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 “Faith Op. 102, No. 6” Felix Mendelssohn
*Responsive Call to Worship Psalm 17:6-8, 15
One: I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
All: Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes.
One: Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.
All: And I- in righteousness- will see your face; when I awake I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.
Opening Prayer
*Hymn 445 “God, How Can We Forgive?”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading (In Unison) Genesis 33:1-4
Jacob looked up and there was Esau, coming with his four hundred men; so he divided the children among Leah, Rachel and the two female servants. He put the female servants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph in the rear. He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother. But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.
One: The Word of the Lord All: Thanks be to God
Time with the Children
*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, We missed the mark once again. We didn’t love you or others with our whole hearts. We didn’t sprinkle grace, even after you sprinkled grace on us. We wanted others to forgive our mistakes while we held grudges, and indignantly kept track of other people’s wrongs. Lord, forgive us for our tendency to live self focussed and ungenerously. 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 Genesis 45:1-7
Sermon A Situation ‘FOR-GIVING’ to God The Rev. Cindy Wilcox
*Hymn 443 “There Is a Redeemer”
*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 “Meditation Op. 67, No. 1” Felix Mendelssohn
*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
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
(Please note that gluten-free bread is served and water can be requested instead of grape juice.)
Pastoral Prayers and 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.
Announcements
*Hymn 451 “Open My Eyes, That I May See”
*Benediction
(All are welcome to join us for lemonade hour!)
Thank you to our liturgists, Kelly Tobiere and Joanne Acevedo.
The flowers in the chapel today were given by the Blomns in memory of their daughter, Nancy.
Happening this Week:
Monday, August 3, 6:00 PM, Amazin’ Grace Softball team plays for a spot in the championship. Roseland field off of Roseland Avenue.
Wednesday, August 5, 6:30 PM, GROW open committee meeting at the Manse.
Saturday, August 8, 8:30 AM, Walking group at Brookdale Park.
Sunday, August 9, 12 Noon, EXALT Open Committee meeting 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 August 9. If you can provide an appetizer or salad to serve thirty guests, please let a Friends of Grace member know.
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 8, 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!
