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, “Come Worship God”, François de La Feillée
*Responsive Call to Worship, Psalm 63:1-4
ONE: O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
ALL: So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.
ONE: Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.
ALL: So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.
Opening Prayer
*Hymn 12, “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading (In Unison), 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When they say, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. So, then, let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober, for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober and put on the breastplate of faith and love and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.
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
Call to Confession
Unison Prayer of Confession followed by time of Silent Confession
Lord, we come before you admitting that instead of preparing for your arrival: we have become distracted and made ourselves busy with concerns that are not your concerns; we have become impatient and made plans for our own lives that are not your plans; and we have not always acted as if we are your people, children of the light. But today we step back into the light. Silent Confession. Amen.
Assurance of Forgiveness
*Glory Be to God in Song, Hymn 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)
Stewardship Testimonials by Kem Mackey and Bob Roe
Scripture Lesson, Matthew 25:1-13
Sermon, Are We Ready?, Pastor Cindy
*Hymn 357, “The Days Are Surely Coming”
*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 How I Love Jesus”, Trad. American Melody
*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 361, “Oh Christ, the Great Foundation”
*Benediction
Thank you to our liturgist, Michael Hawley.
The flowers in the chapel today were given by the Simmons family in honor of Margaret Smith.
For our schedule of events, please check the church calendar, or the printable bulletin (above).
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