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 “Preghiera” Armando Ghidoni
*Responsive Call to Worship Psalm 112
ONE: Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who revere the Lord, who find great delight in his commands. Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
ALL: Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous. Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.
ONE: Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
ALL: Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever; their horn will be lifted high in honor.
Opening Prayer
*Hymn 401 “Here in this Place”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading (In Unison) John 17:20-26
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—
I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in 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 remain seated until children have passed through.)
Call to Confession
Unison Prayer of Confession followed by time of Silent Confession 1 John 1:8-10
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. We come admitting we missed the mark once again. We are sorry- Lord show mercy. 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 John 21:15-17
Sermon The Gospel in One Word is Love The Rev. Cindy Wilcox
*Hymn 377 “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light”
*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 “O Holy Lord” R. Nathaniel Dett
*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 546 “Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing”
*Benediction (All are welcome to join us for lemonade hour!)
Thank you to our liturgist, Elizabeth Moulthrop
The flowers in the chapel today were given by Joanne Acevedo in memory of her mother.
Happening this Week:
Monday, August 31, 4 PM, Summer Reading Challenge Finale, 4 PM at Pastor Cindy’s home.
Tuesday, September 1, Men’s Fellowship Breakfast, 8 AM, St. John’s Episcopal, 55 Montclair Ave.
Wednesday, September 2, 10:30 AM, Caregiver’s Group meeting at Pat Warren’s home.
Thursday, September 3, Sweet Hour of Prayer at the Manse.
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 or salad 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.
All are invited to the Open Committee meetings / Pot Lucks at the manse:
REACH: Tuesday, Sept. 8, 6:30 PM
CARE/ Deacons: Sunday, Sept. 20th, 12 PM
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.
Kick off Sunday/Ministry Fair on September 13 after worship. Please stay and see all the ministries Grace is offering.
New Testament Big Picture Bible Study will meet on Tuesdays at 7:00 PM or Thursdays at 1:00 PM beginning September 15. The study will meet at the Manse all but the second Tuesdays and Thursdays of the month. There is a suggested $20 donation to cover the cost of study materials.
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!
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