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 “Center of My Joy” Richard Smallwood
*Responsive Call to Worship Psalm 111
One: I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.
All: Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate.
One: He has shown his people the power of his works, giving them the lands of other nations.The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.
All: They are established for ever and ever, enacted in faithfulness and uprightness. He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever— holy and awesome is his name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
Opening Prayer
*Hymn (insert) “He Lives”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading (In Unison) 1 Peter 1:3-9
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith— of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
One: The Word of the Lord All: Thanks be to God
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 allow the children to exit before standing)
Call to Confession
Unison Prayer of Confession followed by time of Silent Confession
Heavenly Father, I invite You to search my heart and reveal any hidden sin within me, where I have missed the mark. Expose every secret fault, wrong motive, and unseen transgression. I confess even what I may not fully understand or recognize. Cleanse me by Your grace and restore integrity within me, so that I may walk openly and honestly before You. Amen.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 20:19-22
Sermon Easter’s Residue The Rev. Cindy Wilcox
*Hymn 465 “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”
*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 “Hallelujah to the Risen Lamb” arr. Charlene Moore Cooper
*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 468 “In My Life”
*Benediction
(All are welcome to join us for coffee hour!)
Flowers in the chapel this morning were donated by Indigo & Finn deVinck.
Happening this Week:
Sunday, April, 12 Noon-1:30 PM, Confirmation Class meeting at the Manse.
Sunday, April 12, 3-4:30 PM, The Ecumenical Youth Group is meeting at Glen Ridge Congregational, 195 Ridgewood Avenue.
Sunday, April 12, 5-6:30 PM, Friends of Grace Community Dinner at St. John’s, 55 Montclair Avenue.
Tuesday, April 14, No Big Picture Bible Study!
Tuesday, April 14, 7:30 PM, Reach Meeting on Zoom.
Wednesday, April 15, 7:30 PM Session Meeting on Zoom.
Thursday, April 16, Sweet Hour of Prayer, 1:30 PM, at the Manse.
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.
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.
Anyone interested in attending a dinner party at the manse or hosting a dinner party at your own home? Please Contact Pastor Cindy pastorcindy@gracemontclair.org
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!
The Next Friends of Grace Community Dinner is April 12, 5-6:30 PM at St. John’s Episcopal, 55 Montclair Avenue.
Sign up now for “A Night at the Oscar’s” (Janet and Richard Oscar), Saturday, June 6th, 5 PM,
please contact the church office for details, or Janet Oscar. joscar@benefitnavigator.com
Save the Date for Gospel Sunday! April 19 is Gospel Sunday! The Grace Church Gospel Choir joins with the members of the Union Congregational Church Choir and guest musicians for a spirit-filled service at 10:00 AM in the Sanctuary of Union Congregational Church.
Sight and Sound – date: October 24, 2026 is the performance of “Joshua”; please sign up for the trip after coffee hour and the payment is due by June 1. $165 for adults and $110 for kids. contact Irene or Kem Mackey
