse:
GROW: Wednesday, Aug 5, 6:30 PM (Completed)
REACH: Tuesday, Sept. 8, 6:30 PM
ACT/ Friends of Grace: Sunday, August 23, after worship in the chapel
CARE/ Deacons: Sunday, Sept. 20th, 12 PM
EXALT: Sunday, Aug 9, 12 PM (Completed)
Pray, Walk, Love – Summer Walking Groups: Saturday Mornings at 8:30 AM at Brookdale Park- meet at the rose gardens Aug 29. All ages and walking abilities are welcome.
Farewell Party for Alison, August 28, 7 PM at the Oscar’s house. Desserts and coffee will be served. Please RSVP to PastorCindy@gracemontclair.org.We are collecting a monetary gift for Alison. If you would like to contribute, please bring a check to worship or mail a check to the church office. Please make the check payable to Grace Presbyterian Church and write “Gift for Alison” on the envelope and on the memo line on the check. Please do not give cash. If you give online via Tithe.Ly, select “Gift for Alison” in the pull-down menu to the right of the dollar amount. Note that your gift to Alison is not tax deductible and will not appear in your year-end giving summary.
Our Sunday School is collecting school supplies for a school in an impoverished area. If you can help, please bring the following donations by September 13: Folders, Loose Leaf Paper, Spiral Notebooks, Pencils, Dry Erase Markers, Watercolor Markers, Crayons. Please bring items to church with you on Sunday or drop them off at the Manse.
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!
—————————————————————————-